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Health Literacy Among Migrants in the EU: A Collection of Best Available Interventions and Indirect Measures
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
1-5
Received:
25 August 2017
Accepted:
20 September 2017
Published:
21 November 2017
Abstract: Migrants have lower health literacy (HL) levels compared with native-born. To reduce health inequalities, this research intends to achieve recommendations for a HL strategy for migrants. Additionally, it identifies indirect measures for HL. A literature review acquired existing interventions improving migrants’ HL, variables to measure HL indirectly and studies measuring these variables. Cancer screening and maternal mortality indirectly measure migrants’ HL deficiencies. Workshops, language courses, multicultural webpages, health educators, and migrant-friendly hospitals improve migrants’ HL. EU countries should develop comprehensive HL strategies to reduce health inequalities between migrants and native-born. However, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions.
Abstract: Migrants have lower health literacy (HL) levels compared with native-born. To reduce health inequalities, this research intends to achieve recommendations for a HL strategy for migrants. Additionally, it identifies indirect measures for HL. A literature review acquired existing interventions improving migrants’ HL, variables to measure HL indirectl...
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Correlates of Unintended Pregnancies in Ivory Coast: Results from a National Survey
Kpebo Djoukou Olga Denise,
Aké-Tano Sassor Odile Purifine,
Aka Joseph,
Konan Yao Eugène,
Attoh-Touré Harvey,
Tetchi Ekissi Orsot,
Dagnan N’Cho Simplice
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
6-14
Received:
27 September 2017
Accepted:
19 October 2017
Published:
5 December 2017
Abstract: As in most of Africa, unintended pregnancy remains a major reproductive health challenge in Ivory Coast. The 3 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in the country in 1994, 1999, and 2012, revealed a decreasing trend in the percentage of unwanted pregnancies: 7.8%, 4.9%, 3.3% in 1994, 1999, and 2012 respectively. However, the percentage of births that were wanted later remained regularly high, around 20% with a pic on 23.8% in 1999. Understanding the extent of unintended pregnancy and the factors associated is crucial to conduct evidence-based interventions and avoiding women’s resort to unsafe abortions. A secondary analysis of the DHS 2011-2012 of Ivory Coast allowed to include 1032 pregnant women at the time of data collection. A bivariate analysis and multivariate was conducted with Stata 14.0 for identifying associated factors with unintended pregnancy. In total, 26.4% of the pregnancies were unintended. Age was not found as a correlate of unintended pregnancy. Women in primary and secondary education categories were more likely to have unintended pregnancy as compared to the no education category (OR (95%CI): 2.0 (1.3-3.1) and 2.1 (1.1-4.0) respectively). Ever use of family planning, high parity (5 children and more), and one as well as two and more deliveries in the past five years were associated with unintended pregnancy (OR (95%CI): 2.1 (1.4-3.2), 3.5 (1.2-10.2) and 2.8 (1.5-5.5), respectively). Partner’s desire for less children was also found to be associated with unintended pregnancy (OR (95% CI): 1.9 (1.1-3.1)). Women already burdened with higher fertility were suffering from unintended pregnancy. Efforts to increase the use of family planning services among these women should be strengthened.
Abstract: As in most of Africa, unintended pregnancy remains a major reproductive health challenge in Ivory Coast. The 3 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in the country in 1994, 1999, and 2012, revealed a decreasing trend in the percentage of unwanted pregnancies: 7.8%, 4.9%, 3.3% in 1994, 1999, and 2012 respectively. However, the percentage of ...
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Exploration Into and Practice in Tracking and Monitoring the Tobacco Industry
Li Jinkui,
Li Tong,
Lu Xiao,
Wu Jiarui,
Xie Yu
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
15-20
Received:
17 October 2017
Accepted:
14 November 2017
Published:
5 December 2017
Abstract: To keep abreast of strategies and actions of the tobacco industry to interfere in tobacco control and take effective measures. Monitoring tobacco industry related news, websites, social media and publications in an all-round way and watching tobacco policies, marketing, promotion and other activities that interfere in tobacco control closely. Having been engaging in tracking and monitoring the tobacco industry for eight years, Think Tank Research Center for Health Development has timely disclosed the tobacco industry’s activities that went against the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. We worked with public interest lawyers and made complaints to related legal authorities, as a result, illegal activities of the tobacco industry have been stopped, investigated and dealt with. Relative information has been publicized and spread through media to expose and crack down on all activities minimizing harm of smoking and misleading the public. Think Tank Research Center’s exploration into and practice in tracking tobacco are comprehensive, documentary, timely and well directed. Tracking and monitoring of our civil institution have strongly fought back against the tobacco industry’s anti-tobacco control activities! We call on that a national-wide, all-inclusive and systematic monitoring system should be established for the tobacco industry.
Abstract: To keep abreast of strategies and actions of the tobacco industry to interfere in tobacco control and take effective measures. Monitoring tobacco industry related news, websites, social media and publications in an all-round way and watching tobacco policies, marketing, promotion and other activities that interfere in tobacco control closely. Havin...
