scholarly journals Residential proximity to livestock farms is associated with a lower prevalence of atopy

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floor Borlée ◽  
C Joris Yzermans ◽  
Esmeralda J M Krop ◽  
Catharina B M Maassen ◽  
François G Schellevis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cattle Farm ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Residential Proximity ◽  
Livestock Farms

ObjectivesExposure to farm environments during childhood and adult life seems to reduce the risk of atopic sensitisation. Most studies have been conducted among farmers, but people living in rural areas may have similar protective effects for atopy. This study aims to investigate the association between residential proximity to livestock farms and atopy among non-farming adults living in a rural area in the Netherlands.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 2443 adults (20–72 years). Atopy was defined as specific IgE to common allergens and/or total IgE ≥100 IU/mL. Residential proximity to livestock farms was assessed as 1) distance to the nearest pig, poultry, cattle or any farm, 2) number of farms within 500 m and 1000 m, and 3) modelled annual average fine dust emissions from farms within 500 m and 1000 m. Data were analysed with multiple logistic regression and generalised additive models.ResultsThe prevalence of atopy was 29.8%. Subjects living at short distances from farms (<327 m, first tertile) had a lower odds for atopy compared with subjects living further away (>527 m, third tertile) (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.98). Significant associations in the same direction were found with distance to the nearest pig or cattle farm. The associations between atopy and livestock farm exposure were somewhat stronger in subjects who grew up on a farm.ConclusionsLiving in close proximity to livestock farms seems to protect against atopy. This study provides evidence that protective effects of early-life and adult farm exposures may extend beyond farming populations.

scholarly journals Associations of Residential Greenness with Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Uyghur Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 5131
Author(s):  
Shujun Fan ◽  
Zhenxiang Xue ◽  
Jun Yuan ◽  
Ziyan Zhou ◽  
Yuzhong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diabetes Prevalence ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Lower Odds Ratio

Greenness exposure is nominated as a potential beneficial factor for health, but evidence is limited on its diabetes effects. We conducted a cross-sectional study between May and September 2016 in rural areas of northwestern China, including 4670 Uyghur adults, to explore the associations between residential greenness and fasting glucose levels and diabetes prevalence. Fasting glucose levels were determined, and information on covariates was collected by questionnaire. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) were calculated to assess greenness levels. Generalized linear mixed models were applied to evaluate the associations of greenness with fasting glucose levels and diabetes prevalence. The prevalence of diabetes was 11.6%. We found that living in rural areas characterized by increased amounts of greenness was associated with reduced diabetes prevalence (e.g., NDVI1000m: OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86, 0.99). Stratified analyses showed that the protective effects of greenness on diabetes prevalence were found only in women (NDVI1000m: OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82, 0.99). However, none of the interaction was statistically significant. Our study suggests that greater residential greenness levels were associated with a lower odds ratio of diabetes prevalence in Xinjiang Uyghur adults. Further well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis and its Correlation with Socio-demographic Variables in Pregnant Women in Al-Diwaniya,Iraq

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (SPL1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiren Ali Al Hamzawi
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
Low Education

Estimates of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in pregnant women are variable with few studies in Iraq.T. vaginalis is a worldwide prevalent sexually transmitted infection,but fortunately,it is very treatable. Researchers believed that pregnancy is one of the effective factors for T. vaginalis infection in women.A cross-sectional study performed in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniya city on two hundred female pregnant patients between the ages of 16-45 years. These females had no intercourse for 2–3 days,not using drugs (antibiotics,antiprotozoal or steroids) for the last 15 days. Vaginal discharges of any type with or without itching,burning sensation or both were their main complaints. Vaginal swabs were taken from all participating patients for direct wet mount microscopy and culture for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The study showed that twelve out of two hundred examined pregnant women (6%) presented with T. vaginalis infection. The infection was more in those with mothers’ age (26-35) years,housewives,low education,higher parity,and of rural residents. Other maternal variables were not significantly associated with T. vaginalis infection. The study showed a prevalence of (6%) of T. vaginalis infection in pregnant female attendees. Infection was more in those with mothers ’age (26-35) years,housewives,low educational level,higher parity,and living in rural areas.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Confidence and Preparedness in Paramedics in Metropolitan, Regional, and Rural Australia to Manage Mental-Health-Related Presentations: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1882
Author(s):  
Kate Emond ◽  
Melanie Bish ◽  
Michael Savic ◽  
Dan I. Lubman ◽  
Terence McCann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Manage Mental ◽  
Manage Mental Health

Mental-health-related presentations account for a considerable proportion of the paramedic’s workload in prehospital care. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceived confidence and preparedness of paramedics in Australian metropolitan and rural areas to manage mental-health-related presentations. Overall, 1140 paramedics were surveyed. Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables by sex and location of practice; continuous variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Perceived confidence and preparedness were each modelled in multivariable ordinal regressions. Female paramedics were younger with higher qualifications but were less experienced than their male counterparts. Compared to paramedics working in metropolitan regions, those working in rural and regional areas were generally older with fewer qualifications and were significantly less confident and less prepared to manage mental health presentations (p = 0.001). Compared to male paramedics, females were less confident (p = 0.003), although equally prepared (p = 0.1) to manage mental health presentations. These results suggest that higher qualifications from the tertiary sector may not be adequately preparing paramedics to manage mental health presentations, which signifies a disparity between education provided and workforce preparedness. Further work is required to address the education and training requirements of paramedics in regional and rural areas to increase confidence and preparedness in managing mental health presentations.

