Knowledge, Attitudes, Risk Perceptions, and Practices of Spanish Adolescents Toward the COVID-19 Pandemic: Validation and Results of the Spanish Version of the Questionnaire

Background: Adolescence is a period with physical, psychological, biological, intellectual, and social changes in which there is usually little perception of risk. COVID-19 has generated constant situations of change and uncertainty worldwide. During the pandemic, the acquisition of preventive behaviors has been relevant. Various studies carried out with adults associate risk perception and the implementation of preventive behaviors with knowledge about the COVID-19 and with age, but there are not many studies with adolescents. Therefore, the objective is to validate, in Spanish, the questionnaire of the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices of adolescents toward the pandemic, and analyze it according to sociodemographic characteristics.Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which included adolescents between the ages of 12–18 (n = 354). First, a translation and a back-translation of the questionnaire were performed. The questionnaire was presented in several high schools chosen by convenience sampling and following a non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Reliability and validity analyses were then carried out and the relationships between the different sociodemographic variables (gender, place of residence, level of education, if the person was in a sentimental relationship, and financial aid) were analyzed.Results: The reliability of the questionnaire is acceptable (ordinal alpha = 77%). Knowledge was higher in women, and in those with a higher level of education; and were lower in those who lived in smaller towns, as well as in those who had a member of their family receiving financial aid. In terms of attitudes and risk perceptions, younger adolescents had higher scores, and those who had a member of their family receiving financial aid, lower.Conclusion: The questionnaire is a reliable tool in the Spanish adolescent population. Knowledge was influenced by gender, place of residence, level of education, and financial aid. Attitudes and risk perceptions were influenced by age and financial aid. For practices, no predictors were found. In general, adolescents scored lower on knowledge about COVID-19, but they scored higher on COVID-19 safety practices.

Prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and associated risk factors: A community survey in Thirvallur District, south India

Background Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys add to the active case detection in the community level burden of TB both national and regional levels. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the community. Methods Household community-based tuberculosis disease survey was conducted targeting 69054 population from 43 villages of 5 blocks in Tiruvallure district adopting cluster sampling methodology of ≥15 years old adult rural population of South India during 2015–2018. All eligible individuals with suspected symptoms of PTB were screened with chest X-ray. Two sputum specimens (one spot and the other early morning sample) were collected for M.tb smear and culture examination. Conversely demographical, smoking and alcohol drinking habits information were also collected to explore the risk factor. Stepwise logistic regression was employed to associate risk factors for PTB. Results A total of 62494 were screened among 69054 eligible population, of whom 6340 were eligible for sputum specimen collection. Sputum for M.tb smear and culture examination were collected in 93% of participants. The derived prevalence of PTB was 307/100000 population (smear-positive 130; culture positive 277). As expected that PTB has decreased substantially compared to preceding surveys and it showed that older age, male, low BMI, diabetes, earlier history of TB and alcohol users were significantly associated (p < .0001) with an increased risk of developing PTB. Conclusion Upshot of the active survey has established a reduction in the prevalence of PTB in the rural area which can be accredited to better programmatic implementation and success of the National TB Control Programme in this district. It also has highlighted the need for risk reduction interventions accelerate faster elimination of TB.

The effect of pregnancy and the duration of postpartum convalescence on the physical fitness of healthy women: A cohort study of active duty servicewomen receiving 6 weeks versus 12 weeks convalescence

Introduction Pregnancy profoundly affects cardiovascular and musculoskeletal performance requiring up to 12 months for recovery in healthy individuals. Objective To assess the effects of extending postpartum convalescence from 6 to 12 weeks on the physical fitness of Active Duty (AD) soldiers as measured by the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods We conducted a retrospective study of AD soldiers who delivered their singleton pregnancy of ≥ 32weeks gestation at a tertiary medical center. Pre- and post-pregnancy APFT results as well as demographic, pregnancy, and postpartum data were collected. Changes in APFT raw scores, body composition measures, and failure rates across the 6-week and 12-week convalescent cohorts were assessed. Multivariable regressions were utilized to associate risk factors with failure. Results Four hundred sixty women met inclusion criteria; N = 358 in the 6 week cohort and N = 102 in the 12 week cohort. Demographic variables were similar between the cohorts. APFT failure rates across pregnancy increased more than 3-fold in both groups, but no significant differences were found between groups in the decrement of performance or weight gain. With the combined cohort, multivariable regression analysis showed failure on the postpartum APFT to be independently associated with failure on the pre-pregnancy APFT (OR = 16.92, 95% CI 4.96–57.77), failure on pre-pregnancy BMI (OR = 8.44, 95% CI 2.23–31.92), elevated BMI at 6–8 weeks postpartum (OR = 4.02, 95% CI 1.42–11.35) and not breastfeeding at 2 months (OR = 3.23, 95% CI 1.48–7.02). Within 36 months of delivery date, 75% of women had achieved pre-pregnancy levels of fitness. Conclusion An additional 6 weeks of convalescence did not adversely affect physical performance or BMI measures in AD Army women following pregnancy. Modifiable factors such as pre- and post-pregnancy conditioning and weight, weight gain in pregnancy and always breastfeeding were found to be significant in recovery of physical fitness postpartum.

