Purpose.This study aimed to examine the levels and correlates of 24-h movement behaviors(i.e.,physical activity,sedentary time,and sleep),and different patterns of these behaviors in a nationally representative sample...Purpose.This study aimed to examine the levels and correlates of 24-h movement behaviors(i.e.,physical activity,sedentary time,and sleep),and different patterns of these behaviors in a nationally representative sample of South Koreans aged 12 years and older.This study also aimed to examine the sociodemographic correlates of 24?h movement behaviors stratified by age groups.Methods.Self-reported,repeated cross-sectional data from 10,708 participants in the 2014 and 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys were used.Key variables included moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity,muscular strengthening exercises,walking,active transportation,sedentary time,and sleep.Sociodemographic variables included age,sex,household income,area of residence,and education level.Descriptive statistics by sex and age as well as general linear models by age group were performed.Results.The proportions of individuals meeting the moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity,muscular strengthening exercises,and sleep guidelines were,respectively,21.6%,22.1%,and 32.5%in male youth;6.9%,4.5%,and 22.8%in female youth;55.5%,30.8%,and 54.0%in male adults;48.8%,14.4%,and 57.6%in female adults;44.0%,30.6%,and 45.5%in male older adults;and 29.5%,8.9%,and 37.3%in female older adults.The proportions of individuals showing the most ideal combinations of 24-h movement behaviors were only 3.2%in youth,0.4%in adults,and 0 in older adults.Universally,older age,female sex,or living in metro Seoul were associated with unfavorable patterns of 24-h movement behaviors across different age groups.However,the associations of income and education with movement behaviors were mixed across age groups.Conclusion.Overall,the proportion of South Koreans with a healthy 24-h movement behavior pattern is low.The sociodemographic correlates of different types of 24-h movement behaviors should be considered when designing targeted interventions for the promotion of healthy active living for South Koreans.展开更多
This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the health impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) through an integration of epidemiological and toxicological studies. The study identifies significant...This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the health impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) through an integration of epidemiological and toxicological studies. The study identifies significant correlations between PFAS exposure and adverse health outcomes, including thyroid dysfunction, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of specific cancers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature with in vitro and in vivo toxicological experiments. The epidemiological analysis reveals increased risks of thyroid dysfunction, cholesterol elevation, and certain cancers among PFAS-exposed individuals. Toxicological findings further corroborate these results, showing dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in human cell lines and endocrine disruption in rodent models. The study emphasizes the importance of regulatory measures to mitigate PFAS exposure and the urgent need for more comprehensive research into their long-term effects. The integration of epidemiological and toxicological data underscores the significant health risks posed by PFAS, highlighting the necessity of immediate action to limit exposure and develop safer alternatives.展开更多
Spatial epidemiology is the description and analysis of geographic patterns and variations in disease risk factors,morbidity and mortality with respect to their distributions associated with demographic,socioeconomic,...Spatial epidemiology is the description and analysis of geographic patterns and variations in disease risk factors,morbidity and mortality with respect to their distributions associated with demographic,socioeconomic,environmental,health behavior,and genetic risk factors,and time-varying changes.In the Letter to Editor,we had a brief description of the practice for the mortality and the spacetime patterns of John Snow's map of cholera epidemic in London,United Kingdom in 1854.This map is one of the earliest public heath practices of developing and applying spatial epidemiology.In the early history,spatial epidemiology was predominantly applied in infectious disease and risk factor studies.However,since the recent decades,noncommunicable diseases have become the leading cause of death in both developing and developed countries,spatial epidemiology has been used in the study of noncommunicable disease.In the Letter,we addressed two examples that applied spatial epidemiology to cluster and identify stroke belt and diabetes belt across the states and counties in the United States.Similar to any other epidemiological study design and analysis approaches,spatial epidemiology has its limitations.We should keep in mind when applying spatial epidemiology in research and in public health practice.展开更多
The association between heavy metals in the blood and obesity has been examined in many studies.However,inconsistencies have been observed in the results of these studies.The present study was conducted using data fro...The association between heavy metals in the blood and obesity has been examined in many studies.However,inconsistencies have been observed in the results of these studies.The present study was conducted using data from 119,181 participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES)for 11 years in 2005 and between 2008 and 2017.The subjects with missing heavy metal blood tests,health interview data,and health examination data were excluded from the study.The study population comprised 1,844 individuals(972 men,and 872 women)who were eligible for inclusion.It was found that obesity and abdominal obesity were associated with an increase in both blood mercury(P<0.001)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P<0.001).After adjusting the confounding factors,those with concurrent high levels of ALT and the highest tertile of mercury showed an increased risk of obesity(odds ratio 4.46,95%confidence interval 2.23-8.90,P<0.001)as well as abdominal obesity(odds ratio 5.36,95%confidence interval 2.57-11.17,P<0.001).The interrelationship of mercury and ALT with the parameters of body mass index(P for interaction=0.009)and waist circumference(P for interaction=0.012),respectively,have been observed to be significant,suggesting that the reciprocal relationship could contribute to obesity and abdominal obesity.展开更多
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the importance of health vigilance in the prevention of cervical cancer. The sample consisted of 536 women. To identify which risk factors were associated w...The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the importance of health vigilance in the prevention of cervical cancer. The sample consisted of 536 women. To identify which risk factors were associated with cervical cancer or with an increase in the mortality rate of this kind of cancer, a logistic regression model was used. The Odds Ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. Most of them were at the age of highest incidence of cervical cancer (21 - 59 years old), had an unstable conjugal situation, minimal educational level (78.7%), low income (58.3%), consumed alcoholic beverages (56.4%), had a history of smoking (57.0%) and possessed limited knowledge about the prevention. These results are discussed in terms of a predictive model for cervical cancer that considers the importance of public health vigilance in the screening and precocious diagnosis.展开更多
