scholarly journals Equity in statin use in New Zealand

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Norris ◽  
Simon Horsburgh ◽  
Gordon Becket ◽  
Shirley Keown ◽  
Bruce Arroll ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: Preventive medications such as statins are used to reduce cardiovascular risk. There is some evidence to suggest that people of lower socioeconomic position are less likely to be prescribed statins. In New Zealand, Maori have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. AIM: This study aimed to investigate statin utilisation by socioeconomic position and ethnicity in a region of New Zealand. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which data were collected on all prescriptions dispensed from all pharmacies in one city during 2005/6. Linkage with national datasets provided information on patients’ age, gender and ethnicity. Socioeconomic position was identified using the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation 2006. RESULTS: Statin use increased with age until around 75 years. Below age 65 years, those in the most deprived socioeconomic areas were most likely to receive statins. In the 55–64 age group, 22.3% of the most deprived population received a statin prescription (compared with 17.5% of the mid and 18.6% of the least deprived group). At ages up to 75 years, use was higher amongst Maori than non-Maori, particularly in middle age, where Maori have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In the 45–54 age group, 11.6% of Maori received a statin prescription, compared with 8.7% of non-Maori. DISCUSSION: Statin use approximately matched the pattern of need, in contrast to other studies which found under-treatment of people of low socioeconomic position. A PHARMAC campaign to increase statin use may have increased use in high-risk groups in New Zealand. KEYWORDS: Ethnic groups; New Zealand; prescriptions; socioeconomic status; statins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Norris ◽  
S Horsburgh ◽  
G Becket ◽  
S Keown ◽  
B Arroll ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: Preventive medications such as statins are used to reduce cardiovascular risk. There is some evidence to suggest that people of lower socioeconomic position are less likely to be prescribed statins. In New Zealand, Maori have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. AIM: This study aimed to investigate statin utilisation by socioeconomic position and ethnicity in a region of New Zealand. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which data were collected on all prescriptions dispensed from all pharmacies in one city during 2005/6. Linkage with national datasets provided information on patients' age, gender and ethnicity. Socioeconomic position was identified using the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation 2006. RESULTS: Statin use increased with age until around 75 years. Below age 65 years, those in the most deprived socioeconomic areas were most likely to receive statins. In the 55-64 age group, 22.3% of the most deprived population received a statin prescription (compared with 17.5% of the mid and 18.6% of the least deprived group). At ages up to 75 years, use was higher amongst Maori than non-Maori, particularly in middle age, where Maori have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In the 45-54 age group, 11.6% of Maori received a statin prescription, compared with 8.7% of non-Maori. DISCUSSION: Statin use approximately matched the pattern of need, in contrast to other studies which found under-treatment of people of low socioeconomic position. A PHARMAC campaign to increase statin use may have increased use in high-risk groups in New Zealand.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Norris ◽  
S Horsburgh ◽  
G Becket ◽  
S Keown ◽  
B Arroll ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: Preventive medications such as statins are used to reduce cardiovascular risk. There is some evidence to suggest that people of lower socioeconomic position are less likely to be prescribed statins. In New Zealand, Maori have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. AIM: This study aimed to investigate statin utilisation by socioeconomic position and ethnicity in a region of New Zealand. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which data were collected on all prescriptions dispensed from all pharmacies in one city during 2005/6. Linkage with national datasets provided information on patients' age, gender and ethnicity. Socioeconomic position was identified using the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation 2006. RESULTS: Statin use increased with age until around 75 years. Below age 65 years, those in the most deprived socioeconomic areas were most likely to receive statins. In the 55-64 age group, 22.3% of the most deprived population received a statin prescription (compared with 17.5% of the mid and 18.6% of the least deprived group). At ages up to 75 years, use was higher amongst Maori than non-Maori, particularly in middle age, where Maori have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In the 45-54 age group, 11.6% of Maori received a statin prescription, compared with 8.7% of non-Maori. DISCUSSION: Statin use approximately matched the pattern of need, in contrast to other studies which found under-treatment of people of low socioeconomic position. A PHARMAC campaign to increase statin use may have increased use in high-risk groups in New Zealand.


2019 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Jodie C. Avery ◽  
Lisa J. Moran ◽  
Vivienne Moore ◽  
Renae C. Fernandez ◽  
Melissa Whitrow ◽  
...  

