Assessment of Behavioural Disorders in Children with Functional Constipation

BACKGROUND: Functional constipation (FC) is a common health problem in paediatrics that causes significant physical and emotional distress to patients and their families. AIM: In the current work, we assessed the presence of behavioural problems in children with functional constipation and their pattern and relation to various demographic and disease-associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted, including 55 consecutive children aged 4-16 years diagnosed with functional constipation and 55 healthy age and sex-matched controls. Psychological assessment was done using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist – 17 (PSC-17). RESULTS: Twenty-six (47.3%) patients with FC had positive total PSC-17 scores while none of the controls had positive scores (p-value < 0.001). Positive internalising and externalising behaviours scores and attention problems were found in 36 (65.5%), 15 (27.3%) and 12 (21.8%) of the patients respectively in contrary to controls where only 6 (10.9%) had positive scores in internalising behaviour, and non-showed externalising behaviour and 4 (7.3%) were inattentive. Older age, longer duration of illness, residency in rural areas and presence of encopresis were found to have a significant association with the presence of such problems. CONCLUSION: Children with FC have more behavioural disorders compared to healthy controls. Integration of psychosocial aspects and their management is recommended during dealing with patients with FC.

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Acute food insecurity and short-term coping strategies of urban and rural households of Bangladesh during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic of 2020: report of a cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043365 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e043365

Author(s):

Subhasish Das ◽

Md. Golam Rasul ◽

Md Shabab Hossain ◽

Ar-Rafi Khan ◽

Md Ashraful Alam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Rural Households ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Insecure Households

IntroductionWe conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the extent and to identify the determinants of food insecurity and coping strategies in urban and rural households of Bangladesh during the month-long, COVID-19 lockdown period.SettingSelected urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.Participants106 urban and 106 rural households.Outcome variables and methodHousehold food insecurity status and the types of coping strategies were the outcome variables for the analyses. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were done to identify the determinants.ResultsWe found that around 90% of the households were suffering from different grades of food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was higher in urban (42%) than rural (15%) households. The rural households with mild/moderate food insecurity adopted either financial (27%) or both financial and food compromised (32%) coping strategies, but 61% of urban mild/moderate food insecure households applied both forms of coping strategies. Similarly, nearly 90% of severely food insecure households implemented both types of coping strategies. Living in poorest households was significantly associated (p value <0.05) with mild/moderate (regression coefficient, β: 15.13, 95% CI 14.43 to 15.82), and severe food insecurity (β: 16.28, 95% CI 15.58 to 16.97). The statistically significant (p <0.05) determinants of both food compromised and financial coping strategies were living in urban areas (β: 1.8, 95% CI 0.44 to 3.09), living in poorest (β: 2.7, 95% CI 1 to 4.45), poorer (β: 2.6, 95% CI 0.75 to 4.4) and even in the richer (β: 1.6, 95% CI 0.2 to 2.9) households and age of the respondent (β: 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.21).ConclusionBoth urban and rural households suffered from moderate to severe food insecurity during the month-long lockdown period in Bangladesh. But, poorest, poorer and even the richer households adopted different coping strategies that might result in long-term economic and nutritional consequences.

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Factors associated with maternal near-miss at public hospitals of South-East Ethiopia: An institutional-based cross-sectional study

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/17455065211060617 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 174550652110606

Author(s):

Ashenafi Mekonnen ◽

Genet Fikadu ◽

Kenbon Seyoum ◽

Gemechu Ganfure ◽

Sisay Degno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maternal Mortality ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Near Miss ◽

Early Marriage ◽

Maternal Near Miss ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Maternal near-miss precedes maternal mortality, and women are still alive indicating that the numbers of near-misses occur more often than maternal mortality. This study aims to assess the prevalence of maternal near-miss and associated factors at public hospitals of Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study design was carried out from 1 October 2018 to 28 February 2019, among 300 women admitted to maternity wards. A structured questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data. Epi-info for data entry and statistical package for social science for analysis were used. The descriptive findings were summarized using tables and text. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 were used to examine the association between the independent and dependent variables. Result: The prevalence of maternal near-miss in our study area was 28.7%. Age < 20 years, age at first marriage < 20 years, husbands with primary education, and being from rural areas are factors significantly associated with the prevalence of maternal near-miss. The zonal health department in collaboration with the education department and justice office has to mitigate early marriage by educating the community about the impacts of early marriage on health.

