Residents Of Rural Areas Research Articles

The association between MIND diet and cognitive function among Chinese middle aged and older adults: A 9‐year longitudinal study

AbstractBackgroundEvidence on the association of Mediterranean‐DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet with cognitive function is limited. This study examined how MIND diet is related to cognitive function among Chinese middle aged and older adults.MethodThis longitudinal study comprised 4066 participants aged ≥55 years from the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 1997. Dietary assessment (using 3‐day 24‐hour dietary recalls) and cognitive tests (using modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status) were conducted repeatedly from 1997 to 2006. The study MIND diet score was calculated based on 9 healthy food groups and 3 unhealthy food groups. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to investigate the relation of MIND diet adherence to cognitive function (z‐score).ResultThe median MIND score was 4.5 (range: 0‐12) among overall participants at baseline. During a mean follow‐up of 5.9 years, participants with higher scores of MIND diet had significant better global cognitive function in subsequent years. In the multivariable‐adjusted model, the regression coefficients (95% CI) across the tertiles of MIND score were 0 (ref), 0.01 (‐0.03, 0.06), and 0.07 (0.02, 0.11), respectively. For dietary components, highest consumption (T3 vs T1) of nuts (β = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.38), fish (β = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.16), poultry (β = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.16), red meat (β = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.14), tea (β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.13), and green leafy vegetable (β = 0.04, 95% CI: ‐0.00, 0.09) were associated with better global cognitive function, whereas highest intake of fried food (β = ‐0.18, 95% CI: ‐0.26, ‐0.10), pastries and sweets (β = ‐0.07, 95% CI: ‐0.16, 0.02) demonstrated opposite associations. Furthermore, the beneficial association of MIND diet with cognitive function was stronger among residents in rural areas, soutern areas, and among illiterate participants though significant effect modifications were not observed.ConclusionOur findings suggest that higher adherence to MIND diet was associated with better cognitive function in later life. Further research is warranted to confirm the findings and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

EPH214 The Effect of Exercise Habits on Reducing Medical Costs in Residents in a Japanese Rural Area

EPH214 The Effect of Exercise Habits on Reducing Medical Costs in Residents in a Japanese Rural Area

The Effect of Folk Belief on Social Trust: The Mediating Role of Social Support and the Sense of Identity

Although the influential factors of social trust have aroused heated discussion, the research on the influence of religious belief, especially Chinese folk belief, on social trust and the mechanism between the two is relatively insufficient. This study aims to explore the influence of folk beliefs on Chinese residents’ social trust and the mediating role of social support and the sense of identity. The empirical analysis of 23,823 Chinese residents shows that there is a significant positive correlation between folk belief and social trust. Social support and a sense of identity play a mediating role between folk beliefs and residents’ social trust. People with folk beliefs can significantly promote their social trust by improving their degree of social support and their sense of identity. In addition, the influence of folk belief on the social trust of residents in eastern, northern China and rural areas is more significant, showing regional and registered residence heterogeneity. Therefore, we should correctly interpret and popularize the core spirit and social and cultural significance of folk belief to form a bond of social trust. At the same time, folk beliefs can be returned to the people, which will help people find a sense of belonging and sense of identity and enhance their social trust.

ANALISA LITERASI KEUANGAN PADA PERILAKU PENGELOLAAN KEUANGAN PETANI KOPI DAN CENGKEH DI JAWA TENGAH

The agricultural sector plays an important role in the nation's economy. This is because the agricultural sector provides the main job opportunities for residents in rural areas, and serves as a provider of food for the population. Besides that, agriculture is also one of the backbones of the nation's economy and supports the country's development. . This study aims to analyze the saving behavior of coffee and clove farmers who live in Central Java, especially in the districts of Kedal, Temanggung, and Batang based on income levels, consumption patterns, and saving patterns owned by farmers using quantitative research methods. Data collected by a number of 102 respondents obtained through the distribution of questionnaires. The results of the analysis show that the income level, consumption patterns, and saving patterns of coffee and clove farmers in central java influence each other. This research is expected to provide benefits and information regarding the importance of financial management, especially in 3 aspects, namely consumption patterns, savings patterns and investment patterns so that farmers have good and correct household financial management.

The COVID-19 Crisis and the Incidence of Alcohol-Related Deaths in Poland.

