Assessing tobacco use in an African population: Serum and urine cotinine cut-offs from South Africa

Abstract Introduction A higher proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) smoke compared to the general population, but little information exists about the prevalence and correlates of smokeless tobacco use among PLWH. In South Africa, dry powdered tobacco is inhaled nasally as snuff. Methods A cross-sectional survey among PLWH attending three HIV clinics was conducted. Snuff use was assessed via self-report and urine cotinine. Results Given the low (3%) prevalence of snuff use among men, analysis was restricted to n = 606 nonsmoking women living with HIV. Half (n = 298, 49%) were snuff users, the majority of whom (n = 244, 84%) had a positive urine cotinine test. In adjusted analysis, snuff use was negatively associated with higher education (relative risk [RR] 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39, 0.77) and mobile phone ownership (RR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.98), and positively associated with ever having tuberculosis (TB) (RR 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.45). In adjusted analysis, with current TB as the outcome, snuff use was marginally statistically significantly associated with a twofold increase in odds of a current TB diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.99; 95% CI: 0.98, 4.15). Discussion A high proportion of nonsmoking South African women living with HIV use snuff, which was a risk factor for TB. Additional research is needed to understand the relationship between snuff, TB, and other potential health risks. Implications PLWH have a higher prevalence of smoking than their seronegative peers, but there is a paucity of research on smokeless tobacco use in this population, especially in low-resource settings. TB is the leading cause of death among PLWH, and with improvements to HIV treatment and care, PLWH are at greater risk of tobacco-related diseases. We report an extremely high prevalence of snuff use among women living with HIV in South Africa. Further, in this population snuff use is positively associated with ever having a TB diagnosis, as well as currently having TB.

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Self-reported tobacco use and urine cotinine levels in persons with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia Research ◽

10.1016/j.schres.2020.08.024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 224 ◽

pp. 185-187

Author(s):

Banu Manickam Rajalu ◽

Deepak Jayarajan ◽

Krishna Prasad Muliyala ◽

Priyamvada Sharma ◽

Sailaxmi Gandhi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Use ◽

Urine Cotinine ◽

Persons With Schizophrenia

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Maternal Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Relation to Child Malnutrition in Gauteng, South Africa: A Retrospective Analysis

Children ◽

10.3390/children8020133 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 133

Author(s):

Perpetua Modjadji ◽

Mpinane Pitso

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Child Growth ◽

Growth Patterns ◽

World Health ◽

Poor Growth ◽

Growth Standards ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Current Tobacco

Tobacco and alcohol use among mothers is associated with numerous adverse consequences for affected offspring, including poor growth and development. This study determined the association between maternal tobacco and alcohol use, and malnutrition, among infants aged ≤ 12 months (n = 300), in selected health facilities situated in Gauteng, South Africa. Data on alcohol and tobacco use were collected using a validated questionnaire, in addition to mothers’ socio-demographic characteristics and obstetric history. Stunting (low height/length-for-age), underweight (low weight-for-age) and thinness (low body mass index-for-age) were calculated using z-scores based on the World Health Organization child growth standards. The association of tobacco and alcohol use with stunting, underweight and thinness was analysed using logistic regression analysis. The results showed a mean age of 29 years (24.0; 35.0) for mothers and 7.6 ± 3 months for infants, and over half of the mothers were unemployed (63%). Approximately 18.7% of mothers had used tobacco and 3% had used alcohol during pregnancy. The prevalence of current tobacco and alcohol use among mothers were estimated at 14.3% and 49.7%, respectively, and almost three-quarters (67.3%) of them were still breastfeeding during the study period. Stunting (55%) was the most prevalent malnutrition indicator among infants, while underweight was 41.7%, and thinness was 22%. Current tobacco use was associated with increased odds of being thin [OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.09–5.45), and after adjusting for confounders, current alcohol use was associated with the likelihood of being underweight [AOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.06–3.63] among infants. Future prospective cohort studies that examine growth patterns among infants who are exposed to maternal tobacco and alcohol use from the intrauterine life to infancy are necessary to inform, partly, the public health programmes, to reduce malnutrition among children.

