Low Monthly Income Research Articles

The Relationship between Access to Safe Water and Sanitation and Women’s Health in the Self-produced Settlements

Access to safe water and sanitation in self-produced settlements is a significant societal problem. Yet, there is a notable gap in understanding and evaluating the impact on women’s health, and how this intersects with public space. In Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly half of the urban population lives in self-produced settlements. These are complex environments that are continuously growing and are home to almost two-thirds of the population in cities such as Nairobi. Mathare, one of the largest self-produced settlements in Nairobi, exhibits notably poor health outcomes, with women experiencing diarrhoea at twice the average rate of Nairobi. In such a precarious context, the health of its inhabitants requires a specific approach. This paper devises a multidimensional framework for analysing and evaluating the key spatial and socioeconomic factors affecting women’s health in these self-produced settlements. It connects women’s health and well-being to broader structural disadvantages, such as insecure tenure, poor housing conditions, low monthly income and a lack of access to basic services. This case study emphasizes the critical importance of access to safe water and sanitation. Women's daily routines often revolve around water, exposing them to heightened risks of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea or typhoid fever. Moreover, many women can only access water and sanitation in public spaces in Mathare, where they are particularly vulnerable to violence. This research also concludes how these risks perpetuate a cycle of poverty and vulnerability among women in these communities and emphasises the critical importance of implementing multidisciplinary policies and tailored approaches to enhance the health and well-being of women living in self-produced settlements.

Epidemiology of Mansonella perstans and Loa loa: Prevalence and Specific Risk Factors in Njombe-Penja Health District, Littoral Region of Cameroon

Aim: This epidemiological survey aimed to determine the prevalence and specific risk factors of Mansonella perstans and Loa loa infections in the Njombe-Penja Health District of Cameroon. This region is endemic for filarial infections, posing significant public health burden. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 participants, representing various occupational groups and areas of settlements. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Njombe-Penja Health District of the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Recruitment of participants, biological samples collection and questionnaire administration was done over a period of 1 month (July 2023). Methodology: Fifty microliters (50 µL) of peripheral blood was collected using capillary tubes, and analyzed for microfilarial presence and load. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic characteristics, exposure to risk factors, and preventive practices. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests with p-values, and odds ratios were calculated to identify significant associations. Results: The results showed a prevalence of 45.8% for M. perstans and 19.4% for L. loa, with higher infection rates among farmers, especially those working in the large scale banana farming sector, and those living near water bodies (P = .002, OR = 3.15). Poor environmental sanitation (P = .004, OR = 2.75), and low monthly income (< 50,000 CFA) (P = .001, OR = 2.32), were also significantly associated with increased infection risk. Although 70.0% of participants were aware of the diseases, only 50.0% could identify key symptoms. Preventive measures like using bed nets and insect repellents were linked to a lower risk of infection (P =.003, OR = 2.10). Conclusion: Mansonella perstans and L. loa infections are highly prevalent in the district, driven by occupational exposure, socioeconomic factors, and environmental risks. Interventions should focus on improving sanitation, enhancing public health education, and expanding healthcare access.

The Effect of Perceived Social Support on Self-Esteem and Well-Being Among the General Population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Perceived social support refers to the subjective assessment of the extent to which an individual feels supported by others. It is a crucial factor that affects a person's mental health, as well as poor self-esteem, which is a common psychiatric complaint correlated with low perceived social support. As the field expands, a better understanding of the correlation between these factors and mental health is important. Aim This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived social support, self-esteem, and well-being among the general population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the targeted population using an online survey. The survey comprised 39 questions, including a validated Arabic version of the Perceived Social Support (PSS) scale, a validated Arabic version of the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Well-Being Scale. Results Of the 405 surveyed participants, 277 (68.4%) were female, and 217 (53.6%) were between 18 and 25 years old. A total of 254 (62.7%) had high PSS. However, 328 (81.0%) had low self-esteem, and 236 (58.3%) had poor well-being. There was a significant association between PSS and both self-esteem and well-being. Females, those with higher monthly incomes, and those with good well-being were less likely to have low to moderate PSS levels. Additionally, being married and engaging in physical activity were significant predictors of low self-esteem. Conclusion Although most of the population demonstrated high PSS, the results for self-esteem and well-being were less than desired. PSS significantly influenced psychological well-being but not self-esteem. Further evidence suggests that male participants with lower monthly incomes may need more social support than others. More research is needed to determine the influence of PSS on self-esteem and well-being among the general population in this region.

