scholarly journals Substantial prevalence of enteroparasites Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. in asymptomatic schoolchildren in Madrid, Spain, November 2017 to June 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (43) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Reh ◽  
Aly Salimo Muadica ◽  
Pamela Carolina Köster ◽  
Sooria Balasegaram ◽  
Neville Q Verlander ◽  
...  

Background Protozoan enteroparasites Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis are major contributors to the burden of gastrointestinal illness in children globally, whereas the stramenopile Blastocystis species has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome and skin disorders. Aim To investigate the carriage of these parasites in voluntary asymptomatic schoolchildren (4‒14 years) in 12 different primary and secondary schools in Leganés (Madrid, Spain). Methods In a prospective cross-sectional study, stool samples and epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating schoolchildren. Detection of enteric parasites was conducted by PCR-based methods and confirmed by sequence analysis. We calculated prevalence and odds ratios (OR) with logistic regression. Results Stool samples and questionnaires were provided by 1,359 schoolchildren from 12 schools. The individual prevalence for any parasite was 28%; Blastocystis sp.: 13%; G. duodenalis: 18%; Cryptosporidium spp.: 1%. Two schoolchildren were infected with all three species and 53 with two species. Multivariable risk factor analysis using logistic regression models indicated that an existing infection with one parasite increased the odds for an additional infection with another parasite. The odds of Blastocystis sp. carriage increased up to the age of 10 years and being female increased the odds of Cryptosporidium spp. infection. Washing vegetables before preparing a meal was protective for Blastocystis sp. infection. Conclusion We detected a larger than expected proportion of asymptomatic cases in the participanting schoolchildren. Further investigation of asymptomatic children should be considered. Good hygiene measures should be encouraged for individuals of all ages to protect from protozoal infections.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 181-181
Author(s):  
Aseel El Zein ◽  
Karla Shelnutt ◽  
Sarah Colby ◽  
Geoffrey Greene ◽  
Wenjun Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Salguero ◽  
Juliana Ferri-Guerra ◽  
Nadeem Y. Mohammed ◽  
Dhanya Baskaran ◽  
Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Frailty is defined as a state of vulnerability to stressors that is associated with higher morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilization in older adults. Ageism is “a process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people because they are old.” Explicit biases involve deliberate or conscious controls, while implicit bias involve unconscious processes. Multiple studies show that self-directed ageism is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine whether explicit ageist attitudes are associated with frailty in Veterans. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of Veterans 50 years and older who completed the Kogan’s Attitudes towards Older People Scale (KAOP) scale to assess explicit ageist attitudes and the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to evaluate implicit ageist attitudes from July 2014 through April 2015. We constructed a frailty index (FI) of 44 variables (demographics, comorbidities, number of medications, laboratory tests, and activities of daily living) that was retrospectively applied to the time of completion of the KAOP and IAT. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by multinomial logistic regression models with frailty status (robust, prefrail and frail) as the outcome variable, and with KAOP and IAT scores as the independent variables. Age, race, ethnicity, median household income and comorbidities were considered as covariates. Results Patients were 89.76% male, 48.03% White, 87.93% non-Hispanic and the mean age was 60.51 (SD = 7.16) years. The proportion of robust, pre-frail and frail patients was 11.02% (n = 42), 59.58% (n = 227) and 29.40% (n = 112) respectively. The KAOP was completed by 381 and the IAT by 339 participants. In multinomial logistic regression, neither explicit ageist attitudes (KAOP scale score) nor implicit ageist attitudes (IAT) were associated with frailty in community dwelling Veterans after adjusting for covariates: OR = .98 (95% CI = .95–1.01), p = .221, and OR:=.97 (95% CI = .37–2.53), p = .950 respectively. Conclusions This study shows that neither explicit nor implicit ageist attitudes were associated with frailty in community dwelling Veterans. Further longitudinal and larger studies with more diverse samples and measured with other ageism scales should evaluate the independent contribution of ageist attitudes to frailty in older adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Seringa ◽  
