Female School-age Children Research Articles

Exploration of Sex and Age as Moderators Between Social Cumulative Risk and Sleep in a Representative Sample of Children and Adolescents Living in the United States.

Youth who face adversity are at a disproportionate risk for poor sleep health across the life course. Identifying whether the association between adversity and poor sleep varies based upon age and sex is needed. This study aims to explore sex and age as moderators between social risk and sleep in a sample of U.S. youth. This study analyzed data of 32,212U.S. youth (6-17years) whose primary caregiver participated in the 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health. A social cumulative risk index (SCRI) score was calculated from 10 parental, family, and community risk indicators. Nighttime sleep duration was the number of hours the child slept during the past week. Weeknight sleep irregularity was operationalized as whether the child sometimes/rarely/never went to bed at the same time. Generalized logistic regression models estimated associations between SCRI and sleep duration/irregularity, with age and sex as moderators. Age moderated the association between SCRI and short sleep (OR = 1.12, p < 0.001), such that the magnitude of the SCRI-sleep relationship was 12% greater in school-age children. Sex was not a significant moderator. In stratified models by age group, age was positively associated with short sleep in both groups, with a greater magnitude in school-age children. Female school-age children were less likely to have short sleep than males. Younger children with greater social cumulative risk factors may be more vulnerable to short sleep duration. Further research into the mechanisms underlying the relationships between social risk and sleep health in school-age children is needed.

Prevalence of Schistosomiasis (S. mansoni and S. haematobium) and its association with gender of school age children in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSchistosomiasis (S. mansoni and S. haematobium) is an important neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, Schistosomiasis has been prioritized as neglected tropical disease and remained among major public health burden on school age children of the country. Few studies conducted on the association between prevalence of Schistosomiasis and gender of school age children have inconclusive finding about the association between these two variables. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was done to determine the pooled prevalence of Schistosomiasis and its association with gender of school age children in Ethiopia. MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, databases such as: Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central library, Google Scholar, and HINARI were systematically searched. STATA version 14 was used to estimate pooled prevalence of Schistosomiasis using random effects model with 95% confidence interval. The results were presented by using forest plot and statistical heterogeneity was checked by using the Cochran Q test (chi-squared statistic), I2 test statistic and by visual examination of the forest plot. ResultsFrom the total of 427 studies identified for this review, 50 studies were included in the final analysis. The analysis noted that pooled prevalence of Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia was 28.78% (95% CI: 23.81, 33.74). The subgroup analysis indicated that extreme variability was observed in the prevalence of Schistosomiasis across the regions of the country. The highest (39.77%) prevalence of Schistosomiasis was reported from the southern region, whereas the lowest (14.95%) prevalence of Schistosomiasis was reported from Afar region. Male school age children were 58% more likely infected with Schistosomiasis than female school age children in Ethiopia (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.33, 1.83). ConclusionsThe Prevalence of Schistosomiasis was higher than the 2018 report of the Ethiopian federal ministry of health. The prevalence of Schistosomiasis was predominant among male gender of the school age children. Therefore, sustainable control of Schistosomiasis requires the approaches that must go beyond current deworming program. Complementary prevention strategies including health education, safe water and adequate sanitary facilities provision should be simultaneously implemented. The underlining causes of variation in risk factors of Schistosomiasis among males and females should be further studied.

PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN AL-HARAM ZONE, GIZA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Background: Anemia in school-age children is an important public health problem, and available data of its prevalence and existing risk factors are essential for planning preventive strategies. Anemia is more prevalent among females as compared with males. It reduces physical work capacity and cognitive function and adversely affects learning and scholastic performance. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anemia among male and female school-age children (6-18 years) in Al-Haram, Giza governorate, Egypt, and to identify factors associated with childhood anemia among the participants. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 school-age children 6-18 years old (116 males and 119 females) in Al-Haram district, Giza governorate, Egypt. An oral consent was obtained from participants and their relatives. A blood sample was taken from each participant with the aim of providing the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among the study population. Results: The study revealed that the overall prevalence of anemia was 38.7%. Among males were 23.3%, while 53.8% among females with a statistically significant difference. Regarding family size prevalence of anemia among families (less than five) were 27.1%, while 74.1% in families more than five persons with a statistically significant difference. The current study revealed that anemia was 64%, 54.5% and 10.1% among children born to illiterate, moderate and high educated fathers respectively. Anemia was 56.4% and 17.4% among children borne to illiterate and moderate educated mothers with a statistically significant difference. Results of the study revealed that anemia was 61.8%, 48.5%, 5.6% and 26.7% among children who born to farmers, merchant, governmental employee and private employee respectively. Regarding mothers job, 41.4%, 33.3% and 20% of children were anemic who born to house wife, merchant and private employee mothers respectively with statistically significant differences. The study revealed that anemia was 66.2% among children who ate meat once weekly, while 38.7% among children who ate meat twice weekly, with statistically significant differences. Anemia was 55% among children who ate vegetables once weekly, 28.8% among who ate vegetables twice, and 15.9% among who ate vegetables three times and more weekly. The current study revealed that anemia was 44.1% among who ate fruits once weekly, 13% among who ate twice weekly, and 11.8% among who ate three times and more weekly. Recommendations: - School teachers should give advice to both children and their parents regarding advantages of balanced diet. - Improvement of dietary habits regarding consumption of animal proteins, fruits and green leafy vegetables should be included in diet plan. - Health education seminars should be conducted at regular intervals. - Addition of a health education courses to student's curricula. Conclusion: The results suggested that there was a need for proper planning and implementation of preventive measures to combat childhood anemia.

