Background. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. Knowledge of glycemic index (GI) is important in its prevention and management. The GI measures how rapidly or slowly the blood glucose increases after food consumption. Stiff porridge (ugali) is an African cuisine that can be prepared from various cereal grains and consumed alongside a relish, including milk. The impact of cereal grain type and milk on the GI of ugali is not understood. Objectives. To determine the GI of ugali prepared from maize, millet, and sorghum and establish the impact of fermented milk on the GI. Methods. Proximate composition was determined using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Moisture, fat, protein, ash, and crude fiber content were determined by oven drying, soxhlet, Kjeldahl, dry ashing, and Hennenberg and Stohmann methods, respectively. Carbohydrate content was determined by difference. The GI was determined using standard procedures (ISO 26642:2010). Blood sugar response curves were generated using Microsoft Excel software. The GI was computed by dividing the incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of test food by the IAUC of glucose and then multiplied by 100. Data were analyzed using GenStat 14th Edition software. Results. Maize ugali had significantly higher carbohydrate content as opposed to millet or sorghum ugali (P<0.05). The GI for plain ugali followed the order sorghum (72) > maize (67) > millet (46). When consumed alongside fermented milk, the GI order was maize (70) > millet (67) > sorghum (57). Conclusion. Millet-based ugali may be used in the management of diabetes. Fermented milk lowers the GI of sorghum ugali and increases the GI of maize and millet ugali.
背景。糖尿病的发病率在全球范围内不断上升。了解血糖生成指数（GI）对预防和控制糖尿病非常重要。血糖生成指数衡量的是进食后血糖上升的快慢。糙米粥（ugali）是一种非洲美食，可由各种谷物制成，与包括牛奶在内的调味品一起食用。谷物种类和牛奶对 ugali GI 的影响尚不清楚。研究目的确定用玉米、小米和高粱制作的乌加利的 GI，并确定发酵牛奶对 GI 的影响。方法。采用官方分析化学家协会的方法测定近似成分。水分、脂肪、蛋白质、灰分和粗纤维含量分别用烘箱干燥法、索氏法、凯氏定氮法、干灰分法以及亨能堡和斯托曼法测定。碳水化合物含量采用差值法测定。GI 采用标准程序（ISO 26642:2010）测定。使用 Microsoft Excel 软件生成血糖反应曲线。计算 GI 的方法是用测试食物的曲线下面积增量除以葡萄糖的曲线下面积增量，然后乘以 100。数据使用 GenStat 14th Edition 软件进行分析。结果玉米ugali的碳水化合物含量明显高于小米或高粱ugali（P玉米（67）>小米（46））。与发酵奶一起食用时，GI 排序为玉米（70）>小米（67）>高粱（57）。结论以小米为基础的乌加力可用于糖尿病的治疗。发酵奶可降低高粱乌加力的 GI，提高玉米和小米乌加力的 GI。
{"title":"Glycemic Index Values of Stiff Porridge (Ugali) Prepared from Maize, Millet, and Sorghum Flours: Which One for Diabetes Management?","authors":"Lorraine Amwoma, Rebecca Ebere, J. Arimi","doi":"10.1155/2023/6641966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6641966","url":null,"abstract":"Background. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. Knowledge of glycemic index (GI) is important in its prevention and management. The GI measures how rapidly or slowly the blood glucose increases after food consumption. Stiff porridge (ugali) is an African cuisine that can be prepared from various cereal grains and consumed alongside a relish, including milk. The impact of cereal grain type and milk on the GI of ugali is not understood. Objectives. To determine the GI of ugali prepared from maize, millet, and sorghum and establish the impact of fermented milk on the GI. Methods. Proximate composition was determined using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Moisture, fat, protein, ash, and crude fiber content were determined by oven drying, soxhlet, Kjeldahl, dry ashing, and Hennenberg and Stohmann methods, respectively. Carbohydrate content was determined by difference. The GI was determined using standard procedures (ISO 26642:2010). Blood sugar response curves were generated using Microsoft Excel software. The GI was computed by dividing the incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of test food by the IAUC of glucose and then multiplied by 100. Data were analyzed using GenStat 14th Edition software. Results. Maize ugali had significantly higher carbohydrate content as opposed to millet or sorghum ugali (P<0.05). The GI for plain ugali followed the order sorghum (72) > maize (67) > millet (46). When consumed alongside fermented milk, the GI order was maize (70) > millet (67) > sorghum (57). Conclusion. Millet-based ugali may be used in the management of diabetes. Fermented milk lowers the GI of sorghum ugali and increases the GI of maize and millet ugali.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"2 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139156748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Research on migration as a risk factor for obesity has produced inconsistent findings. Potential influence of migration as a social determinant of obesity has not been previously explored in New Zealand (NZ) as a migrant receiving country. This study aimed to investigate the link between maternal migration status and residential duration and childhood overweight/obesity risk in NZ, considering sociodemographic characteristics and obesogenic behaviors. Data on 5,506 4- to 5-year-old children and their mothers were taken from a large and nationally representative cohort study in NZ (the Growing Up in NZ Study). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between maternal migration status, maternal residential duration, and child’s overweight/obesity risk and the risk of adopting obesogenic behaviors independent of socioeconomic influences. A lower proportion of children of foreign-born mothers presented with overweight/obesity (26%) at age 5 years compared with children of NZ-born mothers (29.6%) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.74, 0.98)). Maternal residential duration had no association with children’s weight status among migrant families. Regarding obesogenic behaviors, the findings were mixed with children of foreign-born mothers having lower odds of consuming fast food (AOR 0.77, 95% CI (0.65, 0.91)) and soft drinks (AOR 0.87, 95% CI (0.76, 0.99)); however, they had higher odds of having inadequate sleep duration (AOR 2.25, 95% CI (1.85, 2.73)). The lower prevalence of overweight/obesity and lower odds of consuming fast foods and soft drinks among children of foreign-born mothers indicate potential protective factors within migrant families. However, the increased likelihood of inadequate sleep duration highlights an area of concern that warrants further attention and intervention. The findings emphasize the importance of considering diverse social determinants of health and specific risk factors when developing targeted interventions to address childhood overweight/obesity.
关于移民是肥胖症风险因素的研究结果并不一致。新西兰作为一个移民接收国，其移民作为肥胖症社会决定因素的潜在影响此前尚未得到探讨。本研究旨在考虑社会人口特征和致肥胖行为，调查新西兰母亲移民身份和居住时间与儿童超重/肥胖风险之间的联系。5506 名 4 至 5 岁儿童及其母亲的数据来自新西兰一项具有全国代表性的大型队列研究（新西兰成长研究）。研究人员进行了多变量逻辑回归分析，以研究母亲移民身份、母亲居住时间、儿童超重/肥胖风险和采取致肥胖行为风险之间的关联，而不考虑社会经济影响因素。与新西兰出生的母亲的子女（29.6%）相比，外国出生母亲的子女（26%）在5岁时出现超重/肥胖的比例较低（调整后的几率比（AOR）为0.85，95%置信区间（CI）为（0.74，0.98））。在移民家庭中，母亲居住时间的长短与儿童的体重状况没有关系。关于导致肥胖的行为，研究结果不一，外国出生母亲的子女食用快餐（AOR 0.77，95% CI (0.65，0.91)）和软饮料（AOR 0.87，95% CI (0.76，0.99)）的几率较低；然而，他们睡眠时间不足（AOR 2.25，95% CI (1.85，2.73)）的几率较高。外国出生母亲的子女超重/肥胖发生率较低，食用快餐和软饮料的几率也较低，这表明移民家庭中存在潜在的保护因素。然而，睡眠时间不足的几率增加，凸显了一个值得进一步关注和干预的问题。研究结果强调，在制定有针对性的干预措施以解决儿童超重/肥胖问题时，考虑健康的各种社会决定因素和特定风险因素非常重要。
{"title":"Childhood Overweight/Obesity amidst Migration, Socioeconomic Factors, and Obesogenic Behaviors: Insights from the Growing Up in New Zealand Study","authors":"Mehdi Rahimi, Allen Bartley, L. Hashemi","doi":"10.1155/2023/5592593","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5592593","url":null,"abstract":"Research on migration as a risk factor for obesity has produced inconsistent findings. Potential influence of migration as a social determinant of obesity has not been previously explored in New Zealand (NZ) as a migrant receiving country. This study aimed to investigate the link between maternal migration status and residential duration and childhood overweight/obesity risk in NZ, considering sociodemographic characteristics and obesogenic behaviors. Data on 5,506 4- to 5-year-old children and their mothers were taken from a large and nationally representative cohort study in NZ (the Growing Up in NZ Study). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between maternal migration status, maternal residential duration, and child’s overweight/obesity risk and the risk of adopting obesogenic behaviors independent of socioeconomic influences. A lower proportion of children of foreign-born mothers presented with overweight/obesity (26%) at age 5 years compared with children of NZ-born mothers (29.6%) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.74, 0.98)). Maternal residential duration had no association with children’s weight status among migrant families. Regarding obesogenic behaviors, the findings were mixed with children of foreign-born mothers having lower odds of consuming fast food (AOR 0.77, 95% CI (0.65, 0.91)) and soft drinks (AOR 0.87, 95% CI (0.76, 0.99)); however, they had higher odds of having inadequate sleep duration (AOR 2.25, 95% CI (1.85, 2.73)). The lower prevalence of overweight/obesity and lower odds of consuming fast foods and soft drinks among children of foreign-born mothers indicate potential protective factors within migrant families. However, the increased likelihood of inadequate sleep duration highlights an area of concern that warrants further attention and intervention. The findings emphasize the importance of considering diverse social determinants of health and specific risk factors when developing targeted interventions to address childhood overweight/obesity.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"119 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139198558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Crawford, N. Kapisavanhu, J. Moore, C. Crawford, T. Lundy
