Perception of mucormycosis infection among Bangladeshi healthcare workers: an exploratory cross-sectional study in the year following the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection, is an emerging public health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the perception of mucormycosis among Bangladeshi healthcare workers. Results An exploratory cross-sectional study was carried out among the Bangladeshi healthcare workers from May 25, 2021, to June 5, 2021. The study found 422 responses from the healthcare workers of Bangladesh. Among the respondents, nearly half of them (45.26%) were doctors (n = 191). This study explored that the healthcare workers’ mucormycosis perception scores were significantly associated with their age, gender, profession, monthly income, marital status, job type, and death of friends and family members due to COVID-19. Conclusions This study emphasized the healthcare workers’ mucormycosis perception along with other associated factors. The findings could help policymakers to mitigate mucormycosis and related infectious diseases emergencies in the post-COVID-19 situation.

Is There an Association Between Multiple Sclerosis Epidemic and Socioeconomic Status in Iran? - A Descriptive-analytical Cross-sectional Study

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a key neurogenic cause of disability among young populations. Assessing the parameters affecting MS severity is vital to reduce the disease burden. the objective of this study is to determine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and MS severity among Iranian young adults.Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted by 180 patients (142 females and 38 males) with MS selected by a non-probability and consecutive sampling was conducted during September 2018-2019. The socio-demographic and primary clinical data were collected by a self-developed questionnaire and face-to-face interviews, respectively. The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was used to assess the physical disability degree and the overall neurological function of patients.Results: The mean age of patients and MS onset was 27.54 and 35.58 years, respectively. The majority of patients were married (68.3%) while were living in cities (74.4%). The mean values of unemployment, homeownership, and monthly income were determined to be 54.4%, 71.7%, and 11,078,330 IRR, respectively. The mean EDSS was 2.80±1.79 points. A weak positive correlation between EDSS and patients' age (P = 0.001, r = 0.246) and number of children (P = 0.001, r = 0.250) was found. There was no significant difference between EDSS and SES factors (i.e., disease onset age, treatment cost, and monthly income).Conclusions: As SES was not related to the MS severity, there is no need to take special treatment measures in patients with poor SES.

Demographic characteristics influencing financial wellbeing: a multigroup analysis

PurposeThe study attempts to understand the factors impacting the financial wellbeing of IT employees in India using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). It utilizes well-established survey instruments to assess the impact of financial literacy, financial behaviour and financial stress on financial wellbeing. The study also attempts to understand the role of demographic factors (age, gender, monthly income, job category and work experience) in determining financial wellbeing through multigroup analysis.Design/methodology/approachStructured equation modelling (SEM) is used to study the link between the determinants. The study also attempts to understand the role of demographic factors (age, gender, monthly income, job category and work experience) in determining financial wellbeing through multigroup analysis. Data used for the analysis covers 237 employees working in the IT sector.FindingsWhile financial literacy and financial behaviour have a significant positive impact on financial wellbeing, financial stress has a significant negative impact. Financial behaviour and financial stress were found to have a mediating role in the relationship between financial literacy and financial wellbeing. The demographic variables significantly moderate the relationship between the factors leading to financial wellbeing.Originality/valueThe results show the need for financial wellbeing programs to focus on enhancing financial knowledge and improving financial planning. Further, it suggests offering customized financial wellbeing programs based on the employee's demographic characteristics rather than following a “one program, fits all” approach.

Depression symptoms and associated factors among thalassemia patients in the Palestinian Territories: a cross-sectional study

