Socio-demographic Determinants Research Articles

Quality of Life and its sociodemographic determinants: a population-based study from rural Punjab, India

BackgroundQuality of Life (QoL) is an individual’s subjective perception of well-being within their cultural context. While most QoL studies focus on individuals with certain health conditions, factors such as sex, marital status, education, and family structure can influence QoL beyond age and health conditions. Considering the limited studies on QoL in the general Indian population, especially from rural areas, the present study aims to explore the QoL and sociodemographic factors affecting QoL among community-dwelling adults in rural Punjab.MethodsThis community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 931 individuals of both sexes (59.6% female) aged 20–75 years residing in rural areas of Mansa, Punjab, India. Sociodemographic data were collected using an interview schedule, and QoL was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF.ResultsThe overall mean QoL score was found to be 67.44 ± 14.7. The most affected QoL was in the physical domain (mean = 60.203 ± 13.49), followed by psychological (mean = 65.67 ± 18.3), social-relationship (mean = 69.88 ± 26.43), and environmental domains (mean = 74.05 ± 20.58). Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed female sex, advanced age (age group ≥ 60 years), illiteracy, and unmarried status to be positively associated and family size of 6–10 members to be negatively associated with poor QoL.ConclusionThe study suggests that females, elderlies, illiterates, and unmarried individuals may be at a higher risk of poor QoL. Further, education and a bigger family size appear to increase subjective well-being among participants.

Sources and determinants of free sugars intake by 5-year-old Australian children in the SMILE cohort.

Reducing free sugars intake is important for the prevention of dental caries and obesity in children. The study aimed to determine the amount and sources of free sugars known to contribute to dental caries, and identify sociodemographic determinants of intake by children aged 5 years in Australia. Cross-sectional analysis of dietary data from a cohort study, collected using a customized food frequency questionnaire were used to calculate free sugars intake as grams/day and percentage contribution to Estimated Energy Requirement (EER).The percent contribution of food sources to free sugars intake was derived. Sociodemographic determinants of achieving intakes within WHO thresholds (i.e., <5% and <10% Energy were explored with multinomial logistic regression. Complete data were available for 641 children (347 boys, 294 girls). Median (IQR)free sugars intake (g/day) was 31.6 (21.3-47.6) in boys and 28.1 (19.6-47.9) in girls. The median (IQR)percentage contribution to EER was 7.9 (5.4-12.7); 21% and 42% of children had intakes <5% EER and between 5% and<10%, respectively. The main sources of free sugars were: (1) Cakes, Biscuits and Cereal Bars; (2) Sweetened Milk Products (predominantly yoghurts) and (3) Desserts. Maternal university education, single-parent household, and maternal place of birth being Australia or New Zealand were associated with free sugars intake <5% EER. In conclusion, less than a quarter of 5-year-old children in the SMILE cohort achieved the WHO recommendations to limit free sugars to <5% EER. Strategies to lower free sugars intake could target priority populations such migrants, populations with lower levels of education or health literacy and identify areas for intervention in the wider food environments that children are exposed to.

#2528 Comparing patient-reported and performance-based physical function assessments in hemodialysis: insights from the CONVINCE trial

