Negative Lifestyle Research Articles

P0753HOW FREQUENTLY PATIENTS WITH RISK FACTORS FOR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE ACHIEVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF FOOD CONSUMPTION FREQUENCY

Abstract Background and Aims Risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), high blood pressure (HBP) and obesity are strongly related to negative lifestyle and nutritional habits. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of patients with and without risk factors for CKD who meet recommendations for food consumption. Method Cross-sectional study. A qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was applied. Consumption of each food group was classified as adequate or inadequate based on dietary guidelines (DASH and ENSANUT Mexican Guidelines). Sociodemographic, biochemical and clinical variables were measured. DM2, HBP and obesity were defined as risk factors. Results 744 adults were evaluated, age 51±16 y, 68% women, 59% without risk factors, 7% DM2, 17% HBP, 8% DM2+HBP, and 18% obesity. Glomerular filtration rate was 99 (89-100) mL/min/1.73m2. Differences in FFQ between groups were found in relation to consumption of legumes, fast food, sugar, sweets and desserts (p<0.05). Figure A shows the frequency of consumption of healthy and B, unhealthy foods. Conclusion In general, subjects in this sample had negative dietary habits, with <50% consuming healthy food and >50% consuming unhealthy food. Subjects without risk factors for CKD displayed a similar pattern of food consumption than those with risk factors, with only a significantly lower legumes intake than patients with HBP, and higher intake of sweets and desserts, sugar, and fast food compared to patients with DM2+HBP. It is necessary to implement strategies to prevent the long-term development of CKD in groups with poor adherence to healthy food consumption recommendations.

Estilo de vida, morbidades e multimorbidade em Quilombolas adultos

Introdução: O estilo de vida negativo tem sido associado a condições adversas a saúde, predispondo ao aumento de morbidade e mortalidade nas mais variadas populações. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação do estilo de vida com morbidades e multimorbidade em adultos quilombolas, residentes de comunidades descendentes de escravos (quilombos). Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra representativa de adultos habitantes de quilombos de uma região geográfica do Estado da Bahia, no Brasil. Os dados foram obtidos por aplicação de formulário padronizado contendo características sociodemográficas e morbidades. O estilo de vida foi avaliado como positivo ou negativo pelo questionário Perfil de Estilo de Vida Individual (PEVI), que abrange os domínios: nutrição, atividade física, comportamento preventivo, relacionamentos, controle do estresse. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson para estimar razões de prevalência, com significância estatística para p<0,05. Resultados: Foram identificados 18,5% dos quilombolas com PEVI negativo. Pressão alta, obesidade central e multimorbidade acometem respectivamente 53,5%, 56,2% e 50,2% da população. Os homens apresentam PEVI mais positivo, no entanto o domínio alimentação é mais negativo. As mulheres apresentaram os domínios atividade física e controle do estresse mais negativos. Obesidade central se associou ao domínio de atividade física e as dislipidemias e multimorbidade com o domínio do comportamento preventivo. Conclusão: Cerca de um quinto dos quilombolas apresentaram PEVI negativo, alta prevalência de morbidades e multimorbidade. As diferentes associações entre PEVI e seus domínios (atividade física, comportamento preventivo e controle do Stress) revelam que a adoção de hábitos positivos de saúde infere na presença das morbidades.

The Associations between Dietary Patterns and Sedentary Behaviors in Polish Adults (LifeStyle Study).

