Disparities of perceived wellness by smoking and professional status among young individuals in Brasov, Brasov County, Romania

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association of risk factors such as smoking and professional status (students vs employed) as determinants of disparities in perceived wellness among Romanian individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 145 participants were enrolled from December 2017 to February 2018, in Brasov, Brasov County, Transylvania, Romania. We used a simplified Perceived Wellness Survey model to measure the holistic individual perceived wellness status by professional and smoking status. Basic descriptive and multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess and contrast participants’ characteristics and wellness score distributions. A factor analysis was used to estimate Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin values and calculate standardized Cronbach’s coefficients. Results: The average age of our participants was 27.7 years. Compared with students, more employed participants tended to smoke electronic cigarettes ( p < 0.0001). The association between professional status and perceived wellness was non-significant. Employed participants were nevertheless more likely to regard themselves as more proactive in dealing with emotional ( p < 0.0001), environmental ( p = 0.0042), and spiritual issues ( p = 0.0039). Perceived physical wellness was statistically different by smoking status ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Among our study participants, there is an association between smoking and perceived wellness. For emotional, environmental, and spiritual domains, employed participants are more likely to regard themselves as more confident. Our study demonstrates the direct application of the Perceived Wellness Survey model in predicting the disparities of perceived wellness among young individuals. It allows health agencies to target disparity interventions among populations with high risk of low perceived wellness.

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Tobacco Use among University Students of Jazan Region: Gender Differences and Associated Factors

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/279231 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Mohamed Salih Mahfouz ◽

Rashad Mohammed Alsanosy ◽

Abdelrahim Mutwakel Gaffar ◽

Anwar Makeen

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Tobacco Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Participants ◽

Academic Year ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Objectives. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use and behavioral patterns among undergraduate students at higher education institutions in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia during the 2011-2012 academic year and to investigate factors that contribute to tobacco use by gender.Methods. A cross-sectional study of 4100 undergraduate students was conducted. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the extent and pattern of tobacco consumption and factors associated with tobacco use.Results. Current smokers accounted for 16.8% (95% CI: 15.6–18.1) of the population sampled; 25.6% (95% CI: 23.8–27.5) of males were current smokers, whereas only 4.6% (95% CI: 3.6–5.8) of females were current smokers (P=0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed that the most important variables explaining tobacco use among study participants were the use of khat (OR=14.05;P=0.000), smoking status of friends (OR=2.25;P=0.000), and substance use by friends (OR=1.81;P=0.001).Conclusions. The results demonstrated that khat use was the main predictor for smoking in Jazan for both males and females. Interventions should be designed to reduce the use of tobacco among university students.

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Vulnerable Plaque Is More Prevalent in Male Individuals at High Risk of Stroke: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.642192 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jie Li ◽

Lijie Gao ◽

Ping Zhang ◽

Yingying Liu ◽

Ju Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Vulnerable Plaque ◽

Carotid Plaque ◽

Multivariate Analyses ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Carotid Plaques ◽

Vulnerable Plaques

ObjectivesTo assess the gender differences in the prevalence of carotid vulnerable plaques in high-risk individuals for stroke in a multicenter, cross-sectional study.MethodsIn the year 2015, 18595 residents who were at the age of 40 or older participated in a face-to-face study in eight communities in southwestern China. Totally 2,644 participants at high risk of stroke were enrolled. Before and after propensity score matching (PSM), the prevalence of carotid plaques and vulnerable plaques were compared between men and women. Multivariate analyses were applied to explore the association between the gender and carotid plaques. Stratified analyses and interaction tests were performed to identify factors that might modify the association between the gender and carotid plaques.ResultsAmong 2644 high-risk individuals enrolled, there were 1,202 (45.5%) men and 1442 (54.5%) women. Carotid plaques were detected in 904 (34.2%) participants, while vulnerable plaques were found in 425 (16.1%) participants. Before PSM, carotid plaques were more prevalent in male individuals than the female (36.7% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.01), as well as vulnerable plaque (20.0% vs. 12.8%, p < 0.01). Men tend to have a higher prevalence of vulnerable plaques in multivariate analyses (adjusted OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.10–2.62, p = 0.02). Stratified analyses and interaction tests demonstrated that the association between male sex and vulnerable carotid plaque did not change by age, family history of stroke, histories of chronic disease, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, and BMI (all p for interaction > 0.05). After PSM, vulnerable plaques were still more prevalent in male individuals than the female (17.03% vs. 12.07%, p = 0.032).ConclusionMale individuals had a higher risk of vulnerable carotid plaque independent of classical vascular risk factors. Whether there is a gender-specific association between variations in genes related to inflammation, lipid metabolis, and endothelial function and plaque vulnerability needs to be further studied.

