Evaluation of the reasons for the non‑COVID‑19 status: A socio‑demographic analysis

The present study aimed to evaluate the reasons behind the fact that some individuals did not contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), considering certain socio-demographic data. The present cross-sectional study was conducted at a state hospital between February 1, 2022 and March 1, 2022. The study group consisted of individuals who never had COVID-19, and the control group consisted of individuals who did not know at the time of the study whether they had COVID-19. A data collection form consisting of 29 questions created based on a literature review was used. A total of 2,958 subjects (study group, 669; control group, 2,289) were included; of these, 53.1% were females and 46.9% were males. It was found that housewives (P<0.001), individuals with secondary school and lower education levels (P=0.02), those residing in rural areas (P=0.003), those who received a combination vaccine (P<0.001), those with chronic diseases (P=0.016), those who consumed more fruits (P=0.001), those who used N95 masks (P=0.002), those with pets (P<0.001) and those who did not follow the news regarding COVID-19 (P=0.016) had a higher probability of not contracting COVID-19. On the whole, the present study observed that socio-demographic factors affected the non-COVID-19 status.

Unraveling Factors Shaping the Acceptance and Non-acceptance of Non-scalpel Vasectomy in Rural Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background India, with a population exceeding 1.43 billion, faces significant demographic challenges, necessitating effective family planning measures. Non-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) is a less complex and cost-effective male contraceptive, yet its acceptance remains low, especially compared to female sterilization. Understanding the determinants of NSV acceptance is crucial for informed decisions on family planning methods. Methods This cross-sectional study investigated NSV acceptance among males who underwent non-scalpel vasectomy (acceptors of NSV) and spouses of women who underwent tubectomy (non-acceptors of NSV). The study was conducted among 116 NSV acceptors and 116 non-acceptors from rural Central India. Data were collected over six months, employing a pre-designed questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, reasons for acceptance/non-acceptance, and information sources for the same. Statistical analysis was done utilizing Epi Info 7.2.6 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Atlanta, GA), employing descriptive statistics and tests of association. Results Significant associations were found between NSV acceptance (p<0.05) and the age and education of study subjects, age of wife, duration since marriage, and total number of children. Incentives also played a significant role (p=0.014). Opposition to NSV, mainly from wives, was a key factor for non-acceptance (38%). Reasons for acceptance included a previous cesarean section (40.52%), the simplicity of the NSV procedure (26.72%), and the wife's illness (23.28%). Non-acceptance reasons comprised family/friend opposition (38%), lack of awareness/ignorance (25.00%), and fear of surgery (23.28%). Study subjects perceived community reluctance to NSV as mainly due to misbeliefs (30.17%), fear of surgery (27.58%), and illiteracy (26.29%). Conclusion The study highlights socio-demographic factors influencing NSV acceptance and identifies key reasons for acceptance/non-acceptance. Community-based interventions, increased advertisement, and health provider counseling were suggested for enhancing acceptance. Despite challenges, participant satisfaction with NSV was high. These findings contribute to understanding the complex dynamics surrounding NSV acceptance in rural Central India, informing future family planning strategies.

Secular trends of socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics among delivering women in Arctic Russia, 1973-2017

The aim of this study was to describe temporal trends in socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics among delivering women in two Northern provinces of Russia from 1973 to 2017. Totally 161,730 births were registered in three birth registries. Changes in the distribution of maternal age, education, marital status, smoking during pregnancy were studied using Pearson's chi-squared tests and one-way ANOVA. The logistic regression models were used to assess factors, contributing to the variations in the prevalence of maternal smoking. The mean age of primiparous mothers increased from 22.1 years in 1973-1980 to 25.4 years in 2012-2017 (p < 0.001). The proportion of primiparous mothers with higher education increased from 26.2% in 2006 to 38.3% in 2017 (p < 0.001). The proportion of cohabiting primiparous women increased from 5.0% to 15.2% over the study period (p < 0.001). The proportion of mothers smoking during pregnancy decreased from 18.9% in 2006-2011 to 14.8% in 2012-2017 (p < 0.001). Downward in the prevalence of smoking was revealed in 2012-2017 compared to 2006-2011 (OR = 137.76; 95%CI:71.62-264.96, OR = 183.74; 95%CI:95.52-353.41, respectively). Over the past decades, women postpone childbearing until receiving higher education, continue living in cohabitation during pregnancy and smoke less.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Influencing Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Based on the Scale QLICD-CHD (V2.0): A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is difficult to cure, so more attention should be paid to improving patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This paper focuses on identifying factors that affect HRQoL.

Patients and Methods

Overall, 189 in-patients with coronary heart disease were investigated at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University between 2015 and 2016. The scale Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases-Coronary heart disease (QLICD-CHD V2.0) was used to evaluate HRQoL and collect demographic information. Medical records were applied to collect patients' clinical indicators. A simple correlation analysis, Student's t-test, and a one-way analysis of variance were first performed to filter factors that might associate with HRQoL, and multiple linear regression was applied to finally identify related factors.

Results

Findings from multiple linear regression showed that the total score was related to family economy, treatment, indirect bilirubin, and albumin with regression coefficient B=5.209, -6.615, 0.378, and 0.548, respectively. The physical functions were related to treatment, albumin, globular proteins, chloride, and red blood cell count with B=-9.031, 1.000, 0.612, 1.320, and 5.161, respectively. The psychological function was in association with family economy, clinical course, serum phosphorus, and percentage of lymphocyte population with B=7.487, 6.411, -16.458, and 0.090, respectively. The social function was associated with family economy, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and platelet distribution width with B=7.391, 1.331, -0.060, and -0.929, respectively. The special module was in association with treatment, indirect bilirubin, and serum calcium with B=-7.791, 0.414, and 23.017, respectively.

Conclusion

Clinical indicators including albumin, globular proteins, chloride, red blood cell count, serum phosphorus, percentage of lymphocyte population, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, platelet distribution width, indirect bilirubin, and serum calcium, as well as socio-demographic factors including the family economy, clinical course, and treatment, may affect coronary heart disease patients' HRQoL.

Do Electronic Health Literacy and Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior Mediate the Effects of Socio-Demographic Factors on COVID-19- and Non-communicable Disease-Related Behaviors Among Myanmar Migrants in Southern Thailand?

Introduction Myanmar migrants in Thailand are vulnerable to COVID-19 and non-communicable disease (NCD) risk behaviors, influenced by socio-demographic factors. In the digital age, migrants can seek extensive health information online, and their ability to understand and use electronic health information, which is known as electronic health literacy (e-Health literacy), becomes critical in making decisions about their health behaviors. This study aims to investigate the potential mediating roles of online health information-seeking and e-Health literacy in the associations between socio-demographic factors and COVID-19- and NCD-related behaviors. Methods Our study was conducted in 2022, involving 1,050 Myanmar migrants in two southern Thai cities. Data on socio-demographic factors, e-Health literacy, online health information seeking, COVID-19-related behaviors (adherence to COVID-19 protective behavior (CPB), vaccination), and NCD risk behaviors (smoking, betel chewing, alcohol consumption, substance abuse) were collected. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the hypothesized relationships. Results Nearly all migrants received the COVID-19 vaccination in two doses and above, with reasonable good adherence to CPB. Migrants exhibited risky NCD-related behaviors, including current smoking (26.8%), alcohol consumption (17.5%), and betel chewing (25.8%). Approximately three-quarters (73.4%) had a limited e-Health literacy level, and the vast majority did not search for online health information. Their COVID-19- and NCD-related behaviors were directly influenced by socio-demographic factors without the significant mediation roles of e-Health literacy and online health information seeking. Conclusions Myanmar migrant workers in Southern Thailand had reasonably good practices in COVID-19-related behaviors despite engaging in risky NCD-related behaviors. These outcome behaviors were directly influenced by their socio-demographic factors, without the significant mediation roles of e-Health literacy and online health information seeking. The findings suggest that diverse interventions beyond e-Health strategies for future pandemic mitigation and enhancement of their health behaviors are needed.

