Effect of Apartment Community Garden Program on Sense of Community and Stress

Apartment housing has become a dominant form of urban residence. High dwelling density in apartment complexes causes frequent conflicts and disputes. To counter this, it is necessary to promote a sense of community among residents with programs such as a customized horticultural program for the introduction of a community garden in an apartment complex. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a community garden program in an apartment complex in fostering residents’ sense of community and reducing stress. Experiments were performed in three groups: a group participating in the program based on the sense of community theory (SCG; n = 11), a group participating with a focus on horticultural education (HEG; n = 11), and a non-participation group (NPG; n = 10). The experimental results revealed that the sense of community was significantly higher in the SCG than in the HEG and NPG. The results suggest that the SCG positively affected the sense of community, overall energy, ratio between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and stress resistance. Considering these results, community garden programs with appropriate interventions to promote a sense of community are more effective in improving community life and reducing stress than programs based on horticultural education.

Utilization of Facility Based Health Care and Associated Factors During COVID 19 Pandemic in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia

Background: The utilization of facility-based health care services was among the means to tackle the transmission of the COVID 19 and protection of better health. However, reluctance to the utilization of facility-based health care services has been reported to be a major problem everywhere in the globe. This study was to assess the utilization of facility-based health care and associated factors among adults in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia.Methods: Community-based cross-sectional studies were conducted using a quantitative approach. Data was collected from 2751 adults aged 18 years and above using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi info version 7.2.0.1 and analyzed using STATA 15. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between the study variables. Odds Ratio with its 95%CI was calculated and P-Value < 0.05 was used as a cut-off point to declare the significance. Results: The overall utilization of facility based essential health care was 25.5% (95% CI: 24.6%, 26.4%). Agro-pastoralist (AOR 0.50, 95% CI; 0.50, 1.31), urban residence (AOR 0.66, 95% CI; 0.48, 0.92), Orthodox religion followers (AOR 0.58, 95% CI; 0.41, 0.81), and marital statuses in the widowed/divorced/ Separated category (AOR 0.45, 95% CI; 0.20, 0.99), were significantly associated with utilizations of facility based essential Health Care. Conclusions: Only 646 (25.5%) of respondents visited health facilities after the commencement of the COVID 19 pandemic. Activities to increase the utilization of essential health care services are crucial through appropriate information outlets.

Increases in Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19: Prevalence and Correlates

Measures to contain the global COVID-19 pandemic led to stay-at-home orders across the world, accompanied by fears of a global surge in intimate partner violence (IPV). We administered an online general-population survey to 1169 women and transgender/nonbinary individuals throughout the state of Michigan in June–August 2020 to assess changes in the prevalence, severity, and correlates of IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quota sampling was used to match the racial/ethnic and urban/rural distribution of the state. More than one in seven (15.1%) participants reported physical, sexual, psychological, or technology-facilitated IPV since COVID, similar to the prevalence in the 3 months before COVID (16.2%). However, there were indications that IPV severity increased and that novel cases of IPV are occurring in relationships that previously had no abuse. A majority (64.2%) of individuals who experienced IPV since COVID reported that the IPV was new to the relationship (34.1%) or of increased severity during COVID-19 (26.6%), representing 9.7% of the overall sample. New or increased IPV was significantly more prevalent among those who were essential workers, pregnant, unable to afford rent, unemployed/underemployed or had recent changes to their job, had partners with recent changes to employment, and those who had gotten tested or tested positive for COVID-19. Urban residence, trans/nonbinary identity, and having a toddler were more strongly associated with IPV during COVID as compared to before COVID. While findings do not support significant changes in the overall prevalence of IPV, the majority of survivors reported incident IPV in relationships that had not previously been abusive, or IPV that became more severe since the start of the pandemic. Cases of new or increased IPV were more concentrated in marginalized groups. Potential touchpoints for outreach and services during future lockdowns include prenatal and pediatric settings, daycares, employers of essential workers, and COVID-19 testing centers. Policies providing rental, childcare, and unemployment support may mitigate increases in IPV during COVID-19.

