Time trends in smoking in Russia in the light of recent tobacco control measures: synthesis of evidence from multiple sources

Background - The study aims at identifying long-term trends and patterns of current smoking by age, gender, and education in Russia, including the most recent period from 2008 during which tobacco control policies were implemented, and to estimate the impact on mortality of any reductions in prevalence. We present an in-depth analysis based on an unprecedentedly large array of survey data. Methods - We examined pooled micro-data on smoking from 17 rounds of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Study of 1996–2016, 11 other surveys conducted in Russia in 1975–2017, and two comparator surveys from England and the USA. Standardization by age and education, regression and meta-analysis were used to estimate trends in the prevalence of current smoking by gender, age, and educational patterns. Results - From the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s smoking prevalence among men was relatively stable at around 60%, after which time prevalence declined in every age and educational group. Among women, trends in smoking were more heterogeneous. Prevalence more than doubled above the age of 55 years from very low levels ( Conclusions - The implementation of an effective tobacco control strategy in Russia starting in 2008 coincided with a decline in smoking prevalence among men from what had been stable, high levels over many decades regardless of age and education. Among women, the declines have been more uneven, with young women showing recent downturns, while the smoking prevalence in middle age has increased, particularly among those with minimal education. Among men, these positive changes will have made a small contribution to the reduction in mortality seen in Russia since 2005

Long-term trends in blood pressure and hypertension in Russia: an analysis of data from 14 health surveys conducted in 1975-2017

Background Hypertension is recognized as an important contributor to high cardiovascular mortality in Russia. A comprehensive analysis of data from Russian studies that measured blood pressure in population-based samples has not been previously undertaken. This study aims to identify trends and patterns in mean blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension in Russia over the most recent 40 years. Methods We obtained anonymized individual records of blood pressure measurements from 14 surveys conducted in Russia in 1975-2017 relating to a total of 137,687 individuals. For comparative purposes we obtained equivalent data from 4 surveys in the USA and England for 23,864 individuals. A meta-regression on aggregated data adjusted for education was undertaken to estimate time trends in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (> 140/90 mmHg), and hypertension (defined as elevated blood pressure and/or the use of blood pressure-lowering) medication. A meta-analysis of pooled individual-level data was used to assess male-female differences in blood pressure and hypertension. Results During the period 1975-2017 mean blood pressure, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension remained stable among Russian men. Among Russian women, mean systolic blood pressure decreased at an annual rate of 0.25 mmHg (p < 0.1) at age 35-54 years and by 0.8 mmHg (p < 0.01) at ages 55 and over. The prevalence of elevated blood pressure also decreased by 0.8% per year (p < 0.01), but the prevalence of hypertension remained stable. Mean blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension were higher in Russia compared to the USA and England at all ages and for both sexes. Conclusions In contrast to the generally observed downward trend in elevated blood pressure in many other countries, levels in Russia have changed little over the past 40 years, although there are some positive trends among women. Improved strategies to bring down the high levels of mean blood pressure and hypertension in Russia compared to countries such as England and the USA are important to further reduce the high burden of CVD in Russia

Vermicompost leachate (Vermiliquer) as a liquid fertilizer for hydroponically-grown pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) in the tropics

Vermicompost leachate (vermiliquer) is the liquid obtained from frequent washing of worms, organic inputs and casts. It is rich in nutrients for plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of vermiliquer as an alternative to inorganic nutrient sources in hydorponics

Vermicompost leachate (Vermiliquer) as a liquid fertilizer for hydroponically-grown pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) in the tropics

Vermicompost leachate (vermiliquer) is the liquid obtained from frequent washing of worms, organic inputs and casts. It is rich in nutrients for plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of vermiliquer as an alternative to inorganic nutrient sources in hydorponics

Sociodemographic and behavioral factors of pre-obesity and obesity among adult Russians