Abstract Background and Aims Physical function is a crucial outcome in nephrology. In alignment with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Initiative, physical function is characterized as the ability to execute activities involving physical actions, ranging from self-care to more complex activities, such as social activities. This definition of physical function spans various domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Health, and Disability (ICF). The assessment of physical function commonly employs two distinct approaches, patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and observed performance outcomes (PerfO). PRO and PerfO assessments have distinct advantages and limitations and were found to correlate only moderately, adding complexity to cross-instrument outcome comparisons and interpretation. Despite this, there is limited understanding of the factors contributing to the discordance between PRO and PerfO assessments in patients with kidney disease. In this study, we applied a previously established common T-score metric for patient-reported and performance-based physical function to compare patterns of associations with potential laboratory-based, psychosocial, sociodemographic, and health-related determinants in hemodialysis patients. Method Cross-sectional data from the baseline assessment of the CONVINCE trial (N = 1,132), a multinational randomized controlled trial comparing high-dose hemodiafiltration with high-flux hemodialysis, were analysed. To investigate the relationships between potential determinants and performance-based versus patient-reported physical function, we performed multiple linear regression analysis. Dependent variables were standardized T-scores derived from the PROMIS physical function short-form 4a (PRO) and the Physical Performance Test (PerfO). Both measures assess a generic concept of physical function. We compared the effect sizes of each potential determinant in the multiple regression model using partial f2 values, with thresholds of 0.02, 0.15, and 0.35 denoting small, medium, and large effects. Results Both, PerfO and PRO exhibited significant associations with a laboratory marker-based indicator of muscle mass (simplified creatinine index), albeit with relatively small effects (partial f² of 0.04 and 0.05, respectively). None of the other laboratory measures investigated in this study showed any relevant associations with physical functioning. Age demonstrated a negative association with physical function, with a larger effect size observed for performance-based (partial f² = 0.11) compared to patient-reported physical function (partial f² = 0.04). In contrast to performance-based physical function, patient-reported physical function displayed a stronger association with self-reported health domains, particularly pain interference and fatigue. Exploring the differences between patient-reported and performance-based T-scores at the individual level, we found that younger age and more cognitive/emotional fatigue were associated with lower patient-reported compared to performance-based physical function (small effect sizes). Conclusion PRO and PerfO assessments of physical function in hemodialysis patients had similar associations with the simplified creatinine index, suggesting comparable links to objective physical impairment. However, PRO-based physical function exhibited a notably stronger association with other patient-reported variables, suggesting that patient-reported constructs of physical function might represent more than just capability, but ‘capability free from symptomatic constraints’. This distinction should be taken into account when directly comparing or aggregating PRO and PerfO scores. A noteworthy aspect of our study is the utilization of a common T-score metric for both PRO and PerfO measures. This method enhances interpretability of results and facilitates comparisons across diverse assessment types, thereby offering valuable insights into the determinants of physical function in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Patient-related decisional regret: An evolutionary concept analysis.

Health-related decision-making is a complex process given the variability of treatment options, conflicting treatment plans, time constraints and variable outcomes. This complexity may result in patients experiencing decisional regret following decision-making. Nonetheless, literature on decisional regret in the healthcare context indicates inconsistent characterization and operationalization of this concept. To conceptually define the phenomenon of decisional regret and synthesize the state of science on patients' experiences with decisional regret. A concept analysis. Rodgers' evolutionary method guided the conceptualization of this review. An interdisciplinary literature search was conducted from 2003 until 2023 using five databases, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science. The search informed how the concept manifested across health-related literature. We used PRISMA-ScR checklist to guide the reporting of this review. Based on the analysis of 25 included articles, a conceptual definition of decisional regret was proposed. Three defining attributes underscored the negative cognitive-emotional nature of this concept, post-decisional experience relating to the decision-making process, treatment option and/or treatment outcome and an immediate or delayed occurrence. Antecedents preceding decisional regret comprised initial psychological or emotional status, sociodemographic determinants, impaired decision-making process, role regret, conflicting treatment plans and adverse treatment outcomes. Consequences of this concept included positive and negative outcomes influencing quality of life, health expectations, patient-provider relationship and healthcare experience appraisal. A conceptual model was developed to summarize the concept's characteristics. The current knowledge on decisional regret is expected to evolve with further exploration of this concept, particularly for the temporal dimension of regret experience. This review identified research, clinical and policy gaps informing our nursing recommendations for the concept's evolution. This concept analysis examines existing literature and does not require patient-related data collection. The methodological approach does not necessitate collaboration with the public.

Preferred sources of information on diabetes prevention programmes: a population-based cross-sectional study in Poland.

