scholarly journals Social determinants associated with Zika virus infection in pregnant women

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0009612
Author(s):  
Nivison Nery ◽  
Juan P. Aguilar Ticona ◽  
Claudia Gambrah ◽  
Simon Doss-Gollin ◽  
Adeolu Aromolaran ◽  
...  

This study aims to describe the sociodemographic determinants associated with exposure to Zika Virus (ZIKV) in pregnant women during the 2015–2016 epidemic in Salvador, Brazil. Methods We recruited women who gave birth between October 2015 and January 2016 to a cross-sectional study at a referral maternity hospital in Salvador, Brazil. We collected information on their demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics, and evaluated their ZIKV exposure using a plaque reduction neutralization test. Logistic regression was then used to assess the relationship between these social determinants and ZIKV exposure status. Results We included 469 pregnant women, of whom 61% had a positive ZIKV result. Multivariate analysis found that lower education (adjusted Prevalence Rate [aPR] 1.21; 95%CI 1.04–1.35) and food insecurity (aPR 1.17; 95%CI 1.01–1.30) were positively associated with ZIKV exposure. Additionally, age was negatively associated with the infection risk (aPR 0.99; 95%CI 0.97–0.998). Conclusion Eve after controlling for age, differences in key social determinants, as education and food security, were associated with the risk of ZIKV infection among pregnant women in Brazil. Our findings elucidate risk factors that can be targeted by future interventions to reduce the impact of ZIKV infection in this vulnerable population.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 242
Author(s):  
Lucas C. Pires ◽  
Luiza R. Dantas ◽  
Steven S. Witkin ◽  
Ana Paula A. P. Bertozzi ◽  
Rita de Cássia A. B. Dezena ◽  
...  

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection highlight the urgent need to evaluate the efficacy of current public health measures to educate susceptible groups about how to prevent infection, modes of viral transmission, and consequences of infection. We performed a cross-sectional study in the city of Jundiaí, São-Paulo, from March 2016 to August 2017. In 315 high-risk pregnant women we evaluated the rate of ZIKV infection, knowledge of pathways of ZIKV transmission, and the use of protective measures. Data were analyzed and correlated with sociodemographic variables. The rate of ZIKV infection was 10.8%. ZIKV transmission by mosquitoes was the best-known means of virus acquisition, while transmission of ZIKV by sexual intercourse as well as mother–fetus transmission was known by less than half of the women. The use of insect repellent, reported by 53% of participants, was correlated with higher education and personal directives from health professionals. Condom use was reported by 19.5% of subjects. Improved strategies to increase awareness of ZIKV infection and its consequences, designed to appeal to specific, targeted populations, are clearly necessary to more accurately prevent the spread of this infection and diminish adverse consequences in the pregnant population.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 710
Author(s):  
Anny Beatriz Costa Antony de Andrade ◽  
Maria Jacirema Ferreira Gonçalves ◽  
Elijane de Fátima Redivo ◽  
Maria das Graças Costa Alecrim ◽  
Flor Ernestina Martinez-Espinosa

The purpose of this paper is to describe the hematological profile of pregnant women with suspected Zika virus (ZIKV) infection followed up at a reference service for infectious diseases in Manaus, Brazil, through a clinical, epidemiological, cross-sectional study of pregnant women with an exanthematic manifestation who looked for care between 2015 and 2017. The participants were 499 pregnant women, classified into four subgroups, according to laboratory confirmation of infections: ZIKV-positive; ZIKV-positive and positive for another infection; positive for another infection but not ZIKV-positive; and not positive for any of the infections investigated. Hematological parameters were analyzed descriptively. The association between maternal infection and the hematological profile, along with the association between the maternal hematological profile and the gestational outcome, were tested. Similar hematic and platelet parameters were observed among pregnant women. However, a significant association was observed between low maternal lymphocyte count and a positive diagnosis for ZIKV (p < 0.001). The increase in maternal platelet count and the occurrence of unfavorable gestational outcome were positively associated. A similar hematic and platelet profile was identified among pregnant women, differing only in the low lymphocyte count among ZIKV-positive pregnant women. Regarding gestational outcomes, in addition to the damage caused by ZIKV infection, altered maternal platelets may lead to unfavorable outcomes, with the need for adequate follow-up during prenatal care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 269-275
Author(s):  
Vivi Silawati ◽  
Afrizal ◽  
Nursyirwan Effendi ◽  
Masrul ◽  
Retno Widowati ◽  
...  

