scholarly journals Associations between socioeconomic status and blood cadmium levels in Korea

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. e2019018
Author(s):  
Yongho Jee ◽  
Sung-il Cho

OBJECTIVES: Although smoking is associated with both low socioeconomic status and blood cadmium (Cd) levels, the association between socioeconomic status and Cd levels remains unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to examine this association and to clarify whether smoking is a confounding or mediating variable in this relationship.METHODS: Data (n=7,734) were drawn from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008- 2011), including years that contained data on blood Cd and urinary cotinine levels. We investigated the associations of income, education, and occupation with blood Cd levels. Smoking was investigated by categorizing participants by smoking status (never, former, and current) and pack-years into quartiles. The weekly frequency of rice and barley intake was analyzed to gain insights into participants’ dietary patterns. Additionally, urinary cotinine levels were used to ensure the validity of the smoking variables.RESULTS: Participants earning a low income and with less formal education had higher blood Cd levels. After controlling for smoking, the association between income and Cd levels substantially weakened. Further controlling for education, the association between income and Cd levels disappeared. However, there was a strong negative association between education and Cd levels, even after controlling for smoking history, pack-years, and urinary cotinine levels.CONCLUSIONS: In cross-sectional data from the KNHANES, blood Cd levels were significantly higher among those with a low income and less formal education. Smoking history contributed to, but did not fully explain, these associations.

Author(s):  
Surekha Tayade ◽  
Ritu Singh ◽  
Jaya Kore ◽  
Neha Gangane ◽  
Noopur Singh

Background: Maternal Anemia is a global health problem with adverse implications on materno-fetal outcome. Various socio-demographic and obstetric factors affect prevalence of anemia.Methods: A hospital based, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at Kasturba Hospital of MGIMS, Sewagram, a rural tertiary care institute in central India. Information was collected about demographic variables, age, gravidity, parity, literacy, area of residence and socioeconomic status. Hemoglobin levels in first trimester and pre delivery were measured by coulter and correlated with socio-demographic and obstetric factors.Results: Among 500 pregnant women of first trimester, 249 (49.8%) had anemia, 154 (30.8%) mild, 86 (17.2%) moderate and 9 (1.8%) severe anemia. More women with anemia were of lesser age, resided in rural area, belonged to middle and lower economic class, lived with joint families and had less than 12 years of formal education.Conclusions: Anemia is prevalent in pregnant women in this geographic region of central India. Age, higher gravidity, higher parity, rural residence, low socioeconomic status and less than 12 years of formal education, are risk factors. Appropriate age at marriage, small family norm, education of girl child, anemia prevention strategy in adolescent girls and financial empowerment of women are suggested strategies for prevention of anemia and improved maternofetal outcome.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e050374
Author(s):  
Jaime Butler-Dawson ◽  
Joaquin Barnoya ◽  
Stephen Brindley ◽  
Lyndsay Krisher ◽  
Wenyi Fan ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThere is a lack of information on cotinine levels in rural populations in low-income and middle-income countries like Guatemala. Therefore, there is a need to explore smoking status and biomarkers of tobacco use in epidemiological research in rural, low-income populations, in particular those at-risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu).DesignWe evaluated self-reported smoking status against urinary cotinine levels, the gold standard biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure, among agricultural workers at four separate cross-sectional time points.SettingGuatemala.Participants283 sugarcane workers.Primary outcome measuresCompared self-reported smoking status and urinary cotinine levels in two agricultural worker studies.ResultsSelf-reported smoking prevalence was 12% among workers. According to cotinine levels (≥50 ng/mL), the smoking prevalence was 34%. Self-reported smoking status had 28% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Urinary cotinine levels show that smoking prevalence is underestimated in this worker population.ConclusionsAccording to our findings, smoking status should be objectively measured with biomarkers rather than self-reported in CKDu epidemiological research. Self-reported smoking status is likely an underestimate of the true smoking prevalence among agricultural workers. Research on the CKDu epidemic in Central America and other parts of the world might be underestimating tobacco exposure as a potential contributor to the development of CKDu.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 477-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Pimentel Pinheiro ◽  
Carolina de Souza-Machado ◽  
Andréia Guedes Oliva Fernandes ◽  
Raquel Cristina Lins Mota ◽  
Liranei Limoeiro Lima ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the frequency of active smoking among patients with asthma and individuals without asthma by self-report and urinary cotinine measurement. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and involving 1,341 individuals: 498 patients with severe asthma, 417 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, and 426 individuals without asthma. Smoking status was determined by self-report (with the use of standardized questionnaires) and urinary cotinine measurement. The study variables were compared with the chi-square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Of the sample as a whole, 55 (4.1%) reported being current smokers. Of those, 5 had severe asthma, 17 had mild-to-moderate asthma, and 33 had no asthma diagnosis. Of the 55 smokers, 32 (58.2%) were daily smokers and 23 (41.8%) were occasional smokers. Urinary cotinine levels were found to be high in self-reported nonsmokers and former smokers, especially among severe asthma patients, a finding that suggests patient nondisclosure of smoking status. Among smokers, a longer smoking history was found in patients with severe asthma when compared with those with mild-to-moderate asthma. In addition, the proportion of former smokers was higher among patients with severe asthma than among those with mild-to-moderate asthma. Conclusions: Former smoking is associated with severe asthma. Current smoking is observed in patients with severe asthma, and patient nondisclosure of smoking status occurs in some cases. Patients with severe asthma should be thoroughly screened for smoking, and findings should be complemented by objective testing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilkal Tafere ◽  
Tezera Jemere ◽  
Tsion Desalegn ◽  
Addisu Melak