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A Cross-Sectional Study of Electronic Cigarette Use Among Chinese Adult Populations in Four Cities of China. Part I. Questionnaire Survey

Contributions to Tobacco & Nicotine Research ◽

10.2478/cttr-2021-0011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 138-148

Author(s):

Ping-ping Shang ◽

Ge Zhao ◽

Xiang Li ◽

Chen-feng Hua ◽

Yi-chun Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Strong Association ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nicotine Concentration ◽

The Past ◽

Chinese Adult ◽

Quit Smoking ◽

Study Participants

Summary The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has grown exponentially over the past few years in China. To obtain the basic information of Chinese EC users, a questionnaire survey was performed to collect the data that describe characteristics of study populations, including daily usage, consumption preference, and risk perception. Volunteers were recruited from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen cities of China. In total, among the 511 participants that were included in the analysis, 491 participants (95%) used refillable ECs in the past 3 months. There was a strong association between EC use and traditional cigarette smoking. The majority of participants were dual users and the number of cigarettes smoked decreased with the use of ECs. After using an EC, 20.7% of conventional cigarette smokers attempted to quit smoking. Young people were the primary users across all geographic locations. Specifically, the daily usage for the participants who were 18–39 years old, was higher than those over 40 years old. The majority of participants (59.9%) preferred fruit flavors and 57.8% of them used 1–5 mg/mL nicotine-concentration liquids. Most EC users are motived to quit smoking, and 74.6% claimed that the ECs had no irritant effect on the oral cavity. A total of 50.5% of family members of the study participants reported an improvement of health status while the participants used ECs instead of traditional cigarettes. Overall, the results of this Chinese survey indicate that the per-day cigarette consumption of the dual users decreased whereas their proportion of smokers of low-“tar” cigarettes increased.

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Risk Factors for Undernutrition at Admission Among Adult Hospitalized Patients at a Referral Hospital in Indonesia

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244020983310 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 215824402098331

Author(s):

Nur Chandra Bunawan ◽

Dwi Suseno ◽

Drupadi H. S. Dillon ◽

Ikhwan Rinaldi ◽

Dyah Purnamasari

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Multivariate Analyses ◽

Gastrointestinal Disease ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Initial Hospital ◽

Comorbidity Index

Patients with undernutrition at admission have higher risks to worsen their nutritional status, which is linked to an increase in morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the prevalence of undernutrition at admission and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients aged 18 to 59 years old in Internal Medicine ward at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, between July and September 2019. Factors that might be associated with undernutrition at admission, such as age, sex, marital status, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and type of comorbidity, depression, and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), were assessed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the associated factors. Sixty hospitalized patients with median age of 42 years and 76.7% with married status joined the study. The most common reason for hospitalization was acute gastrointestinal disease with gallstones as the most common comorbidity. Undernutrition exists in 26.7% of subjects. High CCI score was observed among 11.7% subjects and half of subjects had NLR category ≥5. Bivariate analysis revealed that unmarried status, age ≥40 years, and malignancy were associated with undernutrition at admission. Logistic regression analysis showed malignancy as an independent predictor of undernutrition during the initial hospital admission (odds ratio [OR] = 11.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.1, 125.7]). The prevalence of undernutrition at admission was 26.7%. Factors associated with an increased prevalence of undernutrition at admission were age <40 years, unmarried status, and malignancy. Malignancy was an independent factor of the prevalence of undernutrition at admission.

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Asymptomatic low-density Plasmodium infection during non-transmission season: a community-based cross-sectional study in two districts of North Eastern Region, India

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/trab017 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hari Shankar ◽

