Physical Disabilities and Individual Vulnerability: Perspectives in Hyperendemic Municipalities for Leprosy

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-406
Author(s):  
Priscilla Dantas Almeida ◽  
Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo ◽  
Alberto Novaes Ramos Júnior ◽  
Olívia Dias de Araújo ◽  
Inês Fronteira ◽  
...  

Introduction: Epidemiological, operational and socio-demographic data on leprosy, as well as its direct and indirect impact on the affected person, his/her family, and community, are included in the group of neglected diseases. Objective: To analyze the association between the occurrence of physical disabilities in leprosy cases and individual vulnerability in hyperendemic municipalities. Methodology: population-based cross-sectional study of leprosy cases reported from 2001 to 2014 in two municipalities of Piauí/Brazil. Interviews and descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to study eventual associations. Results: Of the 603 cases evaluated, the most frequent were female (52%), brown (46%), with low schooling, married/united (50%) and retired (28%). A significant proportion of cases was multibacillary (46%), Virchowian clinical form (14%), reactional episodes (20%), disability degree I or II (70%). The explanatory variables for the presence of some degree of physical disability were gender, age group, perceived health, operational classification, clinical form, and hypertension (p<0.05). Conclusion: The physical disabilities caused by leprosy involve, in addition to dermatoneurological damage, psychological damage resulting from the strong stigma they produce. This result reinforces the need for differentiated care and nursing in disability prevention, physical rehabilitation and psychological follow-up to ensure comprehensive care.

2005 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azadbakht ◽  
Mirmiran ◽  
Shiva ◽  
Azizi

Aims: To determine the prevalence and associations of general and central obesity in adults residing in district 13 of Tehran and to examine the associations of obesity with certain factors. Design: Population-based cross sectional study. Setting: Tehran, the capital of Iran. Subjects: A total of 9984 subjects (4164 men and 5820 women) aged 20–70 years. Methods: Demographic data were collected and anthropometric indices including weight, height, and waist and hip circumference were measured, according to standard protocols. Dietary intake was assessed by means of two 24-hour dietary recall forms. To determine the prevalence and association of general and central obesity, the suggested cut-off for Tehranian people, adjusted for their age group, was used. A body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 24 for men and ≥ 25 for women was used to determine the characteristic of obesity . Central obesity was determined as a waist-hip ratio (WHR) of > 0.86 for men and WHR ≥ 0.78 for women. To determine the associations between general and central obesity and other factors, logistic regression was used. Results: The means of BMI, waist circumference (WC), and WHR were 25.8 ± 4.1 kg/m2, 88.3 ± 11.4 cm, and 0.91 ± 0.07 in men and 27.3 ± 5.4 kg/m2, 87.5 ± 12.9 cm, and 0.83 ± 0.08 in women, respectively. Obesity and central obesity were higher in women than in men; 67% vs. 29% for obesity and 93% vs. 74.1% for central obesity, respectively. Illiteracy (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.13–2.41 in men; OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.59–2.21 in women), marriage (OR = 3.84, 95% CI = 3.63–4.29 in men; OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 3.63–4.19 in women), and very low physical activity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.09–1.53 in men; OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.10–1.76 in women) were factors associated with obesity. The risk of being centrally obese for men in the fourth quartile of legumes intake was lower than men in other quartiles (p < 0.05). Women in the first quartile of dairy consumption had the highest risk of being generally and centrally obese (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.72–2.48 for general obesity and OR = 3.01, 95% CI = 2.36-3.67 for central obesity). The risk of obesity for women in the fourth quartile of energy and saturated fatty acid consumption was higher than for those in the first quartile (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 2.39–3.11 for energy and OR = 1.36, 95% CI= 1.10–1.64 for saturated fatty acids). The risk of being centrally obese was higher for women in the first quartile of protein intake compared with women in the fourth quartile (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.02–2.32). Conclusions: The results from this national population-based study in Iran show high prevalence of obesity in Tehranian adults. The strong associations between obesity and certain life style factors confirm the necessity of multifactorial intervention.


