Mental Disorders Among Elderly People in Baghdad, Iraq, 2017

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determinants of mental disorders (MDs) among elderly people residing in nursing homes (NHs) and those living with their families (WF) in Baghdad, Iraq, 2017. A cross-sectional study was conducted on all elderly individuals residing in all NHs in Baghdad and an equal number of elderly people residing WF. MDs were defined based on Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). We used relevant World Health Organization–accredited tools to identify the types of MDs. The prevalence of MDs among elderly people was 38.7%, being statistically significantly ( P < .01) higher among those in NH (55.8%) compared with those living WF (21.5%). The proportion of types of MDs among NH versus WF residents was as follows: depression (35.4% vs 16.6%), anxiety (32.6% vs 9.9%), dementia (19.3% vs 5%), and suicide thoughts (25.4% vs 4.4%). The multivariate analysis showed many factors that were associated with MD. Low income, dependency on others, and being neglected were stronger determinant of MD among elderly people living WF. However, chronic joint pain, visual impairment, auditory impairment, and economic status deterioration were stronger determinant among those in NHs. The prevalence of MDs in the NH is more than double the prevalence in the community. We recommended enhancing elderly mental health care services including curative, preventive, and promotive activities.

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Validity and reliability of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale for Brazilian elderly: a cross-sectional study

Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (suppl 2) ◽

Author(s):

Gabriella Oliveira de Albuquerque Lins ◽

Nathália Angel da Silva Lima ◽

Girliani Silva de Sousa ◽

Fernanda Jorge Guimarães ◽

Iracema da Silva Frazão ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Elderly People ◽

Mental Distress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Distress Scale ◽

Self Reporting Questionnaire ◽

Distress Scale

ABSTRACT Objective: to verify the validity and reliability of the Psychological Distress Scale for screening mental distress. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 75 elderly people. Psychological Distress scale and Self Reporting Questionnaire were used. Criterion validity was verified using Spearman’s correlation and diagnostic accuracy measures. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to investigate reliability. Results: the total internal consistency of the Psychological Distress Scale was α=0.844. Concurrent validity between this instrument and the Self Reporting Questionnaire was ρ=0.722 (p<0.001). The best cut-off point for screening mental distress among elderly people was a total score greater than 14, with sensitivity equal to 75.47% and specificity equal to 85.0%. Conclusions: the scale was robust for screening mental distress, given its high reliability, in terms of homogeneity, and adequate criterion validity, whose best cut-off point for screening was a score greater than 14.

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Trends in inequalities in childhood stunting in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2016: a cross sectional study

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdaa051 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽

Gebretsadik Shibre ◽

Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽

Sanni Yaya

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Economic Status ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Population Attributable Risk ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Uncertainty Interval ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Agenda 2030

Abstract Background The decrease in the magnitude of stunting over the past 20 years has been slow in Ethiopia. To date, in Ethiopia, the trends in and extent of inequality in stunting have not been investigated using methods suitably developed for disparity studies. This paper investigated both the extent and overtime dynamics of stunting inequality in Ethiopia over the last 17 years. Methods Using the World Health Organization’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software, data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health surveys (EDHS) were analyzed between 2000 and 2016. The inequality analysis consisted of disaggregated rates of stunting using five equity stratifiers (economic status, education, residence, region and sex) and four summary measures (Difference, Population Attributable risk, Ratio and Absolute Concentration Index). A 95% uncertainty interval was constructed around point estimates to measure statistical significance. Results The study showed that both absolute and relative inequalities in stunting exist in all the studied years in Ethiopia. The inequality disfavors children of mothers who are poor, uneducated and living in rural areas and specific regions such as Amhara. The pro-rich (R = 1.2; 1.1, 1.3 in 2000 to R = 1.7; 1.4, 2 in 2016) and pro-educated (R = 1.6; 95%UI = 1.3, 1.9 in 2000 and R = 2.3; 95%UI = 1.5, 3 in 2011) inequalities slightly increased with time. Male children bear a disproportionately higher burden of stunting, and the disparity increased between the first and the last time points (PAR = −1.5 95%UI = −2.5, −0.6 in 2000 and PAR = −2.9 95%UI = −3.9, −1.9) based on complex measures but remained constant with simple measures (R = 1; 95%UI = 0.9, 1.1 in 2000 and R = 1.1 95%UI = 1, 1.2 in 2016). Similarly, both the sub-national regional and residence-related stunting disparities generally widened over time according to some of the inequality measures. Conclusions Stunting appeared to be highly prevalent among certain sub-groups (i.e. poor, uneducated and living in rural regions). The subpopulations experiencing excessively high stunting prevalence should be the focus of policy makers’ attention as they work to achieve the WHO 40% reduction in stunting target by 2025 and the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals.