Sobhan Phookan ◽

Mrigendra Pal Singh ◽

Ram Suresh Bharti ◽

Naseem Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Low Density ◽

Plasmodium Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Agencies ◽

North Eastern ◽

Asymptomatic Infections

Abstract Background Malaria elimination requires targeting asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infections that largely remain undetected. Therefore we conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the burden of asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infection using conventional and molecular diagnostics. Methods A total of 9118 participants, irrespective of age and sex, were screened for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. Results Among the participants, 707 presented with symptoms and 8411 without symptoms, of which Plasmodium was present in 15.6% (110/707) and 8.1% (681/8411), respectively. Low-density infection was found in 5.1% (145/2818) of participants and 8327 of 9118 were Plasmodium negative. Endemicity was propotional to asymptomatic infections (high endemicity 11.1% [404/3633] vs low endemicity 5.8% [277/4778]; odds ratio [OR] 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.7 to 2.4]) but inversely related to low-density infection (high endemicity 3.7% [57/1545] vs low endemicity 6.9% [88/1273]; OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.7]). The spleen rate in children 2–9 y of age was 17.9% (602/3368) and the enlarged spleen index was 1.6. Children between 8 and 14 y showed higher odds for asymptomatic (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.75 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.2]) and low-density infections (aOR 0.63 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.0)] than adults. Conclusions The prevalence of asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infection undermines the usefulness of standard diagnostic tools used by health agencies. This necessitates deploying molecular tools in areas where malaria microscopy/RDTs indicate a dearth of infection.

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Undernutrition and associated factors in orphan children aged 6–59 months in Gambella Southwest, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045892 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e045892

Author(s):

Solomon Feleke ◽

Gudina Egata ◽

Firehiwot Mesfin ◽

Gizachew Yilak ◽

Abebaw Molla

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Access To Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Orphaned Children ◽

Access To Health ◽

Study Participants ◽

Children Under 5

ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and associated factors in orphaned children under 5 years old.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingGambella City, Ethiopia.ParticipantsA sample of 419 under 5 orphaned children included in the study. Eligible households with orphans had selected using a systematic random sampling method. The lottery method was used when more than one eligible study participants live in the household. An OR with 95% CI was performed to measure the strength of association between each dependent variable and independent variables. Variables with p<0.05 were declared statistically significant.Primary outcomeThe main outcome of this study was the prevalence of undernutrition among orphaned under 5 and its associated factors.ResultsPrevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight in orphan children under 5 were 12.2%, 37.8% and 21.7%, respectively. The prevalnce of wasting peaks among age group of 36–47 months (42.5%), whereas underweight peaks in 48–59 months (27.7%). Food insecurity, wealth index, family size, vitamin A supplementation, diarrhoea, fever 2 weeks before the survey, children under 5 and parents’ death were associated with undernutrition.ConclusionThe prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among orphan children under 5 was significantly high. Multisectoral collaborative efforts towards access to health services, improving income-generating activities, micronutrient supplementation and social support and protection targeting orphan and vulnerable populations have to be built up.

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Association of breastfeeding and risk of metabolic syndrome and its components in postmenopausal parous women: Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (2010 ~ 2016)

Archives of Public Health ◽

10.1186/s13690-021-00607-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jusuk Lee ◽

Taehong Kim

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Korean Women ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Background Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding (BF) and metabolic syndrome (Mets) is important for maternal long-term health benefits and disease prevention. This study aimed to examine the association between BF and Mets and its components among postmenopausal parous Korean women. Methods This cross-sectional study on 10,356 Korean women used nationally representative data from the KNHANES from 2010 to 2016. Anthropometric, laboratory data and manual BP were measured. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of BF with Mets and its components after adjusting for potential confounding variables. A p-value < 0.05 was to be considered statistically significant. Results Mets was present in 42% of the study participants. The BF group had low household income and education level. The prevalence of Mets in the BF group was higher than that in the non-BF group (42.69% vs. 34.76%, p < 0.001). BF was associated with increased risk of Mets (odds ratio [OR]: 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–1.65, p < 0.001). The BF group was at higher risks for diabetes (OR: 1.5, 95%CI: 1.14–1.98), hypertension (OR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.03–1.68), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.02–1.99) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.06–1.65). Conclusion In this study, BF did not affect decreasing the prevalence of Mets and its components.

