Multiple Binary Logistic Regression Analysis Research Articles

The PCL-R, PAI, and Rorschach as Predictors of Institutional Misconduct with Incarcerated Women

Managing the incarcerated population is the primary task within correctional settings. Using psychological assessment to predict institutional behavior, the psychologist has a unique set of skills essential to the management of prisoners. PCL-R, PAI, and Rorschach data were compared with institutional infractions (total, physical, verbal, non-aggressive) among 126 incarcerated women. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses were used which found significant correlations between PCL-R total score, PAI scales (BOR, ANT, VPI), and Rorschach variables (ROD, EGOI, TCI, AgPot, AgPast, SumV, SumC’, MOR) with total, verbal, physical, and nonviolent incident reports. Each of these measures adds incrementally to the assessment and understanding of institutional misbehavior for incarcerated women. Clinical implications of the findings were presented.

Factors affecting obesity in preadolescents: the case of Cappadocia

Purpose: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the risk factors which affect obesity in preadolescents. 
 Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 500 preadolescents (girls: n=271, boys: n=229) attended in 18 secondary schools in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, and their parents. Data were collected using a questionnaire, the body weight, height, and waist circumference of the preadolescents were measured; the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-height ratio were calculated. 
 Results: Of preadolescents; 14.4% were obese, 11.4% were overweight, 35.2% had abdominal obesity, and 27% had likehood of being at high metabolic and cardiovascular risk based on their waist/height ratio. According to the results of binary multiple logistic regression analysis (the backward stepwise procedure), the presence of an obese person in the family (boys), mother's educational level (girls), leisure time activities (girls), and an increase in eating according to mood (girls) were revealed as significant predictors of being overweight/obese, adjusted for age. Satisfied with current body weight and mother’s BMI were the strongest variable to be associated with overweight/obese for both genders. 
 Conclusion: For early diagnosis and prevention of obesity in childhood, it is recommended to perform height-weight monitoring of students regularly, monitor risky children more frequently, provide training and consultancy for students and parents regarding balanced diets and physical activity, and provide the school-family cooperation.

Malnutrition Prevalence Rates among Dutch Nursing Home Residents: What Has Changed over One Decade? A Comparison of the Years 2009, 2013 and 2018

ObjectivesTo assess changes in prevalence of malnutrition and its associated factors among people living in Dutch nursing homes in 2009, 2013 and 2018.DesignSecondary data analysis of the International Prevalence Measurement of Care Quality (LPZ) study.SettingDutch nursing homes.ParticipantsResidents living at a psychogeriatric or somatic ward in Dutch nursing homes in 2009, 2013 or 2018.Measurementsweight and height, unintentional weight loss over the last month and last six months, age, sex, length of stay up to the measurement day, care dependency, and the presence of various diseases (dementia, diabetes mellitus, stroke, diseases of the respiratory system, respiratory diseases and pressure ulcers).ResultsIn total, 14,317 residents were included in this study with a mean age of 82.2, 70.9 female and 66.8% was living on a psychogeriatric ward. Results of this study show relative stability in background characteristics of the nursing home population over the last decade. In the total sample, 16.7% was malnourished and these percentages were 16.6% in 2009, 17.5% in 2013 and 16.3% in 2018. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses revealed having a pressure ulcer, female sex and living on a psychogeriatric department to be positively associated and having diabetes mellitus to be negatively associated with malnutrition throughout the years. These associations were strong and similar across years.ConclusionEven though much attention has been paid to prevent malnutrition in Dutch nursing homes over the last decades, results show a relatively stable malnutrition prevalence rate of around 16%. This leads to the question if nursing staff is able to sufficiently recognize residents with (a risk of) malnutrition, and if they are aware of interventions they could perform to decrease this rate.

