Comparative susceptibility to permethrin of two Anopheles gambiae s.l.populations from Southern Benin,regarding mosquito sex,physiological status,and mosquito age

Objective:To investigate what kind of mosquito sample is necessary for the determination of insecticide susceptibility in malaria vectors.Methods:Larvae and pupae of Anopheles gambiae s.l.(An.gambiae)mosquitoes were collected from the breeding sites in Littoral and Oueme departments.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)susceptibility tests were conducted on unfed male and female mosquitoes aged 2-5 days old.CDC susceptibility tests were also conducted on unfed,blood fed and gravid female mosquitoes aged2-5 days old.These susceptibility tests were also conducted on unfed and blood fed female mosquitoes aged 2-5 days old and 20 days old.CDC biochemical assay using synergist was also carried out to detect any increase in the activity of enzyme typically involved in insecticide metabolism.Results:Female An,gambiae Ladji and Sekandji populations were more susceptible than the males when they were unfed and aged 2-5 days old.The mortality rates of blood fed female An.gambiae Ladji and Sekandji populations aged 2-5 days old were lower than those obtained when females were unfed.In addition,the mortality rales of gravid female An.gambiae Ladji and Sekandji populations aged2-5 days old were lower than those obtained when they were unfed.The mortality rate obtained when female An.gambiae Sekandji populations were unfed and aged 20 days old was higher than the one obtained when these populations were unfed and aged 2-5 days old.The results obtained after effects of synergist penicillin in beeswax on F1 progeny of An.gambiae Ladji populations resistant to permethrin showed that mono-oxygenases were involved in permethrin resistant F1 progeny from Ladji.Conclusions:The resistance is a hereditary and dynamic phenomenon which can be due to metabolic mechanisms like overproduction of detoxifying enzymes activity.Many factors influence vector susceptibility to insecticide.Among these factors,there are mosquito sex,mosquito age,its physiological status.Therefore,it is useful to respect the World Health Organization criteria in the assessment of insecticide susceptibility tests in malaria vectors.Otherwise,susceptibility testing is conducted using unfed female mosquitoes aged 3-5 days old.Tests should also be carried out at(25±2)°C and(80±10)%relative humidity.

Assessment of Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Women of Childbearing Age in Cameroon: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Malnutrition due to poor feeding habits, is still a serious public health issue in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to assess the dietary patterns and nutritional status of women of childbearing age in various geographical settings in Cameroon so as to propose intervention strategies. Methods: In a cross sectional study conducted from January 2014 to August 2015, women aged 14 - 49 years were randomly selected from the capital city Yaounde and four regions of Cameroon. Anthropometric measures were collected for nutritional status assessment. Data on diet habits and socio-demographic parameters were collected. Results: 608 women of reproductive age with average age 34.68 ± 0.39 years made up the study. Dietary patterns assessment revealed that, most study participants had a frequent intake of carbohydrate rich foods and fats and oils rich foods;but an infrequent intake of protein rich foods and vitamin and minerals rich foods in a week. Nutritional status assessment revealed that, 2.1% were underweight, 28.6% had a normal weight, 30.8% overweight, and 38.5% obese. The grass field regions presented the highest prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity. Higher malnutrition levels were linked to low intakes of pulses and beans;milk and dairy products;vegetables and fruits food groups. Conclusion: Women of the study population had an unhealthy dietary pattern and a poor nutritional status. Therefore, strategies such as nutritional education are warranted and should be age and region specific, so as to target specific groups of women and ensure adequate nutritional status and health.

The Impact of Salivary pH Value and Dental Caries Index on Periodontal Status among Adult Age Groups of Patients from Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: The patients’ age is considered a modified risk factor that causes periodontal disease, dental caries, and their development. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of salivary pH value and dental caries index on periodontal status among adult age groups of patients from Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis carried out in the college of dentistry, King Khalid University on 750 adult patients (400 males and 350 females). The adults patients were divided into three equal groups according to the patients’ age: group I (20 - 30 years), group II (31 - 40 years), and group III (41 - 50 years). Plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and the dental caries index (DMFT) recorded as well as salivary pH. All findings collected, then analyzed by an ANOVA test and the t-test. A p-value at <0.05 was considered a statistical significance level. Results: The clinical findings of the current study showed that there were statistically significant differences in the patients’ age of both males and females. Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in GI. On the other hand, there were highly statistically significant differences in PLI and DMFS, but there were no significant differences in CAL of both males and females Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in salivary pH. Conclusion: We concluded that DMFT Index correlated to periodontal and oral health status and, it increased with the progression of the patient’s age and can be used in the epidemiological evaluation of periodontal and oral health status.

