scholarly journals Depression and anxiety among pregnant mothers in the initial stage of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the southwest of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najmeh Maharlouei ◽  
Pedram Keshavarz ◽  
Niloufar Salemi ◽  
Kamran B. Lankarani

Abstract ‌Background Women are at a higher risk for depression progression, especially during pregnancy. The current study purposed to investigate depression, anxiety, and stress levels of pregnant mothers in the initial stage of the COVID-19 infection in the southwest of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted during March and April, 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. Pregnant mothers registered in maternity clinics affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were included. An online self-administered checklist was used. It included socio-demographic, obstetric and medical histories, and the short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results In total, 540 pregnant mothers answered the questionnaire. 83.5% had no comorbidity. Abnormal depression scores were significantly higher in those who had no insurance (OR = 2.5) and in those with poor self-rated health (SRH) (OR = 27.8). Pregnant mothers with lower SRH and two or more comorbidities had a higher chance of having an abnormal level of anxiety subscale (6.9, 3.7 times, retrospectively). Conclusion The results revealed that an abnormal level of depression was associated with SRH and medical insurance status. Moreover, the number of comorbidities and poor SRH significantly increased the chance of achieving abnormal anxiety levels in pregnant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najmeh Maharlouei ◽  
Pedram Keshavarz ◽  
Kamran B. Lankarani

Abstract ‌Background: Women are at higher risk for depression progression especially during pregnancy. So, we aimed to investigate depression, anxiety, and stress level of pregnant mothers in the initial stage of the COVID-19 infection in Southwest of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted during March and April, 2020 in Shiraz, Iran. Pregnant mothers registered in maternity clinics affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were included. An online self-administered checklist was used. It included socio-demographic, obstetric and medical history, and the short form of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) for evaluation of depression, anxiety, and stress. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: 540 pregnant mothers answered the questionnaire. 83.5% had no comorbidity. Abnormal depression score was significantly higher in those who did not have any insurance (OR= 2.5) and in those with poor self-rated health (SRH) (OR= 27.8). Pregnant mothers with lower SRH and two or more comorbidities had higher chance of having abnormal level of anxiety subscale; 6.9, 3.7 times, retrospectively. Conclusion: The study revealed that that abnormal level of depression was associated with SRH and medical insurance status. Moreover, the number of comorbidities and poor SRH were significantly increased the chance of achieving abnormal anxiety level in pregnant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Elaheh Shaghaghian ◽  
Mohammad Reza Namazi ◽  
Alireza Shaghaghian

Background: Melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers in the world, its incidence rate has increased in the last decades. We aim to define the frequency, and epidemiologic features of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Cases diagnosed between 2011 and 2016 in teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was have performed at hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2011 to 2016. Pathology reports collected from the laboratory along with general information such as age, sex, site of the tumor and had ulceration or not. SPSS version 23 statistical software was used for data analyzing. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: A total of 183 cases of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma were registered in Faghihi Teaching hospital, 7 cases in Namazi Teaching Hospital and 6 cases in Motahari clinic in Shiraz, between 2011 and 2016. The average age was 64.5 years with age range of 1year to 89 years, mostly in women (51.5%) and also most of the tumor sites were in the foot 46 (23.5%) and then in the scalp 20 (10.2%). The incidence of ulceration was 41 (20.9%), and the most common stage of the tumor was stage one. Conclusion: The results proved the importance of awareness of the physicians about the frequency and epidemiologic features of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma in their region that they can diagnose or screen and treat them more earlier in better ways.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A93.1-A93
Author(s):  
Makiko Nakano ◽  
Kazuyuki Omae ◽  
Yoko Eitaki ◽  
Satoko Iwasawa ◽  
Kota Fukai ◽  
...  

BackgroundIn 2012, ortho-toluidine (OT) was listed as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, based on epidemiologic observations in workers co-exposed to OT and aromatic amines. Between 2014 and 2017, 10 cases of bladder cancer (BC) were identified in Japanese males working at two plants of the same company manufacturing intermediates of organic dyes and pigments.ObjectiveTo describe the features of the BC epidemic at the plants.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 76 OT and/or aromatic amine-exposed workers including the 10 BC cases at the plants in 2017. The co-exposed aromatic amines were para-toluidine, ortho-anisidine, aniline, 2,4-dimethylaniline, and/or ortho-chloroaniline. Details of each worker’s job-site histories were obtained from the company records. Past medical symptoms and histories were checked in physician interviews. The subjects were divided into the BC group (n=10) and the non-BC group (n=66) and compared. No quantitative exposure data were available. The surrogate level of exposure to each aromatic amine was calculated as the summed job-weight-month in each process in each job-year.ResultsThe mean ages of the non-BC and BC groups were 50 and 56 years and the durations of employment were 23 and 20 years, respectively. The smoking rate in both groups was 80%. Significantly higher rates of gross hematuria (70%) and cystitis (70%) were identified in the BC group’s past medical histories. In the BC group, the surrogate levels of exposure to OT were higher than those of exposures to other aromatic amines. The surrogate levels were high in the job processes of filtering, rinsing, drying and packing products.ConclusionsThe subjects with BC were associated with a high surrogate level of exposure to OT. OT-exposed workers with past histories of gross hematuria and cystitis need a careful follow-up.