THE PREVALENCE OF UNHEALTHY SNACKING BEHAVIOUR AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH INDIVIDUAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN KUCHING, SARAWAK

Unhealthy snacking behaviour among young people is a growing public health concern because of its negative consequences on health. This study was to determine the prevalence of unhealthy snacking behaviour and its determinants among college students in Kuching. In this cross-sectional study, 12 colleges in Kuching were stratified into private and government colleges. Three private and three government colleges were selected through a stratified random sampling method. A total of 422 respondents (male 49.5%, female 50.5%) were recruited in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data regarding unhealthy snacking behaviour and its determinants (gender, food preferences, type of school and courses, taste-and-sensory perception, nutritional knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, and cost/price sensitivity, perceived parental control, easy accessibility, and media advertisements influence) among respondents. The survey was conducted online via e-mail/Whatsapp. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the data. A quarter of the respondents (24.6%) practised unhealthy snacking behaviour. More than half of the respondents (58.3%) consumed unhealthy snacks one to three times per week. A minority of the respondents (17.1%) claimed that they did not consume any unhealthy snacks for the past month. The final model explained 15.7% of the total variance. Taste-and-sensory perception (Adjusted OR = 2.20, 95%CI [1.55, 3.13], p < 0.001) and nutritional knowledge (Adjusted OR = 1.48, 95%CI [1.12, 1.97), p < 0.05) were positively associated with unhealthy snacking behaviour among respondents. The present study suggested the stakeholders concentrate on nutritional knowledge and taste-and-sensory perception among college students in future intervention development

Risky sexual behaviour among Russian adolescents: association with internalizing and externalizing symptoms

BackgroundRisky sexual behaviour (RSB) is regarded as a major health problem during adolescence. Russia has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy, abortion and newly diagnosed HIV infections in the world, but research on RSB in Russian youth has been limited. To address this deficit, this study examined the role of several factors, including internalizing and externalizing symptoms, in RSB among Russian adolescents.MethodsSelf-reported data were collected from 2573 Russian adolescents aged 13–17 years old (59.4 % girls; Mean age = 14.89) regarding RSB (unprotected sex, early pregnancy, multiple sexual partners and substance use during sexual encounters). Information was also obtained on externalizing (conduct problems and delinquent behaviour) and internalizing (depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress) symptoms, as well as interpersonal risk and protective factors (affiliation with delinquent peers, parental involvement and teacher support). Hierarchical multiple binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between these variables and RSB.ResultsBoys reported engaging in more RSB than girls. Externalizing symptoms and affiliation with delinquent peers were most strongly associated with RSB, whereas symptoms of anxiety were negatively associated with RSB. There was an interaction effect for sex and affiliation with delinquent peers on RSB with boys reporting RSB when having more delinquent peers. Neither parental involvement nor teacher support were protective against RSB.ConclusionsEarly detection of and interventions for RSB and associated externalizing symptoms may be important for adolescent physical and mental wellbeing. Affiliation with delinquent peers should, especially among boys, be regarded as a risk marker for RSB.

Clinical and Radiological Predictors of Early Intervention in Acute Ureteral Colic.

PurposeAcute ureteric colic (AUC) is generally one of the most common reasons for emergency department attendance. Expectant management is recommended in non-complicated ureteral calculi. However, data regarding the optimal duration of observation or indications of early intervention (EI) are not well understood. This article describes the clinical and radiological factors that promote EI in AUC.Patients and MethodsThis was an observational and retrospective cohort study. Patients with AUC diagnosed based on non-contrast computerized tomography (NCCT) between 2019 and 2020 were enrolled in the study. These patients were classified into two main categories: spontaneous passage of stone (SSP) and EI. In addition, a comparative analysis was performed to identify clinical and radiological variables that promote EI.ResultsOne-hundred and sixty-one patients were included. High WBCs are associated with a significant increase in EI. Forty-three percent (n=37) of patients with serum WBCs higher than 10 had an EI, while 23% had SSP (n=17;p<0.001). High CRP level is also significantly associated with EI (n=36; 86%; p<0.001). Upper and middle ureteral calculi are statistically associated with EI (n=54; 62%) in comparison to the SSP cohort (n=22; 30%;p<0.001). EI is also linked to the maximal length of ureteric calculi (MCL) of 9 mm (6–13mm), and HU density of stone of 700 (430–990) H.U (p<0.001). Ureteric stone volume of 0.2 (0.06–0.3) cm3 is significantly associated with EI (p<0.001). Ureteral wall thickness of 3 (2–3 mm), the presence of extrarenal pelvis (n=20; 23%), and AP diameter of renal pelvis 18 (13–28 mm) are all significantly associated with a higher rate of EI (p<0.001). Multiple binary logistic regression analysis showed that MCL is the strongest predictor of EI.ConclusionMCL is an independent and robust predictor of EI in AUC. Biochemical variables and radiological characteristics can also act as an adjunct to promote EI.

