International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 383-386, July, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-demographic and behaviour of obese people in the common of Tchamba (Togo)

¹Assane Hamadi, ²Balaka Abago, ³Tchamdja Toyi*, ²Djagadou Kodjo Agbéko and ²Djibril Mohaman Awalou

¹Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health sciences, University of Lomé (Togo), ²Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of  Health sciences , University of Lomé (Togo), ³Department of internal medicine, Faculty of  Health sciences , University of Kara (Togo).

*Corresponding  author  E-mail:  [email protected]. Tel.: (00228) 90 06 03 32

Accepted 10 April, 2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the socio-demographic and behavioral profile of obese people in the municipality of Tchamba. We conducted a cross-sectional study examining the obese population of Tchamba Municipality during the period of 20 October to 20 December 2011. The sample of this study was characterized by female with a sex ratio F/H equal to 2.46. The age range of 46 to 60 years was the most represented (35%), and the most common occupation was that of merchant (52.20%). The food was predominantly carbohydrate type of cereals (maize, rice and yam) in all subjects with 85.60 % who were taking three meals a day. Snacking was practiced daily and rarely respectively for 13.33% and 67.80% of the subjects. It was more practiced by the female subjects (65.6%). The sport was not regularly used in 80% of cases. The socio-demographic characteristics most frequently observed within 3 degrees of obesity (lightweight, medium and severe) were as follows: female gender (respectively 64.44 %, 70.96 % et 92.85 %), the profession of trader (respectively 44.44 %, 54.83 % et 71.42 %), sedentary occupation (respectively 64.44 %, 80.64 % et 85.71 %), and not instruction (respectively 73.33 %, 77.41 % et 71.42 %). Behaviours observed among the subjects of our study were distributed as follow: Non sport (respectively 73.33 %, 83.87 % and 92.85 %), snacking (respectively 92.85 %, 9.67 % et 57.14 %), the number of daily meals (respectively 80 %, 90.32 % et 100 %). The main demographic factors observed among obese in our study were: female sex, age (from 46 years), and low levels of education. Sedentary lifestyle, snacking, taking more than 3 meals a day and not in physical exercise were the most found behaviors in obese subjects. Awareness campaigns should be directed towards these targets to promote healthy eating and participation in physical exercise to reduce obesity.

keywords: Obesity, behaviour, rural area, non-commutable disease, Togo, Africa 

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 363-372, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper                                                 

Neurological disorder burden in Faisalabad, Punjab-Pakistan: Data from the major tertiary care centers of the city

¹André Marie*, ²Constant Duméril, ³Martin Bouquet, ⁴Legrand d'Aussy,  ⁵Louis Thuillier and ⁶François Thuillier

¹Department of Physiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan, ²Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), PIEAS, Faisalabad, Pakistan, ³Department of Neurology, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, ⁴Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, ⁵Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France, ⁶INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centrauxet Péripheriques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France.

*Corresponding author E-mail: Marie_andrehotmail.com

Accepted 30 April, 2017

Abstract

Neurological disorders (NDs) cause functional, structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the nervous system and may result in cognitive impairment, mood alteration, muscle weakness, paralysis, poor coordination, seizures, and pain. The burden of NDs in developing countries is 4-5%, compared to 10-11% documented in developed countries. However, the burden of NDs is rising in developing countries due to factors such as prolonged life expectancy, improved health facilities, easy access to diagnostic facilities, and a trend in urbanization. There is inadequate data about the epidemiology of major NDs in Pakistan and most available information are hospital-based estimations or physicians’ collected data, mostly in Karachi. Data concerning other areas of Pakistan is limited. In the present study, we focused on Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third largest city. Data from more than 3,000 patients were collected between March 2015 and May 2015 from the neurology and psychiatry departments of Allied, DHQ, Aziz Fatima Trust, Faisal, and Al-Noor hospitals. Our data indicated that 19.6% (n=602) of the study population has depression, 16.6% (n=508) epilepsy, and 15.2% (n=466) migraines. The distribution of NDs varied between the 8 towns, ranging from 1.9% in Tandliyanwala town to 30.7% in Layalpur town. Of all ND cases, 27% (n=382) demonstrated an inherited pattern of transmission. The male group accounted for a smaller percentage of NDs (41.5%, n=1300) than the female group (58.5%, n=1829). Age groups I (10-30 years) and II (31-50 years) had a similar distribution of NDs(37.8%, n=1073; 37.5%, n=1065), respectively, while the distribution was significantly lower in age groups III (51-70 years) and IV (70-90 years), with rates of 20.7% (n=587) and 4% (n=115), respectively. This descriptive study reports the epidemiology of NDs in this region and establishes a foundation of data to address the existing gap in literature on NDs in this region.