International and global migration has risen over the last 50 years, and this trend is not expected to change. Immigrants and refugees make sociocultural and economic contributions to settlement states; however, this does not always mean that they feel included or welcomed. Social exclusion as a determinant of health reflects the social inequalities of some groups in a population over others. Immigrants and refugees are excluded from participating in social, economic, civic, and political domains within Western settlement countries; women experience greater social exclusion because of intersecting social identities and the interplay between sociostructural systems that create inequalities within host societies. To explore this phenomenon more fully, we conducted a critical review of how social exclusion and inclusion are experienced by women settling in Western contexts and the factors that impact daily life and health. Intersectionality was the lens with which we situated, examined, and analyzed the findings of the critical review to inform the development of a conceptual model. A five-stage process was used to comprehensively review the literature using six databases. Sixty papers were included in the review. The conceptual model highlighted two overarching themes that were further distinguished by micro-, meso-, and macro-level factors of exclusion and inclusion. The first theme considers the causes and outcomes of social exclusion represented as social determinants in the context of settlement and includes social environment, social supports, language ability, discrimination and racism, settlement and identity, income and employment, education and professional credentials, institutions, and government services. The second theme of social inclusionary processes consisted of social capital, social and civic participation, empowerment, and policies and settlement programs. The conceptual model advances knowledge of potential improvements required in formal settlement programs and the importance of informal programs that collectively may enhance inclusion for immigrant/refugee women and their families in Western contexts.
{"title":"A Critical Review of Social Exclusion and Inclusion among Immigrant and Refugee Women","authors":"J. Crawford, N. Kapisavanhu, J. Moore, C. Crawford, T. Lundy","doi":"10.1155/2023/8889358","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8889358","url":null,"abstract":"International and global migration has risen over the last 50 years, and this trend is not expected to change. Immigrants and refugees make sociocultural and economic contributions to settlement states; however, this does not always mean that they feel included or welcomed. Social exclusion as a determinant of health reflects the social inequalities of some groups in a population over others. Immigrants and refugees are excluded from participating in social, economic, civic, and political domains within Western settlement countries; women experience greater social exclusion because of intersecting social identities and the interplay between sociostructural systems that create inequalities within host societies. To explore this phenomenon more fully, we conducted a critical review of how social exclusion and inclusion are experienced by women settling in Western contexts and the factors that impact daily life and health. Intersectionality was the lens with which we situated, examined, and analyzed the findings of the critical review to inform the development of a conceptual model. A five-stage process was used to comprehensively review the literature using six databases. Sixty papers were included in the review. The conceptual model highlighted two overarching themes that were further distinguished by micro-, meso-, and macro-level factors of exclusion and inclusion. The first theme considers the causes and outcomes of social exclusion represented as social determinants in the context of settlement and includes social environment, social supports, language ability, discrimination and racism, settlement and identity, income and employment, education and professional credentials, institutions, and government services. The second theme of social inclusionary processes consisted of social capital, social and civic participation, empowerment, and policies and settlement programs. The conceptual model advances knowledge of potential improvements required in formal settlement programs and the importance of informal programs that collectively may enhance inclusion for immigrant/refugee women and their families in Western contexts.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"65 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139205480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Rachina, P. Zakharenkova, R.S. Kozlov, I. Palagin, D. Mamchich, D. Strelkova
Background. The inappropriate and overuse of antimicrobials is a problem worldwide. To target future interventions, a thorough understanding of current behavior reasons is needed. The aim of the study was to explore antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among patients residing in Russia. Methods. In total, 149 semistructured interviews were carried out with respondents using antibiotics without prescriptions. Interviews were used to assess participants’ practices to treat symptoms of a confirmed/suspected infectious disease and their behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes toward the use of antimicrobials. A directed content analysis was applied. Results. Despite regulation, inappropriate use of antibiotics is a common practice. Knowledge