scholarly journals The Health Literacy of Adults in Alborz Province in Iran

Author(s):  
Seddigheh Ravati ◽  
Malihe Farid

Introduction: Health literacy is defined as the ability of an individual to acquire, interpret, and understand the basic information about health services and to use them. Health literacy is a strong predictor of health. Its low level is germane to health problems of people and society as well as economic costs. This study was designed to determine the level of health literacy considering socio-demographic factors in residents of Alborz province in 2015. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 465 people aged between 18 and 60 years old living in Alborz province were evaluated using two-stage random sampling technique (stratified and cluster sampling). In this study, Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire (IHLQ) and socio-demographic Information Questionnaire were used to collect the required data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as T-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation test using SPSS software. Results: The mean age of participants was 36.57(±11.08) years old and 68.2% of them were female. 22.4% of people had adequate, 44.3% had a moderate, and 33.3% had a poor level of health literacy. Health literacy in all dimensions of IHLQ except individual empowerment and social empowerment was moderate. People's access to health information also was moderate. The T-test indicated that the health literacy score was significantly higher in the individuals with the educational level of diploma and higher (p= 0.000), in Persian people (p= 0.008), and in unemployed people (p= 0.006). Conclusion: The high level of inadequate (moderate and poor) health literacy of 77.6% of the Alborz province population should be taken into consideration in health system policies to apply an effective strategy for  promoting  health literacy that results in better health status, regarding effective socio–demographic factors for each dimension of health literacy.   Keywords: Health Literacy, Adults, Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire (IHLQ)

Author(s):  
Alex O. Ondieki ◽  
Harun M. Kimani ◽  
Titus M. Kahiga

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. 9.4 out of the 20 million cardiovascular deaths are due to HTN. HTN has often been described to be more prevalent in urban areas. However, there has been an epidemiologic transition from urban to rural areas which often go unreported or underreported. This gap therefore called for a study to compare the prevalence of HTN burden and assess how socio-demographic factors contribute to HTN development among the rural and urban population.Methods: This study methodology focused on HTN among residents aged 30-69 years, from urban and rural population of Nyaribari Chache sub county, Kisii County, Kenya using a descriptive cross sectional study in which 490 respondents were interviewed. Sampling involved a random sampling technique which entailed household selection. Data was analysed using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) version 21.Results: The prevalence of HTN for the sampled population was 44.668%. The prevalence of HTN was 44.134% in rural and 43.598% in urban areas. Rural population were more at risk of developing HTN than urban (OR=1.135 and RR=1.072). On general health, those who had ever been told that they had hypertension (p<0.000), ever been told that they had hypertension for the past 12 months (p=0.000) and those who were currently taking hypertension medication (p=0.026) were statistically significant variables.Conclusions: The study concludes that residents in rural population have higher prevalence of hypertension. Further, female respondents, those who are currently married, completed primary school education and were self-employed reported to have a higher prevalence of hypertension.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
S G Goar ◽  
G K Ayuba ◽  
F P Tungchama ◽  
Y T Maigari ◽  
M T Agbir ◽  
...  

The patterns of alcohol consumption among females  is of enormous public health concerns, as harmful consumption poses danger to their health, welfare, children and to the civil society. The study objectives were to determine the current prevalence of alcohol use, the related socio-demographic factors and the patterns of alcohol consumption. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in Jos North Local Government Area, carried out from March to July, 2017 after ethical clearance was obtained. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the participants who were age 18 years and above. A total of 272 females with an age range of 18 to 60 years responded. The mean age was 28.8±8.6 years. Majority 112(41.2%) were in the age group of 25-34 years. Most of them were never married 168 (61.8%), protestants 151(55.4%) and had secondary education 97(35.7%). About half of them were employed (148(54.4%) with 167(61.4%) of them earned an average monthly income of 20,000 naira or less. One hundred and fifty nine (58.5%) use alcohol in the family. The estimated prevalence of life time use, current use and abstention were 79.4%, 41.2% and 20.6% respectively. Of the current users 35(31.1%) were low risk while hazardous, harmful and dependent users were 30(26.8%), 21(18.8%) and 26(23.2%) respectively. The sociodemographic variables associated with current alcohol use were history of family use (χ2 = 3.088, df = 1, p = 0.01) and educational status (χ2 = 8.797, df = 3, p = 0.03). These findings call for immediate advocacy and sensitization of awareness concerning prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to stem the tide of deleterious patterns of alcohol consumption among females in the community.


Author(s):  
Gnkambo Agwa Gora ◽  
Muhammad Farooq Umer ◽  
Peter Obang Ojulu ◽  
Sintayehu Tsegaye Betaw ◽  
Akwoma Okugn Cham ◽  
...  

