scholarly journals Serology reflects a decline in the prevalence of trachoma in two regions of The Gambia

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J Migchelsen ◽  
Nuno Sepúlveda ◽  
Diana L Martin ◽  
Gretchen Cooley ◽  
Sarah Gwyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
River Region ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ct Antigens ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTTrachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). It is targeted for global elimination as a public health problem. In 2014, a population-based cross-sectional study was performed in two previously trachoma-endemic areas of The Gambia. Participants of all ages from Lower River Region (LRR) (N = 1028) and Upper River Region (URR) (N = 840) underwent examination for trachoma and had blood collected for detection of antibodies against the Ct antigen Pgp3, by ELISA. Overall, 30 (1.6%) individuals had active trachoma; the prevalence in children aged 1–9 years was 3.4% (25/742) with no statistically significant difference in prevalence between the regions. There was a significant difference in overall seroprevalence by region: 26.2% in LRR and 17.1% in URR (p<0.0001). In children 1-9 years old, seroprevalence was 4.4% in LRR and 3.9% in URR. Reversible catalytic models using information on age-specific seroprevalence demonstrated a decrease in the transmission of Ct infection in both regions, possibly reflecting the impact of improved access to water, health and sanitation as well as mass drug administration campaigns. Serological testing for antibodies to Ct antigens is potentially useful for trachoma programmes, but consideration should be given to the coendemicity of sexually transmitted Ct infections.

Status of Schistosoma haematobium Infection among Pupils around the Kainji Dam, Niger State: A Paradigm Shift In Infection Rate

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Adewale ◽  
O Rahman ◽  
M Sulyman ◽  
C Uwalaka ◽  
M Ajayi
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease after malaria, and a major public health problem among schoolagedchildren. This study was carried out to assess the current status of Schistosoma haematobium infection among pupils around Kainji Dam. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 communities around Kainji dam. Urine samples were collected and processed using the standard filtration technique. Filter papers were examined with compound microscope and eggs of S. haematobium were identified with their terminal spines. Data were analyzed with SPSS 23. The overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among the 410 pupils examined was 5.1% and a geometric mean egg count of 5.97 eggs/10ml urine. There was statistically significant association between infection and age with peak infection in age group 12-14 (11.8%, x2 = 14.185, p < 0.005). The males (6.8%) were more infected than the females (2.9%) and there was no significant difference (Χ² =3.1, P>0.05) in infection among sexes. The occupation of Pupils' Parent was found to have a statistically significant association with the risk of being infected (x2 = 38.7, P<0.05), prevalence of infection was shared between the fishermen (47.6%) and farmers (52.4%). Compared to other studied communities, a pupil stands over 400times [OR 412.2 (95% CI: 52.4 – 3245.1)] risk of being infected with Schistosoma haematobium in Yuna community. The lack of infection in 3 of the studied communities could be attributed to the impact of current efforts at controlling Schistosoma haematobium infection around the Kainji dam which is a paradigm shift from what used to be experienced from previous studies. This current experience advocates for intensified efforts at total elimination. Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium, Prevalence, Pupils, Kainji dam

