scholarly journals Cigarette: The Silent Killer in the World

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Sadeghi Gandomani ◽  
Abed Asgari Tarazoj ◽  
Hamid Salehiniya

One of the main challenges of the 21st century is tobacco consumption, and in particular cigarette smoking (Control and Prevention, 2012). Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of death worldwide (Control and Prevention, 2011).About 1 billion people around the world (800 million men and 200 million women) are addicted to cigarette (WHO, 2015). The prevalence of smoking varies across different parts of the world; this variation is due to economic development and income levels. More than 80% of adult male smokers and half of adult female smokers live in low or middle-income countries  (Ng et al., 2014).Tobacco use kills more than 7 million people every year worldwide, and nearly 80% of these deaths occur in low-income countries (WHO, 2017). It is estimated that this figure will increase in 2030 (WHO, 2011). Tobacco use caused 100 million deaths in the 20th worldwide, if this trend continues, this figure will reach 1 billion by the end of the 21st century (Thun et al., 2013). Peer Review Details Peer review method: NO Peer-review policy Plagiarism software screening?: Yes Date of Original Submission: 7 September 2017 Date accepted: 13 September 2017 Peer reviewers approved by: Dr. Lili Hami Editor who approved publication: Dr. Phuc Van Pham  

Author(s):  
Brendon Stubbs ◽  
Kamran Siddiqi ◽  
Helen Elsey ◽  
Najma Siddiqi ◽  
Ruimin Ma ◽  
...  

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). TB multimorbidity [TB and ≥1 non-communicable diseases (NCDs)] is common, but studies are sparse. Cross-sectional, community-based data including adults from 21 low-income countries and 27 middle-income countries were utilized from the World Health Survey. Associations between 9 NCDs and TB were assessed with multivariable logistic regression analysis. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were calculated using disability weights provided by the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study. Eight out of 9 NCDs (all except visual impairment) were associated with TB (odds ratio (OR) ranging from 1.38–4.0). Prevalence of self-reported TB increased linearly with increasing numbers of NCDs. Compared to those with no NCDs, those who had 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 NCDs had 2.61 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.14–3.22), 4.71 (95%CI = 3.67–6.11), 6.96 (95%CI = 4.95–9.87), 10.59 (95%CI = 7.10–15.80), and 19.89 (95%CI = 11.13–35.52) times higher odds for TB. Among those with TB, the most prevalent combinations of NCDs were angina and depression, followed by angina and arthritis. For people with TB, the YLDs were three times higher than in people without multimorbidity or TB, and a third of the YLDs were attributable to NCDs. Urgent research to understand, prevent and manage NCDs in people with TB in LMICs is needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin S Mora ◽  
Christopher Waite ◽  
Clare E Gilbert ◽  
Brenda Breidenstein ◽  
John J Sloper

BackgroundTo ascertain which countries in the world have retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening programmes and guidelines and how these were developed.MethodsAn email database was created and requests were sent to ophthalmologists in 141 nations to complete an online survey on ROP screening in their country.ResultsRepresentatives from 92/141 (65%) countries responded. 78/92 (85%) have existing ROP screening programmes, and 68/78 (88%) have defined screening criteria. Some countries have limited screening and those areas which have no screening or for which there is inadequate knowledge are mainly Southeast Asia, Africa and some former Soviet states.DiscussionWith the increasing survival of premature babies in lower-middle-income and low-income countries, it is important to ensure that adequate ROP screening and treatment is in place. This information will help organisations focus their resources on those areas most in need.


Subject Reforming the multilateral development banks. Significance The multilateral development bank (MDB) system has resisted pressure on the international order from US nationalism, but the multiplication of MDBs has considerably reduced their collective effectiveness. This fragmentation is preventing them from adapting to global challenges and harnessing private capital for development. The World Bank spring meeting will consider the proposals that the G20 is exploring. Most do not entail institutional change, but others could pave the way for significant reforms. Impacts The ongoing debate about the World Bank’s need for a capital increase will be peripheral to the larger discussion on MDB system reform. If implemented, a cross-MDB risk insurance platform would create a one-stop shop for investors and opportunities for private reinsurers. System-wide securitisation would create new asset classes and expand opportunities for institutional investors. In-country MDB coordination platforms would boost host government ownership of projects in middle-income and stable low-income countries. Estimates suggest that one dollar of capital paid into MDBs can translate into 50 dollars of public investment if allocated effectively.


