scholarly journals Risk of soil-transmitted helminthiasis among agrarian communities of Kogi State, Nigeria: Evaluated in the context of The Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Advisory Committee recommendation 2016

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy T. Anunobi ◽  
Ikem C. Okoye ◽  
Ifeanyi Oscar N. Aguzie ◽  
Yvonne E. Ndukwe ◽  
Onyekachi J. Okpasuo
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Agrarian Communities ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis

AbstractSoil-transmitted helminths (STH) have remained a major threat to human especially children in developing countries including Nigeria. Interventions have always been geared towards school-aged children, neglecting preschool-aged children and occupational risk adults. The Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Advisory Committee (STHAC) recently suggested incorporating other at-risk groups. In the context of this recommendation, this study assessed the associated risk of STH infection among agrarian communities of Kogi State, Nigeria. A total of 310 individuals of all ages participated in the cross-sectional survey. Stool samples were analyzed using standard Kato-Katz method. A total of 106 (34.2%) individuals were infected with at least one STH. Hookworm was the most prevalent (18.1%); followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (16.8%). Worm intensity was generally light. Prevalence of infection was similar between four age groups considered (preschool, school, ‘women of reproductive age’ and older at-risk group). Poor socio-economic status (SES) was a major risk for STH infection. Using a 20-assets based criteria, 68 (23.1%) and 73 (24.7%) of 295 questionnaire respondents were classified into first (poorest) and fifth (richest) wealth quintiles respectively. Risk of infection with STH was 60% significantly lower in the richest wealth quintile compared to the poorest (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 0.4843, 95% CI = 0.2704 – 0.8678, p = 0.015). Open defecators were more likely to harbour STH than those who did not (PR = 1.7878, 95% CI = 1.2366 – 2.5846, p = 0.00201). Pit latrine and water closet toilet each approximately reduced STH infection by 50% (p < 0.05). Preventive chemotherapy for all age groups, health education and provision of basic amenities especially toilets are needed in order to achieve the goal toward the 2020 target of STH control.Author summarySoil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are major cause of morbidities globally, especially among children in developing countries such as Nigeria. Present World Health Organization recommended control strategy solely require preventive chemotherapy targeting preschool-aged children (PSAC) and school-aged children (SAC), and the recently included women of reproductive age (WRA). The Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Advisory Committee (STHAC) which is saddled with responsibility of evaluating STHs status and providing appropriate recommendations proposed that preventive chemotherapy be extended to other at-risk groups. This study evaluates this and some other recommendations of STHAC 2016 using sections of a state in Nigeria where soil-transmitted helminthiasis is endemic.Findings from this study supports recommendations for extension of preventive chemotherapy to other at-risk groups apart from PSAC and SAC. It supports WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) as integral part of STH control. This finding emphasizes the need for health education and change in attitude which could promote tenets of WASH. And very importantly, the study emphasizes the role of poverty in the persistence of STH transmission. It is the belief of the authors that there is the need for improved socio-economic status for sustainable gains of control efforts.

The Parasitological Survey of “Assessment of the Prevalence and Burden of Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis among the three at-risk groups in Bangladesh”

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (06) ◽  
pp. 20473-20478
Author(s):  
Dr. Hasina Nasreen ◽  
Dr. Jahirul Karim ◽  
Dr. Mujibur Rahman ◽  
Dr. Anand Joshi
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
School Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Program Monitoring ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Considerable Morbidity

Intestinal worm infestation is a global health problem. Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections form the most important group of intestinal worms affecting two billion people worldwide, causing considerable morbidity and suffering, though entirely preventable. In March 2017, STH Program implemented, for the first time, the Integrated Community-based Survey for STH Program Monitoring (ICSPM). The ICSPM seeks to provide the STH Program monitoring data to improve evidence-based program decision making toward elimination of STH in Bangladesh. Children without Worms provided technical and funding support (with Johnson & Johnson) for the surveys. Firstly, provide statistically valid, district-level estimates of STH prevalence and intensity of infection that are specific to, and representative of key STH at-risk age groups. Secondly, assess potential factors affecting STH infection rates including recent preventive chemotherapy coverage, sanitation coverage, and specific hygiene-related behaviors. STH control activities are more diffuse, aiming to piggy-back de-worming onto existing services such as school health activities; controlling morbidity, rather than eliminating infection, is the stated goal. In order to maximize health benefits to communities, it is vitally important that policy makers and program managers have a clear understanding of STH and implement control programs that allocate available resources in an optimal manner.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Sociodemographic Determinants of Hypertension History among Women in Reproductive Age in Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel H. Nyarko
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Sociodemographic Determinants ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ghanaian Women ◽  
Global Health Problem

