Burden Of Health Problems Research Articles

Types, frequencies and burden of health problems in elite luge athletes: a 46-week prospective cohort study

BackgroundThere is a research gap in the survey of injuries and illnesses in the sport of luge.ObjectiveTo analyse the type, frequency and burden of injuries and illnesses that occurred over...

Establishing the incidence and prevalence of injury and illness in Australian sailing athletes over a full year of training and competition to help determine prevention priorities

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence, incidence rate (IR) and burden of health problems (injuries and illnesses) in Australian Olympic class and State Sailing Pathway Program (SSPP) athletes over 12-months of training and competition. DesignDescriptive epidemiological study. MethodsNinety-two Australian Sailing and SSPP athletes were prospectively followed during the 2019–2020 season. Medical attention injuries and illnesses were prospectively recorded, and further sub-categorised according to time loss. The IR and burden were calculated per 365 athlete-days, with differences in IR between sexes compared using negative binomial generated rate ratios. ResultsThree hundred and forty-nine injuries were reported in 53 athletes (57.6 %), with 14.3 % resulting in time loss. Injury IR was 3.71 (95%CI = 3.33–4.12) injuries per 365 athlete–days, with no difference observed between sex (IRR = 1.64; 95%CI = 0.81–3.34). Shoulder injuries were found to have the greatest burden. Fifty-four illnesses were reported in 27 athletes (29.3 %), with 39.0 % resulting in time loss. Respiratory infection (n = 22, 40.7 %) was the most common illness reported. Illness IR was 0.57 (95%CI = 0.43–0.75) illnesses per 365 athlete days, with females found to have a 3.6 fold increase in illness compared to males (IRR = 3.6; 95%CI = 2.0–6.7). ConclusionsThe majority of health problems reported in sailing athletes did not result in time loss. There were no differences in the injury IR between sexes, however females had a 3.6-fold increase in reported illness. These results can inform future strategies to reduce key health problems in sailors. Future research investigating whether performance is impacted by the high rate of non-time loss health problems is warranted.

Diagnostic Performance of Molecular Rapid Test in Establishing Diagnosis of MDR-TB

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) becomes one burden of health problems considering the high morbidity and mortality rates. Establishment of MDR TB diagnosis is still a challenge, related to the tools and methods used, while cultural examination as gold standard is expensive and takes a long time. This study aims to evaluate diagnostic performance of Molecular Rapid Test or MRT (GeneXpert) in establishing diagnosis of MDR TB using Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) culture as gold standard. Using a cross sectional design, this study involved 51 subjects, a total of 26 (51%) male and 25 (49%) female, adult patients suspected TB, treated at dr. Ario Wirawan Lung Hospital (RSPAW) Salatiga. Mean age 48.2 + 16.35 years, (17-79 years). The MRT for TB and MDR TB detection showed 13 and 7 true positives, 32 and 43 true negatives; obtained 68.4% and 87.5% Sensitivity, 100% and 100% Specificity, 100% and 100% Positive Predictive Value (PPV), 84.2% and 97.7% Negative Predictive Value (NPV), respectively. A specific analysis to diagnose MDR TB by MRT on TB patient groups showed 7 true positives, 0 false positives, 11 true negatives and 1 false negative; obtained 87.5% Sensitivity, 100% Specificity, 100% PPV and 91.7% NPV. For establishing diagnosis of MDR TB, MRT provides perfect specificity. One false negative MDR TB in MRT results is likely resistant to other than rifampicin.

Prevalence and burden of health problems in competitive adolescent distance runners: A 6-month prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT To describe all health problems (injuries and illnesses) in relation to type, location, incidence, prevalence, time loss, severity, and burden, in competitive adolescent distance runners in England. Prospective observational study: 136 competitive adolescent distance runners (73 female athletes) self-reported all health problems for 24-weeks between May and October 2019. Athletes self-reported health problems using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems. The incidence of running-related injury per 1,000 hours of exposure was markedly higher, compared to previous research. At any time, 24% [95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 21–26%] of athletes reported a health problem, with 11% [95% CI: 9–12%] having experienced a health problem that had substantial negative impact on training and performance. Female athletes reported noticeably more illnesses, compared to male athletes, including higher prevalence, incidence, time loss, and severity. The most burdensome health problems, irrespective of sex, included lower leg, knee, and foot/toes injuries, alongside upper respiratory illnesses. The mean weekly prevalence of time loss was relatively low, regardless of health problem type or sex. Competitive adolescent distance runners are likely to be training and competing whilst concurrently experiencing health problems. These findings will support the development of injury and illness prevention measures.

