Socioeconomic Status Class Research Articles

A OBSERVATIONAL STUDY CLINICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICALAND ETIOLOGICAL PROFILE IN PEDIATRIC STATUS EPILEPTICUS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN WEST BENGAL

INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical and neurological emergency. The objectives of the study were to determine the clinical, etiological and epidemiological profile of SE in pediatric age group admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary care center at West Bengal. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An observational descriptive study, 108 children with age more than 28 days and upto 12 years presenting with SE were included in Department of Pediatric Medicine, R.G.Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata from January 2016 to January 2017. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Test of proportion showed that the proportion of the patients in the age group 5-10 years (54.6%) were significantly higher than other age group (Z= 2.75; p=0.006). 11(10.2%) patient was with age<1 year. Acute Symptomatic (38.9%) was the commonest among the etiologies followed by Idiopathic (31.5%) which were significantly higher than other etiologies (Z=4.36;p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with younger age are more vulnerable to develop SE. Most of the children belonged to lower class socio-economic status. Acute symptomatic is the most common etiology followed by idiopathic.Convulsive SE with generalized tonic clonic type of convulsion is the most common variety.

Examining the Association Between Parental Socioeconomic Status and Preterm Birth Using Multidomain Social Determinants Scale in a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia.

ObjectivesSocioeconomic status (SES) plays a conflicting role in preterm birth (PB). This study evaluated the association between SES and PB using, for the first time, a multidomain scale, validated for Saudi Arabia, with a scoring system and examined the effect of each SES domain on PB. The secondary outcome was to determine the effects of SES on birth weight (BW) and the subcategories of PB and BW.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2017 and August 2017 at a National Guard tertiary center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 477 parents were interviewed using the Elzahrany R. SES scale.ResultsThe rate of PB was 11.5%, with no significant differences among the high, middle, and low SES classes (13%, 11%, and 12.5%, respectively). There were no patients in the very low SES in this specific population. None of the maternal or neonatal characteristics were significantly different among SES classes except maternal age (p value = 0.03), and antenatal care recorded visits “booking” status (p value = 0.012). Stratified analysis for PB subcategories showed the lower SES classes had higher moderate (3.8%) and extreme (1.6%) PB. For BW subcategories, large for gestational age (LGA) infants were higher in the high SES class (13%). However, the lower SES classes had higher rates of lower BW. The association between SES and PB remained not significant after adjusting for the maternal age and antenatal booking status.ConclusionThere was no association between SES and PB at a tertiary center providing universal care to the National Guard using multidomain socioeconomic determinants with a scoring system. However, lower SES was associated with lower BW. The use of the “polysocial risk score” based on locally validated surveys should be considered in any health research that examines the effects of socioeconomic determinants.

Geographic, Equity and Referral Factors in Intensive Care Unit Admissions and Outcomes in Hanoi, Vietnam

In middle-income countries like Vietnam, tertiary and higher level pediatric care is limited to specific medical centers in urban settings whereas the more widespread primary and secondary facilities lack the skills, tools, and technologies needed to treat severely ill children. Sharp divides in access to medical care and child mortality exist among socioeconomic status classes, geographic regional divisions, and ethnic backgrounds in Vietnam's pediatric …

Association of Demographic Predictors with Multidimensional Aspects of Students’ Engagement and Their Academic Performance In High Schools of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

The present study addressed the major demographic predictors affecting the integrated paradox of students’ engagement and their academic performance in high schools of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. By using multistage sampling technique, N=2758 high school students were sampled out through cross sectional survey research design. The findings of the study revealed that students of highly educated parents i.e. up to tertiary level, residing in family size of 5-10 members and having middle class socio-economic status were more engaged in studies and performed better in exams. In conclusion, gender, parental education, socio-economic status, family size, family type and geographical residence were the major demographic factors affecting students’ academic outcomes. Usage of social constructionism strategies, analytical thinking and multifarious instruction techniques can be helpful in increasing the students’ academic outcomes.