Background. Hypertension is a global health problem. Yet, studies on hypertension rarely focus on women in Ghana. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of hypertension history among Ghanaian women in reproductive age.Methods. This study used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were carried out to ascertain the prevalence and determinants of hypertension history among the respondents.Results. The study found that the overall prevalence of hypertension history among the respondents was 7.5%; however, there were vast variations within most of the sociodemographic categories. Age, level of education, marital status, work status, and wealth status had a significant relationship with hypertension history among the respondents. Women in advanced age groups, highly educated, married, and widowed/divorced/separated, nonworking women, and women from wealthy households were at higher risk of having hypertension history.Conclusion. Myriads of sociodemographic factors determine the hypertension history of women in Ghana. It is therefore essential to target medical and psychosocial hypertension interventions at Ghanaian women in the higher risk groups.

scholarly journals Prevalence of anaemia and its epidemiological correlates among women of reproductive age group in an urban slum of Mumbai

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 2841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rushali R. Lilare ◽  
Durgesh Prasad Sahoo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
P Value ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rich Food

Background: Anaemia is a major public health problem affecting children, adolescent, women of reproductive age groups and lactating mothers worldwide. As per NFHS-IV data, prevalence of anaemia in India is 53%. This study was done to assess the prevalence of anaemia and its epidemiological correlates among women in reproductive age groups in an urban slum of Mumbai. Methods: This community based cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban slum in Mumbai. Total 315 women in the reproductive age groups (15-49 years) were enrolled in the study. Samples were selected by stratified random sampling from various sectors. All respondents were interviewed and haemoglobin estimation was done with Sahli’s method. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and chi-square test was used to find out the association between two qualitative variables. Results: The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia was 37.1%, 9.5% and 2.9% respectively. The factors associated with anaemia were education (p value=0.0001), socio-economic status (p value=0.001), consumption of iron rich food (p value=0.0001) and interval between two successive pregnancy in years (p value=0.0001). Conclusions: The findings of the present study revealed that education, socioeconomic status, consumption of iron rich food, interval between successive pregnancies affect the overall blood haemoglobin level on a long run. Community awareness regarding education and schooling of girls will help to increase the education level of women and would indirectly help to increase the health awareness and decrease the prevalence of anaemia. 

scholarly journals Incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of COVID-19 in Canada: impact of sex and age

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob O’Brien ◽  
Kevin Y. Du ◽  
Chun Peng
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Lower Incidence Rate ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMale sex and older age have been reported to be associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19. It was postulated that estrogens may play a role in reducing the severity of the disease and may therefore offer a treatment option for COVID-19 patients. However, more female cases and deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in Canada. To determine the potential role of estrogens, we analyzed COVID-19 data from Canada, focusing on the impact of sex and age. Although the overall incidence rate is higher in females than in males, when several high risk groups, including health care workers and long-term care residences, which are predominantly females, were excluded, we found that females had a lower incidence rate than males between the ages of 20s to 70s. Interestingly, this sex-based difference is more evident in females of the reproductive ages (20–49) than in postmenopausal patients (60s or older). Males have significantly higher hospitalization, ICU admission, and case fatality rates; however, a greater difference was observed in the older age groups. Finally, symptom manifestation varied between sexes. Some of the symptoms, which were more frequently observed in patients who recovered than patients who died, were more commonly observed in females of the reproductive age compared to their male counterparts. Since only females of the reproductive age have much higher circulating estrogens than males, these findings suggest that estrogens may play a role in reducing COVID-19 incidence and in the development of symptoms, especially those related to better survival.

Classification models for identification of at-risk groups for incident memory complaints

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa N. van den Kommer ◽  
Hannie C. Comijs ◽  
Kelly J. Rijs ◽  
Martijn W. Heymans ◽  
Martin P. J. van Boxtel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Missing Data ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Classification Models ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
Sense Of Mastery

ABSTRACTBackground:Memory complaints in older adults may be a precursor of measurable cognitive decline. Causes for these complaints may vary across age groups. The goal of this study was to develop classification models for the early identification of persons at risk for memory complaints using a broad range of characteristics.Methods:Two age groups were studied, 55–65 years old (N = 1,416.8) and 65–75 years old (N = 471) using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Participants reporting memory complaints at baseline were excluded. Data on predictors of memory complaints were collected at baseline and analyzed using logistic regression analyses. Multiple imputation was applied to handle the missing data; missing data due to mortality were not imputed.Results:In persons aged 55–65 years, 14.4% reported memory complaints after three years of follow-up. Persons using medication, who were former smokers and had insufficient/poor hearing, were at the highest risk of developing memory complaints, i.e. a predictive value of 33.3%. In persons 65–75 years old, the incidence of memory complaints was 22.5%. Persons with a low sense of mastery, who reported having pain, were at the highest risk of memory complaints resulting in a final predictive value of 56.9%. In the subsample of persons without a low sense of mastery who (almost) never visited organizations and had a low level of memory performance, 46.8% reported memory complaints at follow-up.Conclusions:The classification models led to the identification of specific target groups at risk for memory complaints. Suggestions for person-tailored interventions may be based on these risk profiles.