Determinants of reverse dipping blood pressure in normotensive, non-diabetic population with an office measurement below 130/85mmHg

ABSTRACT Objective: The role of dipping blood pressure pattern in normotensives is unclear. The study aims to search the circadian blood pressure rhythm and the clinical determinants related to reverse dipping pattern in a strictly selected, normotensive population. Methods: The study population was divided into three groups depending on the nocturnal dipping pattern as dipping, non-dipping, and reverse dipping. Basal clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and spot urine samples from the first-morning void were collected. Clinical determinants related to the presence of reverse dipping pattern were tested by the Multiple Binary Logistic Regression analysis. Results: A total of 233 participants were involved in the study population (median age 45 years [40–50]). Dipping pattern was detected in 55.4%, non-dipping pattern in 33.0%, and reverse dipping pattern in 11.6% of the study population. There was no difference between the groups in terms of basal clinical features. Albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) (p < .001) and hs-CRP levels (p = .006) were also statistically significant across the groups. ACR (HR: 1.195, 95% CI: 1.067–1.338, p = .002) and hs-CRP (HR: 2.438, 95% CI: 1.023–5.808, p = .044) were found to be related to the presence of reverse dipping blood pressure pattern. Conclusions: The absence of nocturnal physiological dipping is seen at a remarkable rate in the normotensive Turkish population. ACR and hs-CRP are the clinical determinants related to the presence of reverse dipping blood pressure pattern.

Growing Up With Terrorism: The Age at Which a Terrorist Attack Was Suffered and Emotional Disorders in Adulthood.

Abundant scientific literature shows that exposure to traumatic situations during childhood or adolescence has long-term psychopathological consequences, for example, in the form of a higher prevalence of emotional disorders in adulthood. However, an evolutionary perspective suggests that there may be differential vulnerabilities depending on the age at which the trauma was suffered. As there are no studies on the psychopathological impact in adulthood of attacks suffered during childhood or adolescence, the objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the age at which a terrorist attack was suffered in the presence of emotional disorders many years after the attack. A sample of 566 direct and indirect victims of terrorist attacks in Spain was recruited, of whom 50 people were between the age of 3 and 9 when they suffered the attack, 46 were between 10 and 17 years old, and 470 were adults. All of them underwent a structured diagnostic interview (SCID-I-VC) an average of 21 years after the attacks. No significant differences were found between the three age groups at which the attack occurred in terms of the current prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, or anxiety disorders. The results of several multiple binary logistic regression analyses also indicated that, after controlling for the effect of sex, current age, the type of victims, and the time since the attack, the age at which the attack was suffered was not related to the current prevalence of those emotional disorders. The results are discussed concerning the differences between various types of trauma and in the context of the theories that propose that traumatic experiences are processed differently at different ages and can lead to differences in the likelihood of developing different emotional disorders.

The Quality of Life and Influencing Factors in Turkish Children Receiving Cancer Treatment

PurposeThis study was conducted to determine the quality of life and the influencing factors in children aged 8–12 years who are treated for cancer in Turkey. Design and methodsThe cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on 300 children with cancer and their parents. The data were collected using the Questionnaire Form and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory PedsQL (4.0) Child and Parent Form. Descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, univariate and multiple binary logistic regression analysis were used for the evaluation. ResultsThe mean age of the children was 8.92 ± 0.98 years and the quality of life scores in all sub-dimensions and in total (36.26 ± 5.23) were found to be low. According to the univariate binary logistic regression analysis, the father being unemployed, the house being heated with a stove, and development of extravasation during the chemotherapy treatment process created a risk of decreasing the children's quality of life score (7.15 units, 41.29 units, and 44.47 units, respectively) (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe father's unemployment, heating the house with a stove, and the development of extravasation during treatment were found to affect the children's quality of life negatively in the study. Inter-institutional cooperation, taking the necessary measures to decrease the frequency of extravasation development, and ensuring nurses continue family-centered care during these processes are recommended to support the families. Practice implicationsInterventions for early detection and prevention of the negative changes related to the quality of life in children with cancer need to be planned.

