scholarly journals Nonpaternity and Half-Siblingships as Objective Measures of Extramarital Sex: Mathematical Modeling and Simulations

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Omori ◽  
Nico Nagelkerke ◽  
Laith J. Abu-Raddad
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Extramarital Sex ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background. Understanding the epidemiology of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) requires knowledge of sexual behavior, but self-reported behavior has limitations. We explored the reliability and validity of nonpaternity and half-siblings ratios as biomarkers of current and past extramarital sex. Methods. An individual-based Monte Carlo simulation model was constructed to describe partnering and conception in human populations with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The model was parameterized with representative biological, behavioral, and demographic data. Results. Nonpaternity and half-siblings ratios were strongly correlated with extramarital sex, with Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71–0.86) and 0.77 (0.68–0.84), respectively. Age-specific nonpaternity ratios correlated with past extramarital sex at time of conception for different scenarios: for example, PCC, after smoothing by moving averages, was 0.75 (0.52–0.89) in a scenario of steadily decreasing nonmarital sex and 0.39 (0.01–0.73) in a scenario of transient drops in nonmarital sex. Simulations assuming self-reported levels of extramarital sex from Kenya yielded nonpaternity levels lower than global nonpaternity data, suggesting sizable underreporting of extramarital sex. Conclusions. Nonpaternity and half-siblings ratios are useful objective measures of extramarital sex that avoid limitations in self-reported sexual behavior.

Applicability of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy instrument to assess quality of life in maintenance haemodialysis patients with cachexia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Yang ◽  
Haizhen Lu ◽  
Baolin Zou ◽  
Yixin Luo ◽  
Ping Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Maintenance Haemodialysis

Abstract Background Many patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) eventually suffer from cachexia. The Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) is a tool used to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cachexia related to various diseases, but its suitability for use in MHD patients has yet to be verified. This study aims to explore the applicability of the FAACT in MHD patients by conducting reliability and validity tests.Methods Qualified MHD patients were selected to complete the FAACT and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) questionnaires, and their demographic data and biochemical test results were collected from electronic medical records. Then, statistical software was used to perform a reliability test, and Pearson correlation analysis was carried out with KDQOL-36 as the calibration scale. Finally, the patients were divided into groups to evaluate discriminant validity.Results A total of 299 patients were included in this study. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the FAACT and its anorexia-cachexia subscale (ACS) were 0.904 and 0.842, respectively, and their test–retest reliability exceeded 0.85. The correlation coefficients between the FAACT and its items ranged from 0.146 to 0.631, and the correlation coefficients between the FAACT and KDQOL-36 dimensions ranged from 0.446 to 0.617. The effects of cachexia status (present or absent) on FAACT and ACS scores had effect sizes of 0.54 (P＜0.001) and 0.60 (P＜0.001), respectively. The FAACT and ACS also significantly discriminated between patients with and without inflammation (P＜0.001). Conclusions The FAACT and ACS have acceptable reliability and validity in MHD patients and are suitable for measuring the quality of life of MHD patients with cachexia.

Khat chewing and risky sexual behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanuel Tesfay Gebremedhin ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
Tariku Dejene Demissie ◽  
Mirkuzie Woldie Kerie ◽  
Morankar Sudhakar
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Systematic Review Protocol ◽  
Khat Chewing ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Sub Saharan

Interactions between ecological and socio-economic drivers of Buruli ulcer burden in Sub-Saharan Africa: opportunities for an improved control

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andes Garchitorena ◽  
Matthew H. Bonds ◽  
Jean-Francois Guégan ◽  
Benjamin Roche
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Mycobacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Sub Saharan

This chapter provides an overview of the complex interactions between ecological and socioeconomic factors for the development and control of Buruli ulcer in Sub-Saharan Africa. We review key ecological and evolutionary processes driving the environmental persistence and proliferation of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent, within aquatic environments, as well as transmission processes from these aquatic environments to human populations. We also outline key socioeconomic factors driving the economic and health burden of Buruli ulcer in endemic regions, revealed by reciprocal feedbacks between poverty, disease transmission from exposure aquatic environments and disease progression to severe stages owing to low access to health care. The implications of such insights for disease control, both in terms of limitations of current strategies and directions for the future, are discussed.

scholarly journals Aflatoxin Exposure in Developing Countries: The Critical Interface of Agriculture and Health