This study aimed to analyse preferred sources of information on diabetes prevention programmes and to identify sociodemographic determinants influencing these preferences among adults in Poland. A cross-sectional survey was carried out between 15 and 18 September 2023 using a computer-assisted web interview. A self-prepared questionnaire included 10 questions on sources of information on type 2 diabetes prevention. Data were obtained from 1046 adults (18-82 years); 53.4% were females. Most respondents preferred email communication (46.4%), followed by a doctor or nurse (33.5%), and a letter or leaflet directly delivered to the mailbox (25.8%) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) prevention information. Younger respondents were more likely to indicate mass media (OR=1.81, 95% CI=1.12 to 2.95, p=0.01) and digital media (OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.02 to 2.67, p=0.04) as a source of information on DM2 prevention. Those who had higher education (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.16 to 1.96, p=0.002), as well as those with chronic diseases (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.14 to 1.97, p=0.004), were more likely to indicate digital media. Out of 10 different variables analysed in this study, passive occupational status (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.04 to 1.96, p=0.03) as well as having chronic diseases (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.16 to 1.96, p=0.002) were associated with higher odds of indicating healthcare workers as a preferred source of information. Marital status, having children, place of residence, household characteristics and financial status do not significantly decide communication preferences. Communication on DM2 prevention should be adjusted to public preferences and expectations. Tailoring interventions to different demographic groups can enhance outreach and engagement. Email emerged as a popular choice, suggesting the potential of digital communication in preventive health programmes.

Sociodemographic determinants of vaccination and willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccines in Hungary, results of a cross-sectional online questionnaire

BackgroundSeveral different coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines were authorized and distributed all over the world, including Hungary, but vaccination rates and acceptance of the different vaccines varied through 2021 and subsequent years. In Hungary Western vaccines and the Chinese and Russian vaccines were available in early 2021. Understanding preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine could provide information for policy decision making to control the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess the socio-demographic factors influencing the COVID-19 vaccination and to analyse individual preferences for the available COVID-19 vaccines in Hungary.MethodsA cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted between 25–05-2021 and 08–06-2021 exploring the vaccine acceptance and WTP for vaccination in the Hungarian general population. To assess the preferences towards the different vaccines available in Hungary at the time of the study, we used a multi-step WTP task.ResultsAltogether 2,000 respondents filled out our survey, with the average age of 49.1 (SD = 15.3), out of whom 370 respondents (18.5%) stated that they already had a COVID-19 infection. Age above 65 years, male gender, higher level of education, higher income and residence in the capital or county seats were associated with a higher probability of vaccination. The average WTP ranged from 14.2 to 30.3 EUR for the different vaccine types.ConclusionsMales, respondents with higher education and income stated a higher WTP value for all vaccines. Better socioeconomic status increased both vaccination coverage and willingness to pay for vaccines.

Sociodemographic and Contextual Determinants of Men’s Fertility Desires in Northern Nigeria: An Analysis of the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey

Nigeria has a high fertility rate, averaging 5.1 children per woman. The desire for large families, especially by men from the northern region, is a crucial driver of the country’s high total fertility rate. There is, however, a shortage of evidence on the sociodemographic determinants of men’s fertility desires despite being essential stakeholders in fertility decisions in the family. This study, therefore, estimates men’s desired family sizes and the sociodemographic and contextual factors influencing their desires in the northern region of Nigeria. Data from the men’s recoded 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset were used with a sample of 7,822 men. The chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression analysis were used to test the association and estimate the relationship between the outcome and predictor variables. The findings revealed that 71% of men desired to have at least six children, which was high irrespective of sociodemographic characteristics. However, the desire for six or more children was lower (65%) among the youngest cohort than among the oldest (80%). Being a Muslim (AOR = 4.50, 95% CI [3.86, 5.24], p &lt; .05), having two or more wives (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI [1.68, 3.45], p &lt; .05), having 3–5 (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI [1.89, 2.76], p &lt; .05) and six or more (AOR = 6.03, 95% CI [4.48, 8.13], p &lt; .05) living children, and living in the northeast (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI [1.75, 2.37], p &lt; .05) and northwest (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.20, 1.72], p &lt; .05) zones were the most significant predictors of high fertility desire by men. Policymakers should target these categories of men in fertility and family planning programs to promote lowering and slowing the rate of fertility and population growth.

