Tag: nevin manimala

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257973. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257973. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders are the major public healthproblem that affects mothers with young children. Although there were a number of studies done on maternal mental health problems, they were largely focused on perinatal period. However, there is scarcity of information on the magnitude and correlates of these mental health problems beyond perinatal period and due concern is not given mainly in LMICs including our country.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with common mental disorderamong mothers of under-five year children at Arbaminch town, South Ethiopia, 2019.

METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in May and June 2019 at Arbaminch town. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 776 participants. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess common mental disorder (CMD). Data was coded and entered in EPIDATA3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated to common mental disorder. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant and strength of the association was presented by adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval.

RESULT: The prevalence of common mental disorder among mothers with children aged below five years was 36.6% with (95% CI, 33.2, 39.9). Being single/divorced/widowed [AOR = 3.64, 95% CI:(1.47, 8.99), chronic medical illness [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI:(2.10, 5.04)], exposure to two/more stressful events [AOR = 1.62, 95% CI:(1.11, 2.36)], poor social support [AOR = 2.59, 95% CI:(1.62, 4.14)], mothers living with cigarette smoker husband [AOR = 2.03, 95% CI:(1.19, 3.47)], and mothers physically abused by their spouse [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI:(1.49, 3.74)] were factors associated with common mental disorder.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The prevalence of common mental disorder was high among mothers with children aged below five years compared to the general population. Being single/divorced/widowed, chronic medicalillness, exposure to two/more stressful events, poor social support, mothers living with cigarette smoker husbandand physically abuse by their spouse were factors associated with common mental disorder. Early detection and management of these maternal mental health problems is vital for mothers’ wellbeing as well as growth and development of children.

PMID:34591914 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257973

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257886. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257886. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Novel topological methods are introduced to protein research. The aim is to identify hot-spot sites where a bifurcation can alter the local topology of the protein backbone. Since the shape of a protein is intimately related to its biological function, a substitution that causes a bifurcation should have an enhanced capacity to change the protein’s function. The methodology applies to any protein but it is developed with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a timely example. First, topological criteria are introduced to identify and classify potential bifurcation hot-spot sites along the protein backbone. Then, the expected outcome of asubstitution, if it occurs, is estimated for a general class of hot-spots, using a comparative analysis of the surrounding backbone segments. The analysis combines the statistics of structurally commensurate amino acid fragments in the Protein Data Bank with general stereochemical considerations. It is observed that the notorious D614G substitution of the spike protein is a good example of a bifurcation hot-spot. A number of topologically similar examples are then analyzed in detail, some of them are even better candidates for a bifurcation hot-spot than D614G. The local topology of the more recently observed N501Y substitution is also inspected, and it is found that this site is proximal to a different kind of local topology changing bifurcation.

PMID:34591922 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257886

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257643. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257643. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the geographical variation in the provision of health services, namely in demand, patterns of utilization, and effectiveness in the Brazilian Health Regions in four different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, from February 2020 to March 2021.

METHODS: Descriptive serial cross-sectional study based on secondary data on COVID-19 hospitalizations from SIVEP-Gripe, a public and open-access database of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness records collected by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and COVID-19 case notification data from Brasil.io, a repository of public data. Fifty-six epidemiological weeks were split into four periods. The following variables were considered for each Brazilian Health Region, per period: number of hospitalizations, hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants, hospitalizations per 100 new cases notified in the Health Region, percentage of hospitalizations with ICU use, percentages of hospitalizations with invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support, percentage of hospitalizations resulting in death and percentage of hospitalizations with ICU use resulting in death. Descriptive statistics of the variables were obtained across all 450 Health Regions in Brazil over the four defined pandemic periods. Maps were generated to capture the spatiotemporal variation and trends during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

RESULTS: There was great variation in how COVID-19 hospitalizations grew and spread among Health Regions, with higher numbers between June and August 2020, and, especially, from mid-December 2020 to March 2021. The variation pattern in the proportion of ICU use in the hospitalizations across the Health Regions was broad, with no intensive care provision in large areas in the North, Northeast, and Midwest. The proportions of hospitalizations and hospitalizations with ICU use resulting in deaths were remarkably high, reaching medians of 34.0% and 62.0% across Health Regions, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The Heath Regions in Brazil are highly diverse, showing broad disparities in the capacity to respond to the demands imposed by COVID-19, services provided, use and outcomes.

PMID:34591896 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257643

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257853. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257853. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Even though menstruation is a normal biological process, adolescents are facing managing their menstruation when they are at school. It causes girls to miss their class on average three days every month. Studies in some countries showed that the magnitude of menstrual hygiene management problems is higher in rural adolescent girls, but little is known in the Ethiopia context. The objective of this study was to assess and compare menstrual hygiene management practices among rural and urban schoolgirls, Northeast, Ethiopia.

