Residents Of Rural Areas Research Articles

Temporal characteristics and associated factors of discontinuation and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Medication adherence in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is suboptimal, and discontinuation is common. Information on the temporal characteristics and associated factors of discontinuation and outcomes after PCI is insufficient to improve medication adherence interventions. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of post-PCI patients by telephone survey and medical record extraction. Temporal characteristics and associated factors of discontinuation and outcomes were examined by survival curve analysis, Cox regression, or time-dependent Cox regression. Results: Discontinuation and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after PCI had similar temporal characteristics, with the highest incidence in the first year, followed by a decline. Temporary discontinuation was associated with pre-PCI medication nonadherence (HR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.09-2.43), lack of medication necessity (HR 2.33; 95% CI: 1.44-3.78), economic difficulties (HR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.26-3.47), routine disruption (HR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.10-3.99), and emotional distress (HR 2.76; 95% CI: 1.50-5.09). Permanent discontinuation was associated with residence in rural areas (HR 4.18; 95% CI: 1.84-9.46) or small to medium-sized cities (HR 4.21; 95% CI: 1.82-9.73), lack of medication necessity (HR 10.60; 95% CI: 6.45-17.41), and side effects (HR 3.30; 95% CI: 1.94-5.62). The MACE after PCI was associated with pre-PCI hypertension (HR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.04-1.96), two coronary stents (HR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.01-1.99) or three coronary stents (HR 1.66; 95% CI: 1.11-2.49) compared to one coronary stent up to this PCI, and temporary discontinuation (≤60 months HR 2.18; 95% CI: 1.47-3.25; >60 months HR 8.82; 95% CI: 3.65-21.28). Conclusion: Discontinuation and MACE after PCI have similar temporal characteristics, temporary discontinuation and permanent discontinuation have different associated factors, and the former is associated with MACE. These findings may provide guidance for medication adherence interventions.

The sociodemographic profile and the challenges associated with treatment and rehabilitation in female heroin users: A case series from Northeast India.

Females with opioid use disorder (OUD) rarely seek help for addiction. We present a series of seven females with OUD attending a tertiary care addiction treatment setting in Assam between December 2022 to August 2023. Most of the patients were primary-educated, young adults, housewives, from lower to middle socioeconomic strata, and were residents of rural or semi-urban areas. All were married, and around half of them were separated. All the patients were dependent on heroin and tobacco. Five of them initiated heroin use while modeling their spouse. Three patients were injecting heroin, and one was seropositive with both HCV and HIV. Five patients received sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone, and three of them followed up subsequently. Financial difficulty, poor family support, and intimate partner violence were major challenges for treatment-seeking and regular follow-up. This case series highlights the need for systematic study and gender-responsive care of females with OUD in Assam.

Effect of Customized Integrated Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect among Peoples Residing in Rural Area of Bhopal

The present study has been undertaken to assess knowledge score regarding child abuse and neglect among peoples by integrated teaching program in Gandhi Nagar at Bhopal. The research design adopted for the study was pre-experimental in nature. The tool for the study was self-structured knowledge questionnaire which consists of two parts-I consisted questions related to Socio-demographic data; part-II consisted of self-structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge score regarding child abuse and neglect among peoples residing in rural area. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The most significant finding was that 63.3% of peoples residing in rural area were having average knowledge regarding child abuse and neglect whereas 36.7% had good knowledge after posttest. It was suggested that the nurses must educate peoples residing in rural are aregarding tobacco products consumption and its impact.

Human papillomavirus vaccination and contributing factors of vaccination intention among adolescents and young adults in China from a socio-ecological perspective: A cross-sectional study.

