Prevalence, and social and health correlates of insomnia among persons 15 years and older in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid

The study aims to investigate the prevalence, and social and health correlates of insomnia symptoms in a national population sample in South Africa. Data were analysed from the cross-sectional ‘South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1)’ 2012, using a sample of 15,133 individuals (mean age = 36.9, SD = 16.5). Measures included information on insomnia, sociodemographics, health status, health risk behaviour, and mental health. Results indicate that the overall prevalence of insomnia symptoms was 7.1%, with 3.5% among 15- to 24-year-olds and 20.5% among 65 years and older participants. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, poorer health status (self-rated health, functional disability and cognitive impairment), having bodily pain, having experienced three or more traumatic events, and having psychological distress and partial Posttraumatic Stress Disorder were positively associated with insomnia. A significant proportion of South Africans have insomnia symptoms and several risk factors were identified that can help in guiding interventions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-573
Author(s):  
Supa Pengpid ◽  
Karl Peltzer

The aim of this study was to estimate factors associated with high sedentary behaviour (SB) in adolescents and adults who have psychological distress in South Africa. Data used in this analysis were derived from the cross-sectional South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – 2012. The sample consisted of 2306 participants (42 years median age) who had psychological distress. In all, 16.2% of the study participants engaged in ⩾8 hr SB/day. In unadjusted analysis, functional disability, older age, bodily pain, hypertension, and cognitive impairment was significantly more frequent among those with high SB. In adjusted logistic regression, functional disability and aged 65 years and above were positively associated with high SB. Results seem to suggest that interventions aimed at reducing SB among South Africans who have psychological distress may target the risk groups that were identified.


Healthline ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Manish Jain ◽  
Mayank Jain ◽  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Kapil Garg ◽  
Asif A Qureshi ◽  
...  

Introduction: The school going age is a formative period, both physically as well as mentally. Poor health status in school aged children is among the causes of poor class performance and high absenteeism. Objectives: to assess the health and nutritional status of the school going children in urban area and to determine the association of health problems with age and gender. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out in government schools of urban field practice area of tertiary care institute, Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Study was carried out among 2193 students in four government schools. A pretested, semi structured questionnaire was used for collection of data on socio-demographic characters and their health profile. A detailed clinical examination was done from head to toe for every child. Weight and height were measured. Data was entered into the Microsoft Excel 10. Chi square test of significance was used for statistical analysis. Results: Most common health problem was dental caries (15.0%) followed by refractive errors (13.1%) and pallor (12.6%). Proportions of pallor and refractive error were significantly increased with increase in age of study participants. 16.8% of the students were found to be having thinness. Moderate stunting was present in 7.3% students. Conclusion: Dental caries, refractive errors and pallor were the common morbidities. A significant proportion of school children were undernourished.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
JL Van Der Westhuizen ◽  
F Roodt ◽  
M Nejthardt ◽  
T Esterhuizen ◽  
M Flint ◽  
...  

Background: In the United States the mortality associated with substance abuse among anaesthesia residents is twice that of non-anaesthesia residents. Since no data exist, the primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of substance use in South African anaesthesia practitioners. Secondary objectives were to compare the prevalence in male and female practitioners, and in private and state practice anaesthetists. Years of experience and level of training were explored as possible risk factors for hazardous or harmful use. Methods: Participants completed a self-administered, validated WHO questionnaire, over a ten-day period surrounding the 2018 South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) congress. All doctors practising anaesthesia in South Africa were eligible. Recruitment was via an email link sent to all SASA members, as well as a web-based link at the congress. Results: A total of 1 961 SASA members and 113 non-members (anaesthesiologists, registrars and non-specialists) were invited to participate (total 2 074). There were 434 responses (response rate 20.9%, margin of error 4.18%); 364 were suitable for analysis. The most commonly lifetime-used substances were alcohol (92.8%), tobacco (42.3%), cannabis (34.7%), and sedatives (34.4%). Questionnaire scores defined low-, medium- and high-risk categories according to substance use during the previous three months. Sedative (12.6%) and alcohol (12.1%) users were deemed to be at moderate risk. The prevalence of opioid use was 1.9% (n = 7). Prevalence of substance use was similar in male and female practitioners, as well as in those working in private practice or in state hospitals. Conclusion: The prevalence of current use of alcohol and sedatives is of major concern. A significant proportion of respondents were assessed to be at moderate risk of hazardous or harmful substance use. Gender and practice setting have little impact on substance use. Wellness efforts should be aimed at all anaesthesia practitioners in South Africa.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249466
Author(s):  
Shuchi Anand ◽  
Maria E. Montez-Rath ◽  
Jialin Han ◽  
Pablo Garcia ◽  
Julie Bozeman ◽  
...  

