Background: Pregnancy brings about an enormous change in women on physical, social and psychological aspects. To adopt these changes, women become vulnerable to different psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among pregnant women is ranged from 10% to 32% that has a negative impact on general health of women as well as development of children. This study was aimed to find out the prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders among pregnant women and to delineate its relationship with socio-demographic variables, physical health, and pregnancy-related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, one-staged survey-type study was conducted from January to March 2018. Through consecutive sampling, confirmed pregnant women attending antenatal care in rural area aged between 18 and above were supplied a structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic and related variables and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ)-20 for screening psychopathology of the cases. Subjects were divided into screen-positive and screen-negative cases, and a comparison was made. Results: The mean age of the cases was 24.76 ± 5.2 years. Using SRQ-20 cutoff, the prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders among the respondents was 27.5% and that was found to be 20.19%, 24.07%, and 23.28% in first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. Anxiety and depressive symptom category were significantly higher followed by somatic symptom and reduced vital energy categories among screen-positive cases than screen-negative cases. A good number of pregnancy-related variables both the social and physical were found to be significantly associated with possible psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: This study explores and supports the wide magnitude of the possibility of mental health disorders during pregnancy, predominantly depression and anxiety. There should have a provision of the routine screening of psychopathology for all pregnant women with the aim toward early identification and treatment.
We analyzed data for 6,458 children with chronic conditions. The most prevalent diagnoses were mood disorders (8.6%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 7.4%), conduct disorders (6.1%), and anxiety disorders (4.8%). Adjusted odds of having a mental health diagnosis increased with age for mood disorders and anxiety disorders and decreased with age for ADHD and conduct disorders. When compared with females, males had lower odds of being diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders and higher odds of being diagnosed with ADHD and conduct disorders. Blacks had lower odds of being diagnosed with anxiety, mood disorders, and ADHD than children in the other racial category. Hispanics had lower odds of being diagnosed with ADHD than children in the other racial category. Racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to have a mental health diagnosis than children in the other race/ethnicity category, which suggests under identification of mental health needs particularly in minority children.
Background: Community mental health professionals experience personal accomplishment as a result of emotional stressors and deficiency of perceived personal accomplishment. The purpose of this study was to measure the levels of personal accomplishment, their correlation with the levels of social support and psychological disorders, and whether social support and psychological disorders can act as factors of personal accomplishment among professionals working in community mental health settings. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2018, 80 professionals working in community mental health settings from the Association for Regional Development and Mental Health completed three scales: the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and the subscale “Personal Accomplishment” of the scale Maslach Burnout Inventory to measure social support, psychological disorders, and personal accomplishment, respectively. The technique of convenience sampling was applied. The statistical analysis was performed via the IBM statistical package for the social sciences version 22.0. The statistical significance level was set up at 0.05. Results: The levels of personal accomplishment were low (Mean: 9.85, Standard Deviation: 5.9). No statistically significant effect of social support and psychological disorders on personal accomplishment was revealed among professionals working in community mental health settings. However, a statistically significant effect of “Social Dysfunction” (F = 4.564, p = 0.036)—as a dimension of psychological disorders—on personal accomplishment was found. Also, low correlations between Personal Accomplishment and the dimensions of GHQ-28 “Social Dysfunction” (r = 0.235, p = 0.018) and “Severe Depression” (r = 0.202, p = 0.036) were observed. Conclusions: Personal accomplishment does not seem to be influenced by social support or psychological disorders. However, social dysfunction seems to have a significant impact on personal accomplishment. Therefore, further research should be conducted in order to investigate potential buffering coping mechanisms of personal accomplishment, and in turn, burnout among mental health professionals.
In this article, the author presents a discussion of resilience as it relates to recovery. Recovery is viewed through the lens of an individual’s community, culture, and spirituality. Resilience recovery creates a context in which the focus of life is no longer primarily based on problems but instead emphasizes solutions and the facilitation of wellness in a holistic sense. To sustain a life of positive well-being, one must embrace a redistribution of energy that encompasses the community’s culture and spirituality. Within a resilience-oriented setting, cultural competence is a fundamental ingredient that helps to develop trust and understanding of how members of different cultural groups define health, illness, and healing. Finally, faith and spirituality are dimensions of human existence beyond the biopsychosocial framework that can facilitate and enhance resilience and bring understanding to how people express themselves, evolve, and heal. Social service educators, practitioners, and individuals receiving services need to expand their framework to include a spiritual dimension. This paradigm shift will facilitate the change toward a holistic model of recovery and resilience which embraces a “person-first perspective.”
