Sociodemographic profile and distribution of Spotted Fever cases per brazilian region between the years 2008 and 2017

This study aims to identify the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of Spotted Fever in Brazil between 2008 and 2017. A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach that used as a source of data the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) available in the public database of the Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), adopting the following variables within the pre-established period: Region of Notification, Sex, Age Group, Evolution, Infection Zone, Schooling, Environment of Infection, and Confirmation Criteria. Spotted fever was prevalent in the Southeast region of the country, although underreporting is a reality in other regions. The most affected population was male, economically active, living in rural areas, and with incomplete primary education. Thus, epidemiological surveillance is fundamental, especially in endemic and "silent" regions for the notification of the disease.

Neurological, cognitive and learning evaluation of students who were born preterm

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the cognitive and academic profile of preterm newborns at school age and to determine the factors related to prematurity and sociodemographic profile that influence these results. Methods: Patients aged 6-14 years old that were assisted in the preterm follow-up clinic were recruited. The cognitive, academic, and neurological capacities were accessed through a detailed evaluation with a child neurologist, a neuropsychologist and a psychopedagogue. Neonatal data were collected from patient records. Results: 97 children were included and 14 were excluded from the study, resulting in 83 children. Gestational age (GA) was 30±3 weeks and weight at birth was 1138g (605 to 4185g). Poor performance was shown in 38.4% for writing, 57.5% for reading and 42.5% for mathematics. The mean total intelligence quotient (IQ) was 96±14.9 points, and 10.9% were considered altered. Children with unstructured families presented 78.3% of failure in reading tests (p=0.029). The multivariate analysis showed association between GA at birth and classic mini-mental score (p=0.043), total IQ (p=0.047), perceptual organization IQ (p=0.035), and processing speed IQ (p=0.036). There was also association between weight at birth and the classic (p=0.004) and adapted (p=0.007) mini-mental scores; invasive mechanic ventilation duration and classic mini-mental (p=0.049); and lower maternal age and processing speed IQ (p=0.033). Conclusions: Preterm infants at school age had high frequency of failure in cognitive and academic evaluation tests. Learning difficulties are high among them. Multiple neonatal variables are related with altered cognitive and students development.

Associated factors of precocious sexual intercourse among schooled teenagers in Antsirabe town, Madagascar

Background: Teenagers are defined by world health organization as persons between 10 and 19 years of age. When this generation has a sexual intercourse, it is considered to be early. The main aim of this investigation is to identify associated factors of precocious sexual intercourse.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the high schools in Antsirabe town among teenagers.Results: Among 636 teenagers, 19.8% are prematurely initiated. The median age of first sexual experience is 16 years of age. The average age for this first sexual experience takes place at 15.5 (1.4) years of age for boys and at 16.6 (1.2) years for girls. One kind of sociodemographic profile is associated to the first precocious sexual intercourse. Poor school performance, urban life, alcohol, tobacco and drug use are also significantly associated with this precocious sexual experience. From the relationship standpoint, 6= lack of sexual education by the head of household, the absence of religious diligence, the influence of customs, internet access and accession a social network are indeed associated to this problem.Conclusions: In order to meet these results, the ministry of public health should design on Facebook, education program about forward sexuality.

UTILIZAÇÃO DE PSICOFÁRMACOS E SINTOMAS DE ANSIEDADE E DEPRESSÃO EM ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS DE LAGARTO/SE DURANTE A PANDEMIA DA COVID-19