Comparison of Malnutrition Indicators and Associated Socio-Demographic Factors among Children in Rural and Urban Public Primary Schools in South Africa

Most children in South Africa attending public schools are predisposed to malnutrition due to poor infrastructure and social inequality. This is despite the implementation of the National School Nutrition Programme to address barriers to learning associated with hunger and malnutrition and the National Development Plan to reduce child malnutrition through provision of social grants. In view of this, we compared malnutrition indicators and associated socio-demographic factors among children in rural Mpumalanga and urban Gauteng in South African public primary schools selected using a multistage cluster random sampling. A validated researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data of caregivers, along with primary school children data collected on age, sex, learning grade, and anthropometric measures. Malnutrition indicators, which are stunting (low height-for-age z-scores), underweight (low weight-for-age z-scores), thinness (low body-mass-index-for-age z-scores), and overweight/obesity (high body mass index) were computed using WHO Anthro Plus 1.0.4 and data were analyzed using Stata 18. A total of 903 children (rural = 390 and urban = 513) with a mean age of 10 ± 2 years in the foundation phase (learning grades one to three) and the intermediate learning phase (learning grades four to seven) participated with their caregivers (mean age: 39 ± 8 years). Significant levels of poor socio-demographic status were observed among caregivers living in the rural setting compared to in the urban setting. Overall, thinness (18%), stunting (12%), underweight (10%), and overweight/obesity (24%) were observed among school children. Children in the rural schools had a significantly higher prevalence of stunting (20% vs. 3%; p < 0.0001), underweight (17% vs. 2%; p < 0.0001) and thinness (28% vs. 7%; p < 0.001) than their urban counterparts. In the urban, the odds of stunting, underweight and thinness were less among school children, while overweight/obesity was twice as likely in the urban setting. The multivariate final model showed lower odds of underweight [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06-0.42] and stunting [AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.87] in the urban compared to the rural schools. The association of stunting with sex [AOR =0.53; 95% CI: 0.30-0.94] and the intermediate learning phase [AOR = 7.87; 95% CI: 4.48-13.82] was observed in the rural setting, while thinness was associated with living in households with an income of USD 52.51 to USD 262.60/month [AOR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.01-8.24] and receiving the child social grant [AOR = 2.49; 0.90-6.86] in the urban setting. Overweight/obesity was associated with living in a household with an income of USD 52.51 to USD 262.60/month [AOR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.02-3.10]. The findings suggest nutritional intervention approaches that are accustomed to the context of settings to effectively tackle malnutrition.

Evaluation of socio-demographic profile and basic risk factors of tuberculosis patients in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India: a hospital-based study

Aim

To study and analyse the socio-demographic profile and basic risk factors of tuberculosis(TB) patients and their relation with the current epidemiological status of TB registered under the RNTEP program in the study area.

Subjects and Methods

This prospective study was conducted on 1743 newly registered tuberculosis patients at TB-DOT center of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India from 2011-2014. Socio-demographic variables and baseline characteristics of the participants were noted by a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results

Our study results indicate that more than 95% of the TB patients were from lower socioeconomic class, and had poor literacy status and tuberculosis was observed highest in non-agricultural labour and cultivators. Among the young adult's majority of the affected population were females from the lower/upper-lower socioeconomic class. Our analysis revealed that, in successful tuberculosis therapy, men were more defaulters than women.

Conclusion

Our study provides a socioeconomic profile and the risk factors of tuberculosis in patients such as the status of therapeutic intervention, involvement of other chronic diseases, age, sex and malnutrition. The findings of this study can be used to plan future studies with specific risk factors of the region and also for implementing the intervention and evaluating its effectiveness.

Hypertension Control Status Among Patients Receiving Treatment From Selected Primary Health Centres in Puducherry: A Cohort-Analysis Approach

BACKGROUND

 High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor contributing to 60% of premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases. In India, a mere 15% of the hypertensive population achieves optimal blood pressure control. Effective monitoring of hypertension is crucial for mitigating the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study employed a cohort analysis approach to determine the control status of hypertension and identify factors associated with hypertension among individuals seeking care at selected primary health centres (PHCs) in Puducherry from January 2019 to December 2022.

METHODOLOGY

We assessed treatment records of 1127 patients with hypertension registered at PHCs in both urban and rural areas between 2019 and 2022. Information on socio-demographic details and blood pressure readings was collected to assess the control status of hypertension on a quarterly and six-monthly basis. Additionally, 436 patients were interviewed to identify factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension.

RESULTS

Control rates of hypertension varied among PHCs on a quarterly and six-monthly basis. The rural PHC achieved the highest quarterly control rate of 80% in Q4 2020, while the urban PHC had the lowest rate of 44% in Q1 2020. Similarly, the highest six-monthly control rate of 78% was observed in Q3 2019 at both rural and urban PHCs, with the lowest rate of 44% in Q1 2020 at the urban PHC.  Conclusion: Analysing data obtained from regular monitoring of hypertension control status allows healthcare providers to identify patterns, trends, and correlations. It assists providers in making informed decisions regarding treatment adjustments, medication choices, lifestyle recommendations, and policy changes. This approach is expected to improve control status for hypertension, leading to the ultimate goal of better health outcomes for patients.

Subjective Well-Being, Health and Socio-Demographic Factors Related to COVID-19 Vaccination: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Sample Survey Study from 2021-2022 in Urban Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Containing the spread of the COVID-19 rests on many people willing to get vaccinated. At the same time, it is important to recognize the various socio-demographic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination. This paper aims to identify socio-demographic and health factors related to the COVID-19 vaccine and its impact on subjective well-being in urban Pakistan.

METHODS

Pooled cross-sectional sample surveys collected in 2021 and 2022 (n = 4500 households) via a questionnaire provided to household's heads. In each wave, data were collected using the same methodology, sample size and sampling techniques (proportional stratified random sampling). An ordered probit regression model was used to identify the various socio-demographic and health factors related to the COVID-19 vaccine and its impact on subjective well-being. Sample weights were applied to all the regression analyses to improve population generalizability.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Besides socio-demographic factors such as being healthy, educated and richer, coronavirus vaccination plays a positive and significant role in overall subjective well-being. However, vaccination has a smaller effect on men or older populations compared to women or younger populations in terms of their subjective well-being. Moreover, as expected, the vaccination has the strongest positive effect on the healthy population and its subjective well-being.

The Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors, Preventive Health Behaviors and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine among Israeli Pregnant Women during the Coronavirus Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease led the World Health Organization to publish recommendations regarding preventive health behaviors (PHB). Pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and adherence to these recommendations is critical. There are little data regarding PHB among pregnant women. The current study aims to evaluate the contribution of socio-demographic factors and COVID-19 vaccinations in predicting PHB among pregnant women.

METHOD

202 pregnant Israeli women (mean age = 30.8 years) participated in an online survey in 2021.

RESULTS

88% of the women were vaccinated and few had been infected. Of the women, 75.2% reported wearing face masks in closed spaces, while 12.4% reported wearing masks outdoors; 63.9% of the women did not travel abroad for fear of infection by the virus and 51% avoided crowded events. A simultaneous regression analysis to predict PHB indicated that pregnancy week and Coronavirus vaccination significantly and positively predicted PHB, but religious status was a negative predictor. Age, number of children, and level of education were not associated with PHB.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings can be helpful as a preliminary evidence base for policy-making at present and for future epidemics regarding guidelines on PHB adjusted for pregnant women.

Association of Stunting with Socio-Demographic Factors and Feeding Practices among Children under Two Years in Informal Settlements in Gauteng, South Africa

Despite improvements in childhood undernutrition through integrated nutritional programs in South Africa, stunting among children remains persistent, and is attributed to poor socio-demographic status. This context has been implicated in disrupting mothers' decisions regarding effective infant feeding, ultimately meaning that children's nutritional demands remain unmet. In view of this, we conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the association between socio-demographic factors and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and stunting among children under two years receiving primary health care in informal settlements in Gauteng, South Africa. A validated questionnaire was used to assess mothers' socio-demographic status and feeding practices using WHO core indicators. Stunting was defined as length-for age z-scores (LAZ) below -2 standard deviation, computed using WHO Anthro software version 3.2.2.1 using age, sex, and anthropometric measurements of children. Univariate and multivariate analyses were stratified by stunting to determine the relationship with socio-demographic, infant, and IYCF factors using STATA 17. The prevalence of stunting was 16% among surveyed children under two years (with a mean age of 8 ± 5 months) living in poor socio-demographic households. Poor feeding practices were characterized by delayed initiation of breastfeeding (58%), sub-optimal exclusive breastfeeding (29%), discontinued breastfeeding (44%), early introduction of solid foods (41%), and low dietary diversity (97%). Significant differences in terms of child's age, monthly household income, and ever being breastfed were observed (Chi square test and univariate analysis). After controlling for potential confounders, stunting was significantly associated with child's age [12-23 months: AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.76], and monthly household income [ZAR 3000-ZAR 5000: AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26-0.86]. Despite the few aforementioned socio-demographic and IYCF factors associated with stunting, this study reiterates stunting as the commonest poor nutritional status indicator among children under two years, suggesting the presence of chronic undernutrition in these poverty-stricken informal settlements. A multisectoral approach to address stunting should be context-specific and incorporate tailor-made interventions to promote optimal infant-feeding practices. Conducting future nutrient assessments focusing on children is imperative.