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Stress gradation of medical practitioners during the pandemic (covid-19) along with ways to de-stress; a cross sectional study at tertiary care hospitals using Kessler’s 10 psychological distress scale.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2021.28.09.6238 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (09) ◽

pp. 1239-1244

Author(s):

Umair Toqueer ◽

Muhammad Usama Zardad ◽

Mahwish Toqueer ◽

Anila Riyaz ◽

Sana Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Junior Doctors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Distress Scale ◽

Tertiary Care Hospitals ◽

Distress Scale ◽

The Impact

Objectives: To determine stress grades of doctors working in tertiary care hospitals by using a standard measuring tool i.e. Kessler 10 psychological distress scale along with finding out different coping methods adopted by doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Tertiary Care Hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Period: 15 March 2020 to 20 June 2020. Material & Methods: A structured questionnaire was sent online to the junior and senior doctors working during the pandemic. The data was automatically collected with the help of Google docs and then analysed using SPSS 26. Results: Of the 219 doctors who completed the questionnaire 142 were males (64.8%) and 77 were females (35.2%). Interestingly, analysis of the score revealed that 38.8% of the doctors were found likely to be well, 16.4% of the doctors were likely to have mild disease and 20.5% were likely to have a moderate disorder while 24.2% were likely to have a severe disorder. Further analysis showed that the mean of Kessler’s score was greater for junior doctors as compared to Consultants which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.044). Conclusion: The impact of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) on the stress levels of health workers warrants considerable attention as it was declared a pandemic. Assessing the psychological impact and ways to tackle them will not only help the health care workers during this pandemic but will be beneficial in future pandemics as well.

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Quality of Life and Functioning of People With Mental Disorders Who Underwent Deinstitutionalization Using Assisted Living Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.622973 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Rejane Coan Ferretti Mayer ◽

Maíra Ramos Alves ◽

Sueli Miyuki Yamauti ◽

Marcus Tolentino Silva ◽

Luciane Cruz Lopes

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Assisted Living Facilities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Whodas 2.0 ◽

Health Organization

ContextPeople with mental disorders can acquire long-term disabilities, which could impair their functioning and quality of life (QoL), requiring permanent care and social support. Systematic data on QoL and functioning, which could support a better management of these people, were not available.ObjectiveTo analyze the QoL, level of functioning and their association with sociodemographic and clinical factors of people with mental disorders who underwent deinstitutionalization using assisted living facilities.MethodsA Cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2018 and July 2019, through interviews using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) to determine the QoL scores, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) to determine the level of functioning. All adults (≥18 years old) with mental disorders, who underwent deinstitutionalization, users of assisted living facilities and assisted by the Psychosocial Assistance Centers III, in a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were selected. For statistical analysis of the associated factors, Student’s t-test was used for dichotomous variables and ANOVA for polynomial variables. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the association between QoL and functioning scores.ResultsOut of 359 people who underwent deinstitutionalization with mental disorders, 147 met the eligibility criteria. The mean total score for the WHOQOL-BREF was 66.5 ± 13.4 and the mean score for WHODAS 2.0 was 10.4 ± 7.6. An association was found between people who were studying (n = 65.8; 95%CI, 63.5–68.1 vs. n = 73.9; 95%CI, 67.5–80.3; p = 0.04) and better WHOQOL-BREF QoL scores or WHODAS 2.0 levels of functioning (n = 10.9; 95%CI, 9.6–12.2 vs. n = 5.1; 95%CI, 2.5–7.7; p = 0.01). A weak negative correlation (r = 0.41) emerged between higher QoL scores and functioning improvement.ConclusionThis study indicates that the QoL of the sample is associated by their functioning levels, which, in turn, may reflect on their social interactions. Public policies that favor interventions increasing socialization of this population can result in better health outcomes. The QoL and functioning scores provide valuable insights to develop public policies more suited to this population profile.