Sedentary behavior, a low physical activity level, and unhealthy dietary patterns are risk factors for major chronic diseases, including obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of dietary patterns (DPs) with sedentary behaviors (SB) and self-reported physical activity (PA). The data was collected in November 2016 through a cross-sectional quantitative survey amongst 1007 Polish adults. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to derive DPs. Logistic regression analysis was used to verify associations between PA and SD (independent variables), and DPs (dependent variables). Five DPs (‘Fast foods & sweets’—FF&S; ‘Meat & meat products’—M∓ ‘Fruit & vegetable’—F&V; ‘Wholemeal food’—WF; ‘Fruit & vegetable juices’—F&VJ) were identified. Representing M&MP independently increased the chance of watching TV at least once a day (by 73%). There was no such relationship between the FF&S and sedentary behaviors. Being in the upper tertiles of pro-health DPs increased the chance of reading books (by 177%—F&V, 149%—WF, 54%—F&VJ) and watching TV (by 71%—F&V). On the other hand, belonging to the upper tertile of WF reduced the chance of using the computer for more than 4 h a day. Belonging to the upper tertile of healthy DPs (WF and F&VJ) increased the chances of moderate or high physical activity, both at work/school and during leisure time. Within F&V, there was a lower chance of moderate or high physical activity at work/school. Being in the upper tertile of unhealthy DPs (FF&S and M&MP) did not show any significant association with physical activity. The study indicated the associations between both healthy and unhealthy DPs and some sedentary behaviors. Association between F&V and watching TV and reading books/newspapers should be recognized as potentially efficient in education. Association between M&MP and watching television can be indicative of the mutual overlap of a negative lifestyle resulting in the development of overweight and obesity, especially since the extent of occurrence of sedentary behaviors is high.

Understanding the Value and Potential of Nudging: Improving Well-Being and Reducing Socio-Economic Dysfunctions

The nudge concept developed by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein has turned out to be a very important one. The paper begins by considering the basic elements of the nudge concept as well as the philosophy of libertarian paternalism; it also considers later nudge writings, notably those by Sunstein. Based on this impressive foundation, the paper develops a number of important, novel insights related to the nudge concept. The purpose of nudges, of course, is to improve people’s well-being. To create nudges that are truly beneficial for a person or for a society is not a trivial task; it requires wisdom and intelligent reflection. Two kinds of nudges, educative and noneducative, create a number of kinds of human capital that are an essential part of an economy’s capacity. The human capital deriving from nudges contributes to a nation’s soft infrastructure which complements a nation’s hard infrastructure. Most nations suffer to some extent from severe socio-economic dysfunctions that derive from behavioral market failures and involve deeply embedded negative patterns. Advanced industrialized nations, for example, are particularly afflicted by high rates of obesity related to negative eating and lifestyle patterns associated with the advance of “civilization.” There is reason to believe that “higher level nudges” (along with more conventional policies) can play a key role in resolving and mitigating obesity as well as making an important contribution to overcoming other severe social problems and societal difficulties. Understanding these higher level and related nudges are a key to appreciating the full value and potential of nudges.

Playfulness’ Influences on Leisure Lifestyle in Female High School Students

A paucity of leisure research has addressed the relationship between playfulness and leisure lifestyle, and the purpose of this study is to understand how playfulness influences leisure lifestyle. A total of 600 questionnaires were administered and 26 incomplete questionnaires were excluded. As a result, a total of 574 questionnaires were used for data analysis. Correlations analysis showed that most subsets of leisure lifestyle and playfulness were intercorrelated. Multiple regression analyses showed that physical animation and mental spontaneity positively predicted reasonable plan leisure lifestyle, sensor pursue leisure lifestyle, while negatively predicted indifferent leisure lifestyle. Humor perspective and emotional fluidity negatively predicted work-centered leisure lifestyle and sensory pursue leisure lifestyle respectively. Findings indicated that physical animation and mental spontaneity promote positive leisure lifestyle and limit negative leisure lifestyle. Theoretical and practical implications are provided in the discussion section.