Perception of Nurses' Knowledge about Palliative Care in West Bank/ Palestine: Levels and Influencing Factors

Objective: Healthcare professionals particularly nurses should be professionally prepared with knowledge about the standards of palliative care and their roles in providing palliative care. Nurses' knowledge about palliative care and influencing factors has not been examined adequately in Arab countries including Palestine. Thus, this study aimed to assess the adequacy of knowledge level and influencing factors (socio-demographic) about palliative care among nurses in West Bank/ Palestine. Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was utilized. A cluster random sampling method was applied to select 12 hospitals from the three regions in West Bank. Then, four hospitals were selected from each region using a simple random method. All registered nurses working in critical care units and medical and surgical wards in the selected hospitals were recruited. The sample consists of 424 registered nurses and data were collected using Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN). Results: The Findings revealed that nurses' level of knowledge about palliative care was low/inadequate (M = 7.75, SD = 2.96). Knowledge about palliative care was influenced by age (B = -.106; p < 0.05), gender (B = -.223; p < 0.001), and hospital ward (B = -.597; p < 0.001), in which younger nurses, females, and those who work in critical care units reported higher levels of knowledge about palliative care. Conclusions: Findings of this study emphasized the need for developing educational and training courses, seminars, and workshops on palliative care to increase nurses' knowledge in order to enhance the quality of patient care. Also, policymakers should develop national strategic plans and policies regarding palliative care and apply these plans in all hospitals in West Bank/ Palestine.

Socio-demographic and antenatal risk factors of brain tumor in children and young people: A matched case-control study from Karachi, Pakistan

Background

Brain tumors are a common cause of morbidity, disability, cognitive deterioration and mortality in children, even after treatment. Little is know about the specific causes. The study aimed to assess potential socio-demographic and antenatal factors in primary brain tumor (PBTs) in children and young people (CYP) in Karachi, Pakistan.

Designs and methods

A single center hospital based matched case control study in Karachi, Pakistan. Cases were defined as CYP aged between 5 and 21 years with any histological type and grade of primary brain tumor of any histology, stage or grade. Data were collected from parents of 244 patients at the selected center between 2017 and 2021 via telephonic interview. Controls were 5-21 years old CYP admitted with non-oncological diagnoses matched on age and sex. Matched Odds Ratios for predictors of brain tumor in children were derived. Those of statistical significance were included in a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

In the adjusted model, lower paternal education (matched adjusted odds ratio (maOR) 2.46; 95% CI 1.09-5.55), higher household monthly income (maOR 3.4; 95% CI 1.1-10.2), antenatal paternal use of addictive substances (maOR 19.5; 95% CI 2.1-179.8), and antenatal maternal use of analgesics during pregnancy (maOR 3.0; 95% CI 1.2-7.9) were all independently predictive of brain tumors.

Conclusion

This matched case-control study found novel associations between maternal use of analgesics, paternal use of addictive substances, higher household income, and lower paternal education and Primary Brain Tumors in Children and Young People. Longitudinal multicenter studies will be required to test these associations prospectively.

Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Rural Residents' Dietary Diversity and Dietary Pattern: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pingnan, China

There is limited evidence regarding the factors correlated with dietary diversity (DD) and dietary pattern (DP) in rural residents of China. This study aims to identify the DD and DP of rural residents and their association with socio-demographic factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pingnan, China. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was applied to evaluate dietary intake. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of six food varieties, including vegetables-fruits, red meat, aquatic products, eggs, milk, and beans-nuts. Generalized linear models and multiple logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with the DD and DP. Three DPs were detected by LCA, namely "healthy" DP (47.94%), "traditional" DP (33.94%), and "meat/animal protein" DP (18.11%). Females exhibited lower DD (β = -0.23, p = 0.003) and were more likely to adhere to "traditional" DP (OR = 1.46, p = 0.039) and "meat/animal protein" DP (OR = 2.02, p < 0.001). Higher educational levels and annual household income (AHI) were positively associated with higher DD (p < 0.05) and less likely to have "traditional" DP and "meat/animal protein" DP (p < 0.05). Non-obese people exhibited higher DD (β = 0.15, p = 0.020) and were less likely to have "meat/animal protein" DP (OR = 0.59, p = 0.001). Our study reveals that females, those with lower educational levels and AHI, and obese people are more likely to have a lower DD and are more likely to adhere to "traditional" DP and "meat/animal protein" DP. The local, regional, and even national performance of specific diet-related health promotion measures and interventions must target these vulnerable populations to improve a healthier DD and DP.

Determinants of Fertility Intentions of the Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina-An Example from the Semberija Region

The aim of this paper was to analyze the socio-demographic determinants of fertility in Bosnia and Herzegovina that affect the number of live births in Semberija. The paper focuses on work and educational statuses, economic crisis and unemployment, and other relevant factors that affect desired family sizes and lead to negative demographic trends. The relevant data were collected through a survey questionnaire filled by a verified sample of 1000 women in their reproductive period (aged 15-49). In order to evaluate the role of each research variable in predicting fertility intentions, the arithmetic mean, frequency of responses in percentage, Pearson's coefficient, and a logistic regression model were used to explore the related factors of fertility behaviors among women in this population. The results showed that employment status, poor housing conditions, and financial support from the state statistically significantly impact future birth trends. Those socio-demographic factors affect desired family sizes and have proven essential to future fertile behavior.

Socio-Demographic, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Characteristics Associated with Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation in Russian Adult Population

Mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is higher in Russia compared to other European countries. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a biomarker of inflammation, and its elevated levels indicate increased CVD risks. We aim to describe the prevalence of low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI) and the associated factors in a Russian population. The Know Your Heart cross-sectional study was conducted in Arkhangelsk, Russia in 2015-2017 with a population sample aged 35-69 years (n = 2380). LGSI was defined as hs-CRP ≥ 2 and <10 mg/L, and its associations with socio-demographic, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic characteristics were analyzed. The prevalence of LGSI (age-standardized to European Standard Population 2013) was 34.1% (33.5% in men and 36.1% in women). In the total sample, the increased odds ratios (ORs) of LGSI were associated with abdominal obesity (2.1), smoking (1.9), dyslipidemia (1.5), pulmonary diseases (1.4), and hypertension (1.3); the decreased ORs were in women (0.6) and in married participants (0.6). In men, the ORs were higher with abdominal obesity (2.1), smoking (2.0), CVDs (1.5), and hazardous drinking (1.5); in women-with abdominal obesity (4.4) and pulmonary diseases (1.5). In conclusion, one-third of the adult population in Arkhangelsk had LGSI. Abdominal obesity was the strongest LGSI correlate in both sexes, while the profiles of other associated factors were different between men and women.

Knowledge about diabetes mellitus and its associated factors among diabetic outpatients at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania

Diabetes mellitus is emerging as one of the major public health threats that contributed to 2% of all deaths in Tanzania in 2016. Although adequate knowledge related to diabetes mellitus is associated with early case detection, prevention, and minimization of health complications and socioeconomic-related consequences, there is less evidence about the adequacy of the community´s knowledge of diabetes in Tanzania. This study aimed to determine knowledge about diabetes mellitus and its associated factors among diabetic outpatients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 diabetic outpatients aged 18 years and above at Muhimbili national hospital in Tanzania between February and April 2017. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire and were entered into Microsoft Excel and exported to SPSS Version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictive variables. The significance of independent variables was declared at a 95% confidence level and p-value < 0.05. A total of 137 (64.01%) of the participants had adequate knowledge about diabetes mellitus. The majority (86.9% and 85.1%) reported having adequate knowledge of complications of diabetes and treatment options for diabetes respectively. The least level of knowledge reported was on signs and symptoms (48.6%) and type of diabetes (32.7%). The majority (54%) cited health facilities as the most common sources of information related to diabetes. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that there was a statistical association between knowledge related to diabetes and the level of education of study participants. The overall level of knowledge of participants about diabetes mellitus was adequate, with a low level of knowledge related to signs and symptoms of diabetes, and type of diabetes. Health facilities were the most common sources of information related to diabetes. Policy and decision-makers and health care providers should take collective action to improve community knowledge about diabetes. Health education related to diabetes should be integrated into the educational curriculum at all levels in Tanzania, which would massively increase awareness of diabetes.

