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Background Hip fractures (HFs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality among adults in long-term care (LTC), but lack of detailed epidemiological data poses challenges to intervention planning. We aimed to determine the incidence of HFs among permanent LTC residents in Saskatchewan between 2008 and 2012, using linked, provincial administrative health databases, exploring associations between outcomes and basic individual and institutional characteristics. Methods We utilized the Ministry of Health databases to select HF cases based on ICD 10 diagnoses fracture of head and neck of femur, pertrochanteric fracture and subtrochanteric fracture of femur. HF incidence rates in LTC were compared to older adults in the general population. Results LTC residents were more likely to be female overall (65.5%), although this varied by age, with only 46.6% female in those under 65, but 77% female among those 90 years and older. Mean age of residents was highest in rural centres (85.2 yrs) and lowest in medium-large centres (81.0 yrs). Of 6,230 cases of HFs in the province during the study period, 2,743 (44%) were in the LTC cohort. Incidence rates per 1,000 person years increased with age and were higher in the LTC group (F = 68.6, M = 49.8) than the overall population (F = 1.62, M = 0.73). Rates of HFs in the province and in LTC were higher in females than males in all age groups, except for the youngest (< 65 years), where males had higher rates, and the oldest category (90+) where rates were similar. Women 90+ years in larger LTC had significantly higher (p = .035) HF rates than those in smaller LTC, and also had significantly (p = .001) higher rates in medium-large compared to smaller population centres. However, after age standardization to the overall SK population, it was apparent that the larger LTC facilities and the medium-large population centres had overall lower HF rates than the small and medium LTC facilities and the small urban and rural PCs, respectively. One health region had particularly high rates, even when accounting for age and sex composition. Conclusion Both HF numbers and incidence rates were higher in LTC compared to the overall population, with higher rates in older women, small to medium size LTC, and particular health regions. Our data suggest the need for further exploration of potentially remediable factors for HFs in smaller LTCs, and for targeting specific facilities and regions with outlying HF rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic presented many sudden challenges regarding food, including grocery shopping changes (eg, reduced store hours, capacity restrictions, and empty store shelves due to food hoarding), restaurant closures, the need to cook more at home, and closures of food access programs. Eat Well Saskatchewan (EWS) implemented a 16-week social media campaign, #eatwellcovid19, led by a dietitian and nutrition student that focused on sharing stories submitted by the Saskatchewan public about how they were eating healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: The goal of this study was to describe the implementation of the #eatwellcovid19 social media campaign and the results from the evaluation of the campaign, which included campaign performance using social media metrics and experiences and perspectives of campaign followers.Methods: Residents of Saskatchewan, Canada, were invited to submit personal stories and experiences to EWS about how they were eating healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic from April to August 2020. Each week, one to three stories were featured on EWS social media platforms-Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter-along with evidence-based nutrition information to help residents become more resilient to challenges related to food and nutrition experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who submitted stories were entered into a weekly draw for a Can $100 grocery gift card. Social media metrics and semistructured qualitative interviews of campaign followers were used to evaluate the #eatwellcovid19 campaign.Results: In total, 75 stories were submitted by 74 individuals on a variety of topics (eg, grocery shopping, traditional skills, and gardening), and 42 stories were featured on social media. EWS shared 194 #eatwellcovid19 posts across social media platforms (Facebook: n=100; Instagram: n=55; and Twitter: n=39). On Facebook, #eatawellcovid19 reached 100,571 followers and left 128,818 impressions, resulting in 9575 engagements. On Instagram, the campaign reached 11,310 followers, made 14,145 impressions, and received 823 likes and 15 comments. On Twitter, #eatwellcovid19 made 15,199 impressions and received 424 engagements. Featured story submission posts had the best engagement on Facebook and the most likes and comments on Instagram. The EWS social media pages reported increases in their following during the campaign (Instagram: +30%; Facebook: +14%; and Twitter: +12%). Results from the interviews revealed that there were two types of campaign followers: those who appreciated hearing the stories submitted by followers, as it helped them to feel connected to the community during social isolation, and those who appreciated the evidence-based information.Conclusions: Numerous stories were submitted to the #eatwellcovid19 social media campaign on various topics. On Instagram and Facebook, posts that featured these stories had the highest engagement. During this campaign, EWS's social media following increased by more than 10% on each platform. The approach used for the #eatwellcovid19 campaign could be considered by others looking to develop health promotion campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hip fractures are a common cause of hospitalization in long-term care (LTC) facilities. • Vitamin D given by the first 3 months upon entry into LTC was not associated with a lower risk for subsequent hip fracture. • Use of supplemental vitamin D upon entry into LTC was associated with reduced mortality in women. High rates of hip fracture (HF) in long-term care (LTC) lead to increased hospitalization and greater risk of death. Supplementation of residents with vitamin D3 (vitD) has been recommended, but may be infrequently acted upon. Using a prospective cohort design, we explored use of vitD at doses ≥800 IU for hip fractures (HF) and for mortality among permanent LTC residents in Saskatchewan between 2008 and 2012, using provincial administrative health databases (N = 23178). We used stepwise backward regression with Cox proportional hazard multivariate analysis for time to first HF or to death upon entry into LTC (excluding the first three months), the association of daily vitD (determined during the first three months), age, sex, age*sex interaction, prior HF, osteoporosis diagnosis and Charlson Comormidity Score (CCS) was determined. Users of VitD were more likely older, women and those with previous HF. For HF, no significant impact of vitD or CCS was found. Models for mortality, stratified by sex, showed in women only, that vitD use resulted in a significant inverse association with time to death [HR (0.91(0.87-0.96)]; for men it was 0.94(0.88–1.01). The impact of VitD supplementation in LTC deserves further investigation, however, the mechanisms for its effect on mortality remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]