Prevalence of latent TB infection among childhood contacts of adults with sputum positive pulmonary TB

BackgroundTuberculosis is a global public health challenge. More stringent activities are needed for evaluation of ongoing TB transmission. The study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of LTBI in children below 15 years who are household contacts of adults with sputum positive pulmonary TB and identify the determinants involved in TB transmission. The compliance and incidence of adverse events were also studied. MethodologyAn observational study was conducted among 194 children below 15 years who were in contact with 145 adults with smear positive pulmonary TB. All children below 5 years underwent TST and were offered LTBI chemoprophylaxis as per NTEP program while IGRA was used to diagnose LTBI in children above 5 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on determinants of TB transmission. Children were followed up during the LTBI treatment period for assessing compliance and the adverse effects. ResultsThe prevalence of LTBI among the study participants was 15.4 %. Children who received LTBI treatment showed good acceptance with a drug compliance of 98.5 % and only 21 % showed adverse events, all of which were minor. Malnutrition (p value-0.03), overcrowding (P value = 0.014) and exposure to tobacco smoke (p value = 0.000) were identified as the socio-demographic determinants affecting TB transmission. ConclusionChildren below 15 years are at high risk of contracting TB from household adult contacts. Overcrowding, malnutrition and exposure to tobacco smoke being the determinants of TB transmission, screening programmes should prioritise children exposed to such situations, especially in resource limited settings like India.

Awareness of HPV vaccine and its socio-demographic determinants among the parents of eligible daughters in Bangladesh: A nationwide study

BackgroundVaccination against Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended to avoid HPV infections and its associated diseases, including cervical cancer. However, there is no awareness study among Bangladeshi population. Hence, this nationwide study was conducted to explore HPV vaccine awareness and its determinants among parents of eligible adolescent girls. MethodsThis study was conducted among the parents of daughters aged 9–15 years from 42 out of 64 randomly selected districts of Bangladesh between June 28 to August 2, 2023. A multistage sampling method was used to enroll 2151 study participants from all eight divisions of Bangladesh. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews in this study. The statistical software Stata (Version 17) was used for statistical analyses. ResultsThe average age of the participants was 38.18 (±5.86) years. Only 22.32 % of the participants were aware of the HPV vaccine. Every additional year of age increased the likelihood of being aware of the HPV vaccine by 3 % (AOR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00–1.06). Participants residing in the urban area had 3.56 times higher odds of awareness than rural and semi-urban people. Businessmen and housewives had 60 % (AOR: 0.40; 95 % CI: 0.22–0.69) and 77 % (AOR: 0.23; 95 % CI: 0.16–0.33) lower odds in comparison to job holders. The lower-income group exhibited significantly higher odds of awareness (AOR: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.16–0.39) compared to the middle and the higher-income group. Participants who never went through routine health check-ups had 77 % lower odds of being aware than those who availed of regular routine check-ups (AOR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.16–0.34). ConclusionAwareness of the HPV vaccine among the general population of Bangladesh is very low. Age, residence, occupation, monthly income, and routine medical check-ups were associated with HPV vaccine awareness. A nationwide awareness campaign would increase this awareness level among the Bangladeshi population, especially among the parents of daughters.