Objective:To determine brucellosis's epidemiologic,laboratory,diagnostic and public health features considering brucellosis is endemic in Azna County,western Iran.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was...Objective:To determine brucellosis's epidemiologic,laboratory,diagnostic and public health features considering brucellosis is endemic in Azna County,western Iran.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was investigated on 43 patients with brucellosis in Azna County. The subjects were the patients with symptoms correspondent with brucellosis and positive Wright and 2ME tests. A questionnaire about demographic,epidemiological and laboratory findings was filled in. Afterwards,patients were treated using usual antimicrobial drugs regimen. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.Results:Forty-three subjects were found to be positive in laboratory tests. Incidence of Brucellosis was 59.31 per hundred thousand population. About 34.9% of patients were female and 65.1%male. Nearly 95.2% of human cases were living in rural and 4.8%in urban areas. Around 20.9%of patients had history of animal contact. The commonest transmission was unpasteurized dairy products(79.1%). The most contagious seasons were summer and spring(60.3%). The most common age group was 15-24(27.9%),and about 60.5%of the patients were between 15-44 years old. Disease was more common among housewives(30.2%) and farmers(20.9%). The majority of the patients had Wright test titre=1:320(54.1%) and 2ME test titre=1:160(56.1%) in serological titration.Doxycycline with Rifampin was used for treatment of the greatest of patients(60.4%).Conclusions:In order to control this zoonotic disease,close cooperation of health and veterinary organizations is necessary.展开更多
AIM To build a regional database of chronic patients to define the clinical epidemiology of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-infected patients in the Tuscan public health care system.METHODS This study used a cross-sectional co...AIM To build a regional database of chronic patients to define the clinical epidemiology of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-infected patients in the Tuscan public health care system.METHODS This study used a cross-sectional cohort design. We evaluated chronic viral hepatitis patients with HBV referred to the outpatient services of 16 hospital units. Information in the case report forms included main demographic data, blood chemistry data, viral hepatitis markers, instrumental evaluations, and eligibility for treatment or ongoing therapy and liver transplantation. RESULTS Of 4015 chronic viral hepatitis patients, 1096(27.3%) were HBV infected. The case report form was correctly completed for only 833 patients(64% males, 36% females; mean age 50.1 ± 15.4). Of these HBV-infected patients, 73% were Caucasian, 21% Asian, 4% Central African, 1% North African and 1% American. Stratifying patients by age and nationality, we found that 21.7% of HBV-infected patients were aged < 34 years(only 2.8% were Italian). The most represented routes of transmission were nosocomial/dental procedures(23%), mother-to-child(17%) and sexual transmission(12%). The most represented HBV genotypes were D(72%) and A(14%). Of the patients, 24.7% of patients were HBe Ag positive, and 75.3% were HBe Ag negative. Of the HBV patients 7% were anti-HDV positive. In the whole cohort, 26.9% were cirrhotic(35.8% aged < 45 years), and 47% were eligible for or currently undergoing treatment, of whom 41.9 % were cirrhotic. CONCLUSION Only 27.3% of chronic viral hepatitis patients were HBV infected. Our results provide evidence of HBV infection in people aged < 34 years, especially in the foreign population not protected by vaccination. In our cohort of patients, liver cirrhosis was also found in young adults.展开更多
AIM:To determine the prevalence and associations of non-retinopathy ocular conditions among older Australian adults with diabetes.METHODS:Multistage random-cluster sampling was used to select 3098 non-indigenous Austr...AIM:To determine the prevalence and associations of non-retinopathy ocular conditions among older Australian adults with diabetes.METHODS:Multistage random-cluster sampling was used to select 3098 non-indigenous Australians aged 50 y or older(46.4%male)and 1738 indigenous Australians aged 40 y or older(41.1%male)from all levels of geographic remoteness in Australia.Participants underwent a standardised questionnaire to ascertain diabetes history,and a clinical examination to identify eye disease.We determined the prevalence of uncorrected refractive error,visually significant cataract,cataract surgery,age-related macular degeneration,glaucoma,ocular hypertension,retinal vein occlusion and epiretinal membrane among those with and without self-reported diabetes.RESULTS:Participants with self-reported diabetes had a higher prevalence of cataract surgery than those without diabetes(28.8%vs 16.9%,OR 1.78,95%CI:1.35-2.34 among non-indigenous Australians,and 11.3%vs 5.2%,OR 1.62,95%CI:1.22-2.14 among indigenous Australians).Diabetic retinopathy(DR)increased the odds of cataract surgery among self-reported diabetic indigenous and nonindigenous Australians(OR 1.89,P=0.004 and OR 2.33,P<0.001 respectively).Having diabetes for≥20 y and having vision-threatening DR increased the odds of cataract surgery among indigenous Australians with diabetes(OR 3.73,P=0.001 and 7.58,P<0.001,respectively).CONCLUSION:Most non-retinopathy ocular conditions are not associated with self-reported diabetes.However,to account for Australia’s worsening diabetes epidemic,interventions to reduce the impact of diabetes-related blindness should include increased cataract surgery services.展开更多
Aims: Establish profiles of young “at risk” of injuries, first, on an overall point of view and, secondly, for some types of injuries (sport, home, road traffic, school and work injuries). Methods: We have taken nea...Aims: Establish profiles of young “at risk” of injuries, first, on an overall point of view and, secondly, for some types of injuries (sport, home, road traffic, school and work injuries). Methods: We have taken nearly 50 variables into consideration: 17 variables for construction of the socioeconomic status, 9 variables for the investigation of symptoms, 11 concerning drugs, 5 for healthy habits, 3 for investigating the violence behavior, 4 concerning the school, 3 for subjective health and finally 3 for social network. We have used the principal component analysis, the multiple correspondence analysis and the weighted-frequency score for reducing the number of them. After these reductions, 15 variables were available for analyses. The relationship between injuries and investigated factors was assessed using the Pearson’s chi-square test. We also calculated odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) to estimate the strengths of the associations. To further assess these relationships but also for taking into account the potentials confounding effects of some variables, logistic regression model and multinomial logistic regression model were applied. Results: The whole injury prevalence was equal to 45.6% and among the injured, the proportion of the several types was equal to 33.8% for sport injuries, 32.2% for home injuries, 16.6% for traffic injuries, 11.6% for school injuries and 5.7% for work injuries. We can say that, in light of the variables studied, the “at risk” profile for having reported an injury is being a boy, being younger, having drug experiences, with the violent profile, and declaring several symptoms. There are no consistent and marked deviations in this study from the findings obtained in previous studies. Conclusion: Analyzing injuries in general is interesting but for preventing them it is important to know in which activities children and students are engaged when they are injured.展开更多
We investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological distress in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors 12 months after ICU discharge. The purpose of this study, conducted and...We investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological distress in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors 12 months after ICU discharge. The purpose of this study, conducted and completed before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, was to find correlations among psychiatric symptoms detected by a screening tool as the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the different domains of HRQOL measured with the SF-36 health survey (SF-36), in order to identify ICU survivors with Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) who need a specific psychiatric intervention to improve their HRQOL. Among 298 ICU survivors who stayed in the ICU for at least 72 hours, 48 patients were enrolled one year after discharge undergoing a clinical interview to assess their functional impairment (Barthel index), mental health (GHQ-28), and health-related quality of life (SF-36). 19% of those subjects had a GHQ-28 ≥ 5 and were identified as “psychiatric cases”, and they were older and experienced a greater impairment in HRQOL. Anxiety, insomnia, and depressive symptoms seemed to be particularly involved in the impairment of HRQOL. A negative correlation between GHQ-28 total scores and subscales and SF-36 subscales was found. Our findings highlighted that psychological distress in ICU survivors may negatively impact physical health recovery and quality of life;conversely, physical impairment and functional disability may trigger the onset of psychiatric symptoms after discharge. The present study is firstly to investigate the correlations between HRQOL and psychological distress in ICU survivors through the GHQ-28, and then affirms the need to carry out follow-up checks for psychiatric symptoms in ICU survivors.展开更多
Background:To examine the association between alcohol drinking and short sleep duration among Chinese adults.Methods:Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,28,167 records of 15,074 adults longitudinal data were obt...Background:To examine the association between alcohol drinking and short sleep duration among Chinese adults.Methods:Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,28,167 records of 15,074 adults longitudinal data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey for the period from 2004 to 2011.A multilevel logistic regression model was employed to explore the association between alcohol drinking and sleep duration.Results:Compared with nondrinking participants,a high drinking frequency was positively correlated with a short sleep duration in both the males(odds ratio(OR)=1.33,95%confidence interval(CI)=1.20–1.48,P<0.001)and females(OR=1.60,95%CI=1.18–2.18,P=0.003)before the covariates were adjusted.After adjusting for age,residence area,education level,marital status,smoking,coffee consumption,tea consumption,and activity level,this association remained significant in the males(OR=1.31,95%CI=1.17–1.46,P<0.001)but not in the females(OR=1.16,95%CI=0.85–1.59,P=0.340).Conclusion:The present results suggest that a high drinking frequency was positively correlated with a short sleep duration in male population.Comprehensive measures therefore need to be implemented to improve sleep duration,especially to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol.展开更多
In the past 30 years,the accessibility and quality index of medical care have made remarkable progress in China,ranking the first among middle-income countries.Many cardiovascular technologies are at or near the world...In the past 30 years,the accessibility and quality index of medical care have made remarkable progress in China,ranking the first among middle-income countries.Many cardiovascular technologies are at or near the world's leading level,and significant progress has been achieved in China solving the problem of“treatment difficulty”of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).However,due to the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among Chinese residents,a huge population with CVD risk factors,accelerated population aging,and other reasons,the incidence and mortality rate of CVD are still increasing,and the turning point of the decline in disease burden has not appeared yet in China.In terms of proportions of disease mortality among urban and rural residents,CVD still ranks the first.In 2020,CVD accounted for 48.00%and 45.86%of the causes of death in rural and urban areas,respectively;two out of every five deaths were due to CVD.It is estimated that the number of current CVD patients in China is around 330 million,including 13 million stroke,11.39 million coronary heart disease,8.9 million heart failure,5 million pulmonary heart disease,4.87 million atrial fibrillation,2.5 million rheumatic heart disease,2 million congenital heart disease,45.3 million peripheral artery disease,and 245 million hypertension cases.China has entered a new stage of transformation from high-speed development to high-quality development,and the prevention and control of CVD in China should also shift from previous emphasis on scale growth to strategies focusing more on strategic and key technological development in order to curb the trend of increasing incidence and mortality rates of CVD.展开更多
AIM:To identify key variables associated with colon cancer testing using the 2009 California Health Inventory Survey(CHIS).METHODS:The CHIS has been conducted biennially since 2001 using a two-stage,geographically str...AIM:To identify key variables associated with colon cancer testing using the 2009 California Health Inventory Survey(CHIS).METHODS:The CHIS has been conducted biennially since 2001 using a two-stage,geographically stratified random-digit-dial sample design to produce a representative sample of the entire State.For this study we used survey data from 2001-2009 inclusive.We restricted our analysis to White,Black,and Hispanic/Latinos aged 50-80 years.Weighted data was used to calculate the proportion of participants who underwent some form of colon cancer testing(colonoscopy,flexible sigmoidoscopy or fecal occult blood testing) within the previous 5 years stratified by race/ethnicity.For inferential analysis,boot-strapping with replacement was performed on the weighted sample to attain variance estimates at the 95%CI.For mean differences among categories we used t-tests and for comparisons of categorical data we used Pearson's χ 2.Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent variables associated with undergoing some form of testing.Trend analysis was performed to determine rates of testing over the study period stratified by race.RESULTS:The CHIS database for 2009 had 30 857 unique respondents corresponding to a weighted sample size of 10.6 million Californians.Overall,63.0%(63.0-63.1) underwent a colon cancer test within the previous 5 years;with 70.5%(70.5%-70.6%) of this subset having undergone colonoscopy.That is 44.5%(44.4%-44.5%) of all individuals 50-80 underwent colonoscopy.By multivariable regression,those tested were more likely to be male(OR = 1.06;95%CI:1.06-1.06),Black(OR = 1.30;95%CI:1.30-1.31),have a family member with colon cancer(OR = 1.71;95%CI:1.70-1.72),and have health insurance(OR = 2.71;95%CI:2.70-2.72).Progressive levels above the poverty line were also associated with receiving a test(100%-199%:1.21;1.20-1.21),(200%-299%:1.41;1.40-1.42),(> 300:1.69;1.68-1.70).The strongest variable was physician recommendation(OR = 3.90;95%CI:3.88-3.91).For the Hispanic/Latino group,additional variables associated with testing were success of physician-patient communication(OR = 2.44;95%CI:2.40-2.48) and naturalized citizenship status(OR = 1.91;95%CI:1.89-1.93).Trend analysis demonstrated increased colon cancer testing for all racial/ethnic subgroups from 2001-2009 although the rate remained considerably lower for the Hispanic/Latino subgroup.CONCLUSION:Using CHIS we identified California citizens most likely to undergo colon cancer testing.The strongest variable associated with testing for all groups was physician recommendation.展开更多
Enteric fever remains a tropical disease of public health significance in Africa, due to its high endemicity and transmission rates, more in sub-Saharan Africa with 7.2 million cases of typhoid fever annually and inci...Enteric fever remains a tropical disease of public health significance in Africa, due to its high endemicity and transmission rates, more in sub-Saharan Africa with 7.2 million cases of typhoid fever annually and incidence rate of 762 per 100000 person-years when compared with Northern Africa with a reported incidence rate of 557 per 100000 person-years and lower. Recent studies show that almost all regions of sub-Saharan Africa are tending towards high incidence rates, especially Central and Western Africa. Though clinically indistinguishable from paratyphoid fever, typhoid fever causes more morbidity and mortality than paratyphoid fever, with a greater threat to children. Risk factors include consumption of contaminated water, patronizing food vendors and a history of contact with a case or a chronic carrier, amongst others. Environmental factors such as the rainy season, open sewers, contaminated water bodies and areas of low elevation have been implicated. Diagnosis in Africa is challenging due to resource constraints, as many centres still depend on clinical diagnosis and serodiagnosis using Widal test, in an era where more sensitive and specific tests exist. The polymerase chain reaction is one of the most sensitive diagnostic methods, while culture (particularly bone marrow) is considered to be one of the most specific. Quinolones (ciprofloxacin) and third-generation cephalosporins, amongst others, remain potent in the management of enteric fever, with resistance to quinolones gradually on the rise. Poor diagnostics, poor antibiotic stewardship and lack of drug (antibiotic) regulation are contributors to the problem of antibiotic resistance in Africa. Prevention of typhoid fever through;vaccination, especially in children is still under investigation, with steady progress being documented. Overall, long term prevention strategies for typhoid fever should be based on improved sourcesof drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene, food safety and poverty alleviation.展开更多
