scholarly journals Association Between Anthropometric Factors and Balance Among Elderly Fallers and Non-Fallers: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pothiraj Pitchai ◽  
Reshma Gurav ◽  
Srishti Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Falls are an emerging public health problem causing a cascade of medical, functional, and socio-economic consequences. Apart from other widely explored risk factors affecting balance, anthropometric factors are also known to have an impact on balance. However, this relationship hasn’t been studied extensively in older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the anthropometric factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Mass (BFM), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Lower Limb Length (LLL), Foot Length (FL) and balance in the elderly among fallers and non-fallers. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 fallers and 100 non-fallers, aged 60 years and above. These participants were recruited by a stratified random sampling technique from Navi Mumbai region. All the above anthropometric factors were measured and recorded. Each participant’s balance was assessed using the Mini-BESTest scale. Obtained scores were analysed in SPSS software; descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient, and Z scores were applied. Results: A sample size of 100 non-fallers, 50% male and 50% females, participated in this study. Among those participants classified as “fallers,” 56% were males and 44% were females. The mean age of the non-fallers was 66±5.01 and the mean age of the fallers was 67.72±6.73. In fallers, WHR showed good negative correlation (r= -.807), BFM as moderate (r= -.577) and BMI as fair (r= -.426) whereas in non-fallers, BMI showed moderate (r= -.546) and fair negative correlation for both WHR (r= -.303) and BFM (r= -.441). However, LLL and FL in both groups show little or no correlation. The Association of all anthropometric factors with the balance between fallers and non-fallers showed no-significant difference. It may be inter-group variance for age, gender and BMI, as participants were not matched for these variables during the recruiting phase. Additionally, the reason for the fall was not explored, thus adding to the limitations of our study. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the impact of increased WHR, BFM and BMI on balance in the elderly fallers and non-fallers. Thus, it is important to screen these factors while assessing biological risk factors for predicting falls. This study further recommends exploring the normative value for anthropometric factors in a healthy elderly population.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5347
Author(s):  
Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina ◽  
Clara Martinez-Perez ◽  
Cesar Villa-Collar ◽  
Cristina Andreu-Vázquez ◽  
Alicia Ruiz-Pomeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Population ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Visual Screening ◽  
Near Work ◽  
The Impact

Background: Myopia is a public health problem, with estimations that 50% of the world population will be myopic by 2050. Some environmental factors, such as time spent outdoors, doing near work, and using digital devices, influence the development of myopia in children. Home confinement in Spain has increased these risk factors, so this study aims to investigate the impact of home confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak in the vision of school-aged children; Methods: A cross-sectional study in children between 5 and 7 years old that completed a visual screening and a questionnaire about their lifestyles at opticians in Spain in September and October of 2019 and 2020. Statistical analysis to compare lifestyles pre and post confinement, and vision in 2020 versus a similar cohort examined at the same opticians in 2019, was conducted; Results: Spanish children spent less time outdoors and more time doing near work in 2020 than in 2019 (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant decrease of the spherical equivalent (mean ± standard deviation; 0.66 ± 2.03 D in 2019 vs. 0.48 ± 1.81 D in 2020; p ≤ 0.001); Conclusions: Lifestyles of Spanish children changed during the home confinement at the beginning of 2020. Together with changes in their lifestyles, spherical equivalents have decreased, which implies higher figures of myopia for children aged between 5 and 7.