Metabolic syndrome clustering patterns and the association with cardiovascular disease among post-menopausal Korean women

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases conceptualized as a clustering of risk factors, with the risks of developing MetS in women varying significantly before and after menopause. This study investigated MetS clustering patterns and their association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among post-menopausal women (n = 2479) using data from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Using latent class analysis, three groups emerged: diabetic (5.6%), hypertensive (35.2%), and low-risk (59.2%). Relative to the low-risk group, the diabetic group demonstrated associations with older age, a family history of chronic disease, an increased Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, experience with hysterectomy, being a non-drinker, more physical activity, and excessive sleep. The hypertensive group was associated with older age, lower monthly income, a family history of chronic disease, increased HOMA-IR, a higher WBC count, more physical activity, and excessive sleep. The diabetic and hypertensive groups had a significantly higher CVD risk than the low-risk group (diabetic: odds ratio [OR] = 2.41 [1.11, 5.27]; hypertensive: OR = 2.46 [1.33, 4.55]). This study identified potential markers for MetS screening in post-menopausal women, highlighting the need for early intervention and personalized healthcare for middle-aged women to reduce CVD risk following menopause.

Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Stress, and Associated Socio-Demographic and Diabetes-Related Factors in People With Type 2 Diabetes in Nepal.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms and perceived stress among people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Nepal. Using a cross-sectional design, we collected data from 481 participants with T2DM in Kavrepalanchok and Nuwakot districts of Nepal. Depressive symptoms and perceived stress were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Perceived Stress Scale, respectively. Associated independent variables were examined using binary logistic regression analyses. Of 481 participants, 123 (25.8%) had depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥5) and 156 (32.4%) experienced perceived stress. Low monthly income (<USD 215.52) and low diabetes medication adherence were significantly associated with both depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Mandatory screening and timely treatment for mental health conditions and assessment of medication adherence should be incorporated in the routine primary care of T2DM patients. A person-centred approach to T2DM management, considering the socio-economic determinants of the disease, should be prioritized by the healthcare system. Future studies should identify integrated care for the prevention and management of mental health comorbidities.

Healthcare workers' perceptions and acceptance for COVID-19 vaccine for their children aged

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program among adults in India is one of the highly successful vaccination drives globally, but the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among parents for their children is largely unknown. As parents are primary decision-makers for their children, we aimed to assess parents' perceptions and acceptance for COVID-19 vaccination for children in India. To assess parental perceptions and acceptance for COVID-19 vaccination for their children (aged <18 years). A cross-sectional anonymous web-based survey was designed and conducted from November 1 to December 15, 2022. All the healthcare workers of a tertiary care institute in eastern Uttar Pradesh, having a child aged <18 years, constituted the study population and were invited. They were recruited through snowball sampling and were sent the study questionnaire in Google form through email and WhatsApp. Bivariate analysis was performed to determine the predictors of child vaccination acceptance among the parents. A total of 388 healthcare worker parents (HCWPs) having a child <18 years of age completed the survey. The mean age of the parents was 40.28 ± 11.34 years. The majority (96.9%) of them had already received the recommended two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Around 91% of the parents agreed that COVID-19 vaccines are important for children's health, whereas 89% agreed that COVID-19 vaccines are effective. A total of 356 (91.7%) parents were willing to vaccinate their children with a COVID-19 vaccine, of which 91.3% intended to do so as soon as possible. The factors significantly associated with the stated willingness for child vaccination among the participants were younger age (P = 0.008), female gender (P = 0000), currently married status (P = 0.00001), urban residence (P = 0.01), lower monthly income (P = 0.03), absence of any chronic illness (P = 0.0003), history of COVID-19 in the child (P = 0.004), and the child being up-to-date with the routine childhood vaccines (P = 0.01). The HCWPs from eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, have a positive attitude and low vaccine hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination for children, with around 92% currently willing to vaccinate their children with COVID vaccine. Further longitudinal studies are required to assess the trend of parental acceptance of COVID vaccine.