Author(s):  
Alfonso Urzúa ◽  
Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽  
Diego Henríquez ◽  
David R. Williams

There is not much evidence on the effects of south–south migration and its consequences on physical and mental health. Our objective was to examine the mediating role of Acculturative Stress in the association between ethnic discrimination and racial discrimination with physical and mental health. This research is a non-experimental, analytical, cross-sectional study. A total of 976 adult Colombian migrants living in Chile were interviewed. We used the Everyday Discrimination Scale, the acculturative stress scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-12) for health status; we found that racial and ethnic discrimination had a negative effect on physical and mental health. In the simultaneous presence of both types of discrimination, racial discrimination was completely absorbed by ethnic discrimination, the latter becoming a total mediator of the effect of racial discrimination on mental and physical health. Our findings are consistent with the literature, which suggests that there are various types of discrimination which, individually or in their intersectionality, can have negative effects on health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Y. T. Fong ◽  
Janet Y. H. Wong ◽  
Edmond P. H. Choi ◽  
K. F. Lam ◽  
C. Kwok

Abstract Background The Short Form 12-item Health Survey (SF-12v2) was originally developed in English, but it is also available in Hong Kong (HK) Chinese. While both language versions had their measurement properties well assessed in their respective populations, their measurement invariance in scores has not been examined. Therefore, we aimed to assess their measurement invariance. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on individuals aged 18 years or older at a university campus. Those who were bilingual in English and Chinese were randomly assigned to self-complete either the standard English or the HK Chinese SF-12v2. Measurement invariance of the two components and eight scales of the SF-12v2 was concluded if the corresponding 90% confidence interval (CI) for the difference between the two language versions entirely fell within the minimal clinically important difference of ± 3 units. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also performed. Results A total of 1013 participants completed the SF-12v2 (496 in English and 517 in HK Chinese), with a mean age of 22 years (Range 18–58), and 626 participants (62%) were female. There were no significant differences in demographics. Only the physical and mental components and the mental health (MH) scale had their 90% CIs (0.21 to 1.61, − 1.00 to 0.98, and − 0.86 to 2.84, respectively) completely fall within the ± 3 units. The multiple-group CFA showed partial strict invariance. Conclusions The English and HK Chinese versions of the SF-12v2 can be used in studies with their two components and MH scores pooled in the analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732199604
Author(s):  
Sabina David Ruban ◽  
Claudia Christina Hilt ◽  
Thor Petersen

Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease leading to reduced quality of life. Objectives To investigate whether motor and cognitive fatigue impact differently on aspects of quality of life among patients with multiple sclerosis, independently from bodily disability. Methods 79 patients with multiple sclerosis from Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark were included in an observational, cross-sectional study. Each subject completed two separate questionnaires regarding fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale) and one regarding quality of life (Short Form 36). Disability was measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)-scores obtained from patient records. Results All fatigue scores were significantly correlated to all areas of quality of life (p < 0,05). This remained significant after adjustment for age, disease duration and EDSS-score. When looking at each type of fatigue separately, cognitive fatigue correlated mainly with mental health aspects of quality of life and motor fatigue with physical health areas of quality of life. Conclusion Increased motor and cognitive fatigue lead to a differential reduction in physical and mental quality of life, independently of bodily disability. This underlines the importance of proper assessment and treatment of fatigue among patients with multiple sclerosis.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Joana Proença Becker ◽  
Rui Paixão ◽  
Manuel João Quartilho

(1) Background: Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by medical diagnosis, injuries, and medication intake. More than the presence of unexplained symptoms, this condition is associated with functional disabilities, psychological distress, increased use of health services, and it has been linked to depressive and anxiety disorders. Recognizing the difficulty of diagnosing individuals with FSS and the impact on public health systems, this study aimed to verify the concomitant incidence of psychopathological symptoms and FSS in Portugal. (2) Methods: For this purpose, 93 psychosomatic outpatients (91.4% women with a mean age of 53.9 years old) and 101 subjects from the general population (74.3% women with 37.8 years old) were evaluated. The survey questionnaire included the 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire, the 20-Item Short Form Survey, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and questions on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. (3) Results: Increases in FSS severity were correlated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The findings also suggest that increased rates of FSS are associated with lower educational level and female gender. (4) Conclusion: Being aware of the relationship between FSS and psychopathological symptoms and the need to explore psychosocial issues during clinical interviews may favor early detection of these cases. The early detection of mental disorders is essential for individuals’ adherence to treatments, reflecting on healthcare costs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 009-012
Author(s):  
Laudari S

