The Prevalence Outcome and Associated Factors of Teenage Pregnancy in the Bamenda Health District

Teenage pregnancy is a common public health problem worldwide because teenagers in general are ill-prepared to deal with the burden of pregnancy. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest burden of teenage pregnancy precisely in the west and central Africa;in Cameroon, about 12% of all births are to teenage mothers. Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19. Though the trend of teenage pregnancy tends to decrease in most parts of the world, this is not the case in our setting. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, outcomes and the associated factors of teenage pregnancy in the Bamenda Health District (BHD). Materials and Method: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study carried out at the maternity and postnatal units of the Bamenda Regional Hospital and the Nkwen Medicalised Health Center. A consecutive non-probabilistic sampling technique was used to recruit participants. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect information from the participant. Data was analysed using the software SPSS version 23. Bivariate logistic regression was used to test for associations. Statistical significance was set at p-value less than 0.05. Result: A total of 325 participants were recruited of which 44 were teenagers. The mean age of the participants was 25.02 ± 0.257 years. The mean age of teenagers was 17.49 ± 0.63 years, and mean adult age was 28.43 ± 5.64 years. The youngest participant was 15 years. Teenagers were significantly more likely to prematurity (OR = 0.14;95% CI = 0.06 - 0.31;PV = 0.001), Low birth weight among teenagers (OR = 0.077;95% CI = 0.03 - 0.21;PV = 0.001), Still birth;OR = 0.07;95% CI = 0.01 - 0.86;PV = 0.03) Neonatal admission also high among teenagers (OR = 0.172, 95% CI = 0.08 - 0.39, PV = 0.001) compared to the babies of their adult counterpart. The rate of caesarean section and episiotomy was high among adult deliveries (21.7%). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of teenage pregnancy (13.54%) in the Bamenda Health District. prematurity was independently associated with teenage pregnancy. perineal tears were the most common maternal outcome of teenage pregnancy. Adolescents/teenagers in rural areas, having a low level of income, and low level of education were associated with high level of teenage pregnancy.

The Impact of Lifestyle Factors on Migraine Frequency and Severity in Neurology

Objective: This systematic review examines the impact of lifestyle factors on migraine frequency and severity through a comprehensive analysis of lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep patterns, stress, mental health, and environmental influences. Methods: We thoroughly searched Google Scholar, PUBMED, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using keywords related to migraines and lifestyle factors. Keywords incorporated the Boolean operator “and” to narrow search results. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we identified, screened, and evaluated studies for inclusion, resulting in nine studies meeting the eligibility criteria. Results: A total of 4917 records were initially identified from Scopus (2786), PubMed (854), and Web of Science (1277). Following deduplication, 3657 records underwent title screening, with 382 additionally screened by abstract. Ultimately, 88 full-text articles were assessed, resulting in 9 studies meeting eligibility for qualitative synthesis: 7 prospective and 2 retrospective studies. Our findings highlight the multifaceted role of lifestyle factors in migraine pathophysiology and management. Dietary habits, such as high-calorie, high-fat, and gluten-containing diets were linked to migraine triggers. Moderate physical activity showed beneficial effects on migraine management, while intense exercise could exacerbate symptoms. Poor sleep hygiene and insomnia were strongly associated with increased migraine frequency and severity. Chronic stress and poor mental health significantly contributed to migraine exacerbation, with stress management techniques proving beneficial. Environmental factors, including light, sound, weather changes, and allergens, were also identified as significant migraine triggers. Conclusions: Personalized lifestyle modifications, tailored to individual patient profiles, are crucial in managing migraines. Evidence-based recommendations include balanced diets, moderate physical activity, improved sleep hygiene, stress management techniques, and environmental adaptations.