HUBUNGAN ANTARA KONSEP DIRI DENGAN KECENDERUNGAN GAYA HIDUP HEDONISME PADA MAHASISWI PSIKOLOGI UST YOGYAKARTA

ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the relationship between self-concept and lifestyle trends hedonism student of Psychology, University of SarjanawiyataTamansiswaYogyakart. The hypothesis of this study is that there are ties between the negative self-concept and lifestyle of hedonism on a college student.The subjects were female students of UST Psychology Yogyakarta, 18-22 years old, female, amounting to 87 people. Measuring instrument used was a self-concept scale and the scale of the lifestyle of hedonism. Analysis of data using Product Moment correlation with SPSS statistics program version 17.0 for Windows.Based on the analysis Product Moment correlation coefficient between the variables of self-concept and lifestyle trends hedonism is -0.382 with a significance level of P = 0.000 (p <0.05). This shows that the hypothesis that there is a negative relationship between self-concept and lifestyle of hedonism in coed acceptable. This means that the lower the self-concept, the higher the tendency of hedonistic lifestyle, otherwise the higher the self-concept, the lower the tendency of hedonism lifestyle.Keywords: Adolescent Self-Concept, Lifestyle Trends Hedonism.

Smartphone addiction among university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To investigate the prevalence and correlates of smartphone addiction among university students in Saudi Arabia.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between September 2014 and March 2015. An electronic self administered questionnaire and the problematic use of mobile phones (PUMP) Scale were used.Results:Out of 2367 study subjects, 27.2% stated that they spent more than 8 hours per day using their smartphones. Seventy-five percent used at least 4 applications per day, primarily for social networking and watching news. As a consequence of using the smartphones, at least 43% had decrease sleeping hours, and experienced a lack of energy the next day, 30% had a more unhealthy lifestyle (ate more fast food, gained weight, and exercised less), and 25% reported that their academic achievement been adversely affected. There are statistically significant positive relationships among the 4 study variables, consequences of smartphone use (negative lifestyle, poor academic achievement), number of hours per day spent using smartphones, years of study, and number of applications used, and the outcome variable score on the PUMP. The mean values of the PUMP scale were 60.8 with a median of 60.Conclusion:University students in Saudi Arabia are at risk of addiction to smartphones; a phenomenon that is associated with negative effects on sleep, levels of energy, eating habits, weight, exercise, and academic performance.

Domestic Violence Against Partners According to Wife-Beaters: Construction of Lifestyle and Life Meaning.

This qualitative study examines the life stories of men who committed violent crimes against their intimate partners, for which they have served prison sentences. For the study, nine men in a rehabilitation hostel in Israel were interviewed. The study aim was to understand the psychological process that had brought the participants to behave violently towards their partners. Narrative analysis of the life stories resulted in two main themes. The first, childhood, was related to how the interviewee during his childhood perceived his personal identity and his parents. The second theme represented the adult interviewee's worldview of violence in general and of intimate partner violence in particular. The findings revealed a subjective feeling of inferiority and lack of worth and volition during childhood, a feeling of chaos, and the absence of existential meaning. To avoid these feelings in adulthood, the participants chose a lifestyle that included the use of force and violence, which provided them with a sense of control and meaning. Discussion of the findings is based on the individual psychology theory of Adler and his followers, as well as on the existentialist orientation. According to these approaches, the study participants, who lacked a sense of positive "existential being," developed a negative lifestyle that enabled them to feel a sense of security, value, and meaning.

Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of central nervous system which is accompanied with disability and negative life style changes such as fatigue and depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on fatigue and depression in patients with MS.Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of CoQ10 supplement (500 mg/day) vs. placebo for 12 weeks. Fatigue symptoms were quantified by means of fatigue severity scale (FSS) and the Beck depression inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms.Results: A significant decrease of FSS was observed in CoQ10 group during the intervention (P = 0.001) and significant increase of FSS change was observed within placebo group (P = 0.001). Repeated measure analysis of variance showed a significant time-by-treatment interaction for FSS (baseline 41.5 ± 15.6 vs. endpoint 45 ± 13.6; F1,45 = 55.23, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.56) and BDI (baseline 17.8 ± 12.2 vs. endpoint 20.4 ± 11.4; F1,45 = 40.3, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.48), indicating significant decrease of FSS and BDI in CoQ10 group compared to placebo group.Conclusion: Our study suggests that CoQ10 supplementation (500 mg/day) can improve fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Combined Impact of Negative Lifestyle Factors on Cardiovascular Risk in Children: A Randomized Prospective Study

