Frequent Illness Research Articles

Herbal Solutions for Urinary Tract Infections: A Literature Review

If treatment is not received, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), which are frequent microbial illnesses affecting the urinary system, can lead to discomfort and problems. Because they have antibacterial qualities and can potentially reduce UTI symptoms, natural treatments have been used. Supplements or juice made from cranberries are one popular natural treatment. Proanthocyanidins, which are found in cranberries, have the potential to inhibit bacteria, especially E. coli, from adhering to the lining of the urinary tract, hence decreasing the risk of infection. Its efficacy is still up for discussion, though, and certain drinks’ high sugar content may make UTI symptoms worse. D-mannose, a kind of sugar included in fruits like peaches and cranberries, is another commonly utilised treatment. D-mannose inhibits germs from sticking to the walls of the urinary system, in a manner akin to that of cranberries. It’s believed to be effective against E. coli, a common UTI-causing bacterium, but it’s ideal dosage and long-term effects require further research. Probiotics are thought to be helpful for UTIs, particularly those that contain lactobacilli strains. They may lessen the chance of infection by assisting in the maintenance of a balanced population of bacteria in the urinary tract and gut. There is, however, little data to support their direct influence on UTI treatment. Herbal treatments with possible antibacterial effects, such as buchu, goldenseal, and bearberry (uva-ursi), have been used historically. These herbs have ingredients that may aid in the battle against germs in the urinary system, but further research is needed to determine how safe and effective they are. Increasing water consumption is a simple yet effective treatment. Drinking enough water dilutes urine, which lowers the quantity of bacteria that could lead to an illness, and aids in the removal of bacteria from the urinary system. Even while these natural treatments seem promising for treating UTIs, it is important to see a doctor before using them, particularly if you think the illness may be serious. Certain medical issues may prevent the use of natural therapies, or they may interact negatively with medicines. When used as the only treatment for acute UTIs, they are frequently less successful than when used as preventative measures or in conjunction with traditional medicines. The main line of treatment for severe or persistent UTIs is still medical intervention with antibiotics to avoid complications and recurrent infections.

Effect Size Estimation of Child Stunting Determinants in Surakarta, Central Java

Background: Child growth is one of the public health indicators in monitoring the nutritional and health status of a population. One of the nutritional problems that is of major concern is the prevalence of stunting in toddlers. Stunting is still a problem in the world. This study aims to analyze the reestimation of the magnitude of the determinant effect of stunting on children under five in the city of Surakarta, Central Java.Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Pajang and Sibela community health centers (Puskesmas) in Surakarta, Central Java. Total sample of 200 children under five was selected using fixed disease sampling, consisted of 50 stunted children and 150 normal children. The dependent variable was stunting. The independent variables were exclusive breastfeeding, maternal height, maternal history of illness, maternal age at pregnancy, maternal height, and family income. The data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed using a multiple logistic regression.Results: Maternal age ≥20 years (aOR= 0.19; 95% CI= 0.06 to 0.58; p=0.004), maternal height ≥160 cm (aOR= 0.30; 95% CI= 0.12 to 0.74; p= 0.009), and family income high (aOR= 0.29; 95% CI= 0.12 to 0.72; p=0.008) reduces the risk of stunting. Children under five who were not exclusively breastfed (aOR= 27.06; 95% CI= 8.13 to 90.05; p <0.001) and frequent illness in mothers (aOR= 12.69; 95% CI= 4.59 to 35.10; p<0.001) increases the risk of stunting.Conclusion: Maternal age ≥20 years, maternal height ≥160 cm, and family income high reduce the risk of stunting. Children under five who were not exclusively breastfed and frequent illness in mothers increase the risk of stunting. Keywords: stunting, maternal age, maternal height, income, breastfed, illness, children

Significance of premarital screening and genetic counselling program for hemoglobinopathies