Adolescents and young adults are the main target population for human papillomavirus (HPV). The study aimed to investigate school students' HPV vaccination intentions and explore the contributing factors from a socio-ecological perspective. A questionnaire survey was conducted in three secondary schools and three colleges in China. A total of 1756 students aged 14-22 years participated in this study. Among the 1756 participants, 182 students have received the HPV vaccine. For the remaining 1574 students, we analyzed their HPV vaccination intentions and the influencing factors. Survey items for sociodemographics, knowledge and awareness of HPV, sexual intercourse and sexual knowledge, subjective socioeconomic status, self-efficacy, eHealth literacy, perceived social support from family, and the availability of HPV vaccine information were measured. Only 182 (10.4%) had received the HPV vaccine among the 1756 participants. Among the remaining 1574 students, the majority of the students (1403, 89.1%) were willing to receive the HPV vaccine. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that students who were female, had lower self-efficacy, scored higher on sexual knowledge, believed vaccination preventing related diseases, worried about side effects after vaccination, thought oneself at risk of contracting HPV, had higher family support, knew the availability of the HPV vaccine in Mainland China from healthcare institutions, and with family residence in rural areas were more willing to receive the HPV vaccine. Students had high HPV vaccination intentions while had low vaccination rate. Intrapersonal, interpersonal and institutional or community factors predicted HPV vaccination intention. Public health nurses in communities and schools could target the modifiable factors to promote students' HPV vaccine uptake.

Determinants of Poison-related Mortality in Tertiary Care Hospital, South India.

Acute poisoning is one of the most common emergencies in India and around the world. Understanding the factors associated with mortality can aid us in devising appropriate preventive strategies to curtail deaths due to poisoning. Purpose of this study is to find various factors that determine the mortality among acute poisoning cases admitted in a tertiary care center. A retrospective hospital records-based study was conducted at Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital. The study included 2,123 cases of various poisoning cases admitted for a year from January to December 2022. Cases of bites, stings, drowning, and hanging were excluded. Information on sociodemographic profile, type of poison, time since ingestion and admission, and treatment outcome were collected using a structured pro forma. The mean age of the study population was 29.90 ± 14.98 years. Poisoning was found to be predominantly among males (56.42%) and residents of rural areas (58%). Insecticide consumption (27.0%) was the most common modality, followed by oleander poisoning (20%), corrosive poison (17%), rat poison (15%), tablet poison (13%), and other poisons. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) was 5.2%, with the highest CFR of 12.25% with insecticide poisoning. In multivariate analysis, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score at admission is the only parameter showing a statistically significant association with mortality (adjusted odds-ratio 0.271(0.2-0.38, p-value < 0.01). Acute poisoning primarily affects the young and economically productive population. In the south Indian population, pesticides are still the major contributor though corrosives are a major contributor among children. Mortality is still significant, and GCS status admission is the only predictor of mortality. Krishnasamy N, Narmadhalakshmi R, Parameshwari P, Jayalakshmi R, Lokesh R, Jayanthi R, et al. Determinants of Poison-related Mortality in Tertiary Care Hospital, South India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(4):329-335.

Labor market in rural areas of Akmola region of Kazakhstan: regional aspect

The goal is to identify the features and determine quantitative parameters of the regional labor market in the Akmola region. Methods – analytical and statistical industry information is systematized and summarized using economic-statistical, balance sheet and abstract-logical methods from open access sources and scientific literature. Results - the features were studied and characteristics of labor potential of the region were given, analysis of absolute and relative indicators characterizing the dynamics of region's population movement was carried out, which made it possible to identify the main trends in its change in recent years. Demographic factors affecting the formation of labor force are shown. The volumes of socio-demographic load were calculated. Conclusions - it has been established that proportion of village residents tends to decrease both in absolute value and in the structure of total number. The main criteria are population migration and decrease in its natural increase. The reduction in the number of economically active residents of rural areas is explained by negative balance of difference between people who have entered active age and those who have retired, as well as migration processes that have their own specifics. It is noted that the level of the region’s labor resources is directly related to demographic development of the given territory. The deterioration of the demographic situation has a negative impact on quantitative and qualitative dimensions characterizing the regional labor market. The youth segment remains rather unbalanced, the areas of employment of young specialists are closely related to low levels of income and labor productivity, the persistent gap between professional orientation of youth and the labor needs of enterprises becomes one of the barriers to the employment of young people.

Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT22) score in adult population with no known sino-nasal disease.

This cross-sectional study aimed to establish normative values for Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score in adult Indian population without known sino-nasal diseases. The purpose was to fill a critical knowledge gap, providing insights into how various host factors influence SNOT-22 scores which seek to serve as reference for clinical studies, facilitating comparisons of symptom severity and aid in patient counselling based on specific score patterns. One thousand and twelve adults meeting inclusion criteria participated in the study. Participants provided demographic information, occupation details, addiction history, and medical background. They completed SNOT-22 questionnaire, grading their symptoms on Likert scale of 0-5 based on severity experienced in the past 2weeks. The collected data were analysed to derive meaningful insights. Mean SNOT-22 score for the study population was 6.80, with 90% scoring below 15, and 40% within 0-3 range. Females exhibited significantly lower mean scores than males. Residents of rural areas reported higher scores than urban counterparts. Education levels had no significant influence on scores. Occupational exposure to aeroallergens, addiction (especially tobacco), and a history of allergies, bronchial asthma, or atopy were associated with significantly higherSNOT-22 scores. Principal component analysis identified four distinct domains, with the nasal symptom domain consistently emerging as the major contributor to differences in subgroups with significantly different total SNOT-22 scores. The normative data and subgroup analyses established in this study serve as a foundation for future research, aiding clinicians in predicting symptoms and providing tailored counselling for individuals with sino-nasal pathologies.

Acceptability and feasibility of a mobile behavioral economic health intervention to reduce alcohol use in adults in rural areas

BackgroundAt-risk alcohol use is associated with increased adverse health consequences, yet is undertreated in healthcare settings. People residing in rural areas need improved access to services; however, few interventions are designed to meet the needs of rural populations. Mobile interventions can provide feasible, low-cost, and scalable means for reaching this population and improving health, and behavioral economic approaches are promising. MethodsWe conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial focused on acceptability and feasibility of a mobile behavioral economic intervention for 75 rural-residing adults with at-risk alcohol use. We recruited participants from a large healthcare system and randomized them to one of four virtually-delivered conditions reflecting behavioral economic approaches: episodic future thinking (EFT), volitional choice (VC), both EFT and VC, or enhanced usual care control (EUC). The intervention included a telephone-delivered induction session followed by two weeks of condition-consistent ecological momentary interventions (EMIs; 2x/day) and ecological momentary assessments (EMAs; 1x/day). Participants completed assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up, and provided intervention feedback. ResultsAll participants completed the telephone-delivered session and elected to receive EMI messages. Average completion rate of EMAs across conditions was 92.9%. Among participants in active intervention conditions, 89.3% reported the induction session was helpful and 80.0% reported it influenced their future drinking. We also report initial alcohol use outcomes. DiscussionThe behavioral economic intervention components and trial procedures evaluated here appear to be feasible and acceptable. Next steps include determination of their efficacy to reduce alcohol use and public health harms.

Determinants and Prevalence of Stunting Among Children Under the Age of Five in Pakistan

Background: Stunting is a serious problem related to public health mostly affecting children under five years of age in various middle and low-income countries globally. It is a situation in which the growth and advancement of the human body is reduced.Objective: This study is purposed to figure out the key factors of stunting and the prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five in Pakistan.Methods: A comprehensive search on key databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect was made for relevant articles published between 2005 to 2022. For data reporting and analysis PRISMA checklist 2020 was used and a sum of 13 articles describing the determinants and prevalence of stunting in different rural and urban communities of Pakistan were selected for this systematic review.Results: The prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five ranges from 18.58% to 61%, with a pooled prevalence of 39.26%. 12 out of 13 studies mentioned the mother's lack of education (prevalence range:16.6%-98.3%), 10 studies touched upon lower socioeconomic status (prevalence range: 37%-77.8%),8 studies mentioned residence in rural areas (prevalence range: 40.7%-79%), 5 studies showed unsanitary conditions (prevalence range:10.4%-77%), 6 studies mentioned overcrowded families (prevalence range: 26%-64.1%) are the main determinants of stunting among children under the age of five in Pakistan. Only one article brought up that 33.9% of stunted children were underweight at birth and 39.1% children stunted children started weaning before the age of 6 months.Conclusion: The most recurrent factor was the mother's lack of education, followed by lower socioeconomic status, then residence in rural areas, then overcrowded families, followed by unsanitary conditions and lastly underweight children at birth and weaning age of less than 6 months. The overall pooled prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five in Pakistan is 39.26%.