Objective: Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered a lifelong disorder, very little is understood about the diagnosis and impact of this condition in women outside of the peak reproductive years. We examined the frequency of diagnosed PCOS and concurrent health conditions in women across the lifespan. Methods: Data were analysed from 1509 women aged 15–95 years participating in a cross-sectional, face-to-face population survey in South Australia, 2015. We assessed the prevalence of PCOS in 10-year age groups and the frequency of comorbidities in women with and without PCOS subgrouped by age (< 45, [Formula: see text] 45 years). The main outcome measures were Diagnosed PCOS and other chronic conditions; lifestyle factors. Logistic regression analyses determined the risk of comorbidities in women with PCOS adjusting for age and BMI. Results: Overall prevalence of PCOS was 5.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6–6.9%), peaking in the 35–44 year age group (9.1%), and lowest in those aged 15–24 (4.1%) or [Formula: see text] 65 (3.7%) years. Women with PCOS and aged <45 years were more likely to report diabetes (16.7% vs. 3.8%), cardiovascular disease (15.5% vs. 7.2%) and arthritis (15.5% vs. 7.2%) than their peers; these differences were diminished in the [Formula: see text] 45 year age group. The odds of diabetes and cardiovascular disease were more than doubled among women with PCOS (adjOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.49–4.31; adjOR 3.18, 95% CI 1.31–7.68). Conclusion: PCOS is underdiagnosed in young and post-menopausal women. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are key comorbidities requiring greater attention in younger women with PCOS.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Hegde ◽  
Geet Agrawal

ABSTRACT Aims and objectives To measure the prevalence of anterior teeth trauma in 9- to 14-year-old schoolchildren and their association with predisposing factors, such as lip competence, molar relationship, overjet, and variables, such as age, gender, and cause of trauma. Materials and methods Epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out among 3,012 schoolchildren aged 9 to 14 years in Navi Mumbai (Kharghar-Belapur region). The sample size was derived using the stratified random sampling method; we picked six schools from the region. These schools had 3,000 students in the acceptable age group of the study which constituted our final sample size. All children were examined for traumatic dental injuries, and the children with positive findings were further examined for lip competence, Angle's molar relationship, and overjet. The results were statistically analyzed using cross-tabulation and Chi-square test. Results The prevalence of dental injuries was 7.3%, and the ratio of male to female children was found to be 1.6:1. The maximum number of traumatic dental injuries was found with class I molar relationship and overjet less than 3.5 mm in children with competent lips. Maximum number of injuries occurred in the age group of 13–14 years. The most predominant type of injury was the enamel fracture and the most common cause determined was due to fall. Conclusion The present study is a collection of data on traumatic injuries to anterior teeth, which is seen very commonly in day-to-day practice. The frequency and cause of traumatic injuries to anterior teeth is important for identification of risk groups, treatment needs, and cost involved in order for establishing effective preventive measures. How to cite this article Hegde R, Agrawal G. Prevalence of Traumatic Dental Injuries to the Permanent Anterior Teeth among 9- to 14-year-old Schoolchildren of Navi Mumbai (Kharghar-Belapur Region), India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(2):177-182.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-159
Author(s):  
Onyinye Uchenna Anyanwu ◽  
Benson Nnamdi Onyire ◽  
Faith W. Daniyan

Introduction: Malnutrition is a common occurrence in HIV positive children. Its presence reflects the level of care the child receives as well as affects the outcome of their infection. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of various forms of malnutrition among HIV positive children. This was a Hospital based Cross-sectional study in HIV-positive children receiving care in FETHA.Material and Methods: using the WHO reference standards, we determined the prevalence of wasting, thinness, stunting and underweight in HIV-positive children receiving care in FETHA. Height and weight measurements of 89 HIV-positive children aged 0-18year old were taken. Socioeconomic stratification was done by Olusanya’s criteria.Results: The prevalence of wasting, thinness, stunting and underweight in HIV- positive children were 31(34.8%), 22(24.7%), 30(33.7%), and 33(37.1%) respectively. Age group and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with the various forms of malnutrition while gender and clinical stage of disease were not.Conclusion: There is still a high prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition amongst paediatric-AIDS patients which is significantly more amongst adolescents and the lower socioeconomic class.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(2):156-159.


Author(s):  
G. N. Wokem ◽  
A. M. Erasmus ◽  
V. C. Wokem

A cross sectional study was conducted among subjects from two health facilities in Port Harcourt to assess malaria status and its health determinants. Seven hundred subjects of different ages and both sexes were investigated after ethical approval was obtained from Rivers State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Written consent of the subjects was obtained before questionnaire administration to obtain the demographic data. The uninfected subjects were used as control. Four (4) mls of blood was taken from each subject by vein-puncture into separate EDTA bottles for haematological profile tests and malaria parasite identification using standard haematological and parasitological techniques. The overall prevalence of malaria was 27%. The males had slightly higher prevalence (27.8%) than the females (26.5%), though the difference was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). The highest prevalence occurred among females (48.4%) of age group <1-10yrs and followed by males (40.7%) of same age group, and followed by males of 11-20 yrs with 36.4%. From risk groups related prevalence the School children (45%) were the most infected, followed by Blood donors (35.7%) and pregnant women (26.5%). Only the Packed Cell Volume was significantly affected adversely by malaria (P<0.0001), of all the haematological Parameters tested.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazi Yesmin ◽  
S M Shamsuzzaman ◽  
Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury ◽  
Khadeza Khatun ◽  
Jahangir Alam

