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Ireland's "mathematics problem" is well-documented and extensively reported in the media and elsewhere (Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) 2008; Task Force on the Physical Sciences 2002). Concern primarily lies with post-primary students' underperformance in mathematics coupled with a failure to make a successful transition to third level scientifically and mathematically orientated undergraduate courses. Teacher qualification is believed to be one of the most important factors affecting students' mathematical learning. Research has demonstrated that students learn more from teachers who are skilled, experienced, and know what and how to teach (Darling-Hammond 2000). The aim of this study is to investigate the level of out-of-field teaching occurring in Irish post-primary mathematics classrooms and the deployment of these teachers in Irish second level school. Findings reveal that 48% of teachers teaching mathematics in this study are unqualified to do so and are primarily assigned Junior Cycle classes, non-exam years and Ordinary level or lower mathematics. (Contains 2 figures and 5 tables.)

Objective: To identify risk factors for falling for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Neurology service in a tertiary hospital. Subjects: Participants were 101 people with Multiple Sclerosis and Expanded Disability Status Score of 3-6.5. One participant withdrew after the baseline assessment; data were analysed for 100 participants. Interventions: No intervention. Main measures: Outcome was rate of falls, and predictors were Timed Up and Go, Symbol Digit Modalities test, demographics and 15 self-report questions about various symptoms including fatigue, concentration, dual tasking, bladder and bowel control. Three-month prospective diaries recorded falls. Results: There were 791 falls reported over the 3-month period from a total of 56 fallers. Falls rate per person-year was 32.08 falls. Following multivariable regression analysis, the model with the greatest levels of clinical utility and discriminative ability (sensitivity 88% and area under the receiving operating curve statistic = 0.72, 95% CI 0.62–0.82), included the variables of history of a fall, not having visual problems, problems with bladder control and a slower speed on the Timed Up and Go. Conclusion: This study confirms the high incidence of falls for people with Multiple Sclerosis and provides a risk prediction model including fall history, problems with bladder control, not having visual problems and a slower Timed Up and Go speed that may be used to identify those at greater risk and in need of tailored falls prevention intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Individual placental and umbilical cord morphometry have been previously identified to have an association with fetal growth. This study aims to identify which of the morphometric measurements in combination are associated with pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA) infants using digital imaging of the delivered placenta.Material and methods: This study examined 1005 placentas from consecutively delivered singleton pregnancies in a tertiary center. Standardized images of each placenta were taken. Placental weight and thickness; umbilical cord length and diameter were measured on gross examination. Distance from the placental cord insertion site to placental margin, length and breadth of the placenta and placental chorionic surface area were measured digitally using ImageJ software. Logistic regression models and area under the curve (AUC) were used to identify the best subset of morphometric measurements to classify infants as SGA (<10th centile).Results: Overall, 141 (14%) infants were SGA. The morphometric measurements at delivery most strongly associated with the classification of infants as SGA were placental weight (AUC = 0.806) and placental surface area (AUC = 0.749). Of the potential antenatal morphometric measurements, umbilical cord diameters, both placental (AUC = 0.644) and fetal end (AUC = 0.629) were most strongly associated with SGA. A logistic regression model with maternal age, smoking status, current history of preeclampsia, umbilical cord length, placental weight, birthweight-to-placental weight ratio and umbilical cord diameter (placental end) had a sensitivity of 53% and a false-positive rate of 2% (AUC = 0.945) for the classification of infants as SGA.Conclusion: Placental and umbilical cord morphometry measured at delivery are different between SGA and non-SGA infants. Further studies are warranted to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of ultrasound to measure placental and umbilical cord morphometry during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental incarceration (PI) is associated with adverse developmental outcomes for children affected. However, research in this area often reports conflicting results with few studies following children across time in non‐U.S. populations. Additionally, more research is called for using multi‐informant perspectives rather than relying on adult reports of child outcomes alone. Methods: This study used data from the first two waves of a nationally representative cohort study of 8,568 children aged 9 years and followed up at age 13 living in the Republic of Ireland (2007–2012). Propensity score matching was used to match children who had experienced PI by the age of nine to children who had not experienced PI by sociodemographics and experience of other stressful events. Mental health, as measured by self‐concept (Piers‐Harris II) and externalizing and internalizing difficulties (strength and difficulties questionnaire), was compared across both groups. Results: Fifty of the 8,568 children (weighted percentage 0.9%) reported experiencing PI by the age of nine. These children came from more socially disadvantaged homes and were more likely to have experienced other potentially stressful life events. In comparison to a matched sample of children not affected by PI, children affected by PI reported higher levels of anxiety at age nine. Longitudinal analysis indicated these children affected by PI also reported lower levels of happiness at age 13 with higher levels of emotional difficulties reported by their primary caregiver. Conclusions: Children of incarcerated parents face a greater array of life challenges. PI had an association with child‐reported levels of anxiety at age nine. PI also had a medium‐term association on caregiver assessments of emotional difficulties of children affected as well child‐reported levels of happiness over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recognizing expectations and concerns of patients leads to more specialized management plans and greater adherence to treatment and improves outcomes. Little is known about how age impacts on expectations or concerns regarding pain in patients attending a chronic pain clinic. Methods We prospectively assessed the expectations and concerns of 100 adult patients at their first visit to a pain clinic. Patients reported their expectations and concerns for the clinic visit using a self-completed questionnaire. Categories of concerns and expectations were compared across age groups (≤ 65 years, > 65 years) using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Results Thirty-nine patients (39%) were over 65 years of age (older patients). The most frequently stated site of pain was the lumbar spine for all patients regardless of