Patients on dialysis are at high risk for death due to COVID-19, yet a significant proportion do survive as evidenced by presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 8% of patients in the U.S. in July 2020. It is unclear whether patients with seropositivity represent the subgroup with robust health status, who would be more likely to mount a durable antibody response. Using data from a July 2020 sample of 28,503 patients receiving dialysis, we evaluated the cross-sectional association of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity with laboratory surrogates of patient health. In separate logistic regression models, we assessed the association of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity with seven laboratory-based covariates (albumin, creatinine, hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone), across the entire range of the laboratory and in comparison to a referent value. Models accounted for age, sex, region, race and ethnicity, and county-level COVID-19 deaths per 100,000. Odds of seropositivity for albumin 3 and 3.5 g/dL were 2.1 (95% CI 1.9–2.3) and 1.3 (1.2–1.4) respectively, compared with 4 g/dL. Odds of seropositivity for serum creatinine 5 and 8 mg/dL were 1.8 (1.6–2.0) and 1.3 (1.2–1.4) respectively, compared with 12.5 mg/dL. Lower values of hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone were associated with higher odds of seropositivity. Laboratory values associated with poorer health status and higher risk for mortality were also associated with higher likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients receiving dialysis.


Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earl Burrell ◽  
Daniella Mark ◽  
Robert Grant ◽  
Robin Wood ◽  
Linda-Gail Bekker

Background: Distinct homosexual and heterosexual HIV epidemics have previously been recognised in South Africa. However, linked HIV prevalence and self-reported sexual risk behaviour data have not been reported for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cape Town since 1986. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, venue-based HIV risk behaviour and prevalence study of 542 self-identified MSM in greater Cape Town using a self-administered risk questionnaire and the OraSure® testing device to asses HIV-1 prevalence. Results: This sample had an overall HIV prevalence of 10.4% (56/539). We found that self-identifying as gay, homosexual or queer (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–20.0) and reporting ever having had a sexually transmissible infection diagnosis (AOR 4.3, 95% CI: 2.3–8.3) were significantly predictive of testing HIV-1 positive, while reporting unprotected anal intercourse with a known HIV-negative partner (AOR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.9) was significantly protective. Conclusion: These data suggest a mature epidemic with consistent high-risk taking among MSM in Cape Town, and significant associations of select self-reported risk behaviours and HIV-1 serostatus. There is a need for continued and robust HIV surveillance along with detailed risk behaviour trends over time to inform the development of targeted risk-reduction interventions for this population.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Shandir Ramlagan ◽  
Witness Chirinda ◽  
Zamakayise Kose