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COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1186/s12992-021-00768-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Aziz Rahman ◽

Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam ◽

Patraporn Tungpunkom ◽

Farhana Sultana ◽

Sheikh M. Alif ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Well Being ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Psychological Distress Scale ◽

And Coping ◽

Distress Scale

Abstract Background The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally. Objectives We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021. Levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale), and coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale) were assessed. Results A total of 8,559 people participated; mean age (±SD) was 33(±13) years, 64% were females and 40% self-identified as frontline workers. More than two-thirds (69%) experienced moderate-to-very high levels of psychological distress, which was 46% in Thailand and 91% in Egypt. A quarter (24%) had high levels of fear of COVID-19, which was as low as 9% in Libya and as high as 38% in Bangladesh. More than half (57%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping; the lowest prevalence (3%) was reported in Australia and the highest (72%) in Syria. Being female (AOR 1.31 [95% CIs 1.09-1.57]), perceived distress due to change of employment status (1.56 [1.29-1.90]), comorbidity with mental health conditions (3.02 [1.20-7.60]) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress and fear. Doctors had higher psychological distress (1.43 [1.04-1.97]), but low levels of fear of COVID-19 (0.55 [0.41-0.76]); nurses had medium to high resilient coping (1.30 [1.03-1.65]). Conclusions The extent of psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping varied by country; however, we identified few higher risk groups who were more vulnerable than others. There is an urgent need to prioritise health and well-being of those people through well-designed intervention that may need to be tailored to meet country specific requirements.

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Patterns of antenatal care services utilization in rural Amroha, Uttar Pradesh: a community based cross sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20194015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (9) ◽

pp. 4048

Author(s):

Bhaskar K. Watode ◽

Anurag Srivastava ◽

Rajeev Kumar

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Economic Status ◽

Uttar Pradesh ◽

Health Care Delivery System ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Family Type ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maternal Deaths

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) services are considered to be the crucial element in the primary health care delivery system of a country. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates suggested that almost all of the maternal deaths (99%) and child deaths (98%) occurred in developing countries. These maternal deaths could have been prevented if the pregnant women or adolescent girls had been able to access quality antenatal care. The objectives of the present study were conducted in rural parts of district Amroha, Uttar Pradesh for assessing the patterns of utilization of the ANC services and to ascertain the factors influencing utilization of ANC services.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional in nature. Recently delivered women were selected as study subject. A multi-stage stratified sampling design with random approaches had been used. Total 360 subjects included in the study.Results: Respondents age, education, occupation, socio economic status, family type and family size were the factors that influenced the utilization of the ANC services. With 100% ANC registration, sub centre was the most preferred place for registration. 76.9% of woman received more than 3 ANC visits. 315 (87.5%) and (71.9%) respondents received 2 doses to TT vaccine and more than 100 IFA tablets respectively.Conclusions: Utilization of ANC services are on rise in rural parts of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. Still significant proportions of women are doesn’t return to health facility after the ANC registration. Intensification of efforts is needed to cater this left out group through improving community awareness and motivation.

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Perceived Stigma Towards Psychological Illness in Relation to Psychological Distress Among Medical Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Academic Psychiatry ◽

10.1007/s40596-020-01247-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 538-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dalal Ibrahim Alfayez ◽

Norah Ali AlShehri

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

Family Income ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Stigma ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Distress Scale ◽

Strongly Agree ◽

Distress Scale

Abstract Objective Due to the high prevalence of psychological distress among medical students and its related functional and cognitive implications, this study aimed to investigate the association between perceived stigma and psychological distress, estimate the prevalence of each level of distress among medical students, and determine the independent significant risk factors of outcome variables for each level of psychological distress. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed that surveyed medical students at King Saud University in 2018. Using the modified and validated stigma scale for receiving psychological help along with Kessler psychological distress scale, the survey measured perceived stigma towards mental illness in relation to the level of psychological distress. Results Among the 524 participants, 395 surveys were completed. Participants had a mean age of 21.56 years old, and 53% were female. The overall prevalence of severe psychological distress was 30.7% (N = 161). Furthermore, 25.6% of participants reported experiencing moderate distress (N = 134). Additionally, a significant association was found between females and severe psychological distress. Moreover, family income was significantly associated with severe psychological distress in the extreme lower and upper groups (5000–10,000 SR and above 20,000 SR). Participants with high levels of psychological distress were more likely than those with low levels to agree or strongly agree with 3 out of 10 items related to perceived stigma. Conclusions Medical students with moderate/severe psychological distress disclosed more concerns regarding stigma, particularly about perceived consequences of their mental health issues being revealed to others. Such opinions could cause physical health problems and decrease quality of life.

