Does the frequency domain parameters among pregnant women with gestational hypertension associated with levels of serum zinc, magnesium, and copper? A cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
Priyadharshini Mohan ◽  
Karthika Udayakumar ◽  
Hiramath PB
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
A. El Kardoudi ◽  
K. Kaoutar ◽  
A. Chetoui ◽  
K. Boutahar ◽  
S. Elmoussaoui ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of gestational hypertension, and to determine its predictors among pregnant women attending primary health care facilities in Beni Mellal city in Morocco. The prevalence of gestational hypertension was 18.7%. The low monthly household income (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.874; IC 95% = [1.788–34.67]), gestational age less than 37 weeks (AOR = 6.860; IC 95% = [1.285–36.626]), limited knowledge on gestational hypertension (AOR = 12.719; IC 95% = [3.386–47.785]), and primigravidity (AOR = 9.047; IC 95% = [1.595–51.324]), were significantly associated with gestational hypertension.


Author(s):  
John Musaba ◽  
Moses Mukosha ◽  
Lubinda Mukololo ◽  
Bellington Vwalika

Background: Micronutrient deficiency is one of the leading public health problems, particularly in lower-middle-income countries. The link between serum zinc (Zn) levels and urinary tract infections (UTIs) among pregnant women is still poorly understood. We investigated the association between maternal serum Zn levels and UTIs among pregnant women at women and newborn hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 228 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years between 1 September and 30 November 2019. Serum Zn levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), whereas UTIs were determined based on the local hospital guidelines. We used the logistic regression model to determine the association between Zn levels and UTIs. The analysis was done at a significance level of 5% and 95% confidence interval.Results: Of the total participants, 118/228 (51.75%) tested positive for UTIs from urine culture. The mean serum Zn levels in the group diagnosed with UTIs were 53.95 ug/dl (SD=35.10), while in those who had no UTIs, it was 50.05 ug/dl (SD=35.10). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found no evidence of an association between serum Zn levels and UTIs (p=0.435).Conclusions: From the study findings, there was no association between serum Zn levels and UTIs. This result suggests that Zn may not have any role in urinary tract infection. Nevertheless, more extensive studies are needed to confirm our findings.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska ◽  
Izabela Walasik ◽  
Agnieszka Osińska ◽  
Iwona Szymusik

Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as ‘good’ (≥80%), ‘satisfactory’ (60–79%) and ‘poor’ (< 60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics was tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge ('good’ versus ‘satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ combined) were assessed with odds ratios using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had ‘good’ knowledge, 245 (58.1%) had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge and 157 (37.2%) had ‘poor’ knowledge. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 women (20.3%) could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having ‘good’ level of knowledge. Conclusions Most pregnant women had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


Author(s):  
Mamoru Sakurai ◽  
Junko Sasaki ◽  
Hirotsugu Suwanai ◽  
Jumpei Shikuma ◽  
Rokuro Ito ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046638
Author(s):  
Sk Masum Billah ◽  
Abdullah Nurus Salam Khan ◽  
S M Rokonuzzaman ◽  
Nafisa Lira Huq ◽  
Marufa Aziz Khan ◽  
...  

Study objectiveTo evaluate the competency of trained health workers in detecting and managing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy during routine antenatal check-ups (ANCs) at primary care facilities in Bangladesh.Study design and settingsCross-sectional study; conducted in 26 primary care facilities.Outcome measuresAccurate diagnosis of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.MethodIn total 1560 ANC consultations provided by primary health workers, known as Family Welfare Visitors (FWVs), were observed using a structured checklist between October 2017 and February 2018. All consultations were reassessed by study physicians for validation.ResultOf the ‘true’ cases of gestational hypertension (n=32), pre-eclampsia (n=29) and severe pre-eclampsia (n=16), only 3%, 7% and 25%, respectively, were correctly diagnosed by FWVs. Per cent agreement for the diagnosed cases of any hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 9% and kappa statistics was 0.50 (p value 0.0125). For identification of any hypertensive disorders by FWVs, sensitivity and positive predictive values were 14% and 50%, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between the blood pressure measurements taken by FWVs and study physicians. Only 27% of those who had ‘some protein’ in urine were correctly identified by FWVs. Women diagnosed with any of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by FWVs were more likely to be counselled on at least one danger sign of pre-eclampsia (severe headache, blurring of vision and upper abdominal pain) than those without any such diagnosis (41% vs 19%, p value 0.008). All four cases of severe pre-eclampsia diagnosed by FWVs were given a loading dose of intramuscular magnesium sulphate and three among them were referred to a higher facility.ConclusionThe FWVs should be appropriately trained on risk assessment of pregnant women with particular emphasis on accurately assessing the diagnostic criteria of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Cruz S. Sebastião ◽  
Joana Morais ◽  
Miguel Brito

The increase in HIV infection and drug-resistant strains is an important public health concern, especially in resource-limited settings. However, the identification of factors related to the propagation of infectious diseases represents a crucial target offering an opportunity to reduce health care costs as well as deepening the focus on preventing infection in high-risk groups. In this study, we investigate the factors related to drug resistance among HIV-infected pregnant women in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. This was a part of a cross-sectional study conducted with 42 HIV-positive pregnant women. A blood sample was collected, and HIV-1 genotyping was carried out using an in-house method. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the interaction between sociodemographic characteristics and drug resistance. HIV drug resistance was detected in 44.1% of the studied population. High probabilities of drug resistance were observed for HIV-infected pregnant women living in rural areas (AOR: 2.73; 95% CI: 0.50–14.9) with high educational level (AOR: 6.27; 95% CI: 0.77–51.2) and comorbidities (AOR: 5.47; 95% CI: 0.28–106) and infected with a HIV-1 non-B subtype other than subtype C (AOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 0.25–10.3). The present study reports high HIV drug resistance. Furthermore, older-age, rural areas, high educational levels, unemployed status, having comorbidities, and HIV-1 subtypes were factors related to drug resistance. These factors impact on drug susceptibility and need to be urgently addressed in order to promote health education campaigns able to prevent the spread of drug-resistant HIV strains in Angola.


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