Application Effect of Health Management in Community Diabetic Population

Objective: This study aims to improve the health level of patients with diabetes in the community through health management measures under the concept of health management. Methods: Community residents were selected to detect, collate and analyze the social demographic information, body mass index, fasting blood glucose and blood lipid level of diabetic patients before and after health management. Results: The study showed that after the implementation of health management education in the community, the detection rate of diabetes patients increased, but the population was no longer mainly elderly patients, but mainly people under 60 years old. The levels of body mass index, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly decreased (all P Conclusion: Through the investigation of patients before and after health management in residential communities, this study shows that the correct implementation of health management can effectively improve the physiological indicators of diabetes patients, improve the level of health quality, and provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of diabetes patients in communities.

Acceptability of Immunization against COVID-19 by the Populations of the Kasenga State Health Area in the Uvira Health Zone, DR Congo

Introduction: COVID-19 was an emerging disease putting all public health systems in countries around the world in a state of emergency. To be able to prevent its spread and morbidity and mortality, several appropriate strategies were necessary, such as vaccination. The latter has been the subject of controversy. The objective of the present study is therefore to evaluate the factors associated with the acceptance of this vaccine within the population of the Kasenga State Health Area. A result which will shed light on future strategies to be put in place for possible new vaccines. Methodology: Is a prospective and analytical cross-sectional study conducted over a period of approximately 1 month from January 5 to February 5, 2024. A survey questionnaire in Kobotoolbox was useful for collecting data. STATA software was very important for us in analyzing the data collected. Results: Prevalence of vaccination against COVID-19 among the population of the Kasenga State Health Area is 37.5% (28.4 - 45.6). The study revealed that reluctance is observed among most of the population for different reasons, including, first and foremost, the deliberate aspect of not wanting to take the vaccine (46.6%) and rumors that this antigen is dangerous and harmful (32.9%). 72.5% of respondents believe that the COVID-19 vaccine is a fabrication, unhealthy and that the disease itself never existed. The study proved that there was a statistical relationship between age (p = 0.001) and adherence to vaccination. And the refusal of respondents to recommend the vaccine to loved ones was a factor associated with non-adherence to vaccination (OR = 7.901, 95% IC [3.028 - 20.615], p = 0.000). Conclusion: Vaccination against COVID-19 was not well accepted by the population of the study site. Raising public awareness and involving community leaders and political-administrative authorities, which has not been done well, would play an important role in the good perception of the disease, of the vaccine and therefore in its adherence.

Comprehensive Analysis of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in Costa Rica: Implications for Public Health

This commentary delves into the evolving landscape of cancer incidence and mortality in Costa Rica, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the data. Key findings reveal a concerning upward trajectory in cancer incidence rates, placing Costa Rica at the forefront within Central America. While prostate cancer and breast cancer dominate, disparities emerge when scrutinizing gender-specific trends. Notably, stomach and cervical cancers show declines, potentially attributed to targeted interventions. However, colorectal and liver cancers witness mortality increases, necessitating strategic responses. Geographical disparities persist across provinces, highlighting the need for equitable healthcare access. In conclusion, this commentary underscores the urgency of addressing the burgeoning cancer burden in Costa Rica, calling for evidence-based interventions and collaborative efforts on a global scale.

Influencing Factors of Mental Health of Medical Students in China

Summary： This study investigated the mental health status of medical students in China, and analyzed the influencing factors in order to provide evidence for mental health education for medical students. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to recruit medical students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. The questionnaire survey on general information and Symptom Checklist 90 （SCL-90） were used for investigation and analysis. The results showed among the 1137 valid questionnaires, 278 （24.45%） participants had SCL-90 score ≥ 160. The top three mental problems of medical students were obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity and depression in terms of the factor score ≥ 2.5 and the number of participants who reflected on the diseases. The third-year medical students had the worst mental health status, and fifth-year medical students had the best mental health status. Students from rural area had more psychological problems than those from urban area; furthermore, students with high professional satisfaction, those who were the single child of the family, non-poor students, and those whose parents had high education level had better mental health status. It was concluded that the mental health of medical students is not optimistic in China. Medical students have some mental health problems of different degrees. Factors that influence the mental health of medical students include academic pressure, professional satisfaction level and family environment.

Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China 2022:an Updated Summary

In the past 30 years,the accessibility and quality index of medical care have made remarkable progress in China,ranking the first among middle-income countries.Many cardiovascular technologies are at or near the world's leading level,and significant progress has been achieved in China solving the problem of“treatment difficulty”of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).However,due to the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among Chinese residents,a huge population with CVD risk factors,accelerated population aging,and other reasons,the incidence and mortality rate of CVD are still increasing,and the turning point of the decline in disease burden has not appeared yet in China.In terms of proportions of disease mortality among urban and rural residents,CVD still ranks the first.In 2020,CVD accounted for 48.00%and 45.86%of the causes of death in rural and urban areas,respectively;two out of every five deaths were due to CVD.It is estimated that the number of current CVD patients in China is around 330 million,including 13 million stroke,11.39 million coronary heart disease,8.9 million heart failure,5 million pulmonary heart disease,4.87 million atrial fibrillation,2.5 million rheumatic heart disease,2 million congenital heart disease,45.3 million peripheral artery disease,and 245 million hypertension cases.China has entered a new stage of transformation from high-speed development to high-quality development,and the prevention and control of CVD in China should also shift from previous emphasis on scale growth to strategies focusing more on strategic and key technological development in order to curb the trend of increasing incidence and mortality rates of CVD.

The status and influence factors of residents＇ health knowledge awarenessin Yizhou district of Hami city

[目的] 了解新疆哈密市伊州区居民健康知识知晓情况及其影响因素.[方法]采用分层整群随机抽样 的方法,抽取哈密市伊州区的丽园街道丽园社区、石油新城街道支油区社区、陶家宫乡和回城乡的居民（ 共 700名）进行问卷调查,利用二元Logistic回归方法分析影响因素.[结果]居民健康知识知晓率为23.5%.具 备健康理解知识知晓、科学健康观知识知晓、传染病知识知晓和职业病知识知晓的比例分别为 55. 0%、 33.4%、27.3%、33. 14%和 52.3%.居民获取健康知识的主要途径占比分别为医生80. 15%、电视38. 10%、 学校或单位22.33%、网络21.02%.居民文化程度与家庭平均月收入及健康知识知晓水平有关（P〈0. 05）. [结论]居民的健康知识知晓水平还有提升空间,影响健康知识知晓水平的主要因素为文化程度和家庭平均月 收入,应有针对性地制定健康教育和健康促进策略,以提高居民健康知识知晓水平.

Risk factors and long-term health consequences of macrosomia:a prospective study in Jiangsu Province,China

We sought to determine risk factors associated with fetal macrosomia and to explore the long-term consequence of infant macrosomia at the age of 7 years.A prospective population based cohort study was designed to examine the associations between maternal and perinatal characteristics and the risk of macrosomia.A nested case-control study was conducted to explore the long-term health consequence of infant macrosomia.The mean maternal age of the macrosomia group was 24.74±3.32 years,which is slightly older than that in the control group（24.35±3.14 years,P = 0.000）.The mean maternal body mass index（BMI） at early pregnancy was 22.75±2.81 kg/m 2,which was also higher than that in the control group（21.76±2.59 kg/m 2,P = 0.000）.About 64.6% of macrosomic neonates were males,compared with 51.0% in the control group（P = 0.000）.Compared with women with normal weight（BMI：18.5-23.9 kg/m 2）,women who were overweight（BMI：24-27.9 kg/m 2） or obese（BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2）,respectively,had a 1.69-fold（P = 0.000） and a 1.49-fold（P = 0.000） increased risks of having a neonate with macrosomia,while light weight（BMI〈18.5 kg/m 2） women had an approximately 50% reduction of the risk.Furthermore,macrosomia infant had a 1.52-fold and 1.50-fold risk,respectively,of developing overweight or obesity at the age of 7 years（P = 0.001 and P = 0.000）.Older maternal age,higher maternal BMI at early pregnancy and male gender were independent risk factors of macrosomia.Macrosomic infant was associated with an increased predisposition to develop overweight or obesity at the beginning of their childhood.