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Implementation of Treating Chronic Hepatitis C in a Correcting Institute by a Hospital-Backup Clinic
Lian-Feng Lin,
Yi-Chun Chan,
Seng Howe Nguang
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
21-25
Received:
5 September 2017
Accepted:
23 December 2017
Published:
15 January 2018
Abstract: Background: chronic viral hepatitis C (HCV) is endemic in the correctional facilities due to intravenous drug use (IDU). In Taiwan, the health insurance reimbursed the interferon-based dual therapy for chronic HCV in the correcting institute since Jan 2013. Therefore, this work is to investigate the feasibility and safety of a hospital-backup clinic care to treat HCV with dual therapy in a correcting facility. Pingtung Christian Hospital established regular clinics on weekdays inside this correcting facility, and offered the computer system, physicians, clinical nurses, laboratory and pharmacy. The chronic HCV infected prisoner was cared in a regular hepatitis clinic, the consultation, blood test, serology and virology test, sonogram, interferon injection were implemented in the clinics, but EPO and transfusion was not offered. Prisoners, who had the will and fitted the indication/contra-indication of interferon-based therapy, were enrolled for treatment. The therapy was guided by Taiwan health insurance guideline--- Pegasys 180 mcg/week combined ribavirin 15 mg/kg/day for 6 months if rapid viral response (RVR) achieved, and 12 months if RVR not achieved but early viral response achieved regardless of genotype. From Apr 2013 to Dec 2016, 103 voluntary prisoners, mean 39.3 ± 5.9 years old, all male and IDU, were enrolled for dual therapy. All the treatment-related events were managed inside the facility and the most common side effects of therapy is skin rash with itching in which anti-histamine medication was necessary but did not cause withdrawing. The rapid viral response rate was achieved in 70.9% of treatment inmates, 11 patients withdrew from therapy due to 4 influenza-like side effects, 1insomnia, 1 hyperthyroidism, 1 flared psoriasis, 2 early releases and 2 transferring prison. Among the 92 cases of complete treatment, 8 patients lose SVR follow-up owing to 5 transferring and 3 early releasing. SVR was achieved in 80 patients. The per-protocol and intention-to-treat SVR is 95.2% (80/84) and 82.7% (85/103) respectively. Five patients of the 7 withdrawers achieved SVR in spite of incomplete therapy due to side effect. All of the side effect could be managed in the clinic. In conclusion, this model of hospital back-up clinic to execute interferon-based therapy for chronic HCV infected inmates was feasible and it achieves excellent eradication rate. But early release and transferring prison may interfere the comprehensive treatment and post-treatment following up, the efforts to improve the coordination between correction institutes or community should be made.
Abstract: Background: chronic viral hepatitis C (HCV) is endemic in the correctional facilities due to intravenous drug use (IDU). In Taiwan, the health insurance reimbursed the interferon-based dual therapy for chronic HCV in the correcting institute since Jan 2013. Therefore, this work is to investigate the feasibility and safety of a hospital-backup clini...
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Prevalence and Factors Associated with Under Nutrition Among Newly Enrolled HIV Infected Adults Attending Ampath Ambulatory Clinic in Eldoret, Kenya
Peris Kebenei,
Robert Too,
Taratisio Ndwiga
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2018
Pages:
26-34
Received:
3 March 2016
Accepted:
4 December 2017
Published:
17 January 2018
Abstract: Background: Nutrition is the main foundation for health and development of the human being. HIV infection increases nutrient requirements and at the same time impairs nutrient intake and absorption. Poor nutrition increases the risk of opportunistic infections, further increasing energy and nutrient needs, thus accelerating the progression of HIV to AIDS. Study Population: Newly enrolled HIV- infected adult patients. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of under nutrition among newly enrolled HIV-infected adults attending the Academic Model for Providing Access to Healthcare clinic (AMPATH). Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 288 consecutively enrolled subjects. The prevalence of under nutrition was determined based on the World Health Organization recommended BMI cut- off points. The contents of 24-hour recalls were entered into a nutrient calculator to determine the nutrient content and compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowance in order to determine adequacy of food. Results: Of the 288 respondents in the study, 153 (54.4%) were female. For males and females the mean± (SD) daily energy and protein intakes were 1856± (536.8) Kcal/day, 1680± (517.3) kcal/day, 62.4± (20.7) g/day and 53.1± (17) g/day respectively. Folate, zinc, iron and vitamin A were significantly below the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Adjusting for energy and protein intake, those with adequate Folate intake had 88.9% lower chances of being-nourished (OR=.111, 95%CI 0.013, 0.973). Conclusion: Prevalence of under nutrition in the study population shows that 31.6% of subjects had inadequate Folate and Zinc intakes. Folate intake was a significant predictor of under-nutrition. It was recommended that patient health education on the need to consume foods rich in Folate and Zinc should be intensified in all the ambulatory clinics.
Abstract: Background: Nutrition is the main foundation for health and development of the human being. HIV infection increases nutrient requirements and at the same time impairs nutrient intake and absorption. Poor nutrition increases the risk of opportunistic infections, further increasing energy and nutrient needs, thus accelerating the progression of HIV t...
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