scholarly journals Hopefulness During COVID-19: Associations With Function, Sleep, and Loneliness in the NHATS

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 566-567
Author(s):  
Qiwei Li ◽  
Laura Samuel ◽  
Brittany Drazich ◽  
Thomas Cudjoe ◽  
Sarah Szanton ◽  
...  

Abstract The associations between hopefulness and function, loneliness, and sleep have not been explored in a nationally representative sample of older adults. Additionally, COVID19 dramatically increased stress burden, potentially influencing these relationships. This study used National Health and Aging Trends COVID19 Supplement data (N=2,894 adults aged ≥ 65 years) to evaluate cross-sectional associations between hopefulness about the future during COVID19 with limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) using a negative binomial model and one-item sleep and loneliness measures using ordered logistic models. Adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and education and applying sampling weights, increased hopefulness was associated with better ADLs (b= -0.11, p-value=0.021), less loneliness (b=-0.32, p-value=<0.001), and better sleep (b= -0.27, p-value= <0.001). In the midst of a world-wide stressor, hopefulness was associated with better function and symptoms. This relationship is likely bidirectional and further longitudinal research is needed.

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Mosley-Johnson ◽  
Rebekah J. Walker ◽  
Madhuli Thakkar ◽  
Jennifer A. Campbell ◽  
Laura Hawks ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this analysis was to examine the influence of housing insecurity on diabetes processes of care and self-care behaviors and determine if that relationship varied by employment status or race/ethnicity. Methods Using nationally representative data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2014-2015), 16,091 individuals were analyzed for the cross-sectional study. Housing insecurity was defined as how often respondents reported being worried or stressed about having enough money to pay rent/mortgage. Following unadjusted logistic models testing interactions between housing insecurity and either employment or race/ethnicity on diabetes processes of care and self-care behaviors, stratified models were adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, health insurance status, and comorbidity count. Results 38.1% of adults with diabetes reported housing insecurity. Those reporting housing insecurity who were employed were less likely to have a physicians visit (0.58, 95%CI 0.37,0.92), A1c check (0.45, 95%CI 0.26,0.78), and eye exam (0.61, 95%CI 0.44,0.83), while unemployed individuals were less likely to have a flu vaccine (0.84, 95%CI 0.70,0.99). Housing insecure White adults were less likely to receive an eye exam (0.67, 95%CI 0.54,0.83), flu vaccine (0.84, 95%CI 0.71,0.99) or engage in physical activity (0.82, 95%CI 0.69,0.96), while housing insecure Non-Hispanic Black adults were less likely to have a physicians visit (0.56, 95%CI 0.32,0.99). Conclusions Housing insecurity had an influence on diabetes processes of care and self-care behaviors, and this relationship varied by employment status and race/ethnicity. Diabetes interventions should incorporate discussion surrounding housing insecurity and consider differences in the impact by demographic factors on diabetes care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Shariful Islam ◽  
K. M. Saif-Ur-Rahman ◽  
Md. Mofijul Islam Bulbul ◽  
Deepak Singh

Abstract Background Tobacco consumption causes almost 638,000 premature deaths per year in India. This study sought to examine the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among men in India. Methods We analyzed data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey in India. These nationally representative cross-sectional sample data were collected from January 20, 2015, to December 4, 2016. A total of 112,122 men aged 15–54 years were included in this study. Primary outcomes were tobacco use categorized into smoking, smokeless, any tobacco, and both smoked and smokeless tobacco use. Complex survey design and sampling weights were applied in both the descriptive analyses and logistic regression models. We present the findings using odds ratios. Results The prevalence of tobacco use among men in India for the studied period was 45.5% (95% CI 44.9–46.1), smoking was 24.6% (95% CI 24.1–25.1), smokeless tobacco use was 29.1% (95% CI 28.6–29.6), and both smoked and smokeless tobacco use was 8.4% (95% CI 8.1–8.7). The prevalence of tobacco use among men was higher among the elderly, separated/divorced/widowed individuals, those with lower education and wealth status, alcohol consumers, manual workers, and residents of the northeast region. Multivariate analysis showed that age, lower education, occupation, region, alcohol consumption, separated/divorced/widowed status, and economic status were substantially associated with tobacco use among Indian men. Conclusions Innovative and cost-effective strategies targeting high-risk groups are crucial to curbing the tobacco epidemic in India. Anti-smoking campaigns should also focus on mitigating alcohol abuse. Reducing tobacco marketing and implementing formal education about the dangers of tobacco use, progressive taxing, packaging, and labeling of tobacco products and price strategies should be harmonized in legal provisions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (10) ◽  
pp. 1607-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A Sauceda ◽  
Torsten B Neilands ◽  
Marguerita Lightfoot ◽  
Parya Saberi

