Risk factors for generalized anxiety disorders among young women and men in informal settlements in South Africa: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Anxiety disorders are common among children and adolescents. However, there is a paucity of up-to-date data on the prevalence and correlates of anxiety-related disorders among children and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods We conducted a cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of specific anxiety-related disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety, social anxiety) in the UAE, and identify correlations between these disorders and adolescents’ demographic variables. Participants were 968 adolescents aged 13–18 years attending secondary schools across the UAE. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. We collected demographic information and data about participants’ anxiety levels. Anxiety was assessed using the Arabic and English versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders scale. Univariate analyses (independent sample t -tests and analysis of variance) were performed to evaluate factors affecting participants’ anxiety scores. Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions of anxiety disorders between boys and girls.Results Participants’ mean age was 16±1.8 years, and 65.8% were female. The overall prevalence of anxiety disorders was 28%, with this being significantly higher in girls (33.6%) than boys (17.2%) (p<.0001). Participants aged <16 years had higher generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and social anxiety scores compared with those aged ≥16 years (p≤.05). Those from households with a maid had significantly higher generalized anxiety, panic disorder, separation anxiety, and significant school avoidance scores than those without a maid (p≤.05). In addition, participants from middle and low economic backgrounds had higher separation anxiety scores compared with children from high economic backgrounds (p≤.05). The multivariate analysis showed the main risk factors for anxiety were gender and caregiver.Conclusions We found a high incidence of anxiety-related disorders among school-aged adolescents in the UAE, with girls being more affected than boys. This suggests that age-appropriate initiatives are urgently needed to reduce the high rate of anxiety-related disorders. It may also be necessary to further investigate the two main risk factors for anxiety identified in this study (being female and non-parental caregivers).

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Diarrhoea among Children Aged under Five Years and Risk Factors in Informal Settlements: A Cross-Sectional Study in Cape Town, South Africa

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6043

Author(s):

Thi Yen Chi Nguyen ◽

Bamidele Oladapo Fagbayigbo ◽

Guéladio Cissé ◽

Nesre Redi ◽

Samuel Fuhrimann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

South Africa ◽

Water Storage ◽

Cape Town ◽

Informal Settlements ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hand Washing ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Under Five

Background: There is limited data on the association between diarrhoea among children aged under five years (U5D) and water use, sanitation, hygiene, and socio-economics factors in low-income communities. The study investigated U5D and the associated risk factors in the Zeekoe catchment in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 707 households in six informal settlements (IS) two formal settlements (FS) (March–June 2017). Results: Most IS households used public taps (74.4%) and shared toilets (93.0%), while FS households used piped water on premises (89.6%) and private toilets (98.3%). IS respondents had higher average hand-washing scores than those of FS (0.04 vs. −0.14, p = 0.02). The overall U5D prevalence was 15.3% (range: 8.6%–24.2%) and was higher in FS than in IS (21.2% vs. 13.4%, respectively, p = 0.01). Water storage >12 h was associated with increasing U5D (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.00–3.55, p = 0.05). Water treatment (OR = 0.57, 95%CI 0.34–0.97, p = 0.04), good hand-washing practices (OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.42–0.82, p = 0.002) and Hepatitis A vaccination (OR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.28–0.9, p = 0.02) had significant preventing effects on U5D. Conclusions: The study highlights that good hygiene practice is a key intervention against U5D in informal settlements. The promotion of hand-washing, proper water storage, and hygienic breastfeeding is highly recommended.

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Coital frequency and condom use in age-disparate partnerships involving women aged 15 to 24: evidence from a cross-sectional study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024362 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e024362 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gavin George ◽

Brendan Maughan-Brown ◽

Sean Beckett ◽

Meredith Evans ◽

Cherie Cawood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Condom Use ◽

Young Women ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Coital Frequency ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Kwazulu Natal

