Association between self-reported sexually transmitted infection treatment and mental health symptoms in conflict-affected eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Koegler ◽  
Caitlin E Kennedy ◽  
Carol B Thompson ◽  
Peter J Winch ◽  
Remy M Mpanano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Infection Treatment ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Although poor mental health has been associated with sexual risk behavior, few studies have examined the association between mental health and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in conflict-affected settings. With elevated symptoms of poor mental health in conflict-affected settings, it is important to consider if and how mental health may be a risk factor for STIs in these settings. We used cross-sectional logistic regression to examine the association between symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with having been treated for an STI in rural South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among 753 adults, those with elevated self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety (adjusted OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.68, 4.44) and PTSD (adjusted OR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.17, 3.06) had higher odds of reporting ever being treated for an STI than those who were not symptomatic. Our findings suggest that future studies are needed to more rigorously examine the relationship between mental health and STIs.

scholarly journals Disability, violence, and mental health among Somali refugee women in a humanitarian setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazeda Hossain ◽  
Rachel Pearson ◽  
Alys McAlpine ◽  
Loraine Bacchus ◽  
Sheru W. Muuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Refugee Women

Abstract Background There is limited evidence on the relationship between disability, experiences of gender-based violence (GBV), and mental health among refugee women in humanitarian contexts. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of baseline data (n = 209) collected from women enrolled in a cohort study of refugee women accessing GBV response services in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya. Women were surveyed about GBV experiences (past 12 months, before the last 12 months, before arriving in the refugee camps), functional disability status, and mental health (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress), and we explored the inter-relationship of these factors. Results Among women accessing GBV response services, 44% reported a disability. A higher proportion of women with a disability (69%) reported a past-year experience of physical intimate partner violence and/or physical or sexual non-partner violence, compared to women without a disability (54%). A higher proportion of women with a disability (32%) experienced non-partner physical or sexual violence before arriving in the camp compared to women without a disability (16%). Disability was associated with higher scores for depression (1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–3.33), PTSD (2.26, 95% CI 0.03–4.49), and anxiety (1.54, 95% CI 0.13–2.95) after adjusting for age, length of encampment, partner status, number of children, and GBV indicators. Conclusions A large proportion of refugee women seeking GBV response services have disabilities, and refugee women with a disability are at high risk of poor mental health. This research highlights the need for mental health and disability screening within GBV response programming.

scholarly journals The mental health of staff working on Intensive Care Units over the COVID-19 winter surge of 2020 in England: a cross sectional survey.

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Elizabeth Hall ◽  
Joanna Milward ◽  
Cristina Spoiala ◽  
Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal ◽  
Dale Weston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Threshold Criteria

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic generated a surge of critically ill patients greater than the NHS capacity. Additionally there have been multiple well-documented impacts associated with the national COVID-19 pandemic surge on ICU workers including an increased prevalence of mental health disorders on a scale potentially sufficient to impair high-quality care delivery. Aim: To identify prevalence of probable mental health disorders, functional impairment and establish demographic and professional predictors of probable mental health disorders, and functional impairment, in ICU staff between November 2020 to April 2021. Methods: English ICU staff were surveyed before, during and after the winter 2020/2021 surge using a survey which comprised of validated measures of mental health. Results: 6080 surveys were completed, by nurses (57.5%), doctors (27.9%), and other healthcare staff (14.5%). Reporting probable mental health disorders increased from 51% (prior to), to 64% (during) and then dropped to 46% (after) the peak. Younger, less experienced and nursing staff were most likely to report probable mental health disorders. Additionally, during and after the winter, over 50% of participants met threshold criteria for functional impairment. Staff who reported probable post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression were more likely to meet threshold criteria for functional impairment. Conclusions: The winter of 2020/2021 was associated with an increase in poor mental health outcomes and functional impairment during a period of peak caseload. These effects are likely to impact on patient care outcomes and the longer-term resilience of the healthcare workforce.

