bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental health risk factors and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL): A case-control study in northeastern Iran
Authors: Sarmadi Mohammad , Bagherian Zahra , Ahmadi-Soleimani S. Mohammad , Rezaiemanesh Mohammad Reza , Khodamoradi Farzad , Rahimi Sajjad , Azizi Hakim 
Published: April 2023

Background & objectives:
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the main causes of vector-born diseases in younger population. To evaluate the association of environmental health factors on the odds of CL incidence, a case-control study was conducted in northeastern Iran.

Methods:
This study was conducted within 2020–2021 based on individual and household data from a tertiary referral center. Cases were patients diagnosed with CL by PCR method; controls were selected among the patients’ relatives, and information was obtained from a health registry system. Demographic and socioeconomic data of 1871 subjects, included age, sex, household information and environmental health factors. Multivariable models with environmental factors in various conditions and CL were separately fit by univariate and mixed multiple unconditional logistic regression.

Results:
Participants included 617 cases (mean [SD] age, 13.62[13.72] years; 58.20% male) and 1264 controls (mean [SD] age, 16.45[15.44] years; 50.40% male). Results revealed that the use of well-water sources compared to surface water is significantly associated with CL (odds ratio [OR]=0.204; 95%CI, 0.13-0.33;P<0.001). Muddy houses, ruined buildings or wastelands and stagnant water, canals and rivers near the houses were also associated with CL (OR=3.85; 95%CI, 1.66-8.89; P=.002; OR=2.47; 95%CI, 1.76-3.47; P<.001). Besides, existence of pine tree was found to be a risk factor (OR=3.25; 95%CI, 2.12-4.99; P<.001) and similarly for the use of waste collection system (OR=4.43; 95%CI, 3.32-7.51; P<.001).

Interpretation & conclusion:
Environmental factors related to houses were significantly associated with CL and may represent the modifiable risk factors of CL disease.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of severe malaria in Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Chang Chee Yik 
Published: April 2023

Background & objectives:
Severe malaria is a medical emergency and can lead to severe complications and death if not treated promptly and appropriately. Along with Plasmodium falciparum, P. knowlesi is increasingly recognised as a significant cause of fatal and severe malaria.

Methods:
We performed a retrospective review on 54 cases of severe malaria in a district hospital in Kapit, Sarawak, from January 2018 to May 2019. The patients’ demographics, clinical features, complications based on organ involvement, and treatment outcomes were examined.

Results:
There were 54 cases of severe malaria, with the majority being male (70%) and between the ages of 40 and 49 (26%). All patients with severe malaria were febrile or had a history of pyrexia except for one patient. P. knowlesi (81.5%) was the most common species causing severe malaria in our study, followed by P. falciparum (13%), and P. vivax (5.5%). There were no cases of severe malaria caused by P. ovale or P. malariae. Hyperparasitaemia was present in 76% of patients and the median parasitemia value at hospital admission was 33,944 parasites/μL (interquartile range: 19,920-113,285 parasites/μL). Circulatory shock was observed in 17 patients (31.5%). There were eight patients with acute renal failure and six patients with respiratory distress. One patient died as a result of severe malaria with multiorgan involvement (1.9% fatality rate).

Interpretation & conclusion:

P. knowlesi is the most common cause of severe malaria in Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia. Recognizing symptoms of severe malaria and prompt administration of antimalarial are critical for good clinical outcomes.
Self-care practices and quality of life of filariasis patients in a gram panchayat of Paschim Burdwan district, West Bengal, India
Authors: Saha Indranil , Das Russoti , Mandal Ajay Kumar , Darlami Pinki , Datta Subhajit , Ghose Gautam , Dey Sanjit 
Published: April 2023

Background & objectives:
Self-care management is one of the important components in the goal of elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and Quality of Life (QoL) has become an important deliverable in the present day health care system. The objective was to assess the self-care management of the affected limb and to find out the quality of life who were suffering from lymphoedema.