There has been an unprecedented increase in population ageing resulting in the increase in prevalence of various health conditions, including disability and associated risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of functional status and disability amongst older South Africans. Little is known about disability amongst older South Africans because most previous health research has focused on younger individuals and infectious diseases. We conducted a national population-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 3840 subjects aged 50 years or older in South Africa. Multivariable regression analysis was performed in order to assess the association of social factors, health variables and functional disability. Overall, 37.2% of the respondents had moderate or severe and/or very severe functional disability, this being higher amongst women. The highest disability was found for the mobility, cognition and participation domains. In all domains, except for the self-care domain, women had a higher disability prevalence. Multivariable analysis amongst men revealed that older age, having some or primary education, being from Indian or Asian race, having chronic conditions, physical inactivity and a lower quality of life were associated with functional disability. Amongst women, older age, as well as having chronic conditions and a lower quality of life, were associated with functional disability. This study has implications for health-sector strategic plans aimed at preventing disabilities, ensuring access to curative and rehabilitative care. This study forms an evidence base upon which future policies and health care management systems can be based.Daar was ’n ongekende toename in bevolkingsveroudering, wat ’n toename in die voorkoms van verskeie gesondheidstoestande tot gevolg gehad het, insluitende gestremdheid en gepaardgaande faktore. Die studie was daarop gemik om die voorkoms en voorspelbaarheid van die funksionele status en gestremdheid onder ouer Suid-Afrikaners te ondersoek. Daar is min bekennis oor gestremdheid onder ouer Suid-Afrikaners omdat vorige gesondheidsnavorsing meestal op jonger individue en oordraagbare siektes ingestel was. Ons het ’n nasionale bevokings-gebaseerde kruis-seksionele ondersoek uitgevoer op ’n studiemonster van 3840 Suid-Afrikaners, 50-jaar en ouer. Om die verband tussen sosiale faktore, gesondheidsveranderlikes en funksionele gestremdheid te bepaal, is veelvuldig veranderlike regressie-analise uitgevoer. In die algemeen het 37.2% van die respondente matig of ernstige funksionele gestremdheid ervaar wat hoer was onder vroue. Die hoogste vorm van gestremdheid was op die gebiede van beweeglikehid, waarneming en deelname. Die voorkoms van gestremdheid was op alle gebiede hoër in vroue, behalwe op die gebied van selfsorg. Multi-veranderlike ontledings onder mans het getoon dat funksionele gestremdheid geassosieer word met ouderdom, met ’n mate van primêre onderwys, met die Indiese of Asiatiese bevolkingsgroep, en met diegene wat ly aan kroniese toestande (beroerte, slaapprobleme snags), fisiese onaktiwiteit en ’n laer lewenskwaliteit. Die studie het implikasies vir strategiese planne in die gesondheidsektor wat daarop gemik is om gestremdheid te voorkom en om toegang tot genesende en rehabiliterende sorg te verseker. Hierdie studie verskaf ’n grondslag van bewyse waarop beleid- en gesondheidsorg-bestuurstelsels in die toekoms gebaseer kan word.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer

Objective. To identify factors associated with HIV in tuberculosis (TB) patients in a public primary healthcare (PHC) setting in South Africa (SA).Method. Among 4 900 consecutively selected TB patients (54.5% men; women 45.5%) from 42 public PHC clinics in 3 districts in SA, a cross-sectional survey was performed to assess new TB and new TB retreatment patients within one month of anti-TB treatment.Results. The sample comprised 76.6% new TB patients and 23.4% TB retreatment patients. Of those who had tested for HIV, 59.9% were HIV-positive; 9.6% had never tested for HIV. In multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio (OR) 5.86; confidence interval (CI) 4.07 - 8.44), female gender (OR 0.47; CI 0.37 - 0.59), residing in an informal settlement (OR 1.55; CI 1.13 - 2.12), being a TB retreatment patient (OR 0.55; CI 0.42 - 0.72), occasions of sexual intercourse with condom use (OR 1.07; CI 1.02 - 1.13) and having a sexual partner receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) (OR 7.09, CI 4.35 - 11.57) were associated with an HIV-positive status in TB patients.Conclusion. This study revealed high HIV risk behaviour (e.g. unprotected last sexual intercourse and alcohol and drug use in the context of sexual intercourse) among TB patients in SA. Various factors were associated with HIV risk behaviour. Condom use and substance use risk reduction need to be considered as HIV-prevention measures when planning such strategies for TB patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (04) ◽  
pp. 207-215
Author(s):  
Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay ◽  
Carla C Pontes ◽  
Usuf Chikte ◽  
Rajiv T Erasmus ◽  
Andre P Kengne ◽  
...  