scholarly journals Patterns of Contraceptives Use and Their Complications in Iraqi Reproductive Age Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1411-1416
Author(s):  
Shiren Ali Al-Hamzawi ◽  
Sahar Hamza Ali Al-Tameemi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Status ◽  
Intrauterine Device ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Pills ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Gynecology And Obstetrics

Contraceptives are the methods, medicines, or devices which are used to prevent pregnancy. The women can select any kind from the available contraceptives. The objectives are to investigate the types of contraceptive methods used by Iraqi women of reproductive age and to throw lights on their complications.  A cross-sectional study had been done in the outpatient department of gynecology and obstetrics of Maternity and Children Hospital in Al-Diwaniya city on 400 women of reproductive age between (16-45) years during the period from 20th of September 2016 to 30th of March 2017. A questionnaire distributed among participating women. All the involved women gave their informed consent after describing the aim of the study and ensuring the confidentiality of the data.  The data were gathered and analyzed statistically. The study revealed that the most commonly used contraceptives were oral pills, the intrauterine device (IUD),  injections, and the condom  (53.7%, 35,7%, 7.5%, 3%), respectively. Oral pills are the most commonly used method in all age groups. The complications were present in (55.0%) of women of reproductive age, and they were present in (69.2 %) of users of the Intra-Uterine Device followed by pills users (45.5%). The most common complications for the oral contraceptives were pain, malaise, and psychiatric disturbances (21.8%, 10.6%, 8.3%), respectively, while in the case of Intra-Uterine Device, the most common complications were bleeding and infection (31.4%, 21.6%) respectively. Injection contraceptive users had suffered from the infection (14.3%). The women’s age, residence, level of education, occupation, and economic status show a significant association with the use of contraceptives methods. The oral contraceptive pills and Intra-Uterine Device are the most frequently used contraceptives. The most common complaints were bleeding, infection, and pain. There is a significant association between the use of contraceptives methods and the women’s age, residence, level of education, occupation, and economic status.

scholarly journals Rural community based study of Magnitude of Anaemia in Women of Reproductive age

2020 ◽  
pp. 05-10
Author(s):  
Chhabra S ◽  
Varma Shivkumar P
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Central India ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Maximum Effect ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Despite several steps taken by governments, anaemia continues to be common, and affects women’s health negatively. Last demographic health survey in India revealed 27% women of 15-49 years age anaemic, so it was decided to look into present status in rural communities. Objective was to know community-based magnitude of anaemia in rural women of reproductive age. Material and Methods: Community based study was conducted for knowing magnitude of anaemia in nonpregnant women of 15 to 49 years. In 28 villages around 75±10 km away from study institute in Central India, as per availability, 1267 women were randomly screened, keeping in mind inclusion and exclusion criteria. After information and request to permit, minimum 25 women per village, who so ever volunteered, fitted in inclusion criteria were screened. Results: Of 1267 women randomly screened 858 (67.72%) were anaemic, 850 mildly or moderately anaemic. Eight (0.6%) severely anaemic, (Hb less than 7 gms/dl) were straight referred to hospital for work up and appropriate management. Others were also advised to get investigations, treatment, not part of study. Maximum burden of anaemia, (68.86%), was in women of 35-49 yrs age, 67.37% among 20-34 yrs old and 65.92% in adolescents, no significant difference in different age groups. Of 1267 screened, 972 (76.7%) were from lower economic status, 280(22.1%) middle economic status only 15(1.2%) from upper economic status, maximum anaemic was out of LES women. Most women with four and more births were anaemic. Parity affected maximum compared to age, economic status and education. Conclusion: Around 70% women of reproductive age without any obvious disorders. were found to be anaemic in rural communities Parity had maximum effect.

scholarly journals Incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of COVID-19 in Canada: Impact of sex and age