Abstract We investigated individual behaviors taken by white, African American, and Latino United States (US) households in response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and likelihood of using digital tools for symptom surveillance/reporting. We analyzed cross-sectional week 1 data (April 2020) of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Impact Survey in a large, nationally representative sample of US adults. In general, all groups engaged in the same prevention behaviors, but whites reported being more likely to use digital tools to report/act on symptoms and seek testing, compared with African Americans and Latinos. Individual behaviors may not explain COVID-19 case disparities, and digital tools for tracking should focus on uptake among race/ethnic minorities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. e007271
Author(s):  
Mohamed Bailor Barrie ◽  
Sulaiman Lakoh ◽  
J Daniel Kelly ◽  
Joseph Sam Kanu ◽  
James Sylvester Squire ◽  
...  

IntroductionAs of 26 March 2021, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 4 159 055 cases of COVID-19 and 111 357 deaths among the 55 African Union member states; however, no country has published a nationally representative serosurvey as of October 2021. Such data are vital for understanding the pandemic’s progression on the continent, evaluating containment measures, and policy planning.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey in Sierra Leone in March 2021 by randomly selecting 120 Enumeration Areas throughout the country and 10 randomly selected households in each of these. One to two persons per selected household were interviewed to collect information on sociodemographics, symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, exposure history to laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, and history of COVID-19 illness. Capillary blood was collected by fingerstick, and blood samples were tested using the Hangzhou Biotest Biotech RightSign COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. Total seroprevalence was estimated after applying sampling weights.ResultsThe overall weighted seroprevalence was 2.6% (95% CI 1.9% to 3.4%). This was 43 times higher than the reported number of cases. Rural seropositivity was 1.8% (95% CI 1.0% to 2.5%), and urban seropositivity was 4.2% (95% CI 2.6% to 5.7%).DiscussionOverall seroprevalence was low compared with countries in Europe and the Americas (suggesting relatively successful containment in Sierra Leone). This has ramifications for the country’s third wave (which started in June 2021), during which the average number of daily reported cases was 87 by the end of the month:this could potentially be on the order of 3700 actual infections per day, calling for stronger containment measures in a country with only 0.2% of people fully vaccinated. It may also reflect significant under-reporting of incidence and mortality across the continent.


Author(s):  
Yuning Wu ◽  
Liqun Cao

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and test a conceptual model that explains racially/ethnically differential confidence in order institutions through a mediating mechanism of perception of discrimination.Design/methodology/approachThis study relies on a nationally representative sample of 1,001 respondents and path analysis to test the relationships between race/ethnicity, multiple mediating factors, and confidence in order institutions.FindingsBoth African and Latino Americans reported significantly lower levels of confidence compared to White Americans. People who have stronger senses of being discriminated against, regardless of their races, have reduced confidence. A range of other cognitive/evaluative variables have promoted or inhibited people’s confidence in order institutions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relies on cross-sectional data which preclude definite inferences regarding causal relationships among the variables. Some measures are limited due to constraint of data.Practical implicationsTo lessen discrimination, both actual and perceived, officials from order institutions should act fairly and impartially, recognize citizen rights, and treat people with respect and dignity. In addition, comprehensive measures involving interventions throughout the entire criminal justice system to reduce racial inequalities should be in place.Social implicationsEqual protection and application of the law by order institutions are imperative, so are social policies that aim to close the structural gaps among all races and ethnicities.Originality/valueThis paper takes an innovative effort of incorporating the currently dominant group position perspective and the injustice perspective into an integrated account of the process by which race and ethnicity affect the perception of discrimination, which, in turn, links to confidence in order institutions.


