Patterns of sexual violence against adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: a prospective cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study examined patterns of sexual violence against adults and children in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform sexual violence prevention, protection, and response efforts.DesignA prospective cross-sectional research design was used with data collected from March to August 2020.SettingKenya.Participants317 adults, 224 children.Main measuresPerpetrator and survivor demographic data, characteristics of the assault.ResultsBivariate analyses found that children were more likely than adults to be attacked during daytime (59% vs 44%, p<0.001) by a single perpetrator rather than multiple perpetrators (31% vs 13%, p<0.001) in a private as opposed to a public location (66% vs 45%, p<0.001) and by someone known to the child (76% vs 58%, p<0.001). Children were violated most often by neighbours (29%) and family members (20%), whereas adults were equally likely to be attacked by strangers (41%) and persons known to them (59%). These variables were entered as predictors into a logistic regression model that significantly predicted the age group of the survivor, χ2(5, n=541)=53.3, p<0.001.ConclusionsPatterns of sexual violence against adult and child survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic are different, suggesting age-related measures are needed in national emergency plans to adequately address sexual violence during the pandemic and for future humanitarian crises.

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Cataract and its risk factor among adults residing in South Bihar, India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202905 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 2618

Author(s):

Shiwani Gupta ◽

Animesh Gupta ◽

M. Nehal ◽

Kalyani Pandey ◽

Ananta Kreesna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

History Of

Background: Cataract is considered as one of the most common causes of visual impairment and the leading cause of blindness in the world. Age related cataract occurs in people above 50 years of age and the its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for cataract.Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among adults residing at urban areas of South Bihar. The data was collected by interview method, using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which contains socio-demographic data, dietary habits, history of diabetes or hypertension, family history of cataract and long-term sun exposure.Results: Among 240 participants, 94 (39.2%) were male and 146 (60.8%) were female. Maximum participants were aged more than 70 years. The prevalence of cataract was 52.1%.Conclusions: The prevalence of cataract was quite high and was significantly associated with age, long term sun exposure and family history of cataract.

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Intravitreal injections during the COVID-19 pandemic era

Medical Hypothesis, Discovery & Innovation in Optometry ◽

10.51329/mehdioptometry125 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 50-55

Author(s):

Selda Celik Dulger ◽

Mehmet Citirik ◽

Esra Bahadir Camgoz ◽

Mehmet Yasin Teke

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Retinal Disease ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Intravitreal Injections ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Number Of Patients

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and changes in the number of patients receiving intravitreal injections (IVIs) at a tertiary hospital during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 3,211 patients with retinal disease, who received IVIs of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) between January and May 2020. This 5-month period was divided into a pre-pandemic and a pandemic period. Clinical and demographic data were collected and were compared between the patients in each period. All COVID-19 infection precautions were implemented to minimize the potential transmission of COVID-19 to both healthcare workers and patients. Results: A total of 3,211 IVIs were administered to patients with diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and other retinal conditions. Diabetic retinopathy was the most common indication for treatment in the pre-pandemic as well as pandemic periods. Bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche) was the most common IVI type, followed by aflibercept (Eylea, Bayer). Of 3,211 IVIs, 2,943 (91.7%) were administered during the pre-pandemic period and 268 (8.3%) during the pandemic period. There was a statistically significant decrease in injections between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, with an overall reduction of 90.8% in IVIs (P < 0.05). No cases of confirmed transmission of COVID-19 orcomplications associated with IVIs were recorded. Conclusions: This study showed that the number of IVIs and patient visits decreased significantly, by more than 10-fold, during the lockdown period. These findings show that COVID-19 has turned the management of sight-threatening eye diseases into a challenging process and must be addressed if future healthcarerestrictions are imposed.

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Breakfast Skipping Is an Independent Predictor of Obesity but not Overweight Among Children in a Southeastern European Population

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000272 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 86 (5-6) ◽

pp. 242-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Genc Burazeri ◽

Jolanda Hyska ◽

Iris Mone ◽

Enver Roshi

Keyword(s):

Task Force ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

European Population ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

World Health ◽

Communist Country ◽

Western Balkans ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Breakfast Skipping

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.