ObjectiveThis study examines the role of age-disparate partnerships on young women’s HIV risk by investigating coital frequency and condom use within age-disparate partnerships involving women aged 15 to 24.DesignA community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted.SettingParticipants were randomly selected using a two-stage random sampling method in uMgungundlovu district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between June 2014 and June 2015.ParticipantsA total of 1306 15–24-year-old women in an ongoing heterosexual partnership were included in the analysis. Participants had to be a resident in the area for 12 months, and able to provide informed consent and speak one of the local languages (Zulu or English).Primary and secondary outcome measuresSexual frequency was assessed by asking participants how many times they had sex with each partner in the past 12 months. The degree of condomless sex within partnerships was assessed in the survey by asking participants how often they used a condom with their partners.ResultsAge-disparate partnerships were associated with a higher order category (once, 2–5, 6–10, 11–20, >20) of coital frequency (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.32, p<0.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.71) and with sex on more than 10 occasions (aOR 1.48, p<0.01, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.96) compared with age-similar partnerships. Age-disparate partnerships were also more likely to involve sex on more than 10 occasions with inconsistent condom use (aOR 1.43, p<0.05, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.96) in the previous 12 months.ConclusionThe finding that increased sexual activity is positively associated with age-disparate partnerships adds to the evidence that age-disparate partnerships pose greater HIV risk for young women. Our study results indicate that interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour within age-disparate partnerships remain relevant to reducing the high HIV incidence rates among adolescent girls and young women.

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Prevalence and risk factors of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases among preschool aged children (1–5 years) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-019-0561-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Hlengiwe Sacolo-Gwebu ◽

Moses Chimbari ◽

Chester Kalinda

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

South Africa ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Preschool Aged Children

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Prevalence and predictors of anxiety disorders amongst low-income pregnant women in urban South Africa: a cross-sectional study

Archives of Women s Mental Health ◽

10.1007/s00737-017-0768-z ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 765-775 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Thandi van Heyningen ◽

Simone Honikman ◽

Landon Myer ◽

Michael N. Onah ◽

Sally Field ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Low Income ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Urban South

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A cross sectional study of polycystic ovarian syndrome among young women in Bhopal, Central India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20175603 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 95 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mahesh Gupta ◽

Daneshwar Singh ◽

Manju Toppo ◽

Angelin Priya ◽

Soumitra Sethia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Young Women ◽

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Waist Hip Ratio ◽

Ovarian Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age groups. It is one of the leading causes of poor fertility. Risk factors include obesity, not enough physical exercise, and a family history. Most studies in India report prevalence of PCOS as 9.13% to 36%. Behaviour and life style modifications are important part of treatment for PCOS. A number of cases in the community due to lack of awareness and proper guidance, it remains undiagnosed. Aim of this study was to find the prevalence of PCOS among the young females of Bhopal city. Thus, risk assessment in the form of a survey would be one of the strategies to identify this syndrome early so as to encourage young women to seek timely treatment and prevent its long term complications. Methods: Non comparative cross sectional study for duration of 8 month. Results: The prevalence of PCOS in this study was 8.20%. Among all the risk factors, BMI ≥25 (P value < 0.0001) and waist hip ratio ≥0.85 (<0.0001) were strongly associated with the presence of PCOS and Lack of awareness, there were in girls (78.4%). Conclusions: Women who were having BMI ≥25 and waist hip ratio ≥0.85 should be educated about its complications and should be advised weight loss. Girls who had irregularity of menses and signs of hyperandrogenism should be investigated and must be managed accordingly. Early diagnosis of PCOS and its prompt treatment will help the girls to improve quality of life.

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Anxiety related disorders in adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: a population based cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.17690/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nabeel Al-Yateem ◽