scholarly journals Association Between Anthropometric Factors and Balance Among Elderly Fallers and Non-Fallers: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pothiraj Pitchai ◽  
Reshma Gurav ◽  
Srishti Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Falls are an emerging public health problem causing a cascade of medical, functional, and socio-economic consequences. Apart from other widely explored risk factors affecting balance, anthropometric factors are also known to have an impact on balance. However, this relationship hasn’t been studied extensively in older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the anthropometric factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Mass (BFM), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Lower Limb Length (LLL), Foot Length (FL) and balance in the elderly among fallers and non-fallers. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 fallers and 100 non-fallers, aged 60 years and above. These participants were recruited by a stratified random sampling technique from Navi Mumbai region. All the above anthropometric factors were measured and recorded. Each participant’s balance was assessed using the Mini-BESTest scale. Obtained scores were analysed in SPSS software; descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient, and Z scores were applied. Results: A sample size of 100 non-fallers, 50% male and 50% females, participated in this study. Among those participants classified as “fallers,” 56% were males and 44% were females. The mean age of the non-fallers was 66±5.01 and the mean age of the fallers was 67.72±6.73. In fallers, WHR showed good negative correlation (r= -.807), BFM as moderate (r= -.577) and BMI as fair (r= -.426) whereas in non-fallers, BMI showed moderate (r= -.546) and fair negative correlation for both WHR (r= -.303) and BFM (r= -.441). However, LLL and FL in both groups show little or no correlation. The Association of all anthropometric factors with the balance between fallers and non-fallers showed no-significant difference. It may be inter-group variance for age, gender and BMI, as participants were not matched for these variables during the recruiting phase. Additionally, the reason for the fall was not explored, thus adding to the limitations of our study. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the impact of increased WHR, BFM and BMI on balance in the elderly fallers and non-fallers. Thus, it is important to screen these factors while assessing biological risk factors for predicting falls. This study further recommends exploring the normative value for anthropometric factors in a healthy elderly population.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Attitudes of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among High School Students in Sarajevo

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Sabina Mahmutovic Vranic ◽  
Mufida Aljicevic ◽  
Sabina Segalo ◽  
Anes Joguncic
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Students ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>Objective. </strong>The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge and behavioural risks related to sexually transmitted infection (STIs) among high school students.</p><p><strong>Methods. </strong>The cross sectional study was conducted among students aged 15-18 years old from two high schools in the Sarajevo Canton in the period from October 2017 to March 2018. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. The survey investigated their socio-demographic characteristics, sexual habits and level of knowledge about STIs. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and MS Excel 2016.</p><p><strong>Results. </strong>In total 278 high school students participated in the study, with a mean age of 17.79±1.026 years, of which 89 (32%) were male, and 189 (68%) were female. There was no significant difference in age in relation to sex distribution (P=0.074). Regarding the number of participants, 234 (84.2%) were from the dental school, while 44 (15.8%) were from a <em>gimnazija </em>(grammar high school). There was no significant difference in gender-based distribution by school (P=0.080). Students from the grammar high school had significantly better knowledge about the impact of STI on the foetus (P=0.025) and infected individuals (P=0.001), also about the impact of STI on sterility (P=0.005).</p><p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>Our study confirmed the need for implementation of sexual education programs in the final grades of elementary school or in first grades of high school, aimed at improving knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and improving sexual and reproductive health.</p>

Self perceived oro-facial behaviour and malocclusion among young adults in Hyderabad city

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dasari Tejaswini ◽  
Suhas Kulkarni ◽  
Dolar Doshi ◽  
Adepu Srilatha
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundAesthetic alterations in the face can be self-perceived and can affect quality of life in young adults.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of malocclusion on self- perceived oro-facial behaviour among young adults.MethodsA Cross sectional study was conducted among 638 young adults (aged 18–21 years) of Hyderabad city. One college from each of the five zones of the Hyderabad city (five colleges) were selected by simple random sampling procedure. A 21-item Oro-facial investment scale (OFIS) questionnaire assessing self-perceived oral health knowledge, attitude, practice and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) assessing the severity of malocclusion was used. Data were analysed with standard statistical software (SPSS, Statistical package for the social sciences, version 20.0). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMales had higher mean scores for knowledge (2.90 ± 0.49) than females (2.73 ± 0.82) and was statistically significant (p = 0.002*). No statistically significant gender differences were found in relation to attitude and practice. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was a significant difference in all the three scores (knowledge, attitude, practice) with respect to age, with significantly high score for knowledge and practice among 18 year old subjects (p = 0.0001*; p = 0.0003* respectively) and attitude among 21 year old subjects (p = 0.0049*). No statistically significant age, gender differences were found in relation to DAI scores. Upon correlation, DAI significantly and positively correlated with knowledge (p = 0.03*) and attitude (p = 0.0001*).ConclusionThis study has shown significant impact of malocclusion on the self-perceived oro-facial behaviour.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5347
Author(s):  
Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina ◽  
Clara Martinez-Perez ◽  
Cesar Villa-Collar ◽  
Cristina Andreu-Vázquez ◽  
Alicia Ruiz-Pomeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Population ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Visual Screening ◽  
Near Work ◽  
The Impact