Background Thalassemia is a condition that causes the human body to destroy red blood cells faster than they can be made. It causes physical symptomology as well as psychological distress. The current study aimed to identify the prevalence of depression symptoms among individuals with moderate to severe thalassemia. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was applied utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory to assess the level of depression in the sample. Results Some significant relationships were demonstrated in the sample: males reporting severe depression symptoms than females by 6.0 times (95% CI 0.07–0.62, p 0.014), and reporting moderate depression symptoms (95% CI 0.00–0.47, p 0.05). Additionally, income was found to be a predictor of level of depression symptoms with low income reported higher incidence of severe depression symptoms than those whose monthly income was > 400$ by 18.4 times (95% CI 0.38–1.03, p ≤ 0.001), but not reporting a significant association between moderate depressive symptoms and monthly income (95% CI − 012–1.47, P 0.225). A significant association was found between the educational attainment and level of depression symptoms with lower levels of education predicting higher levels of severe depression symptoms (95% CI 0.069–0.89, p 0.022), but no significant association was reported between moderate depression symptoms and educational attainment (95% CI − 0.49–0.01, p 0.81). Related to disease characteristics a relationship was confirmed between severe depressive symptoms and medication level such as the individual needing tablets or pumps (95% CI 0.189–1.05, p 0.005 and 95% CI 0.52–1.44, p 0.001) respectively. Other disease related variables showed no significant correlation with depressive symptom levels. Additional significant relationships were found in environment whereas increased moderate depressive symptoms were experienced by individuals residing in rural areas as opposed to those living in IDP camps or cities by 4 times (95% CI − 0.30–0.01, p 0.04), but no significant association was found between severe depression and the place of residence. The other independent variables had no significant correlation with severe or moderate depressive symptoms. Conclusion In light of these findings addressing symptoms of depression directly and supporting patients with thalassemia with basic life needs unrelated to their disease maybe mitigating depressive symptoms which may negatively affect recovery.

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Understanding key socio-demographic variables of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine recipients is crucial to improving its acceptance and Nigeria's COVID-19 control strategy. The survey was conducted as a non-probability cross-sectional survey of 2,936 COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Kwara State. Our findings revealed that 74% (n = 2,161) of the vaccine recipients were older than 40 years. Forty percent (n = 1,180) of the vaccine recipients earned a monthly income >100,000 Naira (equivalent to US $200). Most of the vaccine recipients (64%, n = 1,880) had tertiary education, while 15% (n = 440) of them had no formal education. Almost half of the recipients (47%, n = 1,262) were government employees and 28.8% (n = 846) of them had health-related backgrounds. Only 17% (n = 499) of the vaccine recipients have been screened for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), of which 21% (n = 105/499) of them were tested positive. Only 47% (n = 1,378) had been fully immunized. The prevalence of confirmed COVID-19 cases among COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Kwara State was 3.6% (n = 105/2,936). The most recurrent adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) among vaccine recipients were fever (14%, n = 411), pain at injection site (47%, n = 1,409), headache (19%, n = 558), and body weakness (9%, n = 264). The need to protect themselves from the deadly virus was the main reason that prompted people to voluntarily accept the COVID-19 vaccine. There is a high level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among respondents across all social classes including those with no formal education, those with very low monthly income (< US $2 per day), and in untested population. Hence, vaccine donors should prioritize equitable distribution to Low-and-Middle-income Countries (LMICs) such as Nigeria, and health authorities should improve vaccine advocacy to focus on vaccine safety and efficacy.

Anxiety and Depression Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases in Post-COVID-19 China

Objective: Data are limited on the psychological disorders of patients with cardiovascular disease during the post-COVID-19 period, although mental health status is associated with morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression and risk factors among patients with cardiovascular disease in the post-pandemic period.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted through opportunistic and snowball sampling in southeast China from 10 October to 24 November. Anxiety and depression were assessed on the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).Results: A total of 435 patients with hypertension (48.05%), atrial fibrillation (17.24%), coronary artery disease (14.48%), heart failure (9.89%) and other heart diseases (10.34%) completed the survey. Interestingly, most patients reported monthly income comparable to (90.11%) or even greater than (8.51%) pre-pandemic income. The occurrence of anxiety and depression was 11.72 and 9.20%, respectively. Marital status and treatment interruption during the pandemic were independent risk factors for both anxiety and depression. Moreover, current monthly income and access to telemedicine during the pandemic were independent risk factors for anxiety.Conclusion: Patients with cardiovascular disease may experience anxiety and depression not only because of disease complications but also because of the effects of the pandemic. In facing the global challenge posed by the coronavirus, efforts should be made to improve patients' psychological well-being in the management of populations with cardiovascular disease.

