6 research outputs found
Cross-sectional study on the characteristics of unrecorded alcohol consumption in nine newly independent states between 2013 and 2017
Objectives: As unrecorded alcohol use contributes to a
substantial burden of disease, this study characterises
this phenomenon in newly independent states (NIS) of
the former Soviet Union with regard to the sources of
unrecorded alcohol, and the proportion of unrecorded
of total alcohol consumption. We also investigate
associated sociodemographic characteristics and
drinking patterns.
Design: Cross-sectional
data on overall and unrecorded
alcohol use in the past 7 days from WHO STEPwise
Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) surveys.
Descriptive statistics were calculated at the country level,
hierarchical logistic and linear regression models were
used to investigate sociodemographic characteristics
and drinking patterns associated with using unrecorded
alcohol.
Setting: Nine NIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan) in the years 2013–2017.
Participants: Nationally representative samples including
a total of 36 259 participants.
Results: A total of 6251 participants (19.7%; 95% CI
7.9% to 31.5%) reported alcohol consumption in the past
7 days, 2185 of which (35.1%; 95% CI 8.2% to 62.0%)
reported unrecorded alcohol consumption with pronounced
differences between countries. The population-weighted
average proportion of unrecorded consumption in nine NIS
was 8.7% (95% CI 5.9% to 12.4%). The most common
type of unrecorded alcohol was home-made
spirits,
followed by home-made
beer and wine. Older (45–69 vs
25–44 years) and unemployed (vs employed) participants
had higher odds of using unrecorded alcohol. More
nuanced sociodemographic differences were observed for
specific types of unrecorded alcohol.
Conclusions This contribution is the first to highlight
both, prevalence and composition of unrecorded alcohol
consumption in nine NIS. The observed proportions and
sources of unrecorded alcohol are discussed in light of
local challenges in policy implementation, especially in
regard to the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union
(EAEU), as some but not all NIS are in the EAEU
Factors associated with early uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Azerbaijan, 2021.
INTRODUCTION: We evaluated uptake and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination among health workers (HWs) in Azerbaijan. RESULTS: Among 1575 HWs, 73% had received at least one dose, and 67% received two doses; all received CoronaVac. Factors associated with vaccination uptake included no previous COVID-19 infection, older age, belief in the vaccine's safety, previous vaccination for influenza, having patient-facing roles and good or excellent health by self-assessment. CONCLUSION: These findings could inform strategies to increase vaccination uptake as the campaign continues
Exploring educational inequalities in hypertension control, salt knowledge and awareness, and patient advice : insights from the WHO STEPS surveys of adults from nine Eastern European and Central Asian countries
Objective:
To inform strategies aimed at improving blood pressure (BP) control and reducing salt intake, we assessed educational inequalities in high blood pressure (HBP) awareness, treatment and control; physician’s advice on salt reduction; and salt knowledge, perceptions and consumption behaviours in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Design:
Data were collected in cross-sectional, population-based nationally representative surveys, using a multi-stage clustered sampling design. Five HBP awareness, treatment and control categories were created from measured BP and hypertension medication use. Education and other variables were self-reported. Weighted multinomial mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for confounders, were used to assess differences across education categories.
Settings:
Nine Eastern European and Central Asian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan).
Participants:
Nationally representative samples of 30 455 adults aged 25–65 years.
Results:
HBP awareness, treatment and control varied substantially by education. The coverage of physician’s advice on salt was less frequent among participants with lower education, and those with untreated HBP or unaware of their HBP. The education gradient was evident in salt knowledge and perceptions of salt intake but not in salt consumption behaviours. Improved salt knowledge and perceptions were more prevalent among participants who received physician’s advice on salt reduction.