scholarly journals Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea, associated risk factors and its relationship with academic performance among graduating female university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e043814
Author(s):  
Mesfin Tadese ◽  
Andargachew Kassa ◽  
Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽  
Girma Altaye
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study to identify the determinants of non-communicable diseases among fishermen in Southern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhila Doddamani ◽  
A. B. Kirthinath Ballala ◽  
Sharath P. Madhyastha ◽  
Asha Kamath ◽  
Muralidhar M. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Dietary Practice ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background India is currently facing a rising epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Identification of modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance to curb this menace. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups with unique characteristics that make them prone to acquire NCDs, as a significant share of their life is spent at sea. Hence, this study was planned to ascertain the burden of NCDs, determine various risk factors of NCDs, and measure the association between risk factors and NCDs among fishermen of Coastal Karnataka in South India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 fishermen aged 18 years and above as per the semi-structured interview schedule for two years (2017–2019). A convenience sampling strategy was adopted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.15.0. The results were described in terms of proportions and their 95% confidence intervals. Continuous data were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range depending on the skewness of data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between NCDs and modifiable risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of NCDs. Results The mean (SD) age of the population was 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. The mean years involved in fishing was 19.8 years (SD 10.9). More than half (59.5%) of the study participants had severe stress and most (80.3%) were ever substance users. Advancing age, not being able to contact family while at sea, poor dietary practice, ever substance use, increasing waist circumference were significant correlates of NCDs. Conclusions The commonly prevalent risk factors of NCDs among fishermen included poor dietary practice, higher stress levels, substance use, increasing waist circumference, and inability to contact with family while at sea. Hypertension and Diabetes were the two common NCDs in the study population. There is a need for immediate attention in managing NCDs’ risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle by primary health care providers through a sustainable community awareness program targeting fishermen at a convenient time and location, either at the sea-port or meeting places. Harmful effects of substance use, healthy dietary practices, and the importance of physical activity outside their job need emphasis. In addition, screening programs should be organized with the help of boat owners and fishing associations at-least once a year to pick up NCDs at an early stage.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of AsymptomaticLeishmania donovaniamong Laborers and Associated Risk Factors in Agricultural Camps of West Armachiho District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Animen Ayehu ◽  
Yibeltal Aschale ◽  
Wossenseged Lemma ◽  
Animut Alebel ◽  
Ligabaw Worku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Study Participants

Background. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also called kala-azar) is a public health problem in Ethiopia, especially in sesame and sorghum growing areas. Compared to other populations, labor migrants are the most exposed. Knowing the seroprevalence ofLeishmania donovaniand associated risk factors is essential to design appropriate control measures. The main aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers and associated risk factors in agricultural camps of West Armachiho district, Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the seroprevalence and associated risk factors ofL. donovaniinfection.Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 laborers from October to December 2017. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants from selected agricultural camps. After obtaining written informed consent, data were collected using a structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire using the interview technique. A single finger prick blood sample was collected from the study participants and the blood samples were subjected to the serological diagnostic method using the rk39 kit. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated withL. donovaniinfection.Result. Among 185 participants examined using rk39, 14 (7.6%) were seroreactive forL. donovani.Leishmania donovaniinfection had a statistically significant association with sleeping underBalanitestrees (AOR: 4.36, 95%CI: 1.186-16.06), presence of domestic animals near sleeping place (AOR: 4.68, 95% CI: 1.25-17.56), and lack of knowledge about VL transmission (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.07-13.47).Conclusion. Seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers in agricultural camps of West Armachiho was low. Prevention measures and health education about risk factors that expose toL. donovaniinfection for the laborers are essential to prevent the spread of the disease.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF ASTHMAAND ITS MEDICATIONS ON DENTAL CARIES STATUS AND STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS COUNT IN CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2020 ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Sneha Upadhyay ◽  
Jyoti Bhavthankar ◽  
Mandakini Mandale ◽  
Nivedita Kaorey
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Asthma and its medications have been linked to oral diseases in asthmatic children. Aim: Assessment of the dental caries status, salivary Streptococcus mutans count and S. mutans colony score in children receiving inhaled anti asthmatic medications and their comparison in healthy children Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on 40 asthmatic children and 40 healthy children in the age group of 6-14 years. DMFT/deft indices were calculated and saliva samples were collected. Diluted saliva was inoculated on MSB agar plates. S. mutans count and colony score were analysed after 24-48 hours of inoculation. Results: Statistically significant difference was observed in the mean DMFT/deft index, salivary S. mutans load and S. mutans colony score in children of the asthmatic group and control group. Conclusion: Prevalence of dental caries and cariogenic bacteria is higher in asthmatic children.

scholarly journals Superior versus Inferior Conjunctival Limbal Autograft with Sutures in the Management of Primary Pterygium in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dakshina Kannada - A Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 603-607
Author(s):  
Madhuri Upadhyaya ◽  
Sheetal Savur
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Bulbar Conjunctiva ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Surgical Time ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pterygium Excision ◽  
Primary Pterygium