METHODS: An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was employed among 1078 schoolgirls (539 urban and 539 rural) from February to March 2020. The participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured self-administrative questionnaire and observational checklist were used for data collection. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval was employed. A P- value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

RESULTS: Overall, the magnitude of good menstrual hygiene practice was 52.9% (95%CI: 50.3%-56.5%), which was 65.9% (95% CI: 62.8%-70.7%) among urban and 39.9% (95% CI: 36.2%-44.6%) among rural schoolgirls. Among urban schoolgirls, the odds of good menstrual hygiene management practice was higher for girls aged below 18 years (AOR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.05-2.39), learned about menstrual hygiene at school (AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.21-2.97), heard about menstrual hygiene before menarche (AOR = 4.98, 95%CI: 2.71-9.13), and discussed menstrual hygiene with parents (AOR = 2.56, 95%CI: 1.25-5.27). Whereas, the odds of good menstrual hygiene management practice was higher among those who were knowledgeable on menstrual hygiene (AOR = 5.47, 95%CI: 3.68-8.12), those who learned about menstrual hygiene at school (AOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.13-2.70), and girls who heard about menstrual hygiene before menarche (AOR = 3.34, 95%CI: 1.44-7.76) in rural schoolgirls.

CONCLUSIONS: Though the overall menstrual hygiene practice was low, it was relatively better among urban schoolgirls. This calls for more effort to solve these problems and achieve sustainable development goals. Therefore, education and awareness creation on menstrual hygiene for schoolgirls, even before menarche at both settings should be strengthened. Encouraging parent-adolescent discussion on menstrual hygiene would have paramount importance, particularly to urban schoolgirls.

PMID:34591900 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257853

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257813. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257813. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Open defecation practice problem is rampant in most rural areas of developing countries, including Ethiopia. To combat this problem, the Ethiopian government implemented different sanitation interventions including Community-Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene (CLTSH). The CLTSH approach is mainly aimed to eradicate open defecation practice through mobilizing the community to construct a latrine facility and utilize it. Although this intervention has significantly improved households’ access to a latrine facility, its impact on bringing behavioral change such as avoiding open defecation is not well studied.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of open defecation among households having their latrine and its determinant factors in rural settings in Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Machakal district from September 1 to 30, 2019. A total of 472 household heads who had a latrine facility and systematically selected from six rural Kebeles of the district, were involved in the study. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and observational checklist tools through face-to-face interviews and observation methods. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were run to identify the factors that influence open defecation practice. During the multivariable analysis, statistical significance was declared at the p-value of <0.05 with 95% CI.

RESULTS: The prevalence of open defecation practice among household heads who had latrine facility was 27.8% (95% CI, [23.1-32.8]). Female gender (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI [1.13-7.68]), not attending of formal education (AOR = 3.10, CI 95% [1.34-7.13]), having >5 family members (AOR = 1.72, CI 95% [1.05-2.80]), presence of under-five child (AOR = 3.64 CI 95% [2.14-6.21]), preferring leaf as anal cleaning material (AOR = 3.18, CI 95% [1.67-6.08]), having unclean latrine (AOR = 2.15, CI 95% [1.34-3.44]), and having latrine that needs maintenance (AOR = 2.50 CI 95% [1.52-4.11]) variables were associated with open defecation practice.

CONCLUSIONS: Among the total respondents, finding more than a quarter of open defecators is concerning for a district that achieved greatly in terms of latrine coverage. This indicates the above-mentioned factors contributed to influence household heads to defecate openly despite having latrines. Therefore, the government and partners need to focus on designing strategies that effectively address determinant factors of open defecation.

PMID:34591873 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257813

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257822. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257822. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the gender factors that influence regular exercise in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Korea.

METHODS: A total of 1,432 patients with NIDDM were recruited using raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted between 2016 and 2018. SAS 9.4 was adopted for data analyses, and the distributional difference was measured with multinomial logistic regression and Rao-Scott x2 statistics to identify the factors that influence the regular physical activities of patients. that the analysis only provides associations.

RESULTS: Based on general characteristics, health behaviors, and conditions, patients with NIDDM in Korea were less physically active. In addition, patients with higher educational attainment, higher income, and higher subjective health conditions had a higher odds ratio for regular exercise. Meanwhile, the ratio was lower for smokers and those stressed up.

CONCLUSION: A professional guide for the initial phase of training and consistent management is required to increase the involvement of patients with NIDDM in regular exercise. Therefore, it is important to maintain their motivation to continue exercising. Rather than providing a universal guideline, it is more important to provide customized programs and management plans which reflect factors that influence their engagement in physical activities, such as individual physical strength, stress level, alcohol consumption, and arthritis.

