scholarly journals HOUSEHOLDS’ HEALTH EXPENDITURES ON ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS IN MALAYSIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-293
Author(s):  
Nur Nabila Jusoh ◽  
Surianti Sukeri ◽  
Hui Yee Chee ◽  
Malina Osman ◽  
Norashiqin Misni ◽  
...  

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causes significant health and economic burden on society. The aim of this study is to estimate households’ direct and indirect expenditures on AGE and its predicted factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020 using a bilingual proforma distributed using Survey Monkey among individuals with self-reported AGE in all 14 states of Malaysia. The finding revealed the average expenditure for a single episode of AGE was RM395.58 (± SD 798.02). The mean indirect expenditure was higher at RM259.14 (± SD 379.92) vs. direct expenditure of RM136.44 (± SD 596.47). The highest expenditure was seen among those who obtained inpatient care. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that household income (RM0.13; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27; p=0.043) and type of healthcare facility (private vs government) (RM1842.05; 95% CI: 395.13, 3288.98; p=0.014) had a significant association with households’ total health expenditure on AGE. Acute gastroenteritis incurred substantial costs on all affected households regardless of care-seeking modalities. Interestingly, the main economic burden of AGE was the indirect cost of productivity loss; interpreted in terms of days away from work. In conclusion, AGE instigated an economic burden on both households and employers. The household income and type of facility were found to be significant factors associated with the households’ health expenditures due to AGE. This study recommends food safety awareness among the public and enforcement of safe food handling practices among food vendors and industries.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Guillermo Mendez-Rebolledo ◽  
Ann M. Cools ◽  
Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽  
Elias Quiroz-Aldea ◽  
Fernanda A.P. Habechian

Context: Knowing the possible association between the isometric strength of the shoulder rotators, scapular muscles, and the Y-balance test upper quarter (YBT-UQ) performance could help identify which indicators of shoulder stability should be considered in this field test. This study aimed to determine whether the isometric strength of the shoulder rotators and scapular muscles is associated with the YBT-UQ performance of the dominant upper limb in amateur volleyball players. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A convenience sample of 22 male and 18 female volleyball players (≥12 h of training/week) between 18 and 26 years of age. The isometric strength of the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, internal, and external rotator muscles was assessed with a handheld dynamometer. Participants performed the YBT-UQ in the superolateral, medial, and inferolateral directions. The absolute isometric peak force (in Newtons) was normalized to body weight (in Newtons per kilogram) for each muscle test. For each YBT-UQ direction, the distance (in centimeters) was normalized for upper limb length (in percentage). A backward multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the associations between variables. Results: The analysis revealed that the isometric strength of the lower trapezius (β = 26.82; 95% confidence interval, 21.24–32.40) is associated with inferolateral YBT-UQ performance (adjusted R2 = .706; P < .001). This factor explains 70% of the variability of the YBT-UQ in the inferolateral direction. Conclusions: Lower trapezius isometric strength is associated with inferolateral YBT-UQ performance of the dominant upper limb in amateur volleyball players. These findings could help in the development of more specific training programs and rehabilitation goals according to the performance of the athletes in the test.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Te Hsu ◽  
Yi Liao ◽  
Jorn-Hon Liu ◽  
Tao-Hsin Tung

Purpose. The utility evaluation was an effective method to incorporate all of the contributing variables for multiple diseases into one outcome measure. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the utility values associated with varying states of gallstone disease among outpatient clinics participants at a teaching hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.Methods. The utility values were measured by using time trade-off method. A total of 120 outpatient clinics participants (30 subjects with no gallstone disease, 30 subjects with single stone, 30 subjects with multiple stones, and 30 subjects with cholecystectomy) evaluated utility values from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. The diagnosis of gallstone disease was performed by a panel of specialists using ultrasound sonography.Results. The overall mean utility value was0.89±0.13(95% CI: 0.87–0.91) indicating that study participants were willing to trade about 11% (95% CI: 9–13%) of their remaining life in return for being free of gallstone disease perpetually. The significant associated factors of utility values based on the multiple linear regression analysis were older age and different degrees of gallstone disease.Conclusion. Our results found that in addition to older age, multiple stones and cholecystectomy could influence utility values from the patient’s preference-based viewpoint.