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Patient Use of Dietary Supplements, Home Monitoring, or Genetic Testing for Nonneovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases ◽

10.1177/2474126421989228 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 247412642198922

Author(s):

Brittany C. Tsou ◽

T.Y. Alvin Liu ◽

Jun Kong ◽

Susan B. Bressler ◽

J. Fernando Arevalo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Testing ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Home Monitoring ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Supplement Use ◽

Age Related ◽

Disease Study

Purpose: This work evaluated the use and type of dietary supplements and home monitoring for nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as the prevalence of genetic testing among patients with AMD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 129 participants older than 50 years who completed self-administered questionnaires regarding usage and type of dietary supplements and home monitoring, as well as the participants’ use of genetic testing for AMD. Results: Of 91 participants with AMD, 83 (91.2%) took vitamins, including 55 (60.4%) who used an Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) or AREDS2 formulation. Of 38 without AMD, 31 (81.6%) took vitamins (difference from participants with AMD = 9.6% [95% CI, 0%-23.2%]), including 2 on an AREDS formulation. Among 82 participants with AMD who were AREDS candidates (intermediate or advanced AMD in 1 or both eyes), 51 (62.2%; 95% CI, 51.7%-72.7%) took an AREDS or AREDS2 formulation, and 31 (37.8%) did not (5 were unsure). Additionally, 50 (61.0%; 95% CI, 50.4%-71.6%) AREDS candidates did some type of home monitoring. Only 1 (1.2%; 95% CI, 0%-3.6%) underwent genetic testing for AMD. Among 9 with AMD who were not AREDS candidates, 4 (44.4%) used an AREDS formulation, 4 (44.4%) did not, and 1 (11.1%) was unsure; only 1 (11.1%) of these 9 performed home monitoring. Conclusions: Despite similar results from past surveys and AREDS2 data supporting supplement use in 2013 and home monitoring in 2014, these findings suggest about one-third of AREDS candidates do not do so, providing further support for improving education regarding appropriate supplement and home monitoring usage. Genetic testing for AMD also appears infrequent.

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SAT0415 AGE RELATIONSHIP WITH ULTRASOUND ARTICULAR AND ENTHESEAL INVOLVEMENT IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.5902 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1160.2-1161

Author(s):

I. Fairushina ◽

D. Abdulganieva ◽

E. Kirillova ◽

R. Abdrakipov

Keyword(s):

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Power Doppler ◽

Severity Index ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Blood Biomarkers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Hs Crp ◽

Axial Involvement

Background:Detection of subclinical enthesitis and synovitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is prevalent and ultrasound (US) examination is informative tool for it diagnosing. Aging positively affects degenerative changes.Objectives:To study relationship between US articular and entheseal findings with age in patients with PsA.Methods:57 patients were enrolled to study with fulfilled PsA criteria (CASPAR, 2009). Data collection: demographical, clinical (current psoriasis, axial involvement, enthesitis, dactylitis), US (synovitis count (by Grey Scale), Power Doppler(PD)+ synovitis), thickening and hypoechogenicity at enthesis, PD+ enthesitis, entheses with structural components); biological (high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).US examination included 798 joints and 3078 entheses (bilateral shoulders, acromioclavicular joints, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles; entheses at the projection of these joints (total number - 54). US entheseal findings were fixed according to consensus-based US definition and scoring for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and PsA (OMERACT US)1.Results:In all 57 patients: male - 25 (43.9%), mean age 43.4±10.3(SD) years (y), PsA duration was 7 (3;10) y, Ps duration 10 (8; 22) y; 53 (41.1%) had axial involvement, 42 (73.7%) dactylitis, 8 (14%) clinical enthesitis, and 56 (98.2 %) skin psoriasis, Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index score 6.4 (2;14.4), Disease Activity in PsA score 18.1 (10.2;26.1), hsCRP 10.1(2.4;21.4), ESR 20 (11.3;31.5).Synovitis count increased with age noticeably (r=0.508, p<0.01), and weak correlation of PD+ synovitis (r=0.262, p=0.049) and age was found. The entheseal thickening and hypoechogenicity and structural findings increased with age respectively (r=0.345, p=0.009; r=0.337, p=0.01). There was no correlation between PD+ enthesitis and age. The assosiation between PD+ enthesitis and blood biomarkers of inflammation (hs-CRP (r=0.364, p=0.008); ESR (p=0.358, p=0.008) was found.Conclusion:Our study found significant relationship between age and US synovitis. Association between age and US entheseal involvement was noted. Only PD+ enthesitis was not related with age in comparison with other US entheseal findings. The presence of PD US signal at enthesitis in association with increased inflammatory blood biomarkers can be evaluated as the sign of disease activity regardless of age and not as age-related lesion in PsA patients.References:[1]Balint PV, Terslev L, Aegerter P et al. Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound definition and scoring for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: an OMERACT US initiative. Ann Rheum Dis.;2018;77(12):1730-1735.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Health-related quality of life in different trimesters during pregnancy