Factors Affecting Patient Satisfaction with Community Health Service under the Gatekeeper System:A Cross-sectional Study in Nanjing,China

The gatekeeper policy has been implemented for approximately ten years on a pilot population in China. It is necessary to assess the satisfaction of patients utilizing community health service（CHS） under the gatekeeper system. Our study showed that the cognition of gatekeeper policy was associated with four dimensions including doctor‐patient relationships, information and support, organization of care, and accessibility（P 〈 0.001）. One or more factors such as gender and self‐perceived health scores also affected their satisfaction. General practitioners must be prepared to focus on these aspects of information and support, organization of care, and accessibility as indicators of potential opportunities for improvement. Additionally, policymakers can improve patients＇ satisfaction with CHS by strengthening their awareness of the gatekeeper policy.

Patient and Health System Factors Associated with First Line Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence, 2009-2014

Background: The prevalence and incidence rate of tuberculosis remains high although the disease is known to be almost always curable provided the patient adheres to the treatment regimen. This study assessed the strength of association between known patient and health system factors associated with first line tuberculosis treatment adherence. Methods: A quantitative cross sectional study. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted among 570 persons who had primary tuberculosis and received first line treatment at a health facility within the Nkangala district, Mpumalanga province and who had a treatment outcome recorded between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2014. Adherence to first line tuberculosis treatment was defined as taking ≥80% of tuberculosis prescribed drugs within a period of 6 to 8 months. Stata software (logistic regressions model) was used to analyze results and find the strength of association between known factors and treatment adherence. Results: Out of the 570 study participants, 473 were adherent and 96 were not adherent. There was a statistically significant association between age 18 years and above (OR: 1.02, P-value: 0.027), sex (lower in males OR: 0.44, P-value: 0.001) and support (OR: 3.04, P-value: 0.05) and HIV (OR: 1, P-value: 0.634) and first line TB treatment adherence. Conclusion and Recommendation: >80% adherence to first line tuberculosis outcome is possible. The support given to people with tuberculosis will further enhance adherence to first line tuberculosis treatment.

Realities of Reflective Practice Skill among Public Health Nurses in Japan and Related Learning and Lifestyle Factors

Background: According to the diversification of the health needs and the expansion of health disparities, it is necessary to raise their reflective practice skills so that PHNs present more appropriate activities. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the realities of reflective practice skills among public health nurses in Japan and identify related factors. Methods: This study covered 1725 public health nurses in the Chugoku/Shikoku area. We conducted an anonymous self-completed questionnaire survey. As reflective practice skills (RPS), we adopted the six components of the six cycles of the Gibbs reflective model. We used the 20 criteria of the Scale for Practical Competence (SPC). We set 25 learning history/daily lifestyle items. The study plan was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okayama University. Results: We analyzed the 962 (55.8%) valid responses. Although years of experience as a public health nurse was highly correlated with practical skills as measured by SPC, with a correlation coefficient of 0.627, it was not closely related with RPS, with a correlation coefficient as low as 0.129. A logistic regression analysis of the eight learning history items and six daily lifestyle items associated with RPS, with the introduction of the high/low RPS groups as dependent variables, showed a convergence to five factors (odds ratio of 1.38 - 2.29). Conclusions: Going forward, we will need to consider how to accumulate learning on a daily basis and how to include positive health practice in PHN education, in connection with exploring the curriculum and method of training.

Predictive Factors for Persistent Pain and Poor Recovery of Health Status 1 Year after Whiplash Injury (Quebec Grade 1 and 2): Results from the ESPARR Cohort