Tobacco use and its associated factors among middle and old-aged women in India using LASI wave-1 data.

Despite a global decline in tobacco use reported by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), India stands out for its high number of tobacco users. While research in India often focuses on tobacco use among young adults, there's a notable lack of studies addressing tobacco use among middle and old-aged women. However, the national prevalence of tobacco use among middle and old-aged (45 years and above) women in India is 18.2%. Thus, this study seeks to identify the factors influencing tobacco consumption among middle and old-aged women in the country. The study has utilized secondary data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2017-18. This study exclusively included a total of 38,180 middle and old-aged women who reported tobacco use. The analysis encompassed the utilization of Chi-square tests and Binary logistic regression to pinpoint the risk factors linked to tobacco use among middle and old-aged women. Our study reveals a heightened likelihood of tobacco use among middle and old-aged women residing in the northeastern region of India. The study underscores the imperative to direct targeted efforts toward middle and old-aged women who fall into specific categories, including those who are widowed, separated, or unmarried, individuals who consume alcohol, those with lower socioeconomic and educational standings, residents of rural areas, those living in solitude, individuals experiencing depressive symptoms, and those who self-report poor health. Given the heightened susceptibility of these demographic groups to tobacco use, it is crucial to prioritize tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives specifically tailored to their needs and circumstances.

Determinants of iron-rich food deficiency among children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa: a comprehensive analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

BackgroundIron deficiency is a major public health problem that affects the physical and cognitive development of children under 5 years of age (under-5 children) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the...

Factors associated with oral health service utilization among young people in southern China

ObjectivesTo identify the patterns and influencing factors of oral health service utilization among college students, and further to provide scientific evidence for policy making on oral health education and behavioral interventions for the college population.MethodsThe study population was college students in Southern China. Totally 678 students participated in the survey. A self-designed questionnaire based on Anderson’s model (predisposing factors, enabling factors, need factors) was used to survey college students. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test, and logistic regression were used to analyze influence factors of oral health service utilization among college students.ResultsThe utilization rate of oral health service in the past 12 months was 30.2%. The primary type of oral health service was treatment (59.6%), and only 12.8% were for prevention. There were 39% of the participants having oral health diseases, of which dental caries (25.7%) and oral bleeding (22.2%) were the main problems. The results from logistic regression analysis revealed that students with better beliefs (OR = 1.84, 95% CI:=1.02–3.43), frequent consumption of sugary drinks (OR = 2.90, 95% CI:=1.90–4.47), teeth brushing frequency > = 2 times per day (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.24–3.61), frequent floss utilization (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.21–5.76), dental caries (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.35–3.17) used oral health services higher, while those lived in rural areas (OR:0.52, 95% CI = 0.34–0.80), and had only a fair concern (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.31–0.74) or no concern (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08–0.67) on oral health utilized oral health services lower.ConclusionsChinese college students demonstrate some knowledge and attitudes towards oral health. However, they tend to neglect oral hygiene and have limited understanding of their own oral issues. Furthermore, the utilization of oral services, such as treatment, remains remarkably low, despite the availability of long-term and favorable health insurance policies. The utilization of oral health services among college students is influenced by various factors, including residing in rural areas, consuming sugary beverages on a daily basis, brushing teeth at least twice a day, and practicing flossing.

Perceptions of and barriers to uptake of contraceptives in plantation farming communities of Cross River State, Nigeria: A qualitative inquiry.