Introduction: Premarital screening includes general medical examination by which the promotion of a woman's and her partner's health and well-being prior to conception. It is regarded as a primary preventive approach for couples planning to conceive, as well as an important step toward protecting society of disease's spread. Hemoglobinopathies are one of the most frequent autosomal recessive illnesses in Iraq, which may associate with significant mortality and morbidity. Its inherited disorders and run down through families. Humans are affected by this disorder, which can occur due to the presence of quantitative and, or qualitative irregularities in the globin chains. Hemoglobin (Hb)S, which causes sickle cell disease (SCD), Hb-C or Hb-D illness, and other qualitative abnormalities, is the most prevalent. α- and β-thalassemia are quantitative anomalies with reduced or missing production of β or α globin chains are the most common. The world's most common single-gene diseases, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes Iraq Conclusion :All of the above data support the concept of a haemoglobinopathies prevention program based on premarital screening, counseling, and prenatal diagnosis with the aim of decrease the number of afflicted children born in the region

Salmonella: A Star Among Disease-Causing Bacteria Transmitted by Food

Salmonella is an important type of bacteria capable of infecting humans and animals. These bacteria were discovered over 100 years ago, and thousands of types have now been identified. Salmonella can be found in many sources, and its pathway to causing disease in humans is a complex web. Salmonella can live in farm, wild, and domesticated animals; the environment; and water sources—all of which can contaminate food items and, in consequence, humans. The most frequent illness in humans is called salmonellosis, which is characterized by diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Although most people have mild symptoms, a few cases may evolve into a more severe illness that may need medicines called antibiotics to treat. In this article, you will learn about the importance of Salmonella, as well as the challenges it poses for the future and promising scientific advances that will improve our knowledge of these bacteria.

Gestational exposure to the great Chinese famine: early life undernutrition impact on prostatic hyperplasia in adulthood.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequent illness in aged men that impacts their quality of life; early childhood exposure to famines may have long-term effects on the chance of developing BPH. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between early-life famine exposure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) risk in Chinese men born during 1959-1961. We used medical records from a large, comprehensive hospital to screen people born in China during the years of famine (1959-1961). Birthplaces were identified as indicators of famine exposure status. In the time window between 2017 and 2022, people born during the famine years who had prostatic ultrasonic examinations were selected, and their medical records were retrieved from the database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses investigated the relationship between famine exposure and BPH risk. A total of 3,009 subjects were included in this study. Patients with heavy famine exposure had older age, shorter height, lighter weight, lower cholesterol, lower uric acid (UA), lower aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), and a higher incidence of BPH than those with light famine exposure (all p < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression showed that BPH was positively related to famine exposure, age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) but negatively related to UA (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that age and famine exposure were still independent risk factors (p < 0.05), while UA was an independent protective factor for BPH (p < 0.05). Heavy famine exposure increased the risk of BPH (adjusted OR = 1.214, 95% CI = 1.05-1.467, p = 0.045). Famine and malnutrition exposure during early life may be independent risk factors for BPH in Chinese adults. This relationship provides additional evidence to support the fetal origins of adult diseases and offers clues for the pathological mechanisms of BPH.

An innovative transportable immune device for the recognition of α-synuclein using KCC-1-nPr-CS2 modified silver nano-ink: integration of pen-on-paper technology with biosensing toward early-stage diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most frequent neurodegenerative illness, is a neurological ailment that produces unintentional or uncontrolled body movements, which should be diagnosed in its early stages to hinder the progression. Monitoring the concentration of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in body fluids can be one of the most efficient ways for PD early detection. In this work, a paper-based electrochemical immunosensor was designed for α-Syn bio-assay in human plasma samples based on encapsulation of the biotinylated antibody on novel dendritic fibrous nanosilica ((KCC-1-nPr-CS2)-Ab). For this purpose, a three-electrode system was prepared using stabilization of silver nano-ink on photographic paper. Then, the (KCC-1-NH-CS2)-Ab was immobilized on its surface and used to detect the target antigen (α-Syn). After characterization of the prepared substrate by FE-SEM and EDS, the redox behavior of the biosensor was evaluated using chronoamperometry techniques. Under optimal experimental conditions and using a label-free strategy, the engineered immunosensor showed a linear relationship between peak current and antigen concentration in the linear range from 0.002 to 128 ng mL-1 with the lower limit of quantification of 0.002 ng mL-1. Moreover, this work involves unprecedented use of conductive nano-inks for the manufacture of α-Syn immunosensor, which is aided by the use of a mesoporous silicate dendrimer in encapsulating the α-Syn antibody, thus offering a robust and simple point-of-care device for early PD diagnosis. The ability of the proposed platform to detect small amounts of α-Syn offers a promising approach to developing low-cost, sensitive, and transportable biosensors for Parkinson's disease screening in its early stages.

