GAD-7 and PHQ-9 measurement of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Yaounde, Cameroon

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive diseases during pregnancy in Yaounde.Methods: Authors carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study over nine months from October 2015 to May 2016, amongst pregnant women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders followed up in three tertiary care centers in Yaounde. Authors collected information from the medical files of selected patients by using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire in the perinatal period. We classified blood pressure values as per the JNC 7 recommendations. Anxiety and mental depression were evaluated for using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item and the Patient Health Questionnaires-9 respectively. Data analysis was done using CSPro version 6.2 and SPSS version 20.0 software.Results: Authors included 202 patients during the study period. The mean age stood at 25.9± 6.4years (extremes 13-43years). Amongst these, 47.5% were single while 97.5% (197/202) had received at least primary education. Students represented 45.5% (92/202) of women while 102 (50.5%) of them had some form of employment in the public, private or informal sectors. Severe preeclampsia was the most prevalent hypertensive disorder in these women, with 69 (34.2%) developing eclampsia. We found that 79% (161/202) of these patients suffered from anxiety, 67.3% (136/202) were depressive while 61.3% (124/202) had both anxiety and depression.Conclusions: The prevalence of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders is high. Associated factors must be looked out in order to prevent these situations

Assessment of labor and delivery in pregnant women on sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine regimen in Yaoundé gynaeco-obstetric and paediatric hospital: a comparative study of 313 cases

Background: Malaria is still a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim was to determine the prevalence of malaria infection at the onset of labor and the resulting complications.Methods: We carried out a five-month cross-sectional study at the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital.  We used results from the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to compare two groups of pregnant women admitted into the labor room. Women who tested positive were assigned to the exposed group versus negative to the non-exposed group. Independent factors associated with malaria infection were investigated by the logistic regression method.Results: Up to 79.6% (249/313) of women had received the sulfadoxin-pyrimethamine regimen with 32.9% (82/249) receiving at least 3 doses.  Malaria infection was detected in 32.2% (101/313) of women. Only 14.9% (15/101) of the exposed group had received 3 doses of SP versus 31.6% (67/212) of the non-exposed group. After univariate analysis, malaria infection at the onset of labor was associated to premature rupture of membranes (OR=1.39; CI=1.01-1.94), fever during labor (OR=73.37; CI=64.80-681.95), non-reassuring fetal status (OR=2.08; CI=1.36-3.20), low birth weight (OR=1.65; CI=1.23-4.13), prematurity (OR=2.79; CI=2.12-367), a poor Apgar score at the 1st minute and postpartum fever (OR=3.19; CI=2.56-4.00). Linear logistic regression indicated that the occurrence of fever during labor (aOR=63.09), and low Apgar score at the first minute (aOR=6.27) remained significant and malaria infection was significantly associated to the single marital status (aOR=2.56) and a history of malaria during the current pregnancy (aOR=2.56).Conclusions: Systematic RDTs is thus recommended at the last antenatal consultation to avoid identified complications

Validation of an instrument and measurement of employee work-life policies, psychological Empowerment, and job commitment of academic staff in universities

This study used a structural equation modelling approach to assess the association between employee work- life policies, psychological empowerment, and academic staff job commitment in universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study following a descriptive survey research design. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted in the selection of 315 academic staff from two universities in the study area. “Work-Life Policies, Psychological Empowerment and Job Commitment Questionnaire (WPPEJCQ)” was used as the instrument for data collection. The construct validity of the instrument was ascertained through an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The Kaiser-Meyer-Ohlin of .894 and the Bartlett coefficient of 7795.820 were obtained. Several fit indices of Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used to accept the model such as RMSEA=.031, TLI=.969, CFI=.971 and many others. The null hypotheses were all tested using Path analysis. Findings revealed, among others, that there is a significant effect of work-life policies on the affective (β=.774,t=21.636,p\u3c.05), continuance (β=.450,t=8.932,p\u3c.05), and normative (β=490,t=9.967,p\u3c.05) dimensions of academic staff commitment; furthermore, psychological empowerment has a significant effect on the affective (β=.795,t=23.199,p\u3c.05), continuance (β=.501,t=10.261,p\u3c.05) and normative (β = .520, t = 10.795, p\u3c .05) dimensions of staff commitment; and there is a significant composite effect of work-life policies and psychological empowerment on the affective, continuance, and normative commitment levels of academic staff in universities. Based on these findings, conclusions and recommendations were mad

