Prevalence and associated factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy: A population based study in rural Bangladesh

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Few studies have examined the associated factors of antepartum depressive and anxiety symptoms (ADS and AAS) in low-income countries, yet the World Health Organization identifies depressive disorders as the second leading cause of global disease burden by 2020. There is a paucity of research on mental disorders and their predictors among pregnant women in Bangladesh. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and explore the associated factors in a cross-section of rural Bangladeshi pregnant women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study used cross-sectional data originating from a rural community-based prospective cohort study of 720 randomly selected women in their third trimester of pregnancy from a district of Bangladesh. The validated Bangla version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to measure ADS, and a trait anxiety inventory to assess general anxiety symptoms. Background information was collected using a structured questionnaire at the respondents' homes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence of ADS was 18% and AAS 29%. Women's literacy (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37-0.95), poor partner relationship (OR 2.23, 95% CI 3.37-3.62), forced sex (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01-3.75), physical violence by spouse (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.02-2.80), and previous depression (OR 4.62 95% CI 2.72-7.85) were found to be associated with ADS. The associated factors of AAS were illiteracy, poor household economy, lack of practical support, physical partner violence, violence during pregnancy, and interaction between poor household economy and poor partner relationship.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Depressive and anxiety symptoms are found to occur commonly during pregnancy in Bangladesh, drawing attention to a need to screen for depression and anxiety during antenatal care. Policies aimed at encouraging practical support during pregnancy, reducing gender-based violence, supporting women with poor partner relationships, and identifying previous depression may ameliorate the potentially harmful consequences of antepartum depression and anxiety for the women and their family, particularly children.</p

Depressed mood in pregnancy: Prevalence and correlates in two Cape Town peri-urban settlements

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The disability associated with depression and its impact on maternal and child health has important implications for public health policy. While the prevalence of postnatal depression is high, there are no prevalence data on antenatal depression in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of depressed mood in pregnancy in Cape Town peri-urban settlements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study reports on baseline data collected from the Philani Mentor Mothers Project (PMMP), a community-based, cluster-randomized controlled trial on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. The PMMP aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based intervention for preventing and managing illnesses related to HIV, TB, alcohol use and malnutrition in pregnant mothers and their infants. Participants were 1062 pregnant women from Khayelitsha and Mfuleni, Cape Town. Measures included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Derived AUDIT-C, indices for social support with regards to partner and parents, and questions concerning socio-demographics, intimate partner violence, and the current pregnancy. Data were analysed using bivariate analyses followed by logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Depressed mood in pregnancy was reported by 39% of mothers. The strongest predictors of depressed mood were lack of partner support, intimate partner violence, having a household income below R2000 per month, and younger age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high prevalence of depressed mood in pregnancy necessitates early screening and intervention in primary health care and antenatal settings for depression. The effectiveness and scalability of community-based interventions for maternal depression must be developed for pregnant women in peri-urban settlements.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00972699">NCT00972699</a>.</p

Letter to the Editors - Tubercular endometritis detected through Pap smear campaign in Enugu, Nigeria

In a series of 3,267 cervical smears examined in Enugu, Nigeria, from 1993 through 2010, there was a single positive case of tuberculosis (TB). It was found in a 55-year-old, Para 7, postmenopausal woman. Treatment for tuberculosis was instituted successfully

A Study on Cultivation of Indigenous Mushrooms in South Eastern Nigeria

Studies were carried out to investigate cultivation of some indigenous edible mushrooms in Anambra State. The most suitable substrates for cultivation of Pleurotus tuberregium and Volvariella volvacea were also investigated. Spawn of V. volvacea was obtained from the Department of Life Science, University of Benin, Edo State and sclerotia of P. Tuberregium purchased from Eke Awka Market, Anambra State were used for this study. Plantain leaves and oil palm bunch wastes were substrates employed for V. volvacea whereas topsoil was used for P. tuberregium cultivation. The methods used were site preparation, substrate preparation, soil preparation, sclerotia preparation, cultivation of sclerotia, irrigation, spawn cultivation and harvesting of mushrooms. Means were analyzed statistically using (ANOVA) to test for significance. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests (DMRT).The highest number of fruit bodies of V. volvacea, 312.68 was obtained from plantain leaves on day 2 after primordial emergence whereas the least, 21.00 was recorded from oil palm bunch wastes on days 6 and 14, respectively. The highest number of P. tuberregium, 61.58 was recorded on day 12 after primordial emergence while the least, 20.49 was recorded on days 7, 13 and 14, respectively. All the three substrates utilized for cultivation of mushrooms in this study supported their growth and development. Plantain leaves supported fast colonization and produced high yield fruit bodies of V. volvacea. The ability to use agricultural wastes for cultivation of mushrooms will boost food production for ever increasing population

Effect of Protein Extract of Mangifera indica Pollen on the Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cell) of Albino Rats

This study was carried out to show the effect of the protein extract of Mangifera indica on the red blood cell (erythrocytes) of albino rats. The Mangifera protein was extracted using 500ml of 0.02m (20mM) phosphate- buffered saline (PBS), at pH 7.4, in a large beaker (stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 3 hours at room temperature). The crude extract was saturated to 60% by adding solid ammonium sulphate under constant gentle attiring, and then stored in a refrigerator for 6 hours. Sixteen male albino rats obtained from animal house in Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka was used for the study. They were divided into two groups of eight. One group was labeled the experimental group and the other control. The extract was administered to the experimental rats intra nasally for a period of seven (7) days. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error. Means were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). Blood samples were collected via the orbital plexus of rats to determine the effect of the extract on red blood cell (erythrocytes). The present study demonstrated that the extracted pollen of Mangifera indica had no allergic effect on ratsand so would need to be further investigated

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanol and Methanol Extracts of Lantana camara Leaf

This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities of ethanol and methanol leaf extracts of Lantana camara Linn against some clinical pathogens. The ethanol and methanol extracts were obtained by soaking each of the powdered leaf in each solvent. The soaked powdered leaf was allowed to stand for four days at room temperature and later filtered using Whatman filter paper. The filtrate was further concentrated using rotary evaporator and then freeze-dried. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanol and methanol leaf extracts was carried out using agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical analysis was done using standard techniques. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test for significance. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results of the antimicrobial activity revealed that V. cholerae was the most susceptible while E. coli was the most resistant to plant extracts. The phytochemicals present in the plant leaf had antimicrobial properties and may serve as a good substitute for resistant human pathogens