Evaluation of the etiologies and rehabilitation status of patients with blindness: A prospective observational study

Objective:Preventive measures and appropriate rehabilitation are important in reducing the social burden of blindness.This study was to evaluate the etiologies,proportions,and level of rehabilitation for patients with blindness.Materials and Methods:A prospective observational study with 1000 visually impaired patients was conducted.The data regarding age,gender,socioeconomic status(SES),etiologies,curable or incurable blindness(IB),treatments,awareness,and state of rehabilitation were collected and reviewed.Results:The ratio of curable to IB was 0.82:1.The proportion of blindness rises after 40,even while the proportion of curable blindness(CB)increases after 60.The male–female ratios were 1.25:1 and 1:1.66 in the cases of CB and IB,respectively.On the other hand,the male–female ratio for childhood blindness was 1.66:1.Cataracts(78.22%)were the most common cause of CB,whereas diabetic retinopathy(24%),corneal opacity(17.5%),and trauma(12.4%)were causes of IB.Patients with illiteracy,low SES,and female gender were more likely to develop IB.There were low enrollment rates at the blind school and poor rehabilitation,mainly because of a lack of knowledge.Conclusion:Diabetic retinopathy,corneal opacity,and trauma are the major causes of IB.IB and poor rehabilitation were more profound in women and were associated with illiteracy,low SES,and a lack of awareness.

Social isolation and health-promoting behaviors among older adults living with different health statuses:A cross-sectional study

Objectives:To describe the characteristics and relationships of social isolation and health promoting behaviors of Chinese older adults with different health statuses.Methods:Totally 485 older adults were recruited.They were divided into three groups based on their health status:healthy group(n=72),group with one disease(n=183)and group with multimorbidity(n=230).Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II were used to measure their social isolation and health-promoting behaviors,respectively.Results:Among the aged with one disease or multimorbidity,30.6%(56/183)and 31.7%(73/230)were socially isolated,respectively,based on the score of the Lubben Social Network Scale-6.The three groups differed significantly in health-promoting behaviors and scores on several subscales.The group with multimorbidity exhibited more social isolation and fewer health-promoting behaviors than other groups.Social isolation was among the factors adversely affecting health-promoting behaviors in older adults.Conclusions:Health care providers should help older adults with multimorbidity preserve the remaining abilities to improve health-promoting behaviors.Meanwhile,it is important to support healthy older adults to increase self-responsibility to achieve healthy aging.

The evolution of refractive status in Chinese infants during the first year of life and its affected factors

AIM： To study the evolution of the refractive status and examine the affected factors in infants during the first year of life in a large sample size in China. METHODS： A total of 1258 babies （2516 eyes） aged 32wk gestational age to ty participated in the study, including 766 premature and 492 full-term infants. First, each baby received an orthoptic examination, slit-lamp checking and fundus imaging. Patients with diseases which might affect refractive status were excluded from the cohort. The cycloplegia retinoscopy was performed. Their neonatal histories were reviewed. Each measurement contained the refractive status and calculation of the spherical equivalent （SE）. RESULTS： Refractive state showed an average hyperopia of ＋0.94_＋1.63 D at early ages, followed by a trend toward more hyperopia. The refractive state reached the top （＋2.431.46 D） at the age of one to two months. Then gliding till one year old when the refractive state reached ＋0.59：1.41 D. The prevalence of astigmatism was 42.17% in the study, being 2.82% myopic astigmatism and 39.35% hyperopic astigmatism. The 94.1% of hyperopic astigmatism was with-the-rule astigmatism and 71.83% of myopic astigmatism was with-the-rule astigmatism. Refractive state between boys and girls was different. The mean SE of boys was ＋1.97＋1.57 D, while that of girls was ＋1.79＋1.46 D, and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION： Before one year old, the change of refractive status is associated with checking age and sex. At the age of one to two months, the degree of hyperopia reaches the top. Boys have more hyperopic degree than girls, and with- the-rule astigmatism is predominant. Excluding premature infants with advanced retinopathy of prematurity, premature and full-term children have same refraction status.

