scholarly journals SECULAR TRENDS AND LATITUDE GRADIENTS IN THE MALE-FEMALE RATIO AT BIRTH IN YUGOSLAVIA AND THE EX-YUGOSLAVIAN STATES

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Grech

Background: Latitude gradients and secular trends in Europe and North America have been found in the male-female ratio at birth (M/F: male births divided by total births) which approximates 0.515. Methods: Annual national data for Yugoslavia and the post-Yugoslavia States for male and female live births were obtained from the World Health Organisation and analysed with contingency tables. Results: This study analysed 22,020,729 live births. There was a increasing trend in M/F prior to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia (1950–1990, p = 0.002), followed by a decreasing trend after 1990 (p = 0.02). A latitude gradient was also noted, with more males being born in southern, warmer latitudes (p < 0.0001). There was an overall excess of 42,753 male births based on an anticipated M/F of 0.515. Conclusion: M/F is decreasing in this region, similar to the rest of Europe and North America. A latitude gradient is also present with more males being born in warmer (more Southern) latitudes (p < 0.0001), even in this small region and over the short time-frame studied.

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Grech

Latitude gradients and secular trends in Europe and North America have been found in the male-female ratio at birth (M/F: male births divided by total births) which is expected to be 0.515. Annual national data for Czechoslovakia and the post-Czechoslovakian (Czech Republic and Slovakia) countries for male and female live births were obtained from the World Health Organisation and analysed with contingency tables. This study analysed 13,123,538 live births. An overall decreasing trend in M/F was found (p < 00001). No latitude gradient was noted. There was an overall deficit of 15,232 male births based on an M/F of 0.515. M/F is declining in this region, despite well developing economies that have resisted the worldwide slowdown. An interplay of several poorly understood factors is likely.


2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 162-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Grech

Background: The male-female ratio at birth (M/F: male births divided by total births), which is anticipated to approximate 0.515, has been shown to exhibit latitude gradients and secular trends. Methods: Annual national data for male and female live births for the 15 countries that comprise the former Soviet Union were obtained from the World Health Organisation for the period 1980–2009 (115,167,569 total live births) and analysed with contingency tables. Spearman correlation was also carried out to compare percentage annual gross domestic product growth (GDP% – downloaded from the World Bank) and M/F. In this context, GDP% is used as a measure for economic hardship or wellbeing within the populace. Results: There have been overall highly significant secular increases in M/F (p < 0.0001) in the countries and regions investigated. M/F is significantly lower in the three more northern regions (Russian Federation, Baltic States and Central Asia. M/F 0.51324, 0.51335-0.51314) than the two more southern regions (Southern Caucasus and Eastern Europe. M/F 0.51654, 0.51635-0.51672). There was a male excess of 113,818 live births.There was a significant positive correlation between GDP% and M/F for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. There was a significant negative correlation in Estonia. Conclusion: Previous studies have shown that improving socioeconomic conditions increase M/F, and the converse has also been demonstrated. This is a potential influence in this geographical area since this region has relatively recently emerged from communist rule and experienced an overall economic upturn, but is only partially supported using GDP%. Another factor may be the selective termination of female pregnancies. The latitude gradient parallels that of neighbouring Europe but no theory has been put forward to convincingly explain this finding to date.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205031211879756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ülkü Türk Börü ◽  
Ahmet Şükrü Kulualp ◽  
Ömer Faruk Tarhan ◽  
Cem Bölük ◽  
Arda Duman ◽  
...  

Background: The population-based information on the prevalence of stroke from rural areas of Middle East countries including Turkey is unknown. Our aim is to evaluate the prevalence of stroke in those ⩾18 years in the Turkish population in a rural area of Istanbul. Methods: A cross-sectional door-to-door study was conducted in a rural area of Istanbul between 1 March and 30 March 2013. A research protocol recommended by World Health Organization for developing countries was used. Each screening teams consisted of one neurologist, one local nurse, and five surveyors. Teams were trained about the survey and questionnaire. The patients, who claimed to have suffered a stroke, were examined, and the diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist on site. The findings and medical records were documented. Results: In total, 2906 people ⩾18 years were screened. 50 stroke cases were detected. 80% of those were found to have had an ischemic stroke, 14% of those were hemorrhagic cases, and 6% of those had an unclassified stroke type. The overall prevalence rate in those ⩾ 18 years was 1.7%. The male/female ratio was 0.92. Young (<45) stroke prevalence was found to be 0.6%. Conclusion: This study was the first of its kind to show the stroke prevalence among Turkish population ⩾ 18 years in a rural area of Istanbul. When compared to other studies which investigate people ⩾45 years from Turkey, the result (in the same age group) was moderate high. The male/female ratio was low compared to many other studies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Agbenorku ◽  
M. Yore ◽  
K. A. Danso ◽  
C. Turpin