Wegdan Bani Issa ◽

Rachel C Rossiter ◽

Arwa Al-Shujairi ◽

Hadia Radwan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Anxiety ◽

Panic Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Separation Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: Anxiety disorders are common among children and adolescents. However, there is a paucity of up-to-date data on the prevalence and correlates of anxiety-related disorders among children and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of specific anxiety-related disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety, social anxiety) in the UAE, and identify correlations between these disorders and adolescents’ demographic variables. Participants were 968 adolescents aged 13–18 years attending secondary schools across the UAE. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. We collected demographic information and data about participants’ anxiety levels. Anxiety was assessed using the Arabic and English versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders scale. Univariate analyses (independent sample t-tests and analysis of variance) were performed to evaluate factors affecting participants’ anxiety scores. Chi-square tests were used to compare factors associated with anxiety disorders.Results: Participants’ mean age was 16±1.8 years, and 65.8% were female. The overall prevalence of anxiety disorders was 28%, with this being significantly higher in girls (33.6%) than boys (17.2%) (p<0.0001). Participants aged <16 years had higher generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and social anxiety scores compared with those aged ≥16 years (p≤0.05). Those from households with a maid had significantly higher generalized anxiety, panic disorder, separation anxiety, and significant school avoidance scores than those without a maid (p≤0.05). In addition, participants from middle and low economic backgrounds had higher separation anxiety scores compared with children from high economic backgrounds (p≤0.05). The multivariate analysis showed the main associated factors with anxiety were gender (being female, p<0.001) and caregiver (other than mother and father together, p<0.001). Conclusions: We found a high incidence of anxiety-related disorders among school-aged adolescents in the UAE, with girls being more affected than boys. This suggests that age-appropriate initiatives are urgently needed to reduce the high rate of anxiety-related disorders. It may also be necessary to further investigate the two main associated factors with anxiety identified in this study (being female and non-parental caregivers).

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A Comparison of the Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Circumcised and Uncircumcised Adult Males in Rustenburg, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21895/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Blanchard Mbay Iyemosolo ◽

Tawanda Chivese ◽

Tonya Marianne Esterhuizen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

South Africa ◽

High Risk ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Adult Males ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Mining Town

Abstract BackgroundSouth Africa has a persistent burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Male circumcision has been shown to be effective in preventing HIV, and STIs but data are scarce on the protective effect of circumcision in high-risk populations such as migrant miners. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of medical and traditional circumcision on the prevalence of STIs after adjusting for other risk factors in Rustenburg, a mining town in North West Province, South Africa.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used baseline data collected from a cohort study. Adult males in a mining town were assessed for STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) using syndromic assessment. Data on circumcision status and other risk factors for STIs were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable log binomial regression was used to assess the independent effect of circumcision on STI presence after adjusting for confounders.ResultsA total of 339 participants with a median age of 25 years (IQR 22-29) were included in the study, of whom 116 (34.2%) were circumcised. The overall STIs prevalence was 27.4% (95% CI 22.8% to 32.6%) and was lower in the circumcised participants compared with those who were uncircumcised (15.5% vs 33.6%, respectively, p<0.001). Both medical (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.95, p = 0.030) and traditional circumcision (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.86, p = 0.022) were strongly associated with a lower risk of STIs after adjustment for employment and condom use. ConclusionIn this high-risk population, with a relatively high prevalence of STIs, and where one third of males are circumcised, both medical and traditional circumcision appear to be protective against STIs.

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A comparison of the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among circumcised and uncircumcised adult males in Rustenburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10509-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Blanchard Mbay Iyemosolo ◽

Tawanda Chivese ◽

Tonya M. Esterhuizen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

South Africa ◽

High Risk ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Adult Males ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Mining Town

Abstract Background South Africa has a persistent burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Male circumcision has been shown to be effective in preventing HIV and STIs, but data are scarce on the protective effect of circumcision in high-risk populations such as migrant miners. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of medical and traditional circumcision on the prevalence of STIs after adjusting for other risk factors in Rustenburg, a mining town in North West Province, South Africa. Methods This cross-sectional study used baseline data collected from a cohort study. Adult males in a mining town were assessed for STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) using syndromic assessment. Data on circumcision status and other risk factors for STI syndromes were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The following symptoms were assessed; penile discharge, painful urination, dyspareunia or penile sores. These symptoms indicate sexually transmitted infection in general since laboratory tests were not performed. Multivariable log binomial regression was used to assess the independent effect of circumcision on STI presence after adjusting for confounders. Results A total of 339 participants with a median age of 25 years (IQR 22–29) were included in the study, of whom 116 (34.2%) were circumcised. The overall STIs prevalence was 27.4% (95% CI 22.8 to 32.6%) and was lower in the circumcised participants compared with those who were uncircumcised (15.5% vs 33.6%, respectively, p < 0.001). Both medical (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.95, p = 0.030) and traditional circumcision (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13–0.86, p = 0.022) were strongly associated with a lower risk of STIs after adjustment for employment and condom use. Conclusion In this high-risk population in a mining town in South Africa, with a relatively high prevalence of STIs, and where one third of males are circumcised, both medical and traditional circumcision appear to be protective against STIs.

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