Association Between Therapeutic Interventions and Quality of Life in People With Autism

Research exploring the association of autism interventions with the quality of life (QoL) of adults with autism spectrum disorders was scarce. Although a multitude of interventions are used to target a specific challenge facing the individual with autism, their correlation with achieving a better QoL is largely unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional, correlational survey study to determine the association between seven interventions—behavioral, social, mental health, daily living skills (DLS), vocational, mindfulness, and medications—and the QoL of adults 18 years and older with autism with no intellectual disability (ID) living in Canada. A national sample of 182 autistic adults or proxy reports completed the survey that used the WHOQOL-BREF to measure subjective QoL. Behavioral, mental health, and medications were the most frequently used interventions (67%, 71.4%, and 82.4%, respectively). QoL was lower across all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF compared with the general population. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that characteristics, such as autism severity, being female, and older age negatively predicted QoL across all domains except for the physical domain, whereas being in a relationship positively predicted social QoL explaining 35.2% of the variance. Of the seven interventions used, behavioral therapies and receiving mental health support consistently predicted a better QoL across all domains, except for the environment domain where only mental health support was a significant predictor. Our findings suggest prioritizing provision of behavioral and mental health interventions to adults with autism and inform future research to evaluate their effectiveness in QoL outcomes as an end goal

Do Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Predict Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria?

Nigerian children under 5 years of age are over 15 times more at risk of death than their counterparts in developed regions of the world; the prevalence of miscarriage, an adverse pregnancy outcome (APO), was estimated at 49%. In the present study, the relationship between APO and under-5 mortality (U5M) in Nigeria was examined to determine if APO could be used as a reliable early warning indicator for U5M. We used a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of datasets from three Nigeria demographic and health surveys: 2003, 2008, and 2013. The study population was women of reproductive age (15–49). Cochran–Mantel–Haenzel chi-square statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed to determine the association, based on maternal socioeconomic factors and access to prenatal healthcare. Results indicated a significant inverse association between APO and U5M. The children of women who have experienced any form of APO may be at lower risk of U5M than children of women who have never had any APO. The implication is that history of APO may not be a reliable early warning indicator for determining higher risk of U5M. These findings suggest further studies to explore the pathway of this association

Relationship Between Treatment Comorbidities and HIV Viral Suppression Among People Who Live With AIDSi n Johannesburg.

HIV has globally infected over 37.9 million people, of which 28.2 million (73%) are on antiretroviral treatment, and 66% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. In South Africa, however, low rate of viral suppression (47%) among people living with HIV is a major health problem that has continued to fuel HIV prevalence. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used to investigate the relationship between treatment comorbidities and viral suppression among HIV-infected adults aged 18–49 who were diabetic, had cancer, or tuberculosis in Johannesburg. HIV Care Continuum formed the theoretical framework for this research. An existing HIV-infected patient de-identifiable dataset (n = 602) was used for the descriptive and logistic regression analysis. Results revealed a statistically significant association between tuberculosis treatment and viral suppression—adjusted OR = 1.534, (1.053, 2.234), and p = 0.02—indicating that treatment of comorbidities, such as tuberculosis, has positive impact on viral suppression outcomes. Results, however, revealed that the model for diabetes treatment and viral suppression—OR = 0.993, (0.658, 1.498), and p = 0.97—and the model for cancer treatment and viral suppression—OR= 1.234, (0.844, 1.805), and p = 0.27—were not statistically significant. Treatment of comorbidities, such as TB and HIV, positively impacts viral suppression outcomes. These findings suggested that concurrent, simultaneous, or integrated treatment models for comorbidities can help to achieve HIV viral suppression. This study contributes to positive social change by highlighting the effect of treatment comorbidities on viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in an under-resourced setting, which could inform policy and influence decisions on HIV care and management. Results however revealed that the model for diabetes treatment and viral suppression—OR = 0.993, (0.658, 1.498), and p = 0.97—and the model for cancer treatment and viral suppression—OR = 1.234, (0.844, 1.805), and p = 0.27—were not statistically significant. Treatment of comorbidities, such as TB and HIV, positively impacts viral suppression outcomes. These findings suggested that concurrent, simultaneous, or integrated treatment models for comorbidities can help to achieve HIV viral suppression. This study contributes to positive social change by highlighting the effect of treatment comorbidities on viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in an under-resourced setting, which could inform policy and influence decisions on HIV care and management

Cervical cancer and pap smear awareness and utilization of pap smear test among Federal civil servants in North Central Nigeria.

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women in developing countries. A key factor linked to the relatively high levels of cervical cancer in these populations is the lack of awareness and access to preventive methods. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of cervical cancer and Papanicolaou test (Pap smear test) and factors associated with the utilization of Pap test among female civil servants in Jos. Data was obtained from female workers (n = 388) aged 18-65 years in a Nigerian Federal establishment. Participants were randomly approached and instructed to complete validated questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Chi-square, t-tests and logistic regression analysis to determine if there was an association between variables and identify any predictors of awareness and utilization of the Pap test. Cervical cancer and Pap smear test awareness was 50.9% and 38.6% respectively, with the media as the major source of information. Pap smear test utilization rate was 10.2%, with routine antenatal care (ANC) as the major reason for getting screened. Personal barriers to screening include the lack of awareness, and belief that cervical cancer is not preventable. Opportunistic screening, mass media campaigns and ANC education were suggested as ways of improving awareness and utilization of cervical cancer screening services

Indicates the proportional distribution of respondents that have or have not heard about cervical cancer by certain socio-demographic variables and perception of cervical cancer.

<p>Indicates the proportional distribution of respondents that have or have not heard about cervical cancer by certain socio-demographic variables and perception of cervical cancer.</p

Shows the proportional difference among respondents based on utilization and practice of Pap smear test.

<p>Shows the proportional difference among respondents based on utilization and practice of Pap smear test.</p

Showing the level of awareness of cervical cancer, perception of its treatability or preventability, awareness of Pap smear test and its role in preventing cervical cancer among respondents.

<p>Showing the level of awareness of cervical cancer, perception of its treatability or preventability, awareness of Pap smear test and its role in preventing cervical cancer among respondents.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and their practice of Pap smear test screening.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and their practice of Pap smear test screening.</p

Association between respondent's level of awareness about Pap smear test there socio-demographic characteristic and perception of cervical cancer.

<p>Association between respondent's level of awareness about Pap smear test there socio-demographic characteristic and perception of cervical cancer.</p