scholarly journals Seasonal aspects of weight-for-age in young children in Zimbabwe

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 757-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Wright ◽  
P Vazé ◽  
G Russell ◽  
SW Gundry ◽  
A Ferro-Luzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Monitoring Programme ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Weight For Age

AbstractObjective:To identify the season with the highest prevalence of underweight among young children and to examine geographical variation in seasonality of underweight.Design:This analysis is based on monthly data from a clinic-based growth monitoring programme that forms part of the National Health Information System. A regression-based technique is used to identify seasonal patterns in both underweight prevalence and attendance nationally and in 60 different districts.Setting:The analysis covers the period 1988–1995 and is based in Zimbabwe.Subjects:The analysis is based on weight-for-age measurements of Zimbabwean children less than 5 years old, who attended health centres as part of a growth monitoring programme.Results:Nationally, a small but significant increase in levels of underweight takes place during January–March. Participation in growth monitoring also varies seasonally and could account for the increase observed. No evidence of seasonal variation in underweight prevalence is found in the majority of districts studied, although 11 of the districts showed a similar pattern to the national data set. This peak in the incidence of poor nutritional status also coincides with the period of food scarcity before harvest, which is also associated with higher prevalence of diarrhoea and malaria. No differences in seasonality of under-nutrition were found between districts with predominantly subsistence agriculture and those with more commercial forms of agriculture.Conclusions:Seasonal variation in child weight-for-age exists in some parts of Zimbabwe, but its effects on cross-sectional prevalence studies are likely to be small. There are no readily discernible differences between areas that show evidence of seasonality in levels of underweight and those that do not.

scholarly journals 9/11-related PTSD among highly exposed populations: a systematic review 15 years after the attack

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lowell ◽  
B. Suarez-Jimenez ◽  
L. Helpman ◽  
X. Zhu ◽  
A. Durosky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Back Ground

BackgroundThe 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks were unprecedented in magnitude and mental health impact. While a large body of research has emerged since the attacks, published reviews are few, and are limited by an emphasis on cross-sectional research, short time frame, and exclusion of treatment studies. Additionally, to date, there has been no systematic review of available longitudinal information as a unique data set. Consequently, knowledge regarding long-term trajectories of 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among highly exposed populations, and whether available treatment approaches effectively address PTSD within the context of mass, man-made disaster, remains limited.MethodsThe present review aimed to address these gaps using a systematic review of peer-reviewed reports from October 2001 to May 2016. Eligible reports were of longitudinal studies of PTSD among highly exposed populations. We identified 20 reports of 9/11-related PTSD, including 13 longitudinal prevalence studies and seven treatment studies.ResultsFindings suggest a substantial burden of 9/11-related PTSD among those highly exposed to the attack, associated with a range of sociodemographic and back-ground factors, and characteristics of peri-event exposure. While most longitudinal studies show declining rates of prevalence of PTSD, studies of rescue/recovery workers have documented an increase over time. Treatment studies were few, and generally limited by methodological shortcomings, but support exposure-based therapies.ConclusionFuture directions for research, treatment, and healthcare policy are discussed.

scholarly journals Nutritional Status and Its Determinants among Fulani Children Aged 6-24 Months in a Rural Community of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 32-41
Author(s):  
Mustapha Abdulsalam Danimoh ◽  
Suleiman Hadeja Idris ◽  
Hussaini Garba Dikko ◽  
Abdulhakeem Abayo Olorukooba ◽  
Amina Mohammed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Growth Failure ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Continuous Growth