Socioeconomic status and visual outcome in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PurposeVisual outcome in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration is variable. We aimed to evaluate for association between socioeconomic status visual acuity in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.MethodsA retrospective single-center study of a consecutive group of neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients was performed. Socioeconomic status was determined for each patient based on the 2008 Israeli census. Medical information was extracted from medical records and included visual acuity and optical coherence tomography parameters. Associations between socioeconomic status and clinical outcomes were analyzed.ResultsA total of 233 patients were included in the analysis. A correlation was found between low baseline visual acuity of the first eye diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and low socioeconomic status (r = −0.13, p = 0.049; n = 233). The difference between the visual acuity of the lowest and the highest socioeconomic status categories at baseline was approximately 3 ETDRS lines (p = 0.048). Socioeconomic status and baseline visual acuity of the second eye of the same individual with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were not correlated (r = −0.05, p = 0.95). Socioeconomic status was not associated with the number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections of the first or second eye, or the visual acuity outcome of the first or second eye after 1 year of therapy (p = 0.421, p = 0.9, respectively). Central subfield thickness of the first eye at presentation as measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was associated with socioeconomic status (r = −0.31 p = 0.001).ConclusionIndividuals of lower socioeconomic status presented at more advanced stage of the disease when developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the first eye but not in the second eye. The research underscores the importance of improving referral patterns and awareness for the lowest socioeconomic status classes.

Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms and Neighborhood Changes from Adolescence to Adulthood: Latent Class Growth Analysis and Multilevel Growth Curve Models.

The role of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and racial/ethnic composition on depression has received considerable attention in the United States. This study examines associations between trajectory patterns of neighborhood changes and depressive symptoms using data from Waves I-IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We used latent class growth analysis to determine the number and distribution of person-centered trajectories for neighborhood characteristics, and multilevel growth curve models to examine how belonging to each class impacted depression trajectories from ages 13 to 32 among non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Others (NHO). The distribution of neighborhood SES classes across racial/ethnic groups suggests significant levels of economic inequality, but had no effect on depressive symptoms. A more complex picture emerged on the number and distribution of racial/ethnic composition latent class trajectories. Compared to NHB peers who lived in predominantly NHW neighborhoods from adolescence to adulthood, NHBs in more diverse neighborhoods had lower risk for depressive symptoms. Conversely, Hispanics living in neighborhoods with fewer NHWs had higher risk for depressive symptoms. Among NHOs, living in neighborhoods with a critical mass of other NHOs had a protective effect against depressive symptoms.

Profile of under-five malnourished children admitted in a tribal medical college (RIMS) Adilabad, Telangana

Profile of under-five malnourished children admitted in a tribal medical college (RIMS) Adilabad, Telangana - IJMPO- Print ISSN No: - 2581-4699 Online ISSN No:- 2581-4702 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.ijmpo.2019.030, IP International Journal of Medical Paediatrics and Oncology-IP Int J Med Paediatr Oncol

Association between socioeconomic status and influenza-like illness: A study from Western part of India.

Objectives:Health status is associated with socioeconomic status (SES) of the individuals. The aim of this study was to identify any link between the SES and influenza-like illness (ILI).Materials and Methods:This observational case-control study was done on 18–70 years old patients presented with ILI (cases) at tertiary care hospital of western India. Controls were selected from demographically matched elective surgery patients except the SES. SES was evaluated as per the Modified B G Prasad 2017 scale and participants were further classified in lower SES (per capita income <2000 INR) and non-lower SES groups.Results:810 cases and 830 controls were compared. Many cases were from lower SES, had poor hand hygiene, and were using soil, mud, ash (SMA) for hand cleaning as compared to the control. Among the cases significant numbers were from lower SES (543/810[67%], P < 0.02), many were alcoholics, smokers, had poor hand hygiene, were using SMA for hand cleaning, and had preexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while few were having diabetes in the lower SES group as compared to the non-lower SES group. ILI was more common among lower SES class in unadjusted analysis (odds ratio [OR] 1.58, 95% CI 0.89–2.76) and the results were significant even after the adjustment of covariates (OR 1.62, 95% CI, 0.94–2.85).Conclusion:Lower SES people were 2.8 times more prone to ILI as compared to the age- and sex-matched control in western part of India.