Background: A large number of studies have addressed whiplash injury, and many meta-analyses have sought to highlight chronicity factors;the implicated processes, however, remain a matter of debate. The present study used data from the ESPARR cohort (an on-going prospective study of a representative cohort of road accident victims in the Rh?ne administrative département of France). The objectives were to describe the consequences of whiplash injury and to determine prognostic factors for poor recovery and persistent pain at 1 year post-accident. Methods: The cohort included 255 “pure” whiplash victims, 173 of whom responded to the 1-year follow-up questionnaire. Correlations between explanatory variables and health and pain status were explored by modified Poisson regression to provide adjusted relative risk (RR) values. Results: Half of the victims had not fully recovered health status by 1 year. The main factor associated with non-recovery was pain (RR = 1.3;1.0-1.7). A birth in the family preceding the accident emerged as another factor (RR=1.5;1.2-1.9). Victims responsible for their accident were twice as likely to report being free of pain as those not responsible (RR = 0.5;0.3-0.8). No correlation emerged with accident-related characteristics or PTSD. Conclusions: The present results extend our understand- ing of whiplash injury. Residual pain is the fundamental factor causing whiplash victims to feel that they have not recovered good health. Our findings suggest this may be bound up with physical factors (gender susceptibility);external factors such as having to carry weights (such as a baby) and with perceiving oneself as a victim are not incompatible with this hypothesis.

Attitudes, Practices and Factors Affecting the Use of the Partogram by Professionals Attending to Women in Labour and Delivery in the Bafut Health District

Introduction: Given that the provision of care to the childbirth process is not purely in the hands of educated and trained midwives, the competency in application of midwifery tools may be inadequate and consequently affect the quality of care. The Partogram is the single most important tool which has been scientifically proven to reduce maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Though important, many healthcare providers do not use it regularly in the monitoring of labour. Objectives: Our objectives were to determine the attitudes, practices, proportion of parturients monitored using a Partogram and the factors limiting the use of the Partogram by professionals attending to women in labour and delivery (PAWLD) in the Bafut Health District. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out amongst 65 Professionals attending to women in labour and delivery in the Bafut Health District that lasted 6 months. All the data were collected by our self. First through a face to face interview with a questionnaire, secondly with an observational guide used to assess Partograms filled and lastly using delivery registers to obtain the proportion of parturients monitored with a Partogram. The data analysis was done using the statistic software Epi Info version 7 and Microsoft Excel. Results: This study revealed that 47 (72.3%) of participants had good attitudes, 34 (52%) had good practices, 375 (79.3%) parturients were monitored using a Partogram, and the lack of in-service training, low number of staff and poor knowledge on Partogram use were identified as the main limiting factors to the use of the Partogram. Being a health assistant was statistically significantly associated with having a poor practice with a p-value of 0.047 and odds ratio 5.33 [1.03 - 26.45] we obtained just 1 (1.54%) filled according to the WHO standards. Conclusions and Recommendations: In the Bafut Health District, 7 out of 10 PAWLDs have a positive attitude towards the use of the Partogram, while a poor practice is predominant as a result 4 out of 5 deliveries were monitored using a Partogram with only 1.54% of the Partograms filled according to WHO standards. The lack of in-service training, lack of PAWLD and poor knowledge on Partogram usage are the major drawbacks to the use of the Partogram. We therefore recommend that continues medical education (CME) be organised on the use of the Partogram.

The Road to Universal Health Coverage in Myanmar Runs through Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors: Supporting Evidence from WHO in 2009 and 2014 and the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

Background: The recent surge in economic development in Myanmar will also contribute to accelerating the health burden shift from acute infectious to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country. With just 11 years to achieve its goal of universal health coverage by the year 2030, significant efforts will be needed to quantify the scale of the burden facing decision-makers about health system strengthening and redevelopment. Convergence of the health systems will be an additional challenge in Myanmar. Methods: Results from a WHO study in 2009 and 2014, combined with data from the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study, were compiled and analysed for Myanmar to assess the levels and trends of selected NCDs and NCD risk factors. Results: The prevalence of major NCDs in Myanmar are in general higher than global and regional averages, with a significant increase in diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in the last 25 years. Major NCD risk factors in Myanmar include smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, alcohol consumption among men, low level of fruit and vegetable consumption, hypertension, and emerging of overweight and obesity, especially among women. Tobacco use increased in both sexes between 2009 and 2014, but only significantly in men. Rates of hypertension increased for both men and women, including those currently on medications—suggesting a need for better treatment regimens. Overweight and obesity rates increased in both men and women, although the increase in obesity for men was not significant. Alcohol consumption results were mixed—with lower levels of high level drinking in men, but generally increased consumption by women. Intake of fruit and vegetables increased slightly between 2009 and 2014 and rates of high levels of physical activity also increased. Diabetes prevalence rates increased significantly in women (X2 = 11.3;p = 0.01) and men (X2 = 9.6;p = 0.02) between 2009 and 2014. Conclusions: Improved awareness of risk factors, coupled with early diagnosis and effective treatment of conditions and risks, is paramount to keeping the population healthy and economically active, and maintaining health care costs. Proven cost-effective interventions to prevent and control NCD-related risk factors, notably increasing tobacco taxes, should be endorsed and implemented in the population. Inaction could hamper the country’s effort to achieve universal health coverage by the year 2030.