Measuring smartphone dependency and exploration of consequences and comorbidities

“Nomophobia” is the fear of not being able to use your smartphone and has been noted to be associated with excessive levels of smartphone dependency. For many, these devices have become an extension of ourselves, which raises hesitation on whether or not society has become addicted to smartphones. Specific diagnostic criteria for smartphone addiction have yet to be settled, and even use of the word “addiction” when describing excessive usage of smartphones is controversial. We therefore utilize current measures to explore the symptoms of smartphone dependency and their hierarchy, as well as comorbidities including social anxiety, self-esteem, and distracted driving. A total of 159 adults from a research-intensive university in the Midwestern United States completed an anonymous online survey. Through factor analytic and Rasch modeling methods, it was found that based on a single measure for one's level of nomophobia, the degree to which smartphone use interferes with daily life can be qualified. The relationship between nomophobia and social anxiety supports the hypothesis that smartphone addiction can be magnified by personality traits and other psychiatric comorbidities. Both multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression analyses found that phone usage while driving and being female were found to be significant positive predictors of smartphone dependency. It is apparent that technology addiction and smartphone addiction need to be studied among a greater population, especially among women and those who use their smartphones while driving.

Association between household income and pulse pressure: data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Purpose There has been limited evidence for the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and arterial stiffness. This study was performed to investigate the association between household income and brachial pulse pressure (PP) in the general Korean population. Materials and methods This study was based on data acquired in the 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2018 KNHANES). A total of 13004 subjects at the age of 20 years or older analysed. The information on monthly household income was obtained through the questionnaire, and was stratified into 5 groups for each quintile. Brachial blood pressure (BP) was measured 3 times, and the average of the second and third measured BPs were used. PP was calculated as the difference between systolic and diastolic BPs. Results A lower household income was associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. As household income increased, PP decreased proportionally (p < .001). In multiple linear regression analysis, household income (per quintile) was independently associated with PP even after controlling for potential confounders (β = −.125, p < .001). Multiple binary logistic regression analysis showed that the increased household income level was significantly associated lower probability having higher PP (≥ 43.5 mmHg) even after controlling for multiple covariates (the lowest vs. the highest household income; odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, .41–.55; p < .001). Conclusion Low household income was associated with higher PP. This provides additional evidence for the association between low SES and high arterial stiffness.

Assessment of pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting and their association in the early postoperative period: an observational study from Palestine

BackgroundPostoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postoperative pain (POP) are most commonly experienced in the early hours after surgery. Many studies have reported high rates of PONV and POP, and have identified factors that could predict the development of these complications. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PONV and POP, and to identify some factors associated with these symptoms.MethodsThis was a prospective, multicentre, observational study performed at An-Najah National University Hospital and Rafidia Governmental Hospital, the major surgical hospitals in northern Palestine, from October 2019 to February 2020. A data collection form, adapted from multiple previous studies, was used to evaluate factors associated with PONV and POP in patients undergoing elective surgery. Patients were interviewed during the first 24 h following surgery. Multiple binary logistic regression was applied to determine factors that were significantly associated with the occurrence of PONV.ResultsOf the 211 patients included, nausea occurred in 43.1%, vomiting in 17.5%, and PONV in 45.5%. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis, using PONV as a dependent variable, showed that only patients with a history of PONV [odds ratio (OR) = 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–5.01; p = 0.041] and POP (OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.17–4.97; p = 0.018) were significantly associated with the occurrence of PONV. Most participants (74.4%) reported experiencing pain at some point during the first 24 h following surgery. Additionally, the type and duration of surgery were significantly associated with POP (p-values were 0.002 and 0.006, respectively).ConclusionsPONV and POP are common complications in our surgical patients. Factors associated with PONV include a prior history of PONV and POP. Patients at risk should be identified, the proper formulation of PONV protocols should be considered, and appropriate management plans should be implemented to improve patients’ outcomes.