Conclusions:
There is a strong education gradient in HBP awareness, treatment and control as well as salt knowledge and perceived intake. Enhancements in public and patient knowledge and awareness of HBP and its risk factors targeting socio-economically disadvantaged groups are urgently needed to alleviate the growing HBP burden in low- and middle-income countries
Cervical cancer testing among women aged 30-49 years in the WHO European Region
BACKGROUND: Screening programs play an important role in a comprehensive strategy to prevent cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information about rates of cervical cancer testing, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia where levels of cervical cancer are among the highest in the WHO European Region. The purpose of this article is to report on the lifetime prevalence of cervical cancer testing among females aged 30–49 years from across the WHO European region, and to describe high-level geographic and socioeconomic differences. METHODS: We used data from the European Health Information Survey and the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance survey to calculate the proportions of women who were tested for cervical cancer. RESULTS: The percentage of tested women ranged from 11.7% in Azerbaijan to 98.4% in Finland, with the lowest percentages observed in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Testing was lower in Eastern Europe (compared to Western Europe), among low-income countries and among women with lower levels of education. CONCLUSION: Effective cervical cancer screening programs are one part of a larger strategy, which must also include national scale-up of human papilloma virus vaccination, screening and treatment
Cross-sectional study on the characteristics of unrecorded alcohol consumption in nine newly independent states between 2013 and 2017
Objectives: As unrecorded alcohol use contributes to a
substantial burden of disease, this study characterises
this phenomenon in newly independent states (NIS) of
the former Soviet Union with regard to the sources of
unrecorded alcohol, and the proportion of unrecorded
of total alcohol consumption. We also investigate
associated sociodemographic characteristics and
drinking patterns.
Design: Cross-sectional
data on overall and unrecorded
alcohol use in the past 7 days from WHO STEPwise
Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) surveys.
Descriptive statistics were calculated at the country level,
hierarchical logistic and linear regression models were
used to investigate sociodemographic characteristics
and drinking patterns associated with using unrecorded
alcohol.
Setting: Nine NIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan) in the years 2013–2017.
Participants: Nationally representative samples including
a total of 36 259 participants.
Results: A total of 6251 participants (19.7%; 95% CI
7.9% to 31.5%) reported alcohol consumption in the past
7 days, 2185 of which (35.1%; 95% CI 8.2% to 62.0%)
reported unrecorded alcohol consumption with pronounced
differences between countries. The population-weighted
average proportion of unrecorded consumption in nine NIS
was 8.7% (95% CI 5.9% to 12.4%). The most common
type of unrecorded alcohol was home-made
spirits,
followed by home-made
beer and wine. Older (45–69 vs
25–44 years) and unemployed (vs employed) participants
had higher odds of using unrecorded alcohol. More
nuanced sociodemographic differences were observed for
specific types of unrecorded alcohol.
Conclusions This contribution is the first to highlight
both, prevalence and composition of unrecorded alcohol
consumption in nine NIS. The observed proportions and
sources of unrecorded alcohol are discussed in light of
local challenges in policy implementation, especially in
regard to the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union
(EAEU), as some but not all NIS are in the EAEU
Cross-sectional study on the characteristics of unrecorded alcohol consumption in nine newly independent states between 2013 and 2017
Objectives: As unrecorded alcohol use contributes to a
substantial burden of disease, this study characterises
this phenomenon in newly independent states (NIS) of
the former Soviet Union with regard to the sources of
unrecorded alcohol, and the proportion of unrecorded
of total alcohol consumption. We also investigate
associated sociodemographic characteristics and
drinking patterns.
Design: Cross-sectional
data on overall and unrecorded
alcohol use in the past 7 days from WHO STEPwise
Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) surveys.
Descriptive statistics were calculated at the country level,
hierarchical logistic and linear regression models were
used to investigate sociodemographic characteristics
and drinking patterns associated with using unrecorded
alcohol.
Setting: Nine NIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan) in the years 2013–2017.
Participants: Nationally representative samples including
a total of 36 259 participants.
Results: A total of 6251 participants (19.7%; 95% CI
7.9% to 31.5%) reported alcohol consumption in the past
7 days, 2185 of which (35.1%; 95% CI 8.2% to 62.0%)
reported unrecorded alcohol consumption with pronounced
differences between countries. The population-weighted
average proportion of unrecorded consumption in nine NIS
was 8.7% (95% CI 5.9% to 12.4%). The most common
type of unrecorded alcohol was home-made
spirits,
followed by home-made
beer and wine. Older (45–69 vs
25–44 years) and unemployed (vs employed) participants
had higher odds of using unrecorded alcohol. More
nuanced sociodemographic differences were observed for
specific types of unrecorded alcohol.
Conclusions This contribution is the first to highlight
both, prevalence and composition of unrecorded alcohol
consumption in nine NIS. The observed proportions and
sources of unrecorded alcohol are discussed in light of
local challenges in policy implementation, especially in
regard to the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union
(EAEU), as some but not all NIS are in the EAEU