Factors Affecting Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors among Arab American Women

Guided by Pender and colleagues\u27 (2006) revised health promotion model (HPM), this descriptive correlational study was designed to explore the relationships between personal factors (comprised of sociodemographic factors, degree of acculturation, and perceived stress), perceived health self-efficacy, perceived social support, and health promotion lifestyle behaviors (HPLBs) among a group of Arab American women (AAW) living in Southern California. A second purpose was to explore the psychometric properties of the translated version of the perceived health competence scale (PHCS). A convenience sample of 267 AAW were administered a paper copy of a self-reported survey. Four of the study\u27s five standardized measures were available in Arabic and were tested in the Arab American populations; only the PHCS was translated to Arabic. The HPM guided the synthesis of relevant literature concerning AAW\u27s health promotion behaviors; the model facilitated understanding of their health needs, risks, and challenges. The analysis revealed a bivariate association between the health-promotion lifestyle profile II (HPLP II) total score and the participants\u27 age, years of residency in the United States, acculturation, perceived stress, self-efficacy, and social support. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between the study variables. Acculturation, perceived stress, perceived health self-efficacy, and perceived social support explained 46% of the variance in HPLBs scores. The Cronbach\u27s alpha for the PHCS was .819 in both versions. Based on the participants\u27 language preference; Arabic or English, two study groups were formed. The groups\u27 responses on HPLP II and PHCS were compared. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient indicated a lack of association between the participants\u27 spoken language and their responses on both scales. Independent sample t-tests showed statistically significant differences in the physical activity, interpersonal relations, and spiritual-growth HPLP II subscales. No statistically significant differences were found on the PHCS groups\u27 responses. The findings of this study can inform future intervention studies to address specific health promotion behaviors, such as nutrition, eating behaviors, stress management, and physical activity among AAW and women from other minority groups

Oxidative stress pattern in hepatitis C patients co-infected with schistosomiasis

This study was designed to investigate the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the disease with the measurement of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-∝) and super oxide dismutase (SOD). Eighty patients from Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, were investigated. Thirty patients with bilharzial HCV and 30 patients with non-bilharzial HCV as compared to 20 healthy controls of the same age and sex ratio were investigated. The concentrations of liver enzymes [glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], bilirubin (Bil), albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) as well as TNF-α and Mn-SOD were determined. The mean level of the different liver function tests in the three groups in the study showed that the levels of GOT, GPT and ALP were significantly higher in the HCV groups as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While serum bilirubin, albumin and total protein were non-significantly decreased in the HCV groups as compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the mean level of TNF-α was significantly higher in the HCV groups as compared to the control group (p < 0.001) and SOD was significantly decreased in the HCV groups as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). There is a cause-effect relationship between increased levels of TNF-α and decreased levels of SOD, relative to progression of chronic HCV, especially with bilharzias co-infection. Supporting the view that oxidative damage plays a role in chronic HCV infection, also TNF-α establishes a positive auto regulatory loop that can amplify the inflammatory response and lead to chronic inflammation. More evidence indicates that HCV block apoptosis and prolong survival of the host cell in order to gain time for replication and increase viral progeny production.Key words: Hepatitis C virus, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, superoxide dismutase, oxidative stress, schistosomiasis

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Association of plasma protein C levels and coronary artery disease in men

Several studies have shown the risk factor causes of coronary heart disease. In this study we tested the hypothesis that plasma protein C level might be used as a biomarker for coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. The study included 60 men that were classified into 3 groups according to clinical examination; group I set as healthy control group, group II set as patients with ischemic heart disease and group III set as patients suffering from myocardial infarction. Different parameters were measured including, coagulation factor prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and protein C. The activity of the cardiac enzymes (creatine phosphokinase, creatine phosphokinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase) was also measured. Finally, lipids profile (total lipids, phospholipids, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterone (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were measured. The results demonstrate significant decrease level of protein C and prothrombin concentration (%) in ischemic heart disease and in myocardial infarction (MI) groups, when compared to the control group. Meanwhile, MI group showed more significant decrease comparing to IHD. Plasma protein C might serve as a marker for coronary artery disease in men. Further studies are warranted to bolster the data and to identify pathogenesis links between innate immune system activation and atherosclerosis.Keywords: Ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, protein C, coagulation factor, lipids profile. Afr. J. Biotechnol Vol. 12 No. 5

Towards agile approach for better user satisfaction

User satisfaction is a cornerstone indicator of any successful software project. Software projects are classified as successful only if the users are satisfied with the delivered software project result. Reducing the gap between users' expectations and the actual delivered software is one of the ultimate objectives of software project management. Therefore, it is essential to manage user expectations during the project, which is basically achieved by managing the user opinions related to the final performance of the software. However, this cannot be isolated from the adopted testing methodology, which is the way to guarantee the optimal user satisfaction. Furthermore, the stakeholder occupies a significant position in agile principles aligned with development teams. Flexibility to adapt stakeholders' late changes is also another gain in agility. Agility additionally focuses on the decentralized management approach to exploit any managing skills of the software project individuals. In this paper, we describe how these factors are relevant to the agile project management strategy. Our findings explain the hidden reasons behind the success of the agile strategy in software development projects.Scopu