Physical and immunological aspects of exercise in chronic diseases.

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are believed to be independent risk factors for the occurrence of numerous diseases, including, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health, all leading to substantial morbidity and/or premature death. It has been found that regular exercise, is associated with better quality of life and health outcomes, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Here, we review the effects regular exercise has on mental health and well-being, on the immune system and in cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmunity and metabolic syndrome. Is exercise the new immunotherapy to treat diseases

The epidemiological landscape of anemia in women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa

The role of geographical disparities of health-related risk factors with anemia are poorly documented for women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We aimed to determine the contribution of potential factors and to identify areas at higher risk of anemia for women in reproductive age in SSA. Our study population comprised 27 nationally representative samples of women of reproductive age (15–49) who were enrolled in the Demographic and Health Surveys and conducted between 2010 and 2019 in SSA. Overall, we found a positive association between being anemic and the ecological exposure to malaria incidence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.02], and HIV prevalence (AOR = 1.01, CI 1.01–1.02). Women currently pregnant or under deworming medication for the last birth had 31% (AOR = 1.31, CI 1.24–1.39) and 5% (AOR = 1.05, CI 1.01–1.10) higher odds of having anemia, respectively. Similarly, women age 25–34 years old with low education, low income and living in urban settings had higher odds of having anemia. In addition, underweight women had 23% higher odds of suffering anemia (AOR = 1.23, CI 1.15–1.31). Females with low levels of education and wealth index were consistently associated with anemia across SSA. Spatial distribution shows increased risk of anemia in Central and Western Africa. Knowledge about the contribution of known major drivers and the spatial distribution of anemia risk can mitigate operational constraints and help to design geographically targeted intervention programs in SSA

Cost of Care Among Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Lagos, Nigeria

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health challenge. Currently it is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide, and Nigeria ranks fourth amongst 22 high-burden countries for the disease. This study sought to appraise the direct and indirect costs borne by TB patients attending the Chest Clinics at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and Mainland Hospital, (formerly Infectious Disease Hospital), Yaba, both in Lagos, Nigeria. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2008, recruiting all consenting TB patients that had commenced treatment at the Chest Clinics of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of 205 pretested, self-administered questionnaires and analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 12.0; SPSS Inc. 2003). Long-run average costs were employed in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Guidelines for Cost and Cost- Effectiveness Analysis of Tuberculosis Control, converting at US$1=N120. Result Throughout the duration of treatment, the typical TB patient earned an annual income of fifteen thousand, seven hundred and ninety five thousand naira only (N15, 795), equivalent to about one hundred and thirty-two dollars (US$132) and spent 7% of this on transport fare to attend his clinic daily. Direct costs (medical and non-medical) ranged between US$113 and US$401 with an average of US$161.28. This equates to 10$199) in indirect costs. Conclusion Direct and indirect costs of TB are exorbitant in Nigeria, and are especially due to poor social infrastructure and transport facilities

Knowledge of Nigerian laboratory technologists and mortuary attendants on various methods of embalming techniques

Embalmment is the method of preservation of bodies after death and in recent times, different methods have been developed in order to preserve the bodies more accurately and more perfectly. This study wasdesigned to test the knowledge of Nigeria laboratory technologists and mortuary attendants on various methods of embalmment techniques. Semi structured questionnaire was administered to 72 randomly selectedrespondents comprising of laboratory and mortuary attendants (94.4% males and 5.6% females) from different Medical schools, teaching and general hospitals and funeral homes across the country. 41.7% of therespondents are laboratory technologists in anatomy departments, 48.6% are mortuary attendants and 7.9% are embalmers at funeral homes. All the respondents are very knowledgeable about the arterial embalmment while about 2.3% have some knowledge about plastination method of embalmment. We came to the conclusion that the respondents need to have training and re-training in various methods of modern embalmment techniques in order for them to cope with the day to day challenges required in embalmment services

Ten-year trends in major lifestyle risk factors using an ongoing population surveillance system in Australia

BACKGROUND: Understanding how risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol) change over time is a critical aim of public health. The associations across the social gradient over time are important considerations. Risk factor surveillance systems have a part to play in understanding the epidemiological distribution of the risk factors so as to improve preventive measures and design public health interventions for reducing the burden of disease. METHODS: Representative, cross-sectional data were collected in South Australia using telephone interviews, conducted on a minimum of 600 randomly selected people (of all ages) each month. Data were collected from January 2004 to December 2013. Unadjusted prevalence over time, the relative percentage change over the 10 years, and the absolute change of the risk factors with sex, age group, and socio-economic status (SES) estimates are presented. RESULTS: In total 55,548 adults (≥18 years) were interviewed (mean age = 47.8 years, 48.8% male). Decreases were apparent for insufficient physical activity, inadequate fruit and vegetables, smoking, and soft drink consumption of ≥500 ml/day. Increases were found over the 10 years for obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and for those with no risk factors. Apparent differences were noticeable by different sex, age, and SES categories. While increases in physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption and decreases in smoking prevalence and multiple risk factors are to be expected in 2020-2021, the prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are expected to increase. CONCLUSIONS: Public health efforts in increasing the proportion of the population undertaking appropriate risk factor behavior are showing signs of success, with data from 2004 to 2013 showing encouraging trends. Deriving comparable trends over time by key demographics and SES variables provides evidence for policymakers and health planners to encourage interventions aimed at preventing chronic disease.Anne W Taylor, Eleonora Dal Grande, Jing Wu, Zumin Shi and Stefano Campostrin

Physical activity domains and risk of gastric adenocarcinoma in the MCC-Spain case-control study.

BACKGROUND:Evidence for a protective role of physical activity against development of stomach cancer is yet inconclusive. We studied the association of domain-specific physical activity and the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC), by site and histology, in the MCC-Spain case-control study. METHODS: 428 histologically confirmed GAC cases (67% men) including the gastro-esophageal region and 3225 controls were included. Cases were recruited in hospitals from 10 different Spanish regions, whereas population controls were randomly selected within the respective hospitals' catchment areas. A physical activity (PA) questionnaire was used to gather information on household and recreational activities, allowing estimation of PA volume (in metabolic equivalents (MET)-min/week). Participants also reported the intensity of working PA and daily sitting time. Questionnaire data on diet, lifestyles and clinical variables including Helicobacter pylori serology were available. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) of GAC were estimated for domains of physical activity, stratifying by sex, site (cardia vs. non-cardia), and Lauren classification (intestinal vs. diffuse). RESULTS: Household physical activity (HPA) showed a strong inverse association with GAC, observed for both cardia and non-cardia tumours. Risk of overall gastric cancer was 50% lower risk among participants in the highest HPA category (OR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.66). Recreational physical activity (RPA) was also associated with lower overall GAC risk (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.88), particularly at moderate levels of intensity such as walking (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.79). The protective effect of RPA was strongest for non-cardia tumours. Sedentary time was not related to GAC risk (p-trend = 0.392), but the potential protective effect of RPA was restricted to non-sedentary participants. CONCLUSIONS: Both household and recreational physical activities were independently related to lower GAC risk in the MCC-Spain stud