Medicine package inserts from the users’ perspective: are they read and understood?

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. Objective: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. Method: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. Results: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. Conclusion: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.

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PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY MARRIAGE IN CHIPULUKUSU TOWNSHIP OF NDOLA, ZAMBIA:cross sectional study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16869 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Satiel Banda

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Education Level ◽

Early Marriage ◽

Child Marriage ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Lower Education

BACKGROUND In the statistics taken from media brief on ending child marriage in Zambia, (2014) states, “Zambia is the third highest country with cases of child marriages in the SADC region and 19th in the world. In Zambia, about 42 per cent of women aged 20-24 years are married by the age of 18 – a rate that has not evolved since 2002. The rates of child marriages vary from province to province, and are as high as 60 per cent in the Eastern Province. (www.girlsnotbrides.org.) accessed on 20th November 2014. At 13.42) The ZDHS [Zambia Demographic Health Survey] indicates that among married girls aged 15-19 in Zambia, 68 percent have already given birth. In addition, most of the births occurring to girls before age 18 are first births (85 percent), and a majority of these first births occur within marriage. A Central Statistical Office (CSO) report of 2010 carried out by Plan Zambia indicates that “only a few adolescent girls and boys complete upper primary education while the enrolment ratio in secondary education is 13.4% for males and 12.9% for females.” The report concludes that child marriage is the critical driver for this state of affairs. OBJECTIVE This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with child marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola. Zambia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chipulukusu Township within the location of Ndola. A pretest questionnaire was used to collect information on child marriage prevalence and factors towards the practice of child marriage and other relevant socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS the prevalence of early marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola district, Zambia was 20.7 % with it being significantly associated with lower social economic status (poverty), lower education level, orphanhood and teen pregnancies CONCLUSIONS the prevalence of early marriage in this study was high. Its prevalence was significantly associated with people of poor backgrounds (poverty), teen pregnancies, lower education level, and orphan hood.

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Repeat Induced Abortion among Chinese Women Seeking Abortion: Two Cross Sectional Studies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4446

Author(s):

Longmei Tang ◽

Shangchun Wu ◽

Dianwu Liu ◽

Marleen Temmerman ◽

Wei-Hong Zhang

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Induced Abortion ◽

Education Level ◽

Married Women ◽

Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Induced Abortions ◽

Lower Education

Background: In China, there were about 9.76 million induced abortions in 2019, 50% of which were repeat abortions. Understanding the tendency of repeat induced abortion and identifying its related factors is needed to develop prevention strategies. Methods: Two hospital-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted from 2005–2007 and 2013–2016 in 24 and 90 hospitals, respectively. The survey included women who sought an induced abortion within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proportion of repeat induced abortions by adjusting the covariates through propensity score matching was compared between the two surveys, and the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was established to identify independent factors of repeat induced abortion. Results: Adjusting the age, occupation, education, marital status and number of children, the proportion of repeat induced abortions in the second survey was found to be low (60.28% vs. 11.11%), however the unadjusted proportion was high in the second survey (44.97% vs. 51.54%). The risk of repeat induced abortion was higher among married women and women with children [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.31 (0.20, 0.49) and 0.08 (0.05, 0.13)]; the risk among service industry staff was higher when compared with unemployed women [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.19 (0.07, 0.54)]; women with a lower education level were at a higher risk of a repeat induced abortion (ORadj < 1). Compared with women under the age of 20, women in other higher age groups had a higher frequency of repeat induced abortions (IRadj: 1.78, 2.55, 3.27, 4.01, and 3.93, separately); the frequency of women with lower education levels was higher than those with a university or higher education level (IRadj > 1); the repeat induced abortion frequency of married women was 0.93 (0.90, 0.98) when compared to the frequency of unmarried women, while the frequency of women with children was 1.17 (1.10, 1.25) of childless women; the induced abortion frequency of working women was about 60–95% with that of unemployed women. Conclusions: The repeat induced abortion proportion was lower than 10 years ago. Induced abortion seekers who were married, aged 20 to 30 years and with a lower education level were more likely to repeat induced abortions.

