Similar Trajectories in Current Alcohol Consumption and Tick-Borne Diseases: Only Parallel Changes in Time or Links Between?

In a modern world, both tick-borne diseases and alcohol consumption are among major public health threats. In the present opinion article, we pose the question, whether these two health problems: alcohol consumption and tick-borne diseases prevalence can be related. We hypothesize that it is possible due to at least three factors: outdoor places chosen for alcohol consumption, behavioral changes induced by alcohol, and possible stronger attraction of human hosts after alcohol consumption to ticks. Many important clues are coming from social studies about people’s preference of places to consume alcohol and from studies regarding the attraction of people consuming alcohol to mosquitos. These data, however, cannot be directly transferred to the case of alcohol consumption and ticks. Therefore, we suggest that more detailed studies are needed to better understand the possible individual attractiveness of people to ticks and ways alcohol may influence it.

Alcohol and illicit drug use among young people living with HIV compared to their uninfected peers from the Kenyan coast: prevalence and risk indicators

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, there is paucity of research on substance use patterns among young people living with HIV (YLWH). To address the gap, we sought to: i) determine the prevalence of substance use, specifically alcohol and illicit drug use, among YLWH compared to their HIV-uninfected peers; ii) investigate the independent association between young people’s HIV infection status and substance use; iii) investigate the risk indicators for substance use among these young people. Methods Between November 2018 and September 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyan coast recruiting 819 young people aged 18–24 years (407 HIV-positive). Alcohol and drug use disorders identification tests (AUDIT and DUDIT) were administered via audio computer-assisted self-interview alongside other measures. Logistic regression was used to determine substance use risk indicators. Results The point prevalence of current substance use was significantly lower among YLWH than HIV-uninfected youths: current alcohol use, 13% vs. 24%, p < 0.01; current illicit drug use, 7% vs. 15%, p < 0.01; current alcohol and illicit drug use comorbidity, 4 vs. 11%, p < 0.01. Past-year prevalence estimates for hazardous substance use were generally low among young people in this setting (< 10%) with no significant group differences observed. Being HIV-positive independently predicted lower odds of current substance use, but not hazardous substance use. There was overlap of some risk indicators for current substance use between young people with and without HIV including male sex, khat use and an experience of multiple negative life events, but risk indicators unique to either group were also identified. Among YLWH, none of the HIV-related factors was significantly associated with current substance use. Conclusions At the Kenyan coast, substance use is a reality among young people. The frequency of use generally appears to be low among YLWH compared to the HIV-uninfected peers. Substance use prevention initiatives targeting young people, regardless of HIV infection status, are warranted in this setting to avert their potential risk for developing substance use disorders, including dependence. The multifaceted intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that place young people at risk of substance use need to be addressed as part of the substance use awareness and prevention initiatives.

Exposure to famine in early life and self-rated health status among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

ObjectiveChina’s Great Famine between 1959 and 1961 has contributed to numerous adverse health outcomes in Chinese. This study aimed to examine the association between exposure to famine in early life and self-rated health (SRH) in adulthood.Methods4418 Chinese adults from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs of the association between exposure to famine in early life and SRH, stratified by sex.ResultsParticipants exposed to famine during infancy were more likely to report poor SRH (aOR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.70) compared with the non-exposed group, adjusting for confounders. Males were 32% less likely than females to report poor SRH (aOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.86). Participants diagnosed with chronic diseases (aOR 3.11; 95% CI 2.68 to 3.61), disability (aOR 1.82; 95% CI 1.38 to 2.38) and vision impairment (aOR 2.07; 95% CI 1.72 to 2.49) were more likely to report poor SRH. Participants who were current alcohol users and with abnormal weight were less likely to report poor SRH. Stratification by sex showed no significant association between famine and SRH among males, but a consistently significant association was observed among females (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.12).ConclusionsFindings from this study indicated that females exposed to famine in China during infancy were more likely to report poor SRH in their adulthood. Implementing interventions to those who were exposed to famine in early life, especially for females, may improve their long-term consequences.