Prevalence of anemia among school-age children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAnemia continued to become a major public health problem in developing nations including Ethiopia. Especially, school children are more vulnerable for anemia and consequences of anemia. Generating accurate epidemiological data on anemia in school children is an important step for health policy maker. There are limited evidences on anemia prevalence in school-age children in Ethiopia. This study aimed to synthesize the pooled prevalence of anemia in school-age children in Ethiopia.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was followed the PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searched was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, HINARI, and Ethiopian Journal of Health Development for studies published before 2016, supplemented by manual searches to identify relevant studies. Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed quality of studies. The Cochrane Q test and I2 test statistic were used to test heterogeneity through studies. The overall prevalence was calculated using random-effects model of DerSimonian–Laird method.ResultsFrom 831 obtained studies, 13 articles included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of anemia among school children in Ethiopia was 23% (95% CI 18–28%). The prevalence of anemia in male and female school-age children was 27% (95% CI 20 and 34%) and 24% (95% CI 18 and 30%), respectively.ConclusionsThis study found that prevalence of anemia was a moderate public health problem in school children. Due to the complications of anemia for school children, preventative planning and control of anemia among school children in Ethiopia is necessary.

Intra‐household food distribution patterns and calorie inadequacy in South‐Western Nigeria

AbstractUnequal distribution of food within household is one major factor that promotes the lingering under‐nourishment among household members in Nigeria. Consequently, the study examines the relative food calorie distribution pattern and food calorie adequacy level among members of households in South‐Western Nigeria. Using a multistage sampling techniques, data was collected from 80 households (comprising of 321 members) through a well structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using nutrient estimation, calorie adequacy indices, t‐test and Ordinary Least Square Regression. Household appears to be nutritionally adequate but some members were under‐nourished. The male and female school‐age children were the most severely affected and would require additional 13.1% and 17.5% of their respective dietary (calorie) reference values. Adult male members are most favoured in terms of food calorie allocation relative to other members. Household income, gender cum age of household members and household farm production status, among others, are factors that would significantly influence relative distribution of food calorie. Encouragement of the school‐age meal subsidy programme, and development of strategies that would enhance agricultural production and efforts to raise the income or income generating potentials of households members are recommended to enhance equitable food distribution and improve nutritional status of the household members.

Potential pathogenic role of aggregative- adhering Corynebacterium diphtheriae of different clonal groups in endocarditis

Invasive diseases caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae have been described increasingly. Several reports indicate the destructive feature of endocarditis attributable to nontoxigenic strains. However, few reports have dealt with the pathogenicity of invasive strains. The present investigation demonstrates a phenotypic trait that may be used to identify potentially invasive strains. The study also draws attention to clinical and microbiological aspects observed in 5 cases of endocarditis due to C. diphtheriae that occurred outside Europe. Four cases occurred in female school-age children (7-14 years) treated at different hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All patients developed other complications including septicemia, renal failure and/or arthritis. Surgical treatment was performed on 2 patients for valve replacement. Lethality was observed in 40% of the cases. Microorganisms isolated from 5 blood samples and identified as C. diphtheriae subsp mitis (N = 4) and C. diphtheriae subsp gravis (N = 1) displayed an aggregative adherence pattern to HEp-2 cells and identical one-dimensional SDS-PAGE protein profiles. Aggregative-adhering invasive strains of C. diphtheriae showed 5 distinct RAPD profiles. Despite the clonal diversity, all 5 C. diphtheriae invasive isolates seemed to display special bacterial adhesive properties that may favor blood-barrier disruption and systemic dissemination of bacteria. In conclusion, blood isolates from patients with endocarditis exhibited a unique adhering pattern, suggesting a pathogenic role of aggregative-adhering C. diphtheriae of different clones in endocarditis. Accordingly, the aggregative-adherence pattern may be used as an indication of some invasive potential of C. diphtheriae strains.

Biological Quality of a Milk Substitute for School Children Based on Refined Wheat Flour Subjected to Enzymatic Hydrolysis

The biological quality of an experimental milk substitute based on raw wheat flour subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis in comparison to a control product based on extruded flours and mil protein was studied in 35“healthy” female school age children. The girls were fed their customary diet during 2 consecutive 14 and 12 day periods, and randomized to the experimental and control products in a double blind crossover fashion. Apparent absorption of protein, energy, calcium and phosphorus was evaluated. Mean nitrogen intake from the experimental product wassignificantly lower (223 vs 244 mg/Kg/d, p<0.0001). Absorbed nitrogen was also lower (187 vs 203 mg/Kgd, p<0.0001). Energy intake and excretion were similar with both products, 96 and 95% of intake was absorbed for experimental and control products respectively. The mean calcium intake was significantly lower with the experimental products (39.7 vs 60.2 mg/Kg/d, p<0.0001). Absorbed calcium from the experimental product was 50% of control (20.7 vs 39.5 mg/kg/d, p<0.0001). Phosphorus intake was also lower with the experimental product relative to control (22.0 vs 27.8 mg/kg/d, p<0.0001) and absorbed P was 13.1 vs 16.5 mg/Kg/d respectively. We conclude that the experimental product based on wheat flour does not differ significantly in protein and energy digestibility but calcium and phosphorus absorption was digestibility are significantly lower.