scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Parturients and Newborns from Luanda, Angola

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1494
Author(s):  
Cruz S. Sebastião ◽  
Paolo Parimbelli ◽  
Manuela Mendes ◽  
Euclides Sacomboio ◽  
Joana Morais ◽  
...  

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China in December 2019, creating a massive public health concern. Although previous studies have identified SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women, the possibility of transmission to newborns remains uncertain. Herein, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk factors among parturients and newborns. This was a cross-sectional study carried out with 3633 parturients from Luanda, Angola, between January and April 2021, with an age ranging from 13 to 48 years. SARS-CoV-2 infection of the parturients was further confirmed with RT-PCR after COVID-19 Ag Rapid Testing. About 0.4% of parturients tested positive on the day of delivery. Surprisingly, parturients from urbanized areas (OR: 0.18, p = 0.025) had a low chance of infection. None of the newborns tested positive in the first 24 h after birth, while one (9.1%, 1/10) of the newborns tested positive with pharyngeal swabs seven days after birth. However, whether the case was due to vertical transmission from mother to child remains to be confirmed. The mother’s residence, education level, antenatal follow-up, and delivery category were related to SARS-CoV-2 transmission (p < 0.05). Our findings showed a relatively low SARS-CoV-2 infection from parturients to newborns, regardless of the severity of the maternal disease. Furthermore, these findings are an early assessment of COVID-19 cases in late pregnancy, which could indicate the need for intensive management of SARS-CoV-2 infection among parturients in Angola. Further studies are needed on the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 among pregnant women and neonates from Angola.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Alka Singh ◽  
Suchita Joshi ◽  
Yuba Raj Sharma

Introductions: This study aims at  identifying the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women and adherence to the management of the newborns of these women as per the international guidelines.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted at Patan Hospital from January 1, 2008 to December 30, 2014. Prevalence of HBsAg in pregnant women in Patan Hospital and management of babies born to these women, the immunization status, breast feeding status and follow up advice for the babies were studied. These data were analyzed to see whether we were following international guidelines for preventing mother to child transmission of hepatitis B infection.Results: There were total of 58,917 deliveries and 59,438 births during the seven-year study period. During this period, total 148 cases of pregnant ladies with HBsAg positive status were recorded. The prevalence of HBsAg positive case was 0.25% or 1 in every 398 deliveries. Fifty-four babies (87%) received hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth. Eight babies (22%) failed to receive HBV and HBIG within 12 hours of birth. Fifty-eight (96%) babies were breastfed after birth. Mother’s HBsAg positive status was not the reason for formula feeding in any of the babies. Follow up HBsAg status was not advised in any of the babies.Conclusions: Patan Hospital seems to be following most of the guidelines in the management of HBV infection in pregnant women, except for checking the HBsAg status of their babies at 9-18 months of age.Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences. 2016 Dec;3(2):23-27


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Merhawi Gebremedhin ◽  
Tewelde Gebrehawerya ◽  
Gezahagn Tesfaye ◽  
Mariam Alemayehu ◽  
Sultan Waritu

Introduction: Unintended pregnancy is an important Public health concern worldwide that affect women, families and society at large. An unintended pregnancy has been responsible for unplanned and mostly unwanted family unions that ultimately cause disrupted lifestyles, a source of conflict between individuals and families as well as discrimination against girl hence the objective of this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its cause among ANC followers.Methodology: The study was conducted in kersa woreda, Eastern hararghae, Ethiopia from February to March, 2015. Facility based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the sample of pregnant women visiting the randomly selected health facility. The source population was all pregnant women residing in kersa woreda and the study population was all pregnant women found in study area who visited health institution for ANC follow up. Our sample was 328 women, and respondents were selected using systematic random sampling. The data was cleaned, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.Result: The magnitude of unintended pregnancy was 31.3% of those, 82(25.6%) was mistimed and 18 (5.6%) was unwanted. Decision power, no radio, and not able to discuss with partner showed significant association. God’s order, husband contraceptive disapproval, and lack of information on contraceptives were mentioned as main cause for current unintended pregnancy.Conclusion: unintended pregnancy was prevalent in 31.3%. Absence of radio, lack of information and lack of discussion with partner was significant predictors. Health information dissemination is needed to community residents, and local governors should ensure that accessible, affordable and acceptable contraceptive is in place.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Okoth Achila ◽  
Millen Ghebretinsae ◽  
Abraham Kidane ◽  
Michael Simon ◽  
Shewit Makonen ◽  
...  