Tooth loss constitutes a major public health challenge, sharing common risk factors with non-communicable diseases. To report the relationship between tooth loss and serum cotinine levels in a population sample of mixed ethnic heritage from the Belville South area in South Africa. Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Subjects were invited from 2014 to 2016 according to a consecutive sampling technique and all those who met the inclusion criteria were included. In all, 1876 individuals were included, being 1416 females (75.5%), with a combined average age of 49.5 ± 15.3 years. In total 46.7% of the sample was edentulous, with females presenting a higher proportion than males (50.7% vs. 34.1%, p < 0.001). The relative risk (RR) of being edentulous was higher for females (RR=1.8, 95% CI=1.35-2.41, p<0.001) and for participants with cotinine levels 15-299 ng/ml (RR = 1.37, 95% CI=1.02=1.83, p=0.04) and ≥300 ng/ml (RR=1.51, 95% CI=1.09-2.08, p=0.01). Maxillary incisors and mandibular molars were the most prevalent missing teeth. The burden of tooth loss is high in the studied population sample, as well their unmet needs for dental care. Female gender, tobacco exposure, and aging were associated with partial and total edentulism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabab S. Zaghlol ◽  
Ghada A. Dawa ◽  
Wafaa K. Makarm

Background: Disability in patients with scleroderma (SSc) has been associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in all dimensions, including physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Objective: This study was conducted to examine different factors that may be associated with functional disability and poor HRQoL, with the aim of targeting these factors in the future to improve physical activity, functional outcomes, and HRQoL. Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 patients with SSc to compare characteristics between patients with and without disability using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form–36 (SF-36). Linear regressions were performed to examine variables contributing to functional disability. Results: Almost 65.78% (n = 25) of patients in the study group reported functional disability. The presence of functional disability was associated with reduced HRQoL, as reflected by physical function (P = 0.0001), physical role (P = 0.016), bodily pain (P = 0.001), general health (P = 0.002), social functional (P = 0.002), emotional role (P = 0.042), and mental health (P = 0.025) domains of the SF-36 score. Multiple linear regression indicated that the main predictive factors associated with HAQ-DI were the modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma; modified Rodnan skin score; DIstance walked in 6 minutes, BOrg dyspnea index, and SAturation of oxygen at 6 minutes (DIBOSA); and Fatigue Severity Scale among patients with SSc. Conclusion: In patients with SSc, recognizing the relationships between clinical findings and functional disability will allow the development of further management strategies to minimize disease severity and enhance HRQoL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Simmons ◽  
Katarina Swahnberg

Abstract Background Experiences of violence and abuse is a prominent part of the life history of many older adults and is known to have negative health effects. However, the importance of multiple victimization over the life course, e.g., lifetime polyvictimization, is not well investigated in this age group. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of lifetime physical, emotional, and sexual victimization as well as polyvictimization among older adults in Sweden. We explored background characteristics associated with polyvictimization and hypothesized that violence victimization and especially polyvictimization would be associated with lower health status. To better understand factors that promote health in the aftermath of victimization, we also explored the effect of two resilience factors, sense of coherence (SOC) and social support, on the association between victimization and ill-health. Method Cross-sectional data from a random population sample in Sweden (women n = 270, men n = 337) aged 60–85 was used. Respondents answered questions about exposure to violence, health status, social support, and SOC. Conditional process analysis was used to test if SOC mediates the association between victimization and health outcome, and if social support moderates the association. Results Overall, 24.8% of the women and 27.6% of the men reported some form of lifetime victimization and 82.1% of the female and 62.4% of the male victims were classified as polyvictims, i.e., reported experiences of more than one episode of violence. As hypothesized, we found a negative association between victimization and health status and the association was most prominent for polyvictims. We found moderated mediation for the association between polyvictimization and health status, i.e., polyvictimization was associated with lower SOC and SOC had a positive correlation with health status. Social support moderated the association, i.e., victims without social support had lower health scores. Conclusions Lifetime polyvictimization was common among older adults and associated with lower health status. To help victims of violence recover, or preferably never develop ill-health, a better understanding of what fosters resilience is warranted. This study implies that social support, and especially SOC may be factors to consider in future interventions concerning older adults subjected to violence.


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