Sequential motion rate and oral reading rate: normative data for Greek and clinical implications

Introduction The aim of the present study was to provide normative data in Greek, regarding sequential motion rate (SMR) and oral reading rate (ORR), and to show the sensitivity of both tasks to predict Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods The speech rate of sixty-five healthy control participants was recorded and analyzed using speech acoustics. The speech rate of a subsample of 20 healthy control participants was compared to the speech rate of 20 pair-matched dysarthric parkinsonian participants. All participants produced the syllables /pataka/ (SMR task) as quickly as possible and read aloud a standard Greek passage (ORR task). Results In normative data, the mean score for the SMR variable was 4.91 syllables per second (SD = 0.73) and for the ORR variable was 4.42 syllables per second (SD = 0.87). The Mann–Whitney test showed significant differences between the two groups of participants in the SMR (U = 64.000, Z = –4.60, p < .001) and ORR (U = 77.000, Z = –4.36, p < .001). Multiple binary logistic regression analysis examined the combined effect of ORR and SMR on the occurrence of the disease. The sensitivity of both tasks to predict PD was found to be 0.88 and the specificity 0.90. The optimal screening cutoff point was found to be 4.66 syllables/second for the SMR task and 2.79 syllables/second for the ORR task. Conclusions This study provided Greek normative data in SMR and ORR tasks. Both tasks showed high sensitivity and specificity to predict PD in the Greek sample of participants.

Relation between fragmented QRS complex and cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects

ABSTRACT Objectives Stiffness of large arteries has been related to cardiovascular mortality. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel marker of arterial stiffness. Herein, we aimed to study the relationship between fragmented QRS (fQRS) in electrocardiogram and CAVI. Methods Asymptomatic patients with fQRS and without fQRS were enrolled in the study consecutively. The fQRS complexes were analyzed in the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Arterial stiffness was assessed by using cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI). It was measured by a VaSera VS-1000 CAVI instrument. Results CAVI values of the patients with fQRS was significantly higher compared to those without fQRS (8.625 (7.9–9.2) versus 6.65 (6.7–8.4) p < .001). In a univariate analysis, it was revealed that there was a significant correlation between increased CAVI and fQRS, age, and epicardial fat thickness. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age [95% confidence interval (CI): 1,068–1.214, p < .001] and fQRS [95% (CI): 1.766–23.117, p: 0.005] were the independent determinants of increased CAVI values. Conclusions ECG is a widely and readily available, inexpensive, reproducible technique that can be examined by almost every physician. fQRS values in electrocardiogram may provide a significant predictive value for arterial stiffness in asymptomatic subjects.

Detecting the Dark Matter of Unpublished Clinical Cancer Studies: An Analysis of Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trials

Unpublished randomized controlled trial (RCT) frequency, correlates, and financial impact are not well understood. We sought to characterize the nonpublication of peer-reviewed manuscripts among interventional, therapeutic, multi-arm, phase 3 oncology RCTs. Trials were identified by searching ClinicalTrials.gov, while publications and abstracts were identified through PubMed and Google Scholar. Trial data were extracted from ClinicalTrials.gov and individual publications. Publication was defined as a peer-reviewed manuscript addressing the primary endpoint. Patient accrual cost was extrapolated from experimental data; investigators/sponsors were contacted to determine nonpublication reasons. Six hundred eighty-four completed RCTs met inclusion criteria, which accrued 434,610 patients from 1994 to 2015; 638 were published (93.3%) and 46 were unpublished (6.7%). Among the unpublished trials, the time difference from primary endpoint maturity to data abstraction was a median of 6 years (interquartile range, 4 to 8 years). On multiple binary logistic regression analysis, factors associated with unpublished trials included lack of cooperative group sponsorship (odds ratio, 5.91, 95% CI, 1.35 to 25.97; P=.019) and supportive care investigation (odds ratio, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.13 to 7.41; P=.027). The estimated inflation-adjusted average cost of patient accrual for all unpublished trials was $113,937,849 (range, $41,136,883 to $320,201,063). Direct contact with sponsors/investigators led to a 50.0% response rate (n=23 of 46); manuscript in preparation and/or in submission (n=10 of 23) was the most commonly cited reason for nonpublication. In conclusion, approximately 1 in 15 clinical oncology RCTs are unpublished and this has a profound impact on the research enterprise. The cooperative group infrastructure may serve as a blueprint to reduce nonpublication.

