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Abstract: Aim Gender-related healthcare disparities persist. We sought to determine gender-related differences in rural healthcare. Subject and methods Quality control assurance analysis utilizing an electronic medical record was used to determine gender-related differences in rural healthcare over a 3-year period (n = 78,814). Results Compared to men, women tended to be older (69.4 ± 13.6 years vs 67.9 ± 12.5 years, p < 0.0001), have a higher BMI (30.8 ± 8.2 kg/m2 vs 30.5 ± 6.7 kg/m2, p < 0.0001), Caucasian (OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.13–1.29, p < 0.0001), reside in a rural county (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00–1.06, p = 0.03), have government pay or insurance (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.32–1.41, p < 0.0001), shorter intervals between healthcare visits (158.9 ± 183.1 days vs 167.2 ± 189.7 days, p < 0.0001), more frequent number of emergency department visits (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.26–1.35, p < 0.0001), and a higher number of inpatient hospital admissions (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.12, p < 0.0001). With regard to cardiovascular disease, women had fewer markers as measured by a lower (Hb)A1c value (p < 0.001), tobacco use (51.3% vs 63.8%, p < 0.001), coronary artery disease diagnosis (38.2% vs 51.7%, p < 0.001), and taking a statin medication (40.4% vs 44.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusion Gender-related healthcare differences occur in our rural population. Compared to men, women from both rural and non-rural locations tend to utilize the healthcare system more, which is associated with fewer markers of cardiovascular disease. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim Health literacy has gained increasing importance worldwide. As a result of several studies indicating low health literacy levels in large parts of the population, strategies and action plans promoting health literacy were developed in many countries. The article analyses the origin, development and structure of the German Health Literacy Action Plan. Subject and methods In 2016, a civil society initiative was formed, aiming at developing a national action plan in an expert-based and collaborative manner. A group of 15 experts elaborated the core elements of the action plan, based on a literature review on existing health literacy approaches, action plans and empirical evidence. These core elements were further developed collaboratively in workshops with key stakeholders, self-help and patient organizations and individual consultation meetings. Afterwards, the National Action Plan was reviewed and previously formulated recommendations were refined before being published. Results and conclusion The National Action Plan Health Literacy in Germany presents 15 recommendations in four areas of action for promoting health literacy in Germany. This bottom-up strategy and the expert-based yet at the same time collaborative approach have proved to be successful when developing a national action plan. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim The data of South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016 were analyzed to find out the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association (ACC/AHA 2017) and the Joint National Committee 7 (JNC7) guidelines. Subject and methods A weighted sample of 4799 adults aged ≥ 18 years were included in the final analyses. After conducting bivariate analyses to identify the differences in prevalence according to both the guidelines, multilevel multivariable logistic regression was applied to obtain adjusted odds ratio (AOR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results According to the JNC7 and the ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, the prevalence of hypertension was 50.4% (95% CI: 48.3%, 52.5%) and 75.0% (95% CI: 73.1%, 76.7%) respectively. The significant factors positively associated with hypertension according to the ACC/AHA 2017 guideline were: age-groups of ≥ 70 years, 50–69 years (AOR: 6.6, 95% CI: 5.2, 8.3) and 30–49 years (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.9, 2.7), being overweight (AOR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.5) and obese (AOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.7, 2.6), residing in urban area (AOR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), and belonging to the Free State province (AOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.5) and the KwaZulu–Natal province (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.7). No statistically significant association was found between hypertension and sex and wealth index as per the new guideline. Conclusion The health promotion programs of South Africa should focus on the abovementioned factors in order to prevent and control hypertension irrespective of sex and wealth index. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim This study aimed to describe and compare the sociodemographic and health characteristics of people with a current cancer diagnosis (CC), past cancer diagnosis (PC) and never diagnosed with cancer (NC) across three life-course stages: adolescence and young adulthood (AYA) (age 15–39 years), midlife (40–64) and later-life (65+). Subjects and methods Population-based survey data collected between 2015 and 2018 were used to estimate characteristics by cancer status and life-course stage. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between cancer status and health after adjusting for sociodemographics and comorbidities. Results During AYA and midlife, over 20% of the CC group reported dealing with long-term illness as their main activity over the past week. Compared to the NC group, in AYA the PC group were 2.45 times (95% CI 1.37–4.38) more likely to drink 4+ times per week and 1.56 times (95% CI 1.14–2.12) more likely to smoke daily. The odds of meeting physical activity guidelines were lower in the CC than NC group in both midlife (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.58–0.85) and later life (OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.97). Across the life course, the CC group were more likely than the NC group to report fair to poor health with ORs decreasing from 18.54 (95% CI 8.39–40.97) in AYA to 3.60 (95% CI 3.14–4.12) in later life, and both the CC and PC groups were more likely than the NC group to report multiple chronic conditions. Conclusions Cancer survivors experience adverse economic and health outcomes across the life course, particularly earlier in their cancer journey. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim We aimed to investigate the association of the working environment noise with the psychosocial status and occupational stress level of the workers of an industrial company. Subject and methods In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled all the employees at an industrial company. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire was used to measure the workplace psychosocial factors and stress levels of the participants. Based on the sound level measurements, the company sections were divided into two areas: the areas with noise ≥85 dB (dB) A and the areas with noise <85 dB A. Then the participants were categorized into two groups based on the working area and the study variables were compared between the two groups. Results We enrolled 401 workers from an industrial company. For 154 (38.4%) workers, the level of noise was equal to or above 85 dB A. According to the results of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, scores of the two groups were significantly different for scales related to cognitive, emotional, and sensory demands, possibilities for development, and predictability as well as workplace demand domain, which showed noise exposure level was significantly associated with perceived workplace demands (P = 0.002). Conclusion This study showed a slight association between the psychosocial status and the level of noise in the workplace environment. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim This study aimed at comparing health literacy measures, and their correlates, for the district of Favoriten to those of Vienna and Austria. The Viennese district of Favoriten was of particular interest, due to present characteristics, such as its high cultural and ethnic diversity as well as a relatively high unemployment rate. Subject and methods This study was set up as a cross-sectional, paper-based self-completion random sample survey. For each sample representing Favoriten, Vienna, and Austria, 500 adults were randomly drawn from the population register. Results Out of 1500 surveys sent out, 160 (10.7%) were included in the analysis. Regarding general health literacy, the sample of Favoriten scored highest (33.9; CI 95% 31.5, 36.3), followed by the samples of Austria (32.5; CI 95% 30.9, 34.2) and Vienna (31.5; CI 95% 29.6, 33.4). Higher household income (r = 0.46, p < 0.01), better education (r = 0.31, p = 0.09) and migration status outside the EU (d = −0.56, p = 0.12) showed moderately effect-sized associations to general health literacy in the sample of Favoriten, which was not the case for other characteristics such as age, gender, and employment status. Conclusion In the light of previous studies, reporting on associations of health literacy measures with social determinants, such as migration and employment status, the sample of Favoriten might well have been expected to result in impaired health literacy measures. Our results do not support this assumption, though. Despite the limited external validity of this study, policymakers and practitioners may be advised to design health literacy measures in such a way that specifically reaches out to the socially disadvantaged target population and not focus merely on pertinent districts or regions. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Objective Successful community integration involves active participation in the community, broadly defined as having independence, relationships, and engagement in meaningful activities. This review aims to identify the literature focusing on community integration of individuals with stroke aged 18 years and older in the community over the past two decades. Methods This review will be based on the methodological framework given by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). We will include studies from SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, EBSCO, ClinicalKey, Wiley Online, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases published from January 2000 onwards. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be analyzed separately to identify various assessments, interventions, and factors that influence the community integration of individuals with stroke. Conclusion This scoping review will help to explore studies focusing on community integration among individuals with stroke aged 18 and older living in the community. It can further assist professionals who are addressing the concerns of individuals with stroke in the community. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Background According to the World Health Organization (WHO), currently over three in ten of all new HIV cases globally occur among youth aged 15 to 25 years. It is increasingly suggested that health risk behavior among the youth contributes to this rising HIV incidence among Rwandan youth; however, these suggestions are unsubstantiated by documented evidence. Objective In this study, we investigated youth health risk behavior and their likely influence on HIV incidence. We also explored the hypothesis that limiting early sexual debut contributes to minimizing HIV incidence among Rwandan youth, consequently facilitating achievement of the global agenda for health and sustainable development to end HIV/AIDS ambition by the year 2030. Methods The Rwanda Demographic Health Survey 2014–15 was used for this study. Youth who met the eligibility criteria were 1528. Descriptive statistic was performed in percentages and proportion. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic regressions were used with 95% confidence interval and statistical significance determined at p < 0.05. Adjusted odds ratio was used to calculate population attributable fraction (PAF) for age of sexual debut. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA v13.0. Results Of all study participants, 2.6% (n = 40) were HIV positive. Multiple logistic regression showed that youth who practice earlier sexual debut at ages 15–17 had higher odds of being infected with HIV, compared to the reference population, albeit statistically non-significant (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.74–2.75, p = 0.287). PAF results demonstrate that approximately 2% of HIV infection could be avoided if the age of sexual debut was older than the national mean age of 17 years among the Rwandan youth. Conclusion Risky sexual behavior remains a major healthcare challenge among the youth in Rwanda with a female sex preponderance. The present study established an association between these health risk behaviors and incidence of HIV among Rwandan youth, and also determined that the rising incidence of HIV among youth in Rwanda could be attenuated if prudent familial interventions, including parental involvement in the reproductive lives of youth, and evidence-based governmental healthcare policies are initiated and effectively executed. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among Irish teenagers has risen significantly. In 2019, prevalence of current use (last 30 days) among 15–17-year-olds was 17.3%. We examine social determinants of adolescent e-cigarette current use. Subject and methods A stratified random sample of 50 schools in Ireland was surveyed in 2019, part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD), with 3495 students aged 15, 16, and 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression [providing adjusted odds ratios (AORs)] analyses were performed using Stata version 16. Results Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI:0.32–0.96, p < .01), younger (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.67, p = < .05), to participate in sport (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.05–4.65, p < .05), to have higher-educated parents (maternal higher education: AOR = 27.54, 95% CI: 1.50–505.77, p = < .05, paternal higher education: AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.00–5.91, p < .05), and less likely to consider their families better off (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.65, p < .01), or to report familial support (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95, p < .05). They were more likely to be cigarette smokers (AOR = 7.22, 95% CI: 3.97–13.12, p < .001), to report problem cannabis use (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.40–6.93, p < .01), to be ‘binge’ drinkers (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI : 1.00–3.32, p = .054), and to have friends who get drunk (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.34–20.86, p < .05). Conclusion Boys, smokers, binge drinkers, problem cannabis users, and sport-playing teenagers from higher-educated families, are at particular risk. As the number of young people using e-cigarettes continues to rise, including teenagers who have never smoked, improved regulation of e-cigarettes, similar to other tobacco-related products, is needed urgently to prevent this worrying new trend of initiation into nicotine addiction. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim Access to clean sanitation is closely linked to women’s dignity, health, and wellbeing, and lack of these is a significant concern. We explore the perceptions about the poor sanitation access for on-duty female police officials working at off-site locations and its implications with regard to their behavior, health, and social lives. Subject and methods We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey study with 150 on-duty female police officials in the period January–March, 2020 in South India to elicit their perceptions about access to sanitation in off-site locations, their behavioral modifications to tackle this issue, and its impacts on their health and social lives. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Results A high percentage of female police officials (69%) reported not having toilet access while on duty in off-site locations, and 80% avoided drinking water during duty to avoid accessing toilets. Poor toilet access was significantly associated with higher risk of genitourinary symptoms (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 0.96–4.83) and urinary tract Infections (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.05–5.48). About 11% of participants abstained from work for hygiene purposes during their menstruation owing to discomfort without toilet access, with consequent wage loss and significant adverse social impacts (OR: 10.8; 95% CI: 4.7–25.2; p value = 0.0001). Conclusion Reduced access to clean sanitation facilities for on-duty female police officials has adverse implications on their toileting and hydration behavior, health, and social lives. Gender-sensitive policies and enhanced welfare facilities are needed to motivate and to obviate health and social risks for the female police force engaged in protecting the country’s citizens. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Background In 2019, a migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos designed for 650 people was home to a growing population of over 5500. We aimed to quantitatively describe living conditions and health needs in the camp. Methods A questionnaire was designed with reference to international humanitarian standards, following a consultative process with the asylum-seeker population. Domains assessed included demographics, living conditions, safety/vulnerability, and health. The questionnaire was piloted and then conducted in June 2019 on a sample of asylum seekers. Results Five hundred participants, predominantly from Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of these, 79.4% lived in tents. Respondents cared for a total of 570 children; 20.6% of women were pregnant, 35.4% had experienced violence, 83% psychological distress, 71% skin disease, 66% diarrhoea and vomiting, and 64% respiratory disease. Accommodation, sanitation, and nutrition fell below internationally recognised standards, and poor access to water was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory disease, diarrhoea and vomiting, skin disease ,and psychological distress. Conclusions Living conditions in the Samos camp fall below basic humanitarian standards and are associated with poor health status. Further research is imperative to analyse and monitor the diverse, varying needs of asylum-seekers and inform policies to improve conditions. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim This study aimed to screen healthy individuals with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods This study was a cross-sectional study with a simple random sampling technique. The instrument used was the CANRISK questionnaire. Results Approximately 327 respondents participated in this study. The result of the study shows that 34.5% (n = 113) of participants had a low-risk factor, 40.7% (n = 133) had a medium risk factor, and approximately 24.8% (n = 81) of them had a high-risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the next ten years based on the CANRISK questionnaire assessment. There was a positive correlation between the total score of the CANRISK and age (p = 0.000; r = 0.511), BMI (p = 0.000; r = 0.657), and waist circumference (p = 0.000; r = 0.673). In a differential test analysis, there were significant differences between gender (p = 0.000), history of hypertension (p = 0.000), family history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), and education (p = 0.001) in the risk category of the CANRISK. Conclusion The higher the total score obtained based on the CANRISK questionnaire, the higher the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the next ten years. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdowns have played a critical role in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, but may increase psychological burden. This study sought to examine emotions reflected in social media discourse following the introduction of social contact restrictions in Central Europe. Subjects and methods German-language Twitter posts containing ‘#corona’ and ‘#covid-19’ were collected between 2020/03/18 – 2020/04/24. A total of 79,760 tweets were included in the final analysis. Rates of expressions of positive emotion, anxiety, sadness and anger were compared over time. Bi-term topic models were applied to extract topics of discussion and examine association with emotions. Results Rates of anxiety, sadness and positive emotion decreased in the period following the introduction of social contact restrictions. A total of 16 topics were associated with emotions, which related to four general themes: social contact restrictions, life during lockdown, infection-related issues, and impact of the pandemic on public and private life. Several unique patterns of association between topics and emotions emerged. Conclusion Results suggest decreasing polarity of emotions among the public following the introduction of social contact restrictions. Monitoring of social media activity may prove beneficial for an adaptive understanding of changing public concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim Process evaluations for social and behavioral interventions are increasingly important as interventions become more complex and multi-faceted. Conducting process evaluations in low-resource international settings can be challenging. Process evaluations in low-resource international settings can help inform and improve the quality of ongoing intervention implementation. We conducted a process evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a microfinance and health leadership program on sexually transmitted infections and intimate partner violence perpetration among young men in Tanzania. Subject and methods Our trial included 1491 participants and the intervention lasted 2 years. We collected process data on microfinance loan uptake and repayment, and