Background: Central to the utility of health education in the control of schistosomiasis is an understanding of the way a community perceives, understands and can explain how schistosomiasis occurs among them. Methods: In order to study the environmental, social and cultural determinants of continued schistosomiasis prevalence in Eggua, we administered semi-structured questionnaires to 372 adults between November 2012 and December 2015which asked about the perceptions, understanding of the community and the patterns of schistosomiasis. Results: The respondents ages ranged from 35 to above 60 years. 44.7% had no schooling and 39.6% had a least a primary education. 48.4%were farmers, 29.8% traders, and 1.6%fisher-folk. Majority (79%, 95% CI 76.5-83.0) were of a Christian denomination where members spend long periods in the river praying. Water contact was frequent with 89.5% visiting the rivers daily. Despite the research surveys taking place in Yewa since 2009, 81.5% of respondents did not know the cause of blood in urine, and self-reported haematuria was low, 4.6%. Latrine use was negligible, up to 95% of respondents did not have a latrine. Those who had heard about schistosomiasis were not well-educated on prevention methods; 89.5% didnt know they could be re-infected after treatment. Conclusion: Formal Health Education initiatives which consider these findings should be designed for the control of schistosomiasis in Eggua.
Previous work suggests that acute exercise may enhance episodic memory function. However, no study has evaluated whether acute exercise can enhance source memory recognition, which was the purpose of this study. A two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled intervention was employed. The experimental group walked briskly for 15 minutes with a 5-minute seated recovery task (Sudoku), while the control group engaged in a time-matched (20-min) seated task (Sudoku). Subsequently, participants completed a source episodic memory task. The experimental group recalled more words than the control group (M = 6.35, SD = 2.99 and M = 5.30, SD = 2.83, respectively; P=0.26, d=0.36). However, there were no differences in performance on the source memory recognition task (discrimination index, -0.20 vs. 1.50, t=0.64, P=0.52, d=0.20). Our results provide some evidence of non-statistically small magnitude of an exercise-induced enhancement effect on episodic memory, but our findings did not suggest a beneficial source memory effect from acute exercise.
Background: Literature review shows barriers to clinical breast examination is primarily due to lack of knowledge and non-availability of services. Breast cancer awareness and screening programme implemented in the low socio-economic group in the city of Mumbai, focussed on raising awareness levels and motivating women for clinical breast examination. The participation rate for clinical breast examination despite providing information and services was only 40-50%. The aim of the study is to understand the barriers to undergo clinical breast examination and seek suggestions for increasing their participation. Methods: A qualitative research study design using indepth interview technique was conducted in women residing in low socio-economic area in city of Mumbai. Thirty four women, selected using purposive sampling technique, were interviewed in community setting using a semi-structured indepth interview tool. Women between 40-69 years who had received health education but had not undergone clinical breast examination constituted the study sample. Results of the study are presented by coding of the responses of the participants into broad thematic area. Results: The major barriers to clinical breast examination were social reasons that included the womens priority to household chores, lack of support from family members, stress caused due to relationship problems etc., Emotional disturbances due to family stress was attributed as a reason for not remembering the contents of health talk on breast cancer. Misconceptions despite health education sessions by the health workers prevailed. Conclusions: Giving information may not be sufficient to change health seeking behaviour. There is a need to sensitise women to accord priority to their own health and teach them to deal with emotional stress and find ways to overcome social barriers.