2001 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1334-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Hickner ◽  
P. M. Mehta ◽  
D. Dyck ◽  
P. Devita ◽  
J. A. Houmard ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine whether greater body fat mass (FM) relative to lean mass would result in more severe muscle damage and greater decrements in leg strength after downhill running. The relationship between the FM-to-fat-free mass ratio (FM/FFM) and the strength decline resulting from downhill running (−11% grade) was investigated in 24 male runners [age 23.4 ± 0.7 (SE) yr]. The runners were divided into two groups on the basis of FM/FFM: low fat (FM/FFM = 0.100 ± 0.008, body mass = 68.4 ± 1.3 kg) and normal fat (FM/FFM = 0.233 ± 0.020, body mass = 76.5 ± 3.3 kg, P < 0.05). Leg strength was reduced less in the low-fat (−0.7 ± 1.3%) than in the normal-fat individuals (−10.3 ± 1.5%) 48 h after, compared with before, downhill running ( P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the decline in strength could be predicted best by FM/FFM ( r2= 0.44, P < 0.05) and FM-to-thigh lean tissue cross-sectional area ratio ( r2= 0.53, P < 0.05), with no additional variables enhancing the prediction equation. There were no differences in muscle glycogen, creatine phosphate, ATP, or total creatine 48 h after, compared with before, downhill running; however, the change in muscle glycogen after downhill running was associated with a higher FM/FFM ( r = −0.56, P < 0.05). These data suggest that FM/FFM is a major determinant of losses in muscle strength after downhill running.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 418
Author(s):  
M. Reza Fachrezy ◽  
Zainal Abidin ◽  
Adia Nugraha

This study aims to determine the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, analyze the income structure, the factors that affect the income of farmers, and the level of household welfare of farmers who live around Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Pesisir Barat District. This research is a survey research involving 99 respondents who were randomly selected. Respondents were spread across four subdistricts, namely Bengkunat Belimbing, Ngambur, Pesisir Selatan, and Karya Penggawa Districts. The study was conducted from July to August 2018. The first objective was analyzed qualitatively, the second objective was analyzed using household income analysis, the third objective used multiple linear regression analysis, and the fourth objective was using Sajogyo's criteria (1997). The study suggested that the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers around TNBBS were spread from 15 to 64 years of age with an average age of 43.74 years. The average education level was elementary school, the number of majority of family sizes was from 4 to 6 people (67.68%), and the average land was 1.41 ha. The average household income of farmers is IDR 36,946,883.94 per year, which consists of on-farm income 63.68%, off-farm income 11.00%, and non-farm income 25.33%.. Factors that affect farmers' income are fertilizer costs and labor costs. The welfare of farmers around TNBBS is in quite prosperous category.Key words: characteristics, household income, welfare