health leaders’ health conversations with peers to monitor intervention reach and dose received. We developed a database system that allowed offline data collection and synced to a central database when internet was accessible. Research staff in the USA accessed data from the central database to analyze and create regular implementation reports. Results Process graphical reports facilitated identification of implementation challenges and enabled us to resolve issues before they worsened. For example, from a group with low microfinance loan repayment we learned area participants perceived the loan to be a grant, and then we clarified the misinformation with participants. Conclusions The process evaluation helped inform ongoing intervention implementation, including approaches to improve reach and uptake of interventions. Field staff time was protected by systemizing the sharing of data processing and analyses across the global team. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Background According to recent polling, public trust in the healthcare sector remains low relative to other industries globally. The implications of low healthcare trust permeate throughout the industry in a number of ways, most visibly by discouraging therapy compliance. Methods This study investigated four putative determinants of trust in healthcare-related scenarios: individuals vs. collective groups as communicators of healthcare advice; expert vs. laypeople as providers of healthcare communication; public vs. private healthcare sector; and positive vs. negative information. Two hundred seventy-four participants were recruited via Prolific Academic and were presented with four statements in random order, related to a positive reflection of the public healthcare sector, a negative reflection of the public healthcare sector, a positive reflection of the private healthcare sector and a negative reflection of the private healthcare sector. According to these reflection, participants were repeatedly asked to rate the system on its trustworthiness. Trust outcomes were constructed using a four-dimension framework, consisting of benevolence, reliability, competence and predictability. Results Claims relating to the public sector had a significantly stronger impact on benevolence and reliability than claims relating to the private sector; claims from individuals had a significantly stronger impact on all trust variables than claims from collectives; and claims from laypeople had a significantly greater impact on reliability and competence ratings than claims from experts. Conclusions The findings in this study offer insight into the patterns with which trust decisions are made in healthcare contexts. More importantly, this research offers a novel perspective of how different factors interact to affect the various facets of trust. These results provide a foundation for future study in this evolving area, and offer insights into designing effective communication strategies that cultivate greater levels of individual trust in the healthcare sector. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Background We investigated the public health and economy outcomes of different levels of social distancing to control a ‘second wave’ outbreak in Australia and identify implications for public health management of COVID-19. Methods Individual-based and compartment models were used to simulate the effects of different social distancing and detection strategies on Australian COVID-19 infections and the economy from March to July 2020. These models were used to evaluate the effects of different social distancing levels and the early relaxation of suppression measures, in terms of public health and economy outcomes. Results The models, fitted to observations up to July 2020, yielded projections consistent with subsequent cases and showed that better public health outcomes and lower economy costs occur when social distancing measures are more stringent, implemented earlier and implemented for a sufficiently long duration. Early relaxation of suppression results in worse public health outcomes and higher economy costs. Conclusions Better public health outcomes (reduced COVID-19 fatalities) are positively associated with lower economy costs and higher levels of social distancing; achieving zero community transmission lowers both public health and economy costs compared to allowing community transmission to continue; and early relaxation of social distancing increases both public health and economy costs. PubDate: 2023-06-01
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Abstract: Aim An evidence gap exists on sex and gender differences in drowning with previous research neglecting females. Drowning studies have largely focused on accidental drowning and submersion, excluding other classifications such as intentional, water transport-related, and undetermined drowning. This study examined all external causes of drowning deaths over a 13-year period in Australia disaggregated by sex. Drowning deaths were compared by sex with drowning classification, year, month, age, place of death, Indigenous status, socioeconomic, and visitor status. Subject and methods This retrospective total population study included all females and males who died from drowning in Australia from 2006 to 2019. Data was extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Cause of Death Unit Record Files. Australian population data were extracted to calculate the crude death rate and relative risk for drowning. Results There were 4007 drowning deaths recorded, and females represented 25.2% of drowning fatalities. Females were less likely than males to drown, including by drowning classification, year, month, state, remoteness and visitor status, age, socioeconomic, and Indigenous status. The highest proportion of female drowning deaths were from intentional drowning, fall into swimming pools, and in natural water. Drowning deaths among females increased as age increased. Conclusion There is a clear need for improved disaggregation of sex and gender in drowning research. Without the detailed exploration of females in drowning statistics there will be limited knowledge translation specific to females. The development of drowning prevention strategies targeted to females is required to reduce the incidence and risk of drowning. PubDate: 2023-05-27