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in Ethiopia, often due to late disease diagnosis. Early prevention of cancer has been shown to be the most effective measure against the disease. Scientific evidences indicate that lack of awareness towards cervical cancer is a barrier to prevention strategies. Therefore, the aim of the current research was to assess women’s knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer preventions in South Gondar zone. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in South Gondar zone, Ethiopia. The study sample comprised 844 women ≥ 18 years of age. Participants were selected using systematic sampling technique. Binary and multivariable logistic models were used to assess predictors of women’s knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer. Results About 66 % of the women had heard about cervical cancer. Regarding the main source of information of respondents, 75.4 % were heard from health professionals. Sixty two point 4 % of women knew at least one preventive measure and 82.6 % of participants knew at least one symptom or sign. Among study participants, 25 and 64 % had good knowledge, and favorable attitude towards cervical cancer prevention measures, respectively. Being reside in rural (AOR = 0.21, 95 %CI; 0.18, 0.34), not attending formal education (AOR = 0.50, 95 % CI: 0.3, 0.75), low income (AOR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.43, 0.81) and having < 4 children ((AOR = 0.8, 95 % CI: 0.60–0.86) were negatively associated with knowledge toward cervical cancer prevention measures. Conclusions This study found the majority of the respondents had poor knowledge about cervical cancer prevention measures. The majority of the study participants had favorable attitudes regarding cervical cancer prevention. Living in rural areas, not attending formal education low income and having less than four children was negatively associated with respondents’ knowledge towards cervical cancer prevention measures. There is needed to scale up cervical cancer prevention measures and services .Further studies are needed using strong study design.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e048020
Author(s):  
Yinjie Zhu ◽  
Ming-Jie Duan ◽  
Hermien H. Dijk ◽  
Roel D. Freriks ◽  
Louise H. Dekker ◽  
...  

ObjectivesStudies in clinical settings showed a potential relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle factors with COVID-19, but it is still unknown whether this holds in the general population. In this study, we investigated the associations of SES with self-reported, tested and diagnosed COVID-19 status in the general population.Design, setting, participants and outcome measuresParticipants were 49 474 men and women (46±12 years) residing in the Northern Netherlands from the Lifelines cohort study. SES indicators and lifestyle factors (i.e., smoking status, physical activity, alcohol intake, diet quality, sleep time and TV watching time) were assessed by questionnaire from the Lifelines Biobank. Self-reported, tested and diagnosed COVID-19 status was obtained from the Lifelines COVID-19 questionnaire.ResultsThere were 4711 participants who self-reported having had a COVID-19 infection, 2883 participants tested for COVID-19, and 123 positive cases were diagnosed in this study population. After adjustment for age, sex, lifestyle factors, body mass index and ethnicity, we found that participants with low education or low income were less likely to self-report a COVID-19 infection (OR [95% CI]: low education 0.78 [0.71 to 0.86]; low income 0.86 [0.79 to 0.93]) and be tested for COVID-19 (OR [95% CI]: low education 0.58 [0.52 to 0.66]; low income 0.86 [0.78 to 0.95]) compared with high education or high income groups, respectively.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the low SES group was the most vulnerable population to self-reported and tested COVID-19 status in the general population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago S. Torres ◽  
Lara E. Coelho ◽  
Kelika A. Konda ◽  
E. Hamid Vega-Ramirez ◽  
Oliver A. Elorreaga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite efforts to stop HIV epidemic in Latin America, new HIV cases continue to increase in the region especially among young MSM (YMSM). This study aims to assess if sociodemographic characteristics are associated with self-reported HIV positive status among YMSM from three Latin American countries. Methods Cross-sectional web-based survey advertised on dating apps (Grindr and Hornet) and Facebook in Brazil, Mexico and Peru. For this analysis, we included YMSM aged 18–24 years who self-reported their HIV status. We used multivariable logistic regression models for each country separately to verify if sociodemographic characteristics (race, education and income) were associated with HIV self-reported status after adjusting for behavior characteristics (sexual attraction and steady partner). Results Among 43,687 MSM who initiated the questionnaire, 27,318 (62.5%) reported their HIV status; 7001 (25.6%) of whom were YMSM. Most YMSM (83.4%) reported an HIV test in the past year, and 15.7% reported an HIV positive status in Peru, 8.4% in Mexico and 7.7% in Brazil. In adjusted models, low-income was associated with higher odds of self-reported HIV positive status in Brazil (aOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.01–1.75) and Peru (aOR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.02–2.40), but not in Mexico. Lower education was associated with higher odds of self-reported HIV positive status only in Brazil (aOR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.05–1.75). Conclusions In this large, cross-country study, self-reported HIV positive status among YMSM was high. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher odds of self-reported HIV positive status in Brazil and Peru. There is an urgent need for HIV prevention interventions targeting YMSM, and efforts to address low-income YMSM are especially needed in Peru and Brazil.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110356
Author(s):  
D.J. Gaskin ◽  
H. Zare ◽  
R. McCleary ◽  
O. Kanwar ◽  
A.L. Davis

