HIV-1 Seroprevalence among Pregnant Women in Rural Uganda: A Longitudinal Study over Fifteen Years

Introduction: In order to determine the development of the prevalence of HIV infection in rural Western Uganda, data of epidemiological studies conducted in 2001 and 2007 were compared to study data from 1993. Methods: In 2001 (n = 466) and in 2007 (n = 486), one group each of clinically healthy pregnant women of a local prenatal care department were enrolled in the study and anonymously screened for HIV-1. For both groups, informed consent was obtained prior to enrolment. Testing for HIV was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by Western blot. In addition, age and antibodies against syphilis were determined as risk factors of HIV infection. Results: The seroprevalence of HIV-1 infection did not decrease significantly over this time period, dropping from 28.3 to 25.1% between 2001 and 2007, but the prevalence of syphilis antibodies decreased from 27.9 to 11.1%. The data of 2001 and 2007 were compared to a third cohort from 1993, in which 21.5% of pregnant women were HIV-1-positive and 31.1% were Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA)-positive. Conclusion: The current prevalence of HIV-1 infection in Uganda is still high and there is a need for further promotion of HIV prevention and control services

M+D: conceptual guidelines for compiling a materials library

This article proposes to present a study conducted by the Raw Materials research group, the results of which comprise the conceptual guidelines for compiling an M+D material library. The study includes the topic, materials and design taking the impact of the changes that came into being in the post industrial era on project methodologies and the search for information regarding materials. Taking into account the importance and complexity that these relationships have taken on currently, we have studied the issue of materials based on Manzini (1983) and Ashby and Johnson (2002). Afterward different databases and materials libraries located in the Brazil, the United States, France and Italy geared toward design professionals and students were analyzed to understand what information and means of access to them were available. The project methodologies were approached based on Löbach (1991), Bürdeck (1994), Schulmann (1994), Baxter (1998), Dantas (1998 and 2005) and Papanek (1995 and 2000). This study sought to identify the key elements of the role of materials in the project process today, to serve as a parameter for the analysis of the models studied. A comparative analysis of the models investigated enabled identification of positive and negative aspects to adapt to the needs previously mentioned and identify conceptual guidelines for compiling a collection of materials for use in design projects. Keywords: Design, Materials, Project Methodology, Library</p

Parents’ intention to get vaccinated and to have their child vaccinated against COVID-19: cross-sectional analyses using data from the KUNO-Kids health study

A COVID-19 vaccine can be an important key for mitigating the spread of the pandemic, provided that it is accepted by a sufficient proportion of the population. This study investigated parents’ intention to get vaccinated and to have one’s child vaccinated against COVID-19. In May 2020, 612 parents participating with their child in the KUNO-Kids health study completed an online survey. Multivariable logistic regression models were calculated to analyze predictors of intention to vaccinate. Fifty-eight percent of parents intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and 51% intended to have their child vaccinated. Significant predictors for the intention to get vaccinated and for having the child vaccinated included stronger parental confidence in one’s knowledge about prevention measures and lower beliefs that policy measures were exaggerated. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy was considerable in our sample of parents in Germany. However, our study revealed some potentially modifiable factors which should be addressed by a comprehensive and tailored communication and education strategy

Vaginal Delivery Is Associated with Neurochemical Evidence of Increased Neuroaxonal Remodelling in Infants from the KUNO-Kids Health Study: Cross-Sectional Analysis

Aim: Little is known about neonatal brain plasticity or the impact of birth mode on neurointegrity. As a reflection of neuroaxonal damage, the neuronal structural protein neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a highly specific biomarker. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that vaginal delivery is associated with increased NfL in neonates. Methods: NfL concentrations were measured using single-molecule array immunoassay in umbilical cord serum from healthy term neonates enrolled in the prospective KUNO-Kids Health Study. NfL values were investigated for independent influencing factors using linear and logistic models, followed by post hoc propensity score-matching. Results: Of 665 neonates, n = 470 (70.7%) were delivered vaginally and n = 195 (29.3%) by cesarean section. Median serum NfL was significantly higher after vaginal delivery 14.4 pg/mL (11.6–18.5) compared to primary 7.5 pg/mL (6.1–8.9) and secondary cesarean delivery 9.3 pg/mL (7.5–12.0). Multivariable logistic regression models showed delivery mode and gestational age to be independently associated with NfL. Propensity score-matching analysis confirmed that assisted vaginal delivery generated higher NfL compared to vaginal (non-assisted), while lowest levels were associated with cesarean section. Interpretation: Our data confirm the significant impact of birth mode on neonatal NfL levels. The persistence of these differences and their potential long-term impact have yet to be investigated

Prevalences of cardiometabolic risk and lifestyle factors in young parents: evidence from a German birth cohort study

Background Studies show that parents significantly impact their children’s health through their cardiometabolic risk profile and health behavior. There is only little information about the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and lifestyle factors among new parents yet. The aims of this study are therefore to evaluate the prevalences of cardiometabolic risk factors in parents of infants in Germany and to examine their lifestyle and health behavior. Methods In the KUNO-Kids health study, an ongoing birth cohort, parents (n = 930 mothers and 769 fathers) were asked about cardiometabolic risk factors (obesity/hypertension/type 2 diabetes mellitus) and lifestyle factors (dietary/sports/smoking habits/alcohol consumption) during the first year after the birth of their children via questionnaires. Chi-square as well as fisher exact tests were conducted to analyse associations between lifestyle factors and cardiometabolic risk factors. Results 34.2% of mothers and 58.5% of fathers were overweight or obese. In 11.8% of the families, at least one parent suffered from hypertension, in 2.4% from type 2 diabetes mellitus. One year after delivery, 8.5% of mothers were smoking, 6.9% showed a risky alcohol consumption (> 10 g/d). 16.0% of fathers were smoking 4 weeks after childbirth, 10.7% showed risky alcohol consumption (> 20 g/d). 21.6% of mothers carried out sports activity for more than 2 h a week then. Parental hypertension was linked to a higher prevalence of risky alcohol consumption, obesity to a lower prevalence of daily fruits consumption. Conclusions Cardiometabolic risk factors were widespread among new parents with obesity and overweight having the highest prevalences. A considerable number of parents also practiced an unhealthy lifestyle showing that there is potential for improvement to promote the healthy development of their children

Implementation of safe infant sleep recommendations during night-time sleep in the first year of life in a German birth cohort

The aim of our study was to assess the extent to which families followed recommendations, issued by the German society for sleep medicine, for the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during night-time sleep. Analyzing longitudinal data from a birth cohort located at the University Children’s Hospital Regensburg in Bavaria (Germany), we determined data regarding the infant's sleep location, sleep settings and body position, and exposure to environmental factors. Data were collected in a structured interview after birth and by standardized questionnaires at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year of life, respectively. The majority of 1,400 surveyed infants (94% at 4 weeks) were reported to sleep in the parents’ sleeping room during the first months of life. While the most common furniture was a bedside sleeper (used by 48%), we also observed a considerable proportion of families who regularly practiced bed-sharing and, for 16% of infants, the parents’ bed was the default sleeping place. 12% of infants were still put regularly in the prone position. The vast majority (87%) of the infants were breastfed at some timepoint and 17% lived in a household with one or more smokers. Although most parents implemented many SIDS recommendations, our analysis illustrates a considerable gap between recommendations and intentions after birth on the one hand and actual implementation in real life on the other. The number-one deviation from the current SIDS guidelines during night-time sleep was bed-sharing with an adult