National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children 0–17 Years of Age in China

The main purpose of the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children 0-17 years of age in China(CNHSC)was to collect basic data on the nutrition,development,and health status for children in different regions across China using evidence-based,reliable,and cost-effective approaches.Children and their parents or guardians from seven regions(south,southwest,north,northwest,eastern,central,and northeast China)in China were recruited.A multi-stage stratified randomized sampling method was used.Two provinces were randomly sampled from each of the seven regions,from which one urban district and one rural country were also randomly sampled,resulting in a total of 28 survey counties/districts.Dietary surveys,health examinations,laboratory testing,and questionnaires were used to collect dietary intake,nutritional status,child development,and health status information.Nutrition,health,and lifestyle assessment of children and their parents was determined using the Knowledge Attitude Practice(KAP)survey.Greater than 100,000 children(38,000 children<6 years of age and 66,000 children6-17 years of age)completed the survey.The survey provided comprehensive data on child nutrition and health status for future studies and will serve as the basis for an integrated nutrition and health improvement strategies proposal for children in China.

Status of two Coreius species in the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Dam construction alters natural flow regimes which,in turn,cause significant changes in fish communities during and after impoundment. The construction of the Three Gorges Reservoir,from impoundment of the Changjiang(Yangtze) River,China,may have affected native fish species. Thus,the status of two lotic freshwater fish species,Coreius heterodon and C.guichenoti,were monitored in the Three Gorges Reservoir,including fish abundance,individual composition,growth,condition,and mortality. Data on both species were gathered from upstream,midstream and downstream areas of the reservoir and,where available,from studies published before and after dam construction. Lower abundance,slower growth,a less diversified age structure,poorer fish condition(indicated by hepatosomatic index) and higher mortalities were recorded in sites nearest the dam compared with upstream areas. Furthermore,after final impoundment,individual Coreius species inhabiting the area changed,with young individuals becoming more abundant,while upstream of the reservoir the two Coreius species became smaller at a given age. The results show that the status of the two Coreius species was subject to dramatic changes after impoundment.

A New Field Protocol for Determination of Forest Structure, Biodiversity and Heath Status by Means of GPS Tools: A Case Study from Gaza Forest

This article describes the application of GPS, image processing analysis and statistical tools for determination of forest structure and biodiversity. The idea is based on determination of forest area using GPS tools, then taking representative plots “samples” about 5% - 10% of the forest and counting the tree species in each plot (sample). This process enables the estimation of species population in each plot. The sum of all species population enables the calculation of relative density of each species. Multiplying species population with plot number of the forest enables the calculations of total species population in the forest. Calculating the relative density enables the determination of dominant, co-dominant, suppressed and flour structure of the forest. To determine the age of the forest, we apply our method on determining the diameter of trees and grouping them to four groups, this enables the estimation of dominant age within single species. From these data, we can estimate the age of the forest. This field protocol is easy and applicable and provides good results in estimating structure, age and biodiversity in the forest.

Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits of School Children in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Objectives: Childhood malnutrition is a major concern in developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the nutritional status and dietary habits of school children. Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey designed to evaluate nutritional status of students aged (5 - 19 years) in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, during September-December 2013. A two-stage sampling technique was done;22 government schools were selected in the first stage. In the second stage, 1100 students were selected from the target population of the study. Weight, height, and age data were used to calculate z-scores of the three different nutritional indicators. Dietary habits were studied using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Underweight (WAZ +2SD). Boys were more underweight (3%) than girls (2.2%). Conversely, girls tend to be more stunted (65.3%) compared to boys (59.9%) in the age group 10 - 14 years. Identified risk factors associated with malnutrition for those aged more than 10 years were: mother education (P-value = 0.03), father education (P-value = 0.04) and family size (P-value = 0.014). Conclusion and Recommendations: Child’s nutritional status is strongly associated with the literacy of both parents and family size. The prevalence of malnutrition can be reduced by implementation of school intervention programs for the socioeconomic development.