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Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Ghana

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research ◽

10.52403/ijhsr.20220124 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 175-187

Author(s):

Sumani Abdul-Manan ◽

Alhassan Iddrisu Abdullai ◽

Buhari Gunu Yussif

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

P Value ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Social Media Platforms

Background: A proven strategy for saving lives from vaccine-preventable diseases is the timely vaccination of the people. In Ghana, there is considerable hesitation about the Covid-19 vaccines due to anxieties and uncertainties about their safety. With varying perceptions and believes being developed about Covid-19 vaccines, there is a likely negative effect on vaccine acceptance or otherwise. This study aims to ascertain the levels of acceptance of potential Covid-19 vaccine among Ghanaian adults, to identify predictors of vaccine acceptance or hesitance. Methodology: A web based cross-sectional survey conducted among Ghanaians above 18 years, conducted between the month of February and March, 2021. Data were collected by administering online google forms (Questionnaire). The questionnaire was shared through social media platforms. A snowball sampling technique was used where researchers shared google forms to close friends and family. Analyses were conducted at p-value <0.05 using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and logistic regression. Results: A total of 350 responses were achieved by end of data collection. Out of these, only 348 were considered for analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Majority of the respondents (65.2%) were male, a third (30%) of them live in rural areas and about 57.5% were married. Factors such as age, educational level, prior vaccine acceptance history, personal vulnerability and self-feeling of health were significantly associated with covid-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: The results depict low acceptance rate for potential covid-19 vaccine among Ghanaians. Government and MoH should engage the media on its role in combating misinformation with regards the Covid-19 vaccine. Key words: coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), vaccine, hesitance, acceptance.

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Stunting Diagnostic and Awareness: Impact assessment study of sociodemographic factors of stunting among school-going children of Pakistan (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17209 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mahvish Ponum ◽

Saadia Khan ◽

Osman Hasan ◽

Muhammad Tahir Mahmood ◽

Asad Abbas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Parental Education ◽

Work Capacity ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

P Value ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Study Results

BACKGROUND Stunting is a major public health issue in most of developing countries. Although, its worldwide prevalence is decreasing slowly but the number of stunted children is still rising in Pakistan. Stunting is highly associated with several long-term consequences, including higher rate of mortality and morbidity, deficient cognitive growth, school performance, learning capacity, work capacity and work productivity. To prevent stunting, we proposed Stunting Diagnostic and Education app. This app includes detailed knowledge of stunting and it’s all forms, symptoms, causes, video tutorials and guidelines by the Pediatricians and Nutritionists. OBJECTIVE The aim and objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of stunting in school-going children in Multan District of Punjab Pakistan and to analyze the risk factors associated with stunting in children under and over 5 age. This study presents Stunting Diagnostic and Education app to prevent the stunting in children under 5 age and children over 5 age (where required). METHODS A cross-sectional study has been conducted in schools of Multan District, Pakistan for the period of January 2019 to June 2019. Sample data of 1420 children, aged 4 to 18 years using three age groups, were analyzed by using SPSS version 21.0 to assess the prevalence of stunting and to analyze the main factors associated with it. Chi square test was applied in comparison with rural and urban participants and p-value <0.05 was considered as significant. This study includes distribution of sociodemographic characteristics, parental education, working status of mothers, dietary patterns of school going children and prevalence of stunting in school going children. After getting study results, Stunting Diagnostic and Education app was developed according to the instructions of child experts and nutritionists. RESULTS 354 (24.93%) participants were stunted out of 1420, 11.9 % children were obese and 63.17% children were normal. Out of 354 stunted children, higher ratio of stunting was found in the age group of 8-11 years children with 51.98 percentage. 37.85% stunted children were found in the age group of 4-7 years and 10.17% stunting was found in the age group of 12-18 years children. It was observed in the study that male children were highly stunted than female with 57.91 % and 42.09% respectively. Children living in rural areas were more stunted affected as compared to the children living in urban society with percentage 58.76 and 41.24 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study concluded that 24.93% children were stunted, out of which, age group of 8-11 years children were highly stunted. The study showed that the literacy of mother or caregiver had high impact on children’s health. Therefore, Stunting Diagnostic and Education app was developed to educate mothers to prevent stunting.

