| 1. |
- Aryal, Umesh R., 1973, et al.
(författare)
-
Perceived risks and benefits of cigarette smoking among Nepalese adolescents: a population-based cross-sectional study.
- 2013
-
Ingår i: BMC public health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 13
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The perceived risks and benefits of smoking may play an important role in determining adolescents' susceptibility to initiating smoking. Our study examined the perceived risks and benefits of smoking among adolescents who demonstrated susceptibility or non susceptibility to smoking initiation. METHODS: In October--November 2011, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in Jhaukhel and Duwakot Villages in Nepal. Located in the mid-hills of Bhaktapur District, 13 kilometers east of Kathmandu, Jhaukhel and Duwakot represent the prototypical urbanizing villages that surround Nepal's major urban centers, where young people have easy access to tobacco products and are influenced by advertising. Jhaukhel and Duwakot had a total population of 13,669, of which 15% were smokers. Trained enumerators used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 352 randomly selected 14- to 16-year-old adolescents. The enumerators asked the adolescents to estimate their likelihood (0%--100%) of experiencing various smoking-related risks and benefits in a hypothetical scenario. RESULTS: Principal component analysis extracted four perceived risk and benefit components, excluding addiction risk: (i) physical risk I (lung cancer, heart disease, wrinkles, bad colds) ;(ii) physical risk II (bad cough, bad breath, trouble breathing);(iii) social risk (getting into trouble, smelling like an ashtray); and (iv) social benefit(looking cool, feeling relaxed, becoming popular, and feeling grown-up). The adjusted odds ratio of susceptibility increased 1.20-fold with each increased quartile in perception of physical Risk I. Susceptibility to smoking was 0.27- and 0.90-fold less among adolescents who provided the highest estimates of physical Risk II and social risk, respectively. Similarly, susceptibility was 2.16-fold greater among adolescents who provided the highest estimates of addiction risk. Physical risk I, addiction risk, and social benefits of cigarette smoking related positively, and physical risk II and social risk related negatively, with susceptibility to smoking. CONCLUSION: To discourage or prevent adolescents from initiating smoking, future intervention programs should focus on communicating not only the health risks but also the social and addiction risks as well as counteract the social benefits of smoking.
|
|
| 2. |
- Andersson Sundell, Karolina, 1978, et al.
(författare)
-
Factors associated with switching and combination use of antidepressants in young Swedish adults.
- 2013
-
Ingår i: International journal of clinical practice. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1742-1241 .- 1368-5031. ; 67:12, s. 1302-10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known on factors associated with switching and combination use of antidepressants. Our aim was to describe such use and to analyse the association with socioeconomic factors and level of care in Swedish adults aged 20-34years.
|
|
| 3. |
- Andersson Sundell, Karolina, 1978, et al.
(författare)
-
Socio-economic determinants of early discontinuation of anti-depressant treatment in young adults.
- 2013
-
Ingår i: European journal of public health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1464-360X .- 1101-1262. ; 23:3, s. 433-440
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Early discontinuation of anti-depressant treatment is common. This study analysed whether socio-economic factors influence early discontinuation among new anti-depressant users aged 20-34 years. METHODS: Our study population included all Swedes aged 20-34 years who purchased anti-depressants in 2006 and had not purchased such drugs in the preceding 6 months (n=25003). We obtained prescription data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Information about demographic and socio-economic factors (country of birth, marital status, household size, education level, occupation, income and social assistance) was collected from Statistics Sweden by record linkage. We defined early discontinuation as filling only one anti-depressant prescription within a 6-month period. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to analyse the socio-economic factors associated with early discontinuation. RESULTS: We identified 6536 individuals (26.1%) as early discontinuers. Early discontinuation was less common among women [odds ratio (OR)=0.82; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.75-0.87] and in those with at least two years of higher education (OR=0.71; 95% CI 0.61-0.83), whereas it was more common among those born outside Sweden (OR=1.76; 95% CI 1.48-2.10) and those who received social assistance (OR=1.26; 95% CI 1.11-1.44). Compared with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, SSRI, early discontinuation was more common among individuals who started treatment with a tri-cyclic anti-depressant, TCA, (OR=2.58; 95% CI 2.24-2.98) or an anti-depressant other than SSRIs, TCAs or selective serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors/norepinephrine (noradrenaline) re-uptake inhibitors (OR=2.90; 95% CI 2.05-4.10). CONCLUSION: Early discontinuation occurred more commonly among social assistance recipients and those with immigrant background, suggesting that those groups might require greater support when initiating anti-depressant therapy.
|
|
| 4. |
- Aydin-Schmidt, Berit, et al.
(författare)
-
Usefulness of Plasmodium falciparum-specific rapid diagnostic tests for assessment of parasite clearance and detection of recurrent infections after artemisinin-based combination therapy.
