scholarly journals Rubella Antibody Levels in School-Aged Children in Newfoundland: Implications for a Two-Dose Rubella Vaccination Strategy

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Ratnam ◽  
Roy West ◽  
Veeresh Gadag ◽  
Brett Williams ◽  
Elizabeth Oates

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevailing levels of rubella immunity among school-aged children who received a single dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at one year of age.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with a two stage cluster sampling of randomly picked schools across the province of Newfoundland.STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS: A total of 1053, five to 17-year-old children were enrolled; vaccination history was verified through official records; and a sample of blood was taken. Rubella immunity was determined by enzyme immunoassay based on a serum antibody protective cut-off titre of more than 10 IU.RESULTS: A total of 145 (13.8%) were found to be nonimmune. The rate of susceptibility ranged from 3.2% to 25.9% for different age groups. The proportion susceptible was significantly higher at 16.5% in the age group eight to 17 years old versus 3.9% for the age group five to eight years old (χ2=24.08; df=1, P<0.001). There was a significant regression of logarithm titre values on the age of children with an average decline in titre values of 8.1% per annum.CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of those who were given a single dose of MMR II vaccine may not have protective immunity against rubella as they reach prime reproductive age. There is a definite need to consider a two-dose rubella vaccination strategy in Canada, and these data suggest the second dose given after eight years of age will be most beneficial. In the move towards a routine two-dose measles vaccination strategy in Canada, the MMR II vaccine is being used for the second dose and given either at 18 months of age or at school entry. While this approach will have an overall beneficial effect, the impact of the above timing of the second dose on long term rubella immunity cannot be predicted at this time. These data also underscore the continuing need for prenatal rubella screening program.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-138
Author(s):  
Faiz Rasul Awan ◽  
Muhammad Safdar Baig ◽  
Atiq ur Rehman Khan

Background: Pakistan and Egypt bear more than 80% of the burden of disease as more than 12 million people are suffering from hepatitis B or C infection and there is addition of about 150000 new cases each year.Methods: We have used secondary data PDHS - Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, DHS has become the gold standard of survey data in developing countries, a project by ORC Macro with financial support from the USAID for the International Development carried out as multistage, cluster sampling for its data collection on multiple questions, most pertinent from our study point view the maternal and child health related to knowledge attitude and practices of hepatitis and its prevention. Results:The final multivariate model six variables came out to be statistically significant with their adjusted odd's ration p-value and 95% confidence interval i.e., use of new disposable syringe every time for therapeutic injection purpose, the respondent being rich as wealth index, reading newspapers and magazines, watching television as source of information, area of residence being urban and with higher educational level came out to be most important variable which are making statistically significant difference for prevention of hepatitis among females of reproductive age group as our study population from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2012-13. Conclusion: It is quite evident from the results of our study that use of new disposal syringes, being rich , being educated, having access to information resources like watching television, listening radio, reading newspaper & magazine and being as an urban dwellers are significant factor among women of reproductive age groups for prevention of hepatitis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (192) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana Silwal ◽  
Tumla Shrestha ◽  
Ram Krishna Dulal

Introduction: Many reproductive aged women needlessly die due to unsafe abortion even when they seek help to terminate their unwanted pregnancy. These deaths could have been prevented had they been aware that safe abortion service was available to them. The study aimed at finding out the effectiveness of the education intervention in improving knowledge among reproductive age group women regarding the safe abortion. Methods: An experimental intervention was carried out on safe abortion education among the reproductive age group women. The impact of pre- and post- intervention was evaluated by using a set of structured questionnaire in local language. The obtained data was analyzed by using the Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 12.0 for windows and result was interpreted. Results: The post intervention finding revealed a significantly higher (p= 0.001) mean on knowledge among participants about safe abortion compared to pre-observational test. The mean difference between the pre-test and post-test was 64.1% (Pre-test 11.18 ±12.88 Post-test 75.28 ±9.56). The research hypothesis was accepted with p value paired t-test at <0.001 (0.05). The result supports that the educational intervention was effective in increasing safe abortion awareness among reproductive aged group women. Conclusion: The safe abortion educational intervention program was instrumental to improve reproductive age women’s knowledge considerably about safe abortion service.  Keywords: educational intervention; knowledge; safe abortion; women.    