Keywords: Neurological disorders, disease burden, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 350-362, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
 
Chronic conditions and multimorbidity in the Swiss primary care population
 
¹Mezzadri Ehrat*, ^2,3 Patrick Utzinger,⁴Mohr Strambini, ⁵Marc Bastl, ^1,3Rosset Aeschlimann, ¹Nikles Ivo, and ⁶Adrien Michel
 
¹Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, ²Institute of Family Medicine de Médecine de Famille, University of Lausanne, ³Swiss Sentinel Surveillance Network (Sentinella), Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, ⁴Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland and Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland and National Poisons Centre, Tox Info Suisse, Associated Institute of the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, ⁵Patientensicherheit Schweiz, Zurich, 6Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 04 May, 2017

Abstract
 
To provide valid and representative epidemiologic estimates of prevalent chronic condition and multimorbidity in the Swiss primary care population, prospective planned cross-sectional study was utilized. Swiss primary care, Swiss Sentinel Surveillance Network, calendar weeks 11 and 12, 2015. 175 general practitioners (GP) or pediatricians (PED) with 26’853 patient contact. Thurgau Morbidity Index (TMI) (scores from 0=healthy to 6=multiple severe chronic conditions). Patients were 55.8±21.6 or 6.1±5.7 years old (mean±SD, in GPs vs. PEDs) and 47% were males. In GP patients, median TMI was 2 (IQR: 1-3). The median numbers of chronic conditions and permanently-used prescribed drugs were 2 (0-5) and 2 (1-4), respectively, whereas in the PEDs medians were 0. 16.7% of the GP and 7.0% of the PED patients had been hospitalized at least once during the previous year; patients cared by family/proxies or community nurses had been hospitalized significantly more often than patients living in homes (50.1 vs. 35.4%, OR 1.41, p<0.001). 51.5% of the patients over 80 years of age were care-dependent, and 45.5% of the patients over 90 were living in homes for the elderly. In a representative sample of Swiss primary care patients, a substantial part showed multimorbidity with a high burden for disease, treatment and care-dependency. Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0229537, national study registrywww.kofam.ch SNCTP000001207.
 
Keywords: Multimorbidity, comorbidity, morbidity, drug treatment, drug utilization, polymedication, polypharmacy, care-dependency, hospitalization, primary health care, patient care management, delivery of health care, adult, child, Switzerland.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 339-349, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prostate cancer screening knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among men in Bamenda, Cameroon

¹Kaninjing Ernest, ²Rahman Saleh,¹Close Fran, ¹Pierre Rodrigue, ¹Dutton Matthew, ¹Lamango Nazarius and ¹Onokpise Oghenekome

¹Florida A&M University, Institute of Public Health, Frederick Humphries Research Center, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA. 

²University of Central Florida, College of Medicine, Health Science Campus at Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida 32827, USA.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 March, 2017

Abstract

In Cameroon, few population-based studies have examined factors associated with screening for prostate cancer.  This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate prostate cancer-related knowledge, assess rates of prostate cancer screening, and explore factors influencing screening in Bamenda. Questionnaires were administered to a cluster random sample of 556 men. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of the factors on screening.  A medium level of knowledge was found among 55.2% of participants regarding prostate cancer risk factors while the screening rate for that affection was 8.1% among the study population.  The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for prostate cancer screening among men who are 65 years-old and older as opposed to men aged 40 to 44 years-old was 4.4 [1.1 - 17.6]. Furthermore, 6.4 [1.9 – 20.9] was the adjusted OR and 95% CI for screening among men with income > 150,000.00 Francs relative to those with income < 50,000.00 Francs. The adjusted OR and 95% CI was 14.8 [6.6 – 33.4] for screening among men aware of screening tests relative to those not aware. Age, income, and awareness were the factors associated with prostate cancer screening among men in Bamenda where screening rate was low and knowledge level was average.

