Razi International Medical Journal

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Population in Afghanistan

2024-05-30T06:45:45+00:00

Background: After great change in governing of Afghanistan in 2001 the country is experiencing the double burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases. In this paper, we estimated the prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components among Afghan adults’ citizens using data from the first WHO STEP survey.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adults’ individuals of ≥ 25 years in five main cities of Afghanistan including Jalalabad, Mazar Sharif, Kandahar, Herat and in Kabul during 2012 to 2015. The study was conducted in accordance with the STEPwise approach of the World Health Organization. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome, its components and associated risk factors were calculated using Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria modified for Asian in habitants. Data management, analysis and statistical procedures conducted using Epi info v. 7 and SPSS v. 20.

Results: Totally 5897 adult citizens were enrolled in this study. The average age of study subjects 39.56±12.29 years, consisting of 3185 females (54%) and 2712 males (46%). Generally, 62% of participants were illiterate and majority (82.5%) were married. The prevalence of smoking cigarettes and using mouth snuff was 8% and 11.1% and this proportion were very low in females (2.7% and 2.5%) than males (14.1% and 21.1%); this difference was statistically significant (p value=<0.01). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 39.69% (95%CI: 38.42 – 40.97). The highest rate (52.70%) was recorded in Jalalabad and lowest rate (34.11%) in Herat cities. Moderate physical activity had a statistically significant association with syndrome (OR=1.16; 95%CI:1.031-1.306).

Conclusion: Despite of struggling to control communicable diseases the country is faced with challenge of noncommunicable diseases, if the MetS is counted as a typical model. It warrants formulated public health measures to prevent morbidity and mortality due to noncommunicable disease in the future.

Determinants of Households’ Access to Improved Water Sources, Sanitation and Handwashing facilities among Under-18 Orphans: A Secondary Analysis of 2018 Demographic Health Surveys

2024-01-04T15:29:48+00:00

Background: This study aimed to investigate households’ access to improved water sources, sanitation and handwashing facilities among under-18 orphans in Nigeria.

Methods: Data were obtained from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 6152 orphans were included. Access to improved water, sanitation and presence of handwashing facilities were the main outcome variable. SPSS version 26.0 was used for data analysis. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.

Results: The respondents mean age was 10.5±4.5years which about half (50.3%) were female. Respondents from rural areas were 73.8% less likely to have access to improved source of water supply compared to those who were from urban areas (OR=0.262, CI: 0.231-0.297). Also, those with higher education were 9.2 times more likely to have access to improved sanitation as compared to those who had no education (OR=9.212, CI: 1.131-75.005). Also, orphans from rural communities were 13.8% less likely to have access to basic hand washing facilities compared to those who were from urban communities (OR=0.862, CI: 0.762-0.976).

Conclusion: This study revealed that some socio-demographic characteristics were significant determinants to access to improved water, sanitation and presence of handwashing facilities in the households.

Determinants Of Taking Adequate Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination Among Mothers In Their Last Pregnancy In Nigeria

2024-02-03T19:28:18+00:00

Background: Nigeria records considerable morbidity and mortality from tetanus, predominantly in newborns and women of reproductive age group. This is largely due to poor tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV) uptake. This study investigated the factors influencing the uptake of adequate Tetanus toxoid vaccination among women in their last pregnancy in Nigeria.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used data sets extracted from the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. It includes data collected from 4,855 women, aged 15-49 years across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data analysis, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were then performed.

Results: Out of the 4,855 women recruited, slightly half of the respondents (51.7%) were between the ages of 25 and 34. All respondents had tetanus injections, the majority of which (86.7%) were adequate. Some factors identified to influence TTCV uptake positively were younger age group (p<0.001, OR=1.377), tertiary education (p<0.001, OR=2.093), wealth (p<0.001, OR=2.217), owning an immunisation card (p<0.001, OR=0.69), exposure to radio and television (p<0.001, OR=1.749), residence in southern Nigeria (p=0.020, OR=1.571), prenatal care (p=0.019, OR=0.585) and delivery in health care facility (p<0.019, OR=0.448).

Conclusion: This study found that the TTCV uptake in Nigeria among mothers in their last pregnancy was in keeping with the standard recommended by WHO for any country aspiring to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. However, the lowest uptake was observed in the Northern region. We recommend that national policies on maternal and child care should be reviewed to improve TTCV uptake and aid the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

Hypertension and health-related quality of life among Afghan school teachers: a cross-sectional study

2024-05-30T07:21:04+00:00

Background: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a global health concern that significantly impacts the quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life and the factors associated with it in hypertensive patients across the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains.

Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted involving 503 public school teachers from Herat province of Afghanistan. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Bref 26 (WHOQOL-BREF 26) questionnaire was used to assess quality of life of participants. Each participant's blood pressure was assessed twice. Participants with a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher, or both, were classified as having hypertension.

Results: Of the 503 participants, 23.5% of them had hypertension. Age group, gender, and aware of hypertension were significantly associated with presence of hypertension. Physical domain, psychological domain, and social relationship domain were significantly associated with prevalence of hypertension.

Conclusion: This study underscores the significant impact of hypertension on the health-related quality of life among Afghan school teachers. Effective management strategies targeting physical, psychological, and social health are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of hypertension. Further research should explore the role of cultural and occupational factors in shaping the quality of life in this population.

The Effect of Using Rebozo Technique during Labor on the Sensation of Labor Pain and Labor Duration

2024-04-26T12:35:26+00:00

Background: Labor pain is one of the most severe pain types known and it is especially more intense in primiparous women. For this reason, this experimental study was conducted on the rebozo technique applied during labor in primiparous pregnant women to determine its effect on the perception of labor pain and labor duration.

Methods: This study was conducted between 1 July 2021 and 31 January 2022 in a private institution with two groups, 30 patients got treated with rebozo, rebozo group, 30 people in the control group, with a total of 60 patients. Data collection tools included patient information form, partograph form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data was analysed with SPSS. Physical characteristics were similar (p>0.05).

Results: Application of Rebozo technique shortened the duration of the active phase of labor, the duration of the total active phase and the duration between the active phase and delivery. VAS score was found to be significantly lower with Rebozo technique application (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study suggests that the rebozo technique is a reliable and effective method for reducing labor duration and pain sensation.

Analysis of the output of "Razi International Medical Journal" during 2021-2023 and future directions

2024-05-30T17:25:15+00:00

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