Ana Patrícia Marques ◽  
Bruno Moita ◽  
Cátia Gaspar ◽  
João Filipe Raposo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) are responsible for an important proportion of health care expenditures. Diabetes is one of the conditions consensually classified as an ACSC being considered a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of diabetes on the occurrence of multiple admissions for ACSC. Methods We analysed inpatient data of all public Portuguese NHS hospitals from 2013 to 2015 on multiple admissions for ACSC among adults aged 18 or older. Multiple ACSC users were identified if they had two or more admissions for any ACSC during the period of analysis. Two logistic regression models were computed. A baseline model where a logistic regression was performed to assess the association between multiple admissions and the presence of diabetes, adjusting for age and sex. A full model to test if diabetes had no constant association with multiple admissions by any ACSC across age groups. Results Among 301,334 ACSC admissions, 144,209 (47.9%) were classified as multiple admissions and from those, 59,436 had diabetes diagnosis, which corresponded to 23,692 patients. Patients with diabetes were 1.49 times (p < 0,001) more likely to be admitted multiple times for any ACSC than patients without diabetes. Younger adults with diabetes (18–39 years old) were more likely to become multiple users. Conclusion Diabetes increases the risk of multiple admissions for ACSC, especially in younger adults. Diabetes presence is associated with a higher resource utilization, which highlights the need for the implementation of adequate management of chronic diseases policies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. e206537
Author(s):  
Sandra Denise Fachini Sedrez ◽  
Ana Paula Terossi de Godoi ◽  
Marcelo de Castro Meneghim ◽  
Silvia Amélia Scudeler Vedovello ◽  
Giovana Cherubini Venezian ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate the influence of social capital on self-perception related to orthodontic treatment need. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 578 11-16 years-old adolescents from a city in southern Brazil. Social capital was evaluated using the Social Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students (SCQ-AS). Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) assessed malocclusion and self-perception related to orthodontic treatment need. Sociodemographic aspects of adolescents were also evaluated. Individual analyses were performed, relating the study variables to the outcome, estimating the odds ratio with the respective confidence intervals of 95%. The variables with p<0.20 in the individual analyses were tested in the multiple logistic regression models, and those with p<0.10 remained in the model. Results: Social capital did not influence the self-perception related to orthodontic treatment need. Adolescents with high orthodontic needs were 5.35 (CI 95%: 2.68 to 10.65) times more likely to perceived orthodontic treatment need (p <0.05). Crowding and dental absence were associated with self-perception related to orthodontic treatment need (p <0.05). Conclusions: Social capital did not influence the self-perception related to orthodontic treatment need.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
GRACIA CASTRO-LUNA ◽  
ANTONIO PÉREZ-RUEDA

Abstract Background: The diagnosis of keratoconus in the early stages of the disease is necessary to initiate an early treatment of keratoconus. Furthermore to avoid possible refractive surgery that could produce ectasias. This study aims to describe the topographic, pachymetric and aberrometry characteristics in patients with keratoconus, subclinical keratoconus and normal corneas. Additionally to propose a diagnostic model of subclinical keratoconus based in binary logistic regression models Methods: The design was a cross-sectional study. It included 205 eyes from 205 patients distributed in 82 normal corneas, 40 subclinical keratoconus and 83 established keratoconus The rotary Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam® type) analyzed the topographic, pachymetric and aberrometry variables. It performed a descriptive and bivariate analysis of the recorded data. A diagnostic and predictive model of subclinical keratoconus was calculated with the statistically significant variables Results: Statistically significant differences were observed when comparing normal corneas with subclinical keratoconus/ in variables of the vertical asymmetry to 90º and the central corneal thickness. The binary logistic regression model included the minimal corneal thickness, the anterior coma to 90º and posterior coma to 90º. The model properly diagnosed 92% of cases Conclusions: The differential diagnosis between normal cases and subclinical keratoconus depends on the mínimum corneal thickness, the anterior coma to 90º and the posterior coma to 90º.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anbissa Muleta ◽  