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Factors associated with lower gait speed among the elderly living in a developing country: a cross-sectional population-based study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-015-0031-2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Telma de Almeida Busch ◽

Yeda Aparecida Duarte ◽

Daniella Pires Nunes ◽

Maria Lucia Lebrão ◽

Michel Satya Naslavsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developing Country ◽

Gait Speed ◽

The Elderly ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Elderly Living

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Falls among the elderly: risk factors in a population-based study

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/1809-4503201400030011 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 705-718 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Iara Guimarães Rodrigues ◽

Gustavo Pereira Fraga ◽

Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Elderly Adults ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Policies And Programs

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with the occurrence of falls among elderly adults in a population-based study (ISACamp 2008). Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with two-stage cluster sampling. The sample was composed of 1,520 elderly adults living in the urban area of the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. The occurrence of falls was analyzed based on reports of the main accident occurred in the previous 12 months. Data on socioeconomic/demographic factors and adverse health conditions were tested for possible associations with the outcome. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated and adjusted for gender and age using the Poisson multiple regression analysis. Results: Falls were more frequent, after adjustment for gender and age, among female elderly participants (PR = 2.39; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.47 - 3.87), elderly adults (80 years old and older) (PR = 2.50; 95%CI 1.61 - 3.88), widowed (PR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.04 - 2.89) and among elderly adults who had rheumatism/arthritis/arthrosis (PR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.00 - 2.48), osteoporosis (PR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.18 - 2.49), asthma/bronchitis/emphysema (PR = 1,73; 95%CI 1.09 - 2.74), headache (PR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.07 - 2.38), mental common disorder (PR = 1.72; 95%CI 1.12 - 2.64), dizziness (PR = 2.82; 95%CI 1.98 - 4.02), insomnia (PR = 1.75; 95%CI 1.16 - 2.65), use of multiple medications (five or more) (PR = 2.50; 95%CI 1.12 - 5.56) and use of cane/walker (PR = 2.16; 95%CI 1.19 - 3,93). Conclusion: The present study shows segments of the elderly population who are more prone to falls through the identification of factors associated with this outcome. The findings can contribute to the planning of public health policies and programs addressed to the prevention of falls.

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Factors associated with commencing smoking in 12-year-old students in Catalonia (Spain): a cross-sectional population-based study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/1471-2458-10-665 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Empar Valdivieso ◽

◽

Cristina Rey ◽

Marisa Barrera ◽

Victoria Arija ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated

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Factors associated to medical consultations by elderly adults in southern Brazil: a population based study

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/1809-4503201400030010 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 692-704 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Juliana Regina Destro ◽

Antonio Fernando Boing ◽

Eleonora d'Orsi

Keyword(s):

Population Based ◽

Urban Region ◽

Elderly Adults ◽

Self Perception ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Medical Consultations ◽

Perception Of Health

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of medical consultations in the last three months among elderly adults and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out with 1,705 elderly adults (60+ years of age) in the urban region of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2009 and 2010. The sampling selection was performed in two stages. The sample was complex, with census tracts as primary and households as secondary sampling units. For association analysis, Poisson regression was performed using predisposing factors, enabling factors and need as independent variables, according to Andersen's theoretical model. Results: The response rate was 89.2%. The prevalence of medical appointments by elderly adults was 70.4% (95%CI 67.5 - 73.4). Factors associated with higher prevalence of medical consultations in the crude analysis were female gender, accumulation of chronic diseases, negative self-perception of health, and report of chronic pain. The multivariate analysis showed that having at least one chronic disease and negative self-perception of health was positively associated with the outcome. Conclusion: Only variables from the need dimension were associated with medical consultations, indicating an equal use of this service.

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Migration among individuals with leprosy: a population-based study in Central Brazil

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/0102-311x00005913 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 487-501 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Christine Murto ◽

Liana Ariza ◽

Carlos Henrique Alencar ◽

Olga André Chichava ◽

Alexcian Rodrigues Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Access ◽

High Mobility ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Central Brazil ◽

Multibacillary Leprosy

This study investigates social and clinical factors associated with migration among individuals affected by leprosy. A cross-sectional study was conducted among those newly diagnosed with leprosy (2006-2008), in 79 endemic municipalities in the state of Tocantins, Brazil (N = 1,074). In total, 76.2% were born in a municipality different from their current residence. In the five years before diagnosis 16.7% migrated, and 3.6% migrated after leprosy diagnosis. Findings reflect aspects associated with historical rural-urban population movement in Brazil. Indicators of poverty were prominent among before-diagnosis migrants but not after-diagnosis migrants. Migration after diagnosis was associated with prior migration. The association of multibacillary leprosy with migration indicates healthcare access may be an obstacle to early diagnosis among before-diagnosis migrants, which may also be related to the high mobility of this group.