A tripla carga de agravos e os desafios para o Sistema Único de Saúde

A tripla carga de agravos e os desafios para o Sistema Único de Saúde

A Study to Assess the Point Prevalence of Selected Health Problems among Schooler Children in Tribal Region of Akole Taluka Maharashtra

Introduction: School age children are the common vulnerable group with highest prevalence of infectionand health problems. Healthy children are the base for a healthy nation. Children are quite vulnerable at thisgrowing age and hence are prone to fall victim to many diseases, thus affecting their normal growth anddevelopment. The aim of the present study was to assess the point prevalence of selected health problemsamong schooler children and Correlate the point prevalence of selected health problems among schoolerchildren with selected demographic variable.Methodology: A descriptive study with cross sectional survey approach used in present study. The sampleconsisted of 100 tribal schooler children’s. Sampling technique used for study is simple random samplingtechnique. A proforma was prepared by expert validation to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were usedto analyzed the data according to objective.Results: Half of children i.e. 51% were between 10.1-12 years of age. Majority of samples were male 57%.Majority of 58% children had good nourishment, 60% good body built, 52% average activity,41% goodpersonal hygiene, 56% had good attention span and all 100% children’s mental status was good. Highestpercentage of children 42% had grade-I stunting and 53% had normal nutrition, 33% dandruff, 09% Anemia,19% Impacted vax, 10% Discharge from nose, 27% Offensive smell, 05% had short neck, 09% cough andwheezing, only 02% have Abnormal chest expansion, 08% abdominal pain, 11% anemia, Iron deficiencyand muscle pain, 12% fatigue.Discussion: The conclusion from this is that the health status of the tribal schooler children was found ingood health status except half of children had found in stunting and wasting. It emphasis that, the moreconcentration should be on Malnutrition prevention.Conclusion: The burden of health problems like malnourishment, dental caries and dandruff, Anemia, Earand nose problems are high in school children.

International Olympic Committee consensus statement: methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport 2020 (including STROBE Extension for Sport Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS))

Injury and illness surveillance, and epidemiological studies, are fundamental elements of concerted efforts to protect the health of the athlete. To encourage consistency in the definitions and methodology used, and...

Prevalence and Burden of Health Problems in Male Elite Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Study in the Norwegian Professional League.

Background:As previous epidemiological studies in elite ice hockey have focused on acute time-loss injuries, little is known about the burden of overuse injuries and illnesses in ice hockey.Purpose:To report the prevalence and burden of all health problems in male professional ice hockey players in Norway during a single competitive season.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiological study.Methods:A total of 225 male ice hockey players in the GET League (the premier professional league) in Norway reported all health problems (acute injuries, overuse injuries, and illnesses) during the 2017-2018 competitive season. Players reported all injuries and illnesses for 31 weeks using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems.Results:At any given time, 40% (95% CI, 37%-43%) of players reported symptoms from an injury or illness, and 20% (95% CI, 19%-22%) experienced health problems with a substantial negative impact on training and performance. Acute injuries represented the greatest incidence, prevalence, and burden (defined as the cross-product of severity and incidence). The most burdensome acute injuries were to the head/face, shoulder/clavicle, knee, and ankle. The most burdensome overuse injuries were to the knee, lumbar spine, and hip/groin.Conclusion:This registration captured a greater burden from overuse injuries than traditional injury registration, but acute injuries did represent a major problem. These data provide guidance in the development of prevention programs for both acute and overuse injuries, which should focus on the lumbar spine, hip/groin, and knee.

International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement: Methods for Recording and Reporting of Epidemiological Data on Injury and Illness in Sports 2020 (Including the STROBE Extension for Sports Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS)).