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-021-01811-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huailiang Wu ◽

Weiwei Sun ◽

Hanqing Chen ◽

Yanxin Wu ◽

Wenjing Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background Pregnant women experience physical, physiological, and mental changes. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a relevant indicator of psychological and physical behaviours, changing over the course of pregnancy. This study aims to assess HRQoL of pregnant women during different stages of pregnancy. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed using the The EuroQoL Group’s five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) to assess the HRQoL of pregnant women, and demographic data were collected. This study was conducted in a regional university hospital in Guangzhou, China. Results A total of 908 pregnant women were included in this study. Pregnant women in the early 2nd trimester had the highest HRQoL. The HRQoL of pregnant women rose from the 1st trimester to the early 2nd trimester, and dropped to the bottom at the late 3rd trimester due to some physical and mental changes. Reports of pain/discomfort problem were the most common (46.0%) while self-care were the least concern. More than 10% of pregnant women in the 1st trimester had health-related problems in at least one dimension of whole five dimensions. In the whole sample, the EuroQoL Group’s visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) was 87.86 ± 9.16. Across the gestational stages, the HRQoL remained stable during the pregnancy but the highest value was observed in the 1st trimester (89.65 ± 10.13) while the lowest was in the late 3rd trimester (87.28 ± 9.13). Conclusions During pregnancy, HRQoL were associated with gestational trimesters in a certain degree. HRQoL was the highest in the early 2nd trimester and then decreased to the lowest in the late 3rd trimester due to a series of physical and psychological changes. Therefore, obstetric doctors and medical institutions should give more attention and care to pregnant women in the late 3rd trimester.

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Association of Human Plasma Metabolomics with Delayed Dark Adaptation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11030183 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 183

Author(s):

Kevin M Mendez ◽

Janice Kim ◽

Inês Laíns ◽

Archana Nigalye ◽

Raviv Katz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Dark Adaptation ◽

Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Vitreoretinal Disease

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between plasma metabolite levels and dark adaptation (DA) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This was a cross-sectional study including patients with AMD (early, intermediate, and late) and control subjects older than 50 years without any vitreoretinal disease. Fasting blood samples were collected and used for metabolomic profiling with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Patients were also tested with the AdaptDx (MacuLogix, Middletown, PA, USA) DA extended protocol (20 min). Two measures of dark adaptation were calculated and used: rod-intercept time (RIT) and area under the dark adaptation curve (AUDAC). Associations between dark adaption and metabolite levels were tested using multilevel mixed-effects linear modelling, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, race, AMD stage, and Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation supplementation. We included a total of 71 subjects: 53 with AMD (13 early AMD, 31 intermediate AMD, and 9 late AMD) and 18 controls. Our results revealed that fatty acid-related lipids and amino acids related to glutamate and leucine, isoleucine and valine metabolism were associated with RIT (p < 0.01). Similar results were found when AUDAC was used as the outcome. Fatty acid-related lipids and amino acids are associated with DA, thus suggesting that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction likely play a role in AMD and visual impairment in this condition.

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POS0548 OPTIMAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ANKLE AND HINDFOOT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CLINICAL EXAMINATION AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 508.2-509

Author(s):

K. Maatallah ◽

H. Boussaa ◽

H. Riahi ◽

H. Ferjani ◽

M. Habechi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Clinical Examination ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Power Doppler ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Therapeutic Decisions ◽