Determinants associated with activation in patients with oral anticoagulant treatment: A cross-sectional study

AimsThe terms “patient activation” and “patient empowerment” are used to describe the extent to which individuals are able to manage their own healthcare. Health outcomes and quality of life improve in patients who are more active in health care. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, clinical, sociological and psychological determinants associated with activation in a group of chronically anticoagulated patients. MethodsCross-sectional study of patients treated with oral antivitamin-k drugs attended at a specialized outpatient anticoagulant unit between November 2021 and June 2022. The main dependent variable was the level of patient activation according to the 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). Simple and multiple linear regression models were conducted to identify the determinants associated with PAM-13 score. ResultsA total of 137 patients who met all the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. The mean age was 59.6 years (SD 13.8; range 22–86) and 60.6% were male. Sixty per cent presented a level IV of activation according to the PAM-13 scale. Mean patient activation score was 73.9 (SD 15.4). The factors independently associated with significantly lower activation were: emergency department visits in the past 12 months, intermediate social risk, anxiety symptoms, stress symptoms and low self-efficacy. ConclusionsFive determinants were found to be associated with activation. Knowing the factors that modify the level of activation can help to identify subgroups of chronic anticoagulated patients who are less likely to engage in self-management and are therefore candidates for tailored educational interventions.

Trust in governments, public health institutions, and other information sources as determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake behavior in Japan

ObjectivesTrust in governments and public institutions as a determinant of public health outcomes has gained increased attention since the COVID-19 pandemic. Provided historically low confidence in vaccines in Japan, investigating the role of trust in information sources and actual COVID-19 vaccination uptake behavior will be invaluable for future vaccine promotion policymaking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination uptake and evaluate the relationship between trust in different information sources and COVID-19 vaccination behavior in Japan. MethodsFor this study, we leveraged a longitudinal series of web-based surveys of 19,174 individuals in Japan conducted between 2021 and 2022 which asked questions regarding a wide range of sociodemographic and psychographic characteristics related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Determinant analysis for vaccination (at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine) was conducted via multiple logistic regression, and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. ResultsAfter adjustment for sociodemographic determinants of vaccine uptake, aggregate trust in the systems and institutions of vaccine approval (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.30–1.56), and trust in information about the COVID-19 pandemic coming from government sources (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12–1.44) were found to be consistently powerful predictors of COVID-19 vaccination. Trust in media sources including traditional media (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.36), and the internet (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.89) had significant and opposing effects. ConclusionsOur findings support the broader hypothesis that trust in governments and public health institutions remains a powerful determinant for COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Japan. We also found that vaccination decision-making is a multifactorial process that includes the synthesis of trust in public institutions and media, and its interaction with psychosocial determinants such as prosociality and health literacy. We hope to apply this study's findings towards future vaccine programs for contagious diseases.

Sustainable Foods: Consumer Opinions and Behaviour towards Organic Fruits in Poland

By producing high quality food with a low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in developing sustainable food systems. Over time, consumer interest in organic food is systematically growing, which results in a generally positive attitude towards organic products. Many studies that are devoted to analysing organic food consumers’ behaviour aim to generalise the studied trends to the population of a given country or region. Given the varying rates of organic market development between countries, there is a need for more narrowly focused research, which could more profoundly facilitate local development of organic market. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of Polish consumers about organic fruit and to identify the socioeconomic and sociodemographic determinants of the propensity to choose and purchase organic fruit. Respondents were recruited via a market research agency using a consumer access panel. To collect responses, a formal, structured questionnaire was developed and distributed using the CAWI method. The general acceptance of price increases for organic apples amounts to less than around 30% (89% of responses). The effect of income and package size tend to interact with regard to the purchase preference of apples (p &lt; 0.001). The highest frequency of organic fruit purchases were indicated for physical stores, in particular supermarkets (5.35 times/month, 95%CI). A relationship between willingness to consume organic fruits and the self-described economic situation (p = 0.005), as well as true household income (p = 0.007), has been shown. A relationship between the frequency of organic fruit purchases and the number of household members (p = 0.006), as well as number of household members under the age of 18 (p = 0.011), has also been shown. Marketing techniques for organic products should emphasize family welfare and be directed at younger consumers, especially at retail outlets where customers are most likely to buy them, namely physical supermarkets, local grocery stores and discount stores.