The decades-long global efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality have shown overall progress, but most developing countries are still lagging significantly. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of non-institutional childbirths in the Gambella State and to identify socio-demographic factors responsible for non-institutional utilization of available birth services by reproductive-aged mothers. A community-based cross-sectional study design was adopted using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the selected place of birth. EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 13.0 were applied for data entry and analyses. All the 657 eligible mothers recruited for this study responded to the interview. 71% of the total respondents had non-institutional childbirths (NICB), and the rest had their most recent childbirth in an institution with skilled healthcare providers’ assistance. Socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with NICB. Nuer (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.23–3.63) and Majang ethnic (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.02–3.83) groups had higher rates of NICB than the rest of the study population. The prevalence of non-institutional childbirths in Gambella remained two times higher than the institutional childbirths.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutango D. Simangwa ◽  
Anne N. Åstrøm ◽  
Anders Johansson ◽  
Irene K. Minja ◽  
Ann-Katrin Johansson

Author(s):  
Tanveer Bano ◽  
Abhishek Agarwal ◽  
Sunil Kumar Garg ◽  
Harivansh Chopra ◽  
Seema Jain ◽  
...  

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia constitutes more than half of the anaemia burden among the under 5 children. In addition to socio-demographic factors, the maternal factors plays an important role in determining childhood anaemia. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia among 1-3 year old children and to find their association with maternal factors.Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted in a sub centre village under Machhra CHC. Sample size was calculated as 182 by taking the prevalence of anaemia as 79% with 7.5% relative precision and 95% confidence interval. From the list of 404 children obtained from MCTS data, 200 children were selected randomly. Detailed information regarding socio demographic factors and maternal factors was obtained on a pre tested and pre designed questionnaire. Hemoglobin levels were estimated using haemo check rapid diagnostic kit. The data was collected and analyzed on epi info 3.7.2 using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Out of 200 children 77.5% of them were suffering from mild to severe anaemia. Among all the maternal factors studied maternal education, iron folic acid consumption during pregnancy, birth order of the index case and history of exclusive breast feeding were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of anaemia among the children.Conclusions: The present study revealed a high prevalence of anaemia in children and maternal factors plays an important role in determining the disease. 


Author(s):  
Vijaykumar P. Mane ◽  
Yuvaraj Bhanot Yenkanaik ◽  
Shankrappa Dhanapur ◽  
Sangappa Yallammanavar ◽  
Rashmi Sreenivasamurthy

Background: Tobacco is a major risk factor for a number of diseases affecting all age groups. One person dies every six seconds due to tobacco use and up to half of current users will eventually die of a tobacco-related disease. Government of India has enacted cigarette and other tobacco products act (COTPA) in the year 2003 to control tobacco use. The objective of study was to estimate the level of compliance to selected sections (4 to 9) of COTPA (cigarette and other tobacco products – prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) act, 2003 in Koppal district, Karnataka.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional study conducted as an independent evaluation of COTPA act 2003 in Koppal district as per National Tobacco Control Program guidelines. Cluster sampling technique was used for sample selection and sample consisted of 158 public places, 102 educational institutional, 87 shops/ sell points and 60 tobacco products. Data entry and analysis was done using microsoft office excel 2013.Results: The prevalence of compliance to section 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8 and 9 of COTPA act 2003 in Koppal district were 80.3%, 96.5%, 98.9%, 64.8%, 53.3%, 63.3% and 50% respectively.Conclusions: Compliance level was poor especially in relation to display of health warnings on tobacco products which needs to be tackled through strict enforcement of the existing laws.


2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Kowalkowska ◽  
Rui Poínhos ◽  
Bela Franchini ◽  
Cláudia Afonso ◽  
Flora Correia ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aims of this study were: (i) to estimate the dependency between BMI and waist:height ratio (WHtR) as measures of general and abdominal adiposity, and (ii) to evaluate the influence of socio-demographic factors on both measures and on their dependency in risk classification. Data from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2009 among a representative sample of 3529 Portuguese adults were used. Height, weight and waist were measured and socio-demographic data (sex, age, education level, occupational status, marital status, region of residence) were obtained. Using logistic regression, crude and adjusted OR for high general (BMI≥25·0 kg/m2) and abdominal (WHtR≥0·5) adiposity, and for incompatible classification between them, were calculated. Above half (50·8 %) of the respondents had high BMI and 42·1 % had high WHtR, and the rates were higher in men than in women. There was an inverse association between education level and both adiposity measures. The lowest prevalence of high general and abdominal adiposity was observed in students and singles, whereas the highest was found in retired, widowed and respondents from Azores, Madeira and Alentejo. Nearly a quarter of respondents (24·0 %) were incompatibly classified by BMI and WHtR, with higher prevalence in men than in women and in low- than in high-educated people. Future surveys should focus on developing at least sex-specific cut-offs for both measures. Implementation of effective strategies for preventing and reducing high adiposity levels in Portugal should be directed primarily to men, older, low-educated individuals, as well as those living in the islands and poor regions of the country.


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