scholarly journals A Group of 500 Women Whose Health May Depart Notably From the Norm: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Schnelle ◽  
Eunice J Minford ◽  
Vanessa McHardy ◽  
Jane Keep
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Events ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Menstrual Attitudes

BACKGROUND Longitudinal studies of women’s health often seek to identify predictors of good health. Research has shown that following simple guidelines can halve women’s mortality. The ongoing Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH) shows that Australian women are getting better at reducing their smoking and alcohol use, and are generally diligent about attending recommended health screenings, but are becoming less successful at dealing with obesity. There are communities of women who live unusually healthy lives (Rosetans, Seventh-Day Adventists, traditional Japanese women), but their lifestyles are unlikely to be adopted widely. Universal Medicine (UM) is a complementary-to-medicine approach that emphasizes personal empowerment and the importance of menstrual health symptoms. OBJECTIVE This survey investigates whether the approximately 500 women associated with UM exhibit health status significantly above the norm. As part of this investigation, questions for a newly developed menstrual attitudes questionnaire will also be evaluated. METHODS A quantitative cross-sectional survey of women in a UM cohort was designed with the help of three focus groups of women at three life stages: in menses, peri-menopausal, and menopausal. The menstrual attitudes portion of the survey incorporates the insights of these women regarding female health issues. The survey also includes 41 questions taken from the ALSWH. Focus groups generated additional questions about symptoms experienced and attitudes toward female health issues. ALSWH questions, including a range of health scales like the Short Form 36 (SF-36), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Perceived Control Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and the Multi-Item Summed Score for Perceived Stress, along with questions about experienced major health events, were investigated and incorporated if considered suitable. RESULTS The validity of the menstrual attitudes questionnaire will be evaluated with Cohen’s kappa. ALSWH respondents and UM participants will be compared, using unweighted regression or regression weighted or normalized by age, education, and interest in alternative treatments (to increase comparability), as appropriate. Analyses will determine whether UM-related variables (being a UM participant, length of UM participation, number of UM events attended) are associated with: differences in the number of major health events and health symptoms experienced; SF-36 physical and mental health scores; body mass index; and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, sugar, salt, caffeine, and dairy. CONCLUSIONS If women in the UM cohort are truly in substantially better health than the norm, further investigations may be worthwhile to see whether UM plays a causal role, and whether the women’s practices are generalizable.

Acculturation, Social Support and Mental Health Outcomes among Syrian Refugees in Germany

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Green ◽  
Elizabeth King ◽  
Florian Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Reverse Causality ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
German Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Syrian refugees in Germany number around 700,000 and they are managing acculturation and mental health issues. In May–July 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 97 Syrian refugees in Germany using measures of acculturation, social support, depressive symptoms and wellbeing. We ran linear-regression models and created an interaction term of two aspects of acculturation, focused on the outcomes of depressive symptoms and wellbeing, along with the possible moderation of social support. Affiliation with German culture was positively associated with wellbeing. More acculturation to German culture may promote positive mental health. Higher levels of social support were associated with lower levels of wellbeing and higher levels of depressive symptoms; this could reflect reverse causality or more connections with those back home. This study provides insight into acculturation and mental health among a significant refugee population in Germany.

scholarly journals Association between depression and abuse by partners of women attending general practice: descriptive, cross sectional survey

BMJ ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 328 (7440) ◽  
pp. 621-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Hegarty ◽  
Jane Gunn ◽  
Patty Chondros ◽  
Rhonda Small
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Type Of Abuse

AbstractObjective To explore the association between depression and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by partners or ex-partners of women attending general practice.Design Descriptive, cross sectional survey.Setting 30 general practitioners in Victoria, Australia.Participants 1257 consecutive female patients.Main outcome measures Some type of abuse in an adult intimate relationship (composite abuse scale), depression (Beck depression inventory or Edinburgh postnatal depression scale), and physical health (SF-36).Results 18.0% (218/1213) of women scored as currently probably depressed and 24.1% (277/1147) had experienced some type of abuse in an adult intimate relationship. Depressed women were significantly more likely to have experienced severe combined abuse than women who were not depressed after adjusting for other significant sociodemographic variables (odds ratio 5.8, 95% confidence interval 2.8 to 12.0). These variables included not being married, having a poor education, being on a low income, being unemployed or receiving a pension, pregnancy status, or being abused as a child.Conclusion Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are strongly associated with depression in women attending general practice. Doctors should sensitively ask depressed women about their experiences of violence and abuse in intimate relationships. Research into depression should include measures of partner abuse in longitudinal and intervention studies.