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Qi ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Wang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Xu-Ze Liu ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To investigate the effect of syphilis infection on the microstructure of white matter (WM) in HIV-infected male patients through comparing the differences of WM between HIV-infected male patients with and without syphilitic infection using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Methods 27 HIV-infected male patients with current syphilis or a history of syphilis (HIV+/syphilis+) and 29 HIV-infected male patients without syphilis co-infection history (HIV+/syphilis-) were enrolled. All patients received DTI and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Clinical data were compared between the two groups with T-test, Mann-Whitney U Test and Chi-square Test. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was adopted to analyze the DTI metrics. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between DTI metrics and clinical variables and cognitive performance. Results In the HIV+/syphilis+ group, decreased AD was found in the right superior corona radiata (SCR-R) and body of corpus callosum (BCC); increased RD was found in the bilateral posterior corona radiata (PCR), the right posterior thalamic radiation (PTR-R), the left SCR (SCR-L), splenium of corpus callosum (SCC) and BCC; decreased FA was found in multiple regions. AD in BCC was negatively correlated with CD4/CD8 ratios. AD in SCR-R was positively correlated with CD4/CD8 ratios. Patients in HIV+/syphilis+ group had a lower score in complex motor skills (CMS). RD in SCC and SCR-L was negatively correlated with CMS; RD in PTR-R was positively correlated with CMS. AD in SCR-R was positively correlated with CMS. Conclusions Compared with patients simply infected with HIV, the integrity of WM is more seriously impaired in HIV-infected patients with syphilis co-infection, and it may accelerate the impairment of cognitive function.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Loffredo ◽  
Alberto Spalice ◽  
Francesca Salvatori ◽  
De Castro Giovanna ◽  
Cristiana Alessia Guido ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections syndrome (PANDAS) identifies patients with acute onset of obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders. The objective of this study was to assess NOX2 levels, as well as serum 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (iso-PGF2α) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Gram-negative bacteria in the gut of patients with PANDAS. Methods: a cross sectional study was performed to compare serum levels of soluble NOX2-dp (sNOX-2-dp), isoprostanes and LPS in 60 consecutive subjects, including 30 children affected by PANDAS and 30 controls (CT) matched for age and gender. Serum zonulin was used to assess gut permeability. Results: compared with CT, PANDAS children had higher values of sNOX-2-dp, 8-iso-PGF2-alpha and LPS. Simple linear regression analysis showed that sNOX2-dp was significantly correlated with serum LPS (Rs=0.359; p=0.005), zonulin (Rs=0.444; p<0.001) and iso-PGF2α (Rs=0.704; p<0.001). LPS significantly correlated with serum zonulin (Rs=0.610; p<0.001), and iso-PGF2α (Rs=0.591; p=0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to define the independent predictors of sNOX-2-dp. Isoprostanes and zonulin emerged as the only independent predictive variables associated with sNOX2-dp (R2=68%). Conclusion: this study provides evidences that children affected by PANDAS have high circulating levels of sNOX2-dp, isoprostanes and of LPS that could be potentially implicated in the process of neuroinflammation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahui Chen ◽  
Yating Tang ◽  
Qinghe Jing ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
Yongxiang Jiang

Purpose: To analyze the anterior, posterior, and total corneal spherical aberrations (ASA, PSA, and TSA) in patients with Chinese bilateral ectopia lentis (EL).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate corneal spherical aberration (CSA) using a Pentacam system at the 6-mm optical zone. Axial length, keratometry, astigmatism, and corneal asphericity were also determined.Results: This study included 247 patients (420 eyes) with a mean age of 18.1 years. The values of ASA, PSA, and TSA were 0.136 ± 0.100 μm, −0.118 ± 0.030 μm, and 0.095 ± 0.095 μm, respectively. In the EL patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), ASA and TSA were significantly lower than in the non-MFS patients (0.126 ± 0.094 μm vs. 0.155 ± 0.107 μm, P = 0.004 for ASA; 0.085 ± 0.091 μm vs. 0.114 ± 0.099 μm, P = 0.003 for TSA), whereas PSA was not significantly different (P = 0.061). The values of ASA and TSA were significantly higher in the patients with EL aged ≥ 40 years old than in younger patients, whereas ASA and PSA were lower in patients aged &lt;10 years old than in older patients (all P &lt; 0.05). In the multiple linear regression analysis, age, keratometry, astigmatism, anterior asphericity, higher-order aberration (HOA), and lower-order aberration (LOA) were positively or negatively correlated with TSA in the patients with EL (r = 0.681, P &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: Corneal spherical aberration was low in the patients with EL especially for MFS and tended to increase with aging. Preoperatively, individual measurement of CSA was necessary for bilateral EL patients with MFS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Deepak Gowda Sadashivappa Pateel ◽  
Shilpa Gunjal ◽  
Liew Fong Fong ◽  
Nur Sulwana Mohd Hanapi