Dietary intake knowledge and reasons for food restriction during pregnancy among pregnant women attending primary health care centers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The study investigated dietary intake knowledge and reasons for food restriction during preg-nancy among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. This cross-sectional survey involved 530 pregnant women visiting 35 primary health care (PHC) centers in Ile-Ife. Interview-er-administered questionnaire used to collect data included a 30-point knowledge scale and food restric-tion related questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square at P = 0.05. Mean age was 27.0 &amp;plusmn; 5.3 years, 44.5% had tertiary education and 11.1% earned above ₦50,000 monthly (ap-proximately US$315). Mean knowledge score was 23.6 &amp;plusmn; 4.2 and 75.5% had good knowledge. Higher education was significantly associated with good knowledge of dietary intake. Reasons for food restric-tion during pregnancy included cultural taboos (36.5%) and religious beliefs (12.1%). Major foods that were restricted or avoided for cultural reasons were protein and vitamin-rich foods such as snail (97.5%) and walnut (84.0%). Foods avoided based on religious beliefs included pork (87.4%) and dog (76.9%). A higher proportion (94.8%) of respondents who earn more than ₦50,000 avoided foods due to cultural taboos (94.8%) compared with those without monthly income (58.3%) (P&amp;le;0.05). The proportions of respondents who avoided foods due to cultural taboos with no formal, primary, secondary, and tertiary education were 95.5%, 93.8%, 79.8%, and 86.4% respectively (P&amp;le;0.05). Overall, respondents were knowledgeable about dietary intake. However, cultural taboos and religious beliefs were major reasons for food restriction among pregnant women and were more pronounced among women with low educa-tion and low monthly income. Nutrition education interventions are needed to address the phenomenon.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;

Trajectories of depression and predictors in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: growth mixture model

BackgroundDepression is prevalent among lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the symptom cluster of fatigue-pain-insomnia may influence their depression. Identifying characteristics of patients with different depression trajectories can aid in developing more targeted interventions. This study aimed to identify the trajectories of depression and the fatigue-pain-insomnia symptom cluster, and to explore the predictive factors associated with the categories of depression trajectories.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, 187 lung cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy were recruited and assessed at the first (T1), second(T2), and fourth(T3) months using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Growth Mixture Model (GMM) and Latent Class Analysis (LCA) were used to identify the different trajectories of the fatigue-pain-insomnia symptom cluster and depression. Binary logistic regression was utilized to analyze the predictive factors of different depressive trajectories.ResultsGMM identified two depressive trajectories: a high decreasing depression trajectory (40.64%) and a low increasing depression trajectory (59.36%). LCA showed that 48.66% of patients were likely members of the high symptom cluster trajectory. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that having a history of alcohol consumption, a higher symptom cluster burden, unemployed, and a lower monthly income predicted a high decreasing depression trajectory.ConclusionsDepression and fatigue-pain-insomnia symptom cluster in lung cancer chemotherapy patients exhibited two distinct trajectories. When managing depression in these patients, it is recommended to strengthen symptom management and pay particular attention to individuals with a history of alcohol consumption, unemployed, and a lower monthly income.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Post-anesthesia cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy

BackgroundThe administration of anesthesia during gastrointestinal endoscopy potentially contributes to post-anesthesia cognitive dysfunction (PACD), with detrimental impacts for cognitive function. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards PACD among patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy in Wenzhou region.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2023, and recruited individuals undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. Demographic data and KAP scores were collected through questionnaires. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to evaluate correlations between KAP scores, and logistic regression was utilized to identify influential factors.ResultsWe collected 405 valid questionnaires, with 54.57% being male and 29.88% aged 31–40 years. Mean KAP scores were 13.99 ± 4.80, 16.19 ± 2.35, and 15.61 ± 2.86, respectively (possible range: 0–16, 0–25, and 0–25). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive correlations between knowledge and practice (r = 0.209, P < 0.001), attitude and practice (r = 0.233, P < 0.001), and knowledge and attitude (r = 0.328, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed negative associations of opting for standard gastrointestinal endoscopy (without anesthesia) with knowledge (OR = 0.227, 95%CI: 0.088–0.582, P = 0.002) and practice scores (OR = 0.336, 95%CI: 0.154–0.731, P = 0.006). Additionally, the presence of cognitive-related diseases or symptoms before undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy was negatively associated with knowledge scores (OR = 0.429, 95%CI: 0.225–0.818, P = 0.010).ConclusionPatients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated good knowledge, neutral attitudes, and moderate practices regarding PACD. Educational interventions and behavior modification are recommended, particularly for individuals with lower monthly income, undergoing standard gastrointestinal endoscopy, or experiencing cognitive-related conditions.