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A Brief Exposure to Moderate Passive Smoke Increases Metabolism and Thyroid Hormone Secretion

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2006-0762 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

pp. 208-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Giorgos S. Metsios ◽

Andreas D. Flouris ◽

Athanasios Z. Jamurtas ◽

Andres E. Carrillo ◽

Demetrios Kouretas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormone ◽

Passive Smoking ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Hormone Secretion ◽

Free T4 ◽

Hormone Levels ◽

Urine Cotinine ◽

The Mean ◽

Thyroid Hormone Levels ◽

Serum And Urine

Abstract Context: Active smoking influences normal metabolic status and thyroid function. Objective: The objective was to assess experimentally the effects of 1 h of moderate passive smoking in a controlled simulated bar/restaurant environment on the metabolism and thyroid hormone levels in healthy nonsmokers. Participants: Eighteen (nine females, nine males) healthy individuals (mean ± sd: age, 25.3 ± 3.1 yr; height, 174.0 ± 10.1 cm; weight, 65.2 ± 13.7 kg) participated in the study. Design: In repeated-measures randomized blocks, participants visited the laboratory on 2 consecutive days. In the experimental condition, they were exposed to 1 h of moderate passive smoking at a carbon monoxide concentration of 23 ± 1 ppm in an environmental chamber, whereas in the control condition participants remained in the same chamber for 1 h breathing normal atmospheric air. Main Outcome Measures: In both conditions, cotinine serum and urine levels, resting energy expenditure (REE), as well as concentration of T3, free T4, and TSH were assessed before participants entered the chamber and immediately after their exit. Heart rate and blood pressure were tested in 10-min intervals during all REE assessments. Results: The mean ± sd difference of serum and urine cotinine levels (−0.27 ± 3.94 vs. 14.01 ± 6.54 and 0.05 ± 2.07 vs. 7.23 ± 3.75, respectively), REE (6.73 ± 98.06 vs. 80.58 ± 120.91) as well as T3 and free T4 (0.05 ± 0.11 vs. 0.13 ± 0.12 and 0.02 ± 0.15 vs. 0.22 ± 0.20) were increased in the experimental compared with the control condition at baseline and follow-up (P < 0.05). No statistically significant variation was observed in the mean difference of the remaining parameters (P > 0.05). Serum and urine cotinine values were linearly associated with REE (P < 0.05). Conclusion: One hour of passive smoking at bar/restaurant levels is accompanied by significant increases in metabolism and thyroid hormone levels.

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Social network determinants of alcohol and tobacco use: A qualitative study among out of school youth in South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0240690 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. e0240690

Author(s):

Rachana Desai ◽

Robert A. C. Ruiter ◽

Ansuyah Magan ◽

Priscilla S. Reddy ◽

Liesbeth A. G. Mercken

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Social Network ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Out Of School Youth ◽

School Youth ◽

Out Of School

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Prevalence of Presbyopia and Spectacle Coverage in an African Population in Durban, South Africa

Optometry and Vision Science ◽

10.1097/opx.0000000000000096 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 90 (12) ◽

pp. 1424-1429 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Kovin Shunmugan Naidoo ◽

Jyotikumarie Jaggernath ◽

Carrin Martin ◽

Pirindhavellie Govender ◽

Farai Showman Chinanayi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

African Population

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Interpretation of Demonic Powers in Southern African Independent Churches

Missiology An International Review ◽

10.1177/009182968801600101 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 3-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

George C. Oosthuizen

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

African Population ◽

Main Theme ◽

Adaptation Process ◽

African Independent Churches ◽

Independent Churches ◽

External Forces ◽

Indigenous Cosmology ◽

The Church

African Independent Churches (AIC) have grown especially in South Africa at a tremendous pace—from thirty-two denominations in 1913 and hardly one percent of the African population to over three thousand denominations in 1980 and nearly 30 percent of the African population. Various reasons account for this tremendous growth such as several major emphases: Africanization of the church, socioeconomic deprivation, the adaptation process from the microcosmic to the macrocosmic world, and a holistic approach to healing which takes note of the indigenous cosmology. The latter aspect is a central issue. There are two types of diseases—natural, behind which are no malicious external forces, and those which are understood only within the context of African cosmology such as witchcraft, sorcery, ancestor wrath, spirit-possession. The missionaries ignored these forces and the problems Africans encountered with them. To these malicious forces the AIC give attention and their handling of them makes a decisive impact. This is the main theme of the article.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Grade 8–11 School Students in South Africa: A Nationwide Study