The contraceptive use in Nigeria is relatively low, indicative of the non-adoption of contraceptives by people of reproductive age to curtail the increasing fertility rate with its attendant consequences on the family. The non-use is attributed to numerous factors, including perceptions of and attendant barriers to the uptake of contraceptives. This study was aimed at assessing the perception of and barriers to the uptake of contraceptives among residents of plantation farming communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was a multi-sited qualitative descriptive study conducted in three Local Government Areas (Ikom, Yakurr, and Akamkpa) in Cross River State, Nigeria between March and April 2022. Nine Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and twelve key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with respondents from three plantation farming communities. The FGDs were conducted on sexually active unmarried girls, married women within the reproductive age, and married men with spouses of reproductive age. The KIIs were conducted on health care providers, village heads, youth leaders, and women leaders. The generated data were thematically analyzed using both deductive and inductive analytical approaches. Married women were deemed eligible to use contraceptives, which are viewed as a method for preventing pregnancy. The information supplied by healthcare professionals was deemed insufficient for women to make informed decisions. Fear of side effects, dysfunctional health facilities, frequent stock outs, and spousal opposition were the most significant barriers to contraceptive use. Family planning programs should be targeted more at residents of rural areas to increase awareness, dispel misconceptions, and promote contraceptive use.

Political efficacy and the perceived influence of urban and rural residents

AbstractWhile political scientists have long studied citizens' political efficacy as an important indicator of attitudes toward government, less attention has been devoted to the efficacy of rural or urban residents, which is important given the intensifying rural–urban divide in American society. This study fills this gap by analyzing the 2020 American National Election Studies. Using ordered logistic regression, this study finds that (1) city residents tend to believe that small towns and rural areas have too much influence on government; (2) residents of small towns and rural areas demonstrate lower levels of external efficacy than city residents; and (3) people who believe that small towns and rural areas have too much influence tend to demonstrate high external and internal efficacies, a tendency that is clearer in cities than in other community types. These findings reflect mutual in‐group bias and place‐based resentment between rural and urban residents in American society.Related ArticlesPeterson, Holly L., Mark K. McBeth, and Michael D. Jones. 2020. “Policy Process Theory for Rural Studies: Navigating Context and Generalization in Rural Policy.” Politics &amp; Policy 48(4): 576–617. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12366.Shortall, Sally, and Margaret Alston. 2016. “To Rural Proof or Not to Rural Proof: A Comparative Analysis.” Politics &amp; Policy 44(1): 35–55. https://doi‐org.libproxy.usouthal.edu/10.1111/polp.12144.Smith‐Walter, Aaron, Holly L. Peterson, Michael D. Jones, and Ashley Nicole Reynolds Marshall. 2016. “Gun Stories: How Evidence Shapes Firearm Policy in the United States.” Politics &amp; Policy 44(6): 1053–88. https://doi‐org.libproxy.usouthal.edu/10.1111/polp.12187.

Urban-Rural Differences in Life Satisfaction

Abstract International research has shown that residents in urban versus rural areas differ concerning their satisfaction in life. Researchers agree upon the relevance of economic aspects for explaining urban-rural satisfaction levels: life satisfaction is dependent on income levels and rural habitants usually have lower income levels and lower levels of life satisfaction internationally. However, there is a lot of variation unexplained: in several studies, researchers found that in some countries rural residents are unexpectedly more satisfied with their lives than their economic and objective life situation would suggest (e.g. in China, Thailand, and in Western European, post-communist, Anglo-Saxon, and Latin American countries). Some researchers argue that cultural and social aspects, in addition to economic aspects, are better to explain urban-rural differences in life satisfaction. The author will extend this research by focusing on cultural factors in relation to Cultural World Regions. In addition, she will use newer data from the World Values Survey and the World Bank. The guiding questions are 1) how relevant are economic-materialistic aspects for life satisfaction? And 2) in how far are there differences between cultural world regions, such as East and Central Asia, Western and post-communist Europe, Latin America, Anglo-Saxon countries, and Arabic and Sub-Saharan Africa?