PMID:34591887 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257822

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 30;16(9):e0257772. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257772. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Artisanal goldminers in Ghana are exposed to various levels and forms of health, safety and environmental threats. Without the required legislation and regulations, artisanal miners are responsible for their own health and safety at work. Consequently, understanding the probabilities of self-protection at work by artisanal goldminers is crucial. A cross-sectional survey of 500 artisanal goldminers was conducted to examine the probabilities of personal protective equipment use among artisanal goldminers in Ghana. The data was subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. Initial findings showed that personal protective equipment use among artisanal miners was 77.4%. Overall, higher probabilities of personal protective equipment use was observed among artisanal goldminers who work in good health and safety conditions as compared to artisanal miners who work in poor health and safety conditions. Also, personal protective equipment use was more probable among the highly educated artisanal goldminers, miners who regularly go for medical screening and the most experienced miners. Additionally, personal protective equipment use was more probable among artisanal miners who work in non-production departments and miners who work in the medium scale subsector. Inversely, personal protective equipment use was less probable among female artisanal miners and miners who earn more monthly income ($174 and above). To increase self-care and safety consciousness in artisanal mining, there is the need for a national occupational health and safety legislation in Ghana. Also, interventions and health promotion campaigns for better occupational conditions in artisanal mining should target and revise the health and safety related workplace programs and conditions.

PMID:34591870 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257772

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Sep 30. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14486. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition of pilosebaceous units. The standard treatment involves topical and oral antibiotics, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and other synthetic compounds, mostly associated with adverse effects. Hence, herbal skincare products are considered nowadays.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Purifying Neem Face Wash (PNFW), an herbal skincare product in the prevention and/or reduction of mild-to-moderate acne.

METHODS: An open-label, single-center, single-arm, four-week clinical study was conducted with subjects having either mild-to-moderate acne or oily skin and non-existent acne. The performance of PNFW in the reduction and/or prevention of acne was detected by counting cutaneous inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions in each of the four visits. Sebum level and skin hydration of both cheeks were measured via sebumeter and corneometer, respectively. Self-assessment questionnaires were used to assess the subjects’ responses toward PNFW.

RESULTS: Out of 120 study subjects, 79% and 72% showed either reduction or no new appearance of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions, respectively, from baseline to Visits 3 and 4. Skin sebum level and skin hydration showed a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001) and increase (p < 0.001), respectively, in Visits 3 and 4. Self-assessment surveys showed the satisfaction of the subjects about the product in terms of condition improvement, ease in use, and fragrance.

CONCLUSION: The present study indicated the beneficial effect of the herbal ingredients (neem and turmeric) of Himalaya’s PNFW in the prevention and reduction of mild-to-moderate acne with no side effects.

PMID:34590784 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14486

Turk J Med Sci. 2021 Sep 30. doi: 10.3906/sag-2105-177. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE Hypertensive patients have shown autonomic dysfunction that is closely associated with the measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT). We aimed to show the alterations of HRV and HRT measurements in patients with both dipper and non-dipper hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study consisting of one hundred and twenty-three participants (Mean age ±SD), 55.7 ±14.8 years; range, 18-90 years ) . The participants were divided into two groups: Group1: The patients with dipper hypertension Group2: The patients with non-dipper hypertension Two cardiologists performed, HRV and HRT using 24-h ECG Holter and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) of patients. RESULTS The results indicated that patients in group 2 had higher Low Frequency power/High Frequency power ratio (LF/HF), lower high frequency power (HF) , Root Mean Square of Standard Deviation (RMSSD) values than group 1 (p = 0.007, p = 0.008, and p = 0.002 respectively). Group 2 also showed higher heart rate turbulence onset (HRTTO) and lower heart rate turbulence slope (HRTTS) values than Group 1 (p = 0.004, p = 0.001, respectively). We performed multivariate analysis and observed that HRTTS and HRTTO have statistically significant associations with the presence of dipper or non-dipper hypertension [F = 7.755, p = 0.001], LF/HF [F = 7.868, p = 0.001], and HF [F = 4.081, p = 0.020]. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a statistically significant difference in HRT measurements between dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients. Deteriorated autonomic circadian rhythm and autonomic functions may contribute to these results.

PMID:34590797 | DOI:10.3906/sag-2105-177

Rev Med Virol. 2021 Sep 30:e2298. doi: 10.1002/rmv.2298. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The last few decades have seen a pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. ABO blood groups are anthropological and genetic characteristics of a population whose associations with HIV infection are still controversial. This systematic review with meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate whether certain blood groups may have associations with HIV infection. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched as of 6 September 2021. Grey literature was identified through screening Google Scholar, and reference lists of relevant studies. All observational studies providing data on ABO blood group distribution among HIV-infected and uninfected participants were included. Using a random effect model, risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to quantify this relationship. Fifty eligible studies with a total of 3,068,244 participants and 6508 HIV-infected cases were included. The overall analysis found that blood group AB increased the risk of HIV infection by 19% as compared with non-AB blood groups (RR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39, p = 0.02). Pooled estimates for other blood groups failed to reach statistical significance. Subgroup analyses identified a positive relationship between AB blood group and HIV infection within Asia, patient populations (as opposed to blood donors and general populations), studies with lower sample sizes, high-income countries and studies with a moderate quality score. The sequential omission and re-analysis of studies within sensitivity analyses produced no change in the overall pooled effect. In conclusion, this study identified that blood group AB carriers were more susceptible to HIV infection. Future investigations should be directed toward clarification of the exact role of ABO blood groups in HIV infection and the possible underlying mechanisms.

PMID:34590759 | DOI:10.1002/rmv.2298