The status of infant health in India

This paper investigates the present status of infant health in India through percentages of infants who are undernourished, not immunized or diseased and finds its relationship with socio-demographic variables. The relevant data have been obtained from the Third National Family Health Survey which was carried out in 2005-2006 in India. The sample consists of 7562 infants (i.e., children of less than 1 year). For socio-demographic data, places of residence, sex of infants, ethnic composition, religion and wealth index were considered. Considering the different types of under-nutrition, it has been found from our data that the percentages of undernourished infants range from 22 to 28 only. There are considerable variations in the different types of immunization status ranging from 17.9% opting for measles vaccination to 73.2% taking BCG vaccination. Prevalence of morbidity also varies from 15 to 22 percent depending on the three types of morbidity considered in this paper. Among the socio-economic variables, mother’s education and wealth index have been found to have profound effect on the nutritional status and also on morbidity of infants but there is no impact found on the status immunization. Thus it gives clear cut indications for the government and NGOs to take actions to ameliorate poverty and to improve the level of education, especially of female population in India.

Causal relationships between survival rates, dietary and lifestyle habits, socioeconomic status and physical, mental and social health in elderly urban dwellers in Japan: A chronological study

Life expectancy was well known to associate with lifestyle habits, socioeconomic condition, and three health-related dimensions (physical, mental and social health status). However, the causal effect relationship among these variables remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationships among health and life conditions, socioeconomic status, dietary and lifestyle habits and three health-related dimensions in elderly urban dwellers in Tokyo, Japan. Of 16,462 eligible elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, 13,195 participants responded to the questionnaire survey conducted in September 2001 (a response rate of 80.2%). A follow-up survey was conducted in September 2004 and a total of 8162 survivors were followed until the end of August 2007 through the municipal resident's registry. Exploratory factor analysis defined five latent variables based on the 13 observed variables. From a cross-lagged effects variation model using structural equation modeling, causal relationships were analyzed using longitudinal data obtained at the 2001 and 2004 survey and the number of survival days between 2004 and 2007. After estimating a best-fit model, we discovered that health and life conditions were not determined by current dietary and lifestyle habits, which many studies showed. However, the conditions were more directly affected by three health-related dimensions three years earlier, and indirectly affected by educational attainment and previous annual income as well. The current model suggests that it might be of great importance for elderly individuals to emphasize the maintenance of psychological well being, physical activity, social communication and participation, as well as income, rather than focusing on improvements in diet and health-related lifestyles per se.

Empirical Changes in the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Students from 1985 to 2010 and Corresponding Preventive Strategies

Objective To determine the extent of the obesity epidemic in school‐aged Chinese children in 2010 and track the increasing trend in different socioeconomic regions over the preceding 25 years. Strategies for preventing childhood obesity are suggested. Methods We used a dataset provided by the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health from 1985‐2010. Subjects were 7‐18‐year‐old students randomly selected from urban and rural areas in 30 provinces. Eight subgroups were created according to region and socioeconomic status. Results Increased rates of the epidemic （overweight and obesity combined） were greatest in large coastal cities‐32.6% and 19.1% among males and females, respectively. These rates has neared that of developed countries. Similar increases were found in all other regions, including the once poverty‐stricken rural west. The epidemic in most of the rural areas began after 2000, but has spread swiftly over the last decade. In 2010, it was estimated that 9.9% of Chinese school‐aged children and adolescents were overweight and that an additional 5.1% were obese, representing an estimated 30.43 million individuals. Conclusion The prognosis for China＇s childhood‐obesity epidemic is dire. To prevent childhood obesity, we suggest several strategies, including reasonable dietary intake, increase physical activity, a change in sedentary lifestyles and corresponding behavioral modifications.

Periodontal status and associated risk factors among childbearing age women in Cixi City of China

Objective:To investigate the periodontal status and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age to increase the awareness of oral health.Methods:The study was conducted on childbearing age women in Cixi,a city in Zhejiang Province in the southeast of China.A total of 754 women participated in periodontal examination while receiving prenatal care.Data of the women were collected from the Cixi Family Planning Commission and during an interview.Clinical periodontal indices,such as bleeding on probing(BOP),probing depth(PD),and clinical attachment level(CAL) were measured during the examination.Statistical analysis on subject-based data was performed.Results:The prevalence of periodontal disease among childbearing age women in Cixi was high(84.7%).A significant association was found between the disease and educational level,pregnancy,taking oral contraceptives,stress,alcohol consumption,overweight,dental visit,and teeth brushing(P<0.05).Women who suffered periodontal disease showed deep PD,obvious BOP,and clinical attachment loss.Among this population,pregnancy was closely associated with higher BOP percentage;teeth brushing no more than once per day or brushing for less than 1 min(P<0.001) after adjusting for age and stress.Conclusions:The periodontal status of childbearing age women in Cixi needs to be improved urgently.Attention towards the periodontal health should be warranted,especially for those in special statuses and with poor awareness.