2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 647-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Betania Lins Dantas Siqueira ◽  
Monalisa Cesarino Gomes ◽  
Ana Cristina Oliveira ◽  
Carolina Castro Martins ◽  
Ana Flavia Granville-Garcia ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate predisposing factors for traumatic dental injury (TDI) in the primary dentition and seeking of dental care after the occurrence of TDI. A randomized population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 814 children aged 3 to 5 years enrolled at public and private preschools in the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire on demographic data and the child's history of TDI. TDI was evaluated by clinical examinations performed by three previously calibrated dentists (Kappa: 0.85 to 0.90). Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were constructed for TDI and the parent-reported search for dental care (α=0.05). The prevalence of TDI was 34.6%. The most common type of TDI was enamel fracture (55.0%). The central incisors were the most frequently affected teeth (87.5%). Predictors for TDI in the primary dentition were household income >U$312.50 (PR: 1.355; 95% CI: 1.050-1.724) and overjet >2 mm (PR: 1.539; 95% CI: 1.219-1.942). The predictor for seeking dental care following TDI was parent's age >30 years (PR: 1.753; 95% CI: 1.039-2.960). Household income and overjet were associated with TDI. Among children having suffered TDI, parent's age is a crucial determinant for seeking dental care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Cristina Caon de Souza ◽  
Marcia Margaret Menezes Pizzichini ◽  
Mirella Dias ◽  
Maíra Junkes Cunha ◽  
Darlan Lauricio Matte ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma, according to body mass index (BMI), as well as to evaluate factors associated with physician-diagnosed asthma, in individuals ≥ 40 years of age. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Florianópolis, Brazil, with probability sampling. Data were collected during home visits. Demographic data were collected, as were reports of physician-diagnosed asthma, respiratory symptoms, medications in use, and comorbidities. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Individuals also underwent spirometry before and after bronchodilator administration. Individuals were categorized as being of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 kg/m2 ≥ BMI < 30 kg/m2), or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Results: A total of 1,026 individuals were evaluated, 274 (26.7%) were of normal weight, 436 (42.5%) were overweight, and 316 (30.8%) were obese. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 11.0%. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (p = 0.03), as it was in respondents with ≤ 4 years of schooling (p < 0.001) or a family income of 3-10 times the national minimum wage. Physician-diagnosed asthma was more common among obese individuals than among those who were overweight and those of normal weight (16.1%, 9.9%, and 8.0%, respectively; p = 0.04), as were dyspnea (35.5%, 22.5%, and 17.9%, respectively; p < 0.001) and wheezing in the last year (25.6%, 11.9%, and 14.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). These results were independent of patient smoking status. In addition, obese individuals were three times more likely to report physician-diagnosed asthma than were those of normal weight (p = 0.005). Conclusions: A report of physician-diagnosed asthma showed a significant association with being ≥ 40 years of age and with having a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Being obese tripled the chance of physician-diagnosed asthma.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Barcellos de Souza ◽  
Eduardo Grossmann ◽  
Dirce Maria Navas Perissinotti ◽  
Jose Oswaldo de Oliveira Junior ◽  
Paulo Renato Barreiros da Fonseca ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives. Chronic pain affects between 30% and 50% of the world population. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in Brazil, describe and compare differences between pain types and characteristics, and identify the types of therapies adopted and the impact of pain on daily life. Methods. Cross-sectional study of a population-based survey with randomized sample from a private database. The interviews were conducted by phone. 78% of the respondents aged 18 years or more agreed to be interviewed, for a total of 723 respondents distributed throughout the country. Independent variables were demographic data, pain and treatment characteristics, and impact of pain on daily life. Comparative and associative statistical analyses were conducted to select variables for nonhierarchical logistic regression. Results. Chronic pain prevalence was 39% and mean age was 41 years with predominance of females (56%). We found higher prevalence of chronic pain in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Pain treatment was not specific to gender. Dissatisfaction with chronic pain management was reported by 49% of participants. Conclusion. 39% of interviewed participants reported chronic pain, with prevalence of females. Gender-associated differences were found in intensity perception and interference of pain on daily life activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameneh Alizadeh ◽  
Farnaz Farnam