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Abstract: Objective This study aims at investigating how AI-based transformers can support researchers in designing and conducting an epidemiological study. To accomplish this, we used ChatGPT to reformulate the STROBE recommendations into a list of questions to be answered by the transformer itself. We then qualitatively evaluated the coherence and relevance of the transformer’s outputs. Study design Descriptive study. Methods We first chose a study to be used as a basis for the simulation. We then used ChatGPT to transform each STROBE checklist’s item into specific prompts. Each answer to the respective prompt was evaluated by independent researchers in terms of coherence and relevance. Results The mean scores assigned to each prompt were heterogeneous. On average, for the coherence domain, the overall mean score was 3.6 out of 5.0, and for relevance it was 3.3 out of 5.0. The lowest scores were assigned to items belonging to the Methods section of the checklist. Conclusions ChatGPT can be considered as a valuable support for researchers in conducting an epidemiological study, following internationally recognized guidelines and standards. It is crucial for the users to have knowledge on the subject and a critical mindset when evaluating the outputs. The potential benefits of AI in scientific research and publishing are undeniable, but it is crucial to address the risks, and the ethical and legal consequences associated with its use. PubDate: 2023-05-26
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Abstract: Aim This study aimed to analyse the gender differences in diabetes awareness and exposure towards risk factors among patients with diabetes in India. Subject and methods It is a cross-sectional study covering 583 patients with diabetes from different districts of Punjab, India. These patients were interviewed using multi-stage purposeful random sampling. Descriptive analysis, along with two sample t-tests for unequal variance and one-way analysis of variance, was used in the study. Results We selected 299 female and 284 male patients, where 47.1% (consisting of 38.2% women and 56.7% men) of patients believed that there is no gender differential in the prevalence of diabetes. In terms of risk exposure, women were at higher risk in body mass index (51.4%), sitting time per day (89.9%) and physical activity (54.2%). In comparison, men were at higher risk of having irregular diet (4.2%), alcohol (17.3%) and tobacco (5.3%) consumption, family history of diabetes (25.7%) and non-vegetarian food consumption (31.3%). In bivariate analysis, we found a significant difference (p = 0.000) in the level of awareness between women (μ = 4.42) and men (μ = 5.56). However, no significant difference (p = 0.634) was found between women (μ = 5.04) and men (μ = 5.12) in their exposure towards the risk factors. Conclusions This study has uncovered some underlying reasons for gender differences in diabetes awareness and exposure towards risk factors among patients with diabetes in India. This research will help our policymakers comprehend the intricacies of gender-related health needs and implement interventions to reduce the burden of diabetes in the country. PubDate: 2023-05-26
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Abstract: Aim This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the correlations between food security, diet quality and weight change among working women during the endemic phase of COVID-19 in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. Methods Working women aged 18–49 years were required to self-report their socio-demographics and pre-pandemic body weight (body weight during February 2020). Body height and current body weight were measured using a SECA stadiometer and TANITA weighing scale. Food security was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES); the diet quality was determined with the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) for Malaysia. Results The prevalence of moderate-to-severe food insecurity was 19.9%. It is noted that 64.3% of working women gained weight throughout the pandemic, with an average weight gain of 4.36 ± 3.19 kg. Concerning diet quality, the majority (82.5%) achieved the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Findings from linear regression revealed that food security was not significantly correlated with weight change. However, working women who failed to achieve the MDD-W gained, on average, 1.853 kg more than those who did (p = 0.040). On the other hand, no significant correlation was observed between food security status and diet quality in weight change of working women. Conclusion The current study shall provide an impetus to develop intervention strategies for promoting healthy eating among working women. PubDate: 2023-05-25
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