on the mechanism of action and indications for the use of antibiotics was generally low. However, self-diagnosis, self-treatment with antimicrobials, and attempts to purchase antibiotics in pharmacies with no prescription were quite common. Family members and friends were involved in decisions about treatment strategy. Time spent for the doctor’s visit, fear to be exposed to additional infections in outpatient clinics/hospitals, previous experience with antimicrobial self-treatment, and “loyal” policy of selling antibiotics influenced the respondents’ decisions of not going to the doctor. COVID-19 made an impact on antimicrobial self-treatment: there was a substantial complexity in contacting a medical healthcare provider. Most of the respondents did not pay much attention or even noticed informational materials on the proper use of antibiotics. Conclusion. Self-treatment with antibiotics in Russia exists. Conducted information campaigns were not effective enough as the low level of knowledge about antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance was revealed by the present study.
{"title":"The Antibiotic Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Patients Purchasing Antibiotics without Prescription: Results of National Survey","authors":"S. Rachina, P. Zakharenkova, R.S. Kozlov, I. Palagin, D. Mamchich, D. Strelkova","doi":"10.1155/2023/3306067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3306067","url":null,"abstract":"Background. The inappropriate and overuse of antimicrobials is a problem worldwide. To target future interventions, a thorough understanding of current behavior reasons is needed. The aim of the study was to explore antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among patients residing in Russia. Methods. In total, 149 semistructured interviews were carried out with respondents using antibiotics without prescriptions. Interviews were used to assess participants’ practices to treat symptoms of a confirmed/suspected infectious disease and their behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes toward the use of antimicrobials. A directed content analysis was applied. Results. Despite regulation, inappropriate use of antibiotics is a common practice. Knowledge on the mechanism of action and indications for the use of antibiotics was generally low. However, self-diagnosis, self-treatment with antimicrobials, and attempts to purchase antibiotics in pharmacies with no prescription were quite common. Family members and friends were involved in decisions about treatment strategy. Time spent for the doctor’s visit, fear to be exposed to additional infections in outpatient clinics/hospitals, previous experience with antimicrobial self-treatment, and “loyal” policy of selling antibiotics influenced the respondents’ decisions of not going to the doctor. COVID-19 made an impact on antimicrobial self-treatment: there was a substantial complexity in contacting a medical healthcare provider. Most of the respondents did not pay much attention or even noticed informational materials on the proper use of antibiotics. Conclusion. Self-treatment with antibiotics in Russia exists. Conducted information campaigns were not effective enough as the low level of knowledge about antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance was revealed by the present study.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139236868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background. Premature birth occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation. It has a greater risk of developmental disabilities, health, and growth problems than full birth. It is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify determinants of the survival time of premature neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Shambu General Hospital. Methods. A retrospective study design was used. Data were collected from medical records of premature neonates from January 2018 to March 2021. A total of 361 premature neonates were included in the study. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan–Meier (KM) curve and log-rank test were computed. The survival time of preterm neonates were compared for different categorical covariates. The Cox’s proportional hazard model was fitted. The fitness and statistical assumptions of the model were checked. Parametric regression models were compared. Weibull regression model was fitted for premature data to identify the predictors of death time of the premature neonates. Results. The proportion of premature neonatal death was 23.3%. Gestational age, neonatal sex, place of residence, hemoglobin (Hb) level, hypertension status, HIV status, antenatal care, mode of delivery, birth weight, multiple pregnancies, perinatal asphyxia, and parity greater than 1 were significantly associated with the death time of premature neonates. Conclusion. Percentage of premature neonatal death in this study was 23.3. Improving mothers’ Hb level through routine iron supplementation, encouraging mothers to have regular antenatal follow-up at health institution were recommended.
