Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Chinese Children: Recent Trends and Correlates

Objective This study was aimed at examining the trends and correlates of physical activity(PA)and sedentary behaviors among Chinese children.Methods A total of 4,341 subjects(6,936 observations)aged 6–17 years who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey(2004–2015)were included.Of the subjects,41%participated in the survey twice or more.Random-effects ordinal regression models and repeated-measures mixed-effects models were used to examine the PA trends.Quantile regression models were applied to examine the factors influencing PA and sedentary behaviors.Results From 2004 to 2015,the prevalence of physical inactivity among Chinese children aged 6–17 years increased by 5.5%[odds ratio(OR),1.51;95%confidence interval(CI),1.19–1.90;P<0.001].The PA volume declined by 5.8 metabolic equivalent of task-hr/week(P<0.001),and the time spent in sedentary behaviors increased by 1.8 hr/week(P<0.001).Age,ethnicity,and region showed significant effects on the PA volume across the quartiles(P<0.001).Across the quartiles,sedentary time was significantly higher in the children residing in urban areas(P<0.001)or areas with high urbanization levels(P≤0.005)than in their counterparts.Conclusions A declining PA trend among Chinese children aged 6–17 years was observed from 2004 to2015,and certain subgroups and geographical areas are at higher risk of physical inactivity.

Increased plasma galectin-1 correlates with advanced glycation end products and interleukin-1β in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Dear Editor,Galectin-1, one of galactoside-binding lectin family proteins, has been shown to regulate cell growth, migration, and proliferation, where it binds many receptors depending on their glycosylation profile, rather than its specific receptors.

^(99m)TC-Methylene diphosphonate uptake at injury site correlates with osteoblast differentiation and mineralization during bone healing in mice

99mTc-Methylene diphosphonate （99mTc-MDP） is widely used in clinical settings to detect bone abnormalities. However, the mechanism of 99mTc-MDP uptake in bone is not well elucidated. In this study, we utilized a mouse tibia injury model, single-photon emission computed tomography （gamma scintigraphy or SPECT）, ex vivo micro-computed tomography, and histology to monitor 99mTc-MDP uptake in injury sites during skeletal healing. In an ex vivo culture system, calvarial cells were differentiated into osteoblasts with osteogenic medium, pulsed with 99mTc-MDP at different time points, and quantitated for 99mTc-MDP uptake with a gamma counter. We demonstrated that 99mTc-MDP uptake in the injury sites corresponded to osteoblast generation in those sites throughout the healing process. The 99mTc-MDP uptake within the injury sites peaked on day 7 post-injury, while the injury sites were occupied by mature osteoblasts also starting from day 7. ~mTc-MDP uptake started to decrease 14 days post-surgery, when we observed the highest level of bony tissue in the injury sites. We also found that 99mTc-MDP uptake was associated with osteoblast maturation and mineralization in vitro. This study provides direct and biological evidence for 99mTc-MDP uptake in osteoblasts during bone healing in vivo and in vitro.

The built environment correlates of objectively measured physical activity in Norwegian adults:A cross-sectional study

Background: Built environments that are designed to provide accessible, attractive, and convenient locales promote regular physical activity(PA).Norway has great variability in its geographic, natural, and built environment features. Urban areas have well-developed built environment features, whereas the rural areas are less walkable and this may influence the mode of transport. In general, active transport is more common in urban centers. Further, public transportation is more developed in urban areas, whereas motorized transport may be more widespread in the rural areas. Despite this, in Sogn & Fjordane, a rural county in western Norway, high PA levels are frequently observed. Thus, the aims of this study were to(1) explore perceived built environment features and characterize their associations with objectively measured PA levels in Norwegian adults and(2) explore the differences in these correlates between Sogn & Fjordane and the rest of Norway.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants used questionnaires to rate perceptions of their built environments, and their PA was objectively measured for 7 consecutive days using the Acti Graph GT1 M accelerometer. There were 972 Norwegian adults who were included in the study. The average age was 46.9 ± 6.5 years and 43.8% of participants were men. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression.Results: Total PA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) were both associated with perceived walkability, the community perception score, and active transport for commuting(all p ≤ 0.004). We also observed geographic-area-specific associations: the community perception score was negatively associated with total PA and MVPA in the rest of Norway(p ≤ 0.012) but not in Sogn & Fjordane. Public transport for commuting was positively associated with MVPA in Sogn & Fjordane(p = 0.03) but not in the rest of Norway.Conclusion: Total PA level and MVPA were associated with built environment factors, such as perceptions of community, perceived walkability,and engaging in active transport for commuting. Geographic differences in the PA correlates were observed, and thus, locally customized environmental population approaches aimed at increasing PA levels may be essential complements to individual behavior and lifestyle strategies.Further, objective measures of Norwegian built environments, such as geographic information system data, and validated walk-and bike-scores would advance the field.

