1
|
Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health in the Border Areas of Euro-Arctic Barents Region: A Review of 30-Year Russian-Norwegian Research Collaboration Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17113879. [PMID: 32486198 PMCID: PMC7312300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17113879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This year marks 30 years of close collaboration between a consortium of institutions, namely, the Northwest Public Health Research Center, Saint-Petersburg (NWPHRC); the Institute of Community Medicine (ICM) of UiT (The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø); the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Oslo; the University Hospital of Northern Norway (UNN) at Tromsø; and McMaster University (MU), Hamilton, ON, Canada. During the early years of cooperation, Dr. Chashchin was the Director of the Scientific Laboratory of the North-West Public Health Centre Branch of the NWPHRC located in the town of Kirovks in the Murmansk Region. The primary focus of this long-standing collaboration was to assess and address issues that are important for maintaining the health of the population living in the border areas of Russia and Norway and included the reduction of occupational health risks among workers employed in mining, metallurgical and machine-building enterprises located in the north-western region of Norway and the adjoining Kola Peninsula in Russia. These industrial activities constituted essential components of the local industries. The ongoing Russian–Norwegian cooperation in the field of occupational medicine is an excellent example of the effective combination of intellectual potential and research technologies of multiple countries. It has resulted in the development of a scientifically based set of measures for practical implementation, contributing to the improvement of working conditions and preservation of the health of workers employed at enterprises where the joint research was carried out.
Collapse
|
2
|
Kharkova OA, Krettek A, Grjibovski AM, Nieboer E, Odland JØ. Prevalence of smoking before and during pregnancy and changes in this habit during pregnancy in Northwest Russia: a Murmansk county birth registry study. Reprod Health 2016; 13:18. [PMID: 26952100 PMCID: PMC4782289 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-016-0144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Smoking during pregnancy leads to adverse maternal and birth outcomes. However, the prevalence of smoking among women in Russia has increased from < 5 % in the 1980s to > 20 % in the 2000s. We conducted a registry-based study in Murmansk County, Northwest Russia. Our aims were twofold: (i) assess the prevalence of smoking before and during pregnancy; and (ii) examine the socio-demographic factors associated with giving up smoking or reducing the number of cigarettes smoked once pregnancy was established. Methods This study employs data from the population-based Murmansk County Birth Registry (MCBR) collected during 2006–2011. We used logistic regression to investigate associations between women’s socio-demographic characteristics and changes in smoking habit during pregnancy. To avoid departure from uniform risk within specific delivery departments, we employed clustered robust standard errors. Results Of all births registered in the MCBR, 25.2 % of the mothers were smokers before pregnancy and 18.9 % continued smoking during pregnancy. Cessation of smoking during pregnancy was associated with education, marital status and parity but not with maternal age, place of residence, and ethnicity. Women aged ≤ 20–24 years had higher odds of reducing the absolute numbers of cigarettes smoked per day during pregnancy than those aged ≥ 30–34 years. Moreover, smoking nulliparae and pregnant women who had one child were more likely to reduce the absolute numbers of cigarettes smoked per day compared to women having ≥ 2 children. Conclusions About 25.0 % of smoking women in the Murmansk County in Northwest Russia quit smoking after awareness of the pregnancy, and one-third of them reduced the number cigarettes smoked during pregnancy. Our study demonstrates that women who have a higher education, husband, and are primiparous are more likely to quit smoking during pregnancy. Maternal age and number of children are indicators that influence reduction in smoking during pregnancy. Our findings are useful in identifying target groups for smoking intervention campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Kharkova
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. .,International School of Public Health, Northern State Medical University, office 1252, Troitsky avenue 51, Arkhangelsk, 163000, Russia.
| | - Alexandra Krettek
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. .,Department of Biomedicine and Public Health, School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden. .,Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Andrej M Grjibovski
- International School of Public Health, Northern State Medical University, office 1252, Troitsky avenue 51, Arkhangelsk, 163000, Russia. .,Department of International Public Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of Preventive Medicine, International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkestan, Kazakhstan. .,North-Easten Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia.