{"title":"The Determinants of Survival Time of Premature Neonates at Shambu General Hospital","authors":"Olani Debelo","doi":"10.1155/2023/7257849","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7257849","url":null,"abstract":"Background. Premature birth occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation. It has a greater risk of developmental disabilities, health, and growth problems than full birth. It is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify determinants of the survival time of premature neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Shambu General Hospital. Methods. A retrospective study design was used. Data were collected from medical records of premature neonates from January 2018 to March 2021. A total of 361 premature neonates were included in the study. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan–Meier (KM) curve and log-rank test were computed. The survival time of preterm neonates were compared for different categorical covariates. The Cox’s proportional hazard model was fitted. The fitness and statistical assumptions of the model were checked. Parametric regression models were compared. Weibull regression model was fitted for premature data to identify the predictors of death time of the premature neonates. Results. The proportion of premature neonatal death was 23.3%. Gestational age, neonatal sex, place of residence, hemoglobin (Hb) level, hypertension status, HIV status, antenatal care, mode of delivery, birth weight, multiple pregnancies, perinatal asphyxia, and parity greater than 1 were significantly associated with the death time of premature neonates. Conclusion. Percentage of premature neonatal death in this study was 23.3. Improving mothers’ Hb level through routine iron supplementation, encouraging mothers to have regular antenatal follow-up at health institution were recommended.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139245073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Kubuga, Mary Amoako, Frank Kibikal W. Nyimagnun
Students are one vulnerable subgroup that experience a variety of persistent pressures, high levels of stress, and poor mental health due to academic demands. COVID-19 abruptly moved education away from the classroom and mandated that instruction take place either in a small classroom setting or remotely on digital platforms, it added to the already stressed climate. Though it is established that pandemics pose stress and stress affects food intake and academic performance, little has been explored in relation to COVID-19 pandemic induced stress, diet alteration, mental health, and dietary behaviors among university students in Ghana. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on diet alteration, dietary behavior, mental health, and academic performance among the students of the University for Development Studies. In this cross-sectional study design (n = 94), an online survey was conducted among undergraduate students of the University for Development Studies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. According to the study’s findings, all participants had different levels of stress, poor mental health, and problematic eating behaviors. About six out of every 10 students experienced stress induced by COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of the students altered their diets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of the students were also engaged in problematic eating behaviors. Additionally, academic performance of students was heavily influenced: Students who reported worse academic performance were about eight times more likely to be stressed due to COVID-19 pandemic compared to students who reported no change to their academic performance. Our findings suggest that students of UDS experience variety of pressures which were compounded by COVID-19. There is a need for programs that improve stress levels, mental health, and food intake in the university setting.
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Intake, Dietary Behavior, Mental Health, and Academic Performance of a Ghanaian University Students","authors":"C. Kubuga, Mary Amoako, Frank Kibikal W. Nyimagnun","doi":"10.1155/2023/9939966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9939966","url":null,"abstract":"Students are one vulnerable subgroup that experience a variety of persistent pressures, high levels of stress, and poor mental health due to academic demands. COVID-19 abruptly moved education away from the classroom and mandated that instruction take place either in a small classroom setting or remotely on digital platforms, it added to the already stressed climate. Though it is established that pandemics pose stress and stress affects food intake and academic performance, little has been explored in relation to COVID-19 pandemic induced stress, diet alteration, mental health, and dietary behaviors among university students in Ghana. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on diet alteration, dietary behavior, mental health, and academic performance among the students of the University for Development Studies. In this cross-sectional study design (n = 94), an online survey was conducted among undergraduate students of the University for Development Studies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. According to the study’s findings, all participants had different levels of stress, poor mental health, and problematic eating behaviors. About six out of every 10 students experienced stress induced by COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of the students altered their diets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of the students were also engaged in problematic eating behaviors. Additionally, academic performance of students was heavily influenced: Students who reported worse academic performance were about eight times more likely to be stressed due to COVID-19 pandemic compared to students who reported no change to their academic performance. Our findings suggest that students of UDS experience variety of pressures which were compounded by COVID-19. There is a need for programs that improve stress levels, mental health, and food intake in the university setting.