Register Studies and Clinical Studies in the Evaluation of Antenatal Care

Author(s):  
Olav Meirik

AbstractThe advantages and limitations of national registers containing individual identification numbers in clinical epidemiological research are reviewed. The author concludes that such registers are very valuable for epidemiological research and for formulation of research questions of public health importance.

Anemia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Wakshuma Gari ◽  
Arega Tsegaye ◽  
Tsige Ketema

Anemia is one of the major causes of morbidity for pregnant women in resource-limited regions. Yet robust research-based evidence on this vital public health problem in remote areas where the problem could be massive is quite limited in Ethiopia, one of the developing countries. Thus, this study is aimed to assess the magnitude of anemia and its associated risk factors among pregnant women attending one of the health facilities in Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed in 2019. A total of 384 pregnant women attending the antenatal care (ANC) unit of Najo General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, were included in the study. Their sociodemographic characteristics, and medical, obstetric, and gynecological history were collected using pretested interview questionnaires. Blood samples were collected from each participant for the determination of malaria parasite and hemoglobin (Hb) level. In addition, stool samples were collected for examination of intestinal parasites. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 25. The overall magnitude of anemia among pregnant women was 37.8% (95% CI, 32.8%–42.3%). The proportion of mild anemia, moderate anemia, and severe anemia was 24%, 11%, and 2.3%, respectively. Some variables such as absence of malaria infection (AOR: 0.195, 95% CI: 0.066–0.576), lack of history of abortion (AOR: 0.469, 95% CI: 0.265–0.830), and absence of history of anemia (AOR: 0.227, 95% CI: 0.134–0.385) were identified as protective variables of anemia during pregnancy, while urban residence (AOR: 1.753, 95% CI: 1.013–3.034) was unexpectedly found as a predisposing factor. Despite the higher number of anemic pregnant women observed in the current study, pregnancy-associated anemia is moderate public health importance in the study area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Sanju George ◽  
Jessy Fenn ◽  
Kripa Robonderdeep

Gambling is a popular pastime in India, as in most cultures across the world. Although research from India is limited, there is enough evidence to suggest that it should be of public health importance. In this brief paper, we look at the evolution of gambling in India and also discuss potential ways forward to address this issue.


Author(s):  
David A Savitz

Abstract Interpreting the results of epidemiologic studies calls for objectivity and rigorous scrutiny, acknowledging the limitations that temper the applicability of the findings to public health action. Current trends have posed new challenges to balancing goal of scientific objectivity and validity with public health applications. The ongoing tension between epidemiology’s aspirations and capability has several sources: the need to overpromise in research proposals, compromising methodologic rigor because of public health importance, defending findings in the face of hostile critics, and appealing to core constituencies who have specific expectations from the research.


2020 ◽  
pp. 237337992096241
Author(s):  
Jessica Sloan Kruger ◽  
Christopher Hollister

This study examines students’ perceptions of an open pedagogy experiment in which they created their own textbook for an undergraduate public health course. The lead author’s primary motivation for developing this assignment was the high cost associated with the traditional textbooks that were otherwise needed to cover the breadth of subject matter in the course. The resulting open textbook included 19 chapters, covering all the required components of the course, and the final version was published in a statewide open educational resource repository. Students provided feedback about this undertaking by way of an end-of-term survey. The results showed high percentages of students who associated the textbook creation project with greater engagement and satisfaction than the passive use of traditional textbooks. Students also reported their perception of a learning benefit related to the creation of course content. Pedagogical implications of this study are discussed, and future research questions are proposed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fufa Dawo Bari ◽  
Haimanot Belete Wodaje ◽  
Umer Said ◽  
Hika Waktole ◽  
Melaku Sombo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seroprevalence of the disease was reported in pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raising significant public health concern. The presence of HEV specific antibodies were also reported in dromedary camels in the country; however, the infectious virus and/or the viral genome have not been demonstrated to date in animal samples. Methods To address this gap, a total of 95 faecal samples collected from both apparently healthy pigs of uncharacterised types (50 samples) in Burayu and Addis Ababa areas and camels (Camelus dromedarius, 45 samples) in west Hararghe were screened for the presence of HEV genome using universal primers in a fully nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The protocol is capable of detecting HEV in faecal samples from both pigs and camels. Results The nRT-PCR detected HEV genes in six (12%) pig faecal samples and one camel sample (2.2%). Therefore, the results indicate that HEV is circulating in both pigs and camels in Ethiopia and these animals and their products could serve as a potential source of infection for humans. Conclusion The detection of HEV in both animals could raise another concern regarding its public health importance as both animals’ meat and camel milk are consumed in the country. Further studies to determine the prevalence and distribution of the virus in different animals and their products, water bodies, food chain, and vegetables are warranted, along with viral gene sequencing for detailed genetic characterisation of the isolates circulating in the country. This information is critically important to design and institute appropriate control and/or preventive measures.