Hiccups are repeated involuntary, intermittent spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and inspiratory intercostal muscles that results in sudden inspiration followed by a sudden closure of the glottis. It is naturally benign, self-limited but may be most of the time organic in nature and in some cases chronic, debilitating and psychogenic. Here we report a case of a 16 year old female student who developed hiccups of a psychogenic origin started by stress, which lasted for more than weeks sometime for a month and is successfully treated by antipsychotics haloperidol and psychological interventions. Physicians always face a diagnostic challenge, especially when no identifiable organic cause is elicited. However, such cases are invariably referred for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
AIM: Sense of Coherence (SOC) explains why some individuals cope up with extremely stressful life conditions and stay healthy, while others become ill and diseased. The present study was carried out to assess the SOC in parents of children with Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability and whether it has any impact on their perception of maintaining oral health of their children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted at various special schools in Bangalore. The study group consisted of parents of 30 children with Down Syndrome and parents of 30 Intellectually Disabled children. Parents of 30 healthy children formed the control group. All the children were aged between 10-15 years. Items in the SOC questionnaire were rated on a seven-point Likert scale, where participants were asked to understand each question and mark their response by circling one of the numbers from 1-7. The items were scored accordingly and the mean SOC score was calculated for each group using one-way ANOVA test. Pairwise comparison of mean SOC was done between the groups using Tukeys HSD post hoc analysis. Significance was considered at p
This editorial discusses the role that Cathepsin B may play in mediating the relationship between exercise and memory function.
Background: The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Estimator, an online calculator tool for primary prevention, can aid providers in assessing the 10-year and lifetime risks for ASCVD. Primary care physician (PCP) awareness of the ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Estimator has not been adequately examined. Objective: To assess PCP awareness of the ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Estimator. Methods: A survey was administered to PCPs during health plan provider network meetings in July 2016. The survey included questions regarding PCP awareness of the ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Estimator, as well as location and predominant socioeconomic status of the patient population. Demographic and practice variables such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, years in practice, and specialty were collected. Risk Estimator awareness was determined overall, and group differences by PCP and practice characteristics were examined using chi-square tests for categorical variables, and t-tests for continuous variables. Results: A total of 214 out of 215 physicians from the health plans Southwest and Southeast Texas regions completed the survey. Among those surveyed, 57% indicated awareness of the ASCVD Risk Estimator. PCP awareness was significantly associated with the patients socioeconomic status, where physicians treating mostly the indigent patient population were more aware of the Risk Estimator compared to those treating mostly middle- and upper-class populations. Conclusion: Over 40% of those surveyed were unaware of the ASCVD Risk Estimator, indicating a need for education among PCPs as it pertains to improving patient care in high-risk CVD patients.
ABSTRACT Background and Purpose: Chronic illnesses and non-communicable diseases are consequences of risky health behaviors established during childhood and adolescence and carried out into adulthood. These health behaviors which include alcohol use, poor dietary habits, smoking and use of psychoactive substances impact on the quality of life negatively. This study was therefore designed to investigate the health behaviors, self-efficacy and quality of life of University students. Methodology: A crosss sectional survey which involved 320 (140 males, 183 females) conveniently sampled particpants. Data was collected on health behaviors using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Identification Test 10, Nigeria Composite and Lifestyle CVD Risk Factors Questionnaire, General self-efficacy scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF and the Drug Use questionnaire DAST-10. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics of means, percentages, frequencies, pie charts, independent t-test and Chi square with α set at = 0.05. Results: The study revealed that 31.2% of the participants reported low physical activity level. Psychoactive substance use was reported in 16.4% of both populations while 9% of the entire population smoked. Most participants (53.5%) reported high consumption of carbohydrate rich foods while there was low consumption of vegetables and fruits among the students. The study revealed that clinical students had higher average scores for self-efficacy and quality of life than non-clinical students. There was a significant difference in the physical activity level (p=0.04), alcohol use (p=0.001), psychoactive substance use (p=0.003), self-efficacy (p-0.007) and quality of life (0.001) between clinical and non-clinical students. Conclusion and Recommendation: Clinical students had better self-efficacy and quality of life than non-clinical students. Both student populations engaged in risky behaviors (smoking, alcohol and psychoactive substance use) and most had poor dietary habits. Provision of enlightenment programs on the consequences of health risk behaviors to clinical and non-clinical students. Similar studies should be carried out in other geopolitical zones and on other health behaviors.
Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential contribution of invalid skewed responses to invalid factor solution in the result from exploratory factor analysis. In the present study, the invalid skewed response is defined as when majority of respondents consistently rate only at one side which will eventually change the real or valid pattern of overall responses. Methods: A validation approach was conducted using a secondary data from a questionnaire validation study of an eight Likert scale, that has a very stable and strong factor solution. Eight sub samples were retrieved from the data to represent multiple sets of analyses with sample size based on rule of thumbs from 3:1 until 10:1. From each sub sample, proportion of dummy response for the extreme left (scale of 0), the middle scale (scale of 4) and the extreme right (scale of 7) were assigned randomly at 10%, 20% and 30% respectively. Results: The invalid consistent responses of a middle scale have very low impact towards the factor solution. The occurrence of the invalid skewed responses affected the factor solution. Majority of the factor solutions were still valid based on consistent responses with 10.0% only. However, the construct that was based on forcing into 4-factor solution had helped to produce the valid factor solution though some resulted in cross-loadings. All Cronbachs alphas and minimum corrected item to total correlation were relatively strong for all factor solutions although some of the solutions were invalid. Conclusions: The skewed responses have the potential to change the ideal factor solution. Therefore, necessary steps need to be taken to avoid invalid skewed responses especially in self-administered survey. Therefore, the recommended sample size guideline for EFA with justifications is proposed.
Background and Objectives - The PHR practices are common around the world, for long the internet has been source of information, which is usually avialble from blogs, forums, social media. A lot of misinformation, misguidance is resulted because of lack of scientifically published literature providing proper information on the PHR practices. We undertook systematic review of existing population based studies to understand the prevalence, attitude, practices of PHR in published literature. Methods - We searched for population based studies across the globe for prevalence, attitude and practice of PHR in study participants on electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, J-Gate, Medline). A total of 307 titles were identified on which 9 were considered eligible for the study. Descriptive analysis was carried on the 9 identified study to know the prevalence, attitude and practices of PHR. Results The prevalence of PHR at least once was 75%, Friends(73%) were the prime motivators to initiate the first PHR activity. Personal Hygiene(69%) was cited as the most common driver for regular PHR activity. Shaving using Razor blade(58%) was the most common mode of PHR and Abrasion(34%) was the most common complication. Conclusions Pubic Hair Removal is a common practice among both males and females, the practice is initiated and propelled mostly through personal preferences. The current need is to undertake population based studies, specifically in developing countries and present the evidence backed information on dos and donts for optimum PHR experience with minimal complications.
Background: Communication Skills (CS) are one of the elements of generic skills that are essential among university students. Communication skills are referred to hearing and speech relation between people and its feedback. Medical students as the main members of the medical personal need to acquire communication skills in order to have communicate effectively and purposefully with patients . The weakness of communication between the medical staff can lead to medical mistakes and reduce the patients quality of care. So, the aim of this study was to determine the level of Communication skills Among Ardabil Medical University Students and its Association with Demographic Characteristics. Methods: This descriptiveanalytical study was conducted on 250 medical students who selected randomly of Ardabil medical university students in 2018. The data collection tool was a questionnaire included demographic data and interpersonal communication skills test (34 items) with a range of 34-170. Data analysis was done using statistical methods in SPSS version 21. Results: Of all students, 62.3% were girls and the rest were boys. The average age of students was 23.7 ± 2.3 years. Of students 54.7% had moderate communication skills and the others had high levels of communication skills. The average score of student communication skills was 98 ± 14 and there was a significant relationship between gender and communication skill levels. Of students, 36.7% also had a history of participation in individual skills workshops . Conclusion: The results indicated that students' communication skills were in moderate and girl students had higher level of communication skills than boys.
Background: There has been a great deal of research on studying variables affecting posttraumatic growth (PTG) after a crisis or traumatic event across different samples. However, there has been little research comparing common correlates of PTG for military veteran versus non-military veteran samples. Using common demographic, trauma-related and coping style variables, the research question tested if there were common correlates of PTG between a military veteran versus non-military veteran sample. Methods: Using an on-line survey we recruited 153 military veterans and 99 non-military veterans to compare on the study variables. The research design was cross-sectional. Results: Controlled-for demographic (gender, race, age, highest education level) and traumatic event variables (total number of traumatic events, how long ago most powerful traumatic event) had minimal impact on PTG. Three coping scales, positive reframing, self-distraction, and alternative work, were measured. Positive reframing was positively related to PTG for both samples. Self-distraction was a positive correlate to PTG for the non-military veteran sample, while alternative work was a positive correlate for the military veteran sample. Conclusion: Further study of the motivation factors that contribute to positive reframing and alternative work could prove interesting to determine how PTG is gained. That self-distraction was a positive correlate to PTG for the non-military veteran sample suggests that such focusing away from the trauma/crisis may be helpful. Continued research on investigating common versus differentiating correlates of PTG for different samples is needed.