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"213 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139243961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background. In 2020, globally, 149.2 million under 5 years old children were stunted. In Africa, 61.4 million and 79 million under 5 years old children in Asia were also stunted in 2020. Stunting is a major public health problem in Ethiopia, where more than 5.5 million children under 5 years old are stunted. Stunting has irreversible and intergenerational health consequences, including impaired cognitive and physical growth, poor learning capacity, and reduced work productivity. Efforts to end stunting need comprehensive and context identification of risk factors. For this reason, this study aims to identify the predictors of stunting among children 6–35 months of age in Northwest Ethiopia. Method. A community-based, unmatched case–control study was employed in the Assosa zone, Benishangul Gumuz, west Ethiopia. A multistage and simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires using validated structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS 25.0 statistical software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were computed. Finally, an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify independent predictors of stunting using a multivariable logistic regression model. Result. The study included 544 mother–child pairs (181 cases and 363 controls), with a 100% response rate. The majority of the mothers, 85 (47.0%) in the case and 153 (42.1%) in the control group, were in the 25- to 29-year-old age group. This study revealed that mothers who had no formal education (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI (1.436, 4.180)), short maternal height (<150 cm) (AOR = 4.25, 95% CI (2.714, 6.663)), exclusive breastfeeding for less than 6 months (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI (1.97, 5.10)), minimum dietary diversity (AOR = 3.09, 95% CI (1.97, 5.01)), additional food during pregnancy (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI (1.44, 3.5)) and food security (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI (1.79, 5.26)) were found to be independently statistically associated with child stunting. Conclusion and Recommendation. This study revealed that the predictors of stunting among children aged 6–35 months were multifactorial, which calls for an integrated and multisectoral intervention to reduce or eliminate stunting. Mothers’ factors, educational status, additional food during pregnancy, and child feeding, including dietary diversity and exclusive breastfeeding, were modifiable predictors of child stunting. Therefore, we call for promoting mothers’ education, creating awareness among mothers about optimum infant and young child feeding, specifically exclusive breastfeeding, and promoting mothers’ practices of dietary diversity feeding.
{"title":"Predictors of Stunting among 6–35 Months Old Children in Assosa Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: Unmatched Case–Control Study","authors":"Habtamu Tadesse Gudeta, Shalama Lekasa Nagari, Degu Getu Dadi, Temkin Abdulahi, Samuel Abose","doi":"10.1155/2023/3491977","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3491977","url":null,"abstract":"Background. In 2020, globally, 149.2 million under 5 years old children were stunted. In Africa, 61.4 million and 79 million under 5 years old children in Asia were also stunted in 2020. Stunting is a major public health problem in Ethiopia, where more than 5.5 million children under 5 years old are stunted. Stunting has irreversible and intergenerational health consequences, including impaired cognitive and physical growth, poor learning capacity, and reduced work productivity. Efforts to end stunting need comprehensive and context identification of risk factors. For this reason, this study aims to identify the predictors of stunting among children 6–35 months of age in Northwest Ethiopia. Method. A community-based, unmatched case–control study was employed in the Assosa zone, Benishangul Gumuz, west Ethiopia. A multistage and simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires using validated structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS 25.0 statistical software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were computed. Finally, an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify independent predictors of stunting using a multivariable logistic regression model. Result. The study included 544 mother–child pairs (181 cases and 363 controls), with a 100% response rate. The majority of the mothers, 85 (47.0%) in the case and 153 (42.1%) in the control group, were in the 25- to 29-year-old age group. This study revealed that mothers who had no formal education (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI (1.436, 4.180)), short maternal height (<150 cm) (AOR = 4.25, 95% CI (2.714, 6.663)), exclusive breastfeeding for less than 6 months (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI (1.97, 5.10)), minimum dietary diversity (AOR = 3.09, 95% CI (1.97, 5.01)), additional food during pregnancy (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI (1.44, 3.5)) and food security (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI (1.79, 5.26)) were found to be independently statistically associated with child stunting. Conclusion and Recommendation. This study revealed that the predictors of stunting among children aged 6–35 months were multifactorial, which calls for an integrated and multisectoral intervention to reduce or eliminate stunting. Mothers’ factors, educational status, additional food during pregnancy, and child feeding, including dietary diversity and exclusive breastfeeding, were modifiable predictors of child stunting. Therefore, we call for promoting mothers’ education, creating awareness among mothers about optimum infant and young child feeding, specifically exclusive breastfeeding, and promoting mothers’ practices of dietary diversity feeding.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"38 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136281733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lawrence Bagrmwin, Britany Ferrell, Bernard Ziem, Reuben Aren-enge Azie, Evans Ibn Samba, Elvis Kuunifaa, Roger K. Kaburu, Francis Kobekyaa, Frederick Dun-Dery, Ruth Nimota Nukpezah
Background. Health resources are key determinants of healthcare coverage. Community members who utilise healthcare have significant insights into the availability of health resources in providing healthcare. Aim. This study sought to explore community (health committee) members’ perspectives on health resource gaps in lower-level health facilities in the municipality. Methods. The qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives of community members who served on the health committee. Thirty-four community health committee members at community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds, maternity-unit CHPS, and health centres were studied. Results. The study found three high-level categories of resource gaps deemed relevant to community members—infrastructural gaps, equipment gaps, and safety-quality gaps. Conclusion and Recommendation. There are perceived gaps in health resources from the community members’ perspective. It is recommended that the Lawra Municipal Health Directorate and other health directorates with similar health resource challenges take steps to fill health resource gaps to ensure universal health coverage.