Antibiotics biomonitored in urine and obesogenic risk in a community-dwelling elderly population

BackgroundExperimental and epidemiological studies have linked antibiotics use to gut dysbiosis-mediated risk of chronic metabolic diseases. However, whether adiposity is linked to antibiotic exposure in elderly remains inadequately understood. ObjectiveTo investigate the association between internal exposure of antibiotics and adiposity in elderly by using a biomonitoring method. MethodsWe included 990 participants (≥60 years) from the baseline survey of the Cohort of Elderly Health and Environment Controllable Factors in Lu’an city, China, from June to September 2016. Forty-five antibiotics and two metabolites in urine were monitored through liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations were used to assess antibiotic exposure levels. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage (BFP) were used as indicators of adiposity. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association of antibiotic concentrations with obesity-related indices. Subsequently, a gender-stratified analysis was performed. ResultsOf the included elderly, 50.7% were defined as having overweight/ obesity, 59.8% as having central preobesity/obesity, and 37.5% as having slightly high/high BFP. Linear regression analysis revealed that a 1-unit increase in the logarithmic transformation of norfloxacin concentrations was related with an increase of 0.29 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.02–0.04), 0.99 cm (95% CI：0.24–1.75), and 0.69% (95% CI：0.21–1.17) in BMI, WC, and BFP, respectively. Compared with the control group, exposure to doxycycline (tertile 2: odds ratio, 2.06 [95% CI: 1.12–3.76]) and norfloxacin (tertile 2: 2.13 [1.05–4.29]; tertile 3: 2.07 [1.03–4.17]) had BMI-based overweight/obesity risk. Additionally, ciprofloxacin (tertile 2: 2.06 [1.12–3.76]), norfloxacin (tertile 3: 2.95 [1.34–6.49]), and florfenicol (tertile 3: 1.84 [1.07–3.14]) were related to WC-based central preobesity/obesity risk. Norfloxacin (tertile 3: 2.54 [1.23–5.24]) was positively associated with a slightly high/high BFP risk. Gender-stratified analysis demonstrated an increased adiposity risk in women compared with men. ConclusionsOur research provided an evidence that exposure to specific types of antibiotics (tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones) probably from the food chain contributed to obesity in elderly. Prospective cohort studies with larger sample size are warrented to explore the causation.

Community's Mask Wearing Practice and Its Associated Factors for COVID-19 prevention in Metropolitan city, Northwest, Ethiopia

Background: Corona virus Disease, 2019 has been pandemic all over the world due to its strong human to human transmission. A number of measures have been put in place to prevent its spread among the population. However, for these preventive measures to be effective, the population should practice an appropriate COVID-19 prevention method. To our knowledge, there is no study yet done in the Amhara region. Thus, this study was aimed at assessing mask wearing practice and its associated factors for COVID-19 prevention among residents of metropolitan towns in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 20 to July 10, 2020. A total of 413 residents of metropolitan towns of the Amhara region, Ethiopia were enrolled in the study. A systematic sampling technique was used to collect data from selected households. Data were entered into EPI-DATA version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 24.0 for analysis. To identify the factors of mask wearing practice for COVID-19 prevention, multiple binary logistic regression analysis was used. Statistical significance was declared at p-value<0.05. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was used to assess the direction and strength of associations. Results: Four hundred thirteen residents were participated in the study with a response rate of 97.6%. Of these, 234 (56.6%) were female, 229 (55.4%) were lay in the age group of 31–45 years old, and 321 (77.7%) were married. The proportion of residents who had good mask wearing practice in the current study was 57.1% [(95%CI: 52.35%, 61.94%)]. Having formal education [AOR = 5.046, 95% CI (2.713, 9.385], employed [AOR = 1.827, 95% CI (1.172, 2.848)], having good knowledge [AOR = 3.125, 95% CI (1.361, 7.178)], and having positive attitude [AOR = 2.279, 95% CI (1.09, 4.767)] were significantly associated with mask wearing practice. Conclusion: more than half of the study respondents had good mask wearing practice regarding COVID-19 prevention. Having formal education, being employed, having good knowledge, and having positive attitude were significantly associated with mask wearing practice. It is recommended that local health authorities should implement interventions such, residents training and awareness creation activities to enhance residents to develop mask wearing practice.