age. Common concerns of all patients related to sleep and mobility, and the most common expectation related to analgesia. Younger patients were more concerned about employment (23% vs. 3% of older patients, P = 0.005) and social participation (21% vs. 5%, P = 0.03), whereas older patients were more likely to be concerned about mobility (46% vs. 15% of younger patients, P = 0.001). More younger patients expected education on the source of pain than did older patients (23% vs. 3%, P = 0.005), whereas older patients were more likely to be unsure or have no expectations (26% vs. 3%, P = 0.005). Conclusion We found differences in patient expectations and concerns by age of those attending a chronic pain clinic. These differences can inform the communication process between physician and patient on treatment plans and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain is a public health concern affecting 20% to 30% of the population of Western countries. Psychological risk factors can worsen chronic pain patients. Themes of perceived injustice ( PI) and pain catastrophizing are related to poor clinical outcomes. Particularly, perceived injustice has not been assessed systematically in patients at their first presentation in chronic pain clinics in Ireland. This study aims to assess the Injustice Experience Questionnaire ( IEQ)'s internal consistency in the Irish population, assess PI in patients attending a chronic pain clinic in Ireland using the IEQ, investigate pain catastrophizing through the Pain Catastrophizing Scale ( PCS) and its relationship with IEQ scores, and explore their relationships with self-reported Numeric Pain Rating Scale. One hundred adult patients were randomly selected from those attending the clinic for the first time. Eighty completed the IEQ (mean age 49 years, ranged 22 to 90 years; 59% female). The internal consistency of the IEQ was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). Twenty-six patients (33%) had IEQ scores classified as severe. Patients whose cause of pain was trauma or road traffic accidents were more likely to have clinically severe scores than all other causes of pain (47% vs. 23%, P = 0.03). This has clinical consequences and may have legal implications. Pain catastrophizing scores were strongly correlated with IEQ ( r = 0.60, P < 0.001). The correlation between IEQ and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale was weak ( r = 0.25, P = 0.048). The results suggest that the IEQ may provide an additional tool to assess psychological contributors in problematic chronic pain patients and to institute targeted therapies to improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: while a range of variables are related to the impact of pain, most population studies of older persons have simply examined the presence or intensity of pain. Objective: to develop novel pain profiles based on a range of pain variables, and compare demographic and health variables across profiles. Methods: baseline data from The Irish LongituDinal study on Ageing (TILDA), a population-representative cohort study involving 8,171 community living people resident in Ireland aged 50 or over, was used. Two-step cluster analysis was performed on those who reported being often troubled by pain using all self-reported pain variables. Nine demographic and health variables were compared across pain profiles and the no-pain profile. Results: of the cohort, 65% reported not often being troubled by pain. Of those troubled by pain, four profiles emerged ranging from the profile whose pain did not have impact on daily activities (12% of cohort) to the profile with everyone taking medication to control the pain (9% of cohort). All demographic and health variables differed significantly across the profiles (all P < 0.05) with pain profiles reporting significantly greater disability and poorer quality of life than the no-pain profile (P < 0.05). Conclusions: four pain profiles, based on a range of pain variables, as well as a no-pain profile were identifiable in a large sample of older adults. Identifying those (i) with multi-site pain, (ii) who take pain medications and/or (iii) whose pain affects daily activities clearly identifies those with the highest levels of disability and poorest quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: elastic compression stockings (ECS) can be used as a non-pharmacological therapeutic option for older patients with orthostatic hypotension (OH). We aimed to investigate the practices and views of patients and physicians regarding the use of ECS for OH.Methods: two surveys were designed. The first was sent to 90 patients known to have been prescribed ECS for OH. This questionnaire included items related to the frequency of use and issues related to non-compliance. The second was sent to 69 consultant physicians in geriatric medicine. This included items related to prescribing practices and perceived patient compliance.Results: sixty-seven patients responded (response rate, 74%) and of those 64% were female. Mean age (SD) was 75.1 years (10.5), range 45–91 years. Thirty-three per cent wore ECS daily, whereas 43% never used them. Over half (51%) of the patients reported difficulty in application and 31% reported discomfort. Those aged 75 or older were more likely to report difficulty in application (P = 0.003). Forty-eight physicians responded (response rate, 70%). Eighty-nine per cent prescribe ECS for OH. There were significant differences between the frequency of use reported by patients and predicted by physicians (P < 0.001), with physicians less likely to predict daily or non-use. Eighty-nine per cent of physicians predicted that difficulty in application was the main reason for non-compliance.Conclusion: although prescribed frequently, the use of ECS in patients with OH is often limited by issues related to practicality. Physicians correctly predicted the main reasons for non-compliance although underestimated the scale of patient compliance with ECS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Predictors of depression over time were examined in parental carers of children with developmental disabilities (DD) and parents of typically developing children (controls) who participated in the Growing up in Ireland Study. Parents completed measures of depression, the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D) and child problem behaviours, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire when the children were aged 9 (Wave 1) and 13 (Wave 2). Using CES-D cut-off scores to indicate probable depression, caregivers were more likely to be depressed at both waves compared to controls with a Wave 1 rate of depression of 14.6% vs. 7.9% (p < 0.001, Cramer`s V = 0.059) and Wave 2 (14.8% vs. 10%, p = 0.003, Cramer`s V = 0.038). While overall rates of depression were stable for caregivers, a shifting pattern emerged; 59.6% of those who were depressed at Wave 1, were not at Wave 2; similarly, 10.9% who were not depressed at Wave 1, were at Wave 2. Parents of children with DD were also more likely to report greater problem behaviours in their children compared to controls at both waves. Depression in caregivers at Wave 1 and persistent child problem behaviours were significant predictors of depression at Wave 2. In conclusion, while overall rates of depression remain stable in caregivers, there are shifting patterns evident with prior depression and persistent behaviour problems predictive of ongoing depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]