Abstract Background Recently known as the genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD), Dyspareunia is considered a negative factor affecting a couple’s sexual health. This paper analyzes pain in Dyspareunia cases and determines protective factors causing lower levels of sexual distress among patients. Methods In a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2017, the cluster quota sampling technique was adopted to randomly select 590 Iranian married women aged 18–70 years from 30 health centers. The research tools included demographic data, a sexual distress scale, and Binik’s GPPPD questionnaire. Results In this study, the prevalence of self-report Dyspareunia, confirmed moderate Dyspareunia, and confirmed severe Dyspareunia (based on Binik’s proposed criteria) were 33 %, 25.8 %, and 10.5 %, respectively. Interestingly, 32 (34 %) out of 94 women who experienced severe pain based on Binik’s criteria reported no sexual distress. Compared to women with distress, they also had more positive body images, higher self-confidence, higher levels of sexual satisfaction, and more intimacy in their relationships (P = 0.000). In contrast, 8.5 % of the participants reported significant sexual distress even without confirmed Dyspareunia. Conclusions Improving intrapersonal characteristics such as self-confidence and body image as well as interpersonal factors such as sexual satisfaction and intimacy with a spouse can effectively treat Dyspareunia by alleviating sexual distress. The partner’s role in female pain and distress management would be more critical than previously thought.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0249247
Author(s):  
Leeberk Raja Inbaraj ◽  
Carolin Elizabeth George ◽  
Sindhulina Chandrasingh

Objectives We aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in a rural district of South India, six months after the index case. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study of 509 adults aged more than 18 years. From all the four subdistricts, two grampanchayats (administrative cluster of 5–8 villages) were randomly selected followed by one village through convenience. The participants were invited for the study to the community-based study kiosk set up in all the eight villages through village health committees. We collected socio-demographic characteristics and symptoms using a mobile application-based questionnaire, and we tested samples for the presence of IgG antibodies for SARS CoV-2 using an electro chemiluminescent immunoassay. We calculated age-gender adjusted and test performance adjusted seroprevalence. Results The age-and gender-adjusted seroprevalence was 8.5% (95% CI 6.9%- 10.8%). The unadjusted seroprevalence among participants with hypertension and diabetes was 16.3% (95% CI:9.2–25.8) and 10.7% (95% CI: 5.5–18.3) respectively. When we adjusted for the test performance, the seroprevalence was 6.1% (95% CI 4.02–8.17). The study estimated 7 (95% CI 1:4.5–1:9) undetected infected individuals for every RT-PCR confirmed case. Infection Fatality Rate (IFR) was calculated as 12.38 per 10000 infections as on 22 October 2020. History of self-reported symptoms and education were significantly associated with positive status (p < 0.05) Conclusion A significant proportion of the rural population in a district of south India remains susceptible to COVID-19. A higher proportion of susceptible, relatively higher IFR and a poor tertiary healthcare network stress the importance of sustaining the public health measures and promoting early access to the vaccine are crucial to preserving the health of this population. Low population density, good housing, adequate ventilation, limited urbanisation combined with public, private and local health leadership are critical components of curbing future respiratory pandemics.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ömer Bektaş ◽  
Cağatay Uğur ◽  
Zeynep Bıyıklı Gençtürk ◽  
Ayla Aysev ◽  
Özlem Sireli ◽  
...  

Objectives The objective of this article is to determine the relationship between headache frequency and socio-demographic data, personal characteristics, habits, daily activities, daily loss of ability, depression and anxiety in the headache subtypes in the pediatric population. Patients and methods Our sample group was composed of approximately 5355 children aged between 9 and 18 years. An eight-stage questionnaire was administered to the children. In the second stage of the study, headache subtypes were created according to the ICHD-II criteria. The resulting data were compared according to the results of the headache subtypes. Results In school-age children, the prevalence of recurrent headaches was 39.4%, and the prevalence of migraine was 10.3%. The subjects with migraine mostly preferred sedentary activities in their leisure time, and preferred less exercise than the subjects with the other headache types. The PedMIDAS score of the children who preferred to play sports was significantly lower than those who did not prefer to play sports. In the group that preferred reading books, an opposite relationship was found. In overweight and obese migraine sufferers, other types of headache were found to be significantly higher. Conclusions In the management of treating childhood headaches, the association of psychiatric comorbidities should be considered. To minimize disability, children should be directed to more useful physical activities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document