Patient satisfaction with oncological care during the virus pandemic - SARS-CoV-2 taking into account social and demographic factors

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to examine the perception of medical services by oncological patients during the pandemic, identifying the key factors influencing it. The assessment of patient satisfaction with the treatment and care provided by doctors and other hospital staff provides important information on the quality of health services.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 394 patients diagnosed with cancer treated as inpatients in five oncology departments. The diagnostic survey method was used with a proprietary questionnaire and the standardized EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire. Calculations were carried out using Statistica 10.0 with p≤0.05 s considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Overall patient satisfaction with cancer care was 80.77/100. Higher values were shown for the competences of nurses than for doctors, especially for their interpersonal skills (79.34 - nurses vs. 74.13 - doctors) and availability (80.11 - nurses vs. 75.6 - doctors). It was also shown that the level of satisfaction with cancer care increased with age; women rated cancer care lower than men (p = 0.031), particularly its aspect related to the competences of doctors. A lower degree of satisfaction was observed among rural residents (p=0.042). Other demographic data, such as marital status and education, determined satisfaction with cancer care on the selected scale although it did not affect the overall level of satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysed socio-demographic factors, primarily age, gender and place of residence, determined some of the scales concerning patient satisfaction with cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this and other studies of a similar profile should be used in the formation of health policy, particularly in implementing programmes to improve the quality of cancer care in Poland.

[Aggressive behavior of patients with vascular dementia]

There is a worldwide trend towards an increase in the number of people aged over 60, which in turn leads to an increase in the prevalence of vascular dementia and neuropsychiatric disorders, including the accompanying aggressive behavior. The authors analyze the relationship of neuropsychiatric symptoms with aggressive behavior and assess the impact of the evolution of dementia, socio-demographic factors on the development of aggressive behavior in some subtypes of vascular dementia based on literature data retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, eLibrary databases as well as national guidelines. Analyzing the publication was made by the method of the system analysis and generalization. The analysis of the literature suggests that aggressive behavior in patients with vascular dementia changes their lifestyle and worsens its quality, in addition, it increases the burden on caregivers. Also, this psychopathological process is one of the reasons for frequent hospitalizations of patients in psychiatric hospitals and social institutions, which becomes an urgent economic and medical problem at the state level. Of all the psychopathological symptoms in the clinical picture of vascular dementia, aggressive behavior periodically occurs together with apathy, depression, anxiety, abnormal motor activity and hallucinations. The question of the highest frequency of occurrence of aggressive tendencies in one or another subtype of vascular dementia remains debatable. Research on the relationship between dementia severity, gender, and aggressive behavior has been mixed. The question of the influence of the level of education on the manifestation of aggression in patients with vascular dementia remains completely unexplored. Thus, the above facts dictate the need for further study of these issues.

The association of maternal smoking and other sociobehavioral factors with dental caries in toddlers: A cross-sectional study

Background

Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is a form of dental caries in toddlers, which can strongly affect general health and quality of life. Studies on factors that can contribute to the development of caries immediately after tooth eruption are sparse. The aim of this study was to assess the role of sociobehavioural factors and pre- and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke in the aetiology of dental caries in children up to 3 years old.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2011 and 2017 to assess oral health and teething in urban children 0-4 years of age. The number of teeth and surfaces with white spot lesions (d_1,2), as well as decayed (d), missing (m), and filled (f) teeth classified according to ICDAS II was evaluated in a dental office setting. d_1,2dmft and d_1,2dmfs were calculated. Severe early childhood caries was diagnosed for d_1,2dmfs > 0. Parents completed a self-administered questionnaire on socioeconomic factors, maternal health, course of pregnancy, child's perinatal parameters, hygiene and dietary practices, as well as maternal smoking during and after pregnancy. Data on children aged 12-36 months were collected and analysed statistically using the t-test, Spearman rank correlations and Poisson regression. Significance level was set at 0.05.

Results

Dental caries was found in 46% of 496 children aged 12-36 months. Mean d_1,2dmft and d_1,2dmfs were 2.62 ± 3.88 and 4.46 ± 8.42, respectively. Tobacco smoking during and after pregnancy was reported by 8.9% and 24.8% of women, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation analysis confirmed a relationship between S-ECC and parental education, maternal smoking, bottle feeding, avoiding springy foods, number of meals, and the age of tooth brushing initiation. Pre- and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke increased the risk of S-ECC especially in children in age 19-24 months. Maternal smoking was correlated with the level of education and dietary practices.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that prenatal smoking is associated with increased risk of severe-early childhood caries (S-ECC) while the association with post-natal smoking is also evident, the increase in risk is not statistically clear. Both maternal smoking and the child's tooth decay are associated with poor parental education and other improper oral health behaviours. The positive impact of quitting smoking on the oral health in children should be part of anti-smoking advice.

[Associations between dietary factors and periodontal status among 12-year-old children in Arkhangelsk region]

Nutrition is an important determinant of human health particularly in childhood since dietary habits and metabolic patterns are formed during this period of life. Certain nutritional factors may increase the risk for periodontal diseases (PD). Considering the associations between periodontal health and cardiovascular diseases, studies on the associations between nutritional factors and periodontal diseases are of particular importance. The aim of the research was to study the patterns of consumption of certain foods associated with oral health according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and to assess the associations between these factors and PD among 12-year-old children in Arkhangelsk region of Russian Federation. Material and methods. In total, 1162 12-year-old children from 7 urban and 5 rural settings of Arkhangelsk region participated in a cross-sectional study. Dental status was assessed as recommended by the WHO (2013). To assess the periodontal status of a child, a communal periodontal index was used, which included 2 indicators: the presence of bleeding during probing and calculus. A WHOdeveloped questionnaire was used to study nutritional patterns related to oral health. Associations between socio-demographic factors and patterns of consumption of selected food items were assessed using Person's chi-squared tests. Associations between periodontal disease, bleeding, calculus, and nutritional factors were studied by multivariable logistic regression. Relationships between the number of affected sextans and frequency of consumption of selected foods was assessed using multivariable Poisson regression models. Results. More frequent consumption of sweet carbonated drinks was associated with male sex, rural living, and low educational levels of both parents. Higher levels of education for both mother and father were associated with more frequent consumption of fresh fruit (p=0.011 and p=0.002). The prevalence of dental calculus and the number of affected sextants with calculus were inversely related to the frequency of fresh fruit consumption (p=0.012 and p<0.001, respectively). The number of sextants with calculus and PD in general were inversely associated with the frequency of consumption of homemade jam and honey (p=0.036 and p=0.043, respectively). Conclusion. The frequency of consumption of the foods affecting oral health was significantly associated with socio-demographic factors in Arkhangelsk region. Daily consumption of fresh fruits was associated with lower prevalence of calculus. The lowest number of affected sextants with bleeding, calculus, and PD was revealed when homemade jams or honey was consumed at least once a week, but less than every day.

District-level analysis of socio-demographic factors and COVID-19 infections in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, Ghana

Since December 2019 when COVID-19 was detected, it took the world by surprise in terms of spread and morbidity/mortality. The high rate of spread and casualties recorded from COVID-19 called for research in all directions to find ways to contain and reverse the incidences. It is against this background that this paper sought to measure the association of the socio-demographic factors in the hard-hit districts in Greater Accra and Ashanti to analyze its relationship with the novel COVID-19 virus. Data on COVID-19 cases from 35 Districts in both Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions were collected from the Ghana Health Service and population data from Ghana Statistical Service. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were generated using R. We found that some socio-demographic variables have an association with COVID-19 infections. For example, age and religion especially Christianity and Islam pose risk to COVID-19. The population aged 15-64 was particularly at high risk of infections due to the high level of movement of this age group. We, therefore, recommend that places of congregation such as Churches and Mosques be targeted for vigorous sensitization on COVID-19 protocols and prevention. Also, districts with a high population between the ages of 15-64 should step sensitization efforts to educate their inhabitants on the need to reduce travel and related activities to curb the spread of the virus.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the food choice questionnaire (FCQ) and food choice motives among the study samples

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the food choice questionnaire (FCQ) and determine food choice motives among different study subgroups.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires, including socio-demographic information and body weight and height data. In addition, study samples were asked to complete the Persian version of the FCQ.

SETTING

Educational and medical centers under the coverage of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran.

PARTICIPANTS

Study samples were 871 adults (60.5% female) selected using a convenience sampling method.