{"title":"Health Resource Gaps in Primary Health Care Facilities: Community Members’ Perspectives in the Era of Universal Health Coverage in Lawra Municipality, Ghana","authors":"Lawrence Bagrmwin, Britany Ferrell, Bernard Ziem, Reuben Aren-enge Azie, Evans Ibn Samba, Elvis Kuunifaa, Roger K. Kaburu, Francis Kobekyaa, Frederick Dun-Dery, Ruth Nimota Nukpezah","doi":"10.1155/2023/6650854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6650854","url":null,"abstract":"Background. Health resources are key determinants of healthcare coverage. Community members who utilise healthcare have significant insights into the availability of health resources in providing healthcare. Aim. This study sought to explore community (health committee) members’ perspectives on health resource gaps in lower-level health facilities in the municipality. Methods. The qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives of community members who served on the health committee. Thirty-four community health committee members at community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds, maternity-unit CHPS, and health centres were studied. Results. The study found three high-level categories of resource gaps deemed relevant to community members—infrastructural gaps, equipment gaps, and safety-quality gaps. Conclusion and Recommendation. There are perceived gaps in health resources from the community members’ perspective. It is recommended that the Lawra Municipal Health Directorate and other health directorates with similar health resource challenges take steps to fill health resource gaps to ensure universal health coverage.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"36 16","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135432781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Avhatakali Allga Ndou-Mammbona, Idah Moyo, Livhuwani Tshivhase, Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi
Purpose. This study explored the use of traditional entertainment as a means of curbing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spread in the Vhembe district of South Africa. Engaging in cultural dances like tshikona, tshifasi, tshigombela, malende, davha, and musangwe keeps the youth grounded, making it less likely that they will engage in unprotected sexual intercourse. Methods. This qualitative study utilized an ethnographic design. The study was conducted in rural villages in Vhembe district, Limpopo province in South Africa. Eighteen participants consisted of Vhavenda traditional leaders and chiefs who met the selection criteria were purposively selected to participate in the study. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data, guided by an interview guide. Four observations were done concurrently with the interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, and field notes were taken. Ethnographic content analysis was used to analyze the data collected. Results. The results indicate that Vhavenda traditional entertainments like tshigombela and tshikona can be used in reducing and managing the spread of HIV, whereas malende, tshifasi, davha, and musangwe have the potential to spread and increase incidences of HIV. Conclusion. The traditional entertainment such as tshigombela and tshikona can be utilized as they instill good morals. Malende, tshifasi, davha, and musangwe can be repatterned and modified. Traditional entertainments, if properly utilized, can add to the strategies of reducing the new incidences of HIV.