BACKGROUND Identifying risk and protective factors for excessive alcohol consumption can inform targeted health policies, reducing the impact of potential mental health crises. This study examined the validity and reliability of COVID-19-related death data and explored the correlations among age, sex, residential status, alcohol abuse, and healthcare access. MATERIAL AND METHODS This analysis of Polish residents' mortality relies on individual data from the register of deaths maintained by Statistics Poland. This study examined deviations in the number of deaths between 2020 and 2021 by analyzing specific causes of death. RESULTS Alcohol abusers had increased COVID-19 risk factors compared to the general population. F10 values were 22% higher than expected in 2020, aligning with predictions for 2021. Higher mortality rates were observed in the first year of the pandemic. In 2020, women and rural residents were more affected (31% and 25% higher than expected, respectively), while men and urban residents were less affected (21% and 20% higher than expected, respectively). In 2021, the trend reversed, with men 2% higher than predicted and women 4% lower. Urban area residents had a 77% lower than expected value, while rural area residents were similar (8% higher). Overall mortality exceeded expectations in both 2020 (13% higher) and 2021 (23% higher). In 2021, alcohol-related non-mental health problems increased by more than 40% in standardized death rates (SDRs). CONCLUSIONS Alcohol-related deaths reflect the hidden effects of the pandemic. Measuring the pandemic's impact on global excess mortality is hindered by inconsistencies in COVID-19 death reporting.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal mortality ratio and related factors in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Maternal mortality is an indication of the health status of women in the society. To investigate the maternal mortality ratio, causes of maternal mortality, and related risk factors among Iranian women. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guideline, we systematically searched electronic databases, and the grey literature, for publications in Farsi and English from 1970 to January 2022 for studies that reported the number of maternal deaths and/or maternal mortality ratio and their related factors. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 16 and 2-sided P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant, if not otherwise specified. A subgroup meta-analysis of studies conducted since 2000 estimated the maternal mortality ratio as 45.03 per 100 000 births during 2000-2004, 36.05 during 2005-2009, and 23.71 after 2010. The most frequent risk factors for maternal mortality were caesarean section, poor antenatal and delivery care, unskilled birth attendance, age, low maternal education level, lower human development index, and residence in rural or remote areas. There has been a significant decrease in maternal mortality in the Islamic Republic of Iran during the last few decades. Mothers in the country need to be monitored more carefully by trained healthcare workers during the pregnancy, delivery and postpartum periods so they can effectively handle postpartum complications, such as haemorrhage and infection, thereby further reducing maternal mortality.

Association of rurality, socioeconomic status, and race with pancreatic cancer surgical treatment and survival.

Pancreatectomy is a necessary component of curative intent therapy for pancreatic cancer, and patients living in nonmetropolitan areas may face barriers to accessing timely surgical care. We evaluated the intersecting associations of rurality, socioeconomic status (SES), and race on treatment and outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries with pancreatic cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, using fee-for-service Medicare claims of beneficiaries with incident pancreatic cancer (2016-2018). We categorized beneficiary place of residence as metropolitan, micropolitan, or rural. Measures of SES were Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility and the Area Deprivation Index. Primary study outcomes were receipt of pancreatectomy and 1-year mortality. Exposure-outcome associations were assessed with competing risks and logistic regression. We identified 45 915 beneficiaries with pancreatic cancer, including 78.4%, 10.9%, and 10.7% residing in metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas, respectively. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, and metastasis, residents of micropolitan and rural areas were less likely to undergo pancreatectomy (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.88 for rural, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.81 to 0.95) and had higher 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 1.25 for rural, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.33) compared with metropolitan residents. Adjustment for measures of SES attenuated the association of nonmetropolitan residence with mortality, and there was no statistically significant association of rurality with pancreatectomy after adjustment. Black beneficiaries had lower likelihood of pancreatectomy than White, non-Hispanic beneficiaries (subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.72 to 0.89, adjusted for SES). One-year mortality in metropolitan areas was higher for Black beneficiaries (adjusted odds ratio = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.26). Rurality, socioeconomic deprivation, and race have complex interrelationships and are associated with disparities in pancreatic cancer treatment and outcomes.

Does the integration of urban and rural health insurance influence the functional limitations of the middle-aged and elderly in rural China?