Clinical Study on Treatment of Senile Vascular Dementia by Acupuncture

63 patients with senile vascular dementia were randomly divided into the treatment group (treated by acupuncture) and the control group (treated with piracetam). The authors observed the changes in the score of Hasegawa's dementia scale (HDS), p300, rheoencephalogram, topographic EEG, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in erythrocytes, and lipid peroxide (LPO) level in plasma before and after treatment. The statistical data showed that the total effective rate in the treatment group (80.6%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (25%), and the differences in the observed indexes before and after treatment were significant (P 0.05), indicating that the acupuncture treatment was superior in immediate therapeutic effect on senile vascular dementia to drug treatment.

How socioeconomic status affected the access to health facilities and malaria diagnosis in children under five years:findings from 19 sub-Saharan African countries

Background Prompt and appropriate clinical management of malaria is critical for reducing the continued high burden of malaria among children under five years in sub-Saharan countries.However,more remains to be known about how a patient’s socioeconomic status(SES)would affect the access to diagnosis of malaria.Methods In this cross-sectional study using the Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey,we pooled the data of 38,567 febrile under-five children in 2016–2018 from 19 sub-Saharan countries.Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations between SES and two binary outcomes:the visit to a health facility and a blood test for fever.Stratified analyses were further conducted by the type of health facilities(public hospitals/public primary healthcare facilities/private hospitals/private primary healthcare facilities)for the latter outcome.Results Fifty-eight percent of the febrile children were taken to health facilities,among whom only 55%took blood tests.Compared to children from households in the highest wealth quintile,children in the lowest quintile were less likely to be taken to medical facilities[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=0.775,95%confidence interval(CI):0.675–0.889].Parents with more than secondary education were more likely to seek care(aOR=1.830,95%CI:1.561–2.145)and to have blood tests(aOR=1.729,95%CI:1.436–2.082)for their febrile children than parents without formal education.The probabilities of receiving blood tests at public hospitals and public primary healthcare facilities stayed relatively high across parental education levels and wealth quintiles,while these probabilities remained the lowest at private primary healthcare facilities,ranging from 0.100(95%CI:0.074–0.127)to 0.139(95%CI:0.083–0.194)across parental education levels and from 0.104(95%CI:0.078–0.130)to 0.125(95%CI:0.090–0.160)across wealth quintiles.Conclusions Significant socioeconomic disparities existed both in the access to health facilities and laboratory diagnosis of malaria in children in sub-Saharan African countries.These disparities were particularly evident in the private sector.Universal health coverage needs to be further strengthened to make formal healthcare in general and the laboratory diagnosis of malaria more accessible and affordable.

Quality of life among elderly in developing countries: issues and challenges

Unlike developed countries,the process of ageing in the developing country is a major and serious concern where the health infrastructure,geriatric system and social security remain underdeveloped.This paper aims to assess the gaps in quality of life among the elderly by socio-economic and demographic characteristics and to know the issues and challenges in the selected developing countries where Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health(SAGE)namely China,India,Ghana,South Africa,Mexico,and Russia has been conducted.The overall score indicates that there is a little variation in the quality of life across the countries,ranging from 52.1(China)to 45.5(Ghana).However,there is considerable variation in the quality-of-life score by socio-economic characteristics.From the existing policy perspectives,different aspects of old age policies are varied across the selected countries.The rapid expan-sion of the private sector into these areas is unlikely to benefit the bulk of the elders.The countries like India,South Africa and Mexico,where the private sector plays a major role,lack health care support for the elderly.However,financial support sig-nificantly contributes to the quality of life in terms of policy intervention in those countries.Thus,the respective governments need to address urgently the areas like health care,financial and social security to achieve the healthy lives and wellbeing for all of the sustainable development goals by 2030.