PurposeNegative lifestyle factors are known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk (CVR) in children, but research on their combined impact on a general population of children is sparse. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the combined impact of easily assessable negative lifestyle factors on the CVR scores of randomly selected children after 4 years. MethodsOf the 540 randomly selected 6- to 13-year-old children, 502 children participated in a baseline health assessment, and 64% were assessed again after 4 years. Measures included anthropometry, fasting blood samples, and a health assessment questionnaire. Participants scored one point for each negative lifestyle factor at baseline: overweight; physical inactivity; high media consumption; little outdoor time; skipping breakfast; and having a parent who has ever smoked, is inactive, or overweight. A CVR score at follow-up was constructed by averaging sex- and age-related z-scores of waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, inverted high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. ResultsThe age-, sex-, pubertal stage-, and social class–adjusted probabilities (95% confidence interval) for being in the highest CVR score tertile at follow-up for children who had at most one (n = 48), two (n = 64), three (n = 56), four (n = 41), or five or more (n = 14) risky lifestyle factors were 15.4% (8.9–25.3), 24.3% (17.4–32.8), 36.0% (28.6–44.2), 49.8% (38.6–61.0), and 63.5% (47.2–77.2), respectively. ConclusionsEven in childhood, an accumulation of negative lifestyle factors is associated with higher CVR scores after 4 years. These negative lifestyle factors are easy to assess in clinical practice and allow early detection and prevention of CVR in childhood.

Lifestyle and Depressive Risk Factors Associated With Problematic Internet Use in Adolescents in an Arabian Gulf Culture

The use of the Internet has increased around the world but more so in the Middle Eastern countries, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. This has also produced problematic Internet use (PIU) with potential detrimental effects on physical, mental, and psychosocial health. To determine the prevalence of PIU and its association with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), comorbid, and lifestyle factors among adolescent and young adult (12- to 25-year-old) Qatari population. A cross-sectional survey. All public and private schools and university under the Supreme Council of Education and Higher Education in Doha, Qatar. A total of 3000 students (12-25 years of age) were selected through multistage stratified random sampling from public and private schools and university under the overall administration of Qatar Supreme Council of Education. Among them, 2298 students (76.6%) consented to participate in the study during September 2009 to October 2010. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including sociodemographic details, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Problematic Internet use and depressive tendencies were measured through validated Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and BDI. Of 2298, 71.6% were males and 28.4% were females. The overall prevalence of PIU was 17.6%. This study revealed that a significantly larger proportion of males (64.4%; P = 0.001) and Qatari students (62.9%; P < 0.001) had PIU. Students with PIU slept significantly less number of hours (6.43 ± 1.70) than non-PIU group (6.6 ± 1.80; P = 0.027). The proportion of students participating in moderate physical activity was significantly lower among those with PIU than in other group (47.8% vs 55.7%; P = 0.005). Qatari nationality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82; P < 0.001), male sex (OR = 1.40; P < 0.001), having nonworking mother (housewife) (OR = 1.34; P = 0.009), eating fast foods (OR = 1.57; P < 0.001), and BDI score (OR = 1.14; P = 0.003) were positively associated with PIU, whereas moderate and mild physical activity were negatively associated with PIU (OR = 0.73, P = 0.002; OR, 0.77, P = 0.003, respectively). This study adds to the growing body of evidence linking PIU with negative lifestyle and depressive risk factors, among vulnerable adolescent and young adult. Problematic Internet use is becoming a significant public health issue that requires urgent attention.

