Prevalence of Depression among 6–15 Years of Age

Background: Aim: To assess cases of depression in children. Methods:Eighty- nine children age ranged 6-15 years of either gender were included. The level of depression among children was determined with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:Age group 6-10 years had 24, 10-12 years had 30 and 12-15 years had 35 children. Boys were 55 and girls were 34. Residence was urban in 39 and rural in 50. Family type was joint in 52 and nuclear in 37. A significant difference was observed (P< 0.05). 35% not at all felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, 52% not at all felt down depressed, 46% not at all felt trouble falling or staying asleep, 34% not at all felt tired, 60% not at all felt bad about yourself, 68% not at all felt trouble concentrating on things, 70% not at all felt moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed, 82% not at all felt thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in the some way. Level of depression was not at all in 12%, minimal in 35%, mild in 42%, moderate in 10% and severe in 1%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).Conclusions:Most of the children had mild and minimal depression. Most of the children had feeling tired.

A Pilot Study of Gene Expression Analysis in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Response to a Hypocaloric Mediterranean Diet

Background. Few studies have examined gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after a dietary intervention. Objective. Our study is aimed at evaluating in a pilot study the peripheral blood gene expression in obese patients after weight loss secondary to a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet. Design. A sample of 11 obese subjects without metabolic syndrome was enrolled. Biochemical, anthropometric parameters and microarray analysis were performed at baseline and after 6 months of dietary intervention. Results. The mean age was 43.1 ± 6.3 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 38.6 ± 8.1 kg/m2. All the next improvements were statistically significant: body weight − 7.4 ± 1.9 kg, BMI - 2.5 ± 0.2 kg, fat mass − 5.7 ± 1.2 kg, waist circumference − 5.8 ± 1.2 cm, triglycerides − 17.4 ± 6.5 mg/dl, C-reactive protein − 3.1 ± 1.5 mg/dL, insulin − 2.1 ± 1.0 mUI/L, and HOMA-IR − 0.7 ± 0.2 units. We identified 634 differentially expressed genes: 262 genes with relative higher expression levels and 372 with lower expression levels. Cluster analysis showed 35 genes in nutritional disease and 17 genes in endocrine system. The most relevant gene was thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and this gene was overexpressed, and the next genes carbonic anhydrase VI (CA6), caveolin protein 1 (CAV1) and solute carrier family type 12 (SLLC12A3), soluble carrier family type 12 (SLLC12A3), beta 3 receptor (ADRB3), and glutamate receptor ionotropic N methyl D aspartate 2 A (GRIN2A) were all underexpressed. Conclusion. In PBMC from obese patients after a diet with a Mediterranean pattern, the expression of 634 genes, of the endocrine system and of nutritional disease, is modified.

Predictors of Psychological Impact Among the Healthcare Workers Exposed to Covid-19 Cases in a Tertiary Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: The unprecedented global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 creates considerable psychological problems among the health care workers (HCW). The present study aimed to determine the predictors of psychological impact (in terms of depression, anxiety and stress) among the HCWs exposed Covid-19 cases in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Dhaka. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at CMH Dhaka among purposively selected 390 HCWs. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire with validated and reliable tools. The study was conducted in the Combined Military Hospital Dhaka from 15 July 2020 to 30 September 2020. Results: Among the 390 respondents, 21.6%, 43.1% and 24.1% had depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, respectively. Being married (OR=0.391, 95% CI=0.160-0.953), graduate (OR=2.977; 95% CI=1.181-7.509) and attending 41-80 patients per day (OR=1.996; 95% CI=0.965-4.125) was significantly associated with depressive symptoms. In respect of anxiety, being graduate (OR=2.788, 95% CI=1.228 -6.333) and HSC qualified (OR=2.714, 95% CI=1.073-6.869), staying in family accommodation (OR=2.720, 95% CI=1.136 - 6.516), with nuclear family (OR=0.459, 95% CI=0.281-0.750), smoker (OR=1.827, 95% CI=0.987 - 3.384), doctor (OR=0.362, 95% CI=0.173- 0.758), having service length <20 years (OR=2.229, 95% CI=1.158 - 4.289), service in current place of posting for <20 months (OR=0.460, 95% CI=0.241-0.880), attended 41-80 patient daily (OR=1.720, 95% CI=0.933 - 3.169) and performing overtime duty (OR=2.568, 95% CI=1.609-4.099) were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Being graduate (OR=2.249, 95% CI=0.866-5.844), with nuclear family type (OR=0.423, 95% CI=0.249-0.721), having duty place at emergency (OR=2.135, 95% CI=0.902-5.053), being a nurse (OR=0.364, 95% CI=0.162-0.819), having service length <10 years (OR=2.570, 95% CI=1.207-5.472) and performing overtime duty (OR=2.214, 95% CI=1.3101-3.742) were significantly associated with stress symptoms. Conclusion: Psychological problems among the HCW found very common in our study which needs psychological crisis interventions to protect the mental health of HCWs. JOPSOM 2021; 40(1): 1-13