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2_suppl2) ◽  
pp. S372-S380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Paul Wild
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Growth Faltering ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Agricultural Setting

Background Aflatoxins are common contaminants of staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. These toxins are human liver carcinogens, especially in combination with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus. However, in an agricultural setting, the effects on growth, immune status, and susceptibility to infectious disease in farm animals are also well recognized. These latter effects have been far less explored in human populations. Objectives To review some of the more recent work on aflatoxins where the health outcomes seen in the agricultural setting, including growth impairment and immune suppression, have been investigated in human populations. The paper draws largely on examples from West Africa. The paper also sets out how knowledge gained about aflatoxins in the agricultural setting can be used to design intervention studies in human populations. Methods A review of the relevant literature. Results Human exposure to aflatoxins begins early in life, and recent studies in West Africa have demonstrated an association between exposure and growth faltering, particularly stunting, in young children. At present the underlying mechanisms for the latter effects are unknown but may include impairment of immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Simple postharvest intervention strategies were successful in reducing aflatoxin exposure in a subsistence farm setting, providing a rationale for prevention of aflatoxin-related disease. Conclusions There are potential benefits to public health from intervention strategies combining expertise in the agricultural and health settings to address the aflatoxin problem.

scholarly journals The Patient’s Denture Assessment (Thai version) is a Valid and Reliable Tool for Evaluating Complete Denture Treatment and Success.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahaprom Namano ◽  
Orapin Komin
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Complete Denture ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Geriatric Dentistry ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Denture Treatment

Abstract BACKGROUND. Complete tooth losses are still being major problems which resulted in lesser quality of life especially for elderly patients. However, there are still lack of questionnaire to evaluate the treatment outcome from the patient’s aspect. The objective of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Patient’s Denture Assessment-Thai version (PDA-T), then use this questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction with complete denture treatment. METHODS. The subjects comprised 120 edentulous adult patients (49 men/71 women; average age 70 years-old) from the Prosthodontic and the Geriatric Dentistry and Special Patients Care Clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University during 2019 March‒2020 March. The patients were divided into two groups: The group experienced (Exper) (n=54) with wearing complete dentures, and the non-experienced (NonExper) group (n=66). The patients used the validated PDA-T to self-assess their treatment at different times. The Exper group completed the questionnaire at t 0 (during treatment), t 0.5 (2‒8-weeks after t 0 ), and t 1 (final follow-up). The NonExper group completed the questionnaire only at t 1 . RESULTS. In the Exper group, Cronbach’s α and average inter-item correlation was 0.95 (range 0.76‒0.95) and 0.47 (range 0.57‒0.83), respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients (n = 18, 95% confidence interval) were 0.98 overall. The paired t-test (p < 0.05) between t 0 and t 1 indicated a significant difference between t 0 and t 1 in every PDA-T topic, and the effect size was 1.71. In the NonExper group, the Pearson correlation analysis indicated no significant correlation between the patients' demographics and masticatory function. CONCLUSIONS. The reliability and validity of the PDA-T indicate it is a valuable tool for evaluating complete denture treatment. Treatment success affected the patients' satisfaction, but was not associated with the patients’ prior denture experience, sex, or educational level.

scholarly journals Caregiver burden among relatives of patients with schizophrenia in Katsina, Nigeria

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf ◽  
Folorunsho Tajudeen Nuhu ◽  
Akinsola Akinbiyi
Keyword(s):  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Data Collection Sheet ◽  
State Psychiatric ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
High Level ◽  
Demographic Data Collection

<p><strong>Objective</strong>: Caring for patients’ with schizophrenia leads to an enormous burden on the caregivers. However, the magnitude of this problem remains largely unknown in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the burden of care giving among relatives of patients with schizophrenia.</p><p><strong>Materials and method</strong>: A total of 129 primary care-givers of patients with schizophrenia attending out-patient clinic of Katsina state Psychiatric Hospital were interviewed using a socio-demographic data collection sheet and Zarith Burden Interview (ZBI). Data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 13. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of the respondents was 45.07±8.91. Majority of the caregivers are females. High level of burden was found in 47.3% of the respondents. The level of burden experienced was significantly associated with place of residence and family size. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Schizophrenia is associated with high level of caregiver burden and effort should be made at alleviating this burden for better out come in both the patients and caregivers.</p>

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