RESULTS

Mean±SD age and BMI were 33.4±10.7 years and 24.3±5.2 kg/m2, respectively. More than one-third of the study samples were overweight/obese (35.8%). A 9-structure model including 32 items of the original FCQ showed acceptable fit indices as follows: χ2/df= 3.39, GFI= 0.905, IFI= 0.92, CFI= 0.92, RMSEA(90%CI)=0.052(0.049-0.055). Regarding food choice motives, the three most important motives for food choice ranked by study samples were Sensory appeal, Natural Content, and health, respectively. Study samples ranked ethical concern as the least important food choice motive.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the reliability and validity of the Iranian version of the FCQ. Additionally, results indicate the most important motives for food choice across various socio-demographic and weight status groups which can provide beneficial information for marketing practices in Iran and promote the food choices of Iranians.

Walking Behavior of Older Adults in Temuco, Chile: The Contribution of the Built Environment and Socio-Demographic Factors

The amount of walking for daily transport has decreased significantly over the last decades in Temuco, Chile. Moreover, the percentage of older adults (aged over 65) who did not meet the recommendations of at least 150 min of physical activity per week has increased during this time. In this regard, the present study examines the contribution of socio-demographic and built environment factors on the walking behavior of older adults in Temuco, Chile, with a view to improving their level of physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 463 older adults aged 60 years and over. Travel Diary Data taken from "Encuesta Origin Destino" (EOD) 2013, Geographic information systems (GIS), audits (PEDS with certain revisions) and finally, multiple regression analysis, were used to examine the objectives. Associations were found between the walking behavior of older adults and several socio-demographic factors, as well as several built environment factors including destination (the number of parks and the land use mix), functionality (street connectivity, length of street sections and off-street parking lots) and aesthetics (views of nature, building height, and articulation in building design). These findings should be considered by urban/transport policymakers to improve the walking behavior of older adults in this city.

Quality of life of low-income adults

BACKGROUND

Quality of life is currently one of the basic conceptual categories in many research disciplines. The authors of the present study are convinced that measurement of quality of life in reference to people living on the poverty line deserves special attention.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify relationships between the quality of life and sociodemographic variables in low-income Wrocław residents.

METHODS

The research was conducted in Wrocław (Poland) and involved 1215 respondents aged 18-64 years, whose monthly gross income per capita in the household did not exceed 1043 PLN. The respondents' quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire with additional questions on the respondents' social and demographic status.

RESULTS

The Wrocław residents most often assessed their quality of life as average or below average. They rated their health-related quality of life in the social domain as the highest, and in the physical domain as the lowest. Age, household size, stable source of income, savings, and indebtedness were significantly correlated with the quality of life of Wrocław residents under study. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationships between perceived health condition assessment and age, professional status, stable source of income, and debt were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study indicate that public health programs and other activities related to quality of life management should be directed to individuals and social groups particularly threatened by low quality of life, i.e., people living on the income poverty line.

Quality-of-Life Assessment of Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization in Kazakhstan

Infertility is a problem that affects millions of couples worldwide and has a significant impact on their quality of life. The recently introduced "Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire (FertiQoL)" quickly became a gold standard for evaluation of the quality of life of patients suffering from infertility. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life of Kazakhstani women coping with infertility problems by FertiQoL and assess the validity of the questionnaire. This cross-sectional study involved women of reproductive age undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle at a large IVF center in Kazakhstan in the period from 1 September 2020 to 31 September 2021. A total of 453 women out of 500 agreed to participate in the study, and the response rate was 90.6%. The overall Core FertiQoL was 56.95 ± 14.05, and the Treatment FertiQoL was 66.18 ± 11.13 points. Respondents with secondary infertility had statistically significantly higher Emotional (p < 0.001), Mind-body (p = 0.03), Social (p < 0.001), Environment (p = 0.02), and Treatment (p < 0.001) domains of FertiQoL than women with primary infertility. Respondents with a low income had the lowest levels of Total FertiQoL (56.72 ± 11.65). The longer duration of infertility of women undergoing IVF treatment presented the worse scale of Treatment and Total FertiQoL. Cronbach's alpha revealed good internal reliability for all FertiQoL subscales on the Kazakhstan women's questionnaire and averaged 0.8, which is an indicator of a high degree of reliability. The Total FertiQoL of Kazakhstan women undergoing IVF treatment was 59.6 ± 11.5, which is considerably lower than European countries. We identified statistically significant differences across medical and demographic groups. As this questionnaire had validity in Kazakhstan survey it possibly be used for both medical counseling and future investigation in our country.

Association between Dietary Habits and Helicobacter pylori Infection among Bahraini Adults

Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection is the main bacterial cause of several gastrointestinal disorders. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in a population of Bahraini adults seeking care in gastroenterology clinics in a tertiary care hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain and examine the association between dietary habits and other factors with H. pylori infection. The study is a hospital-based retrospective, cross-sectional analytical study that included 200 participants. H. pylori infection prevalence among the studied group was 55.5%, and it was significantly higher among participants with a high school education or less (44.1%). Among dietary habits, the mean of frequency of green tea, coffee and honey intake was significantly lower among the H. pylori infected participants compared to their non-infected counterparts. H. pylori infection was significantly higher among participants with vitamin D deficiency (63.6%) compared to participants with normal vitamin D (30%) (p = 0.001) and each unit decrease in serum vitamin D was associated with an increased risk of infection by 1.1 times (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.18; p < 0.001). The study revealed that high educational levels, consumption of honey, green tea, and coffee, as well as normal serum vitamin D level, were independent protectors against H. pylori infection. Additional studies are needed to estimate the prevalence and predisposing factors of H. pylori infection in the general population.

Postpartum depression among first-time Jordanian mothers: levels and associated factors

Postpartum depression among first-time mothers is a sensitive issue and few studies were conducted related to this topic in developing countries including Jordan. Thus, this study purposed to assess postpartum depression levels and associated factors among Jordanian first-time mothers. A cross-sectional design was adopted, and 193 postpartum first-time mothers living in Amman governorate were recruited. A questionnaire consisting of two parts was used to record data, sociodemographic and maternal health, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Findings showed that 34.1% of the women experienced postpartum depression. The employment, gravida, antenatal health problems, breastfeeding problems, newborn health problems, and availability of assistance during the postpartum period significantly correlated with postpartum depression. Thus, the understanding of postpartum depression and related factors would provide important empirical evidence for healthcare professionals and policy-makers when planning to develop strategies and measures to minimize postpartum depression among first-time mothers.

Contribution of environmental factors and female reproductive history to hypertension and obesity incidence in later life

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HT) and obesity, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, are complex traits determined by multiple biological and behavioural factors. However, the role of female reproductive history in evaluating HT and obesity is still unclear.

AIM

To investigate the long-term effects of reproductive factors on the probability of obesity and HT in later life after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 503 women (39 - 65 years) were recruited from different localities in Slovakia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations.

RESULTS

Early menarche age of 11 years and under was associated with twice higher probability of obesity at midlife, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.35 - 3.81, p = 0.002). Breastfeeding (Bf) women had a lower likelihood of obesity in later life than non-Bf parous women, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 0.35, CI = 0.17 - 0.72, p = 0.004). Finally, age at menarche was associated with obesity-associated HT.

CONCLUSION

Reproductive factors are significantly associated with obesity and obesity-associated HT in later life. The age at menarche and Bf can be risk factors for early identification of women with increased likelihood of adult cardiovascular risk.

People Living with a Dementia Diagnosis with No Eldercare at all: Who Are They?

Dementia is a non-curable disease that progressively affects people's ability to handle their everyday life. Still, previous Swedish research found that many people living with dementia (PlwD) do not use any eldercare. In this study, we investigated the association between not using eldercare services and key social background factors: years with dementia, hospital care, and country of birth for PlwD. We identified all people aged 65+ diagnosed with dementia between January 2006 and March 2015 (n = 43,372) using secondary data analysis of information taken from multiple Swedish nationwide registers. Results showed that not using eldercare was more common among younger age groups and men. The likelihood of having no eldercare was three times higher for those cohabiting; notably, almost a fifth of the PlwD who had the diagnosis for four years or more did not have eldercare at all. Finally, people born outside Europe used eldercare less than persons born in Sweden. Since the public dementia policy in Sweden is basically geared toward PlwD in a later stage and primarily in residential care, there has been almost no policy development around the needs and rights of PlwD in their homes. This study provides a ground for reconsidering dementia policy regardless of the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of PlwD.

