Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Investigation Into Caffeine Consumption And Self-Reported Dependency In The Republic Of Ireland, Gavin Buckley, Ciara Murphy, Nora O'Sullivan, Róisín Spriggs

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Objectives: To explore the consumption of caffeine containing beverages by the Irish population and to investigate their self-perceived dependency on such products.

Methodology: An online survey was distributed with national access to Irish adults which was open to responses from 25^th February to 7^th March 2021 inclusive. A total of 417 responses from participants over 18 years of age were validated and analysed using Microsoft Excel.

Results: Tea was the most commonly consumed caffeinated product among the Irish population, with the majority of respondents stating their consumption began before 10 years old. The majority of respondents did not …

Analysis Of The Reasons And Extent To Which Irish College Students Use Vitamins And Supplements In 2021, Ellen Faherty, Kelsey Hough

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

The aim of the current study was to establish the health, personal and social factors that influence the use of vitamin/supplements (VS) among college students in Ireland. Ethical approval was obtained from MTU Research Ethics Committee with supervision from Dr Brigid Lucey and Dr Annemarie Burns for the duration of this novel investigation. An online questionnaire was carried out on 495 Irish third level students during March 2021. The questionnaire included enquiries about demographic characteristics, understanding of health, VS use and factors that influence this. VS use was reported by 82.6% of the surveyed population despite it being acknowledged that …

An Investigation Into College Induced Stress & Coping Mechanisms And Its Effect On Mental Health, Gráinne Morgan, Madeleine Quinn, Clíodhna Ní Shúilleabháin

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Snapshot Investigation Into The Availability And Access To Codeine-Containing Medications Amongst The Irish Population., Katie O'Brien, Pádraig Mckeown, Joseph Phelan

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Codeine phosphate is a mild to moderate analgesic and has a weak cough suppressant activity that is available to purchase as an over the counter (OTC) painkiller in Ireland as a compound product. In recent years, countries such as Australia have introduced laws that prohibit the sale of the drug without a valid prescription. This move by Australia begs the question as to why this legislation was introduced and should Ireland follow suit.

The primary aims of the study were to determine knowledge among the general public of codeine-containing medications and their usage levels. The survey also investigated whether current …

An Investigation Into The Prevalence Of Use And Availability Of Information On Contraception For Female Third Level Students Aged 18-24, Barbara Dymet, Jane Hyde, Chloe Madden, Ciara Walsh

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Introduction:

The purpose of this investigation was to find out the amount of female students in third level institutions who use contraception as well as their attitude towards the availability of information about female birth control options in these institutions.

Materials and methods:

An online survey was created using Google Docs which was then sent out to undergraduate third level female students over the age of 18. All gathered data was analysed using Microsoft Excel.

Results:

The vast majority of the surveyed population was sexually active and used contraception with the most common form being a combination of the contraceptive …

A Research Study Into Human Papilloma Virus (Hpv) Vaccinations And Cervical Screening Programmes Used For Young Women In Ireland Today, And Their Role In Hpv Prevention And The Detection Of Cervical Cancer., Ruth Delahunty, Niamh Coleman, Amy Harrington, Shannon Crowe

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

This paper aimed to research the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine uptake which prevents cervical cancer (caused by HPV), and an evaluation of the Cervical Check system in Ireland for cervical cancer detection was undertaken as part of the research. Topics discussed were the preventative and detective measures for cervical cancer in Ireland. The population studied was 18–24-year-old women in Ireland. This study was conducted online, through Google forms, Facebook and the UCC surveys portal. A total of 776 participants were analysed using excel spreadsheets and data collation methods like histograms. The survey was anonymised, and the participants agreed for …

The Knowledge, Prevalence And Perception Of Sexually Transmitted Infections (Stis) Among The Third-Level Student Population In Cork, Ireland, Stephen Mckenna, Anna Pohrebyannyk, Cathal O' Regan, Claudia Mayer

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person and these infections are capable of causing health problems such as infertility. In Ireland, the majority of STIs have been on the increase since the early 2000s, particularly among young people aged 15-24 years old.

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate the knowledge, prevalence, and perception of third-level students in Cork, Ireland regarding STIs and to generate incentives which may encourage and increase the number of students to attend STI screening or testing.

Methodology

The survey created using Google Forms™ was distributed to …

An Investigation Into The Prevalence Of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Within An Irish Hospital, Dylan Casey

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are well-recognised nosocomial pathogens that pose a significant threat to public health. Associated with poorer clinical outcomes than their vancomycin-sensitive counterparts, the prevalence of VRE in Ireland has increased in recent times, with the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network reporting that out of 29 countries, Ireland demonstrated the highest rates of vancomycin resistance among invasive Enterococcus faecium isolates between 2011 and 2014 (2011; 34.9%, 2012; 44.0%, 2013; 42.7%, 2014; 45.1%). Herein, we investigate VRE prevalence in the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) – an acute care hospital in southern Ireland. A total of 21 first-time VRE infections were …

Full Issue: The International Undergraduate Journal Of Health Sciences, Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2021

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

The full June 2021 issue (Volume 1, Issue 2) of the International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

An Investigation On The Irish Population’S Attitudes And Knowledge Towards Genetic Screening For Cancer, Emer Mccarthy, Ada Fleming, Dawn Hannah Cronin