Reservoir characterisation and modelling of paralic sandstones : the Lourinha Formation,Lousitanian Basin,Portugal

This study comprises a geological reservoir characterization of paralic sandstone deposits with a case study of the Upper Jurassic Louriñha Formation in the Lusitanian Basin, which is an Atlantic rift basin located in central west Portugal. The Louriñha Formation is thought to represent a low relief alluvial system directed from the north-western margin towards the south-east and distributing progradational clastic sediments in the Lusitanian Basin. The terrestrial clastic sediment distribution is suggested to have been triggered by local uplifts in the north and north-west from the granitic Hercynian Basement Horsts that today are exposed as the Berlengas and Ferilhões Islands. Petrographic analysis and palaeocurrent measurements go further to confirm this. The architectural style, connectivity and heterogeneity of the sandstone bodies deposited in this area can be connected to base level fluctuations, though other minor factors may be present. Petrographic analysis also shows that porosity in the samples collected in the study area are generally poor and not of reservoir quality due to high calcite cementation and mud in the intergranular spaces. The study is directed towards out-crop analogue approach, where data obtained from outcrops are used to enhance interpretation of comparable subsurface successions. In this study, description of facies, facies association, architectural style and depositional environments are integrated with other factors like heterogeneity in order to carry out computer based modeling of corresponding subsurface sandstone bodies. The above procedures are used as part of a multidisciplinary approach in order to characterize the reservoir

EMPLOYMENT AS MECHANISM OF RE-INTEGRATION OF CLUBHOUSE MEMBERS INTO THE COMMUNITY : Case Study Helsinki Clubhouse

ABSTRACT. Mburu Samuel Mbugua and Oyere Germaine Ojong. Employment as a mechanism of re-integration of Helsinki clubhouse members into the community. 49 Pages 2 appendices. Language English. Spring 2017. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree programme in social services: Bachelors of social services The main aim of our study is to assess the importance of employment on building clubhouse member self-identity .The research investigates how is the effect of employment program of the clubhouse model in finding employment to its members. Also, how the process is helping them to reintegrate into the community. The study also gives suggestion to improve the clubhouse model. The study was a qualitative research with open ended interview questions. The target group were Helsinki clubhouse members that has benefited from the clubhouse model for the past two years. The primary data was collected through semi structured interviews. These interviews were recorded and later transcribed. The unstructured data were interpreted based on thematic analysis. Our study reveals that employment programme in the clubhouse model has been viewed by members as a positive factor in their recovery process. A total number of 71% of our participant indicated greater opportunities of getting occupation, meeting new opportunities and improved social life. We also noticed that 100% of respondents mentioned that through this integration process, their self-confidence and personal development has improved. This has in a way given them a sense of self identity because they felt a sense of belonging in to the community, they can fully participate and interact with others members of the community or society freely

Women’s health and rights in the twenty-first century

In the twenty-first century, the complex relationship between women’s health and rights has been influenced by a range of interconnected challenges, including gender inequity, reproductive health disparities, maternal mortality and morbidity, and women’s inability to access life-saving, high-quality healthcare services including family planning. Going forward, the world needs to find ways to implement the unfinished agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus prioritizing health and rights for women and girls as essential not only to their survival but also to their progress, agency and empowerment. It is also important to consider the interconnection between women’s health and rights and climate change, with its disproportionate impact on the well-being of girls and women, and to address the impact and opportunities afforded by digital technologies. By embracing a holistic approach, societies might be able to advance the cause of women’s health and rights in a more inclusive and sustainable manner