| | - Evert Nieboer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Jon Øyvind Odland
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. .,School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Douglas NI, Pavlova TU, Burtseva TE, Rad YG, Petrova PG, Odland JØ. Women's reproductive health in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Int J Circumpolar Health 2014; 73:25872. [PMID: 25405105 PMCID: PMC4216814 DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v73.25872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Douglas
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana U Pavlova
- The Yakutia research center for Complex medical problems, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana E Burtseva
- The Yakutia research center for Complex medical problems, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Yana G Rad
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Palmira G Petrova
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Jon Ø Odland
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Popova S, Yaltonskaya A, Yaltonsky V, Kolpakov Y, Abrosimov I, Pervakov K, Tanner V, Rehm J. What research is being done on prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the Russian research community? Alcohol Alcohol 2014; 49:84-95. [PMID: 24158024 PMCID: PMC3865815 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agt156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Although Russia has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable burden of disease, little is known about the existing research on prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) in this country. The objective of this study was to locate and review published and unpublished studies related to any aspect of PAE and FASD conducted in or using study populations from Russia. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in multiple English and Russian electronic bibliographic databases. In addition, a manual search was conducted in several major libraries in Moscow. RESULTS The search revealed a small pool of existing research studies related to PAE and/or FASD in Russia (126: 22 in English and 104 in Russian). Existing epidemiological data indicate a high prevalence of PAE and FASD, which underlines the strong negative impact that alcohol has on mortality, morbidity and disability in Russia. High levels of alcohol consumption by women of childbearing age, low levels of contraception use, and low levels of knowledge by health and other professionals regarding the harmful effects of PAE put this country at great risk of further alcohol-affected pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol preventive measures in Russia warrant immediate attention. More research focused on alcohol prevention and policy is needed in order to reduce alcohol-related harm, especially in the field of FASD.
Collapse
|
5
|
Abdala N, Zhan W, Shaboltas AV, Skochilov RV, Kozlov AP, Krasnoselskikh TV. Efficacy of a brief HIV prevention counseling intervention among STI clinic patients in Russia: a randomized controlled trial. AIDS Behav 2013; 17:1016-24. [PMID: 22987210 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-012-0311-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The study examined the efficacy of a brief theory-based counseling intervention to reduce sexual HIV risk behaviors among STI clinic patients in St. Petersburg, Russia. Men and women (n = 307) were recruited to receive either: (1) a 60-minute motivational/skills-building counseling session dealing with sexual HIV risk reduction, or (2) written HIV prevention information material. Participants completed baseline, three- and six-month assessments in the period between July 2009 and May 2011. Compared to the control group, the face-to-face counseling intervention showed significant increases in the percentage of condom use and consistent condom use, and significant decreases in the number of unprotected sexual acts and frequency of drug use before sex. Intervention effects dissipated by 6 months. The brief counseling intervention may effectively reduce HIV sexual risk behaviors and enhance protective behaviors among STI clinic patients in Russia. Short-term positive effects were achieved with a single one hour counseling session.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Abdala
- Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nieminen P, Panychev D, Lyalyushkin S, Komarov G, Nikanov A, Borisenko M, Kinnula VL, Toljamo T. Environmental exposure as an independent risk factor of chronic bronchitis in northwest Russia. Int J Circumpolar Health 2013; 72:19742. [PMID: 23440671 PMCID: PMC3580279 DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v72i0.19742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 01/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In some parts of the northwest Russia, Murmansk region, high exposures to heavy mining and