Background: Nutritional status of young children is an important measure of their health status, growth, and development. There is a knowledge gap in the nutritional status of Fulani children aged 6 – 24 months in Nigeria. Our study, therefore, aims to assess the nutritional status of Fulani children (6 – 24 months old) and its determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 209 children were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements were obtained from the children and converted to Z-scores to determine nutritional status. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between respondents’ socio-demographic factors and nutritional status. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of ≤0.05. Results: A majority (62.2%) of the children were aged 6 – 12 months. The prevalence’s of stunting, wasting and underweight were 44.9%, 9.6% and 16.3% respectively. A higher proportion (55.3%) of male children were stunted compared to females. Most (51.1%) of the children aged 6 – 12 months were stunted compared to those aged 13 -24 months. There was a statistically significant association between stunting and age (p = 0.004). Children aged 6 -12 months (OR = 2.5, CI: 1.3 – 4.8) were at higher risk of developing stunting compared to those aged 13 – 24 months. Conclusion and Recommendation: The proportion of children that were stunted and those that were underweight was high. Therefore, there is a need for health authorities to ensure continuous growth monitoring practices of young children among the Fulani people to detect growth failure early in life and institute interventions.

scholarly journals Minimum acceptable diet and associated factors among infants and young children aged 6–23 months in Amhara region, Central Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e044284
Author(s):  
Abebaw Molla ◽  
Gudina Egata ◽  
Lemma Getacher ◽  
Bezie Kebede ◽  
Alemayehu Sayih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Home Garden ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Infants And Young Children

ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of a minimum acceptable diet (MAD) and associated factors.DesignCommunity-based cross-sectional studySettingDebre Berhan Town, Ethiopia.ParticipantsAn aggregate of 531 infants and young children mother/caregiver pairs participated in this study. A one-stage cluster sampling method was used to select study participants and clusters were selected using a lottery method. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables. Statistical analysis was performed on data to determine which variables are associated with MAD and the results of the adjusted OR with 95% CI. P value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.Primary outcomePrevalence of MAD and associated factorsResultsThe overall prevalence of MAD was 31.6% (95% CI: 27.7 to 35.2). Having mother attending secondary (adjusted OR, AOR=4.9, 95% CI: 1.3 to 18.9) and college education (AOR=6.4, 95% CI: 1.5 to 26.6), paternal primary education (AOR=1.3, 95% CI: 1.5 to 2.4), grouped in the aged group of 12–17 months (AOR=1.8, 95% CI: (1.0 to 3.4) and 18–23 months (AOR=2.2, 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.9), having four antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.0 to 3.9), utilising growth monitoring (AOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9), no history of illness 2 weeks before the survey (AOR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.5 to 6.0) and living in the household with home garden (AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.3) were positively associated with increase the odds of MAD.ConclusionGenerally, the result of this study showed that the prevalence of minimum acceptable was very low. Parent educational status, ANC visits, infant and young child feeding advice, child growth monitoring practice, age of a child, a child has no history of illness 2 weeks before the survey, and home gardening practice were the predictors of MAD. Therefore, comprehensive intervention strategies suitable to the local context are required to improve the provision of MAD.

Suicide Ideation and Attempt in a Community Cohort of Urban Aboriginal Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study

Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne N. Luke ◽  
Ian P. Anderson ◽  
Graham J. Gee ◽  
Reg Thorpe ◽  
Kevin G. Rowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Indigenous Youth ◽  
Aboriginal Youth ◽  
Social Distress ◽  
Suicide Behavior

Background: There has been increasing attention over the last decade on the issue of indigenous youth suicide. A number of studies have documented the high prevalence of suicide behavior and mortality in Australia and internationally. However, no studies have focused on documenting the correlates of suicide behavior for indigenous youth in Australia. Aims: To examine the prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt and the associated factors for a community 1 The term ”community” refers specifically to Koori people affiliated with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service. cohort of Koori 2 The term ”Koori” refers to indigenous people from the south-eastern region of Australia, including Melbourne. The term ”Aboriginal” has been used when referring to indigenous people from Australia. The term ”indigenous” has been used throughout this article when referring to the first people of a nation within an international context. (Aboriginal) youth. Method: Data were obtained from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) Young People’s Project (YPP), a community initiated cross-sectional data set. In 1997/1998, self-reported data were collected for 172 Koori youth aged 12–26 years living in Melbourne, Australia. The data were analyzed to assess the prevalence of current suicide ideation and lifetime suicide attempt. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to identify closely associated social, emotional, behavioral, and cultural variables at baseline and Cox regression modeling was then used to identify associations between PCA components and suicide ideation and attempt. Results: Ideation and attempt were reported at 23.3% and 24.4%, respectively. PCA yielded five components: (1) emotional distress, (2) social distress A, (3) social distress B, (4) cultural connection, (5) behavioral. All were positively and independently associated with suicide ideation and attempt, while cultural connection showed a negative association. Conclusions: Suicide ideation and attempt were common in this cross-section of indigenous youth with an unfavorable profile for the emotional, social, cultural, and behavioral factors.