Normative data and socio-demographic determinants of the Dermatology Life Quality Index in a large online sample of the Hungarian population

BACKGROUND

Population norms are available for several generic health-related quality of life questionnaires, but rarely for disease- or specialty-specific questionnaires.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to calculate population norms for the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score.

METHODS

We conducted an online self-completed questionnaire survey on a large sample of the general Hungarian adult population. Respondents' socio-demographic characteristics and dermatology-related quality of life aspects were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 2,001 participants completed the questionnaire, with the average age of 48.2 (SD = 16.6) years, half of the respondents in our sample (n = 981) reported long-standing health problems. The average DLQI score was 1.9 (SD = 4.0) with women having a higher average (2.0, SD = 3.9) than men (1.8, SD = 4.0; p=<0.001). The DLQI score differed among age-groups with younger people having relatively higher DLQI averages. When the multivariate linear regression model was applied, it showed that young age, lower income and unemployment status were associated with higher DLQI scores, while controlling for the existence of skin disease (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study esthablished DLQI population norms among the general population, which may provide a reference point in health-policy and financing decision-making.

The Making and Breaking of Social Ties During the Pandemic. Socio-Economic Position, Demographic Characteristics, and Changes in Social Networks

Contact restrictions and distancing measures are among the most effective non-pharmaceutical measures to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV2 virus. Yet, research has only begun to understand the wider social consequences of these interventions. This study investigates how individuals' social networks have changed since the outbreak of the pandemic and how this is related to individuals' socio-economic positions and their socio-demographic characteristics. Based on a large quota sample of the German adult population, we investigate the loss and gain of strong and weak social ties during the pandemic. While about one third of respondents reported losing of contact with acquaintances, every fourth person has lost contact to a friend. Forming new social ties occurs less frequently. Only 10-15% report having made new acquaintances (15%) or friends (10%) during the pandemic. Overall, more than half of our respondents did not report any change, however. Changes in social networks are linked to both socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, such as age, gender, education, and migration background, providing key insights into a yet underexplored dimension of pandemic-related social inequality.

Analysis of the Effects of Lockdown on Staff and Students at Universities in Spain and Colombia Using Natural Language Processing Techniques

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of lockdown using natural language processing techniques, particularly sentiment analysis methods applied at large scale. Further, our work searches to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the university community, jointly on staff and students, and with a multi-country perspective. The main findings of this work show that the most often related words were "family", "anxiety", "house", and "life". Besides this finding, we also have shown that staff have a slightly less negative perception of the consequences of COVID-19 in their daily life. We have used artificial intelligence models such as swivel embedding and a multilayer perceptron as classification algorithms. The performance that was reached in terms of accuracy metrics was 88.8% and 88.5% for students and staff, respectively. The main conclusion of our study is that higher education institutions and policymakers around the world may benefit from these findings while formulating policy recommendations and strategies to support students during this and any future pandemics.

What factors drive gender differences in the body mass index? Evidence from Turkish adults

In recent years, studies show that obesity has become an important health condition, especially among adults. The first aim of this study is to examine socio-demographic and behavioural factors on body mass index distribution of male and female adults over 20 years old in Turkey. The second aim is to determine the body mass index disparity by gender and the socio-demographic and behavioural factors that might wider or narrow it. This study adopts unconditional quantile regression and decomposition methods, and the data set covers the Turkish Health Surveys for 2014, 2016, and 2019. The findings document that high level of body mass index are associated with being married, aging, and physical inactivity. Interestingly, employment status has different contributions on the body mass index of males and females. The results also claim a body mass index gap among males and females as a result of differences in some potential socio-demographic and behavioural factors, and the gap gets higher at the upper and lower quantiles of BMI distribution. This study may provide a clear understanding for policymakers on how to design efficacious obesity policies considering the differences in the effect of socio-demographic and behavioural factors on the distribution of body mass index across females and males. The results suggest that the Ministry of Health should specifically target different groups for males and females and should reduce the differences in socio-demographic and behavioural determinants between females and males to prevent and reduce obesity prevalence in Turkey.

The Impact of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Functioning of Liver Transplant Patients

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of socio-demographic factors and the time elapsed since liver transplantation on the functioning of patients after liver transplantation; (2) Methods: This is a survey-based prospective cohort study of 112 patients, performed using: The Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors (ISSB), The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic data prepared using the Delphi method; (3) Results: Subjects under 40 years of age reported the highest social support. The longer the time since surgery, the lower the levels of adherence and support; (4) Conclusions: 1. In the study group, most support was received by women, people under 40 years of age, and those with secondary education. However, the level of social support decreased over time after the liver transplant operation. Patients who had undergone previous transplantation showed lower levels of adherence to therapeutic recommendations. 2. Patients who were in a relationship showed higher levels of illness acceptance than single ones. Women were more likely to experience depressive symptoms than men. 3. The time since liver transplantation is an important factor that affects patients' functioning. This is a time when patients need more care, social support, and assistance in maintaining adherence to therapeutic recommendations.

The links of stress, substance use and socio-demographic factors with domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal

BACKGROUND

Lockdown, as a measure implemented to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, left many domestic violence (DV) victims trapped with their abusers. This study intends to explore the links between perceived stress, substance use and socio-demographic factors with DV experiences during COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 1062 participants over 16 years old, residing in Portugal. Data were collected through an online survey conducted between April and October 2020. The associations between potential factors and DV were investigated using bivariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DV reported was 13.75% (n = 146), disaggregated into psychological violence (13%, n = 138), sexual violence (1.0%, n = 11) and physical violence (0.9%, n = 10). Multivariable analyses confirmed that perceived financial difficulties (OR = 1.608; P = 0.019), use of medications to sleep or calm down (OR = 1.851; P = 0.002) and perceived stress (OR = 2.443; P = 0.003) were responsible for DV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic. Younger age (<25 years old) and consumption of alcohol were associated with a higher risk of DV victimization.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions aimed at preventing and confronting DV are necessary within the strategies to combat COVID-19 in Portugal, especially aimed at groups in vulnerable situations, during and after the pandemic.

The Effect of Socio-Demographic Factors in Health-Seeking Behaviors among Bangladeshi Residents during the First Wave of COVID-19

Background: Socio-demographic variability among nations and cultures highly influences health-seeking behavior (HSB) in managing endemic or pandemic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors on HSB among Bangladeshi residents during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed with Bangladeshi residents (60% male and 40% female; age range: 10−60 years or above) from May to July 2020. Information was collected from the participants who resided in slum areas or did not have internet access through face-to-face surveys, maintaining spatial distancing and proper preventive measures. A self-reported and structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic and HSB, was undertaken, and the data was analyzed using a convenience sampling method. Finally, among the 947 participants, 20 were selected using a stratified random sampling technique for in-depth-interview (IDI). The linear regression analysis was performed to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors on HSB. Results: Only about 4.2% of respondents did not wear masks, but nearly half of the participants (46.6%) did not use hand gloves. The mean score of HSB was 9.98 (SD = 2.01) out of 16, with a correct overall rate of 62.4%. As per regression analysis, higher HSBs were found among participants who reported older age (>50 years) (9.96 ± 2.45), educated unemployed students (10.1 ± 1.95), higher education (10.5 ± 1.76), and higher-income (10.4 ± 1.59); in contrast, participants living in slum areas (8.18 ± 2.34) and whose source of income was business (8.46 ± 2.04) exhibited lower HSBs. Females, compared to men, showed better HSB in every aspect, apart from online food ordering. Qualitative data showed that the younger generation is more aware because of their access to information and persuaded the older generations to follow health-seeking protocols. The results also showed that some lower-income slum-dwellers have access to information and healthcare through their employers. IDIs also found cultural, religious, and mental-health affect people’s adherence to health-seeking guidelines and regulations. Conclusions: The findings suggest that socio-demographic factors significantly influenced HSBs during COVID-19 in the Bangladeshi population. Authorities can use these observations to systematically manage future endemics or pandemics.