Background. Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common orofacial congenital anomalies. This study is to establish Orofacial Clefts Database for Kumasi, Ghana, with a view to extend it to other cities in future to obtain a national orofacial anomaly database. Methods. A descriptive prospective survey was carried out at eleven selected health facilities in Kumasi. Results. The total number of live births recorded was 27,449. Orofacial anomalies recorded were 36, giving an incidence of 1.31/1000 live births or 1 in 763 live births. The mean maternal age of cleft lip/palate babies was 29.85 years (range 18–40 years). The male : female ratio for the orofacial anomalies babies was 1.3 : 1; the male : female ratio was 0.5 : 1 in the cleft lip group, 1.3 : 1 in the cleft lip and palate group, and 4 : 1 in the cleft palate group. The majority of clefts were unilateral (69.4%, n=25), with females (n=14) outnumbering males (n=11). A family history of cleft was recorded with five babies (13.9%). Associated congenital anomalies were recorded in seven (19.4%) cleft lips and/or palates. Conclusion. The incidence of 1 in 763 live births found in this study indicates that cleft lip/palate is a common congenital anomaly in Kumasi.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Michel ◽  
Helen Fifer ◽  
Emily Moran ◽  
Felix Hammett ◽  
Clare Bonner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The road to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic has started but no-one knows when it will end. 18 months on from the World Health Organisation declaring a global pandemic on the 11th March 2020 this has had a dramatic impact on both acute and elective hospital services. Whilst, quite rightly, the focus has been on prioritising cancer resections during the pandemic, many patients awaiting benign operations are facing lengthy waiting times. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on benign upper GI surgery at a single centre compared to previous operating activity levels. Methods Retrospective analysis of computerised theatre records for the first 12 months of the pandemic (11th March 2020-11th March 2021) were compared to average historical data (HD) over the last five years (2015-2019) over the same time frame. Benign upper Gi operations included were cholecystectomy, anti-reflux/hiatus hernia repairs, cardiomyotomies and bariatric procedures. Results Conclusions The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically affected benign upper GI surgery at our unit. Overall total operation numbers were down by 31% when compared to HD (440 vs 641). The largest deficit was in bariatrics where no bariatric surgery was performed during the first 12 months of the pandemic, which has restarted as of July 2021. There was also a 30% reduction in the number of cholecystectomies performed likely due to initial guidance recommending non-operative management at the start of the pandemic. Hiatal work numbers remained consistent. This quantitative study can direct future service delivery and help guide the post-pandemic recovery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-146
Author(s):  
Selma Akay Ertürk