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Refractive Errors: Prevalence and Pattern among Rural Population of Islamabad, Pakistan

Journal of Islamabad Medical & Dental College ◽

10.35787/jimdc.v9i2.326 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 103-108

Author(s):

Waseem Akhter ◽

Erum Yousafzai ◽

Afia Matloob Rana ◽

Shakaib Anwar

Keyword(s):

Refractive Error ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Contact Lenses ◽

Age Groups ◽

P Value ◽

Refractive Errors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Population ◽

Common Error ◽

Myopic Astigmatism

Background: Refractive error is the most common cause of correctable visual loss worldwide. Decreased vision due to refractive error can be easily corrected with the help of spectacles, contact lenses and refractive surgery. However, there are 42% of uncorrected refractive errors all over the world. The present study aimed to evaluate different kinds of refractive errors, its prevalence and pattern in patients from rural areas who visited our hospital in the last five years. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 2,138 patients, who visited eye OPD at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad during a period of five years i.e. from September, 2013 to September, 2018. Patients having only refractive error with an age of five years and above were included in the study. All patients had objective refraction with automated refractometer followed by subjective refraction. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square test was used for comparing groups with a P-value of <0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: Compound myopic astigmatism was the most common error found in our study population (n=575; 26.9%). The second most frequent complaint was simple myopia (n=501; 23.4%) followed by presbyopia (n=441; 20.6%) and mixed astigmatism (n=235; 11%). Patients with more than one refractive error included 178 (8.3%) with mixed astigmatism and presbyopia and 78 (3.6%) with simple myopia and presbyopia. Compound myopic astigmatism was more prevalent in younger ages compared to older age groups (46.4% vs 19.9%) (P <0.001). Mixed astigmatism (12.4% vs 8.9%), simple myopia (23.8% vs 22.9%) and presbyopia (21.3% vs 19.5%) were slightly greater in females than males (P=0.07), respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of myopia is significantly higher among female population and young individuals. Mixed astigmatism combined with presbyopia is more common among elderly population.

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Hubungan Jenis Kelamin dan Lama Sakit dengan Kejadian Depresi Pada Lansia Penderita Hipertensi

Journal of Holistic Nursing Science ◽

10.31603/nursing.v7i2.3076 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 99-105

Author(s):

Wachidah Yuniartika ◽

Tiara Bima Murti

Keyword(s):

Significant Relationship ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

The Elderly ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Depression Level ◽

Physical Changes

Decreasing and changing physical conditions, the change in mental status as depression that often ignored, and diseases that often appear like hypertension are commonly found in the elderly, and it is a health problem that requires special attention because it will affect all aspects of life in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sex and duration of illness with the level of depression in the elderly with hypertension. The method used is descriptive quantitative with cross sectional approach. The study population was all elderly with hypertension at the Penumping Public Health Center with a sample of 54 people taken by accidental sampling. Data was collected using a research instrument in the form of a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire and analyzed using a correlative test that is a Kendall tau analysis. Correlative test results between sex and depression level showed a correlation value of 0.294 with p-value (p) = 0.028, which means there is a significant relationship between sex and depression level. Correlative test between the duration of hypertension and the level of depression showed a correlation value of 0.382 with p-value (p) = 0.004, which means there is a significant relationship between the duration of hypertension and the level of depression. Discussion : The occurrence of the degeneration process in the elderly can cause physical changes and changes in the social environment such as a low economy, loss of family members, inability to fill roles in society and risk of disease. Female sex is the highest proportion and high life expectancy compared to men, so hypertension sufferers mostly occur in elderly women. Anxiety in elderly people with hypertension is caused due to the tendency to take a relatively long treatment, the risk of complications and can shorten life. The conclusion is that there is a relationship between sex and duration of illness and the level of depression in the elderly with hypertension.