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntu044 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 1167-1173 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Priscilla S. Reddy ◽

Shamagonam James ◽

Ken Resnicow ◽

Ronel Sewpaul ◽

Pardon Masuka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Smokeless Tobacco ◽

School Students ◽

Nationwide Study ◽

Smokeless Tobacco Use ◽

Grade 8

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COVID19 vaccine intentions in South Africa: health communication strategy to address vaccine hesitancy

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-12196-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Umakrishnan Kollamparambil ◽

Adeola Oyenubi ◽

Chijioke Nwosu

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

National Income ◽

Population Group ◽

Face Mask ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

African Population ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Black African

Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy is emerging as a significant challenge in many parts of the world in the fight against the COVID19 pandemic. The continued infection amongst the unvaccinated can lead to a heightened risk of further virus mutation, exposing even those vaccinated to new virus strains. Therefore, there are social benefits in minimising vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study is to assess the level of COVID19 vaccine hesitancy in South Africa, identify the socio-economic patterns in vaccine hesitancy and highlight insights from the national survey that can inform the development of a COVID-19 vaccination acceptance communication campaign. Methods The study uses the nationally representative National Income Dynamics Study - Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) survey. The analysis combines univariate and bivariate statistics, as well as multivariate regression models like binomial/ordinal and multinomial logit. Results The study finds that vaccine acceptance is lower than that of non-pharmaceutical intervention like face-mask use. Only 55% fully accept the vaccine, while a further 16% are moderately accepting of vaccines. Together, vaccine acceptance is estimated at 70.8%, and vaccine hesitancy against COVID19 is estimated at 29.2% amongst the adult South African population. The study has identified the perceived risk of infection with the mediating role of efficacy as a key predictor of vaccine intention. Higher awareness of COVID19 related information and higher household income are correlated with lower vaccine hesitancy. The non-black African population group has significantly high vaccine hesitancy compared to black Africans. Conclusions There are other significant differences across socio-economic and demographic variables in vaccine hesitancy. From a communication perspective, it is imperative to continue risk messaging, hand in hand with clearer information on the efficacy of the vaccines.

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COVID19 Vaccine Intentions in South Africa: Health Communication Strategy to Address Vaccine Hesitancy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-533888/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Umakrishnan Kollamparambil ◽

Adeola Oyenubi ◽

Chijioke Nwosu

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Communication ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

National Income ◽

Population Group ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

African Population ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Vaccine Acceptance

Abstract Background: Widespread vaccine acceptance is key to achieving herd immunity through vaccination against COVID19, especially because the available vaccines do not have 100% efficacy. The continued infection amongst the unvaccinated can lead to heightened risk of further virus mutation, exposing even those vaccinated to new virus strains. Therefore, there are social benefits in minimising vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study is to assess the level of COVID19 vaccine hesitancy in South Africa, identify the socio-economic patterns in vaccine hesitancy and to develop a targeted health communication strategy based on the HBM and EPPM models in order to improve vaccine acceptance. Methods: The study uses the nationally representative National Income Dynamics Study - Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) survey. The analysis combines univariate and bivariate statistics together with multivariate regression models like binomial/ordinal logit and seemingly unrelated regressions.Results: The study finds that vaccine acceptance is lower than that of non-pharmaceutical intervention life face-mask use. Only 55% are fully accepting of the vaccine, while a further 16% are moderately accepting of vaccines. Together, vaccine acceptance is estimated at 70.8% and vaccine hesitancy against COVID19 is estimated at 29.2% amongst the adult South African population. The reasons cited for vaccine hesitancy are primarily due to concerns regarding the side-effects and efficacy of vaccine. the study has identified perceived risk of infection with the mediating role of efficacy as a key predictor of vaccine intention. Apart from vulnerability to infection, those perceiving higher severity of risk (elderly and those with chronic illness) have lower hesitancy. Higher awareness of COVID19 related information and higher household income are correlated with lower vaccine hesitancy. The non-black African population group has significantly high vaccine hesitancy compared to black Africans. Males on average have lower hesitancy compared to females, and unmarried/unpartnered individuals are found to have higher hesitancy. Conclusions: There are other significant differences across socio-economic and demographic variables in vaccine hesitancy. From a communication perspective, it is imperative to continue risk messaging, hand in hand with clearer information on the efficacy of the vaccines

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