Neural correlates of the Heidelberg Music Therapy: indicators for the regeneration of auditory cortex in tinnitus patients?

Tinnitus, the phenomenon of ringing or buzzing in the ears without an external sound source is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in otorhinolaryngology and affects 10 - 15% of the general population. Models have been developed to account for neural basis of tinnitus, its pathogenesis and its consequences on mental health （deRidder et al., 2013）. In most cases tinnitus onset follows a partial hearing impairment. Peripheral sensory deprivation due to cochlear damages may prompt increased neuronal activity in the central auditory system in order to adapt the neural sensitivity to the reduced sensory inputs. This central gain could over amplify the ＂neural noise＂ and thus trigger a homeostatic down-regulation of inhib- itory synapses in the auditory cortical map leading to specific reorganization of the cortical representation of the tinnitus percept. Dysfunctional feedback connections from limbic regions to auditory brain areas, interacting at the thalamic level, may account for the psychological impairment.

Magnitude and Correlates of Contraceptive Use among Females in Reproductive Age in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Despite its positive impact in reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity, the utilization rate of contraceptives is unacceptably low in many developing countries including Ethiopia. This warrants the investigation of the contributing factors of this low utilization for appropriate interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of contraceptive use in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2010 in 9 kebeles of Arba Minch Demographic and Health Development Program. Results: In this study, 28.3% of all women & 32.7% currently married were using any contraceptive methods during the time of the survey. Almost all current users were using modern methods;the most widely used method was injectable (24.2%) followed by implants (2.4%) and pills (1.3%). Current marital status, ethnicity, age, education, presence of radio set in the house hold and discussion about family planning in the last 6 month before the study with their partner were the independent predictors of contraceptive use. Conclusion: The contraceptive prevalence rate is promising but efforts should continue to further increase the contraceptive coverage especially on kebeles with low coverage by targeting men and misconceptions about family planning.

Relationships among Psychosocial Correlates and Stages of Change in a German-Chinese Sample

Promoting Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) behavior is an important undertaking in Germany as well as in China. In order to create successful interventions in different nations, knowledge about the relevant psychosocial correlates that may encourage successful progression through the behavior change process is necessary. Therefore, the relationships of selected psychosocial correlates of physical activity with stages of change were examined in a German-Chinese sample. In total, 2071 adults (865 Germans, 1206 Chinese) completed a questionnaire. The theoretical framework used was the FIT-model, which consists of the following stages of change: not considering, considering, preparing, exploring, fluctuating and maintaining. All data were analyzed with a two-way ANOVA. Significant main effects for the stages of change on all psychosocial correlates were found. Significant interactions between stages and nations emerged for all correlates except for social support, although these results revealed small effect sizes. To progress within the stages of inactivity, interventions should focus on outcome expectations, barriers, social support and affective attitudes. The successful initiation of physical activity depends on considerations of barriers, maintenance self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation and affective attitudes. These same correlates plus social support are relevant for long-term adherence to physical activity. In Germany, perceived barriers and emotional aspects of physical activity appear to be important for initiating and maintaining regular physical activity. Furthermore, for long-term adherence to physical activity, Germans—in contrast to Chinese adults—may not necessarily benefit from social support;however they could benefit from learning how to strengthen their physical activity outcome expectations.