Association between dyslipidaemia knowledge & lipid testing practice among adults, a community-based study.

Various factors have been described in the literature to explain the tendency of an individual to undergo medical screenings. This study aimed to assess the association between the level of knowledge about dyslipidaemia and the frequency of lipid testing, as well as the potential impact of predisposing, enabling, and need factors on the uptake of blood lipid screening. This study was a cross-sectional survey involving 314 participants who were Malaysian residents of Taman Selatan, Klang, aged 30 and above. The study utilized a 42-item paper-based bilingual questionnaire to evaluate the predisposing, enabling, and need factors that could potentially influence the practice of lipid testing. Out of the 314 residents approached, 271 responded to the questionnaire yielding a response rate of 86.31%. The median knowledge score was 5 out of 17. Lower monthly income (OR = 3.225, 95% CI = 0.255 to 2.141), higher number of comorbidities (OR = 2.724, 95% CI = 0.037 to 2.013), higher total knowledge score (OR = 1.334, 95% CI = 0.063 to 0.512) and respondent's belief and attitude (OR = 0.813, 95% CI = -2.033 to -0.539), were found to be significantly associated with the frequency of lipid testing. In conclusion, the knowledge level regarding dyslipidaemia was below average and associated with a lower tendency to undergo frequent lipid testing. There is a need for innovative health awareness such as active educational campaigns in various settings of the community. Further qualitative studies that explore the understanding of the publics', and antecedents of their, lipid screening behaviour are required. Appropriate communication by healthcare providers should be encouraged during patient consultations for higher impact.

Person-centered exploration of work-related stress patterns, predictors, and their association with subhealth in midwives: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMidwives experience elevated levels of work-related stress. However, there is limited understanding of the patterns of this stress, its sociodemographic and work-related determinants, and its association with sub-health. MethodThis multi-center cross-sectional study, conducted in 21 hospitals in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China, involved 300 midwives. Work-related stress levels in midwives were evaluated using the Chinese version of the Nursing Stress Scale, while social, physical and mental sub-health status was measured with the Sub-Health Measurement Scale. Utilizing latent profile analysis, the study aimed to categorize midwives into homogeneous profiles based on patterns of work-related stress. ResultsAmong the 300 midwives examined, three distinct profiles were identified: profile 1 (n=57, 19 %), characterized by low work-related stress; profile 2 (n=149, 50 %), representing the moderate work-related stress class; and profile 3 (n=94, 31 %), indicative of high work-related stress. Midwives in the high work-related stress profile tended to be younger, with lower monthly income, lower professional titles, and a higher likelihood of night shift work (all P<0.01). Significant and noteworthy trends were observed in sociodemographic characteristics (age, monthly income, and professional title) and work-related characteristics (night shift status). After controlling for confounders, the work-related stress profile demonstrated a negative association with social, physical and mental sub-health status. ConclusionThis study highlights integrating stress domains and adopting a person-centered approach to examine midwives’ work-related stress. Identifying predictors of profile membership and their relationship with sub-health can inform tailored interventions to reduce stress and improve midwives' well-being.