Author(s):  
Roshan Iqbal ◽  
S. Harsha ◽  
Nemichandra S. C. ◽  
Shasthara Paneyala ◽  
Vimala C. Colaco

Background: The prevalence of dementia is increasing worldwide and with India experiencing an epidemiological transition with increasing ageing population, the prevalence in India is expected to double by 2030 adding to the already high burden of significant health care costs and caregiver fatigue. Indian population has a higher burden of elevated homocysteine levels due to multiple factors. However, studies correlating the homocysteine levels and severity of dementia in the Indian subcontinent is lacking. This study is aimed to analyse the diagnostic utility of serum total homocysteine in dementia and to examine the association between serum total homocysteine levels and severity of dementia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study on patients attending neurology out-patient department who satisfied the DSM-V criteria. Each participant underwent an interview of general health and function followed by a standard assessment including medical history, physical and neurological examination as well as a neuropsychological battery.Results: A total of 30 patients fulfilling the DSM-Vcriteria for Dementia were included in the study. Increasing S. Homocysteine levels were associated with lower neuropsychological compound scores with MMSE score of 20.78±2.98 and ACE-3 score of 77.40±5.60 in patients with Serum Homocysteine less than 22 Umoles/L and 18.85±2.50 and 75.55±5.06 respectively in patients with serum homocysteine levels above 22 Umoles/L. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between neurocognitive scores and serum homocysteine levels (p value 0.06 for MMSE and 0.19 for ACE-3). Also, no correlation was found between severity of dementia and serum homocysteine levels with p≥0.05 and Pearson’s correlation coefficient r=0.06.Conclusions: This study shows no significant association between serum total homocysteine levels and severity of dementia. Thus, the association of homocysteine as an independent risk factor with the diagnosis and severity of dementia needs to be re-evaluated as it might undermine the multiple mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of dementia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shariful Hakim ◽  
Muhammad Abdul Baker Chowdhury ◽  
Zobayer Ahmed ◽  
Md Jamal Uddin

Abstract ObjectiveTo assess whether health facilities in Bangladesh are prepared to provide ANC services and to investigate facility characteristics that are linked to preparedness.Methods This cross-sectional analysis used publicly available data from two waves of Bangladesh Health Facilities Survey (BHFS) that was conducted in 2014 and 2017 using stratified random sample of facilities. 1508 and 1506 health facilities were included as study samples from the 2014 and 2017 BHFS respectively. The outcome variable ‘ANC services preparedness’ was calculated as an index score using a group of tracer indicators. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the important correlates of ANC service preparednessResultsThe percentage of facilities providing ANC services has increased slightly from 97.4% in 2014 to 98.8% in 2017. Union level public facilities were less likely to be prepared for providing ANC service than district level public facilities in 2014 (Odds ratio (OR): 0.20, Confidence interval (CI): 0.08-0.50, P-value=<0.001). Similar results were also found in 2017 (OR: 0.14, CI: 0.06-0.33, P-Value=<0.001). The facilities with high basic amenities score were more likely to be prepared for providing ANC than the facilities with low basic amenities score in 2014 (OR: 2.52, CI: 1.02-6.12, P-Value=0.04) and in 2017 (OR: 1.79, CI: 1.08-2.99, P-Value=0.02). Conclusion The overall preparedness score to offer ANC service was also poor. Our findings may be considered for not only health planning but also decision making in order to produce a healthy mother and a baby at the end of pregnancy.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Barbeau ◽  
Roberta Goldman ◽  
Cora Roelofs ◽  
Joshua Gagne ◽  
Elizabeth Harden ◽  
...  

Purpose. Labor unions are a largely unevaluated channel for health promotion interventions for working class populations, who are at increased risk for smoking and poor diet. We conducted qualitative and quantitative research to understand the meaning and function of union membership in workers' lives and applied this information to health promotion intervention design. Methods. Cross-sectional data included a survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of unionized construction workers (n = 1109; 44% response rate), and 16 focus groups (n = 88) conducted in multiple regions around the country. Results. The vast majority of survey respondents held strongly positive views of their union. Focus group findings revealed the meaning of the union in members' daily lives, how members view information from the union, and their perceptions of the union's limitations. Conclusions. The findings provide a compelling rationale for considering unions as a channel for health promotion interventions.


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