Prevention from a community perspective facilitating and constraining factors perceived by nurses in local community health centers in the course of prevention and health promotion

The purpose of this paper is to explore the stimulating factors and the obstacles experienced by nurses in community health centres in their work with prevention and health promotion. We conducted the qualitative research design consisting of fifteen nurses in five community health centres in Ghent. There was also a focus group and participant observation. All participants experienced stimulating factors as well as obstacles in their work with preventive interventions. The most strongly facilitators were the Electronic Medical File and the multidisciplinary approach. The obstacles mentioned by the nurses were the communication problems and the financial problems. This study may have an important impact on nursing practice and nursing prevention. Further research is needed on nurses working in community health centres and the way they approach their patients in the course of preventive actions.

Risk factors of admission for acute colonic diverticulitis in a population-based cohort study: The North Trondelag Health Study, Norway

AIM To assess risk factors of hospital admission for acute colonic diverticulitis.METHODS The study was conducted as part of the second wave of the population-based North Trondelag Health Study(HUNT2), performed in North Trondelag County, Norway, 1995 to 1997. The study consisted of 42570 participants(65.1% from HUNT2) who were followed up from 1998 to 2012. Of these, 22436(52.7%) were females. The cases were defined as those 358 participants admitted with acute colonic diverticulitis during follow-up. The remaining participants were used as controls. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses was used for each sex separately after multiple imputation to calculate HR.RESULTS Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that increasing age increased the risk of admission for acute colonic diverticulitis: Comparing with ages < 50 years, females with age 50-70 years had HR = 3.42, P < 0.001 and age > 70 years, HR = 6.19, P < 0.001. In males the corresponding values were HR = 1.85, P = 0.004 and 2.56, P < 0.001. In patients with obesity(body mass index ≥ 30) the HR = 2.06, P < 0.001 in females and HR = 2.58, P < 0.001 in males. In females, present(HR = 2.11, P < 0.001) or previous(HR = 1.65, P = 0.007) cigarette smoking increased the risk of admission. In males, breathlessness(HR = 2.57, P < 0.001) and living in rural areas(HR = 1.74, P = 0.007) increased the risk. Level of education, physical activity, constipation and type of bread eaten showed no association with admission for acute colonic diverticulitis.CONCLUSION The risk of hospital admission for acute colonic diverticulitis increased with increasing age, in obese individuals, in ever cigarette smoking females and in males living in rural areas.

What Is the Role of Work-Related Factors in Self-Reported Health Inequalities among Employed Individuals? A Longitudinal Study in Luxembourg