Dejene Hailu ◽  
Barbara J. Stoecker ◽  
Tefera Belachew

Abstract Undernutrition is a major global health problem. Various types of animal milk are used for feeding children at early ages; however, associations of camel milk (CaM) and bovine milk (BM) with the nutritional status of children have not been explored. A comparative community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pre-schoolers in rural pastoral districts of Somali, Ethiopia. Children were selected from households with lactating camels or cows. Anthropometric measurements followed standard procedures for height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height scores. Independent sample t-tests identified significant differences in anthropometric indices based on the type of milk consumed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between milk consumption and other predictors of growth failures. The prevalence of stunting was 24⋅1 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 20⋅5, 28⋅3] of pre-schoolers, 34⋅8 % (95 % CI 29⋅9, 39⋅6) were wasted and 34⋅7 % (95 % CI 30⋅1, 39⋅9) were underweight. Higher proportions of BM-fed children were severely stunted, wasted and underweight compared with CaM consumers. Using logistic regression models, children who consumed BM [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2⋅10; 95 % CI 1⋅22, 3⋅61] and who were anaemic (AOR: 4⋅22; 95 % CI 2⋅23, 7⋅98) were more likely to be stunted than their counterparts, while girls were less likely to be stunted than boys (AOR: 0⋅57; 95 % CI 0⋅34, 0⋅94). Similarly, children who consumed BM (AOR: 1⋅97; 95 % CI 1⋅20, 3⋅24), who were anaemic (AOR: 2⋅27; 95 % CI 1⋅38, 3⋅72) and who drank unsafe water (AOR: 1⋅91; 95 % CI 1⋅19, 3⋅07) were more likely to be underweight than their counterparts. In conclusion, CaM consumption was associated with lower prevalence of stunting and underweight than BM. Promoting CaM in pastoralist areas may help to curb the high level of undernutrition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (Special1) ◽  
pp. 311-317
Author(s):  
Siti Munira Yasin ◽  
Aishah Zubillah ◽  
Siti Aishah Shamsuri ◽  
Muhammad Shahril Izwan ◽  
Muhammad Aizat Mohamad Azli ◽  
...  

Most available data on the prevalence and characteristics of low back pain (LBP) are reported in developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of LBP and potential risk factors among a group of workers in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 workers in a fertilizer company in Malaysia. The sample comprised both blue- and white-collar workers. A set of questionnaires consisting of sociodemographic items, the NORDIC musculoskeletal questionnaire and the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for this study. The main analysis conducted was a multivariate logistic regression. Results showed that a total of 40% of workers experienced LBP. Compared to workers younger than 30 years of age, the risk of LBP was 8 times higher among those over 50 years of age. In addition, workers who were moderately stressed at work had a risk of LBP that was almost five times higher, and workers who did not have awkward posture for a long period of time had an 80% lower risk of LBP. In a multivariate logistic regression, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, it was found that less repetitive work, shorter sustained positions and less frequent lifting of heavy objects prevented LBP. After the final adjustment including all other variables, only engaging in repetitive work was associated with LBP. In conclusion, each workplace should ensure that older workers, especially those who are working in stressful environments, are prevented from engaging in repetitive work, sustaining prolonged awkward postures and lifting heavy objects.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ademar Takahama ◽  
Vitoria Iaros de Sousa ◽  
Elisa Emi Tanaka ◽  
Evelise Ono ◽  
Fernanda Akemi Nakanishi Ito ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: This a cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between oral health findings and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU). Material and Methods: Data were collected from medical records, and a detailed oral physical examination was performed on 663 critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation. Data were statistically analysed using univariate and logistic regression models relating the development of VAP with the oral findings. Results: At oral physical examination, the most frequent findings were tooth loss (568 - 85.67%), coated tongue (422 - 63.65%) and oral bleeding (192 - 28.96%). Patients with a coated tongue or oral bleeding on the first day of ICU hospitalization developed more VAP than did patients without these conditions (20.14% vs 13.69%: p=0.02; 23.44% vs 15.50%: p=0.01, respectively). In the logistic regression, a coated tongue and oral bleeding were considered independent risk factors for VAP development [OR=1.60 (1.02-2.47) and OR=1.59 (1.05 – 2.44), respectively]. Conclusions: The presence of a coated tongue and oral bleeding in ICU admission could be considered markers for the development of VAP. Clinical relevance: The results of this paper reinforces the importance of proper maintenance of oral hygiene before intubation, which may lead to a decrease in the incidence of VAP in the ICU. This is particularly important in the COVID-19 current scenario, where more people are expected to need mechanical ventilation, consequently increasing cases of VAP.