refining industrial air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide, have been documented. Objective Our aim was to evaluate whether living in the mining area would be an independent risk factor of the respiratory symptoms. Design A cross-sectional survey of 200 Murmansk region adult citizens was performed. The main outcome variable was prolonged cough with sputum production that fulfilled the criteria of chronic bronchitis. Results Of the 200 participants, 53 (26.5%) stated that they had experienced chronic cough with phlegm during the last 2 years. The prevalence was higher among those subjects living in the mining area with its high pollution compared to those living outside this region (35% vs. 18%). Multivariable regression model confirmed that the risk for the chronic cough with sputum production was elevated in a statistical significant manner in the mining and refining area (adjusted OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.07–4.35) after adjustment for smoking status, age and sex. Conclusions The increased level of sulphur dioxide emitted during nickel mining and refining may explain these adverse health effects. This information is important for medical authorities when they make recommendations and issue guidelines regarding the relationship between environmental pollution and health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pentti Nieminen
- Medical Informatics and Statistics Research Group, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abdala N, Zhan W, Shaboltas AV, Skochilov RV, Kozlov AP, Krasnoselskikh TV. Correlates of abortions and condom use among high risk women attending an STD clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia. Reprod Health 2011; 8:28. [PMID: 21992690 PMCID: PMC3214124 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4755-8-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many women in Russia rely on abortion as a primary birth control method. Although refusal to use contraceptives, including condoms, may undermine public health efforts to decrease HIV sexual risk behaviors, few studies have investigated the risk factors associated with abortion among women at high risk for HIV. This study sought to identify the correlates of abortions and of lack of condom use among high risk STD clinic patients in St Petersburg Russia. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of data collected between 2009 and 2010 from women who had casual or multiple sexual partners in the previous three months was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the independent correlates of abortion(s) and no condom use in the prior three months. Independent variables included socio-demographics, at risk drinking per alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT-C) criteria, having sex after drinking alcohol, having a sexual partner who injects illicit drugs, and parity. Results Of 87 participants, 45% had an abortion in their lifetime and 26% did not use condoms in the prior three months. Abortion was independently associated with low income (OR, 3.33, 95%CI, 1.13-9.78) and at risk drinking (OR, 3.52, 95%CI, 1.24-10.05). Lack of condom use was independently associated with being more likely to have sex after drinking (OR, 3.37, 95%CI, 1.10-10.28) and parity (OR, 3.69, 95%CI, 1.25-10.89). Conclusions Programs to increase contraceptive use including condom use among women at high risk for STD/HIV in Russia are needed. Programs to reduce sexual HIV risk and abortion rates must address alcohol misuse and target women with limited income.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Abdala
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abdala N, Kershaw T, Krasnoselskikh TV, Kozlov AP. Contraception use and unplanned pregnancies among injection drug-using women in St Petersburg, Russia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 37:158-64. [PMID: 21493618 DOI: 10.1136/jfprhc-2011-0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence of contraceptive methods and investigated whether abortion rates influence contraceptive behaviour among injection drug-using (IDU) women in St Petersburg, Russia. METHODOLOGY A self-administered questionnaire of behaviour in the last 3 months was applied to a convenient sample of IDU women. RESULTS Of 80 sexually active participants, 67% had had an abortion. No participant reported using hormonal contraceptives or intrauterine devices (IUDs). The only valid method of contraception used was condoms, which was reported by half of the participants. Consistent condom use was reported by 22% of participants and was no more likely among those who had an abortion. Condom use was significantly associated with having multiple or casual sex partners [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.75, 95% (confidence interval) CI 1.11-2.78, p = 0.01], having an IDU sex partner (PR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36-0.85, p = 0.029) and with a negative attitude toward condoms (PR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33-0.84, p = 0.01). Abortions were less likely among those who had multiple or casual sex partners (PR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Despite the high prevalence of abortions among IDU women, none reported the use of hormonal contraception or IUDs. Having had an abortion was not associated with greater likelihood of using condoms. Participants mostly used condoms with casual or multiple sex partners, suggesting that condoms were used mainly to prevent HIV/sexually transmitted infection transmission and not to prevent pregnancy. Programmes to prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce abortion-related health risks among this understudied vulnerable group are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Abdala
