scholarly journals Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D + C) among people living in artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike-Marie Butscher ◽  
Stefan Rakete ◽  
Myriam Tobollik ◽  
Viola Mambrey ◽  
Dingani Moyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Mercury Intoxication ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Chronic Mercury Intoxication

Abstract Background In Zimbabwe, an estimated 500,000 people work in the sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Two million Zimbabweans are dependent on this sector. Using mercury is common to extract gold from ore. Long term exposure to mercury can cause various adverse health conditions including chronic mercury intoxication. The influence of these adverse health effects on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is still unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the HRQoL of people who identify themselves as miners, and to analyze potential influencing factors, such as age, years of working with mercury and health conditions caused by mercury exposure. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed the HRQoL using the standardized EQ-5D + C (3 L) questionnaire and collected human specimens (blood, urine) of people living and possibly working in ASGM areas in Zimbabwe. Factors such as age, years of working with mercury and adverse health conditions possibly caused by mercury exposure were analyzed with regards to their influence on the HRQoL. Results The 207 participants (82% male, mean age 38 years) reported 40 different health states. Of the study participants 42.5% reported to be in complete good health while 57.5% reported being unwell in different ways. Nine participants (4.3%) were identified with chronic mercury intoxication, whereas 92 participants (33.3%) had mercury levels above the “Alert” threshold in at least one specimen. Having chronic mercury intoxication has a significant negative influence on the HRQoL, when taking into account age, gender and years of working with mercury. Cognitive problems were the most reported in the questionnaire, however, the association between this domain separately and the HRQoL was not verified. Conclusion This study shows that adverse health effects caused by chronic exposure to mercury, have a negative influence on the HRQoL among people living in ASGM areas.

Assessment of Risks Associated with Short-Term Use of Mefloquine in Canadian Forces Members: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 138 (7) ◽  
pp. 42-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Vaillancourt ◽  
J. Ma ◽  
J. Sampalis
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Canadian Forces ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Military Members ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Media Reports

Background: Media reports have implicated mefloquine as a contributor to adverse health effects experienced by military members serving in areas where chloroquine-resistant malaria is endemic. A systematic retrospective review has been undertaken to evaluate the health effects seen in members who received mefloquine for chemoprophylaxis against malaria. Methods: Medical records of Regular Canadian Forces (CF) personnel who served in Somalia between 1992 and 1993 were reviewed by trained data extractors. All health effects recorded during treatment with mefloquine were assigned ICD-10-CA codes. Data extractors also noted if the effect has been reported with mefloquine, and rated the severity of the effect. Cohen's kappa was calculated to determine concordance between extractors, and descriptive statistics used to report the health effects seen. Results: The majority of the 1413 subjects identified were male (96%). A total of 5019 adverse health effects were recorded in the medical records, most of which were mild in severity. At least one adverse effect which could potentially have been related to mefloquine was reported in 74.7% ( n = 1056) of subjects. Of the adverse effects recorded, 21 were classified by the data extractors as major (18 cases affecting the nervous system and 3 cardiovascular system effects). These results are consistent with those reported in other populations. Conclusions: The results of this study have been applied to guide development of policies governing the provision of chemoprophylaxis during subsequent military missions. In particular, resources have been allocated to formalize the counselling provided to members regarding antimalarials and prevention of malaria infection.

scholarly journals Adverse Health Effects and Unhealthy Behaviors among Medical Students Using Facebook

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai ◽  
Kurubaran Ganasegeran ◽  
Mustafa Ahmed Mahdi Al-Shagga ◽  
Hematram Yadav ◽  
John T. Arokiasamy
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Private University ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
The Family ◽  
Facebook Use ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Little is known about the relationships between adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among medical students using Facebook. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors with Facebook use. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a private university in Malaysia among 316 medical students. A self-administered questionnaire was used. It included questions on sociodemographics, pattern of Facebook use, social relationship, unhealthy behaviors, and health effects. Mean age was 20.5 (±2.7) years. All students had a Facebook account. The average daily Facebook surfing hours were 2.5 (±1.7). Significant associations were found between average hours of Facebook surfing and the following factors: isolation from family members and community, refusing to answer calls, musculoskeletal pain, headache, and eye irritation (P<0.005). The average hours spent on Facebook were significantly associated with holding urination and defecation while online, surfing Facebook until midnight, and postponing, forgetting, or skipping meals (P<0.005). The average hours spent on Facebook were associated with adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among medical students, as well as social isolation from the family and community.

scholarly journals Prevalence of physical health conditions and health risk behaviours in people with severe mental illness in South Asia: protocol for a cross-sectional study (IMPACT SMI survey)

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e037869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo A Zavala ◽  
Krishna Prasad-Muliyala ◽  
Faiza Aslam ◽  
Deepa Barua ◽  
Asiful Haidar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