Stress in women, before and during pregnancy, may result in a negative impact on the mother and fetus. In Indonesia, the anxiety rate in primigravida pregnant women when facing labor is higher than multigravida. Every pregnant woman makes an attempt to overcome or manage stress in her pregnancy in order to adapt and cope with stress. To find out the coping ability, pregnant women should find the source of stress prior to labor. This study was conducted to determine the direct and indirect factors affecting the coping ability in primigravida pregnant women. The study used a cross sectional study method through PLS analysis. The study population consisted of primigravida pregnant women, and a sample of 200 of them was taken. The measurement results of Path Coefficients and TStatistics on the influence of variables in the structural model and overall variables showed a positive and significant effect. The T statistic value of all variables was above the critical value (1.96). The results of the PLS test indicated that the empowerment and social support variables, directly and indirectly, influenced the coping abilities. Trust, personality, lifestyle, perceptions, and attitudes had impacts directly on the coping abilities. The percentage of the direct and indirect influence between variables was 97.92%. Empowerment, social support, personality, lifestyle, perceptions, and attitudes variables had an influence on the coping abilities of primigravida pregnant women. A controlled trial study should be done to see the impact of this model on reducing the risks during pregnancy.


Author(s):  
Daniela Ferreira D’Agostini Marin ◽  
Amanda Wernke ◽  
Daniela Dannehl ◽  
Dyulie Araujo ◽  
Gustavo Koch ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate C-section rates, before and after the implementation of the Project Appropriate Birth based on the Robson 10-group classification system. DESIGN: An observational, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Maternity hospital in South Brazil. POPULATION: All pregnant women attending, April 2016 through April 2017 (phase 1, pre-implementation of the Project Appropriate Birth) and June 2017 through June 2018 (phase 2, post-implementation of the Project Appropriate Birth). METHODS: Maternal and obstetric characteristics were evaluated, including Robson’s classification, based on the characteristics of pregnancy and childbirth. Chi-square test and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were used to analyze study variables. The significance level was set at 5%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: C-section rate for each group, their contribution to the overall c-section rate and the differences in these contributions before and after PPA implementation. RESULTS: C-section rates decreased from 62.4% to 55.6%, which represented a 10.9% reduction after the implementation of the Project Appropriate Birth. Pregnant women in Robson classification groups 1 through 4 had the greatest decrease in C-section rates, ranging from 49.1% to 38.6%, which represents a 21.5% reduction. The greatest contributors to the overall C-section rates were group 5 and group 2, accounting for more than 60% of the C-section deliveries. CONCLUSION: The Project Appropriate Birth had an important impact on the reduction of C-section rates, especially in Robson classification groups 1 through 4, which indicates that providing mothers with evidence-based interventions for labor and childbirth assistance will contribute to reduce C-section rates.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalil Mahmoodi

Various risk factors including blood iron may create coronary artery diseases and lead to myocardial infarction. There are controversies with regard to the impact of blood iron on myocardial infarction. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between iron reserves and the intensity of coronary artery stenos is among angiographic candidates in Zanjan, Iran. This was a cross sectional study. Samples were consisted of patients who were hospitalized for diagnostic coronary angiography in hospitals in an urban area of Iran. A convenient sampling method was used to recruit samples via interviews and laboratory examinations for FBS, iron, TIBC, ferritin, creatinine serum, CBC, cholesterol, HDL and LDL. The samples were divided into control and intervention groups. After coronary angiography, the intervention group was evaluated by four different methods including the extent score, stenos is score, vessel score and Duke CAN Index. The samples were consisted of 89 men (60.1%) and 59 women (39.9%). The levels of ferritin (p=0.003) and iron (p=0.002), and transferrin saturation percent (p=0.002) showed significant differences between males and females (p=0.004)


2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110478
Author(s):  
Won Sun Chen ◽  
Ching Sin Siau ◽  
Suzanna Awang Bono ◽  
Wah Yun Low

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is an emerging problem globally. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of chronic illnesses in the relationship between psychological health and the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine, prior to the national vaccine rollout in Malaysia. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia between December 10, 2020, and February 9, 2021. In addition to the descriptive analyses, a mediation analysis was performed to examine the mediating effect of chronic illnesses in the relationship between psychological distress and the willingness to accept the vaccine. A total of 1738 participants completed the survey. The psychological distress levels were found to be significantly different across demographic factors such as age, gender, and social economic status. This study demonstrated a partial mediating effect of chronic illnesses in the relationship between psychological distress and vaccine acceptance.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naim Fanaj ◽  
Sevim Mustafa ◽  
Erika Melonashi