Association between Noise Exposure and Quality of Life among People Living Near Stone-Mortar Factories, Phayao Province, Northern Thailand

Noise may have adverse effects on health and quality of life (QoL). This study assessed the association between noise exposure and QoL among people living near stone-mortar factories. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using 269 subjects. The data was collected using questionnaires, sound level meter, and a geographic information system technique. The statistical analysis was carried out using independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient test and multiple binary logistic regression analysis. The average noise in factory no. 2, 4, and 5 was found to be higher than the standard level of NIOSH at 85 dB(A) and OSHA at 90 dB(A) for an 8-hour TWA. The multiple binary logistic regression analysis showed that an increasing residential distance was associated with high noise exposure after adjusting for age, education, income, length of stay in community, and overall QoL. The local policy makers should be required to emphasize on the reduction of noise pollution in stone-mortar factories and health surveillance of the residential neighborhood.

Disclosure of HIV/AIDS status to infected children in Ghana – A north-south comparison of barriers and enablers

Disclosure of HIV status to infected children plays critical role in child health and wellbeing. This study identifies and compares child HIV disclosure barriers and facilitators in Upper East, Northern and Ashanti regions of Ghana. Prospective data was collected through a questionnaire on 180 caregivers of HIV-infected children 5–18 years from 12 antiretroviral treatment (ART) centres from May 2017 to November 2018 enrolling 89 (49.5%) males and 91 (50.5%) female children. A bivariate and binary multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to test child and caregiver related variable with disclosure. A total of 42 (23.3%) children with a median age of 12 years had been disclosed to. The median age of 138 undisclosed children was 7 (IQR = 5–11) years. The median age at disclosure was 9.5 (IQR = 6–11) years in contrast to 16.3 years, which was proposed as the intended age of disclosure by caregivers. Approval for child status disclosure to be facilitated by only child’s family member differed significantly between caregivers from northern Ghana and southern Ghana (17% vs 83%, p < 0.03). In the multivariate binary logistic regression, a child questioning caregiver frequently about continuous medication intake (AOR = 19.0, p < 0.01) increased the odds of disclosure. Enablers to disclosure were child age, ART start age and resident region of the care giver. The barriers to disclosure involved limited caregiver knowledge and caregiver notion of non-disclosure as a best interest and child protection decision. Difference in region of residence of the child contributes to enhance or impede child HIV disclosure. This calls for developing appropriate age specific child disclosure-promoting guideline to facilitate disclosure.

Mother's education level is associated with anthropometric failure among 3- to 12-year-old rural children in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India.

Maternal education plays a central role in children's health and nutrition. Living conditions and socioeconomic status are linked with mother's education, which in turn determines the health and development of a child. The Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) is a single indicator that reflects overall rate of three conventional indices of undernutrition: underweight, stunting and wasting. The study was undertaken among 621 rural Bengalee children (308 boys and 313 girls) aged 3-12 years from the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. Height (cm) and weight (kg) were recorded and NCHS standard values used to calculate z-scores (<-2SD). The same data were used to calculate CIAF as an indicator of 'anthropometric failure' (AF) or undernutrition. The prevalence of AF among the children was 59.40%. Chi-squared analysis was employed to evaluate the significance of differences in the prevalence of CIAF between the sexes and the association between nutritional indicators and socioeconomic parameters in the two sexes. Multiple binary logistic regression (MBLR) analyses (including the forward stepwise method) were also performed. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the risk of having AF. Results showed that mother's education was significantly associated with undernutrition (AF) controlling for the other factors considered. A very high prevalence of undernutrition is persisting in this region of India despite national nutritional supplementation programmes being operational. More attention to the improvement of living conditions and hygiene, and more particularly the education of women, in this population might be effective in attaining improved child growth and health.