Strengthening care for emergencies: what is the level of awareness and utilization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in FCT, Nigeria?

BackgroundAs part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s desire to increase medical coverage among the citizenry, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS) was set up and piloted in the FCT in 2022. To gauge the progress so far, this study sought to assess the level and determinants of public awareness and utilization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) among residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2023 among 1177 respondents residing in FCT Abuja at the time of the survey. Data was collected by trained research assistants using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and purposive sampling was adopted. The level of awareness and the socio-demographic determinants of the level of awareness in the FCT were assessed. Logistic regression was used to find predictors of EMS awareness and utilization.Results57.8% of respondents are aware of EMS, while 42.2% are not. 62.7% are uncertain about the source of information for EMS with only a minority relying on word of mouth (17.7%), traditional media (11.1%), or social media (8.5%). 91.4% have not accessed or utilized EMS via the toll-free emergency line, while only 8.6% reported doing so. There are median EMS awareness and utilization differences across gender, age, location, and employment status of the respondents. Additionally, the multivariate logistic regression showed that age, location, and employment status are significant predictors of EMS awareness and utilization. Males have lower odds of awareness and utilization of EMS compared to females. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between EMS access and utilization (Chi-square = 80.748, p < 0.001). However, awareness did not necessarily translate to utilization.ConclusionThe relationship between EMS awareness and utilization and the unmasked predictors in this paper should be factored into the design of interventions to increase access and utilization of EMS in Nigeria.

Социодемографические детерминанты индивидуальной переоценки склонности к проэкологическому поведению

&lt;p&gt;The overestimating effect of one's tendency and contribution to pro-environmental practices, and underestimating the pro-environmental behavior of others has been noted recently in cross-country studies. The present work is devoted to a detailed post-hoc analysis of the available empirical data on this effect on the Russian sample (N = 109, M&lt;sub&gt;age&lt;/sub&gt; = 28.3, SD&lt;sub&gt;age&lt;/sub&gt; = 10.4, 39% men) and identification of the role of socio-demographic variables (gender, age, income, employment, size of city) as its predictors. The analysis showed that the nature of the contribution of the variables under consideration to the respondents' self-estimation and estimation of others with respect to pro-environmental behavior is non-consistent, which is in line with recent studies. On average for all models and statistically significant determinants, the standardized coefficient ???? does not exceed ∓0.25, which formally corresponds to a small effect size. However, given the empirical distribution of effect size typical of social psychology, it is more likely to be medium effects. The prediction power of linear models based on individual socio-demographic characteristics also turns out to be low, the coefficient of determination varies from 0.02 to 0.11. Therefore, it is acceptable to speak about the considered variables as predictors except in relation to resource saving and eco-mobility. The conclusion is made that along with socio-demographic determinants it is necessary to include other predictors in the design of experiments and investigate them more deeply.&lt;/p&gt;

Socio-demographic Determinants for Distant Metastases of Breast Cancer

Background: In Bangladesh, breast cancer continues to be the second-most common disease overall (12.5%) and the most prevalent cancer in women (27.4%). Patients with late-stage illness who present in low-income regions with distant metastases have a very poor prognosis. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic variables for breast cancer distant metastases in Bangladeshi women treated at a tertiary level hospital. Materials and Methods: This case control study was done from July 2017 to June, 2018 in National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Mohakhali, Dhaka. Results: A total number of 42 patients were taken as cases and another 84 patients without distant metastases were taken as controls. Mean age in case group was 42.67 ±9.27 years and in control group it was 45.13±9.60 years. The majority of the study participants in both the case (33.3%) and control (38.1%) groups had only completed kindergarten. In both the case group (71.5%) and the control group (85.7%), the majority of the women were found to be married. In both categories, the majority of the participants were sedentary workers. Additionally, Table 4 demonstrates that there is no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to co-morbidities, a positive family history, cigarette use, type of employment, and the existence of obesity (P &gt; 0.05), stage of primary tumor (p=0.002, OR= 5.81; 95% CI: 1.85 – 18.15). Conclusion: Both the diagnosis and the course of treatment are delayed. Due to their lack of resources and lack of knowledge, many of them did not complete the course of treatment. Additionally, each of these factors contributes to the spread of breast cancer to distant areas.