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Malaria journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2875. ; 12:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is an important tool for parasite-based malaria diagnosis. High specificity of RDTs to distinguish an active Plasmodium falciparum infection from residual antigens from a previous infection is crucial in endemic areas where residents are repeatedly exposed to malaria. The efficiency of two RDTs based on histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) antigens were studied and compared with two microscopy techniques (Giemsa and acridine orange-stained blood smears) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for assessment of initial clearance and detection of recurrent P. falciparum infections after artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in a moderately high endemic area of rural Tanzania.
|
|
| 5. |
- Beer, Netta, et al.
(författare)
-
High effective coverage of vector control interventions in children after achieving low malaria transmission in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Malaria journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2875. ; 12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: Background: Formerly a high malaria transmission area, Zanzibar is now targeting malaria elimination. A major challenge is to avoid resurgence of malaria, the success of which includes maintaining high effective coverage of vector control interventions such as bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS). In this study, caretakers' continued use of preventive measures for their children is evaluated, following a sharp reduction in malaria transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted in June 2009 in North A and Micheweni districts in Zanzibar. Households were randomly selected using two-stage cluster sampling. Interviews were conducted with 560 caretakers of under-five-year old children, who were asked about perceptions on the malaria situation, vector control, household assets, and intention for continued use of vector control as malaria burden further decreases. Results: Effective coverage of vector control interventions for under-five children remains high, although most caretakers (65%; 363/560) did not perceive malaria as presently being a major health issue. Seventy percent (447/643) of the under-five children slept under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) and 94% (607/643) were living in houses targeted with IRS. In total, 98% (628/643) of the children were covered by at least one of the vector control interventions. Seasonal bed-net use for children was reported by 25% (125/508) of caretakers of children who used bed nets. A high proportion of caretakers (95%; 500/524) stated that they intended to continue using preventive measures for their under-five children as malaria burden further reduces. Malaria risk perceptions and different perceptions of vector control were not found to be significantly associated with LLIN effective coverage. Conclusions: While the majority of caretakers felt that malaria had been reduced in Zanzibar, effective coverage of vector control interventions remained high. Caretakers appreciated the interventions and recognized the value of sustaining their use. Thus, sustaining high effective coverage of vector control interventions, which is crucial for reaching malaria elimination in Zanzibar, can be achieved by maintaining effective delivery of these interventions.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bjurman, Christian, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Assessment of a multimarker strategy for prediction of mortality in older heart failure patients: a cohort study
- 2013
-
Ingår i: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 3:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Primarily to develop a multimarker score for prediction of 3-year mortality in older patients with decompensated heart failure (HF). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Secondary care. Single centre. PATIENTS AND BIOMARKERS: 131 patients, aged >/=65 years, with decompensated HF were included. Assessment of biomarkers was performed at discharge. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: 3-year mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 73+/-11 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction , 43+/-14%; 53% were male. The 3-year mortality was 53.4%. The following N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) levels could optimally stratify mortality: <2000 ng/l (n=39), 30.8% mortality; 2000-8000 ng/l (n=58), 51.7% mortality; and >8000 ng/l (n=34), 82.4% mortality. However, in the 2000-8000 ng/l range, NTproBNP levels had low-prognostic capacity, based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC=0.53; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.67). In this group, multivariate analysis identified age, cystatin C (CysC), and troponin T (TnT) levels as independent risk factors. A risk score based on these three risk factors separated a high-risk and low-risk groups within the NTproBNP range of 2000-8000 ng/l. The score exhibited a significantly higher AUC (0.75; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.86) than NTproBNP alone (p=0.03) in this NTproBNP group and had similar prognostic capacity as NTproBNP in patients below or above this NTproBNP range (p=0.57). Net reclassification improvement and integrated discriminatory improvement in the group with NTproBNP levels between 2000 and 8000 ng/l was 54% and 23%, respectively, and in the whole cohort 22% and 11%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that, to assess risk in HF, older patients required significantly higher levels of NTproBNP than younger patients. Furthermore, a risk score that included TnT and CysC at discharge, and age could improve risk stratification for mortality in older patients with HF in particular when NTproBNP was moderately elevated.