2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1579) ◽  
pp. 2799-2805 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Clemens

Enteric infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. To date, vaccines have played a limited role in public health efforts to control enteric infections. Licensed vaccines exist for cholera and typhoid, but these vaccines are used primarily for travellers; and there are two internationally licensed vaccines for rotavirus, but they are mainly used in affluent countries. The reasons that enteric vaccines are little used in developing countries are multiple, and certainly include financial and political constraints. Also important is the need for more cogent evidence on the performance of enteric vaccines in developing country populations. A partial inventory of research questions would include: (i) does the vaccine perform well in the most relevant settings? (ii) does the vaccine perform well in all epidemiologically relevant age groups? (iii) is there adequate evidence of vaccine safety once the vaccines have been deployed in developing countries? (iv) how effective is the vaccine when given in conjunction with non-vaccine cointerventions? (v) what is the level of vaccine protection against all relevant outcomes? and (vi) what is the expected population level of vaccine protection, including both direct and herd vaccine protective effects? Provision of evidence addressing these questions will help expand the use of enteric vaccines in developing countries.


2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Björkstén ◽  
R. Crevel ◽  
C. Hischenhuber ◽  
M. Løvik ◽  
F. Samuels ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. IJCBIRTH-D-20-00033
Author(s):  
Aynalem Yetwale ◽  
Teklemariam Gultie ◽  
Dessalegn Ajema ◽  
Bezawit Afework ◽  
Semahegn Tilahun

BACKGROUNDAntenatal depression is the most common psychiatric disorder during pregnancy with serious consequences for the mother and the fetus. However, there are few studies about this health issue in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antenatal depression and its associated risk factors among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care service at Jinka public health facilities, south Omo zone, Southern Ethiopia.METHODSInstitutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 446 pregnant women at Jinka public health facilities, from June 1 to June 30, 2018. Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess women's level of depression. Statistical package for social science version 20.0 was used for analysis. Logistic regression was used to find out the association between explanatory and depression. The strength of association was evaluated using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval (CI).RESULTThe magnitude of antenatal depression in this study was 24.4% (20.2–28.5 at 95% CI) and it had statistically significant association with unmarried marital status a djusted o dds r atio (AOR) = 13.39 [(95% CI); (3.11–57.7)], chronic medical illness AOR = 3.97 [(95% CI); (1.07–14.7)], unplanned pregnancy AOR = 6.76 [(95% CI); (2.13–21.4)], history of abortion AOR = 2.8 [(95% CI); (1.14–7.02)], history of previous pregnancy complication AOR = 4.8 [(95% CI); (2.12–17.35)], and fear of pregnancy-related complications AOR = 5.4 [(95% CI); (2.32–12.4)].CONCLUSIONSNearly one pregnant woman develops antenatal depression in every four pregnant women. Variables like unmarried marital status, chronic medical illness and unplanned pregnancy, history of previous pregnancy complications, and fear of pregnancy-related complications were associated with antenatal depression. Therefore, it is recommended that these risks factors should be evaluated during antenatal care with a view to improving maternal health.


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