Plant-Based Diets versus the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Their Socio-Demographic Determinants in the Spanish Population: Influence on Health and Lifestyle Habits.

Plant-based diets are becoming more and more widespread among the Spanish population, progressively replacing the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Different studies have shown the motivations for adherence to these diets, and others have highlighted some health advantages and disadvantages. Further studies are needed to define the socio-demographic determinants that influence the choice of a plant-based diet and to study the relationship that the choice of dietary pattern has on the health and lifestyle habits of the population. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on the Spanish population. The NutSo-HH questionnaire, developed and validated by the research team, was used to gather socio-demographic, nutritional, social, and lifestyle information through non-probabilistic snowball sampling. The questionnaire was completed by 22,181 Spanish citizens, of whom only 19,211 were of interest to the study. The socio-demographic variables gender, age, educational level, income level, and place of residence do not seem to influence the prevalence of a plant-based diet (n = 1638) compared to a Mediterranean diet (n = 17,573). People following a vegetarian or vegan diet have a lower BMI, and they consume less fried food, fast food, and ultra-processed dishes and fewer energy drinks or sugary beverages. They also do more exercise and sleep longer hours, smoke less, and consume alcohol less frequently. However, there seem to be more diagnosed eating disorders among people who follow a plant-based diet than those who follow a Mediterranean diet. People who adopt a plant-based diet tend to exhibit healthier lifestyle patterns and consume fewer foods that are detrimental to their health. However, it is essential for such dietary choices to be supervised by healthcare professionals to mitigate the risk of maladaptive behaviors evolving into eating disorders.

Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and Culturable Virus in Tears of a Case-Ascertained Household Cohort

To investigate the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and culturable virus in tears of a case-ascertained household cohort. Prospective, longitudinal case-ascertained household cohort identified through convenience sampling. This analysis was restricted to individuals who were non-hospitalized, symptomatic, and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by nasal RT-PCR. Tears and anterior nasal biospecimens were serially collected throughout the acute period. Tears specimens were collected by the study staff using Schirmer test strips, and nasal specimens were self-collected. For both, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was quantified using qRT-PCR, and culturable virus was detected using presence of cytopathic effect (CPE) in tissue culture; positive CPE was confirmed by a qRT-PCR step. A series of cross-sectional unadjusted analyses were performed investigating the relationship between different sociodemographic determinants and biological factors associated with tears RNA positivity. Among the 83 SARS-CoV-2 infected participants, 10 (12%) had at least one RNA-positive tears specimen. Amongst these 10, 5 (50%) had concurrent presence of culturable virus, at a median of 7 days postsymptom onset (IQR: 4-7 days) (absolute range: 4-8 days). In this longitudinal cohort, we found evidence of culturable virus in the tears of a small proportion of nonhospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Current public health infection precautions do not account for transmission via tears, so these findings may improve our understanding of potential sources of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and contribute to developing future guidelines.