scholarly journals Do Anomalous Stillbirths Have Risk To Be Delivered Preterm? A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Kandy, Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. S. S. Alahakoon ◽  
C. J. Ratnayake ◽  
K. E. Karunakaran ◽  
S. U. B. Tennakoon
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Extreme Prematurity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Health ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Period Of Gestation

Abstract Stillbirths is one of major health issues in Sri Lankan context. This study aimed to explore the distribution of externally identifiable congenital anomalies according to their sex and the period of gestation and to estimate risk of stillbirth with or without congenital anomalies to be born pre-term or term. Sample size was 246. Due to extreme prematurity and maceration, 05 fetuses were excluded. Of 241 stillbirths, 36 (14.9%) had congenital anomalies and majority were females (n=23, 9.5%). The mean period of gestation was 31 weeks (SD=5.3). 12.5% with congenital anomalies were pre-term. 95% confidence interval (0.261-1.170) of risk estimate revealed that there is no statistically significant association between fetal sex and having congenital anomalies. Risk to be preterm stillbirth for the fetuses with congenital anomalies was 2.447 times (OR = 2.447) greater than the non-anomulous. Females were at high risk to acquire congenital anomalies. Congenital anomalies caused preterm stillbirths.

scholarly journals Assessing Digital Risk in Psychiatric Patients: Mixed Methods Study of Psychiatry Trainees’ Experiences, Views, and Understanding

10.2196/19008 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e19008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Golnar Aref-Adib ◽  
Gabriella Landy ◽  
Michelle Eskinazi ◽  
Andrew Sommerlad ◽  
Nicola Morant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Related Risk

Background The use of digital technology can help people access information and provide support for their mental health problems, but it can also expose them to risk, such as bullying or prosuicide websites. It may be important to consider internet-related risk behavior (digital risk) within a generic psychiatric risk assessment, but no studies have explored the practice or acceptability of this among psychiatrists. Objective This study aimed to explore psychiatry trainees’ experiences, views, and understanding of digital risk in psychiatry. We predicted that clinician awareness would be highest among trainees who work in child and adolescent mental health services. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of psychiatry trainees attending a UK regional trainees’ conference to investigate how they routinely assess patients’ internet use and related risk of harm and their experience and confidence in assessing these risks. We conducted focus groups to further explore trainees’ understandings and experiences of digital risk assessment. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used to present the quantitative data. A thematic analysis was used to identify the key themes in the qualitative data set. Results The cross-sectional survey was completed by 113 out of 312 psychiatry trainees (response rate 36.2%), from a range of subspecialties and experience levels. Half of the trainees (57/113, 50.4%) reported treating patients exposed to digital risk, particularly trainees subspecializing in child and adolescent psychiatry (17/22, 77% vs 40/91, 44%;P=.02). However, 67.3% (76/113) reported not feeling competent to assess digital risk. Child and adolescent psychiatrists were more likely than others to ask patients routinely about specific digital risk domains, including reckless web-based behavior (18/20, 90% vs 54/82, 66%; P=.03), prosuicide websites (20/21, 95% vs 57/81, 70%; P=.01), and online sexual behavior (17/21, 81% vs 44/81, 54%; P=.02). Although 84.1% (95/113) of the participants reported using a proforma to record general risk assessment, only 5% (5/95) of these participants prompted an assessment of internet use. Only 9.7% (11/113) of the trainees had received digital risk training, and 73.5% (83/113) reported that they would value this. Our thematic analysis of transcripts from 3 focus groups (comprising 11 trainees) identified 2 main themes: barriers to assessment and management of digital risk, and the double-edged sword of web use. Barriers reported included the novelty and complexity of the internet, a lack of confidence and guidance in addressing internet use directly, and ongoing tension between assessment and privacy. Conclusions Although it is common for psychiatrists to encounter patients subject to digital risk, trainee psychiatrists lack competence and confidence in their assessment. Training in digital risk and the inclusion of prompts in standardized risk proformas would promote good clinical practice and prevent a potential blind spot in general risk assessment.