scholarly journals High Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Obesity among Adults in Gulf Countries

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 995
Author(s):  
Israa M. Shatwan ◽  
Eiman A. Alhinai ◽  
Balqees Alawadhi ◽  
Shelini Surendran ◽  
Najlaa M. Aljefree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Hip Circumference ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gulf Countries ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is considered as a good example of a healthy dietary pattern that has protective effects on obesity. The aim of the present study was to assess the adherence of adults from three Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait) to the MedDiet and its association with obesity risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 961 men and women (75.7%) aged 20–55 years old. Waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were measured waist/hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. A validated 14-item Questionnaire was used to measure adherence to MedDiet. The mean of the adherence to MedDiet score was 5.9 ± 2.03 for the total sample. An inverse association was observed between the adherence to MedDiet and BMI after adjusting for potential confounders (p = 0.0003 in total participants, and p = 0.001 in women only). A protective effect was seen with a higher adherence to the MedDiet on HC, suggesting that a greater adherence to the MedDiet was associated with a decreased HC (p = 0.04 in total participants, and p = 0.01 in women only). In conclusion, low adherence to the MedDiet among participants from three gulf countries was associated with increased obesity indicators, BMI, and HC.

scholarly journals Association between Depression, Lifestyles, Sleep Quality, and Sense of Coherence in a Population with Cardiovascular Risk

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 585
Author(s):  
Aina Riera-Sampol ◽  
Miquel Bennasar-Veny ◽  
Pedro Tauler ◽  
Mar Nafría ◽  
Miquel Colom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Mediterranean

People with cardiovascular risk have more depression than the general population. Depression and cardiovascular risk have been commonly linked to lower sense of coherence (SOC) values, unhealthy lifestyles, and poor sleep quality. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between depression, health-related lifestyles, sleep quality, and SOC in a population with cardiovascular risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 310 participants (aged 35–75 years) with cardiovascular risk. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, cardiovascular risk, SOC score, depression levels, sleep quality, and lifestyles (physical activity, diet quality (measured as the adherence to the Mediterranean diet), and tobacco and alcohol consumption) were determined. The regression analysis showed significant associations between depression levels and sex (odds ratio (OR): 2.29; 95% CI: 1.29, 4.07), diet (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.99), body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.18, 5.48), sleep quality (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.46), and SOC (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.98). Protective effects of male sex, a lower BMI, no CVD, a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet, a high sleep quality, and a higher SOC were found. In conclusion, among lifestyles determined, only diet was associated with depression levels. SOC and sleep quality were also found as significant predictors for depression levels.

scholarly journals Rurality and Dropout in Virtual Higher Education Programmes in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4953
Author(s):  
Alfredo Guzmán Rincón ◽  
Sandra Barragán ◽  
Favio Cala Vitery
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Evaluation Instrument ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Stratum ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Rural Student

As part of the 2030 Agenda, higher education has been conceptualised as one of the ways to overcome the social disparities experienced in rural areas in Colombia. Thus, in concordance with the benefits of this level of education, the state has been designing public policies during the last few years, in order to facilitate access to undergraduate programmes to these populations, focusing mainly on the implementation of the virtual modality. In this context, it is recognised that access itself is not enough, but that continuance and timely graduation are required to materialise the benefits obtained along with a higher education degree; hence, dropout is a subject of interest for study, especially due to the high rates existing in the rural student population. Therefore, the event of dropout becomes an obstacle to social change and transformation in rural areas. Thus, this article aimed to identify which individual, institutional, academic and socio-economic characteristics influence rural student dropout in virtual undergraduate programmes in Colombia. For this purpose, an exploratory, quantitative and cross-sectional study was proposed, with a sample of 291 students to whom a student characterisation instrument and a classroom evaluation instrument were applied. With these data, it was proceeded to establish which of them had deserted, constituting the extraction of the sample of the study, which were 168. With the information, an exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and descriptive statistics were used to establish which explanatory variables are involved in the dropout of this type of student. The results showed that the academic variables analysed do not have an impact on the event, while marital status (associated with family obligations), age, social stratum, work obligations, parents’ level of education and type of work, income and type of employment relationship of the student, and, finally, the number of people who depend on the family’s income do.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing HIV Drug Resistance among Pregnant Women in Luanda, Angola: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Cruz S. Sebastião ◽  
Joana Morais ◽  
Miguel Brito
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Drug Resistance ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
High Educational