Picking Up the Pieces: Towards a Better Future for Critical Care Medicine in Three South American Countries

The demand for intensivists is increasing around the world, not only to meet the needs of a growing aging population, but also to fill positions in the intensive care unit now occupied by other specialists, since there is compelling evidence that the presence of critical care practitioners improves patient outcomes. Notwithstanding this, the shortage of intensivists is a problem recognized throughout the world. In this article, we discuss these issues in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, three upper-middle income Latin American countries where critical care has been a medical specialty for decades and intensive care unit coverage traditionally has followed the 24/7 model. The lack of intensivists is multifactorial: the specialty is not taught to medical students; there is a general perception of a negative lifestyle compared with the practice of other medical specialties, due mainly to the constant 24-hour shift work; and there is general dissatisfaction with incomes, which has forced many intensivists into multijob schemes. The expected-and feared-consequences are the 40 to 70% vacant posts in residencies of critical care. Despite these drawbacks, scientific societies and colleges are intensely committed, pointing out these problems to the press, calling the health authorities for action, and permanently generating educational activities. Surprisingly, 83% of surveyed intensivists would choose critical care medicine again, evidencing the strong vocational component in its practice, which seems to predominate over negative aspects.

Avoidant personality problems—their association with somatic and mental health, lifestyle, and social network. A community-based study

AimThe aim of the study was to explore the associations between the presence of avoidant personality problems (APPs) and 5 areas of impairment: demography, somatic issues, mental health, lifestyle, and social issues. MethodsAvoidant personality problem was defined by confirmation of the 2 avoidant personality disorder items of the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen and and the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) short version (MINI-SPIN) screening assessment for generalized social anxiety disorder sum score of 6 or more. The questionnaires were administered in a Norwegian population survey (the Oslo Health Study-HUBRO). Cases consisted of 280 individuals with APP and 5 randomly selected controls without APP (n = 1400). ResultsThe APP group more frequently reported living alone, lower level of education, and lower income than controls. Poor self-rated health, presence of somatic disease, muscular pain, frequent use of analgesics, and visits at a general practitioner were significantly more common in the APP group than among controls. The APP group had significantly higher proportion of caseness of mental distress, low general self-efficacy, and insomnia, and this result held up in multivariate analyses. The APP group showed statistically significant higher proportions of physical inactivity, obesity, daily smoking, and alcohol problems compared with controls. As for social impairment, a significantly higher proportion of the APP group reported “not having enough good friends,” “high powerlessness,” and low community activism, and the 2 former variables held up in multivariate analyses. ConclusionIn this population-based study, we found that high levels of APP, defined closely to avoidant personality disorder, were significantly associated with demographic, somatic, and mental impairment; low general self-efficacy; and insomnia affecting work ability. In addition, APP showed associations with negative lifestyle, alcohol problems, and social impairment reporting lack of good friends and lack of empowerment. Avoidant personality problem is associated with clinically significant impairment in several areas, which underlines the importance of recognizing these problems in primary health care.

Effects of a comprehensive educational group intervention in older women with cognitive complaints: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study presents a new comprehensive educational group intervention that offers psycho-education about cognitive aging and contextual factors (i.e., negative age stereotypes, beliefs, health, and lifestyle), focuses on skills and compensatory behavior, and incorporates group discussion. Its effects were investigated in community-dwelling older women who report normal age-related cognitive complaints. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with an experimental and waiting-list control condition was carried out in a sample of 50 women aged 60–75 years. As the main problem of these individuals were perceived cognitive deficits without actual cognitive decrements, metacognition served as the primary outcome measure. Objective cognitive functioning and psychological well-being were secondary outcome measures. A double baseline and a follow-up assessment were carried out. Results: Participants in the experimental condition reported significantly fewer negative emotional reactions toward cognitive functioning (U = 164.500, p = 0.004). The reported effect size (δ = −0.473) could be interpreted as large. Conclusions: This new comprehensive educational group intervention reduces negative emotional reactions toward cognitive functioning, which seems a prerequisite for improved subjective cognitive functioning and well-being. It can potentially contribute the well-being of an important and large group of older adults.