Delirium Severity and Correlates among Medical Inpatients Admitted through Accident and Emergency Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital

Background: Delirium is one of the most common medical emergencies and is associated with poor outcomes including: mortality, prolonged length of stay and poor functional outcome. The more severe delirium is the worst the clinical outcomes of medical illness. Despite the obvious, not much has been documented on delirium severity and its associated factors among medical inpatients in low income countries including Nigeria. Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the severity of delirium among medical inpatients admitted through the Accident and Emergency unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital as well as to assess its associated Sociodemographic and Clinical characteristics. Method: This was a cross-sectional study that employed a consecutive sampling technique to select 290 eligible subjects from medical inpatients that presented to Accident and Emergency unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital. On admission, patients were assessed for delirium using Confusion Assessment Method and severity of delirium was evaluated using Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98. Results: Of the 105 delirious medical inpatients, 48 (45.7%) had severe delirium, 41 (39.1%) developed less severe delirium while 16 (15.2) presented with no severe delirium. Sociodemographic characteristics found to be significantly associated with less to more severe delirium include male gender (P = 0.001), nonprofessionals (P = 0.003), income range of N20,000 - N49,000 (P Conclusion: This study demonstrates that delirium is often associated with higher severity in Accident and Emergency unit admission and there are strongly associated clinical characteristics to watch out for in high risk medical inpatients.

Assessing symptoms profile and correlates of very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP)

Objective: While the most common causes of late life psychosis are factors other than primary psychosis, but the nosology and clinical features of late life, primary psychotic is a matter of controversy. The goal of this study was to define some correlates and symptoms profile of very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis among an Iranian elderly population presenting with psychosis. Method: From 201 psychotic elderly patients, 39 (19.4%) subjects with the most possible diagnosis of very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis were selected. Socio demographic characteristics, past psychiatric history, family history of psychiatric problems, personality traits, cognitive status, history of stressful life events, and burden of medical problems assessed and compared between patients and 39 age and sex mathed controls. Results: The mean age of study sample was 76.9 years. Of 39 patients with VLOSLP, 13 (33.3%) were male and 26 (66.6%) were female. In 32 patients (82.05%) some sorts of hallucinatory experiences were detected. Visual hallucinations were the most common types of hallucinations (69.2%) followed by auditory hallucinations (51.35%) and tactile hallucinations (4%). Persecutory delusions (59%);delusions of references (20.5%);and partition delusions (15.4%) were the most common types of delusions. Significant proportion suffered from some sort of sensory deficit like visual or auditory deficits. There was no significant difference in terms of history of traumatic life events, cognitive function;cumulative burden of medical conditions and personality traits between patients and healthy controls (P > 0.05) Conclusions: Female involved two times more than male. The most common types of psychotic symptoms were visual hallucinations and persecutory delusions. Except sex, exploring other demographics, psychological and physical correlates for VLSOLP patients was not conclusive. More controlled studies using neuroimaging and biomarkers are needed in this issue.

Correlates of self-reported colorectal cancer screening accuracy in a multi-specialty medical group practice

Purpose: We assessed whether accuracy of self-reported screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) varied by respondent characteristics or healthcare utilization. Methods: From 2005 to 2007, 857 respondents aged 51 - 74 were recruited from a multi-specialty medical group practice to answer a questionnaire about their CRC screening (CRCS) behaviors. Self-reports were compared with administrative and medical records to assess concordance, sensitivity, specificity, and report-to-records ratios for overall CRCS (fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, and/or colonoscopy). Results: Concordance was good (30.8 to 30.7 to 5 visits outside the clinic had poor (30.9) or good but poor for respondents whose healthcare provider did not advise a specific CRCS test. Specificity was poor for the following respondents: 65+ years, males, college graduates, family history of CRC, >5 visits outside of the clinic, or whose healthcare provider advised a specific CRCS test. Respondents 65+ years and with >5 outside visits over-reported CRCS. Conclusions: With few exceptions, self-reports of CRCS in an insured population is reasonably accurate across subgroups. More work is needed to replicate these findings in diverse settings and populations to better understand subgroup differences and improve measures of CRCS.