Author(s):  
N. Vijay Jagannathan

Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 (SDG 6) has committed all nations of the world to achieving ambitious water supply and sanitation targets by 2030 to meet the universal basic needs of humans and the environment. Many lower-middle-income countries and all low-income countries face an uphill challenge in achieving these ambitious targets. The cause of poor performance is explored, some possible ways to accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 6 are suggested. The analysis will be of interest to a three-part audience: (a) readers with a general interest on how SDG 6 can be achieved; (b) actors with policy interest on improving water supply and safe sanitation (WSS) service issues; and (c) activists skeptical of conventional WSS policy prescriptions who advocate out-of-the-box solutions to improve WSS delivery.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (20) ◽  
pp. 4632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Škubník ◽  
Michal Jurášek ◽  
Tomáš Ruml ◽  
Silvie Rimpelová

Cancer is one of the greatest challenges of the modern medicine. Although much effort has been made in the development of novel cancer therapeutics, it still remains one of the most common causes of human death in the world, mainly in low and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer treatment services are not available in more then 70% of low-income countries (90% of high-income countries have them available), and also approximately 70% of cancer deaths are reported in low-income countries. Various approaches on how to combat cancer diseases have since been described, targeting cell division being among them. The so-called mitotic poisons are one of the cornerstones in cancer therapies. The idea that cancer cells usually divide almost uncontrolled and far more rapidly than normal cells have led us to think about such compounds that would take advantage of this difference and target the division of such cells. Many groups of such compounds with different modes of action have been reported so far. In this review article, the main approaches on how to target cancer cell mitosis are described, involving microtubule inhibition, targeting aurora and polo-like kinases and kinesins inhibition. The main representatives of all groups of compounds are discussed and attention has also been paid to the presence and future of the clinical use of these compounds as well as their novel derivatives, reviewing the finished and ongoing clinical trials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1322-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Lange ◽  
Ai Koyanagi ◽  
Jürgen Rehm ◽  
Michael Roerecke ◽  
André F Carvalho

Abstract Introduction There is evidence to suggest that tobacco use is associated with suicide attempts. However, it is unclear whether such an association can be extended to include secondhand smoke exposure. Using nationally representative data of school-attending adolescents from 33 countries, we examined the association of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke with suicide attempts. Methods We used data from the Global School–based Student Health Survey, a cross-sectional survey conducted among adolescents 12–15 years of age. We used logistic regression to estimate the country-specific associations. We then conducted random effect meta-analyses to obtain overall and country-income level pooled estimates. Lastly, we used logistic regression analyses to investigate a dose–response association of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke with suicide attempts. Results A positive association between tobacco use and suicide attempts among adolescents was present regardless of country-income level (low income: odds ratio 4.98, 95% CI: 3.11–7.96; lower middle income: 3.47, 2.91–4.15; upper middle income: 3.09, 2.75–3.47; and high income: 3.18, 2.63–3.84) and gender (boys: 3.28, 2.86–3.76; girls: 3.86, 3.30–4.51). Exposure to secondhand smoke was associated with suicide attempts, albeit weakly, among girls only (1.26, 1.14–1.39; boys: 1.00, 0.87–1.15). There was some evidence that a dose–response association of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke with suicide attempts may only exist among girls. Conclusions Adolescents who use tobacco, and adolescent girls exposed to secondhand smoke were found to be more likely to attempt suicide; however, future longitudinal studies are warranted to assess causality. Implications Our findings indicate that routine screening of adolescents for tobacco use should be implemented globally, especially when assessing suicidal behaviors and risk. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted to assess causality and whether prevention efforts such as tobacco control interventions and programmes targeting tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke among adolescents could ultimately lead to a reduction in the occurrence of suicide attempts.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ricci