Risk Factors of Drug Resistance among Tuberculosis Patients of Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Introduction: India is leading in the burden of Tuberculosis (TB) according to the new report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the disease. Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases have been increasing in India. About half of the world’s MDR-TB cases are present in India. Aim: To assess the incidence of drug resistant TB in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India, in the second quarter of the year 2019 and to determine the risk factors that are responsible to develop drug resistance to anti-tubercular drugs in the study population. Materials and Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1st to June 30th in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. All the registered drug resistant TB cases in Prakasam district who gave consent during the study period were taken as sample. The diagnosed drug resistant TB patients were interviewed and proportions of different variables were calculated and chi-square test was used to test significance of results. Results: Out of 209 TB patients, 88 patients were having drug resistant TB in Prakasam district. Prevalence of Drug resistant TB in Prakasam district was calculated as 5.64 per one lac population. In the second quarter of the year 2019-2020, i.e., from April 1st to June 30th, 88 new cases were identified. Incidence of Drug resistant TB in Prakasam district was calculated as 2.38 per one lac population. Male persons (76%), having the age 20-40 years (42%), 40-60 (38.7%) belonging to middle class (45.5%) and migrating for work (85%) are at more risk of developing drug resistant TB. Most of the patients are developing drug resistant TB directly (70.5%) which is an alarming signal. The rifampicin resistant patients were also developing psychological complications (22). Drug toxicity was observed in 55% of the cases. Conclusion: Incidence of drug resistant TB was more in male persons, above 20 years of age, belonging to middle class socio-economic status and migrating for work. Most of the patients developed drug resistant TB directly without previous history of TB. Drug toxicity was observed in half of the cases. Psychological complications were observed in rifampicin resistant patients. Surveillance activity should be addressed properly to combat the risk factors.

Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy

Background: Estimation of Quality of life is a useful outcome measure to know about epilepsy care from patient’s perspective. Assessing QOL of epileptic patients is important so as to manage the epilepsy and to implement some interventional programs in order to improve the quality of life of these patients. The study aims to find out the impact of epilepsy on quality of life of epileptic patients&#x0D; Material and method: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study, conducted from March to August 2019 for a period of 6 months, after approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE-31) was used for collecting data on health-related QOL.&#x0D; Result: The study group consisted of 65 patients of whom 48 were males (73.84%) and 17 were females (26.15%). Their ages ranged from 19 to 60 years. (mean age: 35.65). Majority of the patients were in the age range of 30-41 (40%). 50.8% participants were from nuclear family and 49.2% were from joint family system. Most of the patients had lower class socioeconomic status (61.5%). As regard to the employment status, 38.4% of patients were full time employed, 13.8% were part time employed. 29.2% were unemployed and 9.23% were retired and 9.23% were students. The medication analysis revealed that 30.6% of the participants were on monotherapy whereas 69.0% were on polytherapy. The mean total QOLIE-31 score was 39.12 (SD-5.00).&#x0D; Conclusion: Epileptic patients had poor QOL with low total QOLIE-31 score, unemployment, use of combination therapy and people belonging to lower class were associated with lower quality of life in individuals with epilepsy.&#x0D; Keywords: Health Related Quality of life, Epilepsy, Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31) questionnaire

268 Shifting Away from Racial Bias

Studies from 1997-2016 have identified race as a predictive factor in regard to emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS), extending across age groups and sexs. However, it is difficult to discern a true bias towards race without confounding factors of resource limitations and/or socioeconomic status (SES). Increased ED wait times lead to delayed care and decreased patient satisfaction, and can impact disparate populations disproportionately. This paper aims to explore if the LOS in an urban ED, when stratified by illness severity, changes based on age, race, and SES. Patient records from 1/2018 - 12/2018 at a level 1 urban trauma center ED, with census of 80k patients, was pulled from the EHR. Patients were stratified to illness severity by using disposition status. Subjects were then categorized by race, age, and SES, using the National Reading System of social grading. Race categories used: Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and White. Age was defined as: Child (0-12), Adolescent (13-18), Adult (19-64), and Geriatric (65+). SES used the five following labels: Classes A, B, C1, C2, and D. Patient zip codes were cross referenced with census income data. Class A represented the top 4% of earners while class D denoted the bottom 20%. Primary outcomes were total LOS in the ED and time to provider (TTP). To assess baseline prognostic strength of each variable, a logistic regression was performed prior to stratification of patient data. Following, patient data was organized by disposition status. The average and median LOS was recorded for each variable. When not accounting for patient disposition, a logistic regression with univariate analysis showed that neither race nor socioeconomic status were independent predictors of LOS. Age was shown to be a significant predictor: with adults as the reference, a child had a log-odds ratio of 0.6, p= 0.001, 95% CI [0.57, 0.63], indicating roughly a 40% reduction in LOS. Geriatric patients had a log odds of 1.52, p= 0.001, 95% CI [1.50, 1.55]. Thus across all groups the typical geriatric patient was waiting up to 50% longer regardless of their disposition status. When patients were placed into three separate cohorts: admitted, discharged, and observed, the prognostic effect of our variables became evident. Age was again predictive, with admitted children having a median LOS (min) of 296 (IQR 215-360) v adults 538 (IQR 335-920), yielding a difference of 242 min, p=0.001. TTP was inversely correlated with admitted adults being seen 19.45 min, p= 0.0093, 95% CI [4.80, 34.11] faster than children. LOS results had an average 62.14 min, p= 0.001, 95% CI [56.38, 67.91] difference between admitted Black and White patients. TTP was not significantly reduced for White patients compared to other races. While there was no difference in TTP, SES results revealed a difference between admitted Class A and D patients for total LOS [395 (IQR 246-713) v 581 (IQR 367-995)]. Disparity between SES classes was 186 min, p=0.0103, three-fold more than the disparity that race accounts for. TTP correlated with age but no other variables. LOS correlated with all variables with race showing less of a disparity than SES. Unlike literature highlighting the influence of race, our data suggests that SES may be a stronger predictor, signifying needing to shift the discussion from institutionalized racism in health care, to one that addresses institutional prejudice toward lower socioeconomic groups.