Background: Myopia is a public health problem, with estimations that 50% of the world population will be myopic by 2050. Some environmental factors, such as time spent outdoors, doing near work, and using digital devices, influence the development of myopia in children. Home confinement in Spain has increased these risk factors, so this study aims to investigate the impact of home confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak in the vision of school-aged children; Methods: A cross-sectional study in children between 5 and 7 years old that completed a visual screening and a questionnaire about their lifestyles at opticians in Spain in September and October of 2019 and 2020. Statistical analysis to compare lifestyles pre and post confinement, and vision in 2020 versus a similar cohort examined at the same opticians in 2019, was conducted; Results: Spanish children spent less time outdoors and more time doing near work in 2020 than in 2019 (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant decrease of the spherical equivalent (mean ± standard deviation; 0.66 ± 2.03 D in 2019 vs. 0.48 ± 1.81 D in 2020; p ≤ 0.001); Conclusions: Lifestyles of Spanish children changed during the home confinement at the beginning of 2020. Together with changes in their lifestyles, spherical equivalents have decreased, which implies higher figures of myopia for children aged between 5 and 7.

scholarly journals Trends, Coverage and Influencing Determinants of Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly: A Population-Based National Survey in Spain (2006–2017)

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
Silvia Portero de la Cruz ◽  
Jesús Cebrino
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Public Health

Influenza is a significant public health problem and the elderly are at a greater risk of contracting the disease. The vaccination coverage of the elderly is below the Spanish target of 65% for each influenza season. The aims of this study were to report the coverage of influenza vaccination in Spain among the population aged ≥65 years and high-risk groups for suffering chronic diseases, to analyze the time trends from 2006 to 2017 and to identify the factors which affect vaccination coverage. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted including 20,753 non-institutionalized individuals aged ≥65 years who had participated in the Spanish National Health Surveys in 2006, 2011/2012, and 2017. Sociodemographic, health-related variables, and influenza vaccination data were used. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination coverage was 60%. By chronic condition, older people with high cholesterol levels and cancer had the lowest vaccination coverage (62.41% and 60.73%, respectively). This coverage declined from 2006 to 2017 in both groups. Higher influenza vaccination was associated with males, Spanish nationality, normal social support perceived, polypharmacy, worse perceived health, participation in other preventive measures, and increasing age and the number of chronic diseases.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF ASTHMAAND ITS MEDICATIONS ON DENTAL CARIES STATUS AND STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS COUNT IN CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2020 ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Sneha Upadhyay ◽  
Jyoti Bhavthankar ◽  
Mandakini Mandale ◽  
Nivedita Kaorey
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Asthma and its medications have been linked to oral diseases in asthmatic children. Aim: Assessment of the dental caries status, salivary Streptococcus mutans count and S. mutans colony score in children receiving inhaled anti asthmatic medications and their comparison in healthy children Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on 40 asthmatic children and 40 healthy children in the age group of 6-14 years. DMFT/deft indices were calculated and saliva samples were collected. Diluted saliva was inoculated on MSB agar plates. S. mutans count and colony score were analysed after 24-48 hours of inoculation. Results: Statistically significant difference was observed in the mean DMFT/deft index, salivary S. mutans load and S. mutans colony score in children of the asthmatic group and control group. Conclusion: Prevalence of dental caries and cariogenic bacteria is higher in asthmatic children.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors for myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uchenna C. Atowa ◽  
Alvin J. Munsamy ◽  
Samuel O. Wajuihian
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Significant Difference