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Prevalence of caesarean section and womens' attitude towards caesarean section in Manipur, North-Eastern India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20200451 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 694

Author(s):

Joymati Oinam ◽

Shantibala Kongjenbam ◽

Yumnam Ningthemba Singh

Keyword(s):

Caesarean Section ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Age Groups ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Favorable Attitude ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

P Value ◽

Sampling Frame ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: The rapid increase of caesarean section (CS) rate throughout the world has become a serious public health issue since the level of CS is well above the WHO (1985) recommended 15% and it is increasing over time. Objectives of the study was to determine the prevalence of caesarean section and women’s attitudes towards CS, to investigate rural-urban differences and any associated factors between attitude with socio-demographic factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural areas of three districts of Manipur from 2015 to 2017 among 600 eligible married women aged 18-35 years selected by simple random sampling. Household was taken as sampling unit and electoral roll (2013) as sampling frame. An interview schedule was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics like mean, SD, proportion and inferential statistics like χ2 test was used. p-value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Mean age of the participants was 29.7±4.6 years. The overall prevalence of CS rate was 18.5% and the first child CS rate was 19.9% and majority of them belongs to 30-35 age groups. Majority of the women (84.2%) have neutral attitude and only 7.6% have favorable attitude towards CS. Favorable attitude towards CS was more among women who married at ≥30 years, whose husband was >30 years and was a government employee and who ever had CS.Conclusions: Although the prevalence of CS is well above the WHO (1985) recommendation. Majority still preferred vaginal delivery and the demand for CS is low in the present setting.

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Association between Smoking and Academic Performance among Under-Graduate Students of Pakistan, A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.2.12718/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sana Ullah ◽

Siham Sikander ◽

Mudassar Mushtaq Jawad Abbasi ◽

Syed Aftab Rahim ◽

Babar Hayat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Smoking Initiation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Prevalence of smoking is on the rise and its harmful effects on every organ of body are well known. Smoking is a growing concern due to adverse effects on health, its association with academic performance is not well studied. Objectives This study aims to assess the prevalence of smoking among undergraduate students of age 18-24 years in a public sector university of Islamabad, association between smoking and academic performance and also to assess the reasons of smoking initiation among undergraduate students. Methods The study included 500 undergraduate students. A self-report structured questionnaire was used to assess smoking, dietary habits, physical activity, parent’s smoking, friend’s smoking, time spent on mobile and TV and academic performance for collection of data. Logistic regression was used for association between smoking and academic performance. Results Results of study show that 112/500 (22.4%) students were smokers among them 93/112 (34.6%) were males and 19/112 (8.2%) were females. The mean age of study participants was 21.50 years (SD: 1.72. Prevalence of smoking was higher in students belonging to rural areas 23.5% to that of urban areas 21.9%. Three major reasons of smoking initiation; 25% students stated peers and friends, 21% stated easy availability while 14% said it was fun and enjoyment they started smoking. High academic performance was found to be inversely proportional to student’s smoking; at p-value 0.000 smokers had 2.5 (1.77, 3.74) odds of lower academic performance, boys having 2.17 (1.56, 3.03) odds of lower academic performance in last semester exams. Conclusion Findings highlighted extensive cigarette smoking among undergraduate students of Islamabad. Smoking is significantly and negatively associated with academic performance.

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Human Astrovirus among Children with Cancer in Basrah

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine ◽

10.37319/iqnjm.1.2.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Morroge Jassim ◽

Janan Hasan ◽

Hassan Hasony

Keyword(s):

Solid Tumors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Hematological Malignancies ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Specialty Hospital ◽