Numerous studies have investigated the impact of self-esteem and intelligence on academic achievement. The findings are generally inconsistent. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between intelligence, self-esteem and academic achievement among young people in Kosovo. It was a quantitative cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 1856 participants, aged 10-18 years old (Mage = 15.29, SD = 1.76). Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and The Raven Standard Progressive Matrices. Grade Point Average (GPA) was used to measure academic achievement. Data processing was done with SPSS 21.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013. Participants according to self-reported academic achievement were classified as follows: fail (0.1%), sufficient (2%), good (15.6%), very good (26.7%) and excellent (55.7%). As regards self-esteem participants were classified as follows: low self-esteem (26.9%), and normal self-esteem (73.1%). A significant positive correlation was found between academic achievement and intelligence (r = .31; p = .00) but not between achievement and self-esteem. This significant correlation resulted for both genders separately. The Mann-Whitney test found significant differences in academic achievement between genders and between groups with high intelligence and those with normal intelligence. Intelligence, but not self-esteem revealed a significant relationship with academic achievement. Future studies on the topic might focus on explanatory factors or the possibility of interaction of other variables related to academic achievement.


Author(s):  
Gotzone Hervás ◽  
Fatima Ruiz-Litago ◽  
Jon Irazusta ◽  
Amaia Irazusta ◽  
Begoña Sanz ◽  
...  

Bone is influenced by physical activity (PA) throughout life, but childhood and adolescence provide a key opportunity to maximize peak bone mass. Thus, it is important to identify the relationship between PA practiced in childhood and young adulthood to design a promotion plan for bone health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between different impact-loading PAs (and their continuity throughout school periods from childhood to young adulthood) and bone stiffness index (SI). In this cross-sectional study, which was conducted on 145 university students aged 18–21 years, bone measurements were measured by quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS), and PA information was recalled using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between the SI and the impact of PA performed during secondary school (p = 0.027), high school (p = 0.002), and university (p = 0.016) periods were observed. The continuity of PA over a longer period of time was related to a higher SI (p = 0.007). Those who practiced PA throughout all school periods had a higher SI than those who practiced during primary school only (p = 0.038) or through primary and secondary schools (p = 0.009). These results suggest that impact-loading PA practiced during different school periods is related to higher values of the SI. Therefore, continuous PA from an early age may be an important contributing factor to achieving and maintaining adequate bone health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-8
Author(s):  
Issara Siramaneerat

Background: The Zika virus (ZIKA) infection in pregnant women causes microcephaly, a brain disorder resulting in severe birth defects. The objective of this study was to identify the factors that influence Zika prevention practices by pregnant women at the Region 5 Health Promotion Center in Thailand.Methods: A cross-sectional study applied a survey method to collect data from pregnant women between 18 and 45 years of age. The sampling method used multistage random sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis.Results: The findings indicated that 5 of 12 factors could significantly predict Zika prevention practices of pregnant women at the Health Promotion Center Region 5 in Thailand: education, smoking behavior, check-up status during pregnancy, perception of susceptibility, and perception of benefit.Conclusion: The results show a direct correlation between the perception of susceptibility and benefit and Zika prevention practices. Policies for promoting Zika knowledge and preventive behavior by providing information about Zika should focus on changing the thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs of pregnant women and their families.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (08) ◽  
pp. 712-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hashir Aazh ◽  
Richard Salvi

AbstractHearing loss is often associated with the phantom sound of tinnitus. However, the degree of the association between severity of hearing loss and tinnitus loudness taking into account the impact of other variables (e.g., emotional disturbances) is not fully understood. This is an important question for audiologists who are specialized in tinnitus rehabilitation as patients often ask whether the loudness of their tinnitus will increase if their hearing gets worse.To explore the relationship between tinnitus loudness and pure tone hearing thresholds.This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.445 consecutive patients who attended a Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Specialist Clinic in UK were included.The results of audiological tests and self-report questionnaires were gathered retrospectively from the records of the patients. Multiple-regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between tinnitus loudness, hearing loss and other variables.The regression model showed a significant relationship between the pure tone average (PTA) at the frequencies 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz of the better ear and the tinnitus loudness as measured via visual analogue scale (VAS), r (regression coefficient) = 0.022 (p < 0.001). Other variables significantly associated with tinnitus loudness were tinnitus annoyance (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and the effect of tinnitus on life (r = 0.09, p = 0.006). The regression model explained 52% of the variance of tinnitus loudness.Although increased tinnitus loudness was associated with worse PTA, the relationship was very weak. Tinnitus annoyance and impact of tinnitus on life were more strongly correlated with tinnitus loudness than PTA.


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