Explicit discrimination among Brazilian dental students: A multicenter study

To test the association between socioeconomic and sociodemographic status of Brazilian dental students with discriminatory experiences suffered by them. This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted with 531 undergraduate dental students from four different Brazilian states. The Explicit Discrimination Scale (EDS) was used to measure the experience of discrimination in several daily situations. A questionnaire about sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, form of admission, and permanence in dental schools was developed and validated by experts and six dental students through cognitive interviews. The EDS and questionnaire were sent to students by an online platform using snowball sampling. Descriptive analysis, bivariate tests, and multiple Poisson regression were performed. Among the participants, most were female, white, heterosexual, and cisgender. The mean EDS total score was higher among those students who used Brazilian Affirmative Actions for higher education access and permanence (p<0.005). The multiple analysis indicated that students who were black (prevalence ratio [PR]=1.484; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.291-1.705), women (PR=1.227; 95%CI: 1.030-1.462), had lower monthly income (PR=1.212; 95%CI: 1.043-1.409) and were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, pansexual, and plus (LGBTQIAP+) (PR=1.466; 95%CI: 1.238-1.735) showed a higher probability of discriminatory experiences when compared to white, male and heterosexual students with higher monthly income. There is a racial and social class pattern among dental students. The exclusionary factors such as black race, female gender, lower monthly income and being LGBTQIAP+ make students more vulnerable to discriminatory experiences.

Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated factors of Streptococcus pyogenes among apparently healthy school children in Mekelle city primary schools, Northern Ethiopia

BackgroundStreptococcus pyogenes is one of the major public health concerns causing human infections ranging from skin and throat infections to acute rheumatic fever and post streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Moreover, nowadays drug-resistant strains of S. pyogenes are emerging and can be transmitted through apparently healthy carriers to susceptible individuals. ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated factors S. pyogenes among apparently healthy school children in Mekelle city primary schools, Northern Ethiopia. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 apparently healthy school children from February to May 2018. We used structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data. Throat specimens were collected using sterile cotton Swab and transported for culture, antimicrobial susceptibility and identification of S. pyogenes according to standard operating procedures. Data were analyzed using Stata 13 for descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. P-value <0.05 was declared statistically significance. ResultsThe mean age of the study participants was 11.5 years of which 55 % of them were females. The overall prevalence of S. pyogenes was 8.3 %. Being female, having low monthly income, weak personal hygiene, poor hand washing habit and crowded living style were significantly associated with the occurrence of S. pyogenes. The isolates of S. pyogenes showed resistance to Penicillin (69.1 %), Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (62 %), Ampicillin (54.6 %), Ceftriaxone (47.6 %), Tetracycline (14.4 %), Cefoxitin (7.2 %). About 57.15 % isolates were multidrug-resistant. ConclusionsThis study revealed that some isolates of S. pyogenes among the apparently healthy school children were resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotic agents and associated with hygienic conditions and living style. Therefore, it is recommended to practice antimicrobial susceptibility test to maintain rational antibiotic use and improve hygienic and hand washing practices to decrease the likelihood of carriage rate.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis c virus in Blood Donors in Kabul in 2023

Introduction: Understanding the prevalence and distribution of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for the development of effective prevention and control strategies, given its significant impact on global public health. The objective of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of HCV among blood donors in Kabul and assess the possible gender-based variations in infection rates. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed blood donor records from the central blood bank in Kabul, including both male and female donors, from January to December 2023. HCV screening was performed using ELISA testing, and the data were analyzed using SPSS to determine HCV prevalence and investigate gender-based differences in infection rates. Results: In this study, 59 out of 15,080 individuals (0.39%) tested positive for HCV infection. Among the HCV-positive cases, 81.5% were male and 18.6% were female. The majority of infected males (64.4%) were in the 30-39 age range. A significant proportion of HCV-positive patients had no formal education (69.5%) and were unemployed (61.0%). Additionally, the majority of HCV-positive patients reported a low monthly income (66.1%). Discussion: The study found a low prevalence of HCV infection (0.39%) among the participants, with the highest rates observed in the 30-39 age group. Socioeconomic factors, such as lack of education, unemployment, and low income, were associated with HCV infection. Targeted interventions are needed to address gender disparities, age-specific risks, and socioeconomic determinants to improve prevention and control strategies for HCV in Kabul's blood donor population and enhance overall population health.