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Socioeconomic status and lifestyle behaviours in cancer survivors: smoking and physical activity

Current Oncology ◽

10.3747/co.23.3166 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 546 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

H. Naik ◽

X. Qiu ◽

M. C. Brown ◽

L. Eng ◽

D. Pringle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Education Level ◽

Socioeconomic Indicators ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lifestyle Behaviours ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Lower Education

Purpose Smoking cessation and increased physical activity (pa) have been linked to better outcomes in cancer survivors. We assessed whether socioeconomic factors influence changes in those behaviours after a cancer diagnosis.Methods As part of a cross-sectional study, a diverse group of cancer survivors at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON), completed a questionnaire about past and current lifestyle behaviours and perceptions about the importance of those behaviours with respect to their health. The influence of socioeconomic indicators on smoking status and physical inactivity at 1 year before and after diagnosis were assessed using multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for clinico-demographic factors.Results Of 1222 participants, 1192 completed the smoking component. Of those respondents, 15% smoked before diagnosis, and 43% of those smokers continued to smoke after. The proportion of survivors who continued to smoke increased with lower education level (p = 0.03). Of the 1106 participants answering pa questions, 39% reported being physically inactive before diagnosis, of whom 82% remained inactive afterward. Survivors with a lower education level were most likely to remain inactive after diagnosis (p = 0.003). Lower education level, household income, and occupation were associated with the perception that pa had no effect or could worsen fatigue and quality of life (p ≤ 0.0001).Conclusions In cancer survivors, education level was a major modifier of smoking and pa behaviours. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with incorrect perceptions about pa. Targeting at-risk survivors by education level should be evaluated as a strategy in cancer survivorship programs.

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Factors associated with medication regimen complexity in older people: a cross-sectional population-based study

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.1007/s00228-015-1883-2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

pp. 1099-1108 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Barbara Caecilia Wimmer ◽

Kristina Johnell ◽

Johan Fastbom ◽

Michael David Wiese ◽

J. Simon Bell

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Population Based ◽

Medication Regimen ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Medication Regimen Complexity ◽

Regimen Complexity

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Sex differences in factors associated with heart failure and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction: a cross-sectional population-based study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10442-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Cesaroni ◽

◽

Gian Francesco Mureddu ◽

Nera Agabiti ◽

Flavia Mayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Ventricular Dysfunction ◽

Population Based ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Diastolic Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Abstract Background Although sex differences in cardiovascular diseases are recognised, including differences in incidence, clinical presentation, response to treatments, and outcomes, most of the practice guidelines are not sex-specific. Heart failure (HF) is a major public health challenge, with high health care expenditures, high prevalence, and poor clinical outcomes. The objective was to analyse the sex-specific association of socio-demographics, life-style factors and health characteristics with the prevalence of HF and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction (DLVD) in a cross-sectional population-based study. Methods A random sample of 2001 65–84 year-olds underwent physical examination, laboratory measurements, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), electrocardiography, and echocardiography. We selected the subjects with no missing values in covariates and echocardiographic parameters and performed a complete case analysis. Sex-specific multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of the diseases, multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the factors associated to asymptomatic and symptomatic LVD, and spline curves to display the relationship between the conditions and both age and NT-proBNP. Results In 857 men included, there were 66 cases of HF and 408 cases of DLVD (77% not reporting symptoms). In 819 women, there were 51 cases of HF and 382 of DLVD (79% not reporting symptoms). In men, the factors associated with prevalence of HF were age, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and suffering from three or more comorbid conditions. In women, the factors associated with HF were age, lifestyles (smoking and alcohol), BMI, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Age and diabetes were associated to asymptomatic DLVD in both genders. NT-proBNP levels were more strongly associated with HF in men than in women. Conclusions There were sex differences in the factors associated with HF. The results suggest that prevention policies should consider the sex-specific impact on cardiac function of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

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