Aim: To verify the epidemiological profile of patients enrolled in the Mental Health Program at a Family Health Unit, as well as the most prevalent disorders, age and comorbidities. Methods: After analyzing the medica...Aim: To verify the epidemiological profile of patients enrolled in the Mental Health Program at a Family Health Unit, as well as the most prevalent disorders, age and comorbidities. Methods: After analyzing the medical records, the following variables were obtained: diagnosis of mental health status, gender, age group, associated comorbidities and medication in use. Results: There was a prevalence of 61.3% in women and 38.7% in men;patients aged 30 to 39 years were the most affected (22.6%);the most common disorders were epilepsy (36%), depression (14%), anxiety disorder (8.6%) and schizophrenia (8.6%);the most common comorbidities were systemic arterial hypertension (30%) and insomnia (15%) and the most commonly used psychotropic drugs were amitriptyline, carbamazepine and phenobarbital (10.2% each). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of females, mainly at 30 to 39 years old and the most prevalent diagnoses were epilepsy, depression and anxiety disorder. About medications, antidepressants and anticonvulsants were the most prescribed.展开更多
Background: Childhood mental illness is a major factor of overall lifespan of children continuing into adulthood. Population based surveys and public health surveillance provide the much needed evidence to understand ...Background: Childhood mental illness is a major factor of overall lifespan of children continuing into adulthood. Population based surveys and public health surveillance provide the much needed evidence to understand mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental illness in children in the United States. Objective: To review available current national survey data regarding mental illness in children over the past decade and to review the global implications of childhood mental illness. Results: Altogether, 13% - 20% of children experienced a mental health disorder from 1994 to 2011. The prevalence of depression among children of 3 - 17 years old was 3% and the prevalence of lifetime and past year major depressive episode were 12.8% and 8.1% respectively among adolescents of 12 - 17 years old, with a prevalence of depression in the preceding 2 weeks of 6.7%. 7.1% of children of 12 - 17 years old ever had a diagnosis of depression, 3.5% had current depression and 5.1% had a diagnosis of depression in the past year. Overall, 28.5% of high school students of 14 - 18 years old reported feeling so sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing usual activities, higher among girls (35.9%) than boys (21.5%), and greater in Hispanic students (32.6%) than white non-Hispanic (27.2%) or black non-Hispanic students (24.7%). The overall rate of suicide in children in 2010 was 4.5 per 100,000. Conclusions: Mental illness presents serious departures from the expected cognitive, social, and emotional development in children, and an important area for prevention in the U.S. and globally. Mental illness will be managed effectively when there is adequate access to treatment services to reduce its associated morbidity and mortality.展开更多
Background: Obesity is a real pandemic and with ever increasing prevalence. Health professionals play a vital role in the fight against this condition. They are also affected by obesity and could be even more affected...Background: Obesity is a real pandemic and with ever increasing prevalence. Health professionals play a vital role in the fight against this condition. They are also affected by obesity and could be even more affected than the general population. These health workers sometimes have a wrong perception of their own weight which interferes with their ability to counsel their patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with obesity among health care workers and increase their awareness of the problem. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH) and the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUTH) during a 6 months period. The data were collected through a questionnaire structured according to WHO STEP wise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS). We measured weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure according to the WHO STEPS procedure. The Chi square test and logistic regression were used to measure the association between the qualitative variables. A p value 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 350 health personnel participated in this study. The prevalence of obesity was 30.3%. That of abdominal obesity was 46.9%. The factors independently associated to overall obesity were age > 40 years [OR = 2.22 95% CI (1.28 - 3.87)], nursing assistant profession [OR = 2.31 95% IC (1.21 - 4.41)] and high blood pressure [OR = 3.38 95% CI (1.16 - 9.84)] and to abdominal obesity, age > 40 years [OR = 3.35 95% CI (1.96 - 5.71)], female gender [OR = 5.47 95% CI (2.95 - 10.14)], marriage [OR = 1.84 95% CI (1.08 - 3.14)], and High blood pressure [OR = 3.76 95% CI (1.01 - 13.94)]. Conclusion: Obesity is very common among YCH and YUTH staff. Staff awareness and the introduction of proper lifestyle promotion programs are more than ever needed to win the fight against obesity.展开更多
Objective: To describe and analyze the epidemiological aspects as well as the observance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of people bitten by a dog and received at the Buanionzi State Health Center from 2014 to 2017...Objective: To describe and analyze the epidemiological aspects as well as the observance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of people bitten by a dog and received at the Buanionzi State Health Center from 2014 to 2017. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study which took place in two stages. The first interview was an interrogation carried out at the health Center until surgical trimming (100% of cases) followed by PEP (70.3% of cases) according to the Essen protocol. The second time was a 24 h telephone interview after a missed appointment for a dose of PEP. Results: The prevalence was 5.6 bites/10.000 people. The average age was 26.4 ± 18.3 years. Age ≤ 26 years was more concerned with 59.3% of cases (p = 0.006) in which children Conclusion: The rabies risk is potential in Boma. Efforts in terms of public health strategies must be made to reduce it.展开更多
The landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children around the World have right to safe environment. In Belgium, as in many countries, children spend, on average, 4.5 weekdays at school, during nea...The landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children around the World have right to safe environment. In Belgium, as in many countries, children spend, on average, 4.5 weekdays at school, during nearly 8 hours per day. Studies have shown that, the risk of school-related injury exceeds the risk during leisure time. Literature reports that school accidents account for 10 to 30% of all accidents among pupils. Despite that, few papers treat of the school-related injuries. Consequently, based on 1540 accidents forms from an insurance company, injury places, mechanisms involved, body parts injured and nature of injuries were described. Head injuries, upper and lower limbs injuries were investigated in more details. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to assess the relationships between the variables and multivariate logistic regression models were used to study the three specific types of injuries cited above. Gender ratio (M/F) was equal to 1.6 with 25.9% of children under 6 years, 29.4% of 6 - 9 years, 26.9% of 10 - 12 years and 17.8% from 13 years or more. The major places of injuries were the playground (56.9%) and the physical education (19.7%). Falls were observed in 52.1% of cases and contacts were reported in 24.3%. The head injuries account for 40.6%, the upper limbs for 32.0% and the lower limbs injuries for 20.2%. The bruises and the scratches were observed in 23.8% and the wounds in 21.5%. Fractures were reported in 16.1%. In conclusion, having a routine access to the data from the insurance companies could be an important source of information for an injury surveillance system in which the school injuries will be included. Taking into account this data will require an awareness of all the concerned persons about the relevance of such a system and a harmonization of the accidental forms.展开更多
文摘Purpose.This study aimed to examine the levels and correlates of 24-h movement behaviors(i.e.,physical activity,sedentary time,and sleep),and different patterns of these behaviors in a nationally representative sample of South Koreans aged 12 years and older.This study also aimed to examine the sociodemographic correlates of 24?h movement behaviors stratified by age groups.Methods.Self-reported,repeated cross-sectional data from 10,708 participants in the 2014 and 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys were used.Key variables included moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity,muscular strengthening exercises,walking,active transportation,sedentary time,and sleep.Sociodemographic variables included age,sex,household income,area of residence,and education level.Descriptive statistics by sex and age as well as general linear models by age group were performed.Results.The proportions of individuals meeting the moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity,muscular strengthening exercises,and sleep guidelines were,respectively,21.6%,22.1%,and 32.5%in male youth;6.9%,4.5%,and 22.8%in female youth;55.5%,30.8%,and 54.0%in male adults;48.8%,14.4%,and 57.6%in female adults;44.0%,30.6%,and 45.5%in male older adults;and 29.5%,8.9%,and 37.3%in female older adults.The proportions of individuals showing the most ideal combinations of 24-h movement behaviors were only 3.2%in youth,0.4%in adults,and 0 in older adults.Universally,older age,female sex,or living in metro Seoul were associated with unfavorable patterns of 24-h movement behaviors across different age groups.However,the associations of income and education with movement behaviors were mixed across age groups.Conclusion.Overall,the proportion of South Koreans with a healthy 24-h movement behavior pattern is low.The sociodemographic correlates of different types of 24-h movement behaviors should be considered when designing targeted interventions for the promotion of healthy active living for South Koreans.
文摘This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the health impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) through an integration of epidemiological and toxicological studies. The study identifies significant correlations between PFAS exposure and adverse health outcomes, including thyroid dysfunction, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of specific cancers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature with in vitro and in vivo toxicological experiments. The epidemiological analysis reveals increased risks of thyroid dysfunction, cholesterol elevation, and certain cancers among PFAS-exposed individuals. Toxicological findings further corroborate these results, showing dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in human cell lines and endocrine disruption in rodent models. The study emphasizes the importance of regulatory measures to mitigate PFAS exposure and the urgent need for more comprehensive research into their long-term effects. The integration of epidemiological and toxicological data underscores the significant health risks posed by PFAS, highlighting the necessity of immediate action to limit exposure and develop safer alternatives.
基金funded by the Special Research Project for the Non-profit Public Service of the Ministry of Health(Grant 201202022)the National ‘‘Twelfth Five-Year Plan’’ for Science&Technology supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology(Grant 2012BAI01B01)
文摘Spatial epidemiology is the description and analysis of geographic patterns and variations in disease risk factors,morbidity and mortality with respect to their distributions associated with demographic,socioeconomic,environmental,health behavior,and genetic risk factors,and time-varying changes.In the Letter to Editor,we had a brief description of the practice for the mortality and the spacetime patterns of John Snow's map of cholera epidemic in London,United Kingdom in 1854.This map is one of the earliest public heath practices of developing and applying spatial epidemiology.In the early history,spatial epidemiology was predominantly applied in infectious disease and risk factor studies.However,since the recent decades,noncommunicable diseases have become the leading cause of death in both developing and developed countries,spatial epidemiology has been used in the study of noncommunicable disease.In the Letter,we addressed two examples that applied spatial epidemiology to cluster and identify stroke belt and diabetes belt across the states and counties in the United States.Similar to any other epidemiological study design and analysis approaches,spatial epidemiology has its limitations.We should keep in mind when applying spatial epidemiology in research and in public health practice.
基金This study was supported by the Jungwon University Research Grant(2021-044).
文摘The association between heavy metals in the blood and obesity has been examined in many studies.However,inconsistencies have been observed in the results of these studies.The present study was conducted using data from 119,181 participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES)for 11 years in 2005 and between 2008 and 2017.The subjects with missing heavy metal blood tests,health interview data,and health examination data were excluded from the study.The study population comprised 1,844 individuals(972 men,and 872 women)who were eligible for inclusion.It was found that obesity and abdominal obesity were associated with an increase in both blood mercury(P<0.001)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P<0.001).After adjusting the confounding factors,those with concurrent high levels of ALT and the highest tertile of mercury showed an increased risk of obesity(odds ratio 4.46,95%confidence interval 2.23-8.90,P<0.001)as well as abdominal obesity(odds ratio 5.36,95%confidence interval 2.57-11.17,P<0.001).The interrelationship of mercury and ALT with the parameters of body mass index(P for interaction=0.009)and waist circumference(P for interaction=0.012),respectively,have been observed to be significant,suggesting that the reciprocal relationship could contribute to obesity and abdominal obesity.
文摘The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the importance of health vigilance in the prevention of cervical cancer. The sample consisted of 536 women. To identify which risk factors were associated with cervical cancer or with an increase in the mortality rate of this kind of cancer, a logistic regression model was used. The Odds Ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. Most of them were at the age of highest incidence of cervical cancer (21 - 59 years old), had an unstable conjugal situation, minimal educational level (78.7%), low income (58.3%), consumed alcoholic beverages (56.4%), had a history of smoking (57.0%) and possessed limited knowledge about the prevention. These results are discussed in terms of a predictive model for cervical cancer that considers the importance of public health vigilance in the screening and precocious diagnosis.