The Mean ◽

Foot Disease

Background:Foot disease is a common problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therapeutic decisions are often based on clinical examination (CE) alone, which can be adversely affected by factors such as deformity, obesity, and peripheral edema. Ultrasonography (US) has previously been shown to be more sensitive than CE for detecting synovitis and tenosynovitis in RA forefeet, but few data exist for the hindfoot and ankle.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare CE and US for the detection of hindfoot and ankle synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with established RA.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with RA (ACR/EULAR 2010). Demographic data and disease parameters were collected. CE was performed by a rheumatologist for the presence or absence of tenderness, swelling, and mobility restriction of both ankles. The following tendons were examined for tenosynovitis: tibialis anterior (TA) and posterior (TP), fibularis longus (FL), and brevis (FB) (assessed together). In a second time, US examination of the tibiotalar, talonavicular, and subtalar joints and the same tendons as CE was performed by a blinded radiologist experienced in musculoskeletal imaging using a Philips HD11 device with a high-frequency linear transducer. The presence or absence of synovitis and tenosynovitis was recorded, and the composite synovitis score (power doppler / grayscale ultrasound (PDUS)) was measured for each joint. The US score of each patient was defined by the sum of the composite scores of the joints studied (0-30). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results:Sixty-two feet were examined in 31 RA patients (25 women and six men) with a mean age of 54.8±10.8 years old [32-70]. The mean disease duration was 8.5±7.2 years [1-37]. Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-Citrullinated Peptides Antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 61.3% and 83.8% of cases. The mean DAS28 ESR was 3.8±1.5 [0.6-7].Clinical examination of ankles revealed tenderness in 57.4% of cases, swelling in 38.8% of cases, and restriction in the range of motion in 11.1% of cases. TA tenosynovitis was noted in 14.8% of cases, TP tenosynovitis in 22.2% of cases, and FL and FB tenosynovitis in 31.5% of cases.US showed tibiotalar synovitis in 59.3% of cases, talonavicular synovitis in 64.8% of cases, and subtalar synovitis in 46.3% of cases. TA tenosynovitis was noted in 5.6% of cases, TP tenosynovitis in 22.2% of cases, and FB and FL tenosynovitis in 25% and 11.1% of cases respectively.An association was found between clinical tenderness and US synovitis of the tibiotalar joint (p=0.013) and the talonavicular joint (p=0.027). No association was noted between clinical swelling and US synovitis in these joints.No association was noted between clinical and US tenosynovitis of TA (p=0.279), TP (p=0.436), FB (p=0.495) and FL (p=0.315).Conclusion:Clinical examination of RA ankles may be challenging and needs to be coupled with US, which is more sensitive and accurate in the detection of synovitis and tenosynovitis.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Hand Hygiene Knowledge, Perception, and Practices among Domestic Visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020673 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 673

Author(s):

Hashim A. Mahdi ◽

Hamza M. Assaggaf ◽

Mohammad Alfelali ◽

Omar B. Ahmed ◽

Radi Alsafi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Graduate Education ◽

Formal Education ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

This study aimed to assess hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Using a self-administered electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among domestic residents, who visited the mosque between 31 July and 3 August 2020. Participants’ demographic data, hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices were collected. Four hundred participants aged 18–65 (median 36) years completed the survey, of which 215 (53.8%) were female. The visitors’ mean knowledge score about hand hygiene was 6.4 (± standard deviation (SD) 1.35) of total 12. Most participants (392, 98%) were aware of the role of hand hygiene in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); nevertheless, 384 (96%) said hand hygiene lowers body immunity and 316 (79%) thought <60% alcohol is sufficient for hand disinfection. Males had a higher knowledge score than females (6.46 (±1.41) vs. 6.14 (±1.27), p = 0.02) and, visitors who had no formal education scored higher than those with post-graduate education (6.88 (±1.45) vs 5.73 (±1.12), p = 0.01). Washing hands with soap and water was the predominant method practiced after a meal (365, 91.7%), after toilet visit (354, 88.5%), after touching a surface (262, 65.7%), after waste disposal (332, 83.2%), and when hands were visibly dirty (357, 89.5%). Al Madinah visitors had moderate knowledge about hand hygiene, but demonstrated some knowledge gaps and negligence in practice that are crucial to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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Attitude toward Aging Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health in Older Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050594 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 594

Author(s):

Teshome Sirak Bedaso ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personality Factors ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Mediator ◽

The Relationship

This study aimed to examine attitude toward aging as a potential mediator of the relationship between personality factors and mental health in terms of depression and life satisfaction among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 Ethiopian elderly individuals aged 60 to 69. The results of the regression-based path analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic data, the relationship between agreeableness and depression in older adults was partially mediated by attitude toward aging. Likewise, attitude toward physical change due to aging and psychological growth subscales jointly mediated the correlation between neuroticism and depression. However, a significant direct path between neuroticism and depression persisted. On the contrary, openness had no significant direct association with depression apart from an indirect through psychosocial loss. The link between life satisfaction and agreeableness as well as openness to experience were partially mediated by psychosocial loss. Therefore, a person’s attitude toward aging and personality characteristics should be taken into consideration while designing interventions for managing mental health issues among older adults.

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