Stress and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background and Objectives: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Individuals with multiple sclerosis may require daily care and support from caregivers due to the disease's progressive and unpredictable nature. However, the role of caregiving is not without its challenges, and caregivers themselves often face significant repercussions in terms of their quality of life, mental health, and stress levels. Our study aims to investigate the level of stress caregivers experience in their everyday life and the way stress affects their quality of life. Materials and Methods: We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study from 11 November 2023 to 20 March 2024 in healthcare units in Western Greece. All 96 participants were adult caregivers of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). We assessed caregivers' quality of life and stress levels using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale, respectively. Non-parametric tests (Spearman's rho test, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests) were used to identify possible correlations between the aforementioned scales and between stress levels and caregiver characteristics. Results: Caregivers reported high stress, with an average KCSS score of 36.82 ± 0.851. The mean SF-36 physical component summary score (PCS) was 59.59 ± 2.77, whereas the mental component summary score (MCS) was 45.69 ± 2.32. Stress levels in the KCSS were negatively correlated with both PCS and MCS of SF-36 and female gender, education level, monthly income, limits of mobility, and patient's level of dependence were associated with higher levels of stress. Conclusions: Stress was found to be negatively connected with caregivers' quality of life, affecting both physical and mental health. Female caregivers, caregivers with a primary education level and a low monthly income, and caregivers of patients with serious illnesses who rely primarily on daily help were the most affected.

The mediating effect of coping styles between emergency capacity and mental workload among clinical nurses: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between emergency capacity, coping styles, and mental workload among nurses. Emergency capacity, coping styles, and mental workload are all variables associated with work. Identifying the relationship between these variables can facilitate administrators to implement tailored and effective intervention strategies to improve individual performance, quality of care, and medical safety. A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate 605 Chinese clinical nurses in seven tertiary hospitals by using personal information form, emergency capacity scale for nurses, simplified coping skill questionnaire, and the NASA-Task Load Index. Emergency capacity and mental workload were found at moderate levels. The multiple linear regression model suggested that spinsterhood, no children, high workload, always anxiety or nervousness, and lower monthly income were the influencing factors of mental workload. Positive coping style was positively correlated with emergency capacity and negatively correlated with mental workload. Negative coping style was negatively related to emergency capacity and positively related to mental workload. Additionally, coping styles played a partial mediating role in the relationship between emergency capacity and mental workload through constructing a structural equation model, but the effects of positive coping style and negative coping style are opposite. Our results showed that coping styles played a mediating role in the relationship between emergency capacity and mental workload. Managers can alleviate the mental workload of nurses by cultivating positive coping styles and improving emergency capacity. Mental workload of nurses deserves more attention in medical institutions. The results of our study provide evidence for improving employee health, promoting positive behaviors, and optimizing organizational management. Nursing managers should take feasible measures to fulfill nurses' needs for emergency capacity and coping strategies to alleviate nurses' mental workload, so as to stimulate their intrinsic motivation and positive organizational behavior.

Prevalence, risks factors, and control of hypertension in Guinean older adults in 2021: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThe incidence of arterial hypertension increases with the aging of the population, but its magnitude remains insufficiently assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in elderly people in Guinea.MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional general population survey, conducted among people aged ≥ 60 years. A stratified enumeration area random sample survey was conducted in the four natural regions of Guinea from February to April 2021. This study included an interview on sociodemographic data, and a clinical examination. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90mmHg or previous diagnosis of hypertension (with or without antihypertensive medication). Hypertension control was defined as blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg during treatment. Age-standardized prevalence was calculated, and logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with hypertension.ResultsA total of 1698 adults (1079 men, mean age: 71.6 ± 9.4 years) had at least two blood pressure measurements. The standardized prevalence of hypertension was 61.4% [95% CI: 61.3–61.6], ranging from 52% in Middle Guinea to 67% in Upper Guinea, and was higher in women (65.2%: 65.0-65.4) than in men (59.1%:58.9–59.3). Among those with hypertension, 46.7% were unaware of their condition before the survey and 49.6% were on treatment and only 18.5% had controlled hypertension. Whatever the residence (rural or urban), increasing age, being unmarried, working as a trader or functionary, jobless, living in upper Guinea, low monthly income, intake of extra salt, known diabetic, overweight, and obesity increased the risk of hypertension. In urban area, female sex (AOR: 1.14: 1.12–1.17), living in lower Guinea (AOR: 3.08: 2.97–3.20), being Maninka (AOR: 1.26: 1.21–1.31), being Nguerze (AOR: 1.71: 1.63–1.81) increased the risk of hypertension, but living in forest Guinea (AOR: 0.88: 0.83–0.93), being Soussou (AOR: 0.88: 0.85–0.92) decreased the risk. In rural area, living in forest Guinea (AOR: 2.14: 2.03–2.26), being Soussou (AOR: 1.14: 1.12–1.17) increased the risk of hypertension, but female sex (AOR: 0.96: 0.94–0.98), living in lower Guinea (AOR: 0.87: 0.85–0.89), being Maninka (AOR: 0.94: 0.92–0.97), being Nguerze (AOR: 0.50: 0.47–0.52) decreased the risk.ConclusionHypertension is a major problem in the elderly population in Guinea, and the level of treatment and control in elderly with known hypertension is inadequate. The place of hypertension among cardiovascular diseases and the identification of associated factors underlines the need to develop innovative approaches to control this major risk factor.