基金Supported by Research and Technology Development of Ahvaz Jundishapur University Medical Sciences in collaboration on this project with No.87S.56
文摘Objective:To determine brucellosis's epidemiologic,laboratory,diagnostic and public health features considering brucellosis is endemic in Azna County,western Iran.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was investigated on 43 patients with brucellosis in Azna County. The subjects were the patients with symptoms correspondent with brucellosis and positive Wright and 2ME tests. A questionnaire about demographic,epidemiological and laboratory findings was filled in. Afterwards,patients were treated using usual antimicrobial drugs regimen. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.Results:Forty-three subjects were found to be positive in laboratory tests. Incidence of Brucellosis was 59.31 per hundred thousand population. About 34.9% of patients were female and 65.1%male. Nearly 95.2% of human cases were living in rural and 4.8%in urban areas. Around 20.9%of patients had history of animal contact. The commonest transmission was unpasteurized dairy products(79.1%). The most contagious seasons were summer and spring(60.3%). The most common age group was 15-24(27.9%),and about 60.5%of the patients were between 15-44 years old. Disease was more common among housewives(30.2%) and farmers(20.9%). The majority of the patients had Wright test titre=1:320(54.1%) and 2ME test titre=1:160(56.1%) in serological titration.Doxycycline with Rifampin was used for treatment of the greatest of patients(60.4%).Conclusions:In order to control this zoonotic disease,close cooperation of health and veterinary organizations is necessary.
文摘AIM To build a regional database of chronic patients to define the clinical epidemiology of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-infected patients in the Tuscan public health care system.METHODS This study used a cross-sectional cohort design. We evaluated chronic viral hepatitis patients with HBV referred to the outpatient services of 16 hospital units. Information in the case report forms included main demographic data, blood chemistry data, viral hepatitis markers, instrumental evaluations, and eligibility for treatment or ongoing therapy and liver transplantation. RESULTS Of 4015 chronic viral hepatitis patients, 1096(27.3%) were HBV infected. The case report form was correctly completed for only 833 patients(64% males, 36% females; mean age 50.1 ± 15.4). Of these HBV-infected patients, 73% were Caucasian, 21% Asian, 4% Central African, 1% North African and 1% American. Stratifying patients by age and nationality, we found that 21.7% of HBV-infected patients were aged < 34 years(only 2.8% were Italian). The most represented routes of transmission were nosocomial/dental procedures(23%), mother-to-child(17%) and sexual transmission(12%). The most represented HBV genotypes were D(72%) and A(14%). Of the patients, 24.7% of patients were HBe Ag positive, and 75.3% were HBe Ag negative. Of the HBV patients 7% were anti-HDV positive. In the whole cohort, 26.9% were cirrhotic(35.8% aged < 45 years), and 47% were eligible for or currently undergoing treatment, of whom 41.9 % were cirrhotic. CONCLUSION Only 27.3% of chronic viral hepatitis patients were HBV infected. Our results provide evidence of HBV infection in people aged < 34 years, especially in the foreign population not protected by vaccination. In our cohort of patients, liver cirrhosis was also found in young adults.
基金Supported by Department of Health of the Australian Government,Novartis Australia and the Peggy and Leslie Cranbourne FoundationThe Principal Investigator,Dr Mohamed Dirani,is supported by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship(No.1090466)supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship。
文摘AIM:To determine the prevalence and associations of non-retinopathy ocular conditions among older Australian adults with diabetes.METHODS:Multistage random-cluster sampling was used to select 3098 non-indigenous Australians aged 50 y or older(46.4%male)and 1738 indigenous Australians aged 40 y or older(41.1%male)from all levels of geographic remoteness in Australia.Participants underwent a standardised questionnaire to ascertain diabetes history,and a clinical examination to identify eye disease.We determined the prevalence of uncorrected refractive error,visually significant cataract,cataract surgery,age-related macular degeneration,glaucoma,ocular hypertension,retinal vein occlusion and epiretinal membrane among those with and without self-reported diabetes.RESULTS:Participants with self-reported diabetes had a higher prevalence of cataract surgery than those without diabetes(28.8%vs 16.9%,OR 1.78,95%CI:1.35-2.34 among non-indigenous Australians,and 11.3%vs 5.2%,OR 1.62,95%CI:1.22-2.14 among indigenous Australians).Diabetic retinopathy(DR)increased the odds of cataract surgery among self-reported diabetic indigenous and nonindigenous Australians(OR 1.89,P=0.004 and OR 2.33,P<0.001 respectively).Having diabetes for≥20 y and having vision-threatening DR increased the odds of cataract surgery among indigenous Australians with diabetes(OR 3.73,P=0.001 and 7.58,P<0.001,respectively).CONCLUSION:Most non-retinopathy ocular conditions are not associated with self-reported diabetes.However,to account for Australia’s worsening diabetes epidemic,interventions to reduce the impact of diabetes-related blindness should include increased cataract surgery services.
文摘Aims: Establish profiles of young “at risk” of injuries, first, on an overall point of view and, secondly, for some types of injuries (sport, home, road traffic, school and work injuries). Methods: We have taken nearly 50 variables into consideration: 17 variables for construction of the socioeconomic status, 9 variables for the investigation of symptoms, 11 concerning drugs, 5 for healthy habits, 3 for investigating the violence behavior, 4 concerning the school, 3 for subjective health and finally 3 for social network. We have used the principal component analysis, the multiple correspondence analysis and the weighted-frequency score for reducing the number of them. After these reductions, 15 variables were available for analyses. The relationship between injuries and investigated factors was assessed using the Pearson’s chi-square test. We also calculated odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) to estimate the strengths of the associations. To further assess these relationships but also for taking into account the potentials confounding effects of some variables, logistic regression model and multinomial logistic regression model were applied. Results: The whole injury prevalence was equal to 45.6% and among the injured, the proportion of the several types was equal to 33.8% for sport injuries, 32.2% for home injuries, 16.6% for traffic injuries, 11.6% for school injuries and 5.7% for work injuries. We can say that, in light of the variables studied, the “at risk” profile for having reported an injury is being a boy, being younger, having drug experiences, with the violent profile, and declaring several symptoms. There are no consistent and marked deviations in this study from the findings obtained in previous studies. Conclusion: Analyzing injuries in general is interesting but for preventing them it is important to know in which activities children and students are engaged when they are injured.
文摘We investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological distress in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors 12 months after ICU discharge. The purpose of this study, conducted and completed before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, was to find correlations among psychiatric symptoms detected by a screening tool as the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the different domains of HRQOL measured with the SF-36 health survey (SF-36), in order to identify ICU survivors with Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) who need a specific psychiatric intervention to improve their HRQOL. Among 298 ICU survivors who stayed in the ICU for at least 72 hours, 48 patients were enrolled one year after discharge undergoing a clinical interview to assess their functional impairment (Barthel index), mental health (GHQ-28), and health-related quality of life (SF-36). 19% of those subjects had a GHQ-28 ≥ 5 and were identified as “psychiatric cases”, and they were older and experienced a greater impairment in HRQOL. Anxiety, insomnia, and depressive symptoms seemed to be particularly involved in the impairment of HRQOL. A negative correlation between GHQ-28 total scores and subscales and SF-36 subscales was found. Our findings highlighted that psychological distress in ICU survivors may negatively impact physical health recovery and quality of life;conversely, physical impairment and functional disability may trigger the onset of psychiatric symptoms after discharge. The present study is firstly to investigate the correlations between HRQOL and psychological distress in ICU survivors through the GHQ-28, and then affirms the need to carry out follow-up checks for psychiatric symptoms in ICU survivors.