Children of Same-Sex Couples

As the United States becomes more accepting of sexual minority people, more opportunities have become available for same-sex couples to become parents. Blended families with a new stepparent, planned families via insemination, as well as adoption and fostering are changing what defines a family. As the definition of a family changes, so must the ways in which schools interact with each family type. The shared experiences of sexual minority parents and their children are explored, and recommendations for schools are made.

Prevalence and determinants of stunting among preschool and school-going children in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan

Stunting is a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the prevalence of stunting and associated risk factors of stunting among preschool and school-going children in flood-affected areas of Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted by visiting 656 households through multi-stage sampling. Respondent’s anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic information and sanitation facilities were explored. A logistic regression model was used to determine determinants of stunting, controlling for all possible confounders. The overall prevalence of stunting in children was 40.5%, among children 36.1% boys and 46.3% of girls were stunted. The prevalence of stunting in under-five children was 50.7%. Female children (OR=1.35, 95% CI:0.94-2.0), children aged 13-24 months (OR=6.5, 95% CI: 3.0-13.9), mothers aged 15-24 years (OR=4.4, 95% CI: 2.6-7.2), joint family (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0) did not have access to improved drinking water (OR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.9-5.9), and the toilet facility (OR=2.8, 95% CI, 1.9-4.3), while the children from district Nowshera (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-3.2) were significantly (P<0.05) associated in univariate analysis. The regression model revealed that child age, maternal age, family type, quality of water, and toilet facility, were the significant (P<0.05) factors contributing to child stunting in the flood-hit areas. Identification of key factors might be helpful for policymakers in designing comprehensive community-based programs for the reduction of stunting in flood-affected areas. In disasters such as flood, the detrimental consequences of the stunting problem could be even more on children. Evidence-based education and care must be provided to the families in the flood-affected regions to reduce the stunting problem. The determinants of stunting should be targeted by making comprehensive policies regarding proper nutrition, livelihood, clean water, and sanitation facilities in flood-hit regions.

Views and Anxiety Levels of University Students Regarding Distance Education during the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study was conducted to identify the views and anxiety levels of university students regarding distance education during the Covid-19 pandemic. The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of the students studying at seven health-related departments at two state universities in Turkey. The data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). The results revealed that 50.2% of the students were first-year students, 30% were studying at the first and emergency aid program, 79.3% had a medium-income level, 50.1% lived in a metropolitan area, and 83% had a nuclear family. 50.9% of the students were satisfied with the distance education system, 52.1% found the lessons given through the distance education method partially understandable, 46.7% found the lecturing styles partially plain and understandable, and 72.7% had exam anxiety. The SAI score of the students was found to be 59.0±5.30 (range 29–73), and 52.8% of them had a moderate anxiety level. While the level of anxiety in students varied significantly according to gender, department, and family income, no significant difference was found among the participants in terms of age, year of study, family type, place of residence, and the presence of chronic and psychological illnesses. The anxiety scores of those who were not satisfied with the distance education, who experienced exam anxiety, who understood the online lessons partially, and who attended the lessons were found to be significantly higher. The study demonstrated that university students experienced anxiety about distance education and exams during the Covid-19 pandemic.

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND FACTORS RELATED TO BLOOD DONOR RETENTION: THE CASE OF THE OMAR BONGO ONDIMBA REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF MAKOKOU (CHROBOM), IN THE NORTH-EAST, GABON

Objective: In order to implement a targeted strategy during communication campaigns, this study defines the socio-demographic profile of blood donors and the factors that can promote their loyalty to blood donation in the northeast region of Gabon. Material And Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2021 and enrolled 252 blood donors with a mean age of 29.6 ± 7 years, ranging from 19 to 51 years. After an interview based on a pre-established pre-donation questionnaire, each donor deemed suitable underwent a sampling that was then analyzed through an infectious workup and a blood count (CBC). Data collected from the questionnaire were entered into a spreadsheet in Excel 2016 and processed with R software in its R Commander interface and results were considered significant if p < 0.05. Results: Using Pearsons Chi-square test of independence, this study indicated an association between blood donation and many sociodemographic parameters. Thus, being a former donor was statistically associated with firstly male gender, secondly being a parent, thirdly having a job, and finally being 30 years or older. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was able to establish that: Being a parent, Having a job and Being male, increased the probability of being a faithful blood donor. Conclusion:. The profile of the blood donor at the Omar Bongo Ondimba Regional Hospital of Makokou corresponds to A man of about 30 years old, single, unemployed, with at least one child coming for a family type donation and the factors of loyalty to blood donation are the male sex, the status of worker and that of being a family member.