Background:Injury and illness surveillance, and epidemiological studies, are fundamental elements of concerted efforts to protect the health of the athlete. To encourage consistency in the definitions and methodology used, and to enable data across studies to be compared, research groups have published 11 sport- or setting-specific consensus statements on sports injury (and, eventually, illnesses) epidemiology to date.Objective:To further strengthen consistency in data collection, injury definitions, and research reporting through an updated set of recommendations for sports injury and illness studies, including a new Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist extension.Study Design:Consensus statement of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Methods:The IOC invited a working group of international experts to review relevant literature and provide recommendations. The procedure included an open online survey, several stages of text drafting and consultation by working groups, and a 3-day consensus meeting in October 2019.Results:This statement includes recommendations for data collection and research reporting covering key components: defining and classifying health problems, severity of health problems, capturing and reporting athlete exposure, expressing risk, burden of health problems, study population characteristics, and data collection methods. Based on these, we also developed a new reporting guideline as a STROBE extension—the STROBE Sports Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS).Conclusion:The IOC encourages ongoing in- and out-of-competition surveillance programs and studies to describe injury and illness trends and patterns, understand their causes, and develop measures to protect the health of the athlete. The implementation of the methods outlined in this statement will advance consistency in data collection and research reporting.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Health Profile of IT Professionals in Goa

Background: Keeping in mind, the increasing burden of health problems among professionals working in IT industry and lack of evidence on health status of IT Employees in Goa, the present research study was undertaken. Aim: To study the health profile of workers employed in selected IT companies in the largest industrial estate of Goa. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was a retrospective, record-based study conducted over a period of 2 months. Data was obtained from the records of an Occupational Health Service (OHS) centre after assuring confidentiality. The variables of study comprised sociodemographic data (age, sex), anthropometry (height, weight), vitals (pulse, blood pressure), vision (near, far and colour) and basic blood/urine laboratory investigations and ECG readings. Data was entered into Excel spreadsheet and analysed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. Results: Mean age of the employees was 38.91±7.80 years (79.7% males and 20.3% females). 33.9% were overweight and 6.8% were obese. 11% had diabetes and 31.4% had hypertension. The proportion of patients having pre-hypertension, prediabetes was 42.2% and 2.5% respectively. 36.4% had dyslipidaemia of which 30.5% were having hypercholesterolemia and 5.9% were having hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusion: This study highlights the need of periodic medical check-ups of the IT professionals for timely detection and early management of health problems.

Prevalence of health problems in suburban schools in Chennai, India

Background: School health programmes help in early detection of health problems but the literature about its effectiveness in India is sparse. Hence, this study was undertaken. The aim of the present study is to measure the weight, height and BMI in school children and to interpret it using the IAP growth charts, to estimate the prevalence of stunting, undernutrition, overweight, obesity, refractory errors, hearing impairment and dental caries in children and to compare the prevalence of above parameters among gender and age.Methods: This is a cross sectional study, conducted between January to March 2017 in 3 suburban schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A total of 631 children in the age group of 6-18 years were screened by an expert team. Weight and height was measured using standard equipments, BMI was calculated and plotted on IAP growth charts. Vision was tested using Snellen chart by an optometrist. Dental evaluation was done by a dentist and hearing screening done by an audiologist using puretone audiometry. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, P value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of 631 children, 344 were boys and 287 were girls. 507 children belonged to the primary age group (6-12 years) and 124 children belonged to the secondary age group (12-18 years). The prevalence of stunting was 0.7% and was gradually decreasing with increasing age. The overall prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity was 10.1%, 1.5% and 7.1% respectively. Underweight was more common among the primary age group whereas obesity was more commonly seen in secondary age group. The prevalence of weight abnormalities in both the age groups and sexes were statistically significant. 19% children had visual defects and the prevalence was more in older children. Dental caries was more commonly seen in primary dentition and the prevalence was 18.9%. Due to lack of ambient conditions, only severe hearing impairment was detected. 5 (0.8%) children had severe hearing impairment. Conclusions: The burden of health problems like malnourishment, refractory errors, dental caries and hearing impairment are high in school children. With the results of the present study, we can conclude that there is a need for implementation of school health screening programmes to detect these health problems at an early stage. To bring a significant change in the community, a dedicated national school health screening program is needed