In January 2016, the Chinese government integrated the two systems of urban resident basic medical insurance and new rural cooperative medical system to establish a unified Urban and Rural Resident Medical Insurance. The integration of medical insurance is purported to enhance access for the rural population; however, a dearth of literature exists regarding its effect on functional impairment among middle-aged and elderly residing in rural areas. This study aims to evaluate the impact of urban-rural health insurance integration on functional limitation among middle-aged and elderly individuals in rural China. A longitudinal survey was conducted among 7855 middle-aged and elderly individuals in rural China. Using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design, we exploit these policy changes to evaluate their impact on middle-aged and elderly individuals’ functional limitation. The results showed that the integration of urban and rural health insurance systems was significantly associated with reduced functional limitation (Odds ratio .742; 95%CI 0.603, 0.914) among middle-aged and elderly individuals in rural China. Our findings also indicate that prevalent behaviors such as tobacco use, and alcohol consumption may exacerbate functional limitation among middle-aged and elderly individuals. These findings suggest that the integration of urban and rural health insurance systems can have a positive impact on the functional limitation of middle-aged and elderly individuals in rural China and could be an important factor in improving the health and well-being of middle-aged and elderly individuals in rural areas.

Situation Analysis on the Applicability of a Communist Approach in the Delivery of Refractive Error Services in Kenya

Background: Refractive error is the leading cause of visual impairment globally. Different models are being applied to aid in the delivery of refractive error services. However, there is still a challenge when it comes to delivery of the services to the base of the pyramid population. As a result, there is course for an alarm to adopt a communist approach where each and every one will be able to access the services. Methodology: This was a prospective study in which respondents received the survey through online platforms. The survey was sent to 200 groups with each group having 150 participants. The Helsinki Declaration was adhered to. The response rate was 80% (24,000 out of 30,000). Results: Out of the 24,000 respondents, 60% were living in urban areas with 40% residing in rural areas. There was an association between the region of residence and access to refractive error services (t-test, p=0.04). The private sectors were 2.56 (95% CI 0.17–0.22) times likely to deliver refractive error services to the middle class living in urban areas compared to those residing in rural areas. The human resource remains a challenge as over 70% of the eye care providers are distributed within urban areas with less than 15% willing to work in rural areas.

Long-term Survival in Hospitalized Patients with Lung Cancer among Peasants in the Coal-producing Area in Eastern Yunnan, China

Xuanwei and Fuyuan are rural counties, located in the late Permian coal poly area of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou, where lung cancer mortality rates are among the highest in the China, with similarity for both men and women, younger age at diagnosis and death, and higher in rural areas than in urban areas. In this paper, long-term follow-up of lung cancer cases in local peasants was conducted to observe their survival prognosis and its influencing factors. Data of patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 2005 to June 2011, who had lived in Xuanwei and Fuyuan counties for many years, were collected from 20 hospitals at the local provincial, municipal and county levels. To estimate survival outcomes, individuals were followed up until the end of 2021. The 5-year, 10-year and 15-year survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival differences were examined with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. A total of 3,017 cases were effectively followed up (2,537 peasants and 480 non-peasants). The median age at diagnosis was 57 years, and the median follow-up time was 122 months. During the follow-up period, 2,493 cases (82.6%) died. The distribution of cases by clinical stage was as follows: stage I (3.7%), stage II (6.7%), stage III (15.8%), stage IV (21.1%) and unknown stage (52.7%). Treatment at the provincial, municipal and county-level hospitals accounted for 32.5%, 22.2% and 45.3%, respectively, and surgical treatment was performed in 23.3% of cases. The median survival time was 15.4 months (95%CI: 13.9-16.1), and the 5-year, 10-year and 15-year overall survival rates were 19.5% (95%CI: 18.0%-21.1%), 7.7% (95%CI: 6.5%-8.8%) and 2.0% (95%CI: 0.8%-3.9%), respectively. Peasants with lung cancer had a lower median age at diagnosis, higher proportion residing in remote rural areas, and higher use of bituminous coal as a household fuel. They also have a lower proportion of early-stage cases, treatment at provincial or municipal hospitals, and surgical treatment, leading to poorer survival outcomes (HR=1.57). Even when considering factors such as gender, age, residential location, clinical stage at diagnosis, histological type, hospital level of service, and surgical intervention, peasants still exhibit a survival disadvantage. Multivariable Cox model analysis comparing peasants and non-peasants reveals that surgical intervention, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and hospital level of service are common factors influencing survival prognosis, while the use of bituminous coal as a household fuel, hospital level of service and adenocarcinoma (compared to squamous cell carcinoma) are independent prognostic factors for lung cancer survival among peasants. The lower lung cancer survival rate among peasants is associated with their lower socioeconomic status, lower proportion of early-stage diagnoses, lower proportion of surgical interventions, and treatment at provincial-level hospitals. Furthermore, the impact of other factors such as high-risk exposure to bituminous coal pollution on survival prognosis requires further investigation.

Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2021

Commercial cigarette smoking among U.S. adults has declined during the preceding 5 decades (1,2); however, tobacco product use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, and some populations continue to be disproportionately affected by tobacco use (1,2). To assess recent national estimates of commercial tobacco use among U.S. persons aged ≥18 years, CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Cancer Institute analyzed 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. In 2021, an estimated 46 million U.S. adults (18.7%) reported currently using any tobacco product, including cigarettes (11.5%), e-cigarettes (4.5%), cigars (3.5%), smokeless tobacco (2.1%), and pipes (including hookah)* (0.9%).† Among those who used tobacco products, 77.5% reported using combustible products (cigarettes, cigars, or pipes), and 18.1% reported using two or more tobacco products.§ The prevalence of current use of any tobacco product use was higher among the following groups: men; persons aged <65 years; persons of non-Hispanic other races; non-Hispanic White (White) persons¶; residents of rural (nonmetropolitan) areas; financially disadvantaged (income-to-poverty ratio=0-1.99); lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) persons; those uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid; adults whose highest level of education was a general educational development (GED) certificate; who had a disability; and who had serious psychological distress. Continued surveillance of tobacco product use, implementation of evidence-based tobacco control strategies (e.g., hard-hitting media campaigns, smoke-free policies, and tobacco price increases), conducting linguistically and culturally appropriate educational campaigns, and FDA regulation of tobacco products will aid in reducing tobacco-related disease, death, and disparities among U.S. adults (3,4).

ACTINIC CHEILITIS: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY AMONG RURAL WORKERS

To identify the epidemiological aspects of AK in rural workers, 60 patients, residents of rural areas, over 18 years of age, who perform or have performed work activities with exposure to solar radiation participated in this research. Aspects such as sex, sun exposure, literacy level (divided into literate and non-literate), use of lip sunscreen, smoking, alcohol consumption and clinical characteristics were evaluated. Sixty individuals were examined between October and December 2021, 45 (75.0%) were male and 15 (25.0%) were female. As for sun exposure, 38 (63.3%) were exposed to the sun for an average of 8 hours a day, and only 17 individuals (28.3%) used lip balm. The remaining 71.6% do not use and have never used lip balm. Regarding smoking and alcohol consumption, 22 (36.7%) used cigarettes daily, and 14 (23.3%) used alcohol frequently. The literacy level of the individuals examined is high, where most individuals (80.0%) have completed elementary school. These data reveal a relationship between the accumulated working time outdoors and the presence of the pathology, highlighting the need to raise awareness of the use of sun protection and awareness campaigns for the Prevention of Oral Cancer.

Disparities in spatial accessibility of primary care in Louisiana: From physical to virtual accessibility.

Telehealth has been widely employed and has transformed how healthcare is delivered in the United States as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. While telehealth is utilized and encouraged to reduce the cost and travel burden for access to healthcare, there are debates on whether telehealth can promote equity in healthcare services by narrowing the gap among diverse groups. Using the Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) and Two-Step Virtual Catchment Area (2SVCA) methods, this study compares the disparities of physical and virtual access to primary care physicians (PCPs) in Louisiana. Both physical and virtual access to PCPs exhibit similar spatial patterns with higher scores concentrated in urban areas, followed by low-density and rural areas. However, the two accessibility measures diverge where broadband availability and affordability come to play an important role. Residents in rural areas experience additive disadvantage of even more limited telehealth accessibility than physical accessibility due to lack of broadband service provision. Areas with greater Black population proportions tend to have better physical accessibility, but such an advantage is eradicated for telehealth accessibility because of lower broadband subscription rates in these neighborhoods. Both physical and virtual accessibility scores decline in neighborhoods with higher Area Deprivation Index (ADI) values, and the disparity is further widened for in virtual accessibility compared to than physical accessibility. The study also examines how factors such as urbanicity, Black population proportion, and ADI interact in their effects on disparities of the two accessibility measures.

Impact of community care services on the health of older adults: evidence from China.