Prevention and treatment of essential hypertension by dietary nutrition

A type of prevalent and frequent cardiovascular illness that cannot be disregarded is essential hypertension. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the critical role that dietary nutrition plays in the prevention and management of essential hypertension. This article’s goal is to explore how food and nutrition relate to the prevention and management of essential hypertension.It has been discovered via the synthesis and analysis of several literature research that sensible dietary practices, nutrient consumption, and essential hypertension are closely related. When it comes to the prevention and treatment of essential hypertension, a reasonable and balanced diet can significantly improve patients’ physical function, nutritional status, and ability to tolerate their medications. There have been an increasing number of research in recent years on dietary nutrition’s role in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. In order to examine the precise mechanism and the most effective dietary nutrition approach in the prevention and treatment of hypertension, this study will use this as the research object and literature research methodology.

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Among Students of Majmmah University, Saudi Arabia: Comparison Between Medical and Non-Medical Students

Background and Aims: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that manifests as a chronic episode of abdominal pain accompanied by altered bowel habits. It is one of the most frequent illnesses of GIT. Medical students are more susceptible to IBS. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of IBS among medical and non-medical students at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, to assess the association between IBS and lifestyle, and to determine the effect of IBS on the academic performance of the students. Methods: A cross-sectional study to study the prevalence of IBS was conducted. Two hundred and seventy-nine students from two medical colleges and two non-medical colleges were enrolled in the study. Data were obtained through an online questionnaire. Rome IV criteria and perceived stress scale were applied to diagnose IBS, stress, and anxiety. Results: The prevalence of IBS was found to be 17.2%. The prevalence of IBS among medical and nonmedical students was 34.4% and 13% respectively. Time to reach the university, Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), physical exercise, stress, and anxiety were found to be significantly associated with IBS. Conclusions: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is more prevalent among students of Majmaah University. IBS is more prevalent among medical students and students in the College of Medicine have the highest prevalence of IBS. IBS is associated with the time to reach the university, gender, CGPA, exercise, stress, and anxiety.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on the KYN/TRP Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Periodontitis

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Purpose: The tryptophan–kynurenine (TRP-KYN) pathway is associated with inflammation and kynurenine pathway (KP) dysregulation is present in overweight and obesity. Meanwhile, obesity and periodontitis are two of the most frequent noncommunicable illnesses, and epidemiological studies show that obesity has a role in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. However, the association between elevated body mass index and KP on periodontal disease etiology is unknown. As a result, our study is aimed to investigate the possible relationship within TRP/KYN ratio and BMI relationship in periodontitis.&#x0D; Materials &amp; Method: The study comprised 20 periodontitis patients (P, Generalized Stage III Grade B, n=20) and 20 healthy persons (C, n=20). Clinical parameters (Bleeding index on probing (BOP), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and pocket depth (PD)), and BMI were recorded at the beginning of the study. Salivary and serum KYN/TRP ratios were analyzed by using mass spectrometry–liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS).&#x0D; Results: Clinical periodontal parameters were statistically significantly higher in P group than in C group (p

Menorrhagia and its Homoeopathic Management

Menorrhagia is a frequent illness that affects females during their reproductive years. The term "profound menstruation" is now used to describe an excessive or increased flow of the menses. These illnesses can have dreadful repercussions that could burden an allopath. Many people who deal with these instances see how completely hopeless they are. The amazing qualities of homoeopathic medicines, including their ability to stop even the rapid loss of critical fluid itself, are known to homoeopathic practitioners, who are also aware of the unique and characteristic signs. Keywords: Menorrhagia, Homoeopathy, menses, hormonal imbalance, symptoms.