Background and Aims: Secondary prophylaxis has remained the mainstay of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease management. Despite the proven ef􀏐icacy and superiority of injectable penicillin in rheumatic heart disease patients, it has been underused in Nepal. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based cross-sectional study during June 2014 to October 2018 over a period of 52 months at College of Medical Sciences-Bharatpur including 350 patients with clinical and/or echocardiographic evidence of de􀏐inite rheumatic heart disease. Data was collected from both cardiology outpatients and inpatients (admitted in cardioward/coronary care unit). Relevant data and information were entered into the pre-structured proforma and then analyzed by SPSS-16 software. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 6 to 80 years with mean age 36.76±4.6years with female preponderance (F:M=1.26:1). The predominantly involved isolated valve was mitral in 152 patients (44.43%) followed by aortic valve in 70 patients (20.00%) and rest 90 (25.71%) had dual valvular involvement. The common complications encountered were heart failure in 200(57.14%) and arrhythmias in 155(44.29%) patients. Two hundred ten (60.00%) of the patients received penicillin (oral and injectable) and erythromycin. Majority 180/210=85.71%) were prescribed on oral penicillin whereas only 46/210=21.90% received injectable penicillin; the ratio being 3.35:1. Conclusion: RHD is a leading cause of heart failure and death among young population. There is underuse of penicillin with very minimal focus on use of injectable penicillins currently. Hence, Nepal government and other non-governmental organizations should consider implementation of use of penicillin broadly and moreover focus on use and adherence of injectable penicillin. Keywords: Rheumatic Heart Disease, Penicillin, Underuse, Secondary Prophylaxis.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Payam Rashnoudi ◽  
Arman Amiri ◽  
Maryam Omidi ◽  
Abbas Mohammadi

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that the decrease in the inner diameter of vessels caused by hyperlipidemia lowers the capacity for blood oxygen delivery to the cochlea. This leads to impaired cochlear metabolism and causes hearing problems. OBJECTIVE: The effects of dyslipidemia on noise-induced hearing loss in workers were examined. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 692 male employees in a petrochemical industry in the southwest of Iran exposed to 85 dB noise. Clinical audiometry and blood sample tests were used to evaluate the hearing and prevalence indices of dyslipidemia (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL). The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 24.5%with abnormal relative triglyceride frequency of 49.5%, HDL of 28%, LDL of 33%, and total blood cholesterol level of 37.8%. There was no significant relationship between NIHL and dyslipidemia (p >  0.09). However, the major NIHL drops at different frequencies were in the individuals with dyslipidemia. The parameters age and dyslipidemia increased NIHL odds ratio (95%C.I.). by 1.130 (1.160–1.100) and 1.618 (2.418–1.082) respectively CONCLUSION: The rate of hearing loss in individuals with dyslipidemia increases at different frequencies and it leads to an increase of the OR of NIHL in individuals with dyslipidemia. We can control dyslipidemia and its effective factors. The NIHL is more common in people exposed to noise.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Shanmukha Varalakshmi Vangara ◽  
Dhananjay Kumar ◽  
Neel Kamal Arora

Background: Facial anthropometry is the scientific study of measurements and proportions of the human face. There is huge paucity in the metric measurements of face in Indian population. This study is involved in collecting facial anthropometric data of Western Uttar Pradesh population of age group between 18-25 years. Aims and Objectives: This study aims at evaluating predominant facial phenotype, using facial height and facial width of Western Uttar Pradesh population as study subjects. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 200 medical and paramedical students of Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS-IMS), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The study subjects were of 18-25 year’s age, belonging to Western Uttar Pradesh region. Digital Vernier Caliper was used to measure the facial parameters. The data was analyzed using statistical tool SPSS 16.0 version. Results: In the present study it is found that facial height and width are more in males compared to females. This difference is statistically significant. On analyzing facial index, hyperleptoprosopic face is the predominant phenotype in males as well as in females, followed by leptoprosopic type in males and mesoprosopic type in females. However, gender differences in facial index are not statistically significant at p<0.05.  Conclusion: The current study reveals that facial parameters can be used to determine the gender of an individual on the basis of height and width.


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