Financial distress determinants among SMEs: empirical evidence from Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darush Yazdanfar ◽  
Peter Öhman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically investigate determinants of financial distress among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the global financial crisis and post-crisis periods.Design/methodology/approachSeveral statistical methods, including multiple binary logistic regression, were used to analyse a longitudinal cross-sectional panel data set of 3,865 Swedish SMEs operating in five industries over the 2008–2015 period.FindingsThe results suggest that financial distress is influenced by macroeconomic conditions (i.e. the global financial crisis) and, in particular, by various firm-specific characteristics (i.e. performance, financial leverage and financial distress in previous year). However, firm size and industry affiliation have no significant relationship with financial distress.Research limitationsDue to data availability, this study is limited to a sample of Swedish SMEs in five industries covering eight years. Further research could examine the generalizability of these findings by investigating other firms operating in other industries and other countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine determinants of financial distress among SMEs operating in Sweden using data from a large-scale longitudinal cross-sectional database.

scholarly journals Optimal Household Water Access Fosters the Attainment of Minimum Dietary Diversity among Children Aged 6–23 Months in Malawi

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Zizwani Brian Chilinda ◽  
Mark L. Wahlqvist ◽  
Meei-Shyuan Lee ◽  
Yi-Chen Huang
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Water Access ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Child Undernutrition ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

Along with sanitation and hygiene, water is a well-known driver of child undernutrition. However, a more direct role of household (HH) water access in shaping dietary diversity remains unexplored. We assessed the association between HH water access and achievement of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) among young children. We utilized nationally-representative cross-sectional data from the 2015/16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, which included 4727 mother–child dyads, respectively, (26.8 ± 6.8 years, range 15–49 years) and (13.9 ± 4.9 months, range 6–23 months). HH water access was categorized as (1) basic or no access, (2) intermediate, or (3) optimal. MDD was defined as feeding a child, during the previous day, at least four of the food groups defined by the World Health Organization. Only 27.7% of the children achieved MDD standards; most of the children who achieved MDD were from HHs with optimal water access (58.4%, p < 0.001). However, only 5.9% of the mother–child dyads were from HHs with optimal water access. After adjusting for covariates, children from HHs with optimal water access had higher odds of achieving MDD than those from HHs with basic or no water access (aOR = 1.74, CI = 1.24–2.46). Our results highlight the need to incorporate water-based strategies into national nutritional policies to increase dietary diversity among Malawian infants and young children.

scholarly journals Machine Learning in Futures Markets

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Fabian Waldow ◽  
Matthias Schnaubelt ◽  
Christopher Krauss ◽  
Thomas Günter Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Futures Markets ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Statistical Arbitrage ◽  
Out Of Sample ◽  
Sample Testing ◽  
Arbitrage Strategy ◽  
Machine Learning Models