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 Prevalence of urogenital, anal, and pharyngeal infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium: a cross-sectional study in Reunion island

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Calas ◽  
N. Zemali ◽  
G. Camuset ◽  
J. Jaubert ◽  
R. Manaquin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Urogenital Infection ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Background Recommendations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening vary significantly across countries. This study evaluated the prevalence of urogenital and extragenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in patients visiting a French STI clinic in the Indian Ocean region to determine whether current STI screening practices should be updated. Methods This cross-sectional study examined all patients who visited the STI clinic between 2014 and 2015. Triplex polymerase chain reaction screening for CT, NG, and MG was performed on urine, vaginal, pharyngeal, and anal specimens (FTD Urethritis Basic Kit, Fast Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg). Results Of the 851 patients enrolled in the study, 367 were women (367/851, 43.2%) and 484 were men (484/851, 56.0%). Overall, 826 urogenital specimens (826/851, 97.1%), 606 pharyngeal specimens (606/851, 71.2%), and 127 anal specimens (127/851, 14.9%) were taken from enrolled patients. The prevalence of urogenital CT and MG was high in women ≤25 years (19/186, 10.21%; 5/186, 2.69%) and in men who have sex with women ≤30 years (16/212, 7.54%; 5/212, 2.36%). Among patients with urogenital CT infection, 13.7% (7/51) had urethritis. All patients with urogenital MG infection were asymptomatic. Men who have sex with men had a high prevalence of pharyngeal CT (2/45, 4.44%) and NG (3/44, 6.81%) and a high prevalence of anal CT (2/27, 7.41%), NG (2/27, 7.40%), and MG (1/27, 3.70%). After excluding patients with concomitant urogenital infection, extragenital infections with at least 1 of the 3 pathogens were found in 20 swabs (20/91, 21.9%) taken from 16 patients (16/81, 19.7%), all of them asymptomatic. Conclusions Routine multisite screening for CT, NG, and MG should be performed to mitigate the transmission of STIs in high-risk sexually active populations.

scholarly journals Analytical Performance of the Exacto Test HIV Self-Test: A Cross-Sectional Field Study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Tonen-Wolyec ◽  
Jérémie Muwonga Masidi ◽  
Luc Ferdinand Kamanga Lukusa ◽  
Gaetan Nsiku Dikumbwa ◽  
Angèle Sarassoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Analytical Performance ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Excellent Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Performance Sensitivity ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Self Test

Abstract The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun implementing HIV self-testing to boost the first “95” of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2025. This study aims to assess the performance and usability of the Exacto Test HIV (Biosynex, Strasbourg, France) self-test in the lab and in the field. The Exacto Test HIV self-test demonstrated high virological performance (sensitivity, 99.6%; specificity, 100%) in the lab and in the field in the hand of untrained users (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 98.9%). Taken together, the excellent performance and usability characteristics of the Exacto Test HIV (Biosynex) self-test make the kit a viable option for HIV self-testing in the DRC.

scholarly journals Performers of the night: Examining the mental health of electronic music artists

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562097698
Author(s):  
Jolan Kegelaers ◽  
Lewie Jessen ◽  
Eline Van Audenaerde ◽  
Raôul RD Oudejans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Electronic Music ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Levels Of Functioning

Despite growing popular interest for the mental health of electronic music artists, scientific research addressing this topic has remained largely absent. As such, the aim of the current study was to examine the mental health of electronic music artists, as well as a number of determinants. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, a total of 163 electronic music artists participated in this study. In line with the two-continua model of mental health, both symptoms of depression/anxiety and well-being were adopted as indicators for mental health. Furthermore, standardized measures were used to assess potential determinants of mental health, including sleep disturbance, music performance anxiety, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, occupational stress, resilience, and social support. Results highlighted that around 30% of participants experienced symptoms of depression/anxiety. Nevertheless, the majority of these participants still demonstrated at least moderate levels of functioning and well-being. Sleep disturbance formed a significant predictor for both symptoms of depression/anxiety and well-being. Furthermore, resilience and social support were significant predictors for well-being. The results provide a first glimpse into the mental health challenges experienced by electronic music artists and support the need for increased research as well as applied initiatives directed at safeguarding their mental health.