Difference, Intersectionality, and Organizing

In organizational scholarship, difference is broadly conceptualized as the ways in which individuals differ from each other along the lines of socially significant identities and characteristics. As such, difference encompasses social identities related to gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, and national origin. In addition to social identities, difference also encompasses individual characteristics, such as education level, family type, and health conditions. Organizational scholarship increasingly considers difference to be a constitutive feature of organizing. As such, difference is not merely one aspect of organizing that is only relevant in some circumstances, but a defining feature of organizing processes to which it is always important to attend because dominant discourses and value systems privilege certain differences over others. Central to difference scholarship is the concept of intersectionality, which holds that various identities intersect with each other to shape social and organizational experiences in ways that are intertwined with privilege and/or disadvantage. Scholarship on difference, intersectionality, and organizing has drawn from multiple critical theoretical frameworks, such as critical race theory, standpoint feminism, postmodern feminism, queer theory, and postcolonial theory. A growing amount of scholarship on difference, intersectionality, and organizing is also empirical and sheds light on how overlapping, intersectional identities matter in organizational settings and how they are embedded in power relations.

Exploring Factors Associated with Women’s Willingness to Provide Digital Fingerprints in Accessing Healthcare Services: A Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Slums of Bangladesh

Digital fingerprints are increasingly used for patient care and treatment delivery, health system monitoring and evaluation, and maintaining data integrity during health research. Yet, no evidence exists about the use of fingerprinting technologies in maternal healthcare services in urban slum contexts, globally. The present study aimed to explore the recently delivered women’s willingness to give digital fingerprints to community health workers to access healthcare services in the urban slums of Bangladesh and identify the associated factors. Employing a two-stage cluster random sampling procedure, we chose 458 recently delivered women from eight randomly selected urban slums of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Chi-square tests were performed for descriptive analyses, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the factors associated with willingness to provide fingerprints. Overall, 78% of the participants reported that they were willing to provide digital fingerprints if that eased access to healthcare services. After adjusting for potential confounders, the sex of the household head, family type, and household wealth status were significantly associated with the willingness to provide fingerprints to access healthcare services. The study highlighted the potentials of using fingerprints for making healthcare services accessible. Focus is needed for female-headed households, women from poor families, and engaging husbands and in-laws in mobile health programs.

SOCIAL SUPPORT OF A FAMILY-TYPE ORPHANAGE

The article reveals the social support of a family-type orphanage, which is a type of social work that involves the implementation of centers of social services for young people in the system of long-term care through the provision of comprehensive social services by social workers involved, if necessary, professionals, parents -teachers in order to protect and realize the rights of children who are in their upbringing. The purpose of the article is to reveal the features of social support of a family-type orphanage. Research methods apllied: generalization, concretization, synthesis, theoretical analysis of sources. The author describes the content of stages of development of a family-type orphanage and features of interaction between a social worker and a family and a social institution of a family-type orphanage, which are to help the client understand his real problems and distinguish them from problems created by him; help to make a decision on this problem and address the person to a specialist to solve the problem by appropriate methods. This allows to formulate the tasks of a social worker of the center of social services for youth and to identify problems of social support of the family − the team, rehabilitation, socio-therapeutic, which specifies the content of their activities, consisting of a list of services (advisory, informational, socio-pedagogical, psychological, socio-economic, legal, socio-medical). In our opinion, such work contributes to the restoration of the family’s independence in solving its problems through learning to solve and prevent these problems, reduce the impact of the problem on family life, prevent its crisis and disintegration, eliminate the consumer approach to society and creating conditions for normal family life. The results of the study are a substantiation of the content, tasks and main functions of social support of family-type orphanages, which is a form of state support for the family in the interests of the child. Prospects for further research in this direction, we see in the disclosure of the functions of a social worker in preparing the child to leave the orphanage and into independent living.