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Association between central non-dipping pattern and platelet morphology in adults with type 1 diabetes without cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94414-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michal Kulecki ◽

Dariusz Naskret ◽

Mikolaj Kaminski ◽

Dominika Kasprzak ◽

Pawel Lachowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Distribution Width ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Platelet Morphology ◽

Oscillometric Device

AbstractThe non-dipping pattern is nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) fall of less than 10%. Several studies showed that the non-dipping pattern, increased mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Hypertensives with the non-dipping pattern have higher MPV than the dippers but this relationship was never investigated among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to investigate the association between the central dipping pattern and platelet morphology in T1DM subjects. We measured the central and brachial blood pressure with a validated non-invasive brachial oscillometric device—Arteriograph 24—during twenty-four-hour analysis in T1DM subjects without diagnosed hypertension. The group was divided based on the central dipping pattern for the dippers and the non-dippers. From a total of 62 subjects (32 males) aged 30.1 (25.7–37) years with T1DM duration 15.0 (9.0–20) years, 36 were non-dippers. The non-dipper group had significantly higher MPV (MPV (10.8 [10.3–11.5] vs 10.4 [10.0–10.7] fl; p = 0.041) and PDW (13.2 [11.7–14.9] vs 12.3 [11.7–12.8] fl; p = 0.029) than dipper group. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that MPV (OR 3.74; 95% CI 1.48–9.45; p = 0.005) and PDW (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.22–3.00; p = 0.005) were positively associated with central non-dipping pattern adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, daily insulin intake, and height. MPV and PDW are positively associated with the central non-dipping pattern among people with T1DM.

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Knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards preeclampsia and its associated factors in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a multi‐center facility‐based cross‐sectional study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-03647-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maru Mekie ◽

Dagne Addisu ◽

Minale Bezie ◽

Abenezer Melkie ◽

Dejen Getaneh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

First Trimester ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Study Participants ◽

South Gondar

Abstract Background Preeclampsia has the greatest impact on maternal mortality which complicates nearly a tenth of pregnancies worldwide. It is one of the top five maternal mortality causes and responsible for 16 % of direct maternal death in Ethiopia. Little is known about the level of knowledge and attitude towards preeclampsia in Ethiopia. This study was designed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards preeclampsia and its associated factors in South Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A multicenter facility-based cross-sectional study was implemented in four selected hospitals of South Gondar Zone among 423 pregnant women. Multistage random sampling and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select the study sites and the study participants respectively. Data were entered in EpiData version 3.1 while cleaned and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Adjusted odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval were used to identify the significance of the association between the level of knowledge on preeclampsia and its predictors. Results In this study, 118 (28.8 %), 120 (29.3 %) of the study participants had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards preeclampsia respectively. The likelihood of having good knowledge on preeclampsia was found to be low among women with no education (AOR = 0.22, 95 % CI (0.06, 0.85)), one antenatal care visit (ANC) (AOR = 0.13, 95 % CI (0.03, 0.59)). Whereas, those who booked for ANC in the first trimester (AOR = 6.59, 95 % CI (1.43, 30.33)), gave the last birth at a health facility (AOR = 2.61, 955 CI (1.03, 6.61)), and experienced a complication during previous births (AOR = 3.67, 95 % CI (1.78, 7.57)) were more likely to be knowledgeable on preeclampsia. Conclusions No formal education and not attending four ANC visits were associated with poor knowledge of preeclampsia. While participants who visited health facilities during the first trimester, who gave birth at health facilities, and those who experienced a complication in previous births were more likely to be knowledgeable on preeclampsia. Improving the numbers of ANC visits and encouraging facility delivery are important measures to improve women’s knowledge on preeclampsia. Health education regarding preeclampsia risk factors, symptoms, and complications shall be emphasized.

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Factors Associated With Knee Pain and Heel Pain in Youth Soccer Players Aged 8 to 12 Years

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967119883370 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. 232596711988337 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Toshiyuki Iwame ◽

Tetsuya Matsuura ◽

Naoto Suzue ◽

Joji Iwase ◽

Hirokazu Uemura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Pain ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Heel Pain ◽

Older Age ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Clinical Factors ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Study Participants

Background: Soccer is played by many children younger than 12 years. Despite its health benefits, soccer has also been linked to a high number of sport-related injuries. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between clinical factors and knee or heel pain in youth soccer players. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Study participants included 602 soccer players aged 8 to 12 years who were asked whether they had experienced episodes of knee or heel pain. Data were collected on age, body mass index, years of playing soccer, playing position, and training hours per week. Associations of clinical factors with the prevalence of knee or heel pain were examined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Episodes of knee and heel pain were reported by 29.4% and 31.1% of players, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that older age and more years of playing soccer were significantly and positively associated with the prevalence of knee pain ( P = .037 and P = .015 for trend, respectively) but did not identify any significant associations for heel pain. Conclusion: In this study of youth soccer players, knee pain was associated with older age and more years of play, but heel pain was not significantly associated with any factor.

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