Alcohol use and misuse among school adolescents from national surveys in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2018

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse and associated factors among adolescents in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Data from 3,847 adolescents (mean age:14.6 years, SD = 1.7) that took part in national cross-sectional school surveys in 2018 in Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were analysed. Students responded in a classroom setting to self-administered questions on substance use and othe variables. The results indicate that 42.7% of the students reported current alcohol use, 27.9% were ever drunk and 11.4% had trouble with alcohol use. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, compared to students from Saint Lucia, students from Saint Vincent and the Granadines had higher odds of trouble from drinking. Older age was associated with current alcohol use and ever drunk but not with trouble from drinking. Severe food insecurity and suicidal ideation were associated with trouble from alcohol use. Current tobacco use and current cannabis use were highly associated with current alcohol use, ever drunk, and trouble with alcohol use, while ever use of amphetamines was associated with ever drunk. School truancy, participation in physical fights, injury, and multiple sexual partners increased the odds, while parental support decreased the odds of current alcohol use, ever drunk, and trouble from alcohol use. In conclusion, high alcohol use and misuse has been identified calling for interventions.

Self-reported alcohol topography, past alcohol use history, and current alcohol cravings

Introduction: Drinking topography is the idea that how a person drinks, in addition to how much they drink, can influence the immediate and long-term effects of alcohol consumption. Measures are often crude, and there has been little effort to associate such measures with disease status. Methods: To address these gaps, an online survey was completed by 734 U.S. participants. They described how they usually drank using a series of 20 words (e.g., chug, nip, nurse, shots). A latent class analysis was performed to identify clusters of descriptors. Past alcohol use history, as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and current alcohol cravings, as measured by the Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ), were then regression on class assignment. The analysis was adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, income, and education level. Results: Three LCA classes were accepted, with the class characterized by the words shot, swig, gulp, chug, and guzzle having significantly higher AUDIT (b[95% CI] = 1.22 [0.98, 1.46], p &lt; 0.001) and DAQ (b[95% CI] = 12.9 [10.5, 15.3], p &lt; 0.001) scores relative to the class characterized by sample, sip, and nurse. The third class predominantly used drink and sip, and was not significantly different from the sample class (p's = 0.290-0.471). Conclusions: Measuring drinking topography offers a unique way to identify individuals at risk of an alcohol use disorder or those who may be resistant to treatment. It may also be useful in determining drinking motives. However, additional research is needed.

Visual impairment and its associated factors among medical and health sciences students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Background Visual impairment (VI) is a decreased ability to see things which is critical problem for health professionals and students to whom normal vision is essential for their daily activity. If it is not timely managed, visual impairment leads to physical, psychological, and socio-economic malfunctions to the victims and nation. Despite the above impacts, currently there is no study in Ethiopia on this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among Medical and Health Science students at the University of Gondar. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2020 among Medical and Health Science students. After recruiting study participants using systematic random sampling technique, we applied pre-tested self-administered questionnaire for sociodemographic variables and also visual acuity measurement was performed using Snellen chart placed at a distance of 6 meters. Visual acuity tested separately for each eye and for both eyes in a well- illuminated area. Pinhole was used for those participants with a visual acuity of < 6/9. Participants with a presenting visual acuity of < 6/12 in the better eye were diagnosed as having visual impairment. Epi data version 3.1 and stata version 14 were used for data entry and statistical analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used, and the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association between VI and independent variables. Results A total of 654 students were screened for visual acuity. The prevalence of visual impairment was 12.5% (95% CI: 10.21, 15.31). Age above 25 years (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.26) and current alcohol drinking (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.7, 5.00), were statistically significant factors of visual impairment. Conclusion The prevalence of visual impairment among medical and health science students was high. Age of study participant and current alcohol consumption were statically significant factors. This study warrants the routine screening of Medical and Health science students for visual impairment.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Hypertension