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71
Author(s):  
Pallerla Srikanth ◽  
Mysore Narasimha Vranda ◽  
Priya Treesa Thomas ◽  
Kenchaiah Raghvendra

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between quality of life and stigma among reproductive age group women with epilepsy.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the data from the 49 women with epilepsy from a tertiary care hospital in India. Quality of life was evaluated with the quality of life in epilepsy-31 questionnaire and stigma was evaluated with the stigma scale of epilepsy. Data also included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.67±3.72 years. Quality of life total score (r=-0.485**) and seizure worry domain (r=-0.427**) were significantly negatively correlated with stigma total score at p<0.01 level. Being uneducated, married, unemployed, having children, having generalized tonic-clonic seizures, duration of illness (˃10 years), and consuming levetiracetam, anti-epileptic drug (AED), were the significant contributing factors for low quality of life among women with epilepsy during the reproductive age group. Belonging to lower socio-economic status and taking more than two AEDs were also associated with lower quality of life among women with epilepsy, which are trending towards significance.Conclusions: The study assessed the relationship between the quality of life and the Stigma scale of epilepsy and demonstrated the impact of stigma and quality of life on socio-demographic and clinical variables of women with epilepsy under the reproductive age group. To enhance the quality of life and reduce the stigma levels among women with epilepsy, some of the modifiable parameters can be considered by the multidisciplinary health care professionals from the findings of the current research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Md Sunny Anam Chowdhury ◽  
Sadia Sultana ◽  
Md Abdul Awal ◽  
Suraya Sarmin ◽  
Mohammad Simoon Salekin

<p><strong>Objective</strong>: This interventional study has undertaken to assess the gonadal function of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients within reproductive age group following single dose of radioactive iodine (131I) therapy/ablation.</p><p><strong>Patients and Methods:<em> </em></strong>A total of 69 patients (25 male and 44 female) of DTC were included in this study, those were referred for 131I ablation after total thyroidectomy. Following RAI, these patients were followed-up three times at three months interval.  The usual I-131 dose was 75 or 100 m Ci for ablation of thyroid residues and 150 mCi for treatment of nodal metastasis. All the patients were interviewed about menstrual (female only) and reproductive history and investigated of the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone of male patients and FSH, LH, estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>) of female patients before administration of  131I and three, six and nine months after therapy.</p><p><strong>Result</strong>: In this study all of the 25 (100.0%) male patients showed high FSH level after three months of therapy. The mean± SD FSH level of male patients was found significantly (p-0.001) higher (15.59±7.53 IU/L) after three months of therapy than the pretherapy (4.85±2.57 IU/L) level.  The mean± SD of FSH level was significantly declining in six months and nine months of follow up. The mean± SD of LH hormone level of these patients was found 6.1±3.67 IU/L in pretherapy which was significantly increased to 7.67±4.33 IU/L after three months. The mean LH level was 7.20±3.98 IU/L at six months follow up and 7.3±3.5IU/L after nine months. The differences of LH level between 3 months to 6 months and 6 months to 9 months are not statistically significant. No significant change was observed in testosterone level throughout the study period. In female, five patients developed irregular menstruation (changed duration of cycle or lighter amount), three patients developed amenorrhea associated with hot flashes within six months of 131I administration. Biochemical study of the patients with amenorrhoea showed markedly elevated serum FSH, LH level and declined E<sub>2 </sub>level. The FSH, LH levels of the two patients with amenorrhea became normal within study period and one patient had persistent amenorrhea at 9 months. E<sub>2</sub> level raised slowly.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: A single dose of radio-iodine (131I) therapy causes impairment of gonadal function of male patients within reproductive age group. In case of female patients the effect is insignificant. The effect is usually reversible and gonadal function of the patients restores within the study period.</p><p>Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 19(2): 92-97, July 2016  </p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Vegvari ◽  
Federica Giardina ◽  
Sumali Bajaj ◽  
Veronica Malizia ◽  
Robert J. Hardwick ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a major cause of poor health in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, hookworm is known to cause anaemia in children and women of reproductive age (WRA). One goal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases is to reduce STH-related morbidity in WRA. As a minimal intervention, the WHO recommends deworming adolescent girls annually during human papilloma virus vaccination programmes and WRA during pregnancy and lactation. These routine interventions are low cost and can be implemented even by the most basic health services in endemic countries. In this study we use a cohort model to investigate the potential impact on STH-related morbidity in WRA. Results Annual deworming treatment of adolescent girls reduces the prevalence of moderate- and heavy-intensity infections in this age group by up to 60% in moderate transmission settings and by 12–27% in high transmission settings. Treatment of WRA during pregnancy and lactation on its own has a small (< 20%) but significant effect on morbidity although it does not lead to the achievement of the morbidity target (< 2% moderate- to high-intensity infections) in this age group. However, depending on the age-intensity profile of infection, which may vary geographically, and assumptions on the density-dependence of egg production by fertilised female worms, continued school-based treatment may be able to reduce the force of infection acting on WRA, both through an indirect effect on the overall population-based force of infection and via reducing the burden of infection as children age and move into the WRA age classes. As a result, morbidity in WRA may be eliminated. Conclusion While deworming during pregnancy and lactation does not lead to the achievement of the morbidity target in WRA and its efficacy may vary by setting, it is still expected to be beneficial for maternity and child health. Monitoring of any WRA-based intervention is recommended to evaluate its effectiveness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Saadia Shahzad ◽  
Anjum Maqsood