Objectives: We measured health inequalities among employed Luxembourg residents over time and the socio-economic and work-related determinants. Design and Setting: Longitudinal data were obtained from the Socio-economic Liewen zu L&#235;tzebuerg/European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions, which has been conducted each year since 2003 in Luxembourg. Participants: Participants comprised 727 Luxembourg residents (58% men), aged between 21 and 55 years in 2003, who were employed between 2003 and 2012. Primary and Secondary Outcomes Measured: The variable of interest was self-reported health. We used transition indicators on work-related factors to consider changes that individuals may have experienced in their job over this period. Results: People who moved from a part-time to a full-time contract (odds ratio (OR): 5.52, confidence interval (CI): 1.55 - 19.73), and those who moved from the 3rd or 4th quartile of earnings to the 1st or 2nd quartile (OR: 2.48, CI: 1.02 - 6.05) between 2003 and 2012, had a higher risk of being in poor health in 2012. The risk of deterioration in self-reported health in 2012 among people who were healthy in 2003 was associated with the type of contract, economic activity, and occupation. Conclusion: Health inequalities occur among employed people in Luxembourg. Their importance varies according to work-related characteristics and economic activity. Our findings showed that declined health status was associated with contract type, profession, and economic activity. This suggests that measures should be taken to maintain good health for people working in these specific occupations or economic sectors (e.g. preventive action, reduction of risk exposure, change of occupation in the same company, and so on).

Level of Stress, Predisposing Factors and Status of Mental Health among Pharmacy Students of a Private University of Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Study

Stress during tertiary educational period has significant negative effect on the performance of a student. Mental distress is increasing among students and is one of the important public health concerns. This study was carried out to investigate the socio demographic characteristics of students, level of their stress feeling, and status of mental health and to find out the co-relation of different factors associated with the level of stress feelings. A cross sectional study was conducted among the students of the Department of Pharmacy of UAP. A total of 504 students (181 male students and 323 female students) participated in this study. Feeling of severe stress was almost equal to both sexes. But, moderate level of stress was more associated with female students (N = 253, F = 78.33%) and overall female students were more stressful than male. Thought towards future career ranked one among many reasons of stress in students (59.67% for male students and 37.46% for female students). In terms of academic achievements, feeling of stress was higher in female students compared to male students (34.98% for female students vs. 15.47% for male students). Other factors such as unrealistic expectations, family relationship and affairs, socio economic condition, being of too busy also significantly participate in the development of stress in young mind. Mental health status was estimated by considering some facts such as state of shock due to unwanted life events, lacking of expression of emotions, reduced feeling of pleasure, unusual thinking, fear of any specific objects, short term memory loss, self identity disorder and lack of self confidence. We co-related different risk factors like age, gender, socio-economic condition, unrealistic thought patter to different levels of stress feeling. Feelings of stress were most among the student of 21 - 25 years of age. Socio-economic condition is always a great factor of stress, middle class society has more stress compared to other socio-economic classes. Psychological counseling is required in educational institution to detect and prevent mental distress and stress among students.

Relationship changes in lifestyle, cardiovascular risk factors, and mental health in Japanese workers: A four-year follow up with high-risk and population strategies of the occupational health promotion (HIPOP-OHP) study

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are major causes of death in Japan, and controlling the risk factors for CVD is an important public health task. Lifestyle factors, for example, diet and stress, have impacts on risk factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Deterioration of mental health is related to CVD pathogenesis. Aim: We investigated the relationships between levels of mental health, 4-year changes in lifestyle, and CVD risk factors among Japanese workers, using the SF-36 (Japanese version), which is a comprehensive scale measuring health-related quality of life. We hypothesized that workers’ mental health levels would influence 4-year changes in their lifestyles and CVD risk factors. Methods: Data from the High-Risk and Population Strategy for Occupational Health Promotion (HIPOP-OHP) study, which were collected by examination and administration of the SF-36, were used. The relationships between mental health levels at baseline, lifestyle chan- ges, and cardiovascular risk factors were longitudinally analyzed. Subjects with total SF-36 scores ≥65 were classified as the “Good Mental Health Group,” and those with total scores <65 were classified as the “Poor Mental Health Group.” Results: Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that, as compared to people who had poor mental health, those who had good mental health at baseline had a significantly higher probability of good maintenance of improvements in body mass index, (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.39), blood pressure (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.43), total cholesterol (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.86 - 1.33) and HDL cholesterol (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07 - 1.47). Conclusion: Japanese workers with good mental health tend to improve or maintain good lifestyle conditions and minimize CVD risk factors, while those with poor mental health generally have difficulty improving their lifestyles and lowering their CVD risk.