Maternal health and well-being

Maternal health and well-being refers to the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, as well as the absence of any morbidities or death either due to pregnancy or its management. Despite making a comparatively late appearance on the international global policy agenda, maternal health and well-being has progressively become a global health policy priority following Deborah Maine’s revolutionary article on maternal mortality. Consequently, key international policy events from Alma Ata to the International Conference on Population and Development events, through the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the last decade have consecrated women’s inalienable right to safe and respectful health services. Also, the growing focus on rights-based care against the backdrop of the need to ensure equity in all communities worldwide has led to an evolution in policy focus, calling on health systems to not only protect women and girls from preventable deaths but to also empower them to thrive, all while recognizing their unique role is ensuring the positive transformation of the communities in which they live. This increasing policy attention has contributed to a disproportionate yet marked reduction in global maternal mortality and morbidity statistics over the last 30 years. However, if the world is to achieve its 2030 SDGs women’s health and gender equality agendas, it is important to recognize that the broad concept of women’s health cannot be limited to the rather narrow window of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. While there are huge gaps in all resource-type settings in promoting and protecting women’s agency and autonomy, the fact remains that in addition to ensuring the availability of and access to high-quality maternal health services, women’s health outcomes are inextricably linked to their decision-making power on key issues such as when to become sexually active, the use of contraception, whether or not they want to achieve pregnancy and childbirth, and access to safe abortion care services. Additionally, the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases and the increasing occurrence of worldwide pandemics are providing novel challenges to the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable women and girls, thus creating the need to ensure resilient health systems that are considerate of the rights and wishes of the world’s women and girls

Malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and malnutrition in children less than 15 years residing in different altitudes along the slope of Mount Cameroon: prevalence, intensity and risk factors

Abstract Background Malaria, anaemia and malnutrition are frequently co-existing diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality particularly among children. This study measured the prevalence, intensity and evaluated risk factors for malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and malnutrition among children living at low versus high altitude settings in the Mount Cameroon area. Methods A cross-sectional community based survey involving 828 children aged 6 months to 14 years was conducted between July and November 2017. Malaria parasitaemia was confirmed by light microscopy, haemoglobin concentration was measured using an auto haematology analyser, nutritional status was determined from the anthropometric measurements collected, and socioeconomic status related variables by the use of questionnaire. Anaemia and malnutrition were defined according to World Health Organization standards. Associations between predictor variables and primary outcomes were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Malaria parasite and anaemia were prevalent in 41.7% and 56.2% of the children, respectively while, malnutrition prevalence was 34.8% with wasting, underweight and stunting occurring in 25.7%, 19.9% and 23.7% of them respectively. Overall malaria parasite geometric mean density was 413/µL of blood (range 100–27,060). The odds of having malaria parasitaemia was highest in children 5–9 years of age [odd ratio (OR) = 1.69, P = 0.006], living in lowland (OR = 1.48, P = 0.008) as well as those whose domestic water was collected from an open source (streams/springs) (OR = 1.81, P = 0.005) than their counterparts. Being < 5 years (OR = 3.15, P = < 0.001) or 5–9 years (OR = 2.20, P < 0.001) of age, having malaria parasite (OR = 2.07, P = < 0.001) and fever in the past 2 days (OR = 1.52, P < 0.04) were identified as significant risk factors of anaemia while the age group < 5 years was the only significant risk (OR = 3.09, P = < 0.001) associated with malnutrition. Conclusion While age specific attention should be given in the control of malaria (5–9 years), anaemia (< 10 years) and malnutrition (< 5 years), the existing malaria control programmes should be revised to integrate anaemia and malnutrition control strategies so as to improve upon the health of the children

GAD-7 and PHQ-9 measurement of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Yaounde, Cameroon

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive diseases during pregnancy in Yaounde.Methods: Authors carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study over nine months from October 2015 to May 2016, amongst pregnant women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders followed up in three tertiary care centers in Yaounde. Authors collected information from the medical files of selected patients by using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire in the perinatal period. We classified blood pressure values as per the JNC 7 recommendations. Anxiety and mental depression were evaluated for using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item and the Patient Health Questionnaires-9 respectively. Data analysis was done using CSPro version 6.2 and SPSS version 20.0 software.Results: Authors included 202 patients during the study period. The mean age stood at 25.9± 6.4years (extremes 13-43years). Amongst these, 47.5% were single while 97.5% (197/202) had received at least primary education. Students represented 45.5% (92/202) of women while 102 (50.5%) of them had some form of employment in the public, private or informal sectors. Severe preeclampsia was the most prevalent hypertensive disorder in these women, with 69 (34.2%) developing eclampsia. We found that 79% (161/202) of these patients suffered from anxiety, 67.3% (136/202) were depressive while 61.3% (124/202) had both anxiety and depression.Conclusions: The prevalence of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders is high. Associated factors must be looked out in order to prevent these situations