BACKGROUND Pterygium excision with conjunctival limbal autograft (CAU) is one of the most frequently used modalities in the treatment of pterygium. The graft has traditionally been harvested from the superior bulbar conjunctiva, but this may not be possible in all patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative difficulties and early postoperative outcomes between superior and inferior CAU in the management of primary pterygium. METHODS This hospital based cross sectional study evaluated 58 eyes of 50 patients with primary pterygium who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival limbal autograft secured with the help of sutures over a period of 2 years from March 2018 to March 2020. In 28 eyes, the superior bulbar conjunctiva was used for grafting whereas in 30 eyes, the inferior conjunctiva was used for the same. The outcome measured was in terms of the mean surgical time, clinical symptoms and signs in the early postoperative period and recurrence rate. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 44.14 ± 12.71 years in the superior CAU group and 45.76 ± 14.51 years in the inferior CAU group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean surgical time (68.39 ± 31.51 in superior group, 2.60 ± 0.79 in inferior group; P value 0.712). The duration of follow-up after surgery was significantly more (P = 0.048) in the inferior CAU group (42.60 ± 11.71 days) as compared to the superior CAU group (37.39 ± 7.52 days). Postoperative symptoms were comparable, and no recurrence was observed in either of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Pterygium excision with inferior conjunctival limbal autograft is safe and effective in the management of primary pterygia and may be considered as an alternative to superior graft in cases where harvesting the superior conjunctiva is not possible or not advisable. KEYWORDS Primary Pterygium, Conjunctival Limbal Autograft, Inferior Graft

scholarly journals Genetic homozygosity as a marker of smoking dependency

Genetika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 1009-1019
Author(s):  
Slavko Brankovic ◽  
Dejan Nikolic ◽  
Dragoslav Marinkovic ◽  
Suzana Cvjeticanin
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Individual Variations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual

The aim of our study was to evaluate the morphogenetic variability as a marker of smoking dependency in adult smokers versus controls and to investigate the presence and the degree of morphogenetic variability difference between male and female smokers versus same gender controls. The cross-sectional study evaluated 241 smokers and 185 nonsmoker individuals as controls. We analyzed 17 homozygous recessive characteristics (HRC). There was a significant difference in the individual variations of 17 HRCs between the controls and smokers (??2=61.400, p<0.001; for females ??2=79.440, p<0.001; for males ??2=84.972, p<0.001). The mean values of HRCs significantly differed between smokers and controls (MV?SEM(Controls) -4.79?0.13, MV?SEM(Smokers) -5.70?0.12; p<0.001). For males, presence of 6/17 (35.29% genetic homozygosity) HRCs (OR=6.12) was to the certain degree predictor for smoking dependency. Higher degree of genetic homozygosity, changed variability and male gender, might be some among potential numerous factors that could have impact on smoking development and dependence.

scholarly journals Pattern analysis of S. haematobium infection and elimination in the area of Alsuki, Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1059
Author(s):  
Rawia A. Abdelshafie ◽  
Abdalla I. Abdalla Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
The Impact

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the current conditions of children of the selected area, for the purpose of measuring the new effective health program for schistosomiasis disease eliminations and obtain the prevalence intensity and risk factors of S. haematobium among school children in the study area.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to screen school going children of all the ages from five randomly selected schools from Alsuki region. A statistical analysis derived from data formulated based on 1062 samples aged between 6 and 15 years attending the selected schools during the period testing within 6 months were enrolled.Results: The impact of health awareness program was measured usefully and the responded factor for reducing the Schistosomiasis diseases was significantly became less than (0.05). Therefore, the actual qualified fitting degree and applicability was significantly becoming (p value=0.001).Conclusions: This research concluded that the prediction of Schistosomiasis diseases due to the risk Ratio of the collected data for those who did not attended awareness over the people who attended program became (0.248).

Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in sheep flocks in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaibu Gidado Adamu ◽  
Junaidu Kabir ◽  
Jarlath Udo Umoh ◽  
Mashood Abiola Raji
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Jugular Vein ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Q fever in sheep in the northern part of Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine Coxiella burnetii infection and its risk factors in sheep in Kaduna State. A total of 400 blood samples consisting of 259 samples from females and 141 from males were aseptically collected from the jugular vein of sheep from flocks in Kaduna State. The sera obtained were screened for Q fever using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). The obtained data were analysed to determine whether there is a relationship between sex, age, and the animals tested. The analysis revealed that 8.0% of the sera was seropositive by iELISA. There was no significant difference in Q fever seropositivity in the study area according to the sex of sheep (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in Q fever seropositivity according to the age of sheep. This study indicated a high seroprevalence of Q fever mainly among female animals and older sheep. Further studies are required to determine the epizootiology of Q fever in the study area more precisely.

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