Successful ageing among a national community-dwelling sample of older adults in India in 2017–2018

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of successful ageing in older community-dwelling adults in India. The cross-sectional sample included 21,343 individuals (≥ 65 years) from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 in 2017–2018. Successful ageing was assessed utilizing a multidimensional concept, including five components: (1) absence of major illness, (2) free of disability, (3) no major depressive disorder, (4) social engagement and (5) life satisfaction. Overall, 27.2% had successful ageing, including 83.3% had no major diseases, 51.0% free from disability, 91.8% had no major depressive disorder, 73.6% were socially engaged and 74.6% had high life satisfaction. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR 1.40, 95% Confidence Interval-CI 1.21–1.26), married (AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.22–1.79), having formal education (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.23–1.74), high subjective socioeconomic status (AOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.29–2.01), urban residence (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19–1.70), Sikhs (AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.38–2.24), high physical activity (AOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.38–1.97), and daily Yoga practice (AOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11–1.61) increased the odds of successful ageing, while increasing age (AOR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.79), poor childhood health (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI 0.29–0.75), and underweight (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61–0.81) decreased the odds of successful ageing. Almost one in three older adults in India were successfully ageing. Factors associated with successful ageing included, male sex, married, having formal education, high subjective socioeconomic status, urban residence, Sikhs, physical activity, Yoga practice, younger age, good childhood health, and not having underweight.

Determinants and Magnitude of Neonatal Sepsis at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a serious blood bacterial infection in neonates at the age of equal to or less than 28 days of life, and it's still the major significant cause of death and long-term morbidity in developing countries. Therefore, this study has assessed the prevalence and related factors with neonatal sepsis among new born admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted among 386 neonates admitted to NICU from September 2017 to August 2019 G.C. A systematic random sampling method was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.26. Descriptive summary statistics was done. Bivariate analysis was computed to identify association between dependent and independent variables. Multivariate analysis was used to control possible confounder variables and variables with p-value <0.05 were declared as having statistically significant association. Result: The prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 53.1% and 59.5% were males. Among the total neonates who had sepsis, 67.8% had early neonatal sepsis. Among neonatal factors, preterm neonates (AOR: 8.1, 95%CI: 2.1, 31.2), birth asphyxia (AOR: 4.7, 95%CI: 1.6, 13.6); and among maternal factors, urban residence (AOR: 0.26, 95%CI: 0.1, 0.5), ANC attendance (AOR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.2, 0.6), SVD (AOR: 0.047, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.2), Maternal antibiotic use (AOR: 0.39; 95%CI: 0.2, 0.8), duration of rupture of membrane < 12 hours (AOR: 0.11; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.2) were found to have significant association with neonatal sepsis. Conclusion: Overall, the magnitude of neonatal sepsis was high. Being preterm, low birth weight and having birth asphyxia were found to significantly increase the odds of neonatal sepsis. Urban residence, having ANC follow up, giving birth by SVD and CS, history of antibiotic use and having rupture of membrane < 18 hours were found to significantly decrease the odds of neonatal sepsis. Key words: Neonatal Sepsis, Intensive Care Unit, Harar

The role of environment restoration on microclimate sustainability in Perumahan Cemara Asri Medan

The outdoor recreation built meaning, function, values, and norms to landscape activity in one area. Besides, it created a comfortable nuance for the visitors and the residents at Perumahan Cemara Asri, Medan, due to maintaining the microclimate in this area. The Landscape of Taman Burung in Perumahan Cemara Asri Medan is outdoor recreation located in the center of urban residence. It maintains a microclimate for the residents and visitors. Hence they feel comfortable. The presence of prohibition boards in outdoor recreation informs the essential meaning and value of outdoor recreation. This study aimed to analyze the role of the verbal and visual signs toward microclimate maintenance at Taman Burung Cemara Asri, Medan. It was a qualitative study, and the ethnography method was applied to collect and analyze the data. The data were verbal and visual signs in outdoor recreation at Taman Burung Taman Burung Cemara Asri, interview, and participant observation. It is known that the verbal and visual signs have an important role for human activity (visitors and residents) related to their behavior in treating the environment well. Maintaining the condition of the physical elements of the micro-climate creates comfort for visitors and residents at Taman Burung Cemara Asri Medan.

Frequency, etiologies, risk factors, and sequelae of falls among patients with brain metastases: a population- and institutional-level analysis

Background Falls in patients with cancer harbor potential for serious sequelae. Patients with brain metastases (BrM) may be especially susceptible to falls but supporting investigations are lacking. We assessed the frequency, etiologies, risk factors, and sequelae of falls in patients with BrM using two data sources. Methods We identified 42,648 and 111 patients with BrM utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data (2008-2016) and Brigham/Dana Farber (BWH/DFCI) institutional data (2015), respectively, and characterized falls in these populations. Results Among SEER-Medicare patients, 10,267 (24.1%) experienced a fall that prompted medical evaluation, with cumulative incidences at 3, 6, and 12 months of 18.0%, 24.3%, and 34.1%, respectively. On multivariable Fine/Gray’s regression, older age (&gt;81 or 76-80 vs. 66-70 years, hazard ratio [HR] 1.18 [95% CI, 1.11-1.25], p&lt;0.001 and HR 1.10 [95% CI, 1.04-1.17], p&lt;0.001, respectively), Charlson comorbidity score of &gt;2 vs. 0-2 (HR 1.08 [95% CI, 1.03-1.13], p=0.002) and urban residence (HR 1.08 [95% CI, 1.01-1.16], p=0.03) were associated with falls. Married status (HR 0.94 [95% CI, 0.90-0.98], p=0.004) and Asian vs. white race (HR 0.90 [95% CI, 0.81-0.99], p=0.03) were associated with reduced fall-risk. Identified falls were more common among BWH/DFCI patients (N=56, 50.4% of cohort), resulting in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, fractures, and intracranial hemorrhage in 33%, 23%, 11%, and 4% of patients, respectively. Conclusions Falls are common among patients with BrM, especially older/sicker patients, and can have deleterious consequences. Risk-reduction measures, such as home safety checks, physical therapy, and medication optimization, should be considered in this population.