Willingness to Use Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir and Associated Factors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Guangxi, China.

Cabotegravir (CAB-LA), the first long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), has been approved for use in the USA and is not currently on the market in China. However, willingness to use CAB-LA and associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) have not yet been evaluated in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangxi, China, in 2022 recruiting 1,006 MSM. Their mean age was 30.2years, 74.2% had college or above education, and 48.6% had a monthly income between 3,000 and 5,999 Chinese yuan (CNY). Most (73.4%) had previously heard of PrEP while few (8.3%) had ever used this type of preventative medication. Willingness to use CAB-LA was 79.8% and was positively associated with eight variables: younger age, being married to a woman, having a low monthly income, having six or more male partners in the past six months, having only regular male partners in the past month, having a high perceived risk of HIV infection, and history of using PrEP. Ten other variables were not significantly associated with willingness to use CAB-LA. Among 894 participants who were willing to use or did not definitely reject using CAB-LA, the main concerns about CAB-LA were its side effects (90.2%), efficacy (63.6%), and high cost (58.2%). Only 14.7% were willing to pay more than 1,200 CNY (~US$180) every two months to use CAB-LA. The preferred injection places were centers for disease control facilities, hospitals, and social organizations. Many (89.0%) said that they would recommend CAB-LA to their male sexual partners. We conclude that willingness to use CAB-LA was high among MSM in Guangxi. However, implementation of CAB-LA faces tough challenges due to its high cost and the low use of PrEP. Peer education may play a large role in the implementation of CAB-LA in China.

Patient Satisfaction with Telemedicine

The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the significance of telemedicine for delivering healthcare services. However, the rapid development of a framework for telemedicine implementation necessitates the investigation of the existing acceptance and satisfaction of Filipino respondents and physicians. This study assessed the satisfaction of patients with telemedicine in Tuguegarao City in terms of system, information and healthcare service quality. Employing a descriptive quantitative design was used and 230 respondents were included and selected through snowball sampling. A structured questionnaire based on Yip et al., (2003), Bakken et al., (2006), Lin, Z. (2017), and Parmanto et al., (2016) was also used. Gathered data were analyzed using mean, frequency, and percentage while test of significant difference was also conducted using independent sample T-test and One-way ANOVA. Results indicate slight satisfaction among telemedicine users in Tuguegarao City across quality dimensions: system, information, and health service. Moreover, significant differences in the level of satisfaction exist in the respondent’s age, educational attainment, average monthly income, occupation, type of residences, and number of health services availed. It was revealed that respondents who are 18 to 24 years old and are commonly senior high school and college graduates had the lower level of satisfaction with the overall quality of telemedicine. While respondents with lower monthly income, in rural areas and who availed more than two services appeared to have better satisfaction with telemedicine services. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that the respondents are slightly satisfied with the telemedicine services within Tuguegarao City.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of poststroke depression among patients with poststroke depression and their family members in Heilongjiang Province, China: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of poststroke depression (PSD) among patients with PSD and their family members.DesignWeb-based cross-sectional study.SettingThis study was conducted in Heilongjiang...