Demystifying prevalence of anemia in female spouses of army personnel in an Army’s Corps zone: A multicentric cross-sectional study

Background: Anemia is an important public health problem all over the world, both in rich and poor countries. The present study is a cross-sectional multicentric study where data from 10 different stations by 16 different medical establishments were collected. Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of anemia in female spouses of army personnel in an Army’s Corps zone. Materials and Methods: The total size of the sample was 14,273 which covered female spouses of army personnel of five different formations under an Army’s Corps zone. All the non-pregnant female spouses of army personnel were screened for anemia using hemoglobin level estimation. Uniform instructions for screening were given from the medical branch of Army’s Corps Headquarters to medical units. Results: The prevalence of anemia found in this study was 21.54% which is much below the national prevalence of 55% as per National Family Health Survey-3 data. Conclusions: Our study with a large sample size demonstrates that the prevalence of anemia in female spouses of army personnel is almost half of national prevalence. This is indeed a landmark achievement of the Army Medical Corps where success was achieved in reducing the burden of anemia.

Distribution and social determinants of overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study of non-pregnant adult women from the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (2015–2016) / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Hitherto regarded as a public health issue of well-heeled nations, overweight and obesity have emerged as a problem of concern in developing nations. Although social and demographic factors are equally important as proximal lifestyle factors affecting health, their role is neither well researched nor well understood. We conducted a novel study to determine the distribution, prevalence, and social and demographic determinants of overweight/obesity in Malawi.METHODS: A population-based, quantitative cross-sectional study using data from the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (2015–2016) was conducted among non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years. A total of 6,443 women were included in the analysis. Overweight/obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m² , was the main outcome variable. The analysis was done in SPSS version 20.0; after calculating descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted to evaluate associations and determine odds.RESULTS: In total, 16.8% and 6.3% of women were overweight and obese, respectively (p<0.001). Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in urban than in rural areas. The BMI distribution among women varied across different background characteristics. Women from the Ngoni ethnicity were more likely to be overweight/obese than others (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 2.08). Socioeconomic status (SES) and the age of the respondent were highly significant determinants that were strongly associated with being overweight/obese. The richest women were 3 times more likely to be overweight/obese than the poorest (aOR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.46 to 4.43).CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity were highly prevalent and significantly associated with increasing SES, age, and being from the Ngoni ethnicity. Holistic interventions should also focus on improving social determinants in order to entirely curb the epidemic.

Infecciones urinarias por Streptococcus agalactiae y Staphylococcus saprophyticus y embarazo / Urinary tract infections due to Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus saprophyticus and pregnancy / Infecções urinárias por Streptococcus agalactiae y Staphylococcus saprophyticus e gravidez

Distintos autores difieren en la mayor o menor prevalencia de las infecciones urinarias (IU) por Streptococcus agalactiae y Staphylococcus saprophyticus en mujeres embarazadas (ME) y no embarazadas (NE). Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, comparativo, de cohortes con el objetivo de evaluar la frecuencia de IU por S. agalactiae y S. saprophyticus en ME asintomáticas pertenecientes a centros de atención primaria de la salud del Municipio de La Plata (CAPS) entre 2008 y 2016 y se la comparó con la de NE sintomáticas en edad fértil, no internadas, que asistieron al Hospital "San Roque" (HSR) entre 2014 y 2017. Se procesaron 2.378 orinas de ME que concurrieron a las CAPS. De ese total, 201 fueron positivas (8,5%), el 10,4% de las mismas (n: 21) correspondieron a S. agalactiae y el 10,0% a S. saprophyticus (n: 20). En el 54% se aisló Escherichia coli. El total de urocultivos en la población de NE fue de 2.281 y 526 fueron positivos (23,1%): 7 correspondieron a S. agalactiae (1,3%), 18 a S. saprophyticus (3,4%) y el 78% a E. coli. En conclusión, la frecuencia de aislamiento de S. agalactiae y S. saprophyticus fue significativamente mayor en la población de ME pertenecientes a las CAPS respecto de las NE estudiadas en el HSR.

Several authors differ in the greater or lesser prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) due to Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus saprophyticus in pregnant women (PW) and non-pregnant women (NPW). A retrospective, comparative, cohort study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the frequency of UTI by S. agalactiae and S. saprophyticus in asymptomatic PW from primary care centers of the Municipality of La Plata (PCC) between 2008 and 2016 and comparing it with symptomatic NPW in a fertile age, not hospitalized women, who attended the "San Roque" Hospital (HSR) between 2014 and 2017. A total of 2,378 urine samples from PW assisted at the PCC were processed. Two hundred and one were positive (8.5%); 10.4% of them (n: 21) corresponded to S. agalactiae and 10.0% to S. saprophyticus (n: 20). Escherichia coli was isolated in 54%. The total of urine cultures in the population of NPW of the HSR was 2,281 and 526 were positive (23.1%): 7 corresponded to S. agalactiae (1.3%), 18 to S.saprophyticus (3.4%) and 78% to E. coli. In conclusion, the frequency of isolation of S. agalactiae and S. saprophyticus was significantly higher in the population of PW belonging to the PCC than in the NPW studied in the HSR.

