Prevalence of Falls and Associated Risk Factors among Aged Population: a Community Based Cross-sectional Study from Turkey

Abstract Background: Intestinal protozoa infections are among the serous public health problems in preschool aged children (PSAC) and can lead to considerable health problems such as growth retardation, anemia, nutrition deficiency, physical weakness and mental health problems. In Tanzania, there is a paucity of data on intestinal protozoa infections though the evidence shows that PSAC can be infected. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa infections among PSAC and their associated risk factors in Mkuranga district, Tanzania.Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2019 to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa. A total of 525 stool samples were collected from PSAC and processed using formal-ether concentration method. Risk factors were identified using questionnaire interview conducted among parents/guardians. All participants were randomly selected from two villages (one located in rural and another in suburban settings). Data were entered and analysed by using SPSS version 23.Results: A total of 20 (3.8%) out of 525 PSAC were infected with intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba coli or Giardia lamblia). Among the assessed risk factors the following were significantly associated with intestinal protozoa: age of PSAC (AOR = 1.05, p = 0.048), age group of parents/guardians (AOR 30-39 years/50 -59years = 0.16, p = 0.031), household population (AOR 1-5/11+ = 0.15, P = 0.018 and AOR 6-10/11+ = 0.10, P = 0.010) and source of water ((AOR tape within household/spring = 0.004, p = 0.015), (AOR protected well/spring = 0.006, p = 0.023), (AOR bore hole/spring/spring = 0.006, p = 0.012), (AOR tape away of home/spring = 0.009, p = 0.020) and (ARO tape at home/spring = 0.004, p = 0.015)).Conclusion: There was a low prevalence of intestinal protozoa infection among PSAC in the two communities studied. Despite low prevalence of intestinal protozoa, the transmission is present hence the need to initiate control measures. Health education should be provided to parents/guardians of PSAC on protecting water sources, treatment of drinking water and supervision of latrine usage by PSAC and introduction of hand washing facilities are crucial.

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Malnutrition and other risk factors of geriatric depression: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study in older adults in rural Bangladesh

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02535-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Md. Ziaul Islam ◽

Tasnim Rahman Disu ◽

Sharmin Farjana ◽

Mohammad Meshbahur Rahman

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Geriatric Depression ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Rural Older Adults

Abstract Background Malnutrition and depression are highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to disparaging outcomes. Analytical studies on geriatric depression (GD) and its association with malnutrition are very scarce in Bangladesh, although the size of the older population is increasing fast in the country. The current study aimed to assess the association between malnutrition and depression and associated risk factors in rural older adults. Methods A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 600 older adult residents (aged ≥60 years) of three rural communities of Bangladesh from January to October 2019. The study enrolled two groups of participants; 300 depressed as cases and another 300 non-depressed older adults as a comparison group matching their age and living area. We used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data through a face-to-face interview. Geriatric Depression Scale-15 was used to determine depression, and a score of ≥5 was considered as depressed. We used the Bangla version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form to assess nutritional status, which comprised questions related to appetite, weight loss, mobility, recent illness/stress, dementia/depression, and BMI, and considered a score of 0–7 as the cutoff score for malnutrition. Measures included baseline and personal characteristics, malnutrition, GD, and its associated risk factors. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify variables associated with the risk of GD. Results The study found no significant difference in gender (male Vs. female) between depressed (44.0% Vs. 56.0%) and non-depressed (46.0% Vs. 54.0%) older individuals. The study revealed that malnutrition was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in depressed (56.0%) than in non-depressed (18.0%) rural older adults. The malnourished older adults had around three times (AOR = 3.155; 95% CI: 1.53–6.49, p = 0.002) more risk of having depression than the well-nourished older individuals. Older adults who were unemployed (AOR = 4.964; 95% CI: 2.361–10.440; p = 0.0001) and from lower and middle class (AOR = 3.654; 95% CI: 2.266–7.767; p = 0.001) were more likely to experience depression. Older adults having a ‘poor diet’ were more likely to experience depression (AOR = 3.384; 95% CI: 1.764–6.703; p = 0.0001). The rural older adults who were single (AOR = 2.368; 95% CI: 1.762–6.524; p = 0.001) and tobacco users (AOR = 2.332; 95% CI: 1.663–5.623; p = 0.003) were found more likely to experience depression. Conclusions A significant association between malnutrition and depression was evident by the current study in the rural older individuals of Bangladesh. It will be a prolific initiative if policymakers merge malnutrition and the risk factors associated with geriatric depression in providing universal health care for better health and well-being of the rural older populations.

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Respiratory symptoms and associated risk factors among under-five children in Northwest Ethiopia: community based cross-sectional study

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine ◽

10.4081/mrm.2020.685 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Zewudu Andualem ◽

Asefa Adimasu Taddese ◽

Zelalem Nigussie Azene ◽

Jember Azanaw ◽

Henok Dagne

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Under Five ◽

Under Five Children ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections are still a major public health problem resulting in morbidity and mortality among under-five children. This study aims to assess the extent of respiratory symptoms and associated risk factors among under-five children in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to June 2019. From 792 study participants, data were collected via face to face interviews by using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered in Epi Info version 7 then exported to Stata 14.00 for analysis. Binary (Bivariable and Multivariable) logistic regression analysis was used to test the association of explanatory and outcome variables. Variables with p<0.05 were considered as significantly associated with the outcome variable.Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children was 37.5% at [95% (CI: 34.3-41)]. Uterine irritability during pregnancy [AOR = 1.89 at 95% CI: (1.11-3.23)], physical exercise during pregnancy [AOR = 0.60 at 95% CI: (0.41-0.89)], using wood and coal for heating [AOR = 2.42 at 95% CI: (1.65-3.53)], cockroaches infestation [AOR = 1.95 at 95% CI: (1.36 – 2.90)], presence of new carpets [AOR = 2.38 at 95% CI: (1.33-4.29)], damp stain [AOR = 2.45 at 95% CI: (1.02-2.69)], opening windows during cooking [AOR = 0.58 at 95% CI: (0.36 - 0 .93)], living less than 100 m heavy traffic [AOR = 1.94 at 95% CI: (1.16-3.27)], and living less than 100 m (unpaved roads/streets) [AOR= 2.89 at 95% CI: (1.89-4.55)] were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms.Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children was relatively high in the study area. Personal and environmental characteristics influencing symptom occurrence were identified. Respiratory symptoms will be minimized by reducing exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and enhancing housing quality.

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