Methods:
This was a community-based cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted during 2019–2020 in a Gourbazar gram panchayat area of Paschim Burdwan district of West Bengal, India. QoL was assessed by Lymphatic Filariasis Specific Quality of life Questionnaire (LFSQQ).

Results:
Total 115 LF patients were identified with a mean age of 53.9 years. About 26.1% correctly knew the management of the affected area. Out of the 33 patients having cracked skin, around 39.4% used to take care of the affected skin. Overall, median quality of life score was found to be 77.84 (65.90–89.20). Age-wise, median score gradually decreased with increase in age except in the age group of 50–60 years. Males had higher score compared to females (79.54 vs. 76.13). Activity domain score was found to be lowest followed by mobility score, while social and psychological domain score was found to be good.

Interpretation & conclusion:
Self-care practice is not known to the affected patients. Time has also come to integrate measures like rehabilitation, psychological intervention, social assistance in addition to self-care management to put up a holistic approach of the existing program.
Effects of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine on maternal, neonatal and placental malaria in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Onoja Helen , Nduka Florence , Abah Austin 
Published: April 2023

Background & objectives:
The utilization of Intermittent Preventive Treatment (sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine) in pregnancy (IPTp-SP) for combating malaria has indicated control over adverse birth outcomes and has been recommended for use by pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of IPTp-SP on maternal, neonatal and placental malaria in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods:
316 samples of maternal peripheral blood (MPB), placental blood (PLB), neonatal cord blood (NCB) and placental tissue (PT) were collected each from consenting mothers. Blood samples were processed and stained by the Giemsa method. Placental tissues were processed and stained in haematoxylin. Examination of samples for malaria parasitaemia was carried out using standard parasitological methods. Demography of participants was collected through questionnaires and from ante natal care (ANC) records.

Results:
Overall prevalence of 74 (23.42%) was recorded. Age-related prevalence indicated that ≤ 20 years, 9 (56.25%) had the highest prevalence followed by 21–30 years (23.48%), and ≥41 years (16.67%) (p <0.05). Malaria in MPB showed that SP-users had 26 (13.20%) while non-users had 48 (40.33%) (p <0.05). In NCB, SP-users recorded 20 (10.15%) while non-users had 13 (10.92) (p>0.05). The prevalence in PLB and PT revealed that SP-users had a lower prevalence in PLB, 31 (15.73%) and PT, 12 (6.09%) while non-users recorded a higher prevalence 48 (40.33%) in PLB and 21 (17.65%) in PT (P<0.05).

Interpretation & conclusion:
The utilization of IPTp-SP is seen to significantly reduce the occurrence of malaria in pregnancy, placental tissue and in neonates thereby helping in improving birth outcomes.
Prevalence of hepatitis-B virus co-infection among people living with HIV in Mthatha region of South Africa
Authors: Kaswa Ramprakash , De Villiers Marietjie 
Published: April 2023

Background: Hepatitis-B virus (HBV) co-infection among people living with HIV (PLWH) is highly endemic in South Africa. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine for the last four decades, chronic HBV infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among PLWH. Although the incidence of most opportunistic infections has been reduced in individuals with HIV since the implementation of the universal test and treat program in South Africa, HBV co-infection among PLWH is still accounting for high morbidity and mortality.
Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in King Sabata Dalindyebo sub-district municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to determine the prevalence of HBV co-infection among PLWH.
Results: Two-thirds (65.5%) of the 602 PLWH who participated in the study had been screened for HBV co-infection. The mean age of the participants was 38.8±10.5 years and the majority (75.1%) were female. The prevalence of HBV co-infection among PLWH was 12.2%; among males were three times more frequently than females (OR=3, 95% CI 1.6-5.6, p=0.001). The median CD4 count of participants was 508 cell/mm3 (inter-quadrantile range = 307 to 715) and there was no significant association between HBV co-infection and CD4 count.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of HBV co-infection among PLWH in the Mthatha region of South Africa. The high prevalence of HBV co-infection indicates the need for routine screening for hepatitis B among PLWH in South Africa.
Keywords: HBV; HIV; PLWH; UTT; morbidity; and mortality.
Prevalence of depression in people with tuberculosis in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Getinet Alemu Wondale , Amare Zeleke Tadele 
Published: April 2023