|
|
| 7. |
- Bjurman, Christian, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Small changes in Troponin T levels are common in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and are linked to higher mortality
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0735-1097 .- 1558-3597. ; 62:14, s. 1231-1238
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:To examine the extent of change in Troponin T levels in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).BACKGROUND:Changes in cardiac troponin levels are required for the diagnosis of NSTEMI, according to the new universal definition of acute myocardial infarction. A relative change of 20-230 % and an absolute change of 7- 9 ng/L have been suggested as cut-off points.METHOD:In a clinical setting, where a change in cTnT was not mandatory for the diagnosis of NSTEMI, serial samples of cTnT were measured with a high-sensitive cTnT (hs-cTnT) assay, and 37 clinical parameters were evaluated in 1178 patients with a final diagnosis of NSTEMI presenting <24h after symptom onset.RESULTS:After six hours of observation, the relative change in the hs-cTnT level remained <20 % in 26 % and the absolute change <9 ng/L in 12 % of the NSTEMI patients. A relative hs-cTnT change <20% was linked to higher long-term mortality across quartiles (p=0.002) and in multivariate analyses (HR 1.61 (1.17-2.21) p=0.004), whereas 30-day mortality was similar across quartiles of relative hs-cTnT changeCONCLUSION:Because stable hs-TnT levels are common in patients with a clinical diagnosis of NSTEMI in our hospital, a small hs-cTnT change may not be useful to exclude NSTEMI, particularly as these patients show both short-term and long-term mortality at least as high as patients with large changes in hs-cTnT.
|
|
| 8. |
- Choulagai, Bishnu, et al.
(författare)
-
Barriers to using skilled birth attendants' services in mid- and far-western Nepal : a cross-sectional study
- 2013
-
Ingår i: BMC International Health and Human Rights. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1472-698X. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Skilled birth attendants (SBAs) provide important interventions that improve maternal and neonatal health and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. However, utilization and coverage of services by SBAs remain poor, especially in rural and remote areas of Nepal. This study examined the characteristics associated with utilization of SBA services in mid- and far-western Nepal.METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined three rural and remote districts of mid- and far-western Nepal (i.e., Kanchanpur, Dailekh and Bajhang), representing three ecological zones (southern plains [Tarai], hill and mountain, respectively) with low utilization of services by SBAs. Enumerators assisted a total of 2,481 women. All respondents had delivered a baby within the past 12 months. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to assess the association between antenatal and delivery care visits and the women's background characteristics.RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of study participants had completed at least four antenatal care visits and 48% delivered their babies with the assistance of SBAs. Knowing the danger signs of pregnancy and delivery (e.g., premature labor, prolonged labor, breech delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, severe headache) associated positively with four or more antenatal care visits (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.41-2.07). Living less than 30 min from a health facility associated positively with increased use of both antenatal care (OR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.18-1.77) and delivery services (OR = 1.25; CI: 1.03-1.52). Four or more antenatal care visits was a determining factor for the utilization of SBAs.CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of the women in our study delivered babies with the aid of SBAs, indicating a need to increase utilization of such services in rural and remote areas of Nepal. Distance from health facilities and inadequate transportation pose major barriers to the utilization of SBAs. Providing women with transportation funds before they go to a facility for delivery and managing transportation options will increase service utilization. Moreover, SBA utilization associates positively with women's knowledge of pregnancy danger signs, wealth quintile, and completed antenatal care visits. Nepal's health system must develop strategies that generate demand for SBAs and also reduce financial, geographic and cultural barriers to such services.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Devries, K. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Intimate Partner Violence and Incident Depressive Symptoms and Suicide Attempts: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Plos Medicine. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1549-1676. ; 10:5
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Depression and suicide are responsible for a substantial burden of disease globally. Evidence suggests that intimate partner violence (IPV) experience is associated with increased risk of depression, but also that people with mental disorders are at increased risk of violence. We aimed to investigate the extent to which IPV experience is associated with incident depression and suicide attempts, and vice versa, in both women and men. Methods and Findings: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies published before February 1, 2013. More than 22,000 records from 20 databases were searched for studies examining physical and/or sexual intimate partner or dating violence and symptoms of depression, diagnosed major depressive disorder, dysthymia, mild depression, or suicide attempts. Random effects meta-analyses were used to generate pooled odds ratios (ORs). Sixteen studies with 36,163 participants met our inclusion criteria. All studies included female participants; four studies also included male participants. Few controlled for key potential confounders other than demographics. All but one depression study measured only depressive symptoms. For women, there was clear evidence of an association between IPV and incident depressive symptoms, with 12 of 13 studies showing a positive direction of association and 11 reaching statistical significance; pooled OR from six studies = 1.97 (95% CI 1.56-2.48, I-2 = 50.4%, p(heterogeneity) = 0.073). There was also evidence of an association in the reverse direction between depressive symptoms and incident IPV (pooled OR from four studies = 1.93, 95% CI 1.51-2.48, I-2 = 0%, p = 0.481). IPV was also associated with incident suicide attempts. For men, evidence suggested that IPV was associated with incident depressive symptoms, but there was no clear evidence of an association between IPV and suicide attempts or depression and incident IPV. Conclusions: In women, IPV was associated with incident depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms with incident IPV. IPV was associated with incident suicide attempts. In men, few studies were conducted, but evidence suggested IPV was associated with incident depressive symptoms. There was no clear evidence of association with suicide attempts.
|
|