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Antibiotic Use in Poultry Production in Grenada

Veterinary Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2019/6785195 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lindonne Glasgow ◽

Martin Forde ◽

Darren Brow ◽

Catherine Mahoney ◽

Stephanie Fletcher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Health Organization ◽

High Level

Objective. Research is often lacking in low-income countries to substantiate the regulation of antibiotics in poultry production. Nonregulation of antibiotics in food animal industries has implications for human health. This study was conducted to provide an understanding of farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use of antibiotics in poultry production in Grenada. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in August-September, 2016, surveying 30 poultry farmers each having 500 or more chickens grown for commercial purposes. Results. More than 1000 birds were kept on 18 (60.0%) farms. Antibiotics were used on the majority of farms (25, 83.3%). More than half of the respondents, 19 (63.3%), stated they were only somewhat aware of issues related to the use of antibiotics and the majority, 21 (70.0%), were also unable to define antimicrobial resistance. There was inconsistency in the farmers’ knowledge about how and when to use antibiotics. There was also a high level of noncompliance with manufacturers’ recommendations for use of antibiotics. The respondents were not aware of local programs to monitor antibiotic use or manage antibiotic resistance in the poultry industry. Conclusion. Generally, the farmers’ knowledge and practices were inconsistent with recommendations by the World Health Organization for antibiotic stewardship. While low-income countries, such as Grenada, are challenged with the lack of resources to undertake research and implement responsive actions, this research highlights the need for some immediate measures of remedy, such as education of farmers and monitoring procurement and use of antibiotics, to reduce risk to public health.

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THE BURDEN OF ENGAGING IN VOLUNTEER ATTENUATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AND HEALTH OUTCOMES

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.524 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S145-S146

Author(s):

Yuta Nemoto ◽

Ryota Sakurai ◽

Masami Hasebe ◽

Kumiko Nonaka ◽

Hiroko Mtsunaga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Economic Status ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Volunteer Activity ◽

Volunteer Engagement

Abstract This study examined the interaction of participating in volunteer activity and its burden on health outcomes. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. Of 8426 older adults aged 65 and over, 5232 individuals were included in the analyses (response rate: 62.1%). Health outcomes included self-rated health (SRH), mental health (The World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index: WHO-5), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence: TMIG-IC) as dependent variables. Independent variables included engagement in volunteer activity and its burden. These variables were combined and classified into three groups: non-participants; participants with burden; and participants without burden. Covariates included age, gender, educational attainments, economic status, and living arrangement. Logistic regression analysis and analysis of covariates were conducted to examine the interaction of volunteer activity and its burden on health outcomes. Of 5232 older adults, 76.3% of subjects were non-participants, 3.4% were participants with burden, and 20.3% were participants without burden. Multivariate analysis showed that non-participants were more likely to have poor health outcomes compared with participants with burden. Moreover, participants without burden were more likely to have better health outcomes (SRH: Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.92, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.70 to 2.17, WHO-5: OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.51 to 1.88, TMIG-IC: Coefficient = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.62). Our findings suggest that volunteer activity is related to better health regardless of their burden. However, burden of volunteer engagement might attenuate the relationships between volunteer activity and health outcomes.

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The Relations between Disability and Environmental Factors: A Pilot Study in Iranian Older Adults

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v8n12p87 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 87 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohammadreza Shahbazi ◽

Mahshid Foroughan ◽

Mahdi Rahgozar ◽

Reza Salmanroghani

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Structural Barriers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Services ◽

Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: This study explored disability and its correlations with the environmental factors in a group of Iranian older adults.MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed. One hundred participants receiving adult day care services in Kahrizak center in Iran were selected by using the complete enumeration method. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS II) and the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) questionnaires were used to collect data.RESULTS: The mean score of disability was 20.61±13.66, and the scores were higher in women compared to men (P=0.001). Among the CHIEF-25 items‚ the most frequently perceived barrier by the participants was transportation followed by home design and unavailability of health care services. There was a significant association between the disability scores and the environmental factors (P<0.001). Also, significant relationships were found between the disability and all the subscales investigated in the study (polices‚ physical/structural‚ attitude/support‚ services/assistance) (P<0.001).CONCLUSION: Appropriate transportation‚ availability to health care services and removing physical/structural barriers should be taken in consideration.

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