Human populations display a marked variation in their patterns of health and disease. This variation, may have multiple underlying causes, which may not be completely in the hands of an individual. One such condition is Lesch Nyhan Syndrome, a rare inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), produced by mutations in the HPRT gene located on the X chromosome, where persons affected are cognitively impaired and have behavioral disturbances and an uncontrollable self-injury causing habit. This paper is a case report of this extreme condition.
Background: Unhealthy diets have been linked to undesired weight gain and poor cognitive development in adulthood. However, the link between eating pattern, weight status and academic performance have received much less attention in the young adult population. Objective: This study seeks to understand the influence of eating patterns on weight status and academic performance. Method: A structured self-administered questionnaire was completed by a representative sample of 399 undergraduates. The questionnaire explored socio-demographic characteristics, dietary diversity, food frequency pattern and meal pattern of respondents. The resulting data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The mean age (SD) of the respondents was 21.8 (±2.52) years and were mostly (35.3%) in their 3rd year of study. Most (58.6%) of the students had good dietary diversity and were mostly females (53.0%). The prevalence of unhealthy food frequency pattern (FFP) was high (80.7%) among respondents, especially among males (53.1%). There were no statistically significant relationships between FFP, weight status and academic performance (p>0.05). The majority (62.7%) had an unhealthy meal pattern, and this was higher in males (55.6%). There were no statistically significant relationships between the meal pattern, weight status and academic performance (p>0.05). However, a higher proportion of respondents with healthy eating patterns had good academic performances. Conclusion: Unhealthy eating patterns were common among undergraduates, especially among males. There was no statistically significant relationship between eating patterns, weight status and academic performance. It is recommended that policies that will promote healthy eating patterns among students be implemented in the university environment.
Though progress has been made over the past few decades regarding acceptance of same-sex relationships and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community as a whole, the negative stigma associated with being a member of the community is still prevalent in our society today (Frost, 2011). Frost (2011) explains that negative stereotypes surrounding intimacy as it is expressed in same-sex relationships generate and encourage opportunities for heterosexual relationships to continue conveying affection, while obstructing those same principles from same-sex couples. Individuals involved in same-sex relationships may abstain from engaging in public displays of affection (PDA) out of fear of social disapproval or judgment (Kent & El-Alayli, 2011). Beyond this, limited literature is available addressing public displays of affection in same-sex couples. There is equally little research available regarding parental approval of same-sex couples, particularly regarding college-aged same-sex relationships. This study found significant differences between public displays of affection and sexual orientation. This study also looked at the impact of social approval.
Background: U.S. adults experience challenges in performing and sustaining healthy behaviors to improve their cardiovascular health. Self-monitoring modalities may facilitate these lifestyle changes. Therefore, the objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the use of self-monitoring modalities and the association between the use of multiple self-monitoring modalities and participants’ population characteristics and health behaviors and status. Methods: Data was drawn for the Health Information National Trends Survey 5, Cycle 1. The study included 3,285 U.S. adults, 18 years or older. Descriptive statistics examined the use of the different types of self-monitoring modalities. Binary and ordered logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between types of self-monitoring modalities and participants’ population characteristics and health behaviors and status. Tableau Software was used to illustrate study results. Results: The average age of participants was 54.3 years. Smartphone/tablet users were more likely to have completed college (45.28%) compared to electronic monitoring device (EMD) users (41.06%) and online medical record users (34.04%). Among smartphone/tablet users, participants had significantly higher odds of consuming more > 4 cups of fruits/vegetables than 4 cups of fruits/vegetables compared to participants who consumed 150 minutes/week. Further research is warranted to understand how to utilize population characteristics and health behavior and status to promote the efficacy of self-monitoring.