Based on data from the 2021 Sample Population Health Survey, the paper assesses the prevalence and socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors of pre-obesity and obesity among the adult population of Russia. A standard approach for epidemiological studies was used: body weight was assessed using the Body Mass Index (BMI). The influence of risk factors was determined by logistic regressions. It was revealed that the average BMI value among men is 26.9 kg/m2 and among women - 26.8 kg/m2. At the age of 18 and over, 67.2% of men and 57.9% of women are overweight, and 19.5% of men and 24.9% of women are obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increases with age but decreases after age 75. There is a relationship between pre-obesity and eating habits of men and women: frequent consumption of foods high in salt, sausage and meat products, and sweets. Obesity in men is associated with the same factors as pre-obesity. Among women, the consumption of sweets and smoked meat products ceases to have a significant effect on the likelihood of obesity. A comparison of our results with the results of previous studies makes it possible to conclude that there is no significant change in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Russians. A sustainable influence of behavioral and eating habits allows us to conclude that it is necessary to conduct a state awareness campaign about components of a healthy lifestyle and develop measures to increase commitment to physical education, sports, and healthy eating among the population

Sociodemographic and behavioral factors of pre-obesity and obesity among adult Russians

Based on data from the 2021 Sample Population Health Survey, the paper assesses the prevalence and socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors of pre-obesity and obesity among the adult population of Russia. A standard approach for epidemiological studies was used: body weight was assessed using the Body Mass Index (BMI). The influence of risk factors was determined by logistic regressions. It was revealed that the average BMI value among men is 26.9 kg/m2 and among women - 26.8 kg/m2. At the age of 18 and over, 67.2% of men and 57.9% of women are overweight, and 19.5% of men and 24.9% of women are obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increases with age but decreases after age 75. There is a relationship between pre-obesity and eating habits of men and women: frequent consumption of foods high in salt, sausage and meat products, and sweets. Obesity in men is associated with the same factors as pre-obesity. Among women, the consumption of sweets and smoked meat products ceases to have a significant effect on the likelihood of obesity. A comparison of our results with the results of previous studies makes it possible to conclude that there is no significant change in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Russians. A sustainable influence of behavioral and eating habits allows us to conclude that it is necessary to conduct a state awareness campaign about components of a healthy lifestyle and develop measures to increase commitment to physical education, sports, and healthy eating among the population

Different experiences of children living in two-parent and single-parent families: Comparing generations born in the 1950s-1980s in Russia and in France

This paper examines the life-time measures and trends of children’s experiences in single-parent and two-parent families in Russia and France, within the context of generations. The study was conducted using two panel waves of GGS-Russia (2004, 2007) and GGS-France (2005, 2008). The results indicate that despite the Second Demographic Transition starting later in Russia than in France, and with approximately equal proportions of children born to single mothers, Russian children born in intact families are more likely to live in single-parent families later in life than French children. However, children born outside of a union in Russia have an advantage over French children in terms of their experiences and time spent living in two-parent families. The study of intergenerational dynamics reveals an obvious trend in Russia of an increase, from generation to generation, in the time such children spend living in two-parent families, while the same indicator in France has remained practically stable

Methodical approaches to economic assessment of farming system efficiency taking into account quality of the land resources

The existing methodical approaches to the assessment of the farming system efficiency and agricultural lands are based on the physical hectares not taking into account quality of the plots, and thus it distorts the reliability of the calculation of indices. The existing methods of determination of cadastral price of the agricultural lands comprise the variety of qualitative indicators. In connection with this we suggest the methods of assessment of the farming system efficiency in accordance with the output factors per 1 ruble of cadastral value of the agricultural lands: gross (commodity) output of crop production (technologic efficiency coefficient of land resources); income of production and realization of crop production and animal husbandry products with and without state support (land resources net profit ratio with and without state support), level of state support efficiency. For comparison, the index method is used. The researches prove that indices taking into account cadastral assessment of land resources differ from indices calculated in accordance with physical values and allow judging of influence of land resources quality on technological as well as on economic result, and also assess comparative level and efficiency of state support rendered. The method implies carrying out comparative assessment of efficiency of developing and existing farming systems in regard to agricultural enterprises, regions, agricultural zones and also assessment of the level and efficiency of state support using indices of the cadastral assessment