scholarly journals Mental health, compliance with measures and health prospects during the COVID-19 epidemic: the role of health literacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lize Hermans ◽  
Stephan Van den Broucke ◽  
Lydia Gisle ◽  
Stefaan Demarest ◽  
Rana Charafeddine
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Normal Life ◽  
Low Health Literacy

Abstract Background The importance of health literacy in dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic has been emphasized but scarcely addressed empirically. In this study, the association of health literacy with mental health, compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and health prospects was assessed in a Belgian context. Methods Data were extracted from the third of a series of cross-sectional online COVID-related surveys (n = 32,794). Data collection took place for 1 week starting the 28th of May 2020. People residing in Belgium and aged 18 years or older could participate. Data were collected on sociodemographic background, health literacy, multimorbidity, mental health (depression, anxiety, sleeping disorder, vitality), knowledge about COVID-19, compliance with COVID-19 measures (hygiene, physical distance, covering mouth and nose on public transport and in places where physical distance cannot be respected), and health prospects (risk for health when returning to normal life and possibility of infection). Prevalence Ratio (PR) of poor mental health, non-compliance with the measures and health prospects in relation to health literacy were calculated using Poisson regressions. Results People showing sufficient health literacy were less likely to suffer from anxiety disorders (PR = 0.47, 95% CI = [0.42–0.53]), depression (PR = 0.46, 95% CI = [0.40–0.52]) and sleeping disorders (PR = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.82–0.87]), and more likely to have optimal vitality (PR = 2.41, 95% CI = [2.05–2.84]) than people with low health literacy. They were less at risk of not complying with the COVID-19 measures (PR between 0.60 and 0.83) except one (covering mouth and nose in places where physical distance cannot be respected). Finally, they were less likely to perceive returning to normal life as threatening (PR = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.65–0.77]) and to consider themselves at risk of an infection with COVID-19 (PR = 0.75, 95% CI = [0.67–0.84]). The associations remained significant after controlling for COVID-19 knowledge and multimorbidity. Conclusions These results suggest that health literacy is a crucial factor in managing the COVID-19 epidemic and offer a perspective for future studies that target health literacy in the context of virus outbreaks.

scholarly journals Mental disorder and PTSD in Syria during wartime: a nationwide crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameer Kakaje ◽  
Ragheed Al Zohbi ◽  
Osama Hosam Aldeen ◽  
Leen Makki ◽  
Ayham Alyousbashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Severe Mental Disorder ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Syria has experienced war since 2011, leaving over 80% under the poverty line and millions displaced. War and its retaliations have significantly impacted the mental health of Syrians. This study evaluates the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the severity of the mental distress caused by war and other factors such as low social support. This study also evaluates other variables and compares the findings with those of multiple studies on Syria and refugees. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that included people who lived in Syria in different governorates. Online surveys were distributed into multiple online groups and included the Kessler 10 (K10) scale which screens for anxiety and depression, the Screen for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (SPTSS) tool, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and questionnaires on demographic and war-related factors. Results Our study included 1951 participants, of which, 527 (27.0%) were males and 1538 (78.8%) between the age of 19 and 25. Among participants, 44% had likely severe mental disorder, 27% had both likely severe mental disorder and full PTSD symptoms, 36.9% had full PTSD symptoms, and only 10.8% had neither positive PTSD symptoms nor mental disorder on the K10 scale. Around 23% had low overall support. Half of the responders were internally displaced, and 27.6% were forced to change places of living three times or more due to war. Around 86.6% of the responders believed that the war was the main reason for their mental distress. Those with high SPTSS and K10 scores were found to take more days off from work or school due to negative feelings and having somatic symptoms. Moreover, the number of times changing places of living due to war, educational level, and being distressed by war noise were the most prominent factors for more severe PTSD and mental distress. No differences in PTSD and mental disorder prevalence were noted in participants living in different governorates or among different types of jobs. A strong significant correlation (r = 0.623) was found between SPTSS and K10 scores. Conclusion The conflict in Syria has left the population at great risk for mental distress which was higher compared to Syrian refugees elsewhere. Many measures with an emphasis on mental health are needed to help the people against a long-term avoidable suffering.

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