Assessment of Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety among Menopause Women in Sulaimani City, Kurdistan: Cross-sectional Study

Menopause represents a pivotal developmental juncture in a woman’s life, characterized by a spectrum of physiological alterations and the potential emergence of depressive symptomatology. The manifestation of anxiety and depression during the menopausal phase is intricate and influenced by a confluence of biological, social, and psychological determinants. This study aims to assess depression and anxiety among menopausal women while elucidating their associations with various sociodemographic attributes. A cross-sectional study was executed at the Ali Kamal Consultation Center, encompassing 126 menopausal women. Data compilation utilized a structured questionnaire encompassing sections on sociodemographic particulars, menopausal symptoms, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Statistical analysis employing SPSS version 25 encompassed frequency and percentage along with Chi-square tests. A substantial proportion of women (72.5%) reported prevalent anxiety, with a noteworthy 74.2% exhibiting discernible signs of depression. Sociodemographic determinants, including age and age at marriage, body mass index, and marital status, exhibited robust associations with anxiety and depression. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in menopausal women underscores the imperative for targeted interventions. Sociodemographic variables emerged as pivotal determinants influencing the likelihood of developing these psychological symptoms. Notably, occupation and place of residence exhibited no statistically significant correlations.

Health and sociodemographic determinants of excess mortality in Spanish nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a2-year prospective longitudinal study.

Age, multimorbidity, immunodeficiency and frailty of older people living in nursing homes make them vulnerable to COVID-19 and overall mortality. To estimate overall and COVID-19 mortality parameters and analyse their predictive factors in older people living in nursing homes over a2-year period. Design: A2-year prospective longitudinal multicentre study was conducted between 2020 and 2022. This study involved five nursing homes in Central Catalonia (Spain). Residents aged 65years or older who lived in the nursing homes on apermanent basis. Date and causes of deaths were recorded. In addition, sociodemographic and health data were collected. For the effect on mortality, survival curves were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis using Cox regression. The total sample of 125 subjects had amean age of 85.10 years (standard deviation = 7.3 years). There were 59 (47.2%) deaths at 24months (95% confidence interval, CI, 38.6-55.9) and 25 (20.0%) were due to COVID-19, mostly in the first 3months. In multivariate analysis, functional impairment (hazard ratio, HR 2.40; 95% CI 1.33-4.32) was asignificant risk factor for mortality independent of age (HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.69-2.00) and risk of sarcopenia (HR 1.40; 95% CI 0.63-3.12). Almost half of this sample of nursing home residents died in the 2‑year period, and one fifth were attributed to COVID-19. Functional impairment was arisk factor for overall mortality and COVID-19 mortality, independent of age and risk of sarcopenia.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Infection among HIV/AIDS Patients Attending an ART Clinic: A Study at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital

Among the over 33 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS, one-third also contracted tuberculosis, making it a significant co-infection. Tuberculosis emerged as the primary cause of illness and death within the HIV/AIDS community, responsible for approximately 30% of all fatalities among those affected. While curable when accurately diagnosed and promptly treated, addressing tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients required special attention due to the intricacies involved in diagnosing and treating both conditions concurrently. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional design, the study aimed to ascertain PTB prevalence and its socio-demographic and behavioral determinants among HIV/AIDS patients attending the ART clinic. Eighty-seven participants were selected via simple random sampling, with questionnaires serving as the primary data collection tool. The findings revealed a significant association between age over 45 years and the occurrence of pulmonary TB, with an odds ratio of 0.71 (0.45–3.77) and a p-value of 0.035. Additionally, male gender exhibited a notable association with PTB among HIV patients, with an odds ratio of 0.48 (0.15-8.14) and a p-value of 0.001. Furthermore, the study indicated a correlation between PTB occurrence and HIV patients, with an odds ratio of 0.35 (0.001-3.79) and a p-value of 0.024. The study's conclusion highlighted that approximately 18.4% of HIV-positive patients had experienced pulmonary tuberculosis. Recommendations included promoting good adherence to ART and TB prophylaxis among HIV patients to bolster immunity against TB. Encouraging HIV patients to steer clear of behaviors that heighten TB risk, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, was also advised. Additionally, the government was urged to enhance support and supplies for individuals living with HIV and tuberculosis, aiming to prevent disease progression through tertiary interventions. Keywords: HIV/AIDS patients; Tuberculosis; PTB among HIV patients, Smoking and alcohol drinking, ART clinic.