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Velardo ◽  
Hanifa Bouziri ◽  
Lucie Adélaïde ◽  
Emma Oliosi ◽  
Maylis Layan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Freshwater sports can be associated with infections from pathogenic microorganisms. In French Brittany, such infections are a major concern since a leptospirosis outbreak in 2016. Objectives: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of infectious diseases related to the practice of freshwater sports and identify the factors associated with these pathologies in Brittany, France. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 18 to May 8, 2019, among freshwater sport licensees (online study) and clubs (phone study). Licensees were 18 years old or more, and practiced at least one freshwater sport, in one of the 79 Brittany clubs. Club presidents and instructors were also surveyed. We used logistic regression models to study the association between our variables of interest and potential risk factors. Results: In total, 551 licensees (20.3% of the total number of licensees) and 38 clubs (48.1%) were surveyed. A diagnosis of leptospirosis was reported by 29 (5.3%) licensees, of which 41.3% occurred in the last five years. The most reported symptoms were skin symptoms (24.3%) and 7.1% of individuals reported at least one hospitalization in their lifetime for a disease related to freshwater sports. The occurrence of leptospirosis was negatively associated with boarding from a pontoon (OR=0.20 [0.06-0.56]), practicing for less than 4 years (OR=0.17 [0.04-0.56]) compared to more than 10 years, and the occurrence of leptospirosis was positively associated with taking a soapy shower after practice (OR=4.38 [1.90-10.51]). Eskimo roll was positively associated with the occurrence of otitis and conjunctivitis (OR=3.22 [1.82-6.03]) and skin irritations (OR=1.66 [0.99-2.84]). Conclusion: This study provides a better understanding of the proportion and factors associated with infectious diseases linked to the practice of freshwater sports in French Brittany. Complementary studies are necessary to better understand the link between these diseases and the practice of freshwater sports.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Tang ◽  
Lulu Ding ◽  
Yuejing Feng ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Chengchao Zhou

Abstract Background Reasonable use of antenatal care (ANC) services by pregnant women played a crucial role in ensuring maternal and child safety and reducing the risk of complications, disability, and death in mothers and their infants. This study aimed to investigate the ANC use, and to explore the factors associated with ANC use among migrant women during the first delivery in China. Methods This study used the data of National Health and Family Planning Commission of People Republic of China in 2014. A total of 1505 migrant primiparous women were included in our current analysis. Frequencies and proportions were used to describe the data. Chi-square tests and multivariate binary logistic regression models were performed to explore the determinants that affect the number of times migrant women used ANC during their first delivery. Results Of the 1505 participants, 279 (18.54%) women received the ANC less than 5 times, and 1226 (81.46%) women used the ANC at least 5 times during the first delivery. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that migrant primiparous women with college and above education(P < 0.05;OR = 2.57;95%CI = 1.19–5.55), from the households with higher monthly income (P < 0.01;OR = 2.01;95%CI = 1.30–3.13), covered by maternity insurance(P < 0.01;OR = 2.01;95%CI = 1.28–3.18), with maternal health records (P < 0.001;OR = 2.44;95%CI = 1.61–3.69), migrating across county (P < 0.05;OR = 2.57;95%CI = 1.14–5.81), having migration experience before pregnancy(P < 0.05;OR = 1.37;95%CI = 1.03–1.81) were more likely to use ANC for at least five times. Conclusions This study demonstrated that there were still some migrant maternal women (18.54%) who attended the ANC less than 5 times. Targeted policies should be developed to improve the utilization of ANC among migrant pregnant women.


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