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Anda EE, Nieboer E, Voitov AV, Kovalenko AA, Lapina YM, Voitova EA, Kovalenko LF, Odland JØ. Implementation, quality control and selected pregnancy outcomes of the Murmansk County Birth Registry in Russia. Int J Circumpolar Health 2009; 67:318-34. [PMID: 19024802 DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v67i4.18339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the essential features of the newly established Murmansk County Birth Registry (MCBR); make some preliminary comparisons of selected variables related to pregnancy and delivery in northern counties of the Nordic countries and in cities and towns of Murmansk County [Murmanskaja Oblast (MO)] and explore some research possibilities. STUDY DESIGN A registry-based cohort study. METHODS The MCBR was established in 2005 and registration began on 1 January 2006. A registry form draws upon both hospital files and information from the mother. There are 54 major fields consisting primarily of tick-off boxes and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. A quality control exercise was conducted in both 2006 and 2007. RESULTS During 2006, 8,468 births were registered in the MO (coverage = 98.9%). The proportion of errors was below 1% in both years. Limiting the descriptive statistics to 2006, compared to counties of the Nordic counties in the Barents Region, the delivering women in the MO were younger and had fewer and lighter (mean of 200 g) babies. The gestational age was somewhat shorter in the MO than in the Nordic counties and fewer babies had a birthweight above 4,500 g. The perinatal mortality corresponding to a gestational age (GA) of either 22 or 28 completed weeks was higher (p < 0.02) in the MO than the Nordic counties in this study. In the MO, the birth rate does not balance the reported increase in death rate. CONCLUSIONS Our study concludes that a medical birth registry of satisfactory quality has been established for the world's largest arctic population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Eik Anda
- Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vaktskjold A, Talykova LV, Chashchin VP, Odland JO, Nieboer E. Maternal nickel exposure and congenital musculoskeletal defects. Am J Ind Med 2008; 51:825-33. [PMID: 18655106 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether women occupationally exposed to nickel in early pregnancy are at elevated risk of delivering a newborn with a malformation or deformation of the musculoskeletal system (ICD-10: Q65-Q79). METHODS Data about the newborn, maternal occupation and workplace were obtained using the Kola Birth Register (KBR). Each record in the KBR was assigned a categorical nickel (Ni) exposure rating according to the occupation the delivering woman had at the time of becoming pregnant. This was achieved by using as a guideline the water-soluble Ni subfraction of the inhalable aerosol fraction obtained by personal monitoring for nickel- and copper-refinery workers or/and measured urinary-Ni concentrations. The reference population was delivering women from the source population with background exposure level. In total, the study population consisted of 22,965 births. RESULTS Three hundred and four infants (13.3/1,000 births; 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.9-14.7) were diagnosed with isolated musculoskeletal defect(s) at birth. The adjusted odds ratio for the association between the maternal exposure to Ni and this outcome was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.76-1.21) per unit increase in exposure category. CONCLUSION The incidence of defects in the musculoskeletal system at birth was high, especially for feet deformities, but we found no effect of maternal exposure to water-soluble Ni on the risk of delivering a newborn with a defect. However, the incidence among women working in the copper refinery was higher than in the other employment groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arild Vaktskjold
- Nordic School of Public Health, Goöteborg, Sweden (a subsidiary of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, Denmark).
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vaktskjold A, Talykova LV, Chashchin VP, Odland JØ, Nieboer E. Spontaneous abortions among nickel-exposed female refinery workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2008; 18:99-115. [PMID: 18365800 DOI: 10.1080/09603120701498295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A case-control study to investigate whether women employed in nickel-exposed work areas in early pregnancy are at elevated risk of spontaneous abortion (SA). Data about pregnancy outcome and maternal factors were obtained about each delivery and SA from women in selected work places. Each pregnancy record was assigned a categorical nickel (Ni) exposure rating according to the women's occupations at pregnancy onset. The guidelines were the water-soluble Ni subfraction of the inhalable aerosol fraction obtained by personal monitoring for nickel- and copper-refinery workers or/and measured urinary-Ni concentrations. The unadjusted odds ratio for the association between the maternal exposure to Ni and an SA for Ni-exposed women was 1.38 (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.84), and the adjusted was 1.14 (0.95-1.37). In conclusion, there was no statistical association between maternal occupational exposure to water-soluble Ni in early pregnancy and the risk of self-reported SA. The findings do not exclude the possibility of a weak excess risk, or a risk in the first weeks of pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arild Vaktskjold
- Institutt for samfunnsmedisin, Universitetet i Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Small-For-Gestational-Age Newborns of Female Refinery Workers Exposed to Nickel. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2007; 20:327-38. [DOI: 10.2478/v10001-007-0034-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|