Household socioeconomic status in relation to childhood general and central obesity in Farrokhshahr, Iran.

BACKGROUNDAlthough the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and general/central obesity has extensively been examined, limited data are available in this regard among children. The aim of this study was to examine the association between household SES and obesity among children.METHODSThis cross-sectional study was done in Farrokhshahr, Iran, among primary school children aged 6-12 years in 2009. SES was examined using participants’ and their parents’ oral responses to a pretested questionnaire. In the current study, participants were classified based on tertiles of SES score to low, medium, and high SES categories. General as well as central obesity was defined based on age- and sex-specific national cut-off points.RESULTSComparing individuals in the highest versus lowest tertile of SES, there was no significant difference in mean waist circumference (WC), but those in the middle tertile of SES had greater means of body mass index (BMI) than those in the lowest tertile after controlling for potential confounders (16.19 ± 0.27 vs. 15.27 ± 0.27 kg/m2, P = 0.002). We observed a greater chance of general obesity for those in the highest tertile of SES compared with those in the lowest tertile [odds ratio (OR): 4.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53-10.59, Ptrend = 0.004]. No significant association was seen between SES and central obesity, either before or after controlling for potential confounders.CONCLUSIONWe found that children in the highest SES class had a greater chance of general obesity than those in the lowest SES class. There was no significant association between SES and central obesity.

Inequality in geographical distribution of hospitals and hospital beds in densely populated metropolitan cities of Iran

BackgroundThis study aims to assess geographical distribution of hospitals and extent of inequalities in hospital beds against socioeconomic status (SES) of residents of five metropolitan cities in Iran.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted to measure geographical inequality in hospital and hospital bed distributions of 68 districts in five metropolitan cities during 2016 using geographic information system (GIS), and Gini and Concentration indices. Correlation analysis was performed to show the relationship between the SES and inequality in hospital beds densities.ResultsThe study uncovered marked inequalities in hospitals and hospital beds distributions. The Gini indices for hospital beds were greater than 0.55. The aggregated concentration indices for public and private hospital beds were 0.33 and 0.49, respectively. The GIS revealed that 216 (70.6%) hospitals were located in two highest socioeconomic status classes in the cities. Only 29 (9.5%) hospitals were located in the lowest class. The public, private, and the cumulative hospitals beds distributions in Tehran and Esfahan showed significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with SES of the residents.ConclusionsThe high inequalities in hospital and hospital beds distributions in our study imply an overlooked but growing concern for geographical access to healthcare in rapidly urbanizing metropolitan cities in Iran. Thus, regardless of ownership, decision-makers should emphasize the disadvantaged areas in metropolitan cities when need arises for the establishment of new healthcare facilities in order to ensure fairness in healthcare. The metropolitan cities and rapid urbanization settings in other countries could learn lessons to reduce or prevent similar issues which might have hampered access to healthcare.

Occupational stress and its coping strategies among the police personnel of the Chitradurga city: a cross-sectional study

Background: Everyone relishes having a peaceful and safe society to live in. But nobody thinks about the police who work hard to keep our community safe and secure. They have to face potentially hazardous situations that can result in physical or mental trauma or even death in the line of duty. This study will help to reveal the stress and coping strategies employed by the police personnel of Chitradurga city. To determine the stressful situations faced by the police personnel and to ascertain the positive &amp; negative coping strategies employed by the study participants.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the police personnel in all the five police stations in Chitradurga city for a period of one year. Complete enumeration method was used to include 282 police men and women in the study. A pre-designed, pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Appropriate statistical tests were applied.Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.13±10.33. Majority of them were males (89%), Hindus (95.4%), graduates (49.6%), living in their own house (38.7%), hailing from a nuclear family (62.1%) and belonged to socio-economic status class I (50%) according to modified BG Prasad’s classification.Conclusions: The stress was found to be significantly associated with work-related factors like difficulties in meeting deadlines, insufficient personal time, inadequate family time, needing changes in the department, eagerness to go to work and job satisfaction.