基金This study was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China(No.16BGL183)This research uses data from China Health and Nutrition Survey+1 种基金The authors would like to thank the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety,China Center for Disease Control and Prevention,Carolina Population Center,the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,the National Institute for Health(R01-HD30880,DK056350,and R01-HD38700)the Fogarty International Center,NIH for financial support for the China Health and Nutrition Survey data collection and analysis files from 1989 to 2006 and both parties plus the China-Japan Friendship Hospital,Ministry of Health for support for China Health and Nutrition Survey 2009 and future surveys.
文摘Background:To examine the association between alcohol drinking and short sleep duration among Chinese adults.Methods:Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,28,167 records of 15,074 adults longitudinal data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey for the period from 2004 to 2011.A multilevel logistic regression model was employed to explore the association between alcohol drinking and sleep duration.Results:Compared with nondrinking participants,a high drinking frequency was positively correlated with a short sleep duration in both the males(odds ratio(OR)=1.33,95%confidence interval(CI)=1.20–1.48,P<0.001)and females(OR=1.60,95%CI=1.18–2.18,P=0.003)before the covariates were adjusted.After adjusting for age,residence area,education level,marital status,smoking,coffee consumption,tea consumption,and activity level,this association remained significant in the males(OR=1.31,95%CI=1.17–1.46,P<0.001)but not in the females(OR=1.16,95%CI=0.85–1.59,P=0.340).Conclusion:The present results suggest that a high drinking frequency was positively correlated with a short sleep duration in male population.Comprehensive measures therefore need to be implemented to improve sleep duration,especially to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol.
文摘In the past 30 years,the accessibility and quality index of medical care have made remarkable progress in China,ranking the first among middle-income countries.Many cardiovascular technologies are at or near the world's leading level,and significant progress has been achieved in China solving the problem of“treatment difficulty”of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).However,due to the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among Chinese residents,a huge population with CVD risk factors,accelerated population aging,and other reasons,the incidence and mortality rate of CVD are still increasing,and the turning point of the decline in disease burden has not appeared yet in China.In terms of proportions of disease mortality among urban and rural residents,CVD still ranks the first.In 2020,CVD accounted for 48.00%and 45.86%of the causes of death in rural and urban areas,respectively;two out of every five deaths were due to CVD.It is estimated that the number of current CVD patients in China is around 330 million,including 13 million stroke,11.39 million coronary heart disease,8.9 million heart failure,5 million pulmonary heart disease,4.87 million atrial fibrillation,2.5 million rheumatic heart disease,2 million congenital heart disease,45.3 million peripheral artery disease,and 245 million hypertension cases.China has entered a new stage of transformation from high-speed development to high-quality development,and the prevention and control of CVD in China should also shift from previous emphasis on scale growth to strategies focusing more on strategic and key technological development in order to curb the trend of increasing incidence and mortality rates of CVD.
基金Supported by Grant K24 DK83268 awarded to Friedenberg F
文摘AIM:To identify key variables associated with colon cancer testing using the 2009 California Health Inventory Survey(CHIS).METHODS:The CHIS has been conducted biennially since 2001 using a two-stage,geographically stratified random-digit-dial sample design to produce a representative sample of the entire State.For this study we used survey data from 2001-2009 inclusive.We restricted our analysis to White,Black,and Hispanic/Latinos aged 50-80 years.Weighted data was used to calculate the proportion of participants who underwent some form of colon cancer testing(colonoscopy,flexible sigmoidoscopy or fecal occult blood testing) within the previous 5 years stratified by race/ethnicity.For inferential analysis,boot-strapping with replacement was performed on the weighted sample to attain variance estimates at the 95%CI.For mean differences among categories we used t-tests and for comparisons of categorical data we used Pearson's χ 2.Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent variables associated with undergoing some form of testing.Trend analysis was performed to determine rates of testing over the study period stratified by race.RESULTS:The CHIS database for 2009 had 30 857 unique respondents corresponding to a weighted sample size of 10.6 million Californians.Overall,63.0%(63.0-63.1) underwent a colon cancer test within the previous 5 years;with 70.5%(70.5%-70.6%) of this subset having undergone colonoscopy.That is 44.5%(44.4%-44.5%) of all individuals 50-80 underwent colonoscopy.By multivariable regression,those tested were more likely to be male(OR = 1.06;95%CI:1.06-1.06),Black(OR = 1.30;95%CI:1.30-1.31),have a family member with colon cancer(OR = 1.71;95%CI:1.70-1.72),and have health insurance(OR = 2.71;95%CI:2.70-2.72).Progressive levels above the poverty line were also associated with receiving a test(100%-199%:1.21;1.20-1.21),(200%-299%:1.41;1.40-1.42),(> 300:1.69;1.68-1.70).The strongest variable was physician recommendation(OR = 3.90;95%CI:3.88-3.91).For the Hispanic/Latino group,additional variables associated with testing were success of physician-patient communication(OR = 2.44;95%CI:2.40-2.48) and naturalized citizenship status(OR = 1.91;95%CI:1.89-1.93).Trend analysis demonstrated increased colon cancer testing for all racial/ethnic subgroups from 2001-2009 although the rate remained considerably lower for the Hispanic/Latino subgroup.CONCLUSION:Using CHIS we identified California citizens most likely to undergo colon cancer testing.The strongest variable associated with testing for all groups was physician recommendation.
