The combined oral contraceptive pill

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) has been a popular choice of contraception since it was first introduced in 1961. There are numerous varieties of COCP and tailored regimes allow patients more choice and opportunities to adapt contraception to suit individual needs. The pandemic has made it more difficult for patients to access long-acting reversible contraception support and many have been using interim methods of contraception, including the COCP. In this article we explore which pill to prescribe, developments in tailored regimes, guidance about changing pills when side effects arise, health risks and benefits, as well as best practice for remote assessments and prescribing.

Health Risks and Benefits Among Surfers After Exposure to Seawater in Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz County, California, United States

We investigated the health risks and benefits among surfers in Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz County, California, United States after seawater exposure. A total of 47 surfers enrolled and completed an online survey on the effect of the ocean environment on their well-being, physical and mental health, and provided their perspectives on ocean conservation. The majority of the surfers were white males, with a median age of 40 years, and a mean of 21 years surfing experience. Most of the participants spent over 5 h/week in the ocean. The most common health problems reported were adverse effects due to red tide exposure, surfer’s ear, back and neck problems, and allergies. A total of 41% reported upper respiratory symptoms, and 8% of the participants reported gastrointestinal symptoms. All participants reported that the ocean benefited their emotional health, and 45/47 (>96%) reported that the ocean increased their life satisfaction, happiness, and decreased their stress level. All participants reported being engaged in ocean stewardship. This study suggests surfers were significantly more likely to report upper respiratory symptoms when they had experienced adverse health effects while surfing during a “red tide” and during a bloom of the microscopic, single-celled phytoplankter, Akashiwo sanguinea.

Demography and determinants of dog and cat ownership in three towns of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background The dog and cat population data is generally scarce in developing countries due to absence of surveys. The demography of owned dogs and cats, and the associated ownership characteristics, are essential for the control of pet population and zoonosis. This study was conducted in three towns of West Shoa Zone of Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing demographic characteristics of owned dogs and cats and determinants of ownership. Results About 65.1% (95% CI: 62.1 – 69.8%) of the householders own dogs, 39.2% (95% CI: 35.8 – 43.8%) own cats, and 30.6% (95% CI: 27.4 – 35.0%) own both. The majority of the dog-owning households own a single dog (74.8%) and cat (74.9%). There were significantly higher proportion of dog and cat-owning households in Bako than Ambo and Gojo towns. The human to owned-dog ratio was 6:1, and that of cat ratio was 10:1. There were more male dogs (72.1%) and more female cats (59.7%). The male to female sex ratio was estimated at 3:1 for the dog while nearly 1:1 for cats. About 37.5% of the owned dogs were indoor, and 62.5% have free access to outside. Dogs and cats were acquired as a gift from families, neighbors, and friends. The identified reason for not owning dogs/cats were fear of zoonosis, dislike, no time to devote, benefit not realized, and shortage of finance. Logistic regression analysis identified study town, community type, gender of head of household, ownership of other animals as determinants for dog/cat ownership. Besides, possessing dogs was significantly associated with cat ownership. Conclusion The current study provide insights into the determinants of dogs/cats ownership and their demographic characteristics in Ethiopia. Dogs are more commonly owned, but the household determinants for dog and cat ownership were comparable. Means of obtaining and reason of owning or abandoning dogs/cats is partly different from those reported in the developed countries. The results of this study could be used for the provision of veterinary services, quantifying health risks and benefits associated with dog/cat ownership, and control of pet population and related zoonosis.

Demography and determinants of dog and cat ownership in three towns of West Shoa zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background The dog and cat population data is generally scarce in developing countries due to absence of surveys. The demography of owned dogs and cats, and the associated ownership characteristics, are essential for the control of pet population and zoonosis. This study was conducted in three towns of West Shoa Zone of Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing demographic characteristics of owned dogs and cats and determinants of ownership. Results About 65.1% (95% CI: 62.1–69.8%) of the householders own dogs, 39.2% (95% CI: 35.8–43.8%) own cats, and 30.6% (95% CI: 27.4–35.0%) own both. The majority of the dog-owning households own a single dog (74.8%) and cat (74.9%). There were significantly higher proportion of dog and cat-owning households in Bako than Ambo and Gojo towns. The human to owned-dog ratio was 6:1, and that of cat ratio was 10:1. There were more male dogs (72.1%) and more female cats (59.7%). The male to female sex ratio was estimated at 3:1 for the dog while nearly 1:1 for cats. About 37.5% of the owned dogs were indoor, and 62.5% have free access to outside. Dogs and cats were acquired as a gift from families, neighbors, and friends. The identified reason for not owning dogs/cats were fear of zoonosis, dislike, no time to devote, benefit not realized, and shortage of finance. Logistic regression analysis identified study town, community type, gender of head of household, ownership of other animals as determinants for dog/cat ownership. Besides, possessing dogs was significantly associated with cat ownership. Conclusion The current study provide insights into the determinants of dogs/cats ownership and their demographic characteristics in Ethiopia. Dogs are more commonly owned, but the household determinants for dog and cat ownership were comparable. Means of obtaining and reason of owning or abandoning dogs/cats is partly different from those reported in the developed countries. The results of this study could be used for the provision of veterinary services, quantifying health risks and benefits associated with dog/cat ownership, and control of pet population and related zoonosis.

FOR BETTER AND WORSE? THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOSENESS AND AGE FOR SPOUSES’ CARDIOMETABOLIC SIMILARITY

Spouses share age-related disease risks: a person’s diabetes or hypertension raises the partner’s odds for the same condition. To probe the importance of partners’ closeness, marital satisfaction, and age for spouses’ similarity in cardiometabolic health, 43 disease-free couples ages 24-61 provided fasting glucose, fat and carbohydrate oxidation, and blood pressure at two study visits. Couples who felt closer had more similar rates of carbohydrate oxidation compared to those who felt less close. Likewise, happier couples had more similar carbohydrate and fat oxidation. Fasting glucose and blood pressure were more similar within middle-aged couples compared to younger pairs. In follow-up analyses, partners’ health behavior concordance did not explain these effects. In sum, closer, happier, and older couples shared more similar cardiometabolic profiles, perhaps driven by joint stress and emotional spillover. Findings suggest that closer, happier relationships may confer both larger health risks and benefits, and increasing age may raise the stakes.