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental health problems comorbid with tuberculosis. However, a consolidated picture of the prevalence of depression among tuberculosis patients in East Africa remains unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide new understandings by systematically examining evidence concerning the prevalence of depression among tuberculosis patients in East Africa.
Methods: Literature was found in a database of HINARI, SCOPUS, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The Newcastle- Ottawa quality assessment scale was used to appraise the quality of the selected studies. Then, the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was applied because of the presence of heterogeneity among studies.
Results: A total of 409 studies were accessed. However, only 29 qualified for a full-text review, and 9 studies with a population of 2838 were included in the qualitative description and quantitative analysis. The pooled prevalence estimate of depression amongst tuberculosis patients was 43.03 % (34.93, 51.13). The highest prevalence was observed in Kenya, with 45.71% (29.26, 62.16); a similar rate was observed in Ethiopia, with 45.11 % (34.60, 55.62). Subgroup analysis based on screening tool was used: 45.71% with BDI and 41.53% with PHQ.
Keywords: Depression; East Africa; meta-analysis; systematic review; TB patients.
Community knowledge and practice of malaria prevention in Ghindae, Eritrea, a Cross-sectional study
Authors: Kidane Andegiorgish Amanuel , Goitom Semhar , Mesfun Kidane , Hagos Michael , Tesfaldet Mussie , Habte Eyasu , Azeria Eyob , Zeng Lingxia 
Published: April 2023

Background: Little is known about community knowledge and practice towards malaria prevention in Ghindae, Eritrea.
Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study design was employed among 380 households. Participants were selected systematically.
Result: More than eight-tenth (86.5%) of the respondents had heard information about malaria preceding the survey; health facilities (54.1%), television (23.7%). Majority (94.2%) mentioned mosquito bite as the main mode of malaria transmission. Fever was the predominantly (89.2%) identified sign/symptoms of malaria. ITN (84.4%) and environmental sanitation (67.3%) were well recognized preventive measures for malaria. Though most households (91%) possess bed nets, but only 37% were ragged on observation. Overall, 64% of the respondents have satisfactory knowledge and 57.3% had adequate practice towards malaria prevention. Malaria knowledge was significantly associated with increased age (p=0.001) and district areas (p=0.022). Malaria prevention practice was significantly associated with Tigrigna and Saho ethnic group (p=0.013), and districts (p=0.02). Districts showed significant difference with an OR=4.56 (95%CI, 1.29-16.09) on knowledge for district 04 and OR=1.98(95%- CI, 1.21-3.26) on practice for district 03 compared to district 01. Knowledge was associated with prevention (OR=1.99, 95%CI, 1.28-3.09).
Conclusion: Overall community knowledge and practice towards malaria prevention were satisfactory. Furthermore, comprehensive community interventions are paramount for effective sustainable control.
Keywords: Malaria; knowledge; practice; prevention; Ghindae; Eritrea.
Low frequency of knockdown resistance mutation (L1014F) and the efficacy of PBO synergist in multiple insecticide-resistant populations of Anopheles gambiae in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Ifeoluwa Kayode Fagbohun , Emmanuel Taiwo Idowu , Adedapo O Adeogun , Olalekan Olagundoye , Precious Chimdalu Ikebaku , Iyanuoluwa Olayilola Orisaheyi , Tolulope Amos Oyeniyi , Chinenye Lynda Nkemeh , Olubunmi Adetoro Otubanjo , Oladosu Otubanjo Yusuf , Adetoro Olubunmi 
Published: April 2023