Oral performance as substitute for ritual: Ekutet, a Teso exhumation ceremony

Among the Teso of Western Kenya, Ekutet (the exhumation ceremony) has for centuries been practised to treat physical, mental, and/or emotional problems. A family’s, or the community’s, persistent misfortunes such as frequent deaths, illnesses, accidents, or unexplained feuds and such other grief causing occurrences may be attributed to an unhappy dead member of the family or community. To correct the situation and bring life back to normal, the unhappy dead member’s bones are exhumed, either for reburial or display in a sacred place. Notably, the ritual is performed to the accompaniment of oral performances, rendered as narrations, incantations, swearing, prayer chants, and occasional re-enactments of attendant dramatic anecdotes. This article is written against the backdrop of the realisation that the Ekutet ritual itself appears to be diminishing, which then raises a pertinent question: What replaces, or has replaced, the role that this highly psychological ritual has usually played in the lives of the Teso people? I interviewed members of the community, while analysing the oral performances incorporated in this socio-cultural cum spiritual endeavour. Due to the fact that the actual ritual has become quite rare, people apparently try to keep it alive by revisiting the memory of the ritual, which they do through re-enactments and mock exhumations. This then also draws attention to the role of memory, narration, and re-enactment in either the resuscitation of, or the reliving of, diminishing ritual practices.

Lack of association between IGF2BP2 genes (rs4402960 and rs11705701) polymorphism and type two diabetes mellitus.

Background: The most frequent illness in the world is chronic disease. Diabetes type 2 is mostly caused by autoimmune disease, -cell dysfunction, and obesity. IGF2BP2 is one of the genes related to T2DM identified through GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies), and it has been confirmed in a range of ethnic groups.Material and methods : The samples were collected from AL Sadder Hospital's core medical city in Najaf. rs 4402960 and 11705701 of IGF2BP2 Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction T-ARMS-PCR was utilized to measure polymorphism in patients and controls (case_ control study). The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software.Results : There is no difference between patients and control subjects in the genotyping of (rs4402960) in the IGF2BP2 gene (p&gt;0.05), and there is no difference between patients and control in the genotyping of (rs11705701) in the IGF2BP2 gene (p&gt;0.05).Conclusion : Our results showed no association between The IGF2BP2 gene Polymorphisms (rs4402960 G/T and rs11705701 G/A) and T2DM patients.

Genetic variants used as predictors of response in the pharmacological treatment of depression in the brazilian population

Depression is one of the most frequent mental illnesses in the world and the lack of response to antidepressants are linked to genetic variants. The genetic diversity of Brazilian population may contribute to a variability in the response to these drugs, and this study aimed to assess how genetic variants are clinically and scientifically in the context of therapeutic response to depression in the Brazilian population. This work was carried out through a survey in literature and information obtained from genetic laboratories about the variants used in Brazil as biomarkers of response to antidepressants. Data from scientific studies published since 2000 that evaluated genetic variants that are related to the response to antidepressants in Brazilian populations, in the PubMed, Scielo, Scopus and Web of Science databases were also collected and compared with the international scenario. All laboratories evaluated included variants of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genes approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as biomarkers. However, the Brazilian genetic panels include variants that lack proven efficacy in PharmGKB and are not FDA-approved, highlighting the need for more regulation of commercialized tests and further studies on genetic variant analysis for depression treatment in our population. A limited number of Brazilian studies in this field were verified, highlighting the need for more regulation of commercialized tests and further studies on genetic variant for depression treatment in our population.

Sigmoid Volvulus and Chronic Acquired Megacolon in Unusual Population Associated with Demyelinating Neuropathy, A Case Report

Sigmoid volvulus is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction, currently shows an incidence between 2 to 50% by demographic variables. In North America the incidence rate is 3-5%1with a ratio 4:1 between males and females, and most frequently presented in the 7th and 8th decades of life. This case involves a relatively frequent illness with an unusual presentation, referring to sigmoid volvulus associated with megacolon in a patient out of the ordinary age of incidence. Thus, this patient presents mild to moderate symptoms, usually it triggers the picture of sudden acute abdominal pain with rapidly evolution to worsening condition if isn’t treated. 2

The role of life satisfaction and living arrangements in the association between chronic disease and depression: a national cross-sectional survey.