Differences In Students' Motivation by Socio-Economic Status Of Parents And Their Implications In Guidance And Counseling

Motivation to learn is a strong impulse in students that raises activities for learning, guarantees the continuity of learning activities, one of the factors that influence students 'learning motivation is parents' socio-economic status. this research aims to : (1) learning motivation of students in schools with the condition of the upper and middle class socioeconomic status, (2) learning motivation of students in schools whose parents' social status is up and down, (3) learning motivation of students in schools with a condition of middle-class parents with lower social status, (4) identify differences in student learning motivation based on parental socio-economic status and its implications in guidance and counseling.This type of research is quantitative research with descriptive comparative method. The population of this study was as many as 800 students of Banuhampu Middle School 01 District. Agam and a sample of 187 students were selected by proportional random sampling technique. The instrument used was a questionnaire form of Likert scale. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and test different techniques (analysis of variance) with SPSS for Windows version 20.00.The findings showed that: (1) The students' motivation social status on the high category, (2) The students 'motivation medium social status in the high category, (3) the social status of students' motivation under the category of being, and (4) there is a significant difference between students' motivation social status upper, middle and lower.

Health-related quality of life of hemophilics and its possible correlates: A perspective in health promotion and disability prevention.

BACKGROUND:Clinical evaluations are not sufficient to adequately characterize the morbidity associated with hemophilia. Quality of life (QoL) of hemophilics and associated factors is not well explored in Indian research. The present study aimed to measure the QoL in hemophilics and its association with socio-demographic characteristics and other characteristics.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted during June–November 2018. Two hundred and one hemophilics (age ≥ 4 years) were interviewed with a pre-tested schedule for sociodemographic and other relevant variables. QoL was measured by Haemo-QoL questionnaire for different pediatric age groups and Haem-A-QoL questionnaire for adults and assigned health-related QoL scores. Score achieved in each dimension as well as total scores were transformed on scales ranging from 0 to 100, high values indicate high impairment of QoL. Hemophilic arthropathy was assessed using the World Federation of Hemophilia Joint Scores. One-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analyses were performed using SPSS version 16.RESULTS:Mean Haemo-QoL scores for 4–7 years, 8–12 years, 13–16 years, and >16 years were 43.92 ± 8.09, 37.37 ± 8.62, 32.79 ± 6.66, and 45.92 ± 6.30, respectively. Significant difference was noted for QoL scores across different age groups, grades of severity, educational, occupational categories, socioeconomic status classes, marital status, and presence or absence of target joint. Total QoL scores, as well as scores in some of the dimensions, showed a significant positive correlation with the World Federation of Hemophilia joint scores by Spearman correlation analysis.CONCLUSIONS:Improvement of the joint health status by regular physiotherapy is needed to improve the QoL of hemophilics.

Helicobacter pylori infection is positively associated with an increased BMI, irrespective of socioeconomic status and other confounders: a cohort study.

Data on the association of Helicobacter pylori infection and BMI are conflicting. The fact that both H. pylori infection and BMI are associated with low socioeconomic status (SES) makes this relationship difficult to characterize. We aimed to evaluate the association between BMI and H. pylori infection after adjusting for multiple covariates. We analyzed a cohort of 235 107 individuals aged 18 years or older, who performed a C urease breath test (C-UBT), from 2007 to 2014. Data on BMI, age, sex, SES, ethnicity, and medications were extracted from a nationwide population-based database. BMIs were classified according to the WHO recommendations: underweight (<18.5 kg/m), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m), obese class I (30-34.9 kg/m), and obese class II or more (>35 kg/m). The positivity rate for H. pylori among underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese class I and class II or more was 55.6, 58.5, 63.0, 64.5, and 65.5%, respectively (P<0.001, Plinear trend 0.007). The association between BMI and H. pylori infection was significant across all SES, sex, ethnicity, and age categories. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and SES, being overweight and obese class I and class II or more were associated significantly with H. pylori positivity: odds ratio 1.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.15], 1.14 (95% CI: 1.11-1.17), and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.11-1.19), respectively, P value less than 0.001 for all. Among individuals who were referred to a C-UBT by primary care physician, after adjusting for multiple covariates including SES, we found a positive association between H. pylori infection and an increased BMI.