Objective: We evaluated the susceptibility status of Anopheles gambiae in two communities of Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria to DDT, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and bendiocarb.
Methods: Anopheles immature stages were collected from their habitats in the surveyed community and allowed to emerge before exposure adult females to discriminating doses of WHO insecticides including DDT, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, bendiocarb and malathion. PBO synergistic bioassay was conducted for insecticides where the mosquito samples showed resistance. PCR assay was used for the detection of kdr mutation in the mosquitoes.
Results: Resistance to DDT (40% and 86%) and lambda cyhalothrin (75% and 84%) in Oke-Ota and Majidun respectively. Suspected resistance to deltamethrin (94.9%) and bendiocarb (93.5%) was recorded in Oke-Ota community and the mosquitoes were susceptible to malathion in both communities. KDR mutation (L1014F) from resistance samples from both locations though with a low frequency that significantly departs from Hardy-Weinberg’s probability (P> 0.01). PBO synergized bioassay was able to increase knockdown, percentage mortality and restore full susceptibility to deltamethrin and bendiocarb.
Conclusion: Results from this study indicates that the metabolic resistance mechanism is highly implicated in the resistance to different classes of insecticide in Ikorodu and this should be taken into consideration when implementing vector control activities in this area.
Keywords: Malaria; Anopheles gambiae; insecticide resistance; knockdown resistance; metabolic resistance.
Association between educational attainment and risky sexual behaviour among Ghanaian female youth
Authors: Jackson Frederica , T Haile Zelalem 
Published: April 2023

Background: Ghanaian female youth aged 15-24 years are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to their male counterparts.Objectives: This study examined the association between educational attainment and risky sexual behavior among Ghanaian female youth.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a nationally representative sample of youth from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n=1702). The outcome of interest was risky sexual behavior, defined as having last intercourse with a non-marital partner without condoms. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were utilized.
Results: Overall, the prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 66.9%. In the bivariate analysis, risky sexual behavior differed by level of education. Compared to women with a college-level education, a significantly higher proportion of women with secondary education reported risky sexual behavior (72.9%), followed by those with primary education (65.7%) (p<0.001). In the multivariable-adjusted model, there was a significant interaction between education and household wealth index (P =0.030) and between education and the type of place of residence (P =0.045) on risky sexual behavior.
Conclusion: Culturally appropriate and targeted interventions are warranted to increase condom use among these subgroups and curb the rising rates of STIs among Ghanaian female youth.
Keywords: Ghanaian youth; risky sexual behavior; educational attainment.
Association of pro-fibrinolytic receptor AnnexinA2 with tissue plasminogen activator/Inhibitor-1 in pre-eclampsia
Authors: Ruikar Komal , Khode Vitthal , S Shetty Shilpa , E Sarathkumar , Patil Prakash , Patil Satish , Bargale Anil , Sadashiv Roshni , Shetty Praveenkumar 
Published: April 2023

Background: The clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia are related to placental anti-angiogenic factor alteration. These variations are mainly due to the alteration of plasminolytic components. The study aims to compare the expression of plasminolytic components in the placenta of women with and without pre-eclampsia.
Material and Methods: The study included pregnant women with pre-eclampsia as PE group (n = 30) and without pre-eclampsia as a control group (n = 30). Placental bed biopsy tissues were collected. AnxA2, tPA, PAI-1 expression in the placental villous tissue was quantitatively evaluated using immunohistochemistry, western blot, and real time-PCR analysis.
Results: The results of the study showed a significant decrease in the expression of ANXA2 and increased expression of tPA and PAI-1 in PE group compared to control group (p<0.005). AnxA2 expression showed positive correlation with tPA (r=+0.895, p=0.002) and negative correlation with PAI-1(r=-0.905, p=0.020) in control group whereas in the PE group AnxA2 expression was negatively correlated with tPA ((r=-0.801, p=0.016) and PAI-1 (R=-0.831, P=0.010).
Conclusion: Decreased AnxA2 with increased expression of PAI-1 and tPA may be responsible for the altered fibrinolytic activity and play a significant role in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis.
Keywords: Pre-eclampsia; fibrinolysis; AnxA2; tPA; PAI-1.
Evaluation of sexual function and sexual quality of life in women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: the Turkish case
Authors: Mamuk Rojjin , Yurtsever Çelik Sultan , Temizkan Sekizler Emine 
Published: April 2023