For middle-aged and older people, depression is a frequent and prevalent illness. The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating function of living arrangements in the mediating model as well as the mediating role of life satisfaction in the association between chronic diseases and depressive symptoms. The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) provided the data for this investigation (2018). Respondents were grouped according to depression status to compare the differences between middle-aged and older people with different depression statuses. The moderating effect of living arrangements and the mediating effect of life satisfaction were tested using the Bootstrap program and the simple slope approach. The population's total prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.3%. According to the mediating effect research, middle-aged and older people with chronic diseases experienced substantial direct effects on depressive symptoms (β = 1.011, p < 0.001). It has been established that life satisfaction has an 18.6% mediation effect between depressive symptoms and chronic diseases. Regarding the further moderating influence, it was discovered that chronic diseases had a more significant impact on the life satisfaction of middle-aged and older people who are in live alone than those who are living with others (β = 0.037, p < 0.05). In middle-aged and older people, chronic diseases have a major influence on depressive symptoms. Life satisfaction mediated the relationship between chronic diseases and depressive symptoms, and living arrangements moderated the first part of the route in the mediation model. Therefore, life satisfaction and living arrangements should be important considerations to decrease the prevalence of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older people.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Ogotun-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract. Kilasho A, Kolade MA, Oluborode J, Jackson V, Afolabi S. 2023. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Ogotun-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 138-144. The essential role of medicinal plants in maintaining human health demonstrates the necessity for appropriate knowledge and documentation of their significance and application. The aim of this study is to thoroughly and methodically record the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants by local community in Ogotun-Ekiti, Nigeria. The data was collected using both interview method and a structured questionnaire. Respondents were chosen based on their experience, related job and deep understanding of the usage of herbal medicines. According to the findings of the research, 81 medicinal plant species from 40 families and 78 genera were identified and documented. The study also revealed that trees make up 58% of all plants, shrubs make up 27%, herbs make up to 10%. Furthermore, leaves (57%) were the most plant parts used in treating several ailments followed by bark (21%), root (10%) and the seeds (8%) as the least used plant parts. Plants from the Malvaceae family (9 species) were recorded to be the most available in the study area, followed by the Fabaceae family (7 species), Moraceae and Asteraceae (each with 5 species) and three species each from Anarcadiaceae, Combreteaceae, Poaceae, Sapotaceae, Curcurbiataceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae and Lamiaceae. Some of the frequent illnesses treated with medicinal plants in the study region include: malaria, urinary tract infection, diarrhoea, diabetes amongst others. This study concluded that ethnobotanical survey is crucial for assessing current knowledge and serving as a baseline for future analyses of changes in knowledge and usage. These will thereby give the use of medicinal plants more national and global recognition.

The Role of GABA in the Dorsal Striatum-Raphe Nucleus Circuit Regulating Stress Vulnerability in Male Mice with High Levels of Shati/Nat8l.

Depression is a frequent and serious illness, and stress is considered the main risk factor for its onset. First-line antidepressants increase serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) levels in the brain. We previously reported that an N-acetyltransferase, Shati/Nat8l, is upregulated in the dorsal striatum (dSTR) of stress-susceptible mice exposed to repeated social defeat stress (RSDS) and that dSTR Shati/Nat8l overexpression in mice (dSTR-Shati OE) induces stress vulnerability and local reduction in 5-HT content. Male mice were used in this study, and we found that dSTR 5-HT content decreased in stress-susceptible but not in resilient mice. Moreover, vulnerability to stress in dSTR-Shati OE mice was suppressed by the activation of serotonergic neurons projecting from the dorsal raphe nucleus (dRN) to the dSTR, followed by upregulation of 5-HT content in the dSTR using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD). We evaluated the role of GABA in modulating the serotonergic system in the dRN. Stress-susceptible after RSDS and dSTR-Shati OE mice exhibited an increase in dRN GABA content. Furthermore, dRN GABA content was correlated with stress sensitivity. We found that the blockade of GABA signaling in the dRN suppressed stress susceptibility in dSTR-Shati OE mice. In conclusion, we propose that dSTR 5-HT and dRN GABA, controlled by striatal Shati/Nat8l via the dSTR-dRN neuronal circuitry, critically regulate stress sensitivity. Our study provides insights into the neural processes that underlie stress and suggests that dSTR Shati/Nat8l could be a novel therapeutic target for drugs against depression, allowing direct control of the dRN serotonergic system.