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob O’Brien ◽  
Kevin Y. Du ◽  
Chun Peng
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Lower Incidence Rate ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Male sex and older age have been reported to be associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19. It was postulated that estrogens may play a role in reducing the severity of the disease and may therefore offer a treatment option for COVID-19 patients. However, more female cases and deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in Canada. To determine the impact of sex and the potential role of estrogens, we analyzed COVID-19 data, focusing on the impact of sex and age. Although the overall incidence rate is higher in females than in males, when several high risk groups, including health care workers and long-term care residences, which are predominantly females, were excluded, we found that females had a lower incidence rate than males between the ages of 20s to 70s. Interestingly, this sex-based difference is more evident in females of the reproductive ages (20-49) than in postmenopausal patients (60s or older). Males have significantly higher hospitalization, ICU admission, and case fatality rates; however, a greater difference was observed in the older age groups. Finally, symptom manifestation varied between sexes. Some of the symptoms, which were more frequently observed in patients who recovered than patients who died, were more commonly observed in females of the reproductive age compared to their male counterparts. Since only females of the reproductive age have much higher circulating estrogens than males, these findings suggest that estrogens may play a role in reducing COVID-19 incidence and in the development of symptoms, especially those related to better survival.

scholarly journals “We Are at Risk Too”: The Disparate Mental Health Impacts of the Pandemic on Younger Generations: Nous Sommes Aussi à Risque: Les Effets Disparates de la Pandémie Sur la Santé Mentale des Générations Plus Jeunes

2021 ◽  
pp. 070674372198916
Author(s):  
Renée El-Gabalawy ◽  
Jordana L. Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Generation X ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Health Habits ◽  
Generational Groups

Objectives: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in profound global impact, with older adults at greater risk of serious physical health outcomes. It is essential to also understand generational differences in psychosocial impacts to identify appropriate prevention and intervention targets. Across generational groups, this study examined: (1) rates of precautions and adaptive and maladaptive health behaviors, (2) differences in levels of anxiety, and (3) rates of COVID-related concerns during Wave 1 of COVID-19 in Canada. Participants: We analyzed data from 2 Canadian population-based data sets: the Canadian Perspective Survey Series: Impact of COVID-19 survey ( N = 4,627; March 29 to April 3, 2020), and Crowdsourcing: Impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians—Your Mental Health ( N = 45,989; April 24 to May 11, 2020). Measures: We categorized generational age group. Participants self-reported changes in behaviors and COVID-related concerns, and a validated measure assessed anxiety symptoms. Results: There are generational differences in behavioral responses to the pandemic. Adaptive health habits (e.g., exercise) were comparable across groups, while changes in maladaptive health habits (e.g., substance use) were highest among younger age groups, particularly Millennials (15 to 34 years old). COVID-related precautions were also highest among the younger generations, with Generation X (35 to 54 years old) exhibiting the highest rate of precautionary behavior. Results also revealed that the highest rate of clinically significant anxiety is among Millennials (36.0%; severe anxiety = 15.7%), and the younger generations have the highest rates of COVID-related concerns. Conclusion: These early data are essential in understanding at-risk groups given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and its potential long-term implications.

scholarly journals Psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and suppression measures during the first wave in Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Lorant ◽  
Pierre Smith ◽  
Kris Van den Broeck ◽  
Pablo Nicaise
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Health Interview

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent suppression measures have had health and social implications for billions of individuals. The aim of this paper is to investigate the risk of psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and suppression measures during the early days of the lockdown. We compared the level of psychological distress at the beginning of that period with a pre-pandemic health survey and assessed the psychological effects of exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in social activity and support. Methods An online survey was distributed to the general population in Belgium 3 days after the beginning of the lockdown. 20,792 respondents participated. The psychological distress of the population was measured using the GHQ-12 scale. Social activities and support were assessed using the Social Participation Measure, the Short Loneliness Scale, and the Oslo Social Support Scale. An index of subjective exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic was constructed, as well as a measure of change in occupational status. Measurements were compared to a representative sample of individuals extracted from the Belgian Health Interview Survey of 2018. Bootstrapping was performed and analyses were reweighted to match the Belgian population in order to control for survey selection bias. Results Half of the respondents reported psychological distress in the early days of the lockdown. A longer period of confinement was associated with higher risk of distress. Women and younger age groups were more at risk than men and older age groups, as were respondents who had been exposed to COVID-19. Changes in occupational status and a decrease in social activity and support also increased the risk of psychological distress. Comparing the results with those of the 2018 Belgian Health Interview shows that the early period of the lockdown corresponded to a 2.3-fold increase in psychological distress (95% CI: 2.16–2.45). Conclusions Psychological distress is associated with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and suppression measures. The association is measurable from the very earliest days of confinement and it affected specific at-risk groups. Authorities should consider ways of limiting the effect of confinement on the mental and social health of the population and developing strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of suppression measures.

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