scholarly journals Social and Psychological Predictors of Initial Cigarette Smoking Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walieh Menati ◽  
Milad Nazarzadeh ◽  
Zeinab Bidel ◽  
Morten Würtz ◽  
Rostam Menati ◽  
...  

Knowledge about social and psychological risk factors for initial cigarette smoking experience (ICSE) is sparse. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ICSE and to examine the psychological and social factors related to ICSE. In a cross-sectional survey, 1,511 male college students were recruited using multistage sampling techniques from four universities located within the city of Ilam, Iran. Self-administered multiple-choice questionnaires were distributed to students from March to June 2013. Risk factors for ICSE were evaluated using logistic regression models. Participants were 22.3 ± 2.4 years of age. ICSE prevalence was 30.6%. In multivariable adjusted analysis, risk taking behavior (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-2.33), perceived peer smoking prevalence (OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.03-5.97), positive thoughts about smoking (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02-1.10), high self-efficacy ( OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.93, 0.98]), presence in smokers’ gathering (OR = 4.45; 95% CI = 2.88-6.81), comity of smokers (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.66, 3.92), very hard access to cigarettes (OR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.16-4.16), close friends’ medium reaction toward smoking (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.02-1.88), and sporting activity (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56-0.98) were significantly associated with ICSE. This study identified that a combination of psychological and social variables account for up to 78% of the probability of ICSE. The most important protective factor against ICSE was physical activity, whereas the most important risk factor for ICSE was frequent gathering in the presence of smokers.

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1429-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio O. M. Prietsch ◽  
Gilberto B. Fischer ◽  
Juraci A. César ◽  
Berenice S. Lempek ◽  
Luciano V. Barbosa Jr. ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acute lower respiratory illness and to identify associated factors among children less than five years of age in the city of Rio Grande, southern Brazil. Using a cross-sectional survey, a standardized household questionnaire was applied to mothers or guardians. Information was collected on household conditions, socioeconomic status, and parental smoking. Prenatal care attendance, nutritional status, breastfeeding pattern, and use of health services for the children were also investigated. Data analysis was based on prevalence ratios and logistic regression, using a conceptual framework. Among 771 children studied, 23.9% presented acute lower respiratory illness. The main risk factors were previous episodes of acute lower respiratory infection or wheezing, crowding, maternal schooling less than five years, monthly family income less than US$ 200, four or more people per room, asthma in family members, and maternal smoking. Mothers 30 years or older were identified as a protective factor. These results can help define specific measures to reduce morbidity and mortality due to acute lower respiratory illness in this setting.


2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (15) ◽  
pp. 3327-3334 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.-S. CHEN ◽  
J.-R. WU ◽  
B. WANG ◽  
T. YANG ◽  
R. YUAN ◽  
...  