IntroductionPeople with severe mental illness (SMI) die on average 10–20 years earlier than the general population. Most of these deaths are due to physical health conditions. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of physical health conditions and their associations with health-risk behaviours, health-related quality of life and various demographic, behavioural, cognitive, psychological and social variables in people with SMI attending specialist mental health facilities in South Asia.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a survey of patients with SMI attending specialist mental health facilities in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan (n=4500). Diagnosis of SMI will be confirmed using the Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview V.6.0. We will collect information about physical health and related health-risk behaviours (WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS)); severity of common mental disorders (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7)) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). We will measure blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference according to WHO guidelines. We will also measure glycated haemoglobin, lipid profile, thyroid function, liver function, creatinine and haemoglobin. Prevalence rates of physical health conditions and health-risk behaviours will be presented and compared with the WHO STEPS survey findings in the general population. Regression analyses will explore the association between health-risk behaviours, mental and physical health conditions.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the ethics committees of the Department of Health Sciences University of York (UK), Centre for Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation (Bangladesh), Health Ministry Screening Committee and Indian Council of Medical Research (India) and National Bioethics Committee (Pakistan). Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed articles, in local and international conferences and as reports for policymakers and stakeholders in the countries involved.Trial registration numberISRCTN88485933; 3 June 2019.

Utilization Pattern of Personal Protective Equipment among Industrial Workers of Nawalparasi, Nepal

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva Raj Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Industrial Estate

Introduction: With industrialization, radical alterations in the life of many rapidly developing countries are visible. Lack of well designed and appropriate safety measures leads to serious adverse health consequences to the workforce. The concept of occupational safety and health is still new in Nepal. The main objective of the study was to assess the utilization of personal protective equipment among industrial workers in Chaudhary Group Industrial Estate, Nawalparasi.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out among 187 workers of five industries (Beer, Rio, Chesseball, Chips and Wafer) of Chaudhary Group Industrial Estate, Nawalparasi.Results: Mean age of the workers involved was 34.09 years (SD: ±8.650). Nine out of ten (87.2%) workers used any kind of PPE while working in worksite. Association of use of personal protective equipment with gender and encourage to use of personal protective equipment were statistically significant while income, educational status, age and working experience remained insignificant.Conclusion: Majority of the workers used the personal protective equipment in Chaudhary Group of Industry. All workers of the industry should be aware on the use of personal protective equipment to get protected from any kind of adverse health effects/hazards during while working in the industry.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v13i2.11833

A cross sectional study on assessment of risk of diabetes mellitus using Indian diabetic risk score in a medical college teaching hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
Singam Sivasankar Reddy ◽  
Syeda Rahath ◽  
Rakshitha H N ◽  
Godson K Lal ◽  
Swathy S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
College Teaching ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Counselling ◽  
Related Quality

The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of diabetes mellitus in elderlywith age above 20 years in a hospital setting using Indian Diabetes risk score and to provide patient counselling regarding their life style modifications and health related quality of life among participants with high risk of developing diabetes.A total of 125 non diabetic patients were interviewed with a pre designed selfstructured questionnaire (IDRS). Participants were chosen voluntarily and a written consent was obtained before the administration of the questionnaire from individual patients. In our study we observed that out of 125 patients,males 26[59%]and 18[41%] females were at high risk, males 39[58.2%] and 28[41.8%] females were at moderate risk, males 5[35.7%] and 9[64.3%] females were at low risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Health related quality of life of rosacea patients in China assessed by DLQI and willingness to pay: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqun Huang ◽  
Sha Yan ◽  
Hongfu Xie ◽  
Ben Wang ◽  
Zhixiang Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with facial skin involved, leading to physical and emotional problems, which greatly affected quality of life (QoL) of patients. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and willingness to pay (WTP) are well-established instruments assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while very few studies have been focused on this topic about rosacea in China. OBJECTIVE To investigate HRQoL in Chinese rosacea patients assessed by DLQI and WTP and investigate potential predictors for patients with HRQoL severely affected. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 973 patients with rosacea. Sociodemographic data, clinical features and DLQI were collected, and WTP was assessed by three standardized items. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to investigate independent factors influencing QoL. RESULTS 921 questionnaires were accomplished by participants. The mean DLQI score was 11.6 (median 11). Patients were willing to pay an average of $1050.2 or € 896.2 (median $431.4 or € 368.1) for complete cure. 33.3% would like to pay more than 20% of their monthly income to achieve sustainable control. There were positive correlations between WTP with DLQI (P < .05). DLQI could be independently impacted by age (21-30 and 31-40, OR = 3.242 and 3.617, respectively), the occupational requirement of appearance (high, OR = 4.410), disease duration (< 2 years, OR = 1.582), oedema (OR = 1.844) and severity of flushing, burning, stinging and pruritus (severe, OR = 2.003, 1.981, 2.491, 2.249, respectively). There were no significant associations between WTP and most of the clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS The QoL was negatively affected and should not be ignored among rosacea patients in China. Patients aged 21-40y, having occupational requirement of appearance, with the disease duration less than 2 years, and suffering severe flushing and related symptoms were more likely to have severe or very severe limitation of QoL.

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