Objective. There is a dearth of relevant research on the rapidly evolving epidemic of diabetes mellitus (particularly Type 2 diabetes mellitus) in sub-Saharan Africa. To address some of these issues in the Eritrean context, we conducted a cross-sectional study on glycemic and lipid profiles and associated risk factors. Methods. A total of 309 patients with diabetes mellitus on regular follow-up at the Diabetic and Hypertensive Department at Halibet Regional Referral Hospital, Asmara, were enrolled for the study. Data on specific clinical chemistry and anthropomorphic parameters was collected. Chi-squared (χ2) test or Fischer’s exact test was used to evaluate the relationship between specific variables. Multivariate logistic regression (backward: conditional) was undertaken to identify the factors associated with increased odds of suboptimal values in glucose and specific lipid panel subfractions. Results. High proportions of patients (76.7%) had suboptimal levels of HbA1c with a mean±SD of 8.6%±1.36, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, the likelihood of HbA1c≥7% was higher in patients with abnormal WHR (AOR=3.01, 95% CI, 3.01 (1.15–7.92=0.024)) and in patients without hypertension (AOR=1.97, 95% CI (1.06–3.56), p=0.021). A unit reduction in eGFR was also associated with HbA1c≥7% (AOR=0.99, 95% CI (0.98–1=0.031)). In a separate analysis, the data shows that 80.9% of the patients had dyslipidemia. In particular, 62.1% of the patients had TC≥200 mg/dL (risk factors: sex, hypertension, and HbA1c concentration), 81.6% had LDL‐C≥100 mg/dL (risk factors: sex and hypertension), 56.3% had TG≥150 (risk factors: sex, HbA1c, and waist circumference), 62.8% had abnormal HDL-C (risk factors: waist circumference), 78.3% had non‐HDL<130 mg/dL (risk factors: duration of disease, reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, and HbA1c), and 45.3% had abnormal TG/HDL (risk factors: sex, age of patient, FPG, and waist circumference). Conclusions. The quality of care, as measured by glycemic and specific lipid targets, in this setting is suboptimal. Therefore, there is an urgent need for simultaneous improvements in both indicators. This will require evidence-based optimization of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. Therefore, additional studies, preferably longitudinal studies with long follow-up, are required on multiple aspects of DM.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-240
Author(s):  
Ruţa Florina ◽  
Avram Călin ◽  
Voidăzan Septimiu ◽  
Rus Victoria ◽  
Georgescu Mihai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. It is well-known that the exposure during pregnancy to lifestyle risk factors can affect thehealth both for the mother and the fetus. There are many risk factors for pregnancy, including: smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary pattern, irregular daily meal serving plan, lack of knowledge regarding health prevention. The main objective of our study was to assess the practices, knowledge and attitudes towards lifestyle risk behaviors during pregnancy in a group of women from Tirgu-Mures area. Materials and methods. We used a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire, assessingsmoking behavior and lifestyle patterns during pregnancy, on a group of 481 women from the urban area (58.84%), as well as from the rural area (41.16%) from Mures county. Results. In the study group, 190 women (39.5%) used to smoke before pregnancy; among which 37.36% continued to smoke even after they found out they are pregnant. In the group of pregnant women that continued to smoke during pregnancy, we have studied other behavioral factors related to lifestyle, identifying the following: 5,73% have been consuming alcohol weekly, 56.33% reduced greatly their physical activity level, 3.63% have been consuming at least 3 cups of coffee a day. During pregnancy, 12.72% did not have a regular, daily meal serving plan, and 67.26% was a little or not at all concerned about their eating habits. Only 30.9% from the smoking pregnant women group have received information from the family doctor (GP) regarding the risk factors of smoking habits, while 38.18% did not receive any information. Conclusions. Behavioral risk factors in pregnancy have to be followed closely by the HealthCare System in order to avoid complications for the mother and the child. The best way of accomplishing that is through an efficient community intervention.