Background: Use of contraceptives in developing countries is very low, particularly in Pakistan it is 34%. Objective: To study trends of contraceptive use among married females of reproductive age group in a rural area ofPakistan and to identify possible risk factors influencing the use of contraceptives among the sample population. Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study. A total of 213 married females of reproductive age wereincluded in the study and multistage cluster sampling technique was applied. Study variables included sociodemographic variables along with knowledge and practice of respondents regarding the use of contraceptives. Datacollection instrument was a self-developed questionnaire and data was collected from 220 females. Results: Mean age was 29.6±6.19 and only 38% were using contraceptive method and 62% were not using anycontraceptive method. Among the respondents 40% were counseled for Family Planning (FP) by some source.Highly significant association was found between contraceptive use and duration of marriage, decision making,family type, desired number of children, counseling for FP, in favor of FP, and number of children alive. Probableinfluencing predictors were found to be decision making of females, type of family, desired number of children,counseling for FP, and in favor of FP. Conclusion: FP counseling needs to be enhanced on war footing at all levels with due cooperation of communityparticipation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Vegvari ◽  
Federica Giardina ◽  
Sumali Bajaj ◽  
Veronica Malizia ◽  
Robert J. Hardwick ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a major cause of poor health in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, hookworm is known to cause anaemia in children and women of reproductive age (WRA). One goal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases is to reduce STH-related morbidity in WRA. As a minimal intervention the WHO recommends deworming adolescent girls annually during human papilloma virus vaccination programmes and women of reproductive age (WRA) during pregnancy and lactation. These routine interventions are low cost can be implemented even from the most basic health services in endemic countries. In this study we use a cohort model to investigate the potential impact on STH-related morbidity in WRA.Results: Annual deworming treatment of adolescent girls reduces the prevalence of moderate- and heavy-intensity infections in this age group by up to 60% in moderate transmission settings and by 12-27% in high-transmission settings. Treatment of WRA during pregnancy and lactation on its own has a small (<20%) but significant effect on morbidity although it does not lead to the achievement of the morbidity target (<2% moderate-to-high intensity infections) in this age group. However, depending on the age-intensity profile of infection, which may vary geographically, and assumptions on the density-dependence of egg production by fertilised female worms, continued school-based treatment may be able to reduce the force of infection acting on WRA, both through an indirect effect on the overall population based force of infection and via reducing the burden of infection as children age and move into the WRA age classes. As a result, morbidity in WRA may be eliminated.Conclusion: While deworming during pregnancy and lactation does not lead to the achievement of the morbidity target in WRA and its efficacy may vary by setting, it is still expected to be beneficial for maternity and child health. Monitoring of any WRA-based intervention is recommended to evaluate its effectiveness.