文摘Enteric fever remains a tropical disease of public health significance in Africa, due to its high endemicity and transmission rates, more in sub-Saharan Africa with 7.2 million cases of typhoid fever annually and incidence rate of 762 per 100000 person-years when compared with Northern Africa with a reported incidence rate of 557 per 100000 person-years and lower. Recent studies show that almost all regions of sub-Saharan Africa are tending towards high incidence rates, especially Central and Western Africa. Though clinically indistinguishable from paratyphoid fever, typhoid fever causes more morbidity and mortality than paratyphoid fever, with a greater threat to children. Risk factors include consumption of contaminated water, patronizing food vendors and a history of contact with a case or a chronic carrier, amongst others. Environmental factors such as the rainy season, open sewers, contaminated water bodies and areas of low elevation have been implicated. Diagnosis in Africa is challenging due to resource constraints, as many centres still depend on clinical diagnosis and serodiagnosis using Widal test, in an era where more sensitive and specific tests exist. The polymerase chain reaction is one of the most sensitive diagnostic methods, while culture (particularly bone marrow) is considered to be one of the most specific. Quinolones (ciprofloxacin) and third-generation cephalosporins, amongst others, remain potent in the management of enteric fever, with resistance to quinolones gradually on the rise. Poor diagnostics, poor antibiotic stewardship and lack of drug (antibiotic) regulation are contributors to the problem of antibiotic resistance in Africa. Prevention of typhoid fever through;vaccination, especially in children is still under investigation, with steady progress being documented. Overall, long term prevention strategies for typhoid fever should be based on improved sourcesof drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene, food safety and poverty alleviation.
文摘Aim: To verify the epidemiological profile of patients enrolled in the Mental Health Program at a Family Health Unit, as well as the most prevalent disorders, age and comorbidities. Methods: After analyzing the medical records, the following variables were obtained: diagnosis of mental health status, gender, age group, associated comorbidities and medication in use. Results: There was a prevalence of 61.3% in women and 38.7% in men;patients aged 30 to 39 years were the most affected (22.6%);the most common disorders were epilepsy (36%), depression (14%), anxiety disorder (8.6%) and schizophrenia (8.6%);the most common comorbidities were systemic arterial hypertension (30%) and insomnia (15%) and the most commonly used psychotropic drugs were amitriptyline, carbamazepine and phenobarbital (10.2% each). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of females, mainly at 30 to 39 years old and the most prevalent diagnoses were epilepsy, depression and anxiety disorder. About medications, antidepressants and anticonvulsants were the most prescribed.
文摘Background: Childhood mental illness is a major factor of overall lifespan of children continuing into adulthood. Population based surveys and public health surveillance provide the much needed evidence to understand mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental illness in children in the United States. Objective: To review available current national survey data regarding mental illness in children over the past decade and to review the global implications of childhood mental illness. Results: Altogether, 13% - 20% of children experienced a mental health disorder from 1994 to 2011. The prevalence of depression among children of 3 - 17 years old was 3% and the prevalence of lifetime and past year major depressive episode were 12.8% and 8.1% respectively among adolescents of 12 - 17 years old, with a prevalence of depression in the preceding 2 weeks of 6.7%. 7.1% of children of 12 - 17 years old ever had a diagnosis of depression, 3.5% had current depression and 5.1% had a diagnosis of depression in the past year. Overall, 28.5% of high school students of 14 - 18 years old reported feeling so sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing usual activities, higher among girls (35.9%) than boys (21.5%), and greater in Hispanic students (32.6%) than white non-Hispanic (27.2%) or black non-Hispanic students (24.7%). The overall rate of suicide in children in 2010 was 4.5 per 100,000. Conclusions: Mental illness presents serious departures from the expected cognitive, social, and emotional development in children, and an important area for prevention in the U.S. and globally. Mental illness will be managed effectively when there is adequate access to treatment services to reduce its associated morbidity and mortality.
文摘Background: Obesity is a real pandemic and with ever increasing prevalence. Health professionals play a vital role in the fight against this condition. They are also affected by obesity and could be even more affected than the general population. These health workers sometimes have a wrong perception of their own weight which interferes with their ability to counsel their patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with obesity among health care workers and increase their awareness of the problem. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH) and the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUTH) during a 6 months period. The data were collected through a questionnaire structured according to WHO STEP wise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS). We measured weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure according to the WHO STEPS procedure. The Chi square test and logistic regression were used to measure the association between the qualitative variables. A p value 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 350 health personnel participated in this study. The prevalence of obesity was 30.3%. That of abdominal obesity was 46.9%. The factors independently associated to overall obesity were age > 40 years [OR = 2.22 95% CI (1.28 - 3.87)], nursing assistant profession [OR = 2.31 95% IC (1.21 - 4.41)] and high blood pressure [OR = 3.38 95% CI (1.16 - 9.84)] and to abdominal obesity, age > 40 years [OR = 3.35 95% CI (1.96 - 5.71)], female gender [OR = 5.47 95% CI (2.95 - 10.14)], marriage [OR = 1.84 95% CI (1.08 - 3.14)], and High blood pressure [OR = 3.76 95% CI (1.01 - 13.94)]. Conclusion: Obesity is very common among YCH and YUTH staff. Staff awareness and the introduction of proper lifestyle promotion programs are more than ever needed to win the fight against obesity.
文摘Objective: To describe and analyze the epidemiological aspects as well as the observance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of people bitten by a dog and received at the Buanionzi State Health Center from 2014 to 2017. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study which took place in two stages. The first interview was an interrogation carried out at the health Center until surgical trimming (100% of cases) followed by PEP (70.3% of cases) according to the Essen protocol. The second time was a 24 h telephone interview after a missed appointment for a dose of PEP. Results: The prevalence was 5.6 bites/10.000 people. The average age was 26.4 ± 18.3 years. Age ≤ 26 years was more concerned with 59.3% of cases (p = 0.006) in which children Conclusion: The rabies risk is potential in Boma. Efforts in terms of public health strategies must be made to reduce it.
文摘The landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children around the World have right to safe environment. In Belgium, as in many countries, children spend, on average, 4.5 weekdays at school, during nearly 8 hours per day. Studies have shown that, the risk of school-related injury exceeds the risk during leisure time. Literature reports that school accidents account for 10 to 30% of all accidents among pupils. Despite that, few papers treat of the school-related injuries. Consequently, based on 1540 accidents forms from an insurance company, injury places, mechanisms involved, body parts injured and nature of injuries were described. Head injuries, upper and lower limbs injuries were investigated in more details. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to assess the relationships between the variables and multivariate logistic regression models were used to study the three specific types of injuries cited above. Gender ratio (M/F) was equal to 1.6 with 25.9% of children under 6 years, 29.4% of 6 - 9 years, 26.9% of 10 - 12 years and 17.8% from 13 years or more. The major places of injuries were the playground (56.9%) and the physical education (19.7%). Falls were observed in 52.1% of cases and contacts were reported in 24.3%. The head injuries account for 40.6%, the upper limbs for 32.0% and the lower limbs injuries for 20.2%. The bruises and the scratches were observed in 23.8% and the wounds in 21.5%. Fractures were reported in 16.1%. In conclusion, having a routine access to the data from the insurance companies could be an important source of information for an injury surveillance system in which the school injuries will be included. Taking into account this data will require an awareness of all the concerned persons about the relevance of such a system and a harmonization of the accidental forms.