Background: Sexual health is an important component of general health.
Objective: To evaluate sexual function and sexual quality of life (SQOL) in women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. Data were collected via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Sexual Quality of Life–Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire.
Results: The mean FSFI score was 26.91±5.62, and 39.1% of the women had an FSFI score of 26.55 or lower. The mean SQOL-F score was 79.08±20.90. FSFI score was significantly associated with employment status (β=-0.661), partner education (β=1.698), sexual compatibility between partners (β=0.518), sexual satisfaction (β=0.230), fatigue level (β= -0.120), and frequency of sexual intercourse (β=0.160). In addition, SQOL-F score was significantly associated with sexual desire (β=2.625), satisfaction (β=1.338), pain or discomfort (β=1.274), age (β= -0.356), sexual compatibility between partners (β=1.984), and fatiguelevel (β=-0.981) (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Less than half of the women participating in this study had sexual dysfunction, and overall SQOL was moderate to high. These results were associated with some descriptive characteristics of the women and were similar to those reported in pre-pandemic studies conducted in Turkey.
Keywords: COVID-19; quality of sex life; sexuality; sexual function; women.
Mothers’ cord care practices in an academic hospital in Kenya
Authors: M Kyololo O’Brien , J Kipkoech Maculater 
Published: April 2023

Background: Nearly 99% of neonatal deaths globally occur in low- and middle-income countries with about three-quarters of the neonatal deaths resulting from sepsis including those arising from cord infections. Thus, good cord care practices have the potential to reduce the neonatal deaths in low and middle-income countries such as Kenya.
Objective: Describe cord care practices of mothers in an academic hospital in Kenya.
Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 114 mothers attending child welfare clinic at 6 weeks in an academic hospital in Western Kenya. Descriptive statistics were computed for continuous variables while frequencies were computed for categorical variables. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to check for association between maternal variables and cord care practices.
Results: Most mothers applied chlorhexidine (n =73, 64%) or practiced dry cord care (n = 17, 14.9%). Some mothers (12.9%) applied potentially harmful substances including saliva, ash and soil. Mothers who attended at least three antenatal clinic visits practiced the recommended cord care (χ 2 =16.02, p. = 0.03).Conclusions: Although mothers predominantly practiced the recommended cord care, some potentially deleterious practices were reported. There is need to encourage attendance to antenatal clinic in order to optimize umbilical cord care practices.
Keywords: Cord care; practices; neonates; mothers; Kenya.
Analysis of the proportion of university teaching hospital gastric cancer data included in the Zambia national cancer registry
Authors: Shumba Samson , Kayamba Violet 
Published: April 2023

Background: The exact prevalence of gastric cancer in Zambia is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of gastric cancer cases seen at the largest hospital in Zambia, whose records were included in the Zambia National Cancer Registry (ZNCR).
Methods: We reviewed gastric cancer records between January 2015 and December 2017 from the University Teaching Hospital, Cancer Diseases Hospital and ZNCR. Statistical analysis was done using Stata version 15.
Results: We reviewed 94 patient records (42 were females) with a mean age of 59 years (standard deviation, 14.9). Histologically, the majority of the cases were adenocarcinoma (84%). Of the reviewed records, only 39/94 (42%) had their data included in the ZNCR. Median time to from endoscopic diagnosis to histopathological confirmation was 11 days (inter-quartile range; 7-20). Median time from histological confirmation to the Cancer Diseases Hospital for therapy was 8 days (IQR 2-19). Overall median survival time for gastric cancer patients was 290 days (CI 95%, 112 – 1225).
Conclusions: Data on gastric cancer reported in the ZNCR are an underestimate of the true disease burden and there is need to strengthen data collection strategies for gastric cancer in Zambia.
Keywords: Gastric cancer; survival; Zambia; outcomes.