scholarly journals Occupational exposure to pesticides and health symptoms among family farmers in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Rafael Junqueira Buralli ◽  
Helena Ribeiro ◽  
Verónica Iglesias ◽  
María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada ◽  
Renata Spolti Leão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Family Farmers ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of occupational pesticide exposure with acute and mental health symptoms. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey carried out with 78 Brazilian family farmers, who were pesticide applicators and helpers conveniently selected. Symptoms and exposure data were collected by interviews, and mental health outcomes by the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Blood samples were analyzed to assess cholinesterase levels. Exposure indicators and symptoms were compared between applicators and helpers, and Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Farmers reported exposure to multiple pesticides from early ages; they worked without safety training, technical support, and full protective equipment, and they had a high prevalence of acute and mental health symptoms (e.g., headache, mucosal irritation, tachycardia, and depressive signs). Applicators had more cholinesterase changes than helpers, but less symptoms. Helpers used less personal protection and had significantly higher prevalence ratio of headache, dyspnea, wheezing, cough, poor digestion, tiredness, and feeling worthless, after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Acute and mental health symptoms were observed, both among farmers and helpers. Thus, surveillance actions must be reinforced in Brazil, technical support and safety training improved, focused on applicators and helpers, who are occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides. Agricultural practices of these groups with less pesticide use should receive incentive.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular risk profiles and the uptake of the NHS Healthcheck programme in male prisoners in six UK prisons: an observational cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e033498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Packham ◽  
Elizabeth Butcher ◽  
Marie Williams ◽  
Joanne Miksza ◽  
Richard Morriss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Risk Profiles ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Interventions

IntroductionHalf of all deaths in custody are due to natural causes, the most common being cardiovascular disease (CVD). National Health Service Healthchecks should be available to all eligible prisoners; it is not clear who receives them. Mental health issues are common in prisoners and may affect how healthcare interventions should be delivered. Current policy is to offer Healthchecks to those serving over 2 years in prison.Objectives, methods, setting and designAn observational cross-sectional survey in six male prisons in England between September 2017 and January 2019 in prisoners aged 35–74 to identify who was eligible for a Healthcheck and compare CVD risk data with those that were not, and factors associated with uptake.Outcome measuresCharacteristics of those accepting a Healthcheck were compared with those declining. Assessments of anxiety and depression were compared with CVD risk factors.Results1207 prisoners completed a Healthcheck. 21.8% of prisoners were ineligible due to existing comorbidities. 76.4% of those invited took up a Healthcheck, and of those, 12.1% were found to have new significant CVD comorbidity. CVD risk was similar to community levels but this population was 10 years younger. Definite case-level depression or anxiety was present in 20.7% and 18.0%, respectively, of participants. An association was found between ethnicity and those invited (p=0.023, φ=0.1) and accepting (p=0.008, φ=0.1) a Healthcheck. 9.7% of prisoners serving less than 2 years had CVD risk scores of 10% or more, and had similar CVD risk profiles but much higher levels of anxiety (p<0.001, φ=0.2) or depression (p=0.009, φ=0.2) than those serving 2 years or more.ConclusionCardiovascular risk was comparable with community rates and in some prisons, much higher. Rates of anxiety and depression were high. The national policy for selecting prisoners for Healthchecks may leave many high-risk prisoners without appropriate cardiovascular preventative assessments.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacists towards management of hypertension in primary care centers

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Nyoman Wijaya ◽  
Umi Athiyah ◽  
Andi Hermansyah ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice ◽  
Good Attitude

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is one of the major health problems of the world and one of the most important causes of death in Indonesia. Complication due to hypertension leads to myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal failure. Pharmacist in primary care centers (Puskesmas) plays an important role in the management of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pharmacists working in Puskesmas in Surabaya, Indonesia, towards the management of hypertension.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to July 2019 in 63 Puskesmas in Surabaya. A questionnaire was developed from the literature to assess KAP and administered to the pharmacists. Data was analyzed using SPSS version-17 and presented in terms of descriptive variables. The mean age of the participants was 34.6 ± 4.9 years (24–45 years old), and 82.5% were females. Majority of the respondents (74.6%) had more than 5 years of experience in Puskesmas.ResultsOverall, pharmacists had moderate knowledge, and the majority had good attitude and showed satisfactory practice in the management of hypertension.ConclusionsThere is still a need for continuing education, workshops, and seminars for pharmacists in order to maintain their performance.

scholarly journals Health-Related Quality of Life of Coronary Artery Disease Patients under Secondary Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Survey from South India

