scholarly journals Gender Differences in Prevalence of Somatoform Disorders in Patients Visiting Primary Care Centers

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
A. Bener

Objective:The aim of this study was to examine the gender differences in the prevalence of somatoform disorders among a sample of Qatari patients who were visiting primary health care (PHC) centres and to investigate the severity of most frequent somatic symptoms in these patients.Method:The first stage of the study was conducted with the help of general practitioners (GPs), using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). the second stage was carried out by a psychiatrist using the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS). the survey was conducted among patients presenting to the primary health care centres over the period from January to July, 2007. 2320 subjects were approached and a total of 1689 patientsagreed to participate and responded to the questionnaire. among the screened Qatari patients, 404 patients, 211 males (52.2%) and 193 females (47.8%), were identified for clinical interview.Results:The prevalence rate of somatoform disorders among the total screened sample was 23.9%. the prevalence rate was slightly higher in women (24.2%) than in men (23.7%). Prolonged depressive reaction was significantly higher in women compared to men (p=0.003). There was a significant gender difference in certain psychiatric diagnostic categories such as depressive episode, recurrent depressive disorder, dysthymia and brief depressive reaction. Backache was the most common reported symptom in men, while headache was more common in women.Conclusion:Prevalence of somatoform disorders was slightly higher in Qatari women than in men. There was a significant difference found between men and women in certain diagnosis categories and somatic symptoms.

Author(s):  
Zeinab Bagheri ◽  
Tahereh Dehdari ◽  
Masoud Lotfizadeh

Abstract Objective: Emergency Risk Communication (ERC) is known as 1 of the important components of an effective response to public health emergencies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the preparedness of the Primary Health Care Network (PHCN) of Iran in terms of the ERC. Methods: This study was conducted in 136 Primary Health Care Facilities (PHCFs) affilated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. Data in terms of ERC were collected using a checklist developed by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results: The findings of the study revealed that 65.9% of the PHCFs had low preparedness in terms of the ERC, 33.3% had a moderate level and 0.8% had high preparedness in this regard. There was a significant difference between the level of ERC and the history of crisis in the past year, PHCF type, and the education level of the responsible employees in the crisis unit in the PHCF. Conclusions: The results showed that the PHCFs studied need to increase their capacity and capability in the field of ERC. Further efforts to provide ERC components may increase the preparedness of PHCN in Iran in terms of the ERC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 20s ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Álvares ◽  
Augusto Afonso Guerra Junior ◽  
Vânia Eloisa de Araújo ◽  
Alessandra Maciel Almeida ◽  
Carolina Zampirolli Dias ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the access to medicines in primary health care of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), from the patients’ perspective. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos – Services, 2015 (PNAUM – National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), conducted by interviews with 8,591 patients in cities of the five regions of Brazil. Evaluation of access to medicines used concepts proposed by Penshansky and Thomas (1981), according to the dimensions: availability, accessibility, accommodation, acceptability, and affordability. Each dimension was evaluated by its own indicators. RESULTS: For the “availability” dimension, 59.8% of patients reported having full access to medicines, without significant difference between regions. For “accessibility,” 60% of patients declared that the basic health unit (UBS) was not far from their house, 83% said it was very easy/easy to get to the UBS, and most patients reported that they go walking (64.5%). For “accommodation,” UBS was evaluated as very good/good for the items “comfort” (74.2%) and “cleanliness” (90.9%), and 70.8% of patients reported that they do not wait to receive their medicines, although the average waiting time was 32.9 minutes. For “acceptability,” 93.1% of patients reported to be served with respect and courtesy by the staff of the dispensing units and 90.5% declared that the units’ service was very good/good. For “affordability,” 13% of patients reported not being able to buy something important to cover expenses with health problems, and 41.8% of participants pointed out the expense with medicines. CONCLUSIONS: Results show 70%–90% compliance, which is compatible with developed countries. However, access to medicines remains a challenge, because it is still heavily compromised by the low availability of essential medicines in public health units, showing that it does not occur universally, equally, and decisively to the population


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Vieira da Silva ◽  
Thaís Moreira São-João ◽  
Marilia Estevam Cornelio ◽  
Fábio Luiz Mialhe

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of implementation intentions as an intervention strategy to promote walking in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We conducted a controlled and randomized trial, with 12 months of follow-up, involving 65 people with T2DM recruited from primary health care units and allocated them in the control group (CG, n = 32) and intervention group (IG, n = 33). The IG received the implementation intention strategy to promote walking and the CG remained in follow-up for conventional treatment in primary health care. The researchers were blinded by anthropometric measurements and the filling of the instruments. RESULTS: After twelve months of follow up, the IG presented a statistically significant increase in the leisure time physical activity when compared with the CG (p = 0.0413) and showed a significant decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.0061). No significant difference was observed regarding body mass index and glycated hemoglobin among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation intention was effective in promoting walking and improving clinical indicators in adults with T2DM.


2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariane Ricardo Acosta Lopez ◽  
Karen Jansen ◽  
Luciano Dias de Mattos Souza ◽  
Ricardo Tavares Pinheiro ◽  
Elaine Tomasi ◽  
...  