Profiles of inflammatory markers and their association with cardiometabolic parameters in rural and urban Uganda

Background: Inflammation may be one of the pathways explaining differences in cardiometabolic risk between urban and rural residents. We investigated associations of inflammatory markers with rural versus urban residence, and with selected cardiometabolic parameters previously observed to differ between rural and urban residents: homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI). Methods: From two community surveys conducted in Uganda, 313 healthy individuals aged ≥ 10 years were selected by age- and sex-stratified random sampling (rural Lake Victoria island communities, 212; urban Entebbe municipality, 101). Fluorescence intensities of plasma cytokines and chemokines were measured using a bead-based multiplex immunoassay. We used linear regression to examine associations between the analytes and rural-urban residence and principal component analysis (PCA) to further investigate patterns in the relationships. Correlations between analytes and metabolic parameters were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The urban setting had higher mean levels of IL-5 (3.27 vs 3.14, adjusted mean difference [95% confidence interval] 0.12[0.01,0.23] p=0.04), IFN-⍺ (26.80 vs 20.52, 6.30[2.18,10.41] p=0.003), EGF (5.67 vs 5.07, 0.60[0.32,0.98] p<0.00001), VEGF (3.68 vs 3.28, 0.40[0.25,0.56] p<0.00001), CD40 Ligand (4.82 vs 4.51, 0.31[0.12, 0.50] p=0.001) and Serpin-E1 (9.57 vs 9.46, 0.11[0.05,0.17] p<0.00001), but lower levels of GMCSF (2.94 vs 3.05, -0.10[-0.19,-0.02] p=0.02), CCL2 (2.82 vs 3.10, -0.45[-0.70,-0.21] p<0.00001) and CXCL10 (5.48 vs 5.96, -0.49[-0.71,-0.27] p<0.00001), compared to the rural setting. In PCA, the urban setting had lower representation of some classical inflammatory mediators but higher representation of various chemoattractants and vasoactive peptides. HOMA-IR, FBG, BP and BMI were positively correlated with several principal components characterised by pro-inflammatory analytes. Conclusions: In developing countries, immunological profiles differ between rural and urban environments. Differential expression of certain pro-inflammatory mediators may have important health consequences including contributing to increased cardiometabolic risk observed in the urban environment.

Detection of xerostomia, Sicca, and Sjogren’s syndromes in a national sample of adults

Objectives To assess the prevalence and determinants of xerostomia among adults and identify how many of the ones experiencing xerostomia have Sicca and Sjogren's syndromes. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 1405 35–74-year-old Lithuanians (51.7% response rate) from the five largest Lithuanian cities and 10 peri-urban and rural areas that were randomly selected from each of the 10 Lithuanian counties. Xerostomia was determined by the self-reported experience of dry mouth as "often" or "always". A dentist diagnosed Sicca syndrome by unstimulated whole sialometry and the Schirmer's test, and all cases were referred to a rheumatologist to confirm Sjogren's syndrome. Self-reported questionnaires collected data about the determinants. Results The prevalence of xerostomia was 8.0% (n = 112), Sicca syndrome was diagnosed for 8 participants (0.60%), and Sjogren's syndrome for 2 participants (0.14%), with this being the first time it was diagnosed. Experiencing xerostomia was associated with older age (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.6), urban residence (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6–5.0), presence of systemic diseases (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4–3.3), and the use of alcohol (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9). The higher proportion of participants with Sicca syndrome involved females, of older age, having systemic diseases, and using medications. Conclusions The prevalence of xerostomia was 8.0% and the determinants of xerostomia were older age, urban residence, systemic diseases, and absence of using alcohol. In total, 0.6% of participants had Sicca syndrome, which was more prevalent among females, older subjects, those with systematic diseases, and those using medications. Sjogren's syndrome was diagnosed in 0.14% of participants. Clinical relevance Dental clinicians need to be trained to identify potential Sjogren's syndrome cases.