Keywords: Prostate cancer, screening, knowledge, awareness, attitudes and beliefs, Bamenda, Cameroon.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (3), pp. 332-338, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors contributing to non-compliance with treatment among tuberculosis patients-Kassala State- Sudan-2016

Mohammed El-Muttalut* and Mustafa Khidir Elnimeiri

Faculty of Medicine-Alneelain University-Khartoum-Sudan.

E-mail: [email protected]

Received 19 February, 2017; Revised 10 February, 2017; Accepted 22 February, 2017 and Published 13 March, 2017

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a global health problem. Sudan shoulders 8% of tuberculosis burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Kassala State, in Eastern Sudan, is one of the most affected states with annual TB risk of 120 new cases per 100,000 of populations. Non-compliance to tuberculosis treatment is common, and is the most important cause of failure of initial therapy, relapse and emergence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis cases. The overall objective of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with non-compliance with TB treatment among TB patients in Kassala State. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kassala State. The sample size mounted to 366 participants who were selected using simple random sampling technique. A standardized administered pre-tested, pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire consisted of 10 sections with a total of 80 questions. A multivariate logistic regression analysis model was built using the enter method for the statistically significant variables at univariate analysis level taking P-value of 0.25 to determine the association between non-compliance and the study outcomes. 366 TB patients were included in this study, of whom 60 were treatment defaulters. TB patients aged 40 years and above, and those living in rural areas were found to be at higher risk of default with P-value 0.023 and 0.013 respectively. Lower education level and low income were also found to be significantly associated with treatment default with P-value 0.024 and 0.045 respectively. The study revealed that discontinuing treatment after feeling better (and wrongly perceiving it as cure) at the start of continuation phase was the most important predictor of treatment default with P-value 0.004. Non-compliance was found to be influenced by multiple factors including lack of patient knowledge and awareness about TB and its treatment (stopping treatment after feeling better), low education level, low income level and age and residence of the patient. It is necessary to educate patients about various aspects of tuberculosis and its treatment as it is the key intervention to lower the default rate. Moreover, effective supervision, close follow up and support for TB patients is crucial, particularly for those aged 40 years and above, living in rural areas and those of low education and income level.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, non-compliance, cross-sectional, Kassala State, Sudan. 

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (2), pp. 318-331, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Environmental factors affecting the occurrence of autistic disorder

Donald A. Ford*, Jordan D. Sparks, Bryan Ben Bruce and Michael K. Handler

Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute, 1749 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

Email:[email protected]

Received 15 December, 2016; Accepted 13 January, 2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate a previously overlooked, universally introduced environmental factor, fetal and retroviral contaminants in childhood vaccines, absent prior to change points (CPs) in autistic disorder (AD) prevalence with subsequent dose-effect evidence and known pathologic mechanisms of action. Worldwide population based cohort study was used for the design of this study. The United States, Western Australia, United Kingdom and Denmark settings were used. All live born infants who later developed autistic disorder delivered after 1 January 1970, whose redacted vaccination and autistic disorder diagnosis information is publicly available in databases maintained by the US Federal Government, Western Australia, UK, and Denmark. The live births, grouped by father’s age, were from the US and Australia. The children vaccinated with MMRII, Varicella and Hepatitis A vaccines varied from 19 to 35 months of age at the time of vaccination. Autistic disorder birth year change points were identified as 1980.9, 1988.4 and 1996 for the US, 1987 for UK, 1990.4 for Western Australia, and 1987.5 for Denmark. Change points in these countries corresponded to introduction of or increased doses of human fetal cell line-manufactured vaccines, while no relationship was found between paternal age or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) revisions and autistic disorder diagnosis. Further, linear regression revealed that Varicella and Hepatitis A immunization coverage was significantly correlated to autistic disorder cases. R software was used to calculate change points. Autistic disorder change points years are coincident with introduction of vaccines manufactured using human fetal cell lines, containing fetal and retroviral contaminants, into childhood vaccine regimens. This pattern was repeated in the US, UK, Western Australia and Denmark. Thus, rising autistic disorder prevalence is directly related to vaccines manufactured utilizing human fetal cells. Increased paternal age and DSM revisions were not related to rising autistic disorder prevalence.

Key words: Autism disorder, change point, vaccine, paternal age.