Background. Saliva, as a complex biofluid, plays a pivotal role in maintaining oral health and tooth integrity. There has been inconsistent data available on the relationship between salivary parameters and oral health. This study aims to investigate the association between salivary statherin, acidic proline-rich proteins (aPRP), and calcium with oral hygiene status. Methods. One hundred and eighty-eight healthy subjects aged between 18 and 50 years with varying oral hygiene status who gave consent to participate were included in this cross-sectional study. The subjects were recruited from primary oral health care of MAHSA University. Oral hygiene of all the participants was measured using Oral Hygiene Index–Simplified (OHI-S). Stimulated saliva collected using paraffin wax was analyzed for salivary statherin, aPRP, and calcium. The relationship between salivary statherin, aPRP, and calcium levels with OHI-S was assessed using Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient; the strength of relationship was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results. The study found a weak positive correlation (r = 0.179, p  = 0.014) between salivary statherin and OHI-S; weak negative correlation (r = −0.187, p  = 0.010) between salivary aPRP and OHI-S; and moderate negative correlation between salivary statherin and salivary aPRP levels (r = −0.50, p  < 0.001) which were statistically significant. Conclusion. Poor oral hygiene is associated with increased statherin and reduced aPRP levels in saliva. Thus, these salivary components may have a role in predicting oral hygiene status.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dainelis Cabeza Pulles ◽  
Francisco Javier LLorens Montes ◽  
Leopoldo Gutierrez-Gutierrrez

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between network ties (NT) and transactive memory systems (TMS), observed through three dimensions – specialization (TMSS), credibility (TMSCR), and coordination (TMSCO) – in the presence of leadership (LDR) as a moderating variable, in university research-and-development (R&D) groups. Design/methodology/approach The data are composed of 257 university R&D groups. To confirm the hypotheses, the authors use multiple linear regression analysis with a moderating effect. Findings The conclusions show that the relationships between NT and two of the three dimensions of TMS (TMSCR and TMSCO) are significant when LDR is included as a moderating variable. Although the effect of TMSS is positive, it is not significant. Including the interaction element enables better explanation of two of the dimensions of TMS in the sector analyzed. Thus, LDR is perfectly applicable to the university R&D environment. Research limitations/implications This research has several limitations that suggest further possibilities for empirical research. The limitations include the cross-sectional nature of the research and the judgment of a single manager as the basis of the perception analyzed for each group. Practical implications The authors provide several implications for R&D practitioners. The results of this study could be validated in other universities in other geographic areas, enabling better generalization and applicability of the results. The results described may serve as a guide for group leaders of university R&D. This research helps us to see the importance of LDR in forming internal research networks that help researchers to perform common projects in order to obtain better results in the group. Thus, the groups provided better results to society. Originality/value No studies have tested the moderating effect of LDR in university R&D empirically. The results provide information to fill this gap and demonstrate the applicability of LDR as a key element in the organization, improvement, and cohesion of R&D groups.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
yasuhiro nishiyama ◽  
Masayuki Ueda ◽  
Yasuo Katayama ◽  
Toshiaki Otsuka

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has recently been investigated as a risk marker for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it remains unclear whether ADMA levels are related to the risk of stroke in the general Japanese population. Methods and Results: In this cross-sectional study, we examined 769 Japanese men (mean, 47 ± 5 years) who underwent health examinations. Each patient’s ADMA level and various vascular risk factors were assessed, and the predicted 10-year risk of stroke was calculated using the point-based prediction model for incident total stroke for Japanese from the Japan Public Health Center Study. In a multiple linear regression analysis, age, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and current smoking status were significant independent determinants of the ADMA level. A significant odds ratio (OR) for high predicted stroke risk (10-year risk ≥ 5%) was noted in the highest quartile of ADMA level (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.00-6.07) as compared to the lowest quartile, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A significant OR for high predicted stroke risk was also found for each standard-deviation increment in ADMA level (adjusted OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.10-1.92). Conclusions: An elevated ADMA level was significantly associated with an increase in predicted stroke risk, suggesting that the measurement of ADMA level may be useful for identifying middle-aged Japanese men at high risk for stroke.


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