Women In Northwest Research Articles

Education and women in the northwest of Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Education and women in the northwest of Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Immunological and hematological reference intervals among HIV-seronegative pregnant women in northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundPregnancy is a state characterized by profound physiological hematological changes. However, hematological reference intervals being used in clinical practice in Ethiopia are derived from nonlocal general populations, despite the significant variations reported previously. The aim of this study was to determine the immunological and hematological reference intervals in healthy pregnancy among HIV-seronegative pregnant women in northwest Ethiopia.Materials and methodsA total of 200 healthy, HIV-seronegative pregnant women were enrolled from February 2015 to June 2015 in a cross-sectional study setting at Gondar University Hospital. Sociodemographic and obstetric data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples collected from each participant were used to define the immunological and hematological parameters. The mean, median, and 95% interval values were calculated for the immunological and hematological parameters. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all variables.ResultsThis study found that there were changes in CD4+ T-cell count, platelet count, and hematocrit (HCT) values as pregnancy advances. The calculated combined reference intervals for the absolute CD4+ T-cell count and platelet count were 712.47–760.67 and 221.25–240.14, respectively. A progressive decline in the platelet count was observed as pregnancy advanced, with 95% intervals of 224.53–253.21, 209.50–237.38, and 213.70–247.86 in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively (P=0.27). There was a statistically significant increase in mean (±standard deviation [SD]) HCT with gestational age, being 39.18±6.70, 41.96±3.70, and 40.53±3.77 in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively (P=0.03). The overall 95% interval for hemoglobin (HB) concentration was 12.99–13.36 g/dL, HCT 40.19%–41.49%, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 93.33–94.63 fL, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) 28.88–34.81 pg. Compared with the reference ranges derived from other studies, we found considerable variations in CD4+T-cell count, HB, HCT, and MCV values.ConclusionThe findings of this study highlight the differences in immunohematological profile among pregnant women and nonpregnant women from Ethiopia and other countries, in addition to suggesting the need for such establishment of local reference values for different populations.

Performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the diagnosis of malaria among malaria suspected pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundMalaria is a major public health problem and an important cause of maternal and infant morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Early and accurate diagnosis of malaria with effective treatment is the best strategy for prevention and control of complications during pregnancy and infant morbidity and mortality. However, laboratory diagnosis has relied on the identification of malaria parasites and parasite antigens in peripheral blood using Giemsa-stained microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) which lack analytical and clinical sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the diagnosis of malaria among malaria suspected pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted from January to April 2016. Pregnant women (n = 87) suspected of having malaria at six health centres were enrolled. A venous blood sample was collected from each study subject, and analysed for Plasmodium parasites by microscopy, RDT, and LAMP. Diagnostic accuracy outcome measures (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and Kappa scores) of microscopy, RDT and LAMP were compared to nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) as the gold standard. Specimen processing and reporting times were documented.ResultsUsing nPCR as the gold standard technique, the sensitivity of microscopy and RDT was 90 and 70%, and the specificity was 98.7 and 97.4%, respectively. LAMP assay was 100% sensitive and 93.5% specific compared to nPCR.ConclusionsThis study showed higher sensitivity of LAMP compared to microscopy and RDT for the detection of malaria in pregnancy. Increased sensitivity and ease of use with LAMP in point-of-care testing for malaria in pregnancy was noted. LAMP warrants further evaluation in intermittent screening and treatment programmes in pregnancy.

Differentials in Utilizations of Antenatal Care Services among Currently Married Women in Urban Southwest and Northwest of Nigeria

&lt;p&gt;The study examines differentials in utilization of antenatal care services among currently married women in urban Southwest and Northwest of Nigeria. Attempt was made to investigate differentials in utilization of antenatal care services among currently married women in both regions. In-depth interviews currently married women in urban Southwest and Northwest. Secondary data were extracted from 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset. Out of the 33,385 currently married interviewed, the study employed sample of 14,811 comprising 8,202 for Northwest and 6,789 for Southwest. The analyses were done in three stages of univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. The result showed evidence of higher age of respondents, higher education among currently married in southwest than northwest. The number of children ever born (CEB) among currently married in both regions were four and five respectively. For both regions antenatal care utilization increased with wealth index. The result of the multivariable analysis regarding utilization of antenatal care services, the logistic analysis shows factors such as education, religion and wealth index as the variables influencing utilization of antenatal care service in Northwest while age of respondents, occupation and CEB determined utilization of antenatal care services in Southwest than Northwest. The study concluded that currently married women in Southwest and Northwest showed differentials in utilization of antenatal care services. Currently married women in Southwest exhibiting higher utilization of antenatal care services and lower utilization in Northwest. Religion, education, wealth index, women autonomy, children ever born, distance to health and cost of antenatal care were the most important variables explaining the differentials in utilization of antenatal care services among currently married women in urban Southwest and Northwest in Nigeria.&lt;/p&gt;

Gestational weight gain and its related social and demographic factors in health care settings of rural and urban areas in northwest Iran

ABSTRACTThe current study was aimed to evaluate gestational weight gain and its socio-demographic determinants among pregnant women in north-west of Iran. In the current cross-sectional study, four hundred eighty one pregnant women aged 26.12 ± 7.45 years were enrolled. Data on pre-pregnancy weight, height, age, educational attainment, parity, household size, hemoglobin status and total pregnancy weight gain were extracted from routine health center records. The pregnant women were categorized based on their pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) as underweight, normal weight and overweight or obese according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations. Participants were also classified according to their educational level into three ‘some school’, ‘high school’ and ‘college’ groups. Gestational weight gain in 27.6% of pregnant women was in normal IOM recommended range; while, weight gain in 49% and 23.2% of pregnant women was below and above recommended range respectively. Women with high educational attainment (≥12 years) have significantly higher weight gain compared with low-educated women (<12 years) (P < 0.001). Age was in negative relationship with gestational weigh gain even after adjusting for confounder effects of residency, educational attainment and household size (r = 0.2, P < 0.001). Our data showed a high prevalence of abnormal gestational weight gain in pregnant women attending to public health centers in northwest of Iran. Moreover educational level, parity and age were significant determinants of gestational weight gain in pregnancy. Special attention should be focused on prenatal nutritional status and health care programs in current health care services in Iran.