Introdução: A pandemia causada pela COVID-19 pode provocar impactos na saúde mental dos universitários, devido a fatores como suspensão das aulas presenciais e a sobrecargas do ensino online, assim objetivou-se quantificar o número de estudantes universitários com ansiedade e depressão provável relacionando com o uso de psicofármacos durante a pandemia. Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo aprovado pelo CEP (CAAE: 37453920.0.0000.5546). Foi aplicado um questionário online para verificação dos sintomas de depressão (Questionário Sobre Saúde do Paciente; PHQ-2) e ansiedade (Escala de Transtorno geral de Ansiedade; GAD-2), e sobre o uso de psicofármacos e perfil sociodemográfico de estudantes de graduação da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS) de Lagarto-SE. Resultados: Dos 99 participantes, 48,5% foram classificados com ansiedade provável (GAD-2 ≥ 3) e 37,4% com depressão provável (PHQ-2 ≥ 3), enquanto que 33,3% (n=33) apresentaram depressão e ansiedade provável, simultaneamente. Destes 10,1% (n=10) faziam uso de psicofármacos. Uma quantidade significativa de pessoas que não fazem uso de psicofármacos apresentou sintomas de ansiedade (47,2%, n=42) e de depressão (33,7%, n=30). Conclusão: A grande maioria dos estudantes foi avaliada com depressão ou ansiedade provável, entretanto, uma pequena porcentagem faz uso de psicofármacos, podendo sugerir outras formas de tratamentos ou a falta de tratamento. Assim é sugerido que os mesmos procurem por apoio psicológico para avaliações adicionais. ABSTRACT Introduction: The pandemic caused by COVID-19 can cause impacts on the mental health of university students, due to factors such as suspension of in-person classes and overload of online teaching, so the objective was to quantify the number of university students with anxiety and depression likely related to the use of psychotropic drugs during the pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study approved by CEP (CAAE: 37453920.0.0000.5546). An online questionnaire was applied to check the symptoms of depression (Questionnaire on Health of the Patient; PHQ-2) and anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder Scale; GAD-2), and on the use of psychotropic drugs and the sociodemographic profile of undergraduate students of the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) in Lagarto-SE. Results: Of the 99 participants, 48.5% were classified with probable anxiety (GAD-2 ≥ 3) and 37.4% with probable depression (PHQ-2 ≥ 3), while 33.3% (n=33) presented depression and likely anxiety. Of these 10.1% (n=10) were using psychotropic drugs. A significant number of people who do not use psychotropic drugs had symptoms of anxiety (47.2%, n=42) and 33.7% (n=30) of depression. Conclusion: The vast majority of students were assessed with probable depression and anxiety, however, a small percentage uses psychotropic drugs, which may suggest other forms of treatment or lack of treatment. Thus, it is suggested that they look for psychological support for further evaluations.

AVALIAÇÃO DOS TRANSTORNOS DE ANSIEDADE E USO DE MEDICAMENTOS ENTRE ACADÊMICOS DO CURSO DE MEDICINA DE UMA UNIVERSIDADE DO SUL DE MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL

The levels of anxiety and the use of medication among medical students were evaluated, relating it to sociodemographic data, prescription and medical follow-up, and symptom improvement. Cross-sectional study, in which a semi-structured questionnaire was applied. Among 264 students interviewed, 21% of the total (n = 56) use medication to treat anxiety. Most of them are female, almost half between 21 and 25 years old, single, live alone, and have high family income. These students opted for medical school mainly for professional and personal achievement, and the main drug used is fluoxetine. Yet, among drug users (n = 56), 39% (n = 22) self-medicate, although 64.3% (n = 36) are under medical supervision, more than half have side effects and 87.5% (n = 49) showed improvements in anxiety symptoms after starting use. The use of medication to treat anxiety was statistically related to monthly income, type of housing and reason for choosing the course (p < 0.05), although other variables cannot be ruled out. As noted in the present study, the use of such medications among medical students is considerable and, for the most part, medical follow-up directly influences the improvement of symptoms. In addition, there are risk factors related to the sociodemographic profile, which can lead to anxiety and/or self-medication and the indiscriminate use of medication, so preventive health measures must take these factors into account to guide more effective actions.

A Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Study on Drug Treatment Awareness in Schizophrenia Patients and Caregivers: An Unexplored Avenue

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with high relapse rates, and medication nonadherence is a major factor contributing toward relapse. Since medication adherence and treatment awareness are linked, an alarming need was felt to evaluate the level of drug treatment awareness in patients who have schizophrenia. Besides, patients who have schizophrenia are often dependent on their caregivers for medications. Hence, the current study was also designed to look into drug treatment awareness among caregivers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia as per The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition were included, provided they had good insight and had been prescribed medications at the study center for at least three months. Caregivers were included using the Pollak and Perlick criteria. The sociodemographic profile of the patients and caregivers was recorded, and further assessment for treatment awareness was done using the prevalidated Drug Treatment Awareness Questionnaire (DTAQ). Results: A total of 166 patients and 157 caregivers were enrolled. Mean drug awareness scores among patients and caregivers did not show statistically significant differences (P= 0.22). Mean ± SD DTAQ awareness scores in patients and caregivers were 12.57 ± 1.81 and 12.84 ± 1.91, respectively. The majority of patients and caregivers (> 90%) possessed awareness in domains related to past medication records and in that of re-visit/re-contact instructions. Awareness was least commonly seen in relation to side effects of medications and details of the prescribed medications, where only about 50% of patients and caregivers possessed awareness. No clinically significant correlation was found between sociodemographic factors and drug treatment awareness scores. Conclusion: Drug treatment awareness in patients and caregivers was comparable and was not reliant on the sociodemographic factors. Special interventions should be conducted to raise drug treatment awareness among patients having insight and their caregivers.