Early renal replacement therapy in coronavirus disease 2019-infected patients with acute kidney injury

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is developing as a frequent and significant coronavirus illness [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] sequela owing to the spread of the virus in 2019. A few trials, meanwhile, have focused on AKI managed with renal replacement therapy (AKI-RRT). Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of early renal replacement treatment in COVID-19 AKI cases. Patients and methods A total of 100 individuals with AKI and confirmed COVID-19 infection participated in this case–control research. All participants were split into two groups: group A included 50 COVID-19-confirmed diagnosis patients with AKI and group B included 50 COVID-19-confirmed diagnosis patients without AKI. Following ICU admission, we collected laboratory results, physiological parameters, drugs, therapies, and organ support (including RRT), as well as clinical events like mortality. Results Use of invasive ventilation, vasopressor, deep sedation, and RRT was significantly higher in group A. When compared with patients with AKI who did not get RRT, 14 (28%) patients who had RRT were younger, had greater creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, and experienced oliguria more often. Five patients had at least one session of intermittent hemodialysis, and all patients experienced continuous venovenous hemofiltration. Considering mortality, hospital mortality and 60-day mortality rate were significantly higher in group A. However, there was no substantial variation between the two groups regarding ICU mortality, 28-day mortality, and RRT mortality. Age, baseline creatinine, and effective RRT were the independent predictors linked to 60-day mortality in the multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion Patients with AKI who need RRT had a nonsignificantly higher death rate than COVID-19-infected patients without AKI. Age, initial creatinine, and RRT effectiveness were all independent variables linked to 60-day mortality.

The Role of Different Methods in Defining Cardiometabolic Risk and Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine illnesses, often accompanied by visceral adiposity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Visceral adiposity is an accurate predictor of MetS and cardiometabolic risk. This study aims to evaluate different anthropometric indices that can be used in PCOS and MetS risk assessment. A total of 66 women with PCOS (50%) and 66 controls (50%) were included, and clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The body mass index (BMI), body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), dysfunctional adiposity index (DAI), lipid accumulation (LAP) index, and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were calculated. The means of all indices were higher in the PCOS group (p < 0.05). The marker with the lowest discriminatory ability for PCOS and MetS was ABSI (AUC = 0.762 and AUC = 0.714, respectively, p = 0.000). According to the multivariate logistic regression model, the VAI and WC are strong predictors of PCOS (AUC, 98%; accuracy, 92%; sensitivity, 92%; and specificity, 91%), and WC, LAP index, and BRI are strong predictors of MetS (AUC, 0.95%; accuracy, 86%; sensitivity, 83%; and specificity, 88%). The use of different anthropometric indices in the detection of PCOS and MetS may allow for early diagnosis and treatment, and are simple and cost-effective.

A Hub of Food Amid of Nutrition Insecurities: Exploring Food and Nutrition Situations in Rural Areas of Tanzania

A cross sectional study was conducted and involved 351 households from two regions where participants were mother/caregiver-child pairs. This paper discloses the challenges and opportunities of food and nutrition situations in the areas using lessons from Morogoro and Dodoma regions, Tanzania. Data were collected through an inventory food production questionnaire, focus group discussions, observation and documentation on preparation, cooking and consumption practices. The study revealed several opportunities regarding food and nutrition situations including; availability of arable land for cultivation of diverse crops, ownership of arable land by 75% of study population, and diverse crop production, where about 80% of households cultivate 2-3 food crops. In addition, existence of manpower for agriculture production was evidenced by household composition of more than 3 adults capable of participating in agriculture production. Seasonal availability of fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables was also among the opportunities noted. Despite the documented opportunities, 82% of households participated in subsistence farming and depended on rain fed agriculture, this led to low productivity per acre and seasonal scarcity of foods. Poor nutrition status of children and women coupled by frequent illnesses was noted. Prevalence of stunting was 40.5% and underweight was 14.5%, prevalence of overweight for women was also high in the villages. Furthermore, limited skills on food preparations and sub-optimal dietary practices such as low dietary diversity, low consumption of fruits and animal source foods prevailed in the areas. The importance of addressing the challenges is highlighted including promoting diversified and sustainable agriculture by educating farmers on the importance of producing, consuming and sustaining diversified diets. Also, increasing nutrition awareness on the importance of good nutrition for economic development and productive life.