Correlates and Predictors of Psychological Morbidity in HIV-Infected Persons: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: HIV-infection is associated with many factors including: physical, social, cultural and psychosocial factors. Physiological changes associated with HIV infection may generate psychological morbidity. However, specific psychosocial factors contributing to psychological morbidity remain unclear. Identifying factors contributing to psychological morbidity may help in prevention and planning intervention. Aims/Objectives: 1) To identify significant predictors of psychological morbidity from specific dysfunctional coping traits/dimensions among HIV-infected persons;2) To assess/determine the association between predictor variables (specific coping dysfunctional traits) and psychological morbidity;3) To identify other correlates of psychological morbidity;4) To make recommendations on how to reduce levels of dysfunctional coping and psychological morbidity. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to examine data collected from 110 participants, HIV patients receiving HAART services from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Results: Results indicate that HIV-patients with high levels of psychological morbidity were more likely to use dysfunctional coping more frequently. Therefore, greater psychological distress and symptoms reporting may be associated with dysfunctional coping. Conclusion/Recommendation: The study recommends that specific dysfunctional coping dimensions should also be targeted in interventions designed to reduce psychological morbidity in HIV patients.

Correlates of Anxiety Disorder among Patients with Seizure Disorders in a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Nigeria

Background: Anxiety may complicate epilepsy as is often the case out of the various psychiatric comorbidities patients can suffer from when they are suffering from epilepsy. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anxiety among patients that had epilepsy and also to examine the associated socio-demographic and clinical factors that are associated with and eventually predictive of this psychiatric comorbidity. Materials and Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study that involved the use of General Health Questionnaire, version 28 (GHQ-28) and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), which were used independently to investigate each of the 400 consecutive participants in this study over a period of 24 weeks. The diagnosis of epilepsy was based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10) diagnostic criteria and all participants with anxiety were diagnosed using CIDI. A proforma Questionnaire was used to assess the socio-demographic and some clinical variables among patients. Logistic regression was done to determine the predictors of anxiety in the study participants. Results: When screened with GHQ-28, 71 people (17.8%) met criteria for caseness. When all the participants were examined using CIDI, 12 (3%) were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. The variables found to be the predictors of anxiety were family history of psychiatric disorders (p = 0.045), fear of having seizure (p = 0.036) and GHQ caseness (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The study showed the existence of anxiety disorders among patients with seizure disorder. This is an important association with seizure disorders which is often overlooked. It will be beneficial to these patients if this co-morbidity is actively looked out for. Patients suffering from seizure disorder that have a family history of mental illness should be considered for an assessment of anxiety disorder. Psychological intervention for anticipatory fear of seizure should be employed by mental health professionals.

Housing Correlates of Under-Five Mortality in Urban Ethiopia

Little studies and analysis have been undertaken to investigate the housing determinants of under-five mortality in Ethiopia. This study, therefore, explores the impacts of urban housing variables on the levels and patterns of under-five mortality in the country based on the SPSS （Statistic Package for Social Science） file of the 2005 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey （EDHS）. This survey covered a sample of about 4,420 households/housing units of urban Ethiopia. The under-five deaths are computed for women in the age group 15-49 by subtracting the number of children living from children ever born （CEB） and established the proportion dead by dividing deaths by CEB corresponding to the categorical variables of housing structure, facilities, and household durables. The analytical techniques of the study included univariate, bivariate, and multivariate data analysis of the proportional variations of childhood mortality patterns being manifested by ＂bar graphs＂ with respect to housing situations as well as household durables. Amongst the categorical variables of the housing structures, facilities, and household durables with the highest no prevalence of under-five mortality levels are found to be the units of unconventional walls, thatched/leaf/reed roofing, animal dung flooring, shared pit latrine/use of bucket/bush, using kerosene, firewood/straw/charcoal for cooking, unconventional lighting, unprotected water supply, households with no durables.