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Genetic mutations are alterations in DNA that may result in the development of a disease later in life. A BRCA gene is a tumour suppressor gene that helps to prevent the development of some cancers, particularly breast cancer. If a mutation occurs, this gene no longer functions at preventing these cancers. Genetic screening is when a population is tested for a mutation in an attempt to identify a group of people that are positive for the mutation. This can help identify cancer in different populations as well as track their inheritance. This study was conducted online, questioning the Irish populations …

An Investigation Into Over The Counter Painkiller Use, Shane M. Cusack, Angeline D. Lagali, Andreia Stavrianos

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

This study comprises a survey to examine the use, risks, and awareness of over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. The survey was a paper-based survey extended to the general public in Cork, Ireland from February 24^th 2020 to March 14^th 2020. A Microsoft Excel template (16.34 2020) was used to analyse the results of the 106 valid responses that were received. Responses showed that 105/106 individuals had taken an OTC painkiller in their lifetime. Paracetamol was the most used OTC painkiller with 98.1% of people having taken it in the past. The overall majority of individuals were aware of …

A Qualitative Study On The Factors Affecting The Willingness Of 3rd Level Students To Register As Organ Donors In Ireland, Evelyn Hayes, Erika Horan, Cian Lally, Aisling Murphy

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

A wide range of factors contribute to an individual’s choice whether or not to register as an organ donor. The knowledge of the Irish population at large around the area of donation and transplantation is varied. A research survey was designed to be completed by third level students. The purpose of the research was to determine the most important factors that played a role in their decisions regarding opting-in to organ donation. A second aim of the survey was to determine the participants’ levels of knowledge and understanding on the ‘opt in’ donation system in place here in Ireland.

The …

An Investigation Of Healthcare Supports For Those With Food Allergy In Ireland, Joseph Bolger, Nicola Blake, Sneha Vinod

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Introduction: In Ireland, around 5% of children and 3% adults have food allergy (134,000 people). This current paper describes a survey that was carried out on a subset of service-users with the aim of identifying whether there is a need for increased specialist medical services and/or for a funded charity such as Anaphylaxis Ireland, defunct since 2015.

Materials & Methods: These needs were assessed via an online survey using Google Forms. The survey was conducted from 17-27th February 2020. There were 31 questions in total, relating to topics such as symptoms, clinical wait times, satisfaction with care provided and demand …

Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia Diagnosis And Management In Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura And Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome: A Review, Adam P. Korneluk

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA) describes non-immune haemolysis by intravascular fragmentation of red blood cells, resulting from microvascular thrombosis characteristic of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). TMA-associated MAHAs include several diseases but are mostly associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). TTP is caused by a severe deficiency in ADAMTS13 proteinase, responsible for regulating coagulation, either due to presence of anti-ADAMTS13 (acquired iTTP; immune-mediated) or mutations in ADAMTS13 itself (congenital cTTP). HUS is caused by abnormal and uncontrolled complement activation, either by bacterial toxin activity (typical dHUS) or lack of normal regulatory proteins (atypical aHUS). This review focuses on TTP …

Diabetes Mellitus And Immunomodulation: A Double-Edged Sword., James Harte

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Diabetes is an endocrinological disorder characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia due to abnormalities in insulin secretion, insulin action or a combination of both. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 463 million people worldwide are living with diabetes; 700 million people will be affected by 2045. The severity of the disease is dependent on the type and the stage of progression; when not correctly managed, diabetes can lead to potentially life-threatening micro- and macrovascular complications.

Prior to the discovery of insulin in 1922, the life expectancy of children with diabetes was short and the prognosis was very poor. The advocated treatment for …

Coagulopathy In Covid-19: A Review, Shannon Ginty

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Recent data has demonstrated that the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19 infection is associated with a significant pulmonary coagulopathy. Thrombotic complications have been reported in approximately 35-45% of patients with severe COVID-19. Entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells leads to dysregulation in inflammatory signalling pathways, disrupting the normal coagulation mechanism. The hypercoagulability with abnormal clot formation is attributed to the inappropriately elevated immune response, culminating in a ‘cytokine storm’ with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent thrombosis. The coagulopathy in COVID-19 affects many coagulation parameters such as D-dimer levels, fibrinogen levels, platelet count and prothrombin time. Coagulation parameters must …

Full Issue: The International Undergraduate Journal Of Health Sciences, Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2021

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

The full June 2021 issue (Volume 1, Issue 1) of the International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Sport And Physical Activity During The First 10 Years Of Life In Ireland And The Uk, Kristy Howells, Tara Coppinger

Pre-prints

This chapter considers the many similarities within the educational experiences of the young children in sport and physical activity (PA) in Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK). PA has, in both countries, had an increased focus on its value and importance within children’s lives, a time of habit development. Public Health England (2014) reported that one in six deaths in the UK are due to lack of PA in adults, making it as dangerous as smoking. Healthy Ireland is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Ireland. The national guidelines for 2- …

Defining The Potential Of Gene Therapy With Bone Morphogenetic Proteins As A Novel Therapeutic Approach In Parkinson’S Disease, Susan Rebecca Goulding

Theses

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by the progressive degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, and the intracellular aggregation of the α-synuclein protein in neurons throughout the nervous system. These changes result in the characteristic motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease. Current treatments are solely symptomatic and therefore there is an unmet clinical need to develop new disease-modifying therapies that can alter disease progression. For over 25 years, one proposed experimental therapy has focused on the delivery of proteins called neurotrophic factors to the brain to prevent dopaminergic neuron degeneration. However, to date, clinical trials using the most well-known neurotrophic factors …