In this paper, we demonstrate how a well-established machine learning-based statistical arbitrage strategy can be successfully transferred from equity to futures markets. First, we preprocess futures time series comprised of front months to render them suitable for our returns-based trading framework and compile a data set comprised of 60 futures covering nearly 10 trading years. Next, we train several machine learning models to predict whether the h-day-ahead return of each future out- or underperforms the corresponding cross-sectional median return. Finally, we enter long/short positions for the top/flop-k futures for a duration of h days and assess the financial performance of the resulting portfolio in an out-of-sample testing period. Thereby, we find the machine learning models to yield statistically significant out-of-sample break-even transaction costs of 6.3 bp—a clear challenge to the semi-strong form of market efficiency. Finally, we discuss sources of profitability and the robustness of our findings.

scholarly journals Symptoms of acute transfusion reactions at a general referral hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e045081
Author(s):  
Patou Masika Musumari ◽  
Samclide Mutindu Mbikayi ◽  
Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai ◽  
Teeranee Techasrivichien ◽  
Arunrat Tangmunkongvorakul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Transfusion Reactions

ObjectivesBlood transfusion is a life-saving procedure and is also associated with a range of risks including the occurrence of symptoms of acute transfusion reactions (ATRs). Very few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have reported on ATRs. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by documenting the prevalence of and factors associated with ATRs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).DesignThis is a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study using blood bank data from a general referral hospital.SettingCentre Hospitalier Mère-Enfant (CHME) Monkole, a general referral hospital in Kinshasa, DRC.ParticipantsGeneral population who have received blood transfusion in CHME Monkole between 2014 and 2019.ResultsThe data set included a total of 7166 patients; 3153 (44%) men and 4013 (56%) women. The overall prevalence of symptoms of ATRs was 2.6%; the lowest prevalence was in 2017 (2.34%) and highest in 2018 (2.95%) and 2019 (2.94%). The documented symptoms included 74 (39.6%) cases of dyspnoea/respiratory distress, 60 (32.1%) cases of fever, 36 (19.2%) cases of pruritus/urticaria and 17 (9.1%) cases of vomiting. None of the studied factors was associated with symptoms of ATRs.ConclusionSymptoms of ATRs were not uncommon in the studied population. Dyspnoea and respiratory distress, fever and pruritus/urticaria were the most common symptoms of ATRs. This study highlights the need for a clinical and biological surveillance to detect, prevent and manage ATRs in the context of the DRC.

scholarly journals PROMIS Scales for Assessment of Persistent Post-COVID Symptoms: A Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110304
Author(s):  
Ravindra Ganesh ◽  
Aditya K. Ghosh ◽  
Mark A. Nyman ◽  
Ivana T. Croghan ◽  
Stephanie L. Grach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Impact

Objective Persistent post-COVID symptoms are estimated to occur in up to 10% of patients who have had COVID-19. These lingering symptoms may persist for weeks to months after resolution of the acute illness. This study aimed to add insight into our understanding of certain post-acute conditions and clinical findings. The primary purpose was to determine the persistent post COVID impairments prevalence and characteristics by collecting post COVID illness data utilizing Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®). The resulting measures were used to assess surveyed patients physical, mental, and social health status. Methods A cross-sectional study and 6-months Mayo Clinic COVID recovered registry data were used to evaluate continuing symptoms severity among the 817 positive tested patients surveyed between March and September 2020. The resulting PROMIS® data set was used to analyze patients post 30 days health status. The e-mailed questionnaires focused on fatigue, sleep, ability to participate in social roles, physical function, and pain. Results The large sample size (n = 817) represented post hospitalized and other managed outpatients. Persistent post COVID impairments prevalence and characteristics were determined to be demographically young (44 years), white (87%), and female (61%). Dysfunction as measured by the PROMIS® scales in patients recovered from acute COVID-19 was reported as significant in the following domains: ability to participate in social roles (43.2%), pain (17.8%), and fatigue (16.2%). Conclusion Patient response on the PROMIS® scales was similar to that seen in multiple other studies which used patient reported symptoms. As a result of this experience, we recommend utilizing standardized scales such as the PROMIS® to obtain comparable data across the patients’ clinical course and define the disease trajectory. This would further allow for effective comparison of data across studies to better define the disease process, risk factors, and assess the impact of future treatments.

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