SUMMARYMycoplasmainfections are most frequently associated with disease in the urogenital or respiratory tracts and, in most cases, mycoplasmas infect the host persistently. In HIV-infected individuals the prevalence and role of genital mycoplasmas has not been well studied. To investigate the six species ofMycoplasmaand the risk factors for infection in Jiangsu province, first-void urine and venous blood samples were collected and epidemiological questionnaires were administered after informed consent. A total of 1541 HIV/AIDS patients were recruited in this study. The overall infection rates of sixMycoplasmaspecies were:Ureaplasma urealyticum(26·7%),Mycoplasma hominis(25·3%),M. fermentans(5·1%),M. genitalium(20·1%),M. penetrans(1·6%) andM. pirum(15·4%). TheMycoplasmainfection rate in the unmarried group was lower than that of the married, divorced and widowed groups [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1·432, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·077–1·904,P< 0·05]. The patients who refused highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) had a much higher risk ofMucoplasmainfection (aOR 1·357, 95% CI 1·097–1·679,P< 0·05). Otherwise, a high CD4+T cell count was a protective factor againstMycoplasmainfection (aOR 0·576, 95% CI 0·460–0·719,P< 0·05). Further research will be required to confirm a causal relationship and to identify risk factors forMycoplasmainfection in HIV/AIDS populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haonan Shi ◽  
Guangsheng Wan ◽  
Tingting Wang ◽  
Jia Zhu ◽  
Lan Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Eczema is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with impaired quality of life. We identified indoor environmental risk factors, to provide strong evidence for the prevention and control of eczema in preschool children. Methods Using a cross-sectional study with stratified random cluster sampling, we conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey among 8153 parents of children aged 2–8 years in 60 kindergartens in six districts of Urumqi city during August 2019. Results Among 8153 preschool children, 12.0% of the children have been diagnosed with eczema. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that caesarean section (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.36), being an only child (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18–1.57), presence of mould or moisture in the mother’s home before pregnancy (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.17–2.00), presence of flies or mosquitoes in the dwelling currently (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10–1.55), pets kept in the child’s home currently (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.51), presence of pets during child’s first year (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.14–1.85), and family history of eczema (OR = 3.53, 95% CI: 2.98–4.19) are the risk factors for the development of eczema, whereas ethnicity other than the Han Chinese (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96) is a protective factor for eczema. Conclusion Preschool children in Urumqi are at a high risk of eczema, particularly those of the Han Chinese ethnicity. Parents should be attentive to the indoor living environment of children and take actions to reduce indoor humidity, pest control and elimination, and avoid raising pets to reduce the risk of development of eczema in children.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Tang ◽  
Jian Ma ◽  
Rongqin Tao ◽  
Zhijun Chen ◽  
Yide Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:Body mass index(BMI) is a commonly used international standard to measure body fat or thinness and health,and dyslipidemia is the metabolic abnormalities of lipoprotein in the human body,which are often considered have associated with high blood pressure.In this study,we explored the relationship between BMI or dyslipidemia and the risk of hypertension and further verified the possible interacting influences of BMI with dyslipidemia on the risk of hypertension.The aim is to explore the possible risk factors of hypertension and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Methods:Eligible subjects were selected from a cross-sectional survey in Changsha City, and we collected relevant data and clinical indicators for each participant.Body mass index(BMI) was calculated as weight (kg)/height2 (m2),and divided into four categories according to the Chinese standard.Dyslipidemia is defined according to Chinese guideline.The following indicators were used to assess the interaction effects:(1)Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI);(2)Attributable proportion due to interaction(AP);(3)Synergy index (SI). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 2740 eligible participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional study, of which 765 subjects (27.9%) were diagnosed with hypertension.Multivariate Logistic model showed that overweight or obese subjects had a significantly higher risk of hypertension than normal weight people, and low body weight was a protective factor for hypertension(OR:0.52,95%CI:0.29-0.93).People with dyslipidemia have a higher risk of hypertension than those with normal lipids(OR:3.05,95%CI:2.36-3.90). In addition,there was a significant interaction between overweight or obesity and dyslipidemia(overweight:RERI(1.91,95%CI 0.17-3.66),AP(0.40,95%CI 0.14-0.66),SI (2.03,95%CI 1.11-3.74) and obesity:RERI (2.20,95%CI 1.01-3.40), AP (0.38,95%CI 0.18-0.58),SI (1.84,95%CI 1.18-2.89), while no interaction was found between low body weight and dyslipidemia.Conclusion:Low body weight is an independent protective factor for hypertension, but overweight,obesity and dyslipidemia are risk factors for hypertension,and dyslipidemia significantly shared interactions with overweight and obesity that influenced the risk of hypertension.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Most. Farida Khatun ◽  
Most. Firoza Parvin ◽  
Md. Mamun-ur Rashid ◽  
Md. Shah Alam ◽  
Most. Kamrunnahar ◽  
...  

There have been numerous studies about the health implication of COVID-19 on patients, but little attention has been paid to the impacts of the pandemic on physicians. Our paper attends to this gap by exploring the mental health of physicians in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly important since the mental health of physicians impacts not only on themselves, but also their professional performance and hence the care of patients. This study examined physicians' mental health outcomes by evaluating the prevalence and associated potential risk factors of anxiety and depression. Using a web-based cross-sectional survey, we collected data from 114 physicians. Seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to measure the anxiety and depression, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the potential risk factors related to anxiety and depression. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 32.5 and 34.2%, respectively. Findings revealed that marital status, work per day and current job location were the main risk factors for anxiety while sex, age, and marital status were the main risk factors for depression. Our results highlight the need to implement policies and strategies for positively impacting the mental health of physicians during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2019-054351
Author(s):  
Giovanna Cowley ◽  
Gregory Milne ◽  
Eunice Teixeira da Silva ◽  
Jose Nakutum ◽  
Amabelia Rodrigues ◽  
...  