Human Astrovirus ◽

Oncology Center

Background. The impairment of the T-lymphocyte system leads to reduced viral clearance, resulting in intensified disease and the possibility of prolonged infection.(2) The poor functioning of B lymphocytes makes the host susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, especially in cases of malignant disease. Aim of the study. The present study set out to determine the frequency of human astrovirus infection among patients who suffered from malignancies who were being treated in the Oncology Center of the Basrah Children’s Specialty Hospital. Patients and Method. A cross-sectional study was approved for a population of children with cancers during the period from October 1, 2015 through the end of January, 2016. Forty-five children (24 females and 21 males), all with cancers, were admitted to the Oncology Center of Basrah Children’s Specialty Hospital. Their ages ranged from under 1 year to 15 years. According to the results of a specially designed questionnaire, data were obtained from patients who were either symptomatic or asymptomatic for human astrovirus infections, including 3 newly diagnosed cases (before chemotherapy) and 38 cases (during chemotherapy), with the remaining 4 cases admitted after chemotherapy. Ninety stool samples were collected at day 0 and day 4 after admission, and all were tested using astrovirus antigen enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) kits (EIA-4456). Results. On both days, the rate of astrovirus infections was 15.6% in the hospitalized children with cancers, and there were no statically significant differences between hematological malignancies and solid tumors (P value was 0.857). Among hematological malignancies, astrovirus was detected at a significant rate (the P value was 0.0001) in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia, while patients with solid tumors exhibited significant expression of rhabdomyosarcoma (the P value was 0.001). Astrovirus infection was more prevalent in females (85.8%) than in males (the P value was 0.001). Infection was most prevalent in the age group of >1–5 years (57%), and most of the infected patients (85.8%) were from rural areas (the P value was 0.012). In most of the symptomatic infected cases (71.4%) the symptom was acute diarrhea (the P value was 0.05), and this was typically during chemotherapy. Conclusion. Astrovirus infections occur at significant rates in acute myeloblastic leukemia, among hematological malignancies, and in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, in the solid-tumor category. Therefore, astrovirus screening should be done for all children with cancers, and especially for patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia or rhabdomyosarcoma. Keywords: Cancer in children, human astrovirus

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(Un)Healthy Lifestyles, Environment, Well-being and Health Capability in Rural Neighbourhoods: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-98459/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Anabela Marisa Azul ◽

Ricardo Almendra ◽

Marta Quatorze ◽

Adriana Loureiro ◽

Flávio Reis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Loss ◽

Mixed Method Design ◽

Health And Well Being

Abstract Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of health loss worldwide, in part due to unhealthy lifestyles. Metabolic-based diseases are rising with an unhealthy body-mass index (BMI) in rural areas as the main risk factor in adults. Health loss risks in rural areas may be amplified by wider determinants such as socio-demography and surrounding environments. We assessed weather (un)healthy lifestyles and environment in rural neighbourhoods are reflected into metabolic risks and health capability, and how community circumstances may impact the self-ability for making balanced decisions.Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in fifteen Portuguese rural neighbourhoods (with high ageing index and high illiteracy) to describe individuals’ health functioning condition and to characterize the community environment. We followed a qualitatively driven mixed-method design, using a healthy lifestyle assessment toolkit, to gather evidence-based data and lifestyles (incorporated in eVida technology), within a random sample of 270 individuals; and 107 in-depth interviews to determine whether environment influence the capability for improving or pursuing heath and well-being.Results: Men showed to have a 75% higher probability of being overweight than women (p-value=0.0954); and the reporting of health loss risks was higher in women (RR: 1.48; p-value=0.122), individuals with larger waist circumference (RR: 2.21; IC: 1.19; 4.27), overweight and obesity (RR: 1.38; p-value=0.293) and participants aged over 75 years (RR: 1.78; p-value= 0.235; when compared with participants under 40 years old). Metabolic risks were more associated to BMI and physical activity than diet (or sleeping habits); participants strongly evidenced the adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern. From the interviews, we identified seven environmental circumstances reflecting health needs, health expectations and health capability: economic development, built environment, social network, health care, demography, active lifestyles, and mobility. And, while the starting point of the interview addressed community needs, participants expressed the value of natural environment in their neighbourhood as the main positive effect to pursuing health and well-being, with particular emphasis to lower exposure to air / noise pollution, daily routines linked to nature or land use, and diversity of nature experiences.Conclusions: Our qualitatively driven mixed-method design, involving the community, uncovers environment contextual-dependent circumstances influencing the ability of individuals to pursue healthy habits. The active participation of local representatives, with its degrees of negotiation and flexibility, contributed to adapt the health-related messages. The co-benefits from this co-designing community program advance the evidence to support academy-community driven interventions for pushing health and well-being at a broader social, health care and (natural) environment agenda in rural neighbourhoods.

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