The increase in HIV infection and drug-resistant strains is an important public health concern, especially in resource-limited settings. However, the identification of factors related to the propagation of infectious diseases represents a crucial target offering an opportunity to reduce health care costs as well as deepening the focus on preventing infection in high-risk groups. In this study, we investigate the factors related to drug resistance among HIV-infected pregnant women in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. This was a part of a cross-sectional study conducted with 42 HIV-positive pregnant women. A blood sample was collected, and HIV-1 genotyping was carried out using an in-house method. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the interaction between sociodemographic characteristics and drug resistance. HIV drug resistance was detected in 44.1% of the studied population. High probabilities of drug resistance were observed for HIV-infected pregnant women living in rural areas (AOR: 2.73; 95% CI: 0.50–14.9) with high educational level (AOR: 6.27; 95% CI: 0.77–51.2) and comorbidities (AOR: 5.47; 95% CI: 0.28–106) and infected with a HIV-1 non-B subtype other than subtype C (AOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 0.25–10.3). The present study reports high HIV drug resistance. Furthermore, older-age, rural areas, high educational levels, unemployed status, having comorbidities, and HIV-1 subtypes were factors related to drug resistance. These factors impact on drug susceptibility and need to be urgently addressed in order to promote health education campaigns able to prevent the spread of drug-resistant HIV strains in Angola.

scholarly journals Changes in Tobacco Use Patterns during COVID-19 and Their Correlates among Older Adults in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1779
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Armm Mehrab Ali ◽  
Md. Ashfikur Rahman ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Bhawna Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The present study explored the changes in tobacco use patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic and their correlates among older adults in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1032 older adults aged ≥60 years in Bangladesh through telephone interviews in October 2020. Participants’ characteristics and COVID-19-related information were gathered using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Participants were asked if they noted any change in their tobacco use patterns (smoking or smokeless tobacco) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic (6 months prior to the survey). Nearly half of the participants (45.6%) were current tobacco users, of whom 15.9% reported increased tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic and all others had no change in their tobacco use patterns. Tobacco use was significantly increased among the participants from rural areas, who had reduced communications during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic (OR = 2.76, 95%CI:1.51–5.03). Participants who were aged ≥70 years (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.77), widowed (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13–1.00), had pre-existing, non-communicable, and/or chronic conditions (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.78), and felt themselves at the highest risk of COVID-19 (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.62), had significantly lower odds of increased tobacco use. Policy makers and practitioners need to focus on strengthening awareness and raising initiatives to avoid tobacco use during such a crisis period.

scholarly journals Enteroparasitosis in patients attended by the health public service: epidemiology and spatial distribution

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 34764
Author(s):  
Andressa Barros Ibiapina ◽  
Janaína Soares Leal ◽  
Pedro Ricardo Alves de Santana ◽  
Marcelo Ribeiro Mesquita ◽  
Tito Lívio da Cunha Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intestinal Parasitosis ◽  
The City

AIMS: This research aims to determine the epidemiology and the spatial distribution of intestinal parasitosis in the city of Teresina.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the data of parasitological fecal exams performed in the Laboratory Raul Bacelar between January, 2014 and July, 2017. In addition to the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and polyparasitism, we verified the association of these diseases with gender, zone and period of the year by means of the chi-squared test, whereas the relation with age was analyzed by the Mann-Kendall tests and multiple comparisons of age classes. The spatial distribution was performed using the QGIS georeferencing software.RESULTS: The prevalence of enteroparasitosis in Teresina is 17,8% with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common species, due to the precarious sanitary conditions of the city. The prevalence of individuals with polyparasitism is 3,13%, in which an association between the species Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was found. There was no relation between intestinal parasitosis with gender, but we verified that individuals in rural areas are more susceptible to these diseases. The species Ascaris lumbricoides and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar occur more frequently in the first and second semester, respectively. We observed that there is an apparent tendency to increase cases of E. histolytica/dispar and reduction of cases of Giardia sp. according to aging. Mapping intestinal parasitosis showed us that there is a prevalence between one and 20% in most of Teresina's neighborhoods, and Ascariasis embodies at least 40% of cases of enteroparasitosis in these neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS: Investments in basic sanitation and new epidemiological investigations must be carried out to control intestinal parasitosis in Teresina, emphasizing that children and the elderly should be considered priority groups in these programs.

Religious Minority Rights and their Satisfaction in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
Asim Nasar ◽  
Abid Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Citizenship Rights ◽  
Religious Minorities ◽  
Muslim Majority

Abstract The study investigates the satisfaction of religious minorities in Pakistan subject to government policies and attitudes of the Muslim majority. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 120 respondents living in rural areas in Pakistan. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation coefficient were used to measure the relatedness of essential factors of freedom of expression, opportunity in government services, security of unprotected assembly, prejudice in relationship with Muslims and welcomeness in Muslim neighbourhoods. Yeh’s Index of Satisfaction was used to measure the satisfaction level of religious minorities with government policies and attitudes of the Muslim majority. The study findings revealed that religious minorities are least satisfied with their citizenship rights in Pakistan, which poses various questions to government policies and legislation. Further, they were also least satisfied with the attitudes of the Muslim majority with whom they must interact in their everyday life.

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