This cross sectional study was done from January 2009 to June 2010 in Microbiology department of Dhaka Medical College on isolation of potential pathogenic bacteria from nasopharynx from patients having cough for more than two weeks. The nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 290 patients for culture and 101 blood samples were collected for slide agglutination test against anti- Bordetella antibody. In case of culture of nasopharyngeal swabs, 117 (73.12%) samples yielded growth of single organism, 16 (10%) yielded mixed growth and 27 (16.88%) samples yielded no growth in children. In adults, 85 (65.39%) samples yielded growth of single organism, 1 (0.77%) yielded mixed growth and 44 (33.84%) samples yielded no growth. Highest incidence (33.33%) of S. pneumoniae was found in age group of 1-5 years, highest incidence (32.20%) of N. meningitidis was found in age group of 18-25 years and highest incidence (32%) of Staph. aureus was found in age group of 25-50 years. One (0.63%) B. pertussis was isolated from a child and 5 (3.84%) B. parapertussis were isolated from adults. In this study, 116 (83.45%) samples yielded growth in lower socioeconomic group and 101 (70.62%) yielded growth in the samples of middle socioeconomic group. Among the study participants, 31(30.70%) were positive and 70 (69.30%) were negative for antibody against B. pertussis. In anti-Bordetella antibody positive cases, 14 (93.33%) children had duration of cough for 2-3 weeks, 7 (43.75%) adults had duration of cough for 3-4 weeks and 1 (6.25%) adults had more than 6 weeks.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v4i2.10826 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohabeer Teeluck ◽  
Ramanand Jeeneea ◽  
Kaviraj S Sukon

BACKGROUND Mauritius has not had any community acquired SARS-COV-2 case for 6 months and is continuing to maintain control over the disease so far. In this study we discuss how the disease initially spread and use New Zealand, another SARS-COV-2 success story, as the comparator. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore how the initial wave progressed in Mauritius, by looking at who was most affected, who were most likely to transmit the disease, what were the most effective measures and how the authorities can be best prepared going forward. METHODS Exploratory retrospective analysis of all confirmed cases in Mauritius between 18th March and 30th August 2020. Additionally, a comparative cross-sectional study for confirmed cases between New Zealand and Mauritius. RESULTS There were 355 confirmed cases, 62.0% males, median age = 38 years. The majority (64.8%) were asymptomatic during their infection. New Zealanders in the age-group 10-19 years of age were more prone to infections in contrast to the same age category in Mauritius (P=.006). Contact-tracing was effective in both countries, with 65.3% and 66.3% case detection rates in Mauritius and New Zealand respectively. There were 5 major case clusters in Mauritius and there was an association between delay in notification to authorities and spread from each index case. Health sector workers who were infected, made up of 10.4% of Mauritian cases and 14.3% in New Zealand. The geographical coverage of SARS-COV-2 transmission was 67 percent in Mauritius compared to 45 percent in New Zealand. The test positivity rate was above five percent for only the first three weeks of the outbreak in Mauritius whilst it remained below five percent throughout the outbreak in New Zealand. CONCLUSIONS Mauritius over-achieved in its fight against SARS-COV-2. Application of the lessons learnt will help better face further waves of the pandemic. We outline five recommendations to attain this objective.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-180
Author(s):  
Aman Ullah ◽  
Hamaad Ali ◽  
Falak Niaz ◽  
Muhammad Umair Khan ◽  
Muhammad Asif Zeb ◽  
...  

Objectives: Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease in Pakistan, but it causes immense impact on livestock and public health.  This study was done to determine the prevalence of Brucellosis in occupationally high-risk groups encompassing butchers, milkers, and cattle caretakers in district Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 blood samples were collected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique from occupationally high-risk groups including butchers, milkers, and cattle caretakers at district Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar from December 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018. All the blood samples were centrifuged and the serum was separated for further testing. Serum agglutination test was used for the detection of Brucellosis and the reagents used for this method were purchased from Biosciences PTE Ltd, Singapore. Results: Out of 300 blood samples, 111 samples were positive and the overall prevalence of Brucellosis was 37% in occupationally high-risk groups. The overall 37% prevalence of Brucellosis comprised of 70% of B. abortus, 21.6% of B. melitensis, and 8.1% of both B. abortus and B. melitensis simultaneously. The prevalence of Brucellosis in butchers was 27.6%, milkers 13.3%, and cattle caretakers 45.7% while prevalence in males was 33% and in females 39.6%. The prevalence of Brucellosis in district Swabi was 45%, Mardan 33.3%, and Peshawar 30%. The socio demographic factors including age group, occupation, and locality showed statistically significant results. Conclusion:  The prevalence of Brucellosis is considerably higher in occupationally high-risk groups in district Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar, Pakistan.


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