The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is unconscionably high around the world, with women in low to middle income countries (LMICs) disproportionately passing away from potentially preventable causes. While this is a complicated and multifaceted problem, anesthesia has been identified as a contributing cause of death. From the moment the parturient enters the operating room, the anesthetist is responsible for their well-being. This integrative review was designed to further explore relationship between anesthesia and the MMR in LMICs. Twelve articles published within the last 15 years were selected through an extensive literature search using Medline and CINAHL. Each article was examined using the Polit and Beck (2017) assessment criteria followed by a cross table analysis. The results identified common themes across the studies including lack of infrastructure such as access to reliable power, water and oxygen, resources such as medications and basic anesthesia equipment, training focusing on maternal care and anesthesia and continuing education for providers. Knowing these deficiencies in anesthetic care, nurse anesthetists can assist in implementing changes to help reduce the MMR. Recommendations include encouraging hospitals and governments to make updating hospital infrastructure a priority, reaching out to groups such as the World Health Organization who help fund basic equipment such as pulse oximeters, establishing relationships with medical institutions in other regions to provide training and guidance, and focusing on the development of non-physician anesthetist programs to increase the number of proficient providers.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Antignac ◽  
Diane Macquart de Terline ◽  
Ibrahima Bara Diop ◽  
Kouadio E Kramoh ◽  
Dadhi M Balde ◽  
...  

Introduction: Systemic hypertension is a rapidly growing epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Adequacy of blood pressure(BP) control and the factors influencing it, especially the role of socio-economic status(SES) have not been well studied in this part of the world. Hypothesis: We therefore aimed to quantify the association of SES both at the individual and at the country level with BP control in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics of twelve countries, both low-income and middle-income, in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data were collected on demographics, treatment and standardized BP measures were made among the hypertensive patients attending the clinics. BP control was defined as BP<140/90 mmHg and hypertension grades were defined according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Country income was retrieved from the World Bank database and patient’s individual wealth status was documented by the treating physician. The separate association between SES (both country-level income and individual patient wealth) and BP control was investigated using Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Models adjusted on sex and age. Results: A total of 2198 hypertensive patients (58.4±11.8years; 39.9% male) were included, of whom 1017(46.3%) were from low-income and 1181(53.7%) from middle-income countries. Individual wealth level was low, mid and high in 376(17.6%), 1053(49.2%) and 713(33.3%) patients respectively. Uncontrolled hypertension was present in 1692 patients(77.4%) including 1044(47.7%) with ≥grade 2 hypertension. The proportion of uncontrolled hypertension progressively increased with decreasing level of patient individual wealth, respectively 72.8%, 79.3% and 81.8%(p for trend<0.01). Stratified analysis shows that these differences of uncontrolled hypertension according to individual wealth index were observed in low-income countries(p for trend=0.03) and not in middle-income countries(p for trend=0.26). In low-income countries the odds of uncontrolled hypertension increased 1.37 fold(OR=1.37 [0.99-1.90]) and 1.88 fold(OR=1.88 [1.10-3.21]) in patients with middle and low individual wealth as compared to high individual wealth. Similarly, the grade of hypertension increased progressively with decreasing level of individual patient wealth(p for trend <0.01). Conclusions: Low individual wealth was significantly associated with poor hypertension control, especially in low-income countries. Strategies for hypertension control in Sub-Saharan Africa should especially focus on people in the lowest individual wealth groups who also reside in low-income countries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Doyal ◽  
Raja G Das-Bhaumik

Four-fifths of all blind or vision impaired people live in middle-income and low-income countries with the African region and parts of Asia and the Middle East bearing the heaviest burden. At the same time, we know that around two thirds of all blind people in the world are female. Hence, the poorest (and usually the oldest) women are most likely to have their lives limited by visual impairment. While recent strategies have focussed on international variations in eye health, very few have paid attention to the gender differences that are an inextricable element in these inequalities. This review will explore possible explanations for the advantage of men in the exercise of one of the most basic of human senses. It will show that this cannot be understood through the use of a biomedical approach alone. Broader social perspectives will also be needed in order to create an appropriate knowledge base for tackling global inequalities in blindness.


2021 ◽  
pp. 304-331
Author(s):  
Jaipaul L. Roopnarine ◽  
Elif Dde Yildirim

This chapter discusses paternal involvement in diverse living arrangements in high-, middle-, and low-income countries and their implications for childhood development. Men’s ideas about fathering roles and responsibilities are changing noticeably in the high-income countries but at a far slower pace in the rest of the world. This is a major hindrance to engaged fathering. Despite the prevalence of masculine norms in most regions of the world, men display levels of warmth toward children that are comparable to that of mothers, and in a few instances fathers exceed mothers in the display of affection to children. An area in which fathers seem to lag behind mothers is in their engagement in cognitively rich language and numeracy activities with children. This is particularly so in the low- and middle-income countries. Ultimately, the associations between father engagement and childhood outcomes are more consistent for families in high-income than low-income countries, and the associations are sometimes tempered by family union status, the quality of partner relationship, and material resources.


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