Socio-Demographic and Economic Correlates of Climate Change Coping and Adaptation Strategies: A Study on the Farmer Communities in Barisal District, Bangladesh

The major objective of the study is to apply Conservation of Resource (COR) theory for examining the influence of farmers’ socio-demographic and economic correlates upon their adoption of agricultural, economic and emotion-focused coping and adaptation strategies of climate change. An interview schedule developed from the COR theory was utilized for data collection. Using multistage cluster sampling technique, a total of 384 farmers were chosen from Agailjhara Upazila of Barisal District and interviewed through a predesigned structured questionnaire. For triangulation of the quantitative findings, the study employed case study technique to collect qualitative data from the respondents. The findings of the study demonstrate that the most common emotion- focused, agricultural and economic coping and adaptation strategies of climate change were social support seeking (79.69%), planting trees (71.35%), homestead gardening (52.08%), hydroponic farming/floating garden (46.88%), duck rearing (30.73%), saving (20.83%), self-insurance (18.75%), etc. Bivariate results indicate that age, ownership of land, income and ownership of television or mobile phone were found significantly correlated with the three variables, including economic, agricultural and emotion-focused coping and adaptation strategies of COR theory. Again, access to microcredit has relationship with economic and agricultural adaptation strategies. Furthermore, education has significant relationship with agricultural adaptation strategies. The study suggests that continuous researches by policy makers, researchers, GOs and NGOs are very essential to exploring and enhancing farmers’ coping and adaptation strategies which may relegate the adverse impacts and vulnerabilities of climate change in the study area.

Environmental Correlates of Distribution of the 25 Broad-leaved Tree Species Indigenous to Guangdong Province,China

Twenty-five tree species indigenous to Guangdong Province were chosen in this study to portray their distribution patterns in relation to environmental factors. Both data of species distribution and environmental factors were tabulated based on a digitized map of Guangdong Province gridded at 0.5° latitude × 0.5° longitude. Grid-based diversity was mapped using DMAP, a distribution mapping program, and horizontal patterns were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis tests. The diversity center of the indige- nous tree species under study is located north of 23° N. These tree species exhibit significant latitudinal variation (P = 0.007 4), but no significant longitudinal difference (P = 0.052 2). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) identified five different ecological species groups, while Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed the distribution of tree species along each of the five envi- ronmental gradients. An understanding of the environmental correlates of distribution patterns has great implication for the introduc- tion of the indigenous tree species for afforestation.

Downregulation of KIF1B mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues correlates with poor prognosis

AIM: To compare kinesin family member 1B(KIF1B) expression with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients.METHODS: KIF1 B protein and m RNA expression was assessed in HCC and paracarcinomatous(PC) tissues from 68 patients with HCC using Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR, respectively. Student's t-tests were used to analyze relationships between clinicopathologic parameters and KIF1 B expression, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival outcomes, and the log-rank test was used to compare survival differences between groups.RESULTS: Mean protein and m RNA levels of KIF1 B were similar between HCC and PC tissues. However, HCC tissues with vein invasions had significantly lower KIF1 B protein levels compared to those without vein invasions(2.30 ± 0.82 relative units vs 2.77 ± 0.84 relative units, P < 0.05). KIF1 B protein levels in HCC tissues from patients with recurrence during the followup period were significantly lower than those without recurrence(2.31 ± 0.92 relative units vs 2.80 ± 0.80 relative units, P < 0.05). However, KIF1 B protein and m RNA expression in HCC patients was not associated with other clinicopathologic parameters. Ratios of KIF1 B m RNA expression in HCC tissues to those in PC tissues were correlated with overall survival(13.5 mo vs 20.0 mo, P < 0.05) and disease-free survival(11.5 mo vs 19.5 mo, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Downregulation of KIF1 B in HCC tissues is associated with poor prognosis; additional clinical studies are needed to confirm whether KIF1 B can serve as a prognostic marker.