Son dokuz yılda Türkiye’deki Suriyeli mültecilerin sayısı 3,5 milyonu geçmiştir ve bunların büyük bir çoğunluğu kamplar dışında yaşamaktadır. Koronavirüs (Kovid-19) salgını çok kısa bir süre içinde pek çok ülkeyi ve kıtayı etkisi altına almıştır. 11 Mart 2020’de Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (DSÖ), Koronavirüs salgınını küresel bir salgın yani pandemi olarak ilan etmiş ve ülkelerden yayılmayı durdurmak için sıkı önlemler almasını istemiştir. Aynı tarihte 11 Mart 2020’de Türkiye’de ilk Koronavirüs vakası Sağlık Bakanlığı tarafından duyurulmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Koronavirüs’un Türkiye’deki Suriyelilere olan sosyal, ekonomik, kültürel ve mekansal etkilerini ve Türkiye’de Suriyelilere yardım eden kuruluşların bu salgın döneminde yani bu acil kriz durumuna verdikleri yanıtları incelemektir. Yerli ve yabancı literatür ile resmi kurumların verilerinden, web sayfalarında paylaştıkları bilgilerden ve medyada çıkan haberlerden faydalanılan bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de bulunan Suriyelilerin, Koronavirüs salgını döneminde uluslararası sınırları geçme veya Türkiye’de bulundukları yerde kalma konusunda karşılaştıkları seçenekler değerlendirilmiştir.  Türkiye’deki Suriyeliler Koronavirüs salgını döneminde yerel toplumun üyeleri gibi, ekonomik zorluklarla karşı karşıya kalmışlardır. ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH Early Reflections on the Effects of Coronavirus Pandemic on Syrian refugees in Turkey In the past nine years, the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has exceeded 3.5 million, and the vast majority of them live outside the camps. Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has affected many countries and continents in a short time. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic and asked countries to take stringent measures to stop spreading. On March 11, 2020, on the same date the Ministry of Health, announced the first case of COVID-19 in Turkey. This study aims to analyze the social, economic, cultural and spatial effects of Coronavirus on the Syrian refugees in Turkey and to examine the response of the institutions and international and local NGO’s who support the Syrian refugees in Turkey during this pandemic, that is, in an emergency crisis. In this study, which utilizes the data of official institutions, the information they share on their web pages and the news in the media, options of Syrians in Turkey for crossing international borders or for staying in places where they live in Turkey in time of COVID-19 evaluated. During the Coronavirus outbreak, Syrians in Turkey faced with economic difficulties like members of the local community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Michel ◽  
Helen Fifer ◽  
Emily Moran ◽  
Felix Hammett ◽  
Madara Kronberga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic on the 11th March 2020 regarding the COVID-19 infection. This has had a dramatic impact on both acute and elective hospital services that will take a considerable time to recover from. Initial emergency intercollegiate surgical guidance released in March 2020 raised concern regarding laparoscopic surgery and advised to pursue alternative non-surgical or radiological treatment options for the safety of patients and theatre teams. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) for patients presenting to our centre with acute gallstone pathology during the pandemic. Methods Retrospective analysis of all cholecystectomies undertaken in the department during the first year of the pandemic from 11th March 2020 to 11th March 2021. This period encapsulated two recognised peaks of the pandemic in the United Kingdom. Demographic data, elective/emergency, operative time, postop ITU admissions due to COVID and COVID related mortality was collected. Operative numbers and times were compared with historical data (HD) from the previous five years over the same time frame. Results 399 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed during the first year of the pandemic which was less than the previous five-year average of 570 cholecystectomies per annum (30% reduction). 247 (61.9%) were performed as an emergency on patients presenting with acute gallstone pathology compared to 35% (HD) performed acutely on average historically. Average age was 56 yrs (16-88 range). Average operative time for ELC during the pandemic was 69 minutes compared to 78 minutes HD (NS). No patients were admitted to ITU with post-operative Covid infections and there were no 30 day post-operative deaths.       Conclusions We performed more ELC’s in the first year of the pandemic compared to the previous five-year average as we were conscious of the inevitable long waiting lists, we would certainly be faced with in the coming months. The Covid-19 pandemic was a global healthcare crisis and one the NHS had never encountered before. At the time there was no high-quality evidence on the safety of laparoscopy on patients presenting acutely. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that with consistent preoperative testing, PPE and appropriate patient flow pathways that emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomies are safe to perform in the current climate.


Author(s):  
Bianca Maria Donida

Abstract Background Sars-CoV-2 is a coronavirus associated with human severe acute respiratory disease named Covid-19, first reported in China on December 2019. World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic on March 20, 2020. This report aims to outline the Italian outbreak characteristics. Italy, as one of first most affected area outside Asian continent, could give experiences to the other countries.Methods Data on positive cases and Covid-19 patients made available by Italian Health Authorities were reanalyzed and described. Results Up to April 18, 2020 Italy recorded 175,925 Sars-CoV-2 positive cases (10.68% among health care professionals) and 23,227 Covid-19 deaths. Covid-19 patients median age was 62 years. Male/female ratio was 1.00. Median time between symptoms and diagnosis was 6 days. Between hospitalized patients, the 10% needed intensive care. Median age at death was 80 years, with differences between sexes. Apparent lethality rate was 13.2%. At least one concomitant medical condition was present in 96.4% of patients who died. Discussion The number of Italian positive cases could be higher and the Italian lethality rate could be lower. The presence of asymptomatic people, known to be a vehicle for Covid-19 also for serious cases, could made slower the decrease of infection and distance the end of the novel coronavirus epidemic.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Siniša Franjić

West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause neurological disease and death in people. WNV is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. WNV is maintained in nature in a cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes. Humans, horses and other mammals can be infected. On web page of World Health Organisation [1], can be read how approximately 80% of people who are infected will not show any symptoms. West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus can cause severe disease and death in horses. Vaccines are available for use in horses but not yet available for people. Birds are the natural hosts of West Nile virus.


2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 2745-2752 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Nielsen ◽  
F. Wu ◽  
Z. Aghai ◽  
R. Steffensen ◽  
A. G. van Halteren ◽  
...  

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