Aims: hypertension (HTN) is rapidly emerging as a public health problem among elderly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among the elderly in Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal.Methods: a cross-sectional analytical study was carried out to assess hypertension among 323 community dwelling elderly in Pokhara Metropolitan from October 2019 to March 2020. Quota sampling was used to collect the samples. Elderly those who were attending hospitals or with any serious medical conditions were excluded from the study. Face to face interview was done for data collection and anthropometric measurements, and semi structured standard STEPS questionnaires were used as data collection tools. Data were entered in Epi DATA [Version 3.1] and analyzed using SPSS [Version 20] as per data analysis plan. Bivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted and statistical significance was declared at a p-value ≤ 0.05.Results: prevalence of hypertension was reported among 34.4 percent (Male: 39.3%, Female 29%) elderly in Pokhara Metropolitan. The higher proportion of hypertensive cases were in age group 60-69 years (36%). The prevalence of hypertension was significantly associated with ethnicity (OR= 1.74, CI: 1.07-2.83), current alcohol intake (OR= 2.56, CI: 1.30-5.05) and mental stress (OR= 2.25, CI: 1.19-4.28).Conclusion: more than one third of the elderly had hypertension. Ethnicity, current alcohol intake and mental stress are found to be factors associated with hypertension. Periodic screening for early detection of hypertension and implementing health promotion interventions to encourage behavior change among elderly may promote healthy ageing.

Associations Between Lifestyle Factors and Reduced Kidney Function in US Older Adults: NHANES 1999–2016

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the associations between lifestyle factors and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels in older adults by analyzing the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (1999–2016).Methods: A total of 10,052 eligible participants were divided into two groups: reduced eGFR group (eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and normal group (eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The primary factors were physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and comorbidities.Results: Multivariable analysis revealed that older age, proteinuria, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperuricemia, and hypertension were significantly associated with higher odds of reduced kidney function. Sufficient physical activity, current alcohol consumption, and being a current smoker were significantly associated with lower odds of reduced kidney function. However, subgroup analysis by sex revealed that the effects of proteinuria, current alcohol consumption, and sufficient physical activity were sex-specific.Conclusion: Several risk and beneficial factors for reduced kidney function in adults aged 65 and above in the United States were identified, but some of them might be sex-specific. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings in other populations and countries.

Association between frequency of spicy food consumption and hypertension: a cross-sectional study in Zhejiang Province, China

Background Hypertension is a known risk factor for multiple chronic diseases. Existing literature on the association between frequency of spicy food consumption and hypertension shows mixed findings. Methods The analyses are based on the Tongxiang baseline dataset of the China Kadoorie Biobank prospective study, including data from electronic questionnaires, physical measurements and blood sample collection. A total of 53,916 participants aged 30–79 years were included in the final analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association of spicy food consumption with hypertension, and multiple linear regression was performed to explore the association of spicy food consumption with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results Of the 53,916 participants, 23,921 had prevalent hypertension. 12.3% of participants reported consuming spicy food weekly. Among female participants, after adjusting for socio-demographic status, lifestyle factors, BMI, waist circumference, sleep duration and snoring, when compared with females who never consumed spicy food, the odds ratios (95% CI) for hypertension were 1.02 (0.96–1.08), 0.90 (0.79–1.01), and 0.88 (0.78–0.99), respectively, for females who consumed spicy food less than once weekly, 1–2 times weekly, and ≥ 3 times weekly (Ptrend = 0.04). The corresponding odds ratios for males were 1.02 (0.95–1.09), 1.07 (0.95–1.20), and 0.91 (0.81–1.01), respectively (Ptrend = 0.39). Among current alcohol drinkers, compared to participants who never consumed spicy food, the odds ratio (95% CI) for hypertension among participants consuming spicy food daily was 0.98 (0.80–1.20). The corresponding figure for non-current drinkers was 0.72 (0.62–0.84). The association was stronger among non-current alcohol drinkers than among current drinkers (Pheterogeneity = 0.02). Conclusions Frequency of spicy food consumption is inversely associated with hypertension in females, but not in males.