Is Positive Affect Associated With Survival? A Population-based Study of Elderly Persons

Study results on the association of positive affect with survival are conflicting. This disagreement potentially arises from poor control for health or negative affect and for the various age groups studied. The authors examined if positive affect predicts survival; whether this association is preserved after controlling for negative affect, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and health; and whether this association varies with age. The study is set within the population-based Rotterdam Study (1997-2007) and included 4,411 participants aged 61 years or older, followed for on average 7.19 (standard deviation = 2.20) years. Positive affect was not consistently associated with survival across all ages. A significant interaction of positive affect with age on survival (P = 0.02) was found. Subsequent age stratification revealed that positive affect independently predicted survival in elderly persons aged <80 years (per affect score, hazard ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval: 0.93, 0.99) but not in those aged ≥80 years in fully adjusted models (hazard ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval: 0.96, 1.04). In the oldest old, the association was partly explained by differences in baseline health. In conclusion, the results suggest that there may be an association of positive affect with survival in the younger and middle old but not in the oldest old in whom perception of positive affect is more likely to be determined by health.

Management of chronic kidney disease: primary health-care setting, self-care and multidisciplinary approach

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a growing problem, particularly in developing countries. Factors closely related with lifestyle and dietary habits that negatively affect kidney function are rarely modified by isolated medical intervention. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the effect of an educational program with a multidisciplinary health-care approach supported by self-help groups on the lifestyle and dietary habits of patients at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). 51 patients with overweight/obesity, 45 with hypertension and 88 with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) from a Family Medicine Unit, who had failed to meet clinical practice recommendations, were studied over 6 months. Patients received educational intervention guided by a multidisciplinary health team for 4 weeks (including topics such as emotional management, nutritional patterns, exercise and health-related problems). Reinforcement of goals and group dynamics were performed every 3 months. Additionally, self-help groups were constituted during the first month, and functioned with free activities, selected by patients and supported by the health team, for the duration of the study. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered at baseline and the end of the study; clinical and biochemical evaluations were performed every 3 months. Baseline lifestyle and dietary habits were unhealthy in all groups, particularly with regard to diet and exercise, and clinical and biochemical variables were concordant with inadequate achievement of clinical practice recommendations. After 6 months experience within this program, many of the negative lifestyle characteristics significantly improved. All groups reported a notable improvement in nutritional and exercise habits, as well as in management of the emotions. Only diabetic and hypertensive patients significantly improved the knowledge of their disease and adherence to treatment. None of the groups managed to reduce smoking or to cut their alcohol intake habits; however, relatively few participants had displayed these behaviors at the start of the study. Compared to baseline, all the groups significantly reduced body mass index and waist circumference. Additionally, diabetics and overweight/ obese patients significantly reduced blood glucose and increased GFR, and hypertensive patients significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and tended, although not significantly, to increase GFR. Remarkably, all these changes were independent of drug treatment, because none of the therapeutic interventions that had been formerly prescribed by family physicians had been significantly changed by the end of the follow-up in any of the groups. The implementation of educational strategies comprising multiple interventions for patients, guided by health professionals (multidisciplinary teams including primary doctors, dietitians, nurses, social workers), and probably supported by self-help groups, may be very helpful in modifying negative lifestyle and dietary habits. Educational interventions by both doctors and patients should be adopted concurrently and may help to control the enormous and growing problem of ESRD.