A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence and Determinants of Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria and South Africa: A Multi-Country Analysis of Demographic Health Surveys

Background: The core Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objectives are to ensure universal access to healthcare services by reducing all forms of inequalities. However, financial constraints are major barriers to accessing healthcare, especially in countries such as Nigeria and South Africa. The findings of this study may aid in informing and communicating health policy to increase financial access to healthcare and its utilization in South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria-South Africa bilateral relations in terms of politics, economics and trade are demonstrated in the justification of the study setting selection. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of health insurance coverage, and to explore the socio-demographic factors associated with health insurance in South Africa and Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey and the 2016 South Africa Demographic Health Survey. The 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey data on 55,132 individuals and the 2016 South Africa Demographic Health Survey on 12,142 individuals were used to investigate the prevalence of health insurance associated with socio-demographic factors. Percentages, frequencies, Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were e mployed, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: About 2.8% of the Nigerian population and 13.3% of the South African population were insured (Nigeria: males-3.4%, females-2.7% vs. South Africa: males-13.9%, females-12.8%). The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that higher education was significantly more likely to be associated with health insurance, independent of other socio-demographic factors in Nigeria (Model I: OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 0.34-1.54, p < 0.05; Model II: OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.28-1.42, p < 0.05) and in South Africa (Model I: OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.16-1.66, p < 0.05; Model II: OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 0.34-1.82, p < 0.05). Respondents with a higher wealth index and who were employed were independently associated with health insurance uptake in Nigeria and South Africa (p < 0.001). Females were more likely to be insured (p < 0.001) than males in both countries, and education had a significant impact on the likelihood of health insurance uptake in high wealth index households among both male and females in Nigeria and South Africa. Conclusion: Health insurance coverage was low in both countries and independently associated with socio-demographic factors such as education, wealth and employment. There is a need for continuous sensitization, educational health interventions and employment opportunities for citizens of both countries to participate in the uptake of wide health insurance coverage.

Attentive-executive functioning and compensatory strategies in adult ADHD: A retrospective case series study

Background

Adults with ADHD exhibit a neuropsychological profile that may present deficits in many cognitive domains, particularly attention and executive functions (EFs). However, some authors do not consider executive disfunction as an important part of the clinical profile of the syndrome; this could be related to the use of inappropriate neuropsychological tests, probably not adapted and not sufficiently ecological. Moreover, new data are required on specific correlation of attentive-executive symptoms with socio-demographic factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the neuropsychological performance of a group of adults with ADHD, also evaluating the influence of gender, age and education level.

Methods

We retrospectively collected health-related personal data of 40 adult ADHD patients, clinically diagnosed and evaluated via a battery of 4 neuropsychological tests and 1 self-administered questionnaire. Gender, age and years of education differences were assessed.

Results

Attention and EFs deficits have been highlighted mainly on the d2-R and 5-point neuropsychological tests, which therefore seem to be more sensitive in measuring the attention-executive dysfunction in an adult ADHD population, than TAP Go/No-go and ROCFT. ADHD patients also manifested subjective behavioral impulsivity disorders on BIS-11. There were no statistically significant gender differences in cognitive performance. On the contrary, younger patients performed worse on subscales TAP Go/No-go errors and 5-points number of drawings, while participants with a higher education level performed better on subscales d2-R speed of execution and d2-R errors. This supports a reduction in the number of errors and the execution time as a function of older age and a higher level of education. Finally, patients with higher education also self-reported greater impulsivity in planning.

Conclusion

Our preliminary findings suggest that adult ADHD is not a lifelong stable disorder, but it may change over time. Moreover, attention-executive deficits may be influenced and partially counterbalanced by experience (i.e., advancing age) and a higher level of education. This could underlie the development of specific psycho-behavioral and cognitive compensatory strategies. The use of self-administered questionnaires is therefore recommended to highlight attentional and executive difficulties that may not result in neuropsychological tests.

Socio-Demographic Health Determinants Are Associated with Poor Prognosis in Spanish Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

Social vulnerability is a known determinant of health in respiratory diseases. Our aim was to identify whether there are socio-demographic factors among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Spain and their potential impact on health outcomes during the hospitalization.

METHODS

A multicentric retrospective case series study based on administrative databases that included all COVID-19 cases admitted in 19 Spanish hospitals from 1 March to 15 April 2020. Socio-demographic data were collected. Outcomes were critical care admission and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

We included 10,110 COVID-19 patients admitted to 18 Spanish hospitals (median age 68 (IQR 54-80) years old; 44.5% female; 14.8% were not born in Spain). Among these, 779 (7.7%) cases were admitted to critical care units and 1678 (16.6%) patients died during the hospitalization. Age, male gender, being immigrant, and low hospital saturation were independently associated with being admitted to an intensive care unit. Age, male gender, being immigrant, percentile of average per capita income, and hospital experience were independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Social determinants such as residence in low-income areas and being born in Latin American countries were associated with increased odds of being admitted to an intensive care unit and of in-hospital mortality. There was considerable variation in outcomes between different Spanish centers.

Factors influencing intent to receive COVID-19 vaccination among Black and White adults in the southeastern United States, October - December 2020

Vaccination intent is foundational for effective COVID-19 vaccine campaigns. To understand factors and attitudes influencing COVID-19 vaccination intent in Black and White adults in the US south, we conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey of 4512 adults enrolled in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), an ongoing study of racial and economic health disparities. Vaccination intent was measured as "If a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 became available to you, how likely are you to choose to get the COVID-19 vaccination?" with options of "very unlikely," "somewhat unlikely," "neither unlikely nor likely," "somewhat likely," and "very likely." Reasons for intent, socio-demographic factors, preventive behaviors, and other factors were collected. 46% of participants had uncertain or low intent. Lower intent was associated with female gender, younger age, Black race, more spiritual/religious, lower perceived COVID-19 susceptibility, living in a greater deprivation area, lower reading ability, and lack of confidence in childhood vaccine safety or COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness or safety (p < .05 for all). Most factors were present in all racial/gender groups. Contextual influences, vaccine/vaccination specific issues, and personal/group influences were identified as reasons for low intent. Reasons for higher intent included preventing serious illness, life returning to normal, and recommendation of trusted messengers. Hesitancy was complex, suggesting tailored interventions may be required to address low intent.

Exploring Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Psychological Symptoms in Humidifier Disinfectant Survivors

This study aimed to compare the psychological symptoms of humidifier disinfectant survivors to the general population and explore socio-demographic factors influencing survivors’ psychological symptoms. A one-way Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and a series of two-way MANCOVA were conducted with a sample of 228 humidifier disinfectant survivors and 228 controls. The results demonstrated that the survivor group displayed higher anxious/depressed symptoms, withdrawn symptoms, somatic complaints, thought problems, attention problems, aggressive behavior and rule-breaking behavior than the general group. Moreover, among the socio-demographic factors, the two-way interaction effects of group × family economic status and group × number of friends were found to be statistically significant. The limitations and implications of this study are discussed.

Geospatial Variability in Excess Death Rates during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico: Examining Socio Demographic, Climate and Population Health Characteristics

Objectives

This study examined how socio-demographic, climate and population health characteristics shaped the geospatial variability in excess mortality patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

Methods

We used Serfling regression models to estimate all-cause excess mortality rates for all 32 Mexican states. The association between socio-demographic, climate, health indicators and excess mortality rates were determined using multiple linear regression analyses. Functional data analysis characterized clusters of states with distinct excess mortality growth rate curves.

Results

The overall all-cause excess deaths rate during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico until April 10, 2021 was estimated at 39.66 per 10 000 population. The lowest excess death rates were observed in southeastern states including Chiapas (12.72) and Oaxaca (13.42), whereas Mexico City had the highest rate (106.17), followed by Tlaxcala (51.99). We found a positive association of excess mortality rates with aging index, marginalization index, and average household size (P < 0.001) in the final adjusted model (Model R²=77%). We identified four distinct clusters with qualitatively similar excess mortality curves.

Conclusion

Central states exhibited the highest excess mortality rates, whereas the distribution of aging index, marginalization index, and average household size explained the variability in excess mortality rates across Mexico.

Screening for Depression Among Recent Nigerian Graduates

Background

In recent times, Nigerian media have carried multiple reports of violent and traumatic social vices. These are well-known trigger factors for fear, worries, and anxiety for corp members and their families. Core member's presentations at the NYSC primary care clinic are commonly triggered by change in environmental, biological, and psychosocial factors which invariably affect their social and occupational functioning.

Aims

The objective of the study was to screen for depression symptoms among young recent Nigerian graduates with the view of further evaluating those positive on screening test with subsequent diagnostic tests.

Methods

The survey was conducted on 327 participants of the April 2017 batch of graduates during the Delta State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp period in Issele-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria. They were requested to complete a self-administered questionnaire comprising of 2 sections (i) Socio-demographic profile and (ii) Patient-Health Questionnaire -9 (PHQ-9) - a Depression screening tool.

Results

The prevalence of depression symptoms in the study was found to be 57.2%. Family size (P < 0.001) and sibling rank (P < 0.001) were the socio-demographic factors found to be related to depression. Independent predictors of depression were family size and sibling ranking.