Determination of Demographic Liver Health with Giardia lambila Infection Analysis in Diyala

Background: Giardia lamblia infection is known to affect liver function indicators, yet its correlation with demographic factors remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate this relationship, focusing on sex, age, and residence, to better understand the impact of the parasite on liver health. Objective: The objective was to assess the effect of Giardia lamblia infection on liver function indicators and its association with demographic variables such as sex, age, and residence. Method: Blood samples were collected from 48 Giardia-infected patients at Al-Batool Teaching Hospital and Shahraban General Hospital, with 20 healthy individuals serving as controls. Samples were obtained between February and May 2020. The age range of participants spanned from under two years to 12 years. The Giesse diagnostic kit from Italy was employed to measure liver function indicators. A colorimetric method was used to estimate the activity of aminotransferase enzymes (GOT and GPT) and phosphatase enzyme levels. Results: The study found the highest infection rate among 2-4-year-olds, with males exhibiting a higher infection rate compared to females (54.16% vs. 45.839%). Rural areas showed a higher infection rate (56.25%) compared to urban areas (43.75%). Infected children displayed increased levels of aminotransferase enzymes (GOT, GPT, and ALP) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Giardia lamblia infection correlates with elevated liver function indicators, particularly among children aged 2-4 years and males. Additionally, residence in rural areas appears to be a risk factor for higher infection rates. These findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention strategies to mitigate the impact of Giardia lamblia on liver health, especially in vulnerable populations.

A Retrospective Study of Outbreak and Vaccination on Measles Inflammation

Background: Measles is a highly infectious viral disease as a significant global public health concern, particularly in low-income countries with inadequate healthcare facilities. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors of measles infection, vaccination rates, and surveillance effectiveness in Babylon and Karbala provinces of Iraq from 2020 to 2022. Method: Surveillance data on suspected and confirmed measles cases were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Results showed that males, children aged 1-10 years, and residents of rural areas, particularly Ain Al-Tammr/Karbala, were more susceptible to measles. 93 confirmed measles cases were reported, with 13 in Babylon and 80 in Karbala. Non-vaccinated individuals had a significantly higher risk of infection. The study found 11 confirmed cases among vaccinated and unknown individuals, while 71 cases were among non-vaccinated individuals. Vaccine efficacy varied, indicating challenges in achieving effective community immunity. Poor vaccination coverage was attributed to administrative issues, inadequate resources, and vaccine hesitancy. Males were disproportionately affected compared to females. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the importance of strengthening vaccination programs, improving surveillance systems, and enhancing public awareness to combat measles outbreaks and reduce morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. Improvements in vaccine coverage, proper vaccine handling, and prompt reporting of suspected cases are all necessary to eliminate measles from Iraq, with a special focus on the provinces of Babylon and Karbala.

Knowledge and Attitude of Healthcare Providers Regarding Palliative Care and Related Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study.

Palliative care alleviates pain and enhances the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses. Training programs are required to provide patients with proper care and advance their health because the expertise of healthcare personnel in palliative care is inadequate. We aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge of palliative carebecause palliative care programs are infrequently used in Syria. An online cross-sectional study was conducted between July 24, 2022, and August 28, 2022, to assess palliative care knowledge and applications among Syrian healthcare workers. The study questionnaire was designed in accordance with a previous study, and the inclusion criteria included Syrian healthcare workers, physicians, and nurses, as well as medical and nursing students. The first section of the questionnaire included sociodemographic information, while the second, third, and fourth sections assessed healthcare workers' experiences, knowledge, and attitudes toward palliative care, respectively. Of the 602 participants, 66.2% of the sample study were females. The majority of the respondents (72.9%) were medical students, with 18.8%residents and 8.3%nurses or nursing students. The majority of the participants (84%) correctly answered the question about pain treatment goals, while only a small percentage (5.3%) correctly answered the question about whether long-term opioid use was addictive. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall knowledge levels across demographic areas, genders, or specialties. Only 14 participants were considered knowledgeable about palliative care. Regarding attitudes toward palliative care, the three responses that received the greatest degree of agreement were "Pain relievers should be given as needed to terminally ill patients" (89.7%)and "Patients have the right to determine their own degree of psychosocial intervention" (81%). Residents in urban and rural areas scored markedly different in their attitudes. Students in their fifth year were 8.06 times more likely to have a positive attitude when compared to those in their first year. Our findings show that Syrian healthcare providers lack knowledge of palliative care. It is important to integrate palliative care into Syria's healthcare system to enhance the quality of life of patients who are approaching the end of their lives and to provide care for those who require it.