Kidney Volume in Kidney Function Assessment: Determinants and Clinical Correlates in Systemic Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease in Southwestern, Nigeria

Background: The kidney volume is a very reliable ultrasound measure, reflecting contributions from all kidney parts. It could be affected by gender, body size and disease conditions. Its use in renal function assessment is based on its correlation with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Objectives: To assess the determinants and clinical correlates of kidney volume in hypertension and in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and Methods: The two-center study was carried out at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta (June-December 2017) and Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo (August 2019-January 2020). The kidneys of sixty participants who had hypertension without kidney disease (HWKD) and 58 with CKD were scanned from the front and back and their blood samples were taken for electrolytes and hemoglobin concentration. Result: The participants with CKD were significantly older than those with hypertension, P < 0.001. The mean kidney volume of hypertensives, 132.4 ± 18.3, was significantly higher than those with CKD, 63.7 ± 5.9, P < 0.001. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and hemoglobin concentration were significantly higher in hypertensives than in CKD, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 respectively. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), creatinine and the albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) were significantly higher in CKD than in hypertension, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively. Conclusion: The mean kidney volume was higher in hypertension and in males. The GFR and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in hypertension than in CKD while blood pressure and ACR were significantly higher in CKD than in hypertension. Kidney volume was positively and negatively correlated with GFR and ACR respectively.

Functional Capacity and Psychosocial Correlates of Exercise in Nigerian Patients with Hypertension

Objectives: Psychosocial factors are important determinants of cardiovascular health outcomes in rehabilitation. However, the relationship between exercise performance and individual factors remained poorly understood. This study investigated the relationship between functional capacity and psychosocial correlates of exercise in Nigerian patients with hypertension. Study Design and Setting: This quasi-experimental study recruited 120 patients with hypertension (≥140/90 ≤ 179/109 mmHg) from the Cardiac Care Unit of a Nigerian university teaching using purposive sampling technique. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walk test and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was estimated. Participants also underwent a 30-minute self-paced walking exercise. Thereafter, psychosocial correlates of exercise including exercise self-efficacy (ESE), social support (SoS), perceived exercise barrier (PEB) and socio-economic status (SES) were assessed using validated questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05 of significance. Results: A majority of the participants demonstrated high ESE (75.0%), moderate SoS (60.9%) and low PEB (71.7%). More than half (58.4%) of the participants were in the middle SES. Male and female participants were comparable in ESE scores (p = 0.554), SoS (p = 0.362) and six-minute walk distance (6-MWD) (p = 0.194) except in body mass index (p < 0.05). The mean 6-MWD and VO2 max were 350.6 ± 54.7 m and 9.74 ± 1.5 ml/kg/min respectively. There were significant correlations between functional capacity and each of ESE (r = 0.184;p = 0.026) and SoS (r = 0.374;p = 0.021). Conclusions: Psychosocial correlates of exercise including self-efficacy and social support were significantly associated with functional capacity among Nigerian patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in the Southwest Region of Cameroon

Background:Tuberculosis(TB)remains a global health challenge and depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease.Current evidence suggests that there is an association between depressive symptoms and TB,lower adherence to treatment,and increased morbidity and mortality.However,there is paucity of data regarding these associations in Cameroon.This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression in adult patients with pulmonary TB(PTB)in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.Methods:A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 265 patients with PTB was conducted from 2nd January to 31st March 2015 in the Limbe Regional Hospital and the Kumba District Hospital.Depression was diagnosed using the standard nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire,and classified as none,mild or moderate.Logistic regressions were used to investigate correlates of depression in these patients.Results:Of the 265 patients(mean age 36.9±10 years)studied,136(51.3%)were female.The prevalence of depression was 61.1%(95%CI:55.1–66.8),with a significant proportion(36.6%)having mild depression.Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being female(aOR=3.0,95%CI(1.7–5.5),P<0.001),having a family history of mental illness(aOR=2.5,95%CI:1.3–5.4,P>0.05),being on retreatment for TB(aOR=11.2,95%CI:5.2–31.1,P<0.001),having discontinued treatment(aOR=8.2,95%CI:1.1–23.3,P<0.05)and having a HIV/TB co-infection(aOR=2.5,95%CI:1.2–6.5,P<0.001)were factors associated with having a higher chance of being depressed.Conclusion:Our study suggests that there is a high prevalence of depression among PTB patients,with more than one in two patients affected.Multidisciplinary care for TB patients involving mental health practitioners is highly encouraged,especially for high-risk groups.