Evaluation of a newly discovered breast cancer susceptibility locus at 6q25.1 in Iranian Azari-Turkish women.

Aim of the studyA recent breast cancer genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2046210 on 6q25.1 showing a strong association with breast cancer risk. Numerous association studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism and breast cancer risk in various populations. There have been conflicting reports about the association of this locus with breast cancer risk in different ethnic groups. For the first time, this study has investigated the association of rs2046210 SNP with breast cancer risk in Iranian Azari-Turkish women in North West Iran.Material and methodsIn this study 192 breast cancer subjects and 186 healthy controls were genotyped using Taqman SNP genotyping assays for different SNP rs2046210 alleles.ResultsNo significant association between rs2046210 SNP alleles and the risk of breast cancer was detected in Iranian Azari-Turkish women.ConclusionsThe data suggests that rs2046210SNP does not play a role in the aetiology of breast cancer in the Iranian Azari-Turkish population, and it indicates possible genetic differences for breast cancer between different population ancestries. Our result is an important contribution to the literature about genetic susceptibility for breast cancer in Asian populations. Additional studies are required to confirm our findings.

Associations between DietaryAlliumVegetables and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Hospital-Based Matched Case-Control Study

PurposeThe protective effect of Allium vegetables against carcinogenesis has been reported in experimental studies particularly focusing on the gut. Therefore, we conducted a hospital-based matched case-control study to explore the association between dietary Allium consumption and risk of breast cancer among Iranian women in northwest Iran.MethodsA validated, quantitative, food frequency questionnaire was completed in 285 women (aged 25–65 years old) newly diagnosed with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer (grade II, III or clinical stage II, III) in Tabriz, northwest Iran, and the completed questionnaires were included in an age- and regional-matched hospital based-control study. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that there was a negative association between the consumption of raw onion and risk of breast cancer after adjustment for covariates (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40–1.00); however, this association was insignificant. On the other hand, there was a positive association between consumption of cooked onion and risk of breast cancer, after adjustment for covariates (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.02–2.32). However, reduced risk of breast cancer was associated with higher consumption of garlic and leek with adjusted ORs of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.20–0.83) and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.15–0.51), respectively.ConclusionOur findings suggest that high consumption of certain Allium vegetables, in particular garlic and leek, may reduce the risk of breast cancer, while high consumption of cooked onion may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Predisposing factors and consequences of childbearing among young unmarried women in North West, South Africa

This study aims at describing the predisposing factors and consequences of pregnancy in young girls. The main research questions addressed are why young and unmarried women bear children? And what are the consequences of having a child at an early age? A qualitative study on young mothers was conducted in the North West province of South Africa. The results revealed that pregnancy for most of the participants was unintentional and happened due to ignorance. Other predisposing factors include external pressure, wrong or sporadic use of contraception and rape. Most participants had a strong negative attitude towards induced abortion. The study provides four recommendations: revisit the life orientation programme in schools and make it more efficient in delivering sexuality education; young unmarried women should be motivated to use contraception properly if they are sexually active; advocacy is needed on use of abortion services as an option; and measures should be put in place so as to improve parent-daughter communication on sexual matters.

Nutritional Status among Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women in North West of Iran

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease and one of the most important modifiable factors in the development and maintenance of bone mass is nutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status among osteoporotic postmenopausal women in north west of Iran and compare intake of several nutrients important in terms of bone health with the standard values (DRIs). Bone mineral density of the left proximal femur, the lumbar spine and total hip were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ninety-seven postmenopausal osteoporotic women were studied. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to determine food habits and 24-h recall was used to estimate average energy and nutrient intakes. The mean t-score for bone mineral density (BMD) of LS, FN and total hip were -3.15 +/- 0.73, -1.93 +/- 0.86 and -1.92 +/- 0.88, respectively. The percentages of participants receiving adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K were 7.2%, 3.1% and 42.3%, respectively. The mean phosphate to calcium ratio was 1.6 +/- 0.87. BMD of femoral neck and total hip was correlated inversely with the amount of energy obtained from fat and positively with energy intake. Among micronutrients studied, calcium was positively correlated with BMD of total hip. Most of the postmenopausal osteoporotic women in north west of Iran have a considerable deficiency in terms of energy and some micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which can be deleterious for bone health.

Labour market discrimination in the North West province of South Africa

This article provides an econometric estimate of labour market discrimination in the North West province of South Africa. Using data obtained from the October 1995 Household Survey, it was found that in 1995 statistically significant gender discrimination exists against women in North West's labour market. The male discriminatory wage advantage of 127 per cent and the female discriminatory disadvantage of 195 per cent were ascribed to the overrewarding and underrewarding of some personal characteristics of males and females, respectively. Productivity differentials of 40 per cent in favour of females and a premium paid to women measuring 71 per cent also exist. Discrimination explains 50 per cent of the wage gap between genders, while productivity differentials and the premium account for 13 and 37 per cent respectively. The study supports 'affirmative action' and suggests policies that aim to alter the occupational distributions, and these may need to target educational decisions made prior to labour market entry.