{"title":"Using Vhavenda Traditional Entertainment to Curb HIV Spread in the Rural South African District","authors":"Avhatakali Allga Ndou-Mammbona, Idah Moyo, Livhuwani Tshivhase, Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi","doi":"10.1155/2023/4868639","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4868639","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose. This study explored the use of traditional entertainment as a means of curbing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spread in the Vhembe district of South Africa. Engaging in cultural dances like tshikona, tshifasi, tshigombela, malende, davha, and musangwe keeps the youth grounded, making it less likely that they will engage in unprotected sexual intercourse. Methods. This qualitative study utilized an ethnographic design. The study was conducted in rural villages in Vhembe district, Limpopo province in South Africa. Eighteen participants consisted of Vhavenda traditional leaders and chiefs who met the selection criteria were purposively selected to participate in the study. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data, guided by an interview guide. Four observations were done concurrently with the interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, and field notes were taken. Ethnographic content analysis was used to analyze the data collected. Results. The results indicate that Vhavenda traditional entertainments like tshigombela and tshikona can be used in reducing and managing the spread of HIV, whereas malende, tshifasi, davha, and musangwe have the potential to spread and increase incidences of HIV. Conclusion. The traditional entertainment such as tshigombela and tshikona can be utilized as they instill good morals. Malende, tshifasi, davha, and musangwe can be repatterned and modified. Traditional entertainments, if properly utilized, can add to the strategies of reducing the new incidences of HIV.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"47 18","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135818285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Beatrice Sarpomaa Osei, Peter Agyei-Baffour, Kofi Akohene Mensah, Peter Twum
Background. Ghana has implemented the prevention of mother-to-child transmission strategy (PMTCT) to control HIV infection transmission to babies. However, this has not yielded the desired results, as there are still many mother-to-child HIV infection cases being reported due to factors such as those related to health system barriers. This study was, therefore, conducted to identify health system barriers to the implementation of PMTCT in selected districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 health workers in 20 selected health facilities within the Asante-Akim Central and South Municipalities in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, to assess the health system barriers to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which was later transferred to Kobo Collect software. The study participants were chosen using multistage sampling approaches. The data cleaning and analysis were done using STATA version 16.1. Multiple logistic regression models, chi-square analysis for normality testing, and descriptive analysis were all used. The results were displayed in tables, and a p-value of 0.05 was used to determine the significance level. The study was carried out from June to September 2022. Results. In all, 118 participants were involved in this study. Of this, 57.4% had a good level of knowledge of PMTCT, even though all of them were aware of PMTCT. We found being more than 40 years (Odds Ratio, OR = 2.08 95% CI: 1.05, 5.00) and being in service with Ghana Health Service for more than 15 years (OR = 2.36 95% CI: 0.51,10.84) to be significant predictors of knowledge on PMTCT among our participants. A greater proportion of our participants revealed inadequate staffing as the major challenge faced in the delivery of PMTCT in Ashanti Region. Increased education on PMTCT was the most suggested solution to improve the management of HIV infection among pregnant women and further enhance the success rates of PMTCT in Ashanti Region, Ghana. Conclusions. The majority of the health professionals had good knowledge about the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. However, the number of staff in the two districts was not adequate, which affected public education. It is therefore important to increase the number of staff to enhance educating the public and minimize the transmission rate in the districts and the country as well.
{"title":"Health Systems Barriers to the Implementation of Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Primary Health Care Facilities in Ghana","authors":"Beatrice Sarpomaa Osei, Peter Agyei-Baffour, Kofi Akohene Mensah, Peter Twum","doi":"10.1155/2023/4324697","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4324697","url":null,"abstract":"Background. Ghana has implemented the prevention of mother-to-child transmission strategy (PMTCT) to control HIV infection transmission to babies. However, this has not yielded the desired results, as there are still many mother-to-child HIV infection cases being reported due to factors such as those related to health system barriers. This study was, therefore, conducted to identify health system barriers to the implementation of PMTCT in selected districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 health workers in 20 selected health facilities within the Asante-Akim Central and South Municipalities in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, to assess the health system barriers to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which was later transferred to Kobo Collect software. The study participants were chosen using multistage sampling approaches. The data cleaning and analysis were done using STATA version 16.1. Multiple logistic regression models, chi-square analysis for normality testing, and descriptive analysis were all used. The results were displayed in tables, and a p-value of 0.05 was used to determine the significance level. The study was carried out from June to September 2022. Results. In all, 118 participants were involved in this study. Of this, 57.4% had a good level of knowledge of PMTCT, even though all of them were aware of PMTCT. We found being more than 40 years (Odds Ratio, OR = 2.08 95% CI: 1.05, 5.00) and being in service with Ghana Health Service for more than 15 years (OR = 2.36 95% CI: 0.51,10.84) to be significant predictors of knowledge on PMTCT among our participants. A greater proportion of our participants revealed inadequate staffing as the major challenge faced in the delivery of PMTCT in Ashanti Region. Increased education on PMTCT was the most suggested solution to improve the management of HIV infection among pregnant women and further enhance the success rates of PMTCT in Ashanti Region, Ghana. Conclusions. The majority of the health professionals had good knowledge about the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. However, the number of staff in the two districts was not adequate, which affected public education. It is therefore important to increase the number of staff to enhance educating the public and minimize the transmission rate in the districts and the country as well.","PeriodicalId":30619,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Public Health","volume":"57 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136234865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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