110 research outputs found
Anemia among indigenous women in Brazil:findings from the First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition
BACKGROUND: Anemia is recognized as a major public health problem that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Indigenous women of reproductive age in Brazil are thought to be at high risk, but lack of nationwide data limits knowledge about the burden of disease and its main determinants. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors in this population using data from The First National Survey of Indigenous Peopleâs Health and Nutrition in Brazil. METHODS: Data were collected from Indigenous women between 15 and 49Â years old based on a nationwide sample of villages. The outcomes of interest were hemoglobin levels (g/dL) and anemia (<Â 12Â g/dL for nonpregnant andâ<â11Â g/dL for pregnant women). Multilevel models were used to explore associations with contextual (village) and individual (household/woman) level variables. RESULTS: Based on data for 6692 Indigenous women, the nationwide mean hemoglobin level was 12.39Â g/dL (95Â % CI: 12.29â12.50). Anemia prevalence was high (33.0Â %; 95Â % CI: 30.40â35.61Â %) and showed pronounced regional disparities. No village-level characteristics were associated with anemia or hemoglobin levels in the multilevel model. Even after controlling for upper level variables, socioeconomic status, parity, body mass index, and having been treated for malaria were associated with anemia and hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia in Brazilian Indigenous women was 12Â % greater than the national estimates for women of reproductive age. Anemia prevalence and mean hemoglobin levels among Indigenous women appear to be partly explained by some previously recognized risk factors, such as socioeconomic status, body mass index, and malaria; however, part of the variability in these outcomes remains unexplained. Knowledge of health status and its potential determinants is essential to guide public policies aimed at controlling anemia burden in Indigenous communities
Obesity and asthma: an association modified by age
[Abstract] Background. Some studies indicate some causal relationship between obesity and asthma, while others show inconsistent results. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma according to obesity in children.
Methods. A cross-sectional study, following the ISAAC study methodology, was conducted on two randomly selected groups consisting of 6â7 year-old children (n = 7485) and 13â14 year-old adolescents (n = 8496).
The asthma symptoms and potential risk factors were determined from the questionnaire. Overweight and obesity were defined based on the body mass index.
Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals.
Results. Obesity was associated with an increase in wheezing ever (OR: 1.35) and exercise-induced asthma (OR: 1.62) in the 6â7 year-old group. No significant relationship was observed in the adolescent population.
Conclusion. Obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of asthma in young children, but not in adolescents
Impact of parental smoking on childhood asthma
[Abstract] Objective: To evaluate the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) of the childhood population in this community and its relationship with asthma symptoms.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire on children and adolescents in this community. The symptoms "wheezing ever", "current asthma", "severe asthma", and "exercise-induced asthma" were defined by this questionnaire. Parental smoking was classified into four mutually exclusive categories: 1) no parent smokes; 2) only the mother smokes; 3) only the father smokes; and 4) both parents smoke. The odds ratio of the prevalence of asthma symptoms according to ETS exposure was calculated using logistic regression.
Results: A total of 10,314 children and 10,453 adolescents were included. Over 51% of the children and adolescents were exposed to ETS at home. ETS is associated with a higher prevalence of asthma symptoms, particularly if the mother or both parents smoke.
Conclusion: The prevalence of ETS is still high in this community, although there has been a decreasing tendency in the last 15 years. ETS is associated with higher prevalence of asthma
Crossâsectional study about impact of parental smoking on rhinitis symptoms in children
[Abstract]
Objective. Assess the prevalence of rhinitis and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) of children in our community and its relationship with symptoms of rhinitis
Methods (design, setting, participants, main outcome measures). Crossâsectional study using questionnaire on rhinitis of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, in children (6â7 years) and adolescents (13â14 years). Categories: ârhinitis everâ, ârecent rhinitisâ, ârecent rhinoconjunctivitisâ, âsevere rhinoconjunctivitisâ. Parental smoking: (i) neither parent smokes; (ii) only the mother smokes; (iii) only the father smokes; and (iv) both parents smoke. Odds ratio of the prevalence of symptoms of rhinitis according to ETS exposure was calculated using logistic regression.
Results. 10 690 children and 10 730 adolescents. The prevalence of ârhinitis everâ in children: 29.4%, ârecent rhinitisâ 24%, ârecent rhinoconjunctivitisâ 11.5% and âsevere rhinoconjunctivitisâ 0.1%. In adolescents: 46.2%, 34.5%, 16.2% and 0.2%, respectively. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the home occurred in 51% of cases. Parental smoking was associated with a higher prevalence of forms of rhinitis in adolescents when only the mother was a smoker. In children when both parents were smokers.
Conclusion. Rhinitis is highly prevalent in our community. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure is still very common. The relationship between ETS and rhinitis symptoms in children of this community is not as robust as that found for asthma
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