Conclusion

The study found the prevalence of depression symptoms among young adults to be 57.2% which is quite high. Family size and sibling rank were found to be independent risk factors.

Vitamin A Fortified Edible Oils and Rice: The Knowledge Level and Consumption Rate among Different Place of Residences in Tangail District, Bangladesh

A population based cross-sectional study was conducted in four residential areas of Tangail Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh aiming to explore the knowledge about vitamin A fortified edible oils and rice as well as the their consumption rate. A total of 400 participants were randomly selected. Data were collected through face to face interviews. Only 15.0% and 3.5% participants had knowledge about vitamin A fortified edible oils and rice respectively. Precisely vitamin A fortified edible oils knowledge level was found inferior in rural (11.7%) and slum (0%) than urban (48.3%) and semi-urban (40.0%) participants. Knowledge about vitamin A fortified rice was found higher in urban (78.6%) than rural (14.3%) and slum (0%) participants. Most of the participants received knowledge through advertisements (N=45 and N=12 for fortified oils and rice respectively). Maximum participants (62.3%) did not consume vitamin A fortified edible oils and consumption rate in rural (11.8%) and slum (10.2%) areas were poorer than urban (53.5%) and semi-urban (24.4%) areas. Consumption rate of vitamin A fortified rice was found nil in all the study areas. Lack of knowledge about vitamin A fortified rice and oils accounted solely for poor consumption. Knowledge level about vitamin A fortified edible oils and rice and consumption rate were found statistically significantly (p<0.05) with participant's place of residences, education level and monthly income. Finally, this study indicates that the overall knowledge level and consumption rate of vitamin A fortified edible oils and rice is poor especially in rural and slum populations in Tangail Sadar Upazila.

Different Risk Factors for Erosive Tooth Wear in Rural and Urban Nepal: A National Study

BACKGROUND

Erosive tooth wear (ETW) is of growing concern, but data on ETW among Nepalese children are scarce. The main aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of ETW among Nepalese schoolchildren. We also aimed to analyse the risk indicators for ETW according to location (rural/urban) and the role of obesity in the risk for ETW.

METHODS

This national study was conducted among 5-15-year-old Nepalese schoolchildren from different regions. Altogether, 1137 out of 1151 schoolchildren participated in both a clinical examination and a survey. ETW was recorded using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ETW was 65%. One-fifth of the examined subjects were in need of preventive or restorative treatment. Living in an urban area and studying in a private school were protective factors for ETW, whereas consuming fruits frequently and using charcoal for tooth cleaning increased the odds for ETW. Central obesity was the strongest risk indicator for ETW among urban residents.

CONCLUSIONS

ETW of low severity is common among Nepalese children and adolescents. Socio-demographic factors influence the prevalence of ETW in Nepal and there seems to be different factors that play a role in the ETW process according to location of residence.

Associates of Insomnia in People with Chronic Spinal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Insomnia is a major problem in the chronic spinal pain (CSP) population and has a negative impact on health and well-being. While insomnia is commonly reported, underlying mechanisms explaining the relation between sleep and pain are still not fully understood. Additionally, no reviews regarding the prevention of insomnia and/or associated factors in people with CSP are currently available. To gain a better understanding of the occurrence of insomnia and associated factors in this population, we conducted a systematic review of the literature exploring associates for insomnia in people with CSP in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase. Three independent reviewers extracted the data and performed the quality assessment. A meta-analysis was conducted for every potential associate presented in at least two studies. A total of 13 studies were found eligible, which together identified 25 different potential associates of insomnia in 24,817 people with CSP. Twelve studies had a cross-sectional design. Moderate-quality evidence showed a significantly higher rate for insomnia when one of the following factors was present: high pain intensity, anxiety and depression. Low-quality evidence showed increased odds for insomnia when one of the following factors was present: female sex, performing no professional activities and physical/musculoskeletal comorbidities. Higher healthcare use was also significantly related to the presence of insomnia. One study showed a strong association between high levels of pain catastrophizing and insomnia in people with chronic neck pain. Last, reduced odds for insomnia were found in physically active people with chronic low back pain compared to inactive people with chronic low back pain. This review provides an overview of the available literature regarding potential associates of insomnia in people with CSP. Several significant associates of insomnia were identified. These findings can be helpful to gain a better understanding of the characteristics and potential origin of insomnia in people witch CSP, to identify people with CSP who are (less) likely to have insomnia and to determine directions of future research in this area.

Socio-Demographic Factors Involved in a Low-Incidence Phase of SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Sicily, Italy

Background: The present study analysed SARS-CoV-2 cases observed in Sicily and investigated social determinants that could have an impact on the virus spread. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 cases observed among Sicilian residents between the 1 February 2020 and 15 October 2020 have been included in the analyses. Age, sex, date of infection detection, residency, clinical outcomes, and exposure route have been evaluated. Each case has been linked to the census section of residency and its socio-demographic data. Results: A total of 10,114 patients (202.3 cases per 100,000 residents; 95% CI = 198.4–206.2) were analysed: 45.4% were asymptomatic and 3.62% were deceased during follow-up. Asymptomatic or mild cases were more frequent among young groups. A multivariable analysis found a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 cases was found in census sections with higher male prevalence (adj-OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.99–0.99; p < 0.001) and presence of immigrants (adj-OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.86–0.92; p < 0.001). Proportion of residents aged <15 years, residents with a university degree, residents with secondary education, extra-urban mobility, presence of home for rent, and presence of more than five homes per building were found to increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 incidence. Conclusion: Routinely collected socio-demographic data can be predictors of SARS-CoV-2 risk infection and they may have a role in mapping high risk micro-areas for virus transmission.

Characteristics of Menarcheal Age, Menstrual Hygiene and Socio-Demographic Factors in Girls with Down Syndrome in Morocco

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of menarcheal age, menstrual hygiene and their associated socio-demographic factors in girls with Down syndrome (DS) in Morocco. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2014 and November 2017, including 59 parents/guardians of girls with Down syndrome aged 9-32 years. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire providing information about socio-demographic and cultural conditions of parents, nutritional status and some functional abilities of girls. The median age at menarche was estimated using retrospective and status-quo methods, respectively. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) and Mann-Whitney tests were used for testing statistical significance. The age at menarche ranged from 9 to 16 years old. The median was 13.0 (IQR, 11.0-14.0) years. The median age of menarche by probit analysis was 12.55 years. The relationship between menarcheal age, menstrual hygiene and the selected parameters showed a significant difference in age at menarche only regarding the parameter of number of siblings (Z = 2.14; p = .03), and in menstrual hygiene regarding mother's level of education, family size and age of talking (χ2 = 5.04, p = .02; χ2 = 3.75, p = .05 and χ2 = 4.99, p = .02, respectively). Most girls with DS attain menarche at the usual age as their counterparts in the general population and do not have enough knowledge about menstruation. Mobilization of all interventionists is urgent to develop adolescent skills about practices related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

The prevalence of stress, stressors and coping mechanisms and the socio-demographic factors associated among the auto-rickshaw drivers in Bengaluru city, India

CONTEXT

Socio-demographic and environmental factors attribute to stress for auto-rickshaw driver leading to compromise of driver and passenger safety.

AIMS

This study assesses the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with stress and identifies the stressors and coping mechanisms in auto-rickshaw drivers.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 140 randomly selected auto-rickshaw drivers in Bengaluru city, India.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Data was collected at a place and time convenient to the study participants using semi-structured pre-tested tool. Stress was assessed using Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data was entered and analyzed using Epi Info™ software. Two sample t/ANOVA tests were used to compare the difference in means and standard deviations (SD) between the sub-groups. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Mean age of the auto-rickshaw drivers was 32.8 ± 8.3 years, majority belonged to the 25-30 years age-group. About 55.7%, 40.7% and 28.7% were consuming tobacco products, alcohol and some both, respectively. While the prevalence of self-reported stress was 76.4% (n = 107), 78.6% (n = 110) had stress based on Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) assessment. Mean PSS for participants self-reporting stress was 20.51 ± 5.25 as against 12.36 ± 4.98 who did not (P < 0.001). The mean PSS was 17.55 ± 4.13, 20.65 ± 5.23 and 23 ± 5.12 among those who self-reported having mild-, moderate- and severe-degree stress, respectively (P < 0.001). There was no significant association of any socio-demographic factors with the PSS score. Financial problems (n = 51; 47.7%) was the leading stressor, followed by road traffic (n = 49; 45.8%). Conclusions: Appropriate strategies are needed to address the high level of stress among auto-rickshaw drivers.