Author(s):  
Huma Khan ◽  
Saurabh Mishra ◽  
Dhirendra Kumar Srivastava ◽  
Reena Srivastava

Background: HIV/AIDS is such a dreaded disease which can be prevented if the people are aware of the ways to do so. Urban slums share a specific position in the demographic profile of district because of the inequalities of health care system where the rural health care system is far to reach and the more flourished private health care system is unaffordable for most of the inhabitants. HIV/AIDS is not only a health-related problem but it also has socioeconomic, behavioral and cultural aspects.Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional among currently married women in reproductive age group (15-49 years) residing in any of the selected urban slums of district Gorakhpur. Cluster sampling was used and clusters were chosen by probability proportional to size (PPS) method of cluster sampling from a list of urban slums obtained from District Urban Development Authority (DUDA), Gorakhpur. The final sample size was 600.Results: 82% of women had ever heard about HIV/AIDS and 72% of women got the knowledge about HIV through television followed by 56% of woman who got knowledge by relatives and friends. 68% of woman believes that the mode of transmission of HIV is unsafe sex followed by 58% of women who believed that infected blood transfusion is the mode of transmission of HIV.Conclusions: Awareness is crucial in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Women should have more access to the knowledge resources and facilities for testing and prevention of HIV/AIDS. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamsin Saxton ◽  
Thomas Victor Pollet ◽  
Jenny Panagakis ◽  
Emily Round ◽  
Sam Brown ◽  
...  

Infant facial features are typically perceived as ‘cute’, provoking caretaking behaviours. Previous research has examined the impact of adult sex hormones and events such as ovulation and menopause on baby cuteness perceptions, working on the basis that cuteness perception is most relevant to individuals during their reproductive lifespan. However, this overlooks the fact that globally, individuals of all ages, including children, provide notable proportions of infant care. Accordingly, we tested 65 children and 330 adults using a forced-choice paradigm to assess preferences for cute newborn and infant faces, and (as a control task) for femininity in women’s faces. Children and adults successfully identified the newborns that had been manipulated to appear cuter, although children’s performance was poorer than adults’ performance, and did not exceed chance in relation to the infant stimulus set. Children also chose the feminised over masculinised women’s faces as more attractive, although again their performance was poorer than adults’. Girls performed better than boys when assessing the newborn and woman stimuli, and women performed better than men when assessing the infant stimuli. There was no evidence that cuteness judgements differed depending upon exposure to infants (children with siblings aged 0 - 2; adults with a baby caregiving role), or depending upon being just younger or older than the average age of menopause. Children as well as grandparents provide notable portions of infant caretaking globally, and the functional explanations given of reactions to cuteness by adults of reproductive age, that it directs appropriate caregiving behaviour, could also apply to this extended age group of potential caregivers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Vegvari ◽  
Federica Giardina ◽  
Sumali Bajaj ◽  
Veronica Malizia ◽  
Robert J. Hardwick ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a major cause of poor health in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, hookworm is known to cause anaemia in children and women of reproductive age (WRA). One goal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases is to reduce STH-related morbidity in WRA. As a minimal intervention the WHO recommends deworming adolescent girls annually during human papilloma virus vaccination programmes and women of reproductive age (WRA) during pregnancy and lactation. These routine interventions are low cost can be implemented even from the most basic health services in endemic countries. In this study we use a cohort model to investigate the potential impact on STH-related morbidity in WRA.Results: Annual deworming treatment of adolescent girls reduces the prevalence of M&HI infections in this age group by up to 60% in moderate transmission settings and by 12-27% in high-transmission settings. Treatment of WRA during pregnancy and lactation on its own has a small but significant effect on morbidity although it does not lead to the achievement of the morbidity target (<2% moderate-to-high intensity infections) in this age group. However, depending on the age-intensity profile of infection, which may vary geographically, and assumptions on the density-dependence of egg production by fertilised female worms, continued school-based treatment may be able to reduce the force of infection acting on WRA, both through an indirect effect on the overall population based force of infection and via reducing the burden of infection as children age and move into the WRA age classes. As a result, morbidity in WRA may be eliminated.Conclusion: While deworming during pregnancy and lactation does not lead to the achievement of the morbidity target in WRA and its efficacy may vary by setting, it is still expected to be beneficial for maternity and child health. Monitoring of any WRA-based intervention is recommended to evaluate its effectiveness.


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