Perte d’activité due à des problèmes de santé habituels : résultats français de l’étude OMS sur les troubles mentaux (WMH)

The burden of health problems, including mental disorders, can be assessed in several ways such as through healthcare costs or loss of productivity. Their impact on daily activities as a whole has received much less attention, especially in France. Therefore, we undertook the analysis of the French general population data from the World Mental Health (WMH) surveys promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) assessing the number of days out of role due to common mental and physical disorders. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 2894 respondents (45.9% pooled response rate). Presence of ten chronic physical disorders and nine mental disorders was assessed for each respondent along with information about the number of days in the past month each respondent reported being totally unable to work or carry out their other normal daily activities because of problems with either physical or mental health. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate associations of specific conditions and comorbidities with days out of role, after controlling for basic socio-demographics. One thousand four hundred and thirty-six subjects reporting at least one core-symptom of a mental disorder underwent the whole assessment. The mean annual number of days out of role was high among those with at least one mental disorder (24.2±8.3). The population attributable risk proportion (PARP), i.e. the proportion of days out of role that would have been avoided if the considered disorder had remitted, was also estimated. Mental disorders as a whole accounted for 49.5% of the PARP. French data on days out of role from the WHO WMH surveys showed the high burden of mental illness in the general population. These results may have been underestimated, taking into account that subjects who were hospitalized at the time of recruitment, whose disorders might also account for a high proportion of days out of role, could not be assessed with our design. Common health conditions, especially mental disorders, make up a large proportion of the number of days out of role. Such data should be considered to design more efficient public health strategies.

Why mental health matters to global health

Global health has been defined as an area of study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. This article provides an overview of some central issues in global mental health in three parts. The first part demonstrates why mental health is relevant to global health by examining three key principles of global health: priority setting based on the burden of health problems, health inequalities and its global scope in particular in relation to the determinants and solutions for health problems. The second part considers and addresses the key critiques of global mental health: (a) that the "diagnoses" of mental disorders are not valid because there are no biological markers for these conditions; (b) that the strong association of social determinants undermines the use of biomedical interventions; (c) that the field is a proxy for the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry; and (d) that the actions of global mental health are equivalent to "medical imperialism" and it is a "psychiatric export." The final part discusses the opportunities for the field, piggybacking on the surge of interest in global health more broadly and on the growing acknowledgment of mental disorders as a key target for global health action.

Abstract 285: An Assessment of Factors Associated With Caregiver Burden in Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Nearly one-third of the unpaid adult caregivers in the United States aid in managing heart or cerebrovascular disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, increasing patients' stroke risk. To date, the burden on caregivers supporting AF patients has not been evaluated. We sought to examine the interrelationship between caregiver, patient and anti-clot treatment characteristics and perceived caregiver burden in AF. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of AF patient-caregiver dyads recruited from the cardiology clinics of a large, urban teaching hospital. Eligible patients had AF, were receiving antithrombotic agents for stroke prevention, lived in the community and had an unpaid, English-speaking, adult caregiver. Hierarchical multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the association between caregiver, patient and anti-clot treatment characteristics and caregiver burden as measured by the validated Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA). Results: Eighty AF patient-caregiver dyads completed the survey. The mean (±SD) scores for the 5 CRA domains were: Disrupted schedule (2.4±1.0), Financial problems (2.1±0.8), Lack of family support (1.9±0.7), Health problems (1.9±0.7) and Self-esteem (0.9±0.5). Significantly greater caregiver burden due to Disrupted schedule was seen in those spending >4 hours/week providing care and when caring for frail, sick or disabled patients, with higher CHADS2 scores and requiring help with their medications (p<0.05). Financial problems burden scores were significantly associated with caring for frail patients and those requiring more frequent office follow-up (p<0.05). Lack of family support scores increased as patients' CHADS2 score increased and were inversely associated with having another individual to assist with care. Worse Health problem burden scores were associated with female gender and the need to spend >4 hours/week providing care. Conclusion: Our results suggest that caregivers of AF patients incur the greatest burden due to disruption in schedule. Health care professionals should be cognizant of this, and the other sources of caregiver burden, when managing AF patients.