Aim: To study the prevalence of myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private (primary and secondary) schools. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used for selecting participants aged between 8 and 15 years from 12 schools in Aba, Nigeria. Data were analysed for 1197 children who underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The children were divided according to the following criteria: age groups (group 1 [8–11 years] or group 2 [12–15 years]), gender (male or female), level of education (primary or secondary) and type of school (public or private). Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ≤ -0.50 D in the poorer eye.Results: The prevalence of myopia was estimated to be 2.7%. Of the 96 children with refractive error, 78.1% were uncorrected. In using logistic regression analysis, risk of developing myopia was associated with older age groups (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–9.11; p < 0.010) and higher level of education (OR: 1.73; 95% CI, 1.05–2.86; p < 0.030). There was no significant difference in myopia prevalence between male and female children (p = 0.89).Conclusion: Although the prevalence of myopia and overall prevalence of refractive error in school children in Aba were low, the high prevalence of uncorrected refractive error is a significant public health problem. An effective and sustainable children’s vision screening programme is needed to prevent visual impairment and blindness.

scholarly journals Smoking in adults in the municipality of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil: a population-based study

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Merly Martinelli ◽  
Creso Machado Lopes ◽  
Pascoal Torres Muniz ◽  
Orivado Florencio de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Lower Amount ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Waking Up ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the associations between smoking and socioeconomic status, and to analyze the profile of smokers in the city of Rio Branco, Acre. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study conducted with 1,512 adults living in urban and rural areas. Information about demographic aspects, socioeconomic status and smoking habits were collected through home interviews. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of smoking was of 19.9%. Males had a higher prevalence (22.7%) in contrast to females (17.6%). By age, a higher prevalence was observed at 50 - 59 years in males (30.9%) and at 40 - 49 years in females (23.8%). A linear trend was observed between the higher prevalence of smoking and the lower amount of years of education and income (p < 0.05). The profile of smokers indicated that the majority, in both genders, began smoking at age 15, smoked between 1 and 10 cigarettes per day, lit the first cigarette of the day 60 minutes after waking up and had tried to quit smoking at least twice. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of smoking is a relevant public health problem in Rio Branco. Community actions must be implemented for the prevention and control of tobacco use.

scholarly journals Breast density in women with premature ovarian failure or postmenopausal women using hormone therapy: analytical cross-sectional study

2010 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Magda Soares ◽  
César Cabello ◽  
Luis Alberto Magna ◽  
Eduardo Tinois ◽  
Cristina Laguna Benetti-Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Breast Density ◽  
Premature Ovarian Failure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ovarian Failure ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Studies on postmenopausal women have reported increased risk of breast cancer relating to the type and duration of hormone therapy (HT) used. Women with premature ovarian failure (POF) represent a challenge, since they require prolonged HT. Little is known about the impact of prolonged HT use on these women's breasts. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of one type of HT on the breast density of women with POF, compared with postmenopausal women. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). METHODS: 31 women with POF and 31 postmenopausal women, all using HT consisting of conjugated equine estrogen combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate, and matched according to HT duration, were studied. Mammography was performed on all subjects and was analyzed by means of digitization or Wolfe's classification, stratified into two categories: non-dense (N1 and P1 patterns) and dense (P2 and Dy). RESULTS: No significant difference in breast density was found between the two groups through digitization or Wolfe's classification. From digitization, the mean breast density was 24.1% ± 14.6 and 18.1% ± 17.2 in the POF and postmenopausal groups, respectively (P = 0.15). Wolfe's classification identified dense breasts in 51.6% and 29.0%, respectively (P = 0.171). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in breast density between the women with POF and postmenopausal women, who had used HT for the same length of time. These results may help towards compliance with HT use among women with POF.

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