Determinants of undernutrition among older adults in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia: a community-based study

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among older adults aged 65 years in the south Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, in 2020.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study.SettingThe study was conducted from 1 October to 15 December 2020, in the South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling. A pretested and structured questionnaire adapted from different literature was used to collect data. Anthropometric measurements were taken following the standard procedure.ParticipantsA total of 290 older adults aged greater than or equal to 65 years of age were included in the study.Data analysisDescriptive and summary statistics were employed. Multiple logistic regression was fitted to identify determinants of undernutrition. ORs and their 95% CIs were computed to determine the level of significance.Outcome measuresUndernutrition was assessed by using Body Mass Index and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool.ResultsThe prevalence of undernutrition was 27.6% (95% CI 22.4 to 32.8), and 2.1% (95% CI 0.7 to 3.8) of the study participants were overweight. Based on the MNA tool, 29.7% (95% CI 24.5 to 35.2) of the study participants were undernourished and 61.7% (95% CI 55.5 to 67.2) were at risk of undernourishment. Rural residence adjusted OR (aOR)=10.3 (95% CI 3.6 to 29.4), inability to read and write aOR=3.5 (95% CI 1.6 to 7.6), decrease in food intake aOR=13.5 (95% CI 6.1 to 29.5) and household monthly income of less than US$35.6 aOR=4.3 (95% CI 1.9 to 9.4) were significantly and independently associated with undernutrition.ConclusionThe level of undernutrition among older adults in the study area was high, making it an important public health burden. The determinants of undernutrition were a place of residence, educational status, food intake and monthly income.

Socioeconomic Aspects and Characteristics of Artisanal Fishing in the Marchica Lagoon (Mediterranean, Morocco)

Marchica lagoon offers very favourable conditions for practice of artisanal fishing which is the main socioeconomic activity carried out in this coastal ecosystem. However, artisanal fishing there suffers from a lack of control and management due to the absence of a data collection system on the various biological and socioeconomic aspects of this fishery. Thus, it considers serious threaten their sustainability. The main purpose of the paper to give a comprehensive account of artisanal fishing and its socioeconomic aspects in the Marchica lagoon, through a survey carried out at five sites around the lagoon. It has been found that there a low level of education among fishermen. The fishermen practiced two gears, pound net and trammel net. The economical analysis showed that the total annual gross product per boat is about 15766,80 USD, which gives an average monthly income of about 1148, 10USD par boat. Therefore, the wealth produced by these fisheries have a real impact on the quality of the fishermen live. Hence, ensure sustainable development of this fishery.

Knowledge and Awareness of Turkish Mothers Regarding Primary Teeth

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the mothers’ knowledge and awareness of primary teeth. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 323 children and their mothers. A questionnaire form consisting of 10 questions about the definition of primary teeth, their total number and treatment requirements was applied to the mothers. Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher-Freeman-Halton tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The rate of wrong answers given by mothers with low education level to the question "What are primary teeth?" was significantly higher (p <0.001). The rate of correct answer given by mothers with low education level to the question "How many primary teeth are there in a healthy dentition?" was significantly lower (p = 0.002). The answer of "no" given by mothers with a low education level to the question "Do you think it is necessary to treat primary teeth?" was significantly higher (p=0.016). The rate of correct answer given by families with a monthly income above 5000 TL to the questions "What are primary teeth?" and "How many primary teeth are present totally?" were significantly higher (p=<0.001). Conclusion: The superior the education level and the monthly income of the family, the higher the rate of answering questions that require information.

Determinants of Women’s Empowerment and Household Poverty Reduction in Imbulpe DS Division, Sri Lanka

Women empowerment and poverty reduction are interrelated key driving forces to achieve the sustainable development of a country. However, most of the women farmers in rural areas have lack of access to adequate assets and resources, credit facilities and freedom of decision making within the households. Therefore, women empowerment is a timely important requirement to reduce the household poverty among them. This study was conducted to identify the determinants of empowerment of women farmers and also roles of them in reduction of poverty in Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division in Sri Lanka. In this study, 238 women farmers were selected using simple random sampling method, from purposively identified seven Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in this area. Primary data was gathered from a field survey using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire from May to July 2019. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used as the statistical methods in data analyzing process. The result revealed that, age, education, monthly income of the respondents, economic resource accessibility, participation in decision making and freedom of mobility act as the determinants of empowerment of women farmers. The moderately significant positive nature of relationship was showed between the age of the women farmers and their role in poverty reduction. And also, the level of education, monthly income, economic resources accessibility of the respondents and participation of decision making within the household of the women farmers were showed moderately significant positive relationship with their role in poverty reduction. Therefore, encourage women farmers as rural entrepreneurs while performing their farming practices to earn additional income, enhance economic resource accessibility and motivate women farmers to express their ideas for enhance the active participation in the household decision making process are timely important requirements to empower women farmers and enhance their role in poverty reduction.