Analysis of Body Composition of 9- and 10-Year-Old Children in Latvia

According to the data of epidemiologic research, the prevalence of both excessive and insufficient body weight is increasing in a pediatric population leading to the growing burden of health problems due to these changes. The aim of the study was to understand the current situation of physical development of 9- and 10-year-old boys and girls in Latvia and to estimate the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity among young adolescents. During 2007-2009, a random sample of healthy 9-year-old (n=184) and 10-year-old (n=320) children from all regions and different socioeconomic groups of Latvia was surveyed in a cross-sectional study. The anthropometric measurements of height, weight, (3) circumferences, and 5 skinfolds were performed. The percentage of body fat was calculated by the equation of Slaughter et al. Body mass index and fat mass index were calculated for each respondent. Children were divided into groups according to these indexes. At the age of 9 years, 69.5% of boys had a normal nutritional level either by BMI or FMI, and 54.5% and 72.2% of the girls of the same age had a normal nutritional level by BMI and by FMI, respectively. Obesity according to BMI in 9-year-old boys was found to be 4.7% and in girls 6.1%; according to FMI, 3.7% and 2.3%, respectively. A similar trend was also observed in the cohort of 10-year-old children. The results of the research showed that the problem of high prevalence of Latvian children with underweight is not smaller than the problem of children with obesity. Evaluation of physical development in children based only body mass index may lead to overdiagnosis of obesity.

Challenges Facing Minority Women in Achieving Good Health: Voices of Arab Women in Israel

ABSTRACT Arab women citizens of Israel bear a heavier burden of health problems compared with Jewish women. These inequalities were examined by conducting 6 focus groups that explored obstacles to achieving good health and strategies for maintaining good health as articulated by 86 Arab-Moslem women from the Triangle area in central Israel. Perceived obstacles ranged from personal to socio-political: unhealthy lifestyles, obedience to patriarchal norms, rapid lifestyle transitions, the political situation, poverty and lower socioeconomic status, and limited access to specific health care services. These multi-layered obstacles appeared to operate synergistically to limit women's access to social support and health care systems, intensify feelings of powerlessness, and further promote unhealthy behaviors. Moreover, these perceptions differed by the socioeconomic status of the group. The relatively more advantaged groups did not address issues related to poverty or access to health care services. Most health maintenance strategies discussed were personal and conservative, and ‘considerate’ of traditional Arab cultural norms. The findings provide a basis for developing more culturally competent and adequate health care services for Arab women in Israel and for further research concerning Arab women's health in the region.

Health problems in family practice. An Icelandic multicentre study.

To establish epidemiological data on the health problems within family practice in Iceland by multicentre analysis of well-defined geographic areas. Prospective practice audit. Thirteen Icelandic health centres (HC) with computerized contact data from 1 January - 31 December 1988. Health problems during one year in a population, as perceived by health care providers. A total of 176 384 health problems during one year in a population of 31 248, as perceived by the health care provider, were analysed. Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 9.3% of all health problems (prevalence 210.6/1000 inhabitants), respiratory disorders 9.4% (189.9/1000), accidents 7.4% (203.2/1000), cardiovascular disorders 7.4% (112.0/1000) and mental disorders 6.1% (87.6/1000). The commonest single health problems were: hypertension, upper respiratory tract infections and non-articular rheumatism. The health problems accounting for the most frequent contacts were: mental disorders (4.0 contacts per individual per year), cardiovascular (3.7), and endocrine, nutrition and metabolic (3.2). Problem-oriented medical records from HCs, computerized in a uniform standardized way, can give extensive information about the content and burden of health problems in family practice and presumably public health. Our results are valuable because the population (the denominator) and the geographic study area are well defined. This information is an important part of clinical epidemiology and can be of great value for educators and health care planners.