Health behavior inequalities among Lithuanian, Polish and Russian school-aged children in Lithuania

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare and get a deeper insight into issues of the health and health behavior inequalities among Lithuanian, Polish and Russian school-aged children in national and international contexts. Investigations were carried out in the framework of Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study — a WHO collaborative cross-national survey. Five thousand seven hundred and seventy six randomly selected students aged 11, 13, and 15 years of age answered questionnaires in the classroom in 108 schools located in different regions in Lithuania in March–April of 2006. Questions on perceived health and health related behaviors were addressed to the respondent (response rate was 95 %). 5632 questionnaires were selected for further analysis by the international data center in Bergen. SPSS version 11.5 and multilevel analysis program MLwiN 2.0 was applied for statistical analysis of data. Relatively minor inequalities in health and health behavior were established when comparing different health and health behavior indicators in Lithuanian, Polish and Russian school-aged children in Lithuania. These disparities are lower in comparison with differences, which were established among respondents of HBSC international studies. Odds ratios to have negative self-rated health evaluation were higher in girls of Russian (OR-1.71, p&lt;0.05) and Polish (OR-1.62, p&lt;0.05) nationality. Therefore, Russian and Polish students were tending to have higher odds ratios for perception of happiness (p&lt;0.05). Respondents of Russian nationality have expressed less somatic and psychological complaints. Polish boys (OR=1.38, p&lt;0.05) were tending for higher prevalence of headache, but have expressed fewer complaints for depression (OR=0.65, p&lt;0.05), anxiety (OR=0.71, p&lt;0.05). Chances to be involved in risk taking behaviors (alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use) were lower among Polish and Russian respondents. In schools with Lithuanian language based-schoold, health and health behavior indicators were more negative in Polish and Russian respondents in comparisons with their Lithuanian peers However, Lithuanian students, who were enrolled in Russian and Polish schools, tending to have better perceived health evaluation and better health behavior in comparison with their peers of Polish and Russian nationality. Analysis shows, that Polish and Russian students are integrated well into Lithuanian society and being a member of the minority class is not related to poor health or negative lifestyle. Therefore, with few exceptions universal health promotion programs should be provided to school-aged children of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.

Prolonged time to pregnancy is associated with a greater risk of adverse outcomes

Births with known time to pregnancy (TTP) during the period 1989-2007 (n=17,114) were analyzed to investigate associations between TTP and pregnancy outcome among couples that conceived spontaneously. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for poor neonatal health, including low Apgar score, low umbilical vein pH, and need for neonatal intensive care, was 1.51 (1.09-2.09) in women who had a TTP of 25-36 months and 1.60 (1.18-2.19) in women who had a TTP of >or=37 months compared with women with a TTP of 0-6 months.

Post-Communism and Female Tobacco Consumption in the Former Soviet States

Existing studies emphasise the important roles played by negative health lifestyle practices in the health situations of the countries constituting the former Soviet Union, and the role of smoking has attracted a considerable body of research. This article analyses female smoking behaviour in eight former Soviet states and seeks to more closely identify the roles of psychological distress and political ideology in relation to tobacco use in these countries. Results suggest that, in these populations, distress and ideology are associated with smoking practices in specific, observable, and sometimes unexpected ways. Findings are discussed within the context of changing gender constructions and dynamics following the post-communist transition.

Stress Among Selected Library Practitioners in Nigerian: A Diagnosis and prescription.

Stress prevalence in the larger society also affects library practitioners. This makes stress studies amongst these information professionals both topical and challenging. The subsisting dearth of stress-based reports in the library professional literature available to the researchers provided further motivation for this investigation. The research setting is Imo State of Nigeria while the subjects of study consist of librarians and library officers drawn from different in the state libraries. Data were collected through a customized questionnaire designed to elicit information on signs, types, causes, consequences and remedies to stress among the respondents. Results show that the major signs of stress are tiredness, headache, forgetfulness and insomnia resulting from unfavorable situations and events at home and work place, in addition t, negative personal lifestyle. The major consequences of stress revealed in this study included: decline in productivity, quarrelsomeness, martial crises and in health complications. Adequate remuneration of library staff, positive lifestyle and other remedies proffered in this report, which were influenced by the findings, would assist in ameliorating the adverse consequences of stress amongst library personnel in the study location and elsewhere.