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. E121-E129
Author(s):  
Remya Sudevan ◽  
Manu Raj ◽  
Vasudevan Damodaran ◽  
Rajesh Thachathodiyl ◽  
Vijayakumar Maniyal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Artery Disease

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is emerging as an important outcome among patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD). The primary objective of this study was to report the HRQOL of CAD patients under secondary prevention-related treatment and follow-up using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) tool. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional survey done in a hospital/clinic setting. We recruited CAD patients 30 to 80 years old with 1 to 6 years of follow-up. Patients self-reported HRQOL using SF-36. Results: We recruited 1206 patients, among whom 879 (72.9%) were male. The mean age of patients was 61.3 (9.6) years. Mean (± standard deviation) scores for physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, pain, and general health were 66.48 ± 29.41, 78.96 ± 28.01, 80.96 ± 21.15, and 51.49 ± 20.19, respectively. The scores for role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, and social functioning were 76.62 ± 28.0, 66.18 ± 23.92, 76.91 ± 20.47, and 74.49 ± 23.55. In subgroup analysis, age, sex, type of CAD, and treatment showed no significant association with any of the 8 domains of QOL. In addition, hypertension and diabetes showed no significant association with the individual domains of HRQOL. Conclusion: Patients with coronary artery disease under secondary prevention-related treatment have suboptimal HRQOL under both physical and mental domains. The role of demographic factors, comorbidities, disease subtypes, and treatment options in modifying HRQOL among patients with CAD appears to be minimal.

Allergen's labeling of food products: regulatory practices in Morocco

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morad Guennouni ◽  
Brahim Admou ◽  
Noureddine El Khoudri ◽  
Aicha Bourrouhouat ◽  
Safaa Machraoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Food Products ◽  
The European Union ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Allergen Labeling ◽  
Major Health Issue

PurposeAllergenic substances cause food allergy, which represents a major health issue in most countries. This underlines the importance of considering the products' labeling as well as applying related regulatory practices. The objective of this study was to assess the labeling practices of allergens in food products in Morocco.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional survey was conducted on 156 food products collected from four supermarkets in a Moroccan megacity. The data related to the allergen substances (allergen declared, emphasis characters, precautionary allergen labeling) were collected from labels of food products.FindingsThe number of foods included in this research was 156, of which 7 (4.5%) did not mention the allergy alert. The analysis of the allergy alert in the others sample (149) showed 266 nonconformities, noticed in 112 (71.8%) products. The labeling emphasis characters were observed in 33.3% of products, and only 13.5% mentioned “contains allergen” as a mandatory statement to declare the presence of allergens. Allergic alerts found in places concealed, removable by the opening of the seal or difficult to see were observed in 28.9%. The use of a precautionary allergen labeling statement was noticed in 40.4% of products.Originality/valueMoroccan regulations on food allergens are demanding like those of the European Union and more demanding than those of most African countries. However, the application of this regulation remains unsatisfactory and 266 non-conformities were found in 112 (71.8%) products. The absence of emphasis characters and the declaration in inappropriate places represent the most observed non-conformities. Therefore, Moroccan manufacturers must strictly adhere to regulations to avoid exposure of predisposed consumers to potentially threatening allergenic substances.

Household Exposure to Livestock and Health in the CHILILAB HDSS Cohort, Vietnam

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 72S-83S ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinh Dang-Xuan ◽  
Lauren E. MacDonald ◽  
Janna M. Schurer ◽  
Hung Nguyen-Viet ◽  
Phuc Pham-Duc
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Zoonotic Disease ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Symptoms

In Vietnam, pigs and poultry are predominantly produced by small-scale farmers, creating challenges for zoonotic disease management. The objective of this study was to characterize practices related to livestock and manure management and to measure association with 3 self-reported health symptoms (coughing, fever, and diarrhea/nausea/vomiting) in a region currently undergoing health transitions. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from a subset (N = 5520) of the Chi Linh Health and Demographic Surveillance System cohort in Chi Linh district, Vietnam. Bivariate analyses indicated that female gender was a significant risk factor for all 3 health symptoms, whereas age (≥60 years), suburban living, low education level, and household wealth were risk factors for 2 symptoms. Overall, we found no indication that biogas production or exposure to livestock and manure adversely affected human health. Efforts to control zoonotic disease transmission should prioritize utilization of veterinarians, enhanced farm biosecurity, and improvements to commune drinking water/wastewater infrastructure.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document