The rapid growth in the population of older adults has put tremendous pressure on medical and social services in countries including China. Community care services are a feasible solution for promoting healthy aging in developing countries. This study investigated the association between community care services and the health of older adults in China. Using nationally representative survey data from China, consisting of four waves conducted in 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2014, a balanced panel dataset was constructed using a sample of 4,700 older adults (33.1% aged 80 years or older, 51.0% residing in rural areas, and 48.8% women). We employed linear regression models with time-fixed effects and instrumental variable approaches to estimate the effect of community care services on the health of older adults, as well as the differences in these effects across subgroups. The results showed that community care services lead to a significant improvement in both the objective and subjective health and wellbeing of older adults. Among the various service offerings, spiritual recreation services led to a significant increase in both objective and subjective health scores, while medical care services significantly improved wellbeing. This suggests a varied effect of subdivided service types. Further evidence suggests that spiritual recreation services have a significant health-enhancing effect on multiple groups of older adults, and the effect of medical care services is more effective for those living in rural areas, women, and those who are older than 80 years (all p < 0.05). Few studies have examined the impact of community care services on the health of older adults in developing countries. The findings present important implications for improving the health status of older adults and provide suggestions for establishing a socialized aged care system in China.

El conocimiento sobre la no adherencia de métodos anticonceptivos ¿Podría disminuir la mortalidad?

ntroduction: In Peru, 78.1% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 use a contraceptive method, which is diminished by various factors associated with non-adherence to the contraceptive method, thus producing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Objective: To determine the factors associated with non-adherence to contraceptive methods in women of childbearing age in Peru according to ENDES 2021. Methods: Observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. The information used is found in the ENDES 2021 public database. The population of this research is made up of Peruvian women between the ages of 15 and 49. Statistical analysis was performed with the statistical program SPSS version 26.0. The qualitative variables were represented in a univariate table with frequencies and coefficients of variation. The approved statistical significance value was p &lt;0.05 with 95% confidence intervals. Results: 43.7% of women did not adhere to the contraceptive method. There was a significant association for the variables: area of rural residence (Rpa 1.05 IC 1 – 1.1), separated marital status (Rpa 1.1, IC 1 – 1.1), widow marital status (Rpa 1.3, IC 1.1 – 1.5), cohabiting marital status ( Rpa 1.1, IC 1.1 – 1.2) , poor wealth index (Rpa 1.03, IC 0.9 – 1.0) Conclusions: The factors associated with non-adherence to contraceptive methods in women of childbearing age in Peru, which are significantly associated are: Rural area of residence, separate marital status, widow and cohabitant and have a poor wealth index.

Detection of Malaria Parasites in Blood Samples Using Image Processing Techniques

Malaria, the most lethal disease brought on by mosquito bites, used to impact a lot of people. To identify malaria, blood samples from the patient are collected and sent to a lab, where they are inspected under a microscope and tested for different chemicals. Before the patient receives the necessary treatment for their health problems, which will lead to their death, the test sample result will be older than a week. Despite technological advances, this illness still affects residents of rural areas, and it still takes time for testing and results to be returned. In this work, Image analysis is the most effective method for quickly diagnosing illness. Images of thin, discoloured blood smears were created for this work. Along with features that are similar to features used by human technicians and are based on prior knowledge of the classification problem, the geometry, texture and colour of the cells are the image features and based on the image features the parasites are also created after they have been obtained, pre-processed, and applicable features removed. It separates true positives before determining the infection type.

Priority age targets for COVID-19 vaccination in Ethiopia under limited vaccine supply