A comparative study between calcium intake and low bone density among women (19-35 year) in urban area of Hyderabad, India

Background: This paper is aimed at assessment of bone health in women aged between 19-35 years in the urban area leading a sedentary lifestyle. The objective of the study was to assess the bone density among the adult women and identify their risk of developing osteoporosis and to associate risk factors that may predispose them to osteoporosis.Methods: The methodology involved assessment of their anthropometric measurements and calculating Body mass index to identify obese and non-obese participants. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was framed to know the calcium intake of the diet along with the other nutrients and foods that favour and hinder the absorption of calcium was also studied along with their frequency of consumption. BMD test on all 51 participants is done and the T- score obtained compared with the WHO classification.Results: It was observed that 35% of the participants were having osteopenia, a condition where bones become weak than normal and may predispose to osteoporosis. The calcium content of the diet found to be lower than the RDA which is significant at p<0.05. Correlation analysis showed a weak negative correlation between the two variables i.e., calcium intake and bone mineral density rs=-0.03, p>0.05. Other factors that can contribute to the low bone mineral density was lack of exercise, obesity, genetic inheritance, H/o PCOS, hypothyroidism, consumption of coffee and carbonated beverages.Conclusions: Thus, it is concluded that these women are at risk of developing osteoporosis so dietary modification and change in lifestyle is necessary.

People Envision Risk-takers as More Stereotypically Black and Masculine, Particularly When the Risks are Reckless Versus Responsible

Who do people view as the risk-takers of society? Given that risk permeates everyday decision-making, understanding whether people mentally associate risk-taking with social groups is a valuable yet unexplored question. We propose that the concept of risk-taking connotes gendered race associations. With four experiments (N = 1404, mostly White Americans), we test whether gendered race stereotypes are conceptually associated with risk-takers, broadly construed, as well as with reckless versus responsible prototypes of risk-takers. We find that people perceive Black men as more masculine than White men, and therefore, more willing to take risks (Study 1). We further find that people envision reckless risk-takers as more stereotypically Black and masculine (and less White and feminine) than responsible risk-takers in trait attributions (Studies 2-3) and mental images constructed with the reverse correlation task (Study 3). Finally, when provided an opportunity to invest real money that could be tripled or lost, we find that people financially discriminate against reckless risk-takers in favor of responsible risk-takers (Study 4). Findings suggest that gendered race stereotypes and risk-taker prototypes are conceptually intertwined and consequential.

Pediculosis Affects Mexican Children from Different Socioeconomic Status Equally: A Cross-Sectional Study

SUMMARY The prevalence of pediculosis in Mexican children was studied in San Nicolas and Tapachula, Mexico. A cross-sectional study included 888 students between six and 12 years old from two urban communities with an unequal socioeconomic status between September 2015 and March 2016. A Pearson χ2 and multivariate logistic analysis were carried out to associate risk factors to pediculosis. The overall prevalence of pediculosis from both localities was 23.9%. The female gender; long and medium hair; living with someone infested; previously infested by head lice and curling hair were variables linked to a significantly higher prevalence of pediculosis (p &lt; 0.01). Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed in the age groups, localities and socioeconomic status for human lice infection. Socioeconomic variables such as numbers of inhabitants, floors of house, beds and rooms; and parents’ qualification did not show a significative association for pediculosis. Health education in schools is needed for pediculosis prevention and remove the stigmatization of this disease related to poverty.

Identification of hospitalized patients with community-acquired infection in whom treatment guidelines do not apply: a validated model

Objectives To develop and validate a clinical model to identify patients admitted to hospital with community-acquired infection (CAI) caused by pathogens resistant to antimicrobials recommended in current CAI treatment guidelines. Methods International prospective cohort study of consecutive patients admitted with bacterial infection. Logistic regression was used to associate risk factors with infection by a resistant organism. The final model was validated in an independent cohort. Results There were 527 patients in the derivation and 89 in the validation cohort. Independent risk factors identified were: atherosclerosis with functional impairment (Karnofsky index &lt;70) [adjusted OR (aOR) (95% CI) = 2.19 (1.41–3.40)]; previous invasive procedures [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.98 (1.28–3.05)]; previous colonization with an MDR organism (MDRO) [aOR (95% CI) = 2.67 (1.48–4.81)]; and previous antimicrobial therapy [aOR (95% CI) = 2.81 (1.81–4.38)]. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AU-ROC) curve (95% CI) for the final model was 0.75 (0.70–0.79). For a predicted probability ≥22% the sensitivity of the model was 82%, with a negative predictive value of 85%. In the validation cohort the sensitivity of the model was 96%. Using this model, unnecessary broad-spectrum therapy would be recommended in 30% of cases whereas undertreatment would occur in only 6% of cases. Conclusions For patients hospitalized with CAI and none of the following risk factors: atherosclerosis with functional impairment; previous invasive procedures; antimicrobial therapy; or MDRO colonization, CAI guidelines can safely be applied. Whereas, for those with some of these risk factors, particularly if more than one, alternative antimicrobial regimens should be considered.

Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in horses (Equus caballus) and donkeys (Equus asinus) in El-Bayadh district, southwestern Algeria

Trypanosoma evansi is a parasite that causes surra in a variety of wild and domestic animals and is mainly transmitted by biting flies in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. Horses infected by Trypanosoma evansi present a chronic weight loss, icterus, oedema, anemia, abortions and neurological troubles. Due to this parasite, cases of human trypanosomiosis have been reported in different countries by contacting with infected animals. In this study, 206 healthy equines (177 horses and 29 donkeys) from El-Bayadh district, located in southwest Algeria, were tested for the presence of parasites in blood using Giemsa-stained blood films and for the presence of antibodies against T. evansi using CATT /T. evansi. While none of the equines showed detectable parasites in the blood, the individual seroprevalence of T. evansi was found to be 46.6% (CI 95%, 40.7-54.4%). Out of 98 positives samples, 56.1% (55/98) were shown at level 1 (+), 27.5% (27/98) at level 2 (++) and 16.3% (16/98) at level 3 (+++). The results show that out of 177 tested horses, 80 were seropositive to T. evansi, 45.2% (CI 95%, 37.8-52.5%) and out of 29 tested donkeys, 18 were seropositive to T. evansi, 62.1% (CI 95%, 44.4-79.7%). A questionnaire for the owners, targeted to associate risk factors for surra in horses, showed that environmental factors that are favorable for Tabanids, such as water and vegetation, but also promiscuity with dromedaries were positively associated with the seroprevalence rate in the horses. El-Bayadh district is a highly endemic region for surra in Algeria.

Pattern of Traumatic Dental Injuries and associated Risk Factors: A Hospital-based Study

Introduction: Study of traumatic dental injuries (TDI);a common dental emergencycan facilitate planning of preventive measures, better assessment and carry out treatment effectively. Objective: To determine the gender and age difference in TDIs, etiology, intra-oral soft-tissue and bony injuries, types of tooth fractures and luxation injuries. Also to find out the association between the type of TDI and malocclusion, overjet and lip competency.Materials & Method: This cross-sectional study comprised of 121 patients with the history of TDI. Thorough history and clinical examination was done and data were statistically analyzed (confidence interval of 95% and statistical significance set at p≤0.05).Result: Males were more prone to injuries with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. Fall and road traffic accidents were the most common cause of injuries and males were more prone to injuries due to fall (p=0.047). The main etiologies of TDIs were fall and RTA in children and adults respectively. Children had more luxation injuries, while adults had more tooth fractures. Permanent maxillary central incisors were most common to sustain tooth fracture and enamel-dentin fracture were the most common types of injuries. No statistically significant association was found between overjet and tooth fractures (p=0.19), luxation injuries (p=0.24), softtissue injuries and bony injuries (p=0.42). Similarly, no significant association was found between lip competency and dental injuries.Conclusion: Cohort studies must be conducted to associate risk factors and TDIs.

An epidemiological study of prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among non migratory tribal population of Mawai block of Mandla district of central India

Background: Hypertension is the most recognized modifiable risk factor of CVD, stroke and end stage renal disease and it is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke and 24% of all coronary heart disease related deaths in India. There is paucity of data on hypertension among tribal population. Addiction of Nicotine and some cultural practices like alcohol intake is common in tribal, which are the known risk factor for NCDs. Therefore, the study of health status of tribal communities related to hypertension, is highly desirable and essential. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associate risk factors among non migratory tribal population. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from March 2015 to February 2016 among 762 adults aged 20-65 years who were non migratory residents of Mawai block of Mandla districts, and they were selected through multi stage random sampling method. Results: Hypertension prevalence was 27.1% among study population. 82.2% study subjects had never undergone for blood pressure check-up. Prevalence was significantly associated with high age group. It was slightly more among the study subjects taking mixed diet than to pure vegetarian. Smoking and alcohol intake was found to be significantly associated with hypertension. It was more prevalent among mild and sedentary workers and association was significant with BMI ≥25. Conclusions: In the study every fourth study individual is Hypertensive, where smoking (in any form) and obesity was found as commonest risk factor for it.