Association of socioeconomic status and hypertension based on habitual smoking among Iranian population: IHHP study.

Background: Along with tripartiteclose relationship of socioeconomic level, smoking, and prevalence of hypertension, the present study aimed to assess the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and hypertension based on habitual smoking in Iranian population. Methods: The present study analyzed the individuals subsample consisted of 9623 subjects, out of all people resident in Isfahan province in Iran of the wave of the Isfahan Heart Health Project (IHHP) in three cities in Iran: Isfahan, Najafabad and Arak. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured in supine position using an automated blood pressure monitor. Smokers were defined as persons who were smoked prior to the survey and never smokers were defined as a person who had never smoked. Results: Those individuals who experienced cigarette smoking, SES class was significantly lower in hypertensive patients compared with normotensive subject so 7.8% of hypertensive patients and 92.2% of normotensive ones classified in SES class IV (p<0.001). Univariate analysis showed hypertension was related to lower SES class when compared with normotension status in both smoker and nonsmoker groups (p<0.001). In stepwise logistic regression models adjusting sex, age, global dietary index and leisure time physical activity, hypertension could be predicted by lower SES in nonsmoker group, while this predictive role for SES could not be reveal in smoker group. Conclusion: The significant SES-smoking association may determinate in the increasing blood pressure even adjusted for other covariates such as demographics as well as dietary behaviors and leisure time physical activity. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Public Awareness on Cord Blood Banking in Saudi Arabia.

Background In the last decade, cord blood (CB) has proven to be a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation to treat many hematological disorders. Since then, many CB banks have been established worldwide. Our aim was to estimate the level of public awareness of CB banking in Saudi Arabia. Study Design and Methods A self-administered questionnaire of 22 multiple choices was conveniently distributed, consisting of demographics, awareness measure, attitude toward banking preference, and donation for research data. Results A total of 1146 participants have completed the questionnaire. The majority were young female 19–25 years old (26%), who are college graduates (57%) with middle class socioeconomic status (82%). The subjective assessment of the overall knowledge was inadequate (66%). For the objective assessment, 12 questions were asked about CB source, collection, storage, and usage. Only half of the subjects (52%) knew that CB is a source of stem cells. More than half did not know the main use of CB. About half did not know about the method of collection nor the condition of storing. Conclusion This study shows a high lack of knowledge about CB banking. More than half of the subjects were unaware of CB banking and its uses. However, most subjects are accepting CB storage, which anticipates great impact and efficacy on educational programs. Moreover, the data demonstrated that health professionals were not the source of knowledge. We recommend having comprehensive educational campaigns with clear information about CB banking to facilitate positive perspectives towards donation and scientific research.

Dietary calcium intake and physical activity levels among people living in Karnataka, India - An observational hospital-based study.

Background:Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body with varied functions, and its dietary deficiency leads to osteoporosis. Various studies have shown that adequate dietary calcium intake (DCI) and moderately increased physical activity if maintained for long term prevent osteoporosis. The data regarding DCI of people living in Karnataka, south India, are limited. Thus, we aimed to assess DCI, physical activity, and their predictors among people living in Karnataka.Methodology:A cross-sectional study was done among 250 inpatients and normal relatives of orthopedics department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Multistage random sampling was performed. DCI and physical activity were measured using validated questionnaires.Results:The mean (standard deviation) DCI was 499.94 (251.5). The prevalence [95 confidence interval (CI)] of poor intakers of DCI [DCI < Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)] was 76.6% (70.9, 81.7). However, only 43.52% of all participants with poor DCI were on supplements. Male gender [2.189 (1.125, 4.257)], elderly [1.988 (1.067, 3.705)], and low knowledge score [1.240 (1.093, 1.407)] were significant predictors of low DCI. The proportion (95 CI) of patients who were categorized as having low physical activity (LPA) was 44.0% (37.8, 50.4). The predictors for LPA [adjusted odds ratio (95 CI)] were marital status, being single [1.853 (1.047, 3.282)], and low socioeconomic status class [1.209 (1.002, 1.458)].Conclusion:DCI was below the RDA for three-fourths of our patients with nearly half of them being physically inactive, indicating the need for better education regarding DCI and improving physical activity, all of which can prevent osteoporosis.