The worldwide inequitable access to vaccination claims for a re-assessment of policies that could minimize the COVID-19 burden in low-income countries. Nine months after the launch of the national vaccination program in March 2021, only 3.4% of the Ethiopian population received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. We used a SARS-CoV-2 transmission model to estimate the level of immunity accrued before the launch of vaccination in the Southwest Shewa Zone (SWSZ) and to evaluate the impact of alternative age priority vaccination targets in a context of limited vaccine supply. The model was informed with available epidemiological evidence and detailed contact data collected across different geographical settings (urban, rural, or remote). We found that, during the first year of the pandemic, the mean proportion of critical cases occurred in SWSZ attributable to infectors under 30 years of age would range between 24.9 and 48.0%, depending on the geographical setting. During the Delta wave, the contribution of this age group in causing critical cases was estimated to increase on average to 66.7–70.6%. Our findings suggest that, when considering the vaccine product available at the time (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19; 65% efficacy against infection after 2 doses), prioritizing the elderly for vaccination remained the best strategy to minimize the disease burden caused by Delta, irrespectively of the number of available doses. Vaccination of all individuals aged ≥ 50 years would have averted 40 (95%PI: 18–60), 90 (95%PI: 61–111), and 62 (95%PI: 21–108) critical cases per 100,000 residents in urban, rural, and remote areas, respectively. Vaccination of all individuals aged ≥ 30 years would have averted an average of 86–152 critical cases per 100,000 individuals, depending on the setting considered. Despite infections among children and young adults likely caused 70% of critical cases during the Delta wave in SWSZ, most vulnerable ages should remain a key priority target for vaccination against COVID-19.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Health-related quality of life among ethnic minority residents in remote Western China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPaying attention to the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of rural residents in poverty-stricken areas is an important part of China's poverty alleviation, but most studies on health-related quality of life have focused on rural residents, elderly individuals, and patients; evidence on the HRQOL of rural minority residents is limited. Thus, this study aimed to assess the HRQOL of rural Uighur residents in remote areas of Xinjiang, China, and determine its influencing factors to provide policy opinions for realizing a healthy China strategy.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on 1019 Uighur residents in rural areas. The EQ-5D and self-administered questionnaires were used to assess HRQOL. We applied Tobit and binary logit regression models to analyse the factors influencing HRQOL among rural Uighur residents.ResultsThe health utility index of the 1019 residents was − 0.197,1. The highest proportion of respondents reporting any problem was for mobility (57.5%), followed by usual activity (52.8%). Low levels of the five dimensions were related to age, smoking, sleep time, Daily intake of vegetables and fruit per capita. Gender, age, marital status, physical exercise, sleep duration, daily intake of cooking oil per capita, daily intake of fruit per capita, distance to the nearest medical institution, non-infectious chronic diseases (NCDs), self-rated health score, and participation in community activities were correlated with the health utility index of rural Uighur residents.ConclusionsHRQOL was lower for rural Uyghur residents than for the general population. Improving health behavioural lifestyles and reducing the incidence of poverty (return to poverty) due to illness are effective means of promoting the health in Uyghur residents. The region must fulfil the health poverty alleviation policy and focus on vulnerable groups and low-income residents to improve the health, ability, opportunity, and confidence of this population to live well.

Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Delay in Seeking Medical Treatment Among Residents in Rural Areas of Sichuan Province

Objective To understand the current situation and explore the influencing factors of delay in seeking medical treatment for common symptoms of residents in the rural areas of Sichuan province. Methods In July 2019,multi-stage random sampling was carried out in Zigong city,Sichuan province,and the data were collected by face-to-face questionnaire interview.The residents who had lived at hometown for more than half a year in the past year and had seen a doctor in the most recent month were surveyed.Logistic regression was adopted to predict the influencing factors of delay in seeking medical treatment. Results A total of 342 subjects were enrolled,and the incidence of delay in seeking medical treatment was 13.45%(46/342).Compared with the young and middle-aged(<65 years)people,the elderly(≥65 years)people were more likely to have delay in seeking medical treatment (OR=2.187,95%CI=1.074-4.457,P=0.031).The rural residents who gave higher score of the overall quality of township health centers were less likely to have delay in seeking medical treatment (OR=0.854,95%CI=0.735-0.992,P=0.039). Conclusions The occurrence of delay in seeking medical treatment for common symptoms of rural residents in Sichuan province is low.Age and the overall quality evaluation of township health centers affect the occurrence of delay in medical treatment among the rural residents in Sichuan province.Efforts should be made to improve the awareness of disease prevention among the elderly in rural areas.The investment in health resources in township health centers should be increased to strengthen the introduction and training of talents.These measures can improve the health services in township health centers,guide residents to make timely use of health resources,and reduce the occurrence of delay in seeking medical treatment.

Prevalence and etiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspepsia patients: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from January to June 2022 to find out the prevalence and risk factors of H. pylori in dyspepsia patients. A prevalidated questionnaire was used to collect the data from 180 patients. This study adheres to the principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration. The χ 2-test was applied, and the odds ratio and 95% CI were calculated to find the association of H. pylori with the risk factors. A total of 180 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom, 73 (40.6%) patients were male and 107 (59.4%) were female. In seropositive H. pylori patients, 80 (60.6%) patients had nausea or vomiting, 110 (83.3%) patients were found to have flatulence, 128 (97.7%) patients were experiencing frequent burping, and 114 (86.4%) patients were having epigastric pain. The household member greater than 4, smoking, rural area residence, NSAIDs consumption, BMI greater than 25, O+ blood group, and Rhesus positive status were significantly associated with H. pylori with a P value of less than 0.05. This study concludes that the prevalence of H. pylori in our population is high, and the risk factors identified are lower class, BMI greater than 25, smoking, O+ blood group, NSAID consumption, rural area residence, household member greater than 4, Rhesus positive status, and the symptoms of nausea or vomiting, frequent burping, epigastric pain, and flatulence. Patients with an increased number of risk factors should be taken into consideration for an appropriate checkup.