Multiple behavioral risk factors for non-communicable diseases among the adolescent population in Brazil: the analysis derived from the Brazilian national survey of school health 2019

BackgroundHealth risk behaviors often emerge or intensify during adolescence and tend to co-occur, exposing individuals to an even greater risk for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The likelihood of exhibiting multiple health risk factors also increases throughout life and is associated with sociodemographic characteristics contributing to their escalation and severity. In this context, the objective of this study was to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics and multiple behavioral risk factors for non-communicable diseases among the adolescent population in Brazil.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized data from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health 2019. The sample comprised 121,580 adolescents aged 13 to 17. The analyzed variables included irregular intake of fruits and vegetables, regular consumption of soft drinks and treats, insufficient physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. To analyze MBRFs, a classification ranging from zero to five was created, and associations were estimated using Odds Ratio (OR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI). The Backward method was employed for the multivariate regression model, utilizing ordinal logistic regression.ResultsAdolescents without behavioral risk factors for NCDs constituted only 3.9% (95% CI 3.7–4.1). The most prevalent categories were two and three MBRFs, accounting for 28.3% (95% CI: 27.7–28.8) and 27.0% (95% CI: 26.5–27.5), respectively. Adolescents aged 16 and 17 (ORadj: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.32–1.48), residing in the Brazilian Southeast (ORadj: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.52–1.81), and those reporting poor or very poor self-rated health (ORadj: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.87–2.25) were more likely to exhibit multiple behavioral risk factors. Conversely, male adolescents (adjusted OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.62–0.69), those of mixed race (adjusted OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87–0.97), and residents of rural areas (adjusted OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.70–0.84) were less likely to manifest MBRFs for NCDs.ConclusionThe majority of adolescents displayed MBRFs for NCDs, positively associated with age, region, and perceived health status. This underscores the necessity for healthcare promotional interventions throughout the life cycle, as these behaviors may persist into adulthood.

Seroprevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Toxocariasis among General Population in Southwest Iran: Implications on the One Health Approach.

Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases distributed worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and the associated risk factors among general populations living in urban and rural areas of Abadan and Khorramshahr cities in Khuzestan Province, Southwest Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2022. There were 363 participants (190 females and 173 males) aged from <20 to ≥60 years old. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in serum samples were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A structured questionnaire was employed to collect information regarding sociodemographic status and probable risk factors associated with toxocariasis. It was found that the seroprevalence rate in males (15.0%, 95% CI = 10.47-21.11) was higher than in females (10.5%, 95% CI = 6.92-15.70). Moreover, we observed that the seroprevalence was higher in participants at younger ages compared to other age ranges (COR = 2.55, 95% CI = 0.92-7.12, p =0.073). The findings of the univariate analysis revealed that residency in rural areas (p < 0.001), using unpurified water (p < 0.001), contact with dog (p =0.002), contact with soil (p < 0.001), consumption of improperly washed vegetables (p < 0.001), and history of drinking untreated water (p < 0.001) were risk factors associated with toxocariasis. Further comprehensive studies with a focus on humans and animals should be designed in different areas of the Province. The data represented by the current study are useful to health policymakers to consider precise surveillance and effective prevention measures to control this zoonotic infection among general populations.