Author(s):  
Jubina Bency Anthoorathodi ◽  
Aqueen Joju ◽  
Ann Mereena Reji ◽  
Anupama Pallivalappil Asokan ◽  
Anzeem Naseem ◽  
...  

Background: Polypharmacy or the concurrent use of multiple medications, is on the rise, especially in the elderly population as they suffer from multiple co-morbidities. Polypharmacy has been reported to increase the risks for inappropriate medication intake. Objectives: The aim was to investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy and usage of potentially inappropriate medication using Beer’s criteria and to find out the various risk factors of polypharmacy in hospitalised elderly.Methods: A cross sectional study was done in patients aged 60 years and above using a pre designed semi structured questionnaire and from their case records to assess the pattern of polypharmacy by different socio-demographic characteristics and also to found out the risk factors of polypharmacy.Results: 50 patients aged 60 and above were involved in our study out of which, 46% were females and 54% were males. Mean age of our study population was 71.5±8.3. Among them, 30 were hypertensive, 27 were diabetic, 9 of them had dyslipidaemia and 8 of them had coronary artery disease Mean number of medication use was 5.1±4.1. Polypharmacy was observed in 42% of the patients. 20% patients received potentially inappropriate drugs from Beer’s list. We also found significant association of polypharmacy with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.Conclusions: The present study has shown polypharmacy and usage of potentially inappropriate medication as an emerging public health concern. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were found to be risk factors of polypharmacy. Deprescription should be integrated into clinical care and prescribers need to be educated about Beers criteria and encouraged for rational prescription.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor Ahmed ◽  
Hyea Bin Im ◽  
Jung Hye Hwang ◽  
Dongwoon Han

Abstract Background Pregnant women’s disclosure of herbal medicine (HM) use to their health care providers during pregnancy is crucial, as misuse of HM can have a detrimental effect on both pregnant woman and the fetus. However, the lack of disclosure of HM use to physicians remains a public health concern in developing countries such as Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 postpartum women admitted at Maternity and Women’s Hospital located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The survey instrument included 30 questions on the use of HM during pregnancy, sociodemographic and health characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted for data analysis using SPSS ver. 21.0., and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results 60.3% of respondents used at least one herbal remedy during their previous pregnancy, and the overall disclosure rate of HM use to healthcare providers was 54.6%. Women with secondary education level and four or more antenatal care visits were more likely to disclose their HM use to healthcare providers. Conclusions This study highlights that despite the popular use of HM among pregnant women in Nepal, most women obtained HM-related information from informal sources and did not disclose their HM use to physicians. To ensure the safe use of HM, physicians should integrate questions regarding patients’ HM use into their routine patient assessments to facilitate active communication and improve the quality of care.


Author(s):  
Marine Gossin ◽  
Gerhard Gmel ◽  
Joseph Studer ◽  
Mathieu Saubade ◽  
Carole Clair

The objective of this study was to assess the association between tobacco/nicotine use and type and intensity of sport. Data were drawn from the second follow-up of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors. Young Swiss men completed a questionnaire about tobacco/nicotine use (cigarette, vaping, snus, snuff), type and intensity of sport and other demographic and medical variables. Among the 5414 included participants (mean age 25.5), 3434 (63.4%) reported regularly practicing a sport. They had a lower rate of cigarette smoking (32.3%) compared with participants not practicing a sport (44.6%) but a higher rate of snus use (15.0% vs. 10.0%). In adjusted models, individual-sport participants were less likely to use snus and snuff (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.51–0.77 and OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.61–0.88), compared with team-sport participants. The association was inversed for vaping users (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.03–2.30). Furthermore, participants who practiced high-intensity sports had a lower likelihood to smoke cigarettes (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.52–0.78) compared with low-intensity sports. Our findings suggest that type and intensity of sport are associated with tobacco/nicotine use. Youth who practice an individual sport are less likely to use snus or snuff and more likely to vape compared with a team sport. This could help better target smoking prevention in young people


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