Objective: To identify predictors of unmet dental needs for adults 18 y of age or older in the United States. Method: Using the Aday and Andersen framework and data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we ran logistic regression to estimate predictors for adults of not having a dental visit within 5 y and having lost any teeth using a national sample of 155,060 survey respondents. Results: Results showed that predisposing factors (age, race/ethnicity, gender, and educational attainment) and enabling factors (income and health insurance status) are important predictors for losing teeth due to decay or gum disease. Men, the elderly, and less educated and low-income residents were less likely to have seen a dentist within the past 5 y and more likely to have lost their permanent teeth. Compared to non-Hispanic White adults, Hispanics adults were more likely to have had a dental visit within the past 5 y. Unmet dental needs varied across states. People living in states with extensive Medicaid dental care benefit coverage were less likely to lose their teeth and more likely to have had a dental visit within the past 5 y. Conclusion: Efforts to improve oral health should address unmet dental needs of men and adults with low socioeconomic status. Studying the variation between state oral health care programs could further our understanding of how public policy can improve population oral health. Knowledge Transfer Statement: Men, non-Hispanic Blacks, mixed and other race minorities, and low socioeconomic status adults are most at risk of unmet dental needs. States can address these needs by expanding Medicaid coverage for adults.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Sri Alemina Ginting ◽  
Isra Firmansyah ◽  
Dedi Satria Putra ◽  
Dachrul Aldy ◽  
Syahril Pasaribu ◽  
...  

Background In Indonesia, medical problems are indicated bydiseases associated with low socioeconomic status. The preva-lence of intestinal worm is still high in Indonesia.Objective The purpose of this study was to find the associationbetween socioeconomic status and the prevalence of intestinalworm infection.Methods A cross sectional study was done on 120 primary schoolchildren in Suka Village, Karo District, North Sumatra Province.Subjects were selected by means of random sampling. Kato Katzmethod was used in stool examination. Socioeconomic status wasreferred from the Survey Keluarga Sejahtera (Wealth Family Sur-vey) 1998 by the BKKBN (the National Coordination Board onFamily Planning). Data of socioeconomic status were collected byinterview using a questionnaire and analyzed by chi square test; pvalue of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results Eighty-four subjects (70%) suffered from intestinal worminfection. There was no significant association between either age(p=0.811) or nutritional status (p=0.792) and intestinal worm infec-tion, but there was significant association between sex and intes-tinal worm infection (p=0.028). There was also association betweenintestinal worm infection and father’s education (p=0.044). Mother’soccupation had a significant association with intestinal worm in-fection (p=0.001), but father’s occupation (p=0.474) did not. Nei-ther parents’ income (p=0.429) nor socioeconomic status (p=0.098)was associated with intestinal worm infection.Conclusion There was significant association between intestinalworm infection and sex, father’s education or mother’s occupation


Clinics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucília Mangona ◽  
Iedda Almeida Brasil ◽  
Juliana Pereira Borges ◽  
Antonio Prista ◽  
Paulo Farinatti

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