Sociodemographic Profile and Co-morbid Symptoms among Individuals with Semen Loss

Background: Semen loss and associated problems, sometimes known as ‘Dhat syndrome’ or ‘Semen loss anxiety’, are found specially in the cultures of South Asian region including Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to assess the physical, psychological and sexual problems in the patients complaining semen loss. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All the male patients (aged 18-60 years) with self-reported complaints of semen loss were included in the study. Within three months, data were collected from 95 respondents through face to face interview with a semistructured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 23.7 (±5.1) years. Almost half (47.4%) of the respondents belonged to the age group of 21-30 years. Majority of them was Muslim (94.7%), married (54.7%), completed primary education (42.1%), currently unemployed (46.3%) and resided in urban area (87.4%), Most of the respondents complained of semen loss through urine (57.9%), followed by through night emission (18.9%) and masturbation (16.8%). All respondents complained more than one other symptom. Common physical symptoms were physical weakness (89.8%) and vertigo (50.5%), psychological symptoms were anxiety (49.8%) and depression (38.9%) and sexual symptoms were premature ejaculation (42.1%) and erectile dysfunction (31.6%). Conclusion: There were various other physical, psychological and sexual problems among the patients with the complaints of semen loss. So, other symptoms should be considered and managed when dealing with these patients. Bangladesh J Medicine July 2022; 33(1) : 64-69

The Social Roots of Fears at the Start of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. An Online Study of the Ethnic Hungarian Population in Romania

The paper addresses the issue of contamination fear within the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The everyday lives and feelings of the ethnic Hungarian population in Transylvania, Romania, were investigated with an online survey in the middle of the lockdown, in April 2020. In the search for the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of perceived infection risk, we rely on descriptive and two-variable analysis as well as explanatory regression models controlling for covariates. The results show that respondents perceive public places to hold the highest risk of contamination from the virus. In the article, we also draw the sociodemographic profile of the “fearful” and “brave” attitudes towards the threat represented by the virus. Perceived infection risk is higher for the elderly, the more educated, and the non-religious people. The paper reveals that respondents’ concerns, beyond that of infection, are predominantly economic in character.

The Profile of Psoriasis Vulgaris Patients: A Descriptive Study

Background: Psoriasis is a skin disease that occurs due to proliferation and differentiation disturbances of the epidermis. This chronic condition often reduces the human quality of life. There have been studies investigating psoriatic patient profiles and treatments, but few are conducted in Surabaya. Hence, those studies cannot fully represent the population demographic in Surabaya. Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of psoriasis vulgaris and the sociodemographic profile of the patients in Dr Soetomo General Academic Hospital. Methods: This was a Retrospective study psoriasis vulgaris patients in January 2016–December 2018. The data were collected by retrieving Electronic Medical Records (EMR) as secondary data. Result: The psoriasis vulgaris prevalence of outpatients was 0.46% and 4.59% in inpatients. Most study subjects were adults aged 18 and above (98.1%), most of the patients were obese (46.3%), the most common provoking factor was focal tooth infection (33.8%) and stress (28.8%), and none reported family history of psoriasis. Conclusion: Some results are similar to other studies conducted in Surabaya, which were the obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) being strong a factor to psoriasis development. However, the result on psoriasis family history was not in line with other studies.

Study of ossicular chain defects in patients with chronic otitis media

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic otitis media (COM) is a long-standing disease of middle ear cleft and mastoid cavity having a permanent perforation in the tympanic membrane with or without discharge. It’s a worldwide health problem and it is still predominant in the modern antibiotic era. Aim<strong> </strong>was to determine the prevalence and types of ossicular chain defect in mucosal and squamosal type of COM. Also, to evaluate the hearing loss in relation to ossicular chain defect.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> The study was prospective observational study conducted in Bhopal over the duration of one year (January 2019 to June 2020). Patient aged 11-70 years reporting with COM were included in the study. Details regarding sociodemographic profile and extensive examination were recorded. Data was entered into MS excel 2007, analysis was done.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> It was more prevalent in the age groups of 21-30years (39%) with female (53%) preponderance. Right sided ear was commonly involved (58%). Majority of the patients had tubo-tympanic disease (62%) whereas 38% had attico-antral disease. Ossicular chain was found intact in 33% cases. Average hearing loss was maximum (67.6 dBHL) when all ossicles are eroded. Hearing loss was minimum (33.6 dBHL) with isolated handle of malleus involvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> COM is one of the commonest causes of preventable hearing impairment in our society, hence early diagnosis and timely intervention is needed. Awareness among patients and doctors regarding the need for better ear hygiene is necessary.</p>