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of daily smoking among users of three primary health care units affiliated with a university hospital in the municipality of Pelotas, southern Brazil, and to identify factors associated with daily tobacco consumption. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all individuals over 14 years of age who sought treatment at the health care units between June 29, 2009, and February 23, 2010, and lived in the area covered by the unit. Interviews were conducted during home visits to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors; the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to assess the presence of mood disorders; and a question from the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) on the daily use of tobacco in the past 3 months was used to assess smoking. Results: The total sample comprised 1,848 individuals, mostly female (72.9%), aged between 46 and 60 years (28.5%), and belonging to socioeconomic class C (61%). The prevalence of daily smoking was 23.4% (n = 432), and there was a statistically significant difference between men and women: 27 vs. 22.1% (p < 0.050). Conclusion: Our findings confirm a high prevalence of smoking among users of primary health care units, underscoring the need for a more accurate process of diagnosis and treatment at these facilities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Binyam Fekadu Desta ◽  
Azeb Abitew ◽  
Ismael Ali Beshir ◽  
Mesele Damte Argaw ◽  
Sualiha Abdlkader

Abstract Background Primary health care (PHC) in Ethiopia serves as the main entry point for preventive, promotive and curative health services. The district health office is responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of all district health activities. In addition, district health offices manage service delivery facilities working on provision of PHC – primary hospitals, health centers and health posts. As the leader of the health care system tier, district health management must ensure direction, alignment and commitment within teams and organizations and make sure that achievements are consistent with the vision, values and strategy of the organization. USAID Transform: Primary Health Care provides diverse support to improve district health manager competencies including in-service trainings followed by planning and implementation of performance improvement projects and on-the-job mentoring and support. Methods This study was conducted to compare district level capacity and performances between leadership, management and governance (LMG) and non-LMG districts. Project outcome monitoring data that shows the performance of districts was collected from 284 districts from January to December 2019. The study was carried out using a comparative-cross sectional study design, which assessed and compared district health office level indicators. Districts were classified into two categories: LMG and non-LMG districts. The study compared data from 94 LMG and 190 non-LMG districts. Propensity score matching was used to control the effect of differences between LMG and non-LMG districts. Results Results of the independent samples t-test revealed that LMG districts scored better average performances of 61.8 ± 121.45 standard deviation (SD) compared to non-LMG districts 56.89 ± 110.39 SD, with t (282243) = − 3.407317 and p < 0.001, two-tailed. The difference of 4.9 percentage unit in the average performance indicated a statistically significant difference between the LMG and non-LMG districts. Conclusion District level leadership development program contributes to improving district capacity, structure and management practices, and quality of care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Maria Vieira de Lima Saintrain ◽  
Rosendo Freitas de Amorim ◽  
Flaviano da Silva Santos

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Author(s):  
Auwal G. Suleiman ◽  
Abdulhakeem A. Olorukooba ◽  
Zaharadeen S. Babandi ◽  
Shehu S. Umar ◽  
Umar M. Umar

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt health systems across the globe, preventing access to essential health services. Lockdown measures against the virus may impact negatively on immunization services. This study aimed to ascertain the capacity of primary health care centres in Kaduna North senatorial district to provide routine immunization services amidst a state-wide lockdown.Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select four among eight local Government areas in the district. Facility in-charges and RI focal persons were interviewed using service availability and readiness assessment tool, restricted to immunization tracer items. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean number of vaccine doses given in the first quarter of 2020 (pre-lockdown) and the number of doses given in the second quarter (lockdown period).Results: Forty four PHCs were selected from Zaria (29.6%), Sabon Gari (25.0%), Makarfi (22.7%) and Kudan (22.7%). In addition to well-trained RI focal persons, most facilities had vaccines and commodities available. Shortages were noted for EPI guidelines (46%), Meningitis-A vaccine (36%) and certain cold chain equipment (up to 18%). Tetanus-diphtheria (Td-1) doses given during lockdown period were significantly lower than pre-lockdown doses (Mean difference=-45.58, 95% CI: -74.78 to -16.38, d=0.48). No significant difference exists for infant doses.Conclusions: Despite widespread availability of PHC facilities, trained personnel, vaccines and commodities, gaps still exist in service delivery, cold chain practices and vaccine supply management. Lockdown measures significantly disrupted immunization services and effective risk communication was key to achieving sustained utilization.


Author(s):  
Gordana Gajovic ◽  
Katarina Janicijevic ◽  
Dragana Andric ◽  
Olivera Djurovic ◽  
Svetlana Radevic

Abstract The unstoppable process of demographic aging of population has profound consequences on the economic, health, social and political spheres of society, because of the specific and diverse needs of the older population. The aim of the study was to examine gender differences of health care utilization among elderly in Serbia. The survey was conducted as a part of the national study “Health Survey of the Serbian population” in 2013. In the past year, 87.4% of the older population visited their chosen doctor. Women were significantly more likely to use primary health care compared to men, while the frequency of hospitalization is significantly higher in men. When it comes to female population, age, region of residence and financial situation stood out as the most important predictors of primary care services usage. In men, the residence stood out as the most important predictor of primary health care services usage. Multivariate binary logistic regression distinguishes gender, education and region of residence as the most important factors associated with hospital treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Agholor Kin ◽  
Lucy F. Olusola ◽  
Idris Abubakar ◽  
Yakubu Mahmud

Plasmodium falciparum is the leading cause of malaria in pregnant women, a disease of public health importance especially in Nigeria where the infection is endemic. Hence, this study was conducted to ascertain the prevalent rate of Plasmodium falciparum infection among pregnant women attending antenatal in primary health care center, Wushishi Local Government, Niger state, Nigeria. 150 pregnant women were randomly selected and tested for P. falciparum using Plasmodium falciparum (05FK50) Rapid Diagnostic Test kit. The result obtained, revealed that 36 (24%) out of the 150 samples of the pregnant women were positive without any clinical manifestation of the infection. The result revealed that the prevalence rate was higher among women within 11-20 age group (43.8%) than those within 21-30 (17.4%) and 31 and above (9.0%). It was also observed from the study that prevalence rate was lower among women who use Insecticide Treated Net (6.5%) compared to those who does not (52.6%). Therefore the problem of Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women should be prevented by the use of insecticide treated nets and effective case management with appropriate antimalarial drug during antenatal clinical visits.


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