ObjectivesComplications from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can result in severe morbidity and mortality. To date, no STI population studies have been conducted on the Bijagos Islands, Guinea Bissau. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Neisseria gonorrhoea (Ng), Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg), Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) and Treponema pallidum (Tp) on Bubaque, the most populated island.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on the island of Bubaque among people aged 16–49 years. Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire on STI risk factors, to provide urine samples (men and women) and vaginal swabs (women) for PCR testing for Ct, Ng, Mg and Tv, and to provide dry blood spots for Tp particle agglutination assays. Data were analysed to estimate the prevalence of STIs and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.ResultsIn total, 14.9% of participants were found to have a curable STI, with the highest prevalence being observed for Tv (5.9%) followed by Ct (3.8%), Ng (3.8%), Mg (1.9%) and Tp (0.8%). Significant risk factors for having any STI included being female, younger age and concurrent partnership. Having had a previous STI that was optimally treated was a protective factor.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that there is a considerable burden of STI on the Bijagos Islands, stressing the need for diagnostic testing to facilitate early detection and treatment of these pathogens to stop ongoing transmission. Moreover, these results indicate the need to conduct further research into the STI burden on the Bijagos Islands to help inform and develop a national STI control strategy.


Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Lily Dongxia Xiao ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
Xiaomei Li

Elders in rural areas of developing countries are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and gender disparities are notable. Yet, evidence related to gender differences in cognitive impairment in these settings is scarce. This study examined gender differences in cognitive impairment among elderly people aged 65 and above in rural China. A multi-site cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 550 males and 700 females were recruited. The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination was applied for cognitive impairment screening. Demographic information, lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors, and health-related information were assessed. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 40.0%in males and 45.1% in females, respectively. Females showed significant higher prevalence after age 75 (62.7% vs. 45.4%, p < 0.005). Older age, hearing impairment, and activities of daily living dependence were common factors associated with cognitive impairment in both females and males. For males, living in a neighborhood with poor social interactions and diabetes were risk factors, while tea consumption was a protective factor. For females, vision impairment and illiteracy were additional risk factors. Individualized interventions and standardized measurements of cognitive function should be developed to suit older populations living in rural and less-developed areas, through collective efforts involving all stakeholders and multidisciplinary teamwork.


2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Albuquerque ◽  
A.D. Munhoz ◽  
M. Teixeira ◽  
W. Flausino ◽  
S.M. Medeiros ◽  
...  

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic zoonoses throughout the world. Infection in man and animals varies in different geographical areas influenced by many environmental conditions. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle in Brazil ranges from 1.03 to 71%. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 58 out of 453 farms in the South Fluminense Paraiba Valley, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over 3-year-old cattle (n=589) from dairy herds were selected for blood collection and detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFA) with initial titration of 1:16; titers > 64 were considered positive. Univariate analysis of risk factors showed that cats in contact with cattle, cats in contact with drinking water, and number of cats were associated with T. gondii seroprevalence. Logistic regression revealed a two-fold increased risk for infection of cattle (p=0.0138) through larger number of cats (>3) compared with low numbers of cats (1-2) on the farm. In contrast, the presence of chickens was considered a protective factor (p=0.025).


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Shreyan Kar ◽  
Tushar Kanti Das ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Mohapatra ◽  
Brajaballav Kar ◽  
Anupama Senapati ◽  
...  

Background: While it is apparent that old age is associated with multiple health concerns, the extent of its multiplicity and burden is often not clear. It was intended to find out self-reported health concerns for one month and cardiovascular risk factors in middle and older adults. Methods: In the cross-sectional survey, attendees of a Healthy Ageing Conference were approached with a semi-structured questionnaire about their health concerns and cardiovascular risks. Risk of a cardiovascular event in 10 years based on QRISK3 was calculated. Results: A considerable proportion of older adults had a range of physical symptoms, depressive mood state and memory problems. Mean number of health problems reported were 4.8±3.3 (male 4.4±3.1 and female 5.0±4.3). Cardiovascular risk was high, mean QRISK3 score for males were 22.2% (±14.4), and for females 10.3% (±6.6) (p<0.05). On average, the heart age was increased by 7.9±6.2 years (8.6±6.6 years for males and 5.0±3.3 for females). The relative risk of participants was 2.1 for males and 1.5 for females for heart attack or stroke within the ten years, compared to healthy persons. The symptoms and risk factors were elicited easily, and the process probably facilitated improving the awareness about the health concerns holistically. The survey also identified issues related to the engagement of older adults in the existing health care systems. Conclusions: The results suggested that questionnaire-based health screening in a community can identify a range of health concerns and identify multi-morbidity in general and cardiovascular risks in particular. This process may help to focus on the appropriate public health awareness and intervention programmes required in the community.


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