Diferentes autores diferem na maior ou menor prevalência das infecções do trato urinário (ITU) devido a Streptococcus agalactiae e Staphylococcus saprophyticus em mulheres grávidas (MG) e mulheres não grávidas (NG). Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo e comparativo de coortes com o objetivo de avaliar a frequência de ITU por S.agalactiae e S.saprophyticus em MGs assintomáticas pertencentes a salas de atendimento primário do município de La Plata (CAPS) entre 2008 e 2016 e compará-lo com NG sintomáticas em idade fértil, não hospitalizadas, que frequentaram o Hospital "San Roque" (HSR) entre 2014 e 2017. Foram processadas 2.378 amostras de urina de MG atendidas nas CAPS. Desse total, 201 foram positivos (8,5%), 10,4% das mesmas (n: 21) corresponderam a S. agalactiae e 10,0% a S. saprophyticus (n: 20). Escherichia coli foi isolada em 54%. As culturas de urina total na população de NG foram de 2.281 e 526 foram positivas (23.1%): 7 correspondem a S.agalactiae (1.3%), 18 a S.saprophyticus (3.4%) e 78% para E. coli. Em conclusão, a frequência de isolamento de S. agalactiae e S. saprophyticus foi significativamente maior na população de MG pertencente às CAPS do que as NG estudadas no HSR.

Incidence of Significant Bacteriuria among Pregnant Women in a Teaching Hospital of Rural Setup

Aim This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women attending a teaching hospital in rural setup. Materials and Methods A total of 600 women were recruited for this study. A total of 200 antenatal women were clinically identified to have no signs and symptoms of UTI, 200 antenatal women were having signs and symptoms of UTI, and 200 were non-pregnant women that were studied as controls. Clean catch midstream urine samples were collected from each patient into a sterile universal container from Gynecology and obstetrics department and general medicine department. The urine samples were examined microscopically and by the cultural method. Identification of isolates was carried out by a standard microbiological technique. Result A total of 272 (45.3%) were positive for significant bacteriuria. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria with respect to age (P< 0.0001). Trimester did not show any significant difference (P = 0.2006) in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was the most predominant organism followed closely by Klebsiella species. Nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, and levofloxacin were mostly used antibiotics. Conclusion Asymptomatic bacteriuria is not uncommon among antenatal patients in the population studied. Routine urine cultural test should be carried out on all antenatal patients in order to identify any unsuspecting infection. This measure will go a long way in reducing maternal and obstetric complications associated with pregnancy.

Trends in Body Mass Index and its Determinants among Ever-married Non-pregnant Women in Bangladesh

Introduction: There is increasing prevalence of overweight ever-married non¬pregnant women while underweight women of the same category remain common. Thus, this study aimed to identify body mass index (BMI) trends as well as the determinants of nutritional status across urban and rural areas and Bangladesh as a whole over the survey years of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2007 and 2011. Method: The nationally representative samples of 9,241 and 14,975 ever-married non-pregnant women 15 to 49 years old were extracted from the BDHS 2007 and 2011, respectively. BMI was used as a proxy to measure nutritional status. Binary logistic regression models were fitted separately for urban and rural areas and Bangladesh as a whole to identify the changes in determinants. Results: The prevalence of underweight women decreased 5.3% while the prevalence for overweight women increased 3.1% between the survey years of BDHS 2007 and 2011. Women in rural areas were found more likely to be underweight while the percentage of women with normal nutritional status was found to increase in the urban areas. Respondents' age, education, marital status, children ever born, wealth index, age at first birth, husbands' occupation and husbands' education were identified as the most important determinants of nutritional status in both the survey years. Conclusion: The burden of underweight, and overweight to obese women in Bangladesh is strongly related to an individual's demographic and socio-economic position. These findings underscore the need for public health efforts aimed at combating underweight among women.

Iron Status and Red Cell Parameters in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa).

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate iron metabolism and compare iron stores between pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken with 187 volunteers adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years. For this study, adolescents were divided into 2 groups with 75 non-pregnant adolescents and 112 pregnant adolescents. Study population was recruited January 2006 to January 2008 in 4 urban community health centers, of Abidjan. Assays of blood samples were performed in Laboratory of Physiology, Pharmacology and Phytotherapy (Nangui Abrogoua University) and in Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry of University Hospital Centre (Cocody, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University). Methodology: In each pregnant adolescent a blood sample was collected by venipuncture on a dry and EDTA tubes of 5 ml. With these blood samples, haematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Results: Haematological parameters were decreased in pregnant adolescents at the third trimester of pregnancy compared with control adolescents. Pregnant adolescents were more anaemic during pregnancy (77.7 %) compared with non-pregnant adolescents (42.7 %). Iron stores were greatly decreased in 72.3 %, 83.9 % and 95.6 % of adolescents respectively during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant adolescents (34.7 %). In addition, high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was recorded throughout pregnancy in adolescents. Therefore, iron status was more altered in pregnant adolescents (11.6 %, 9.8 % and 0.0 % respectively) compared with non-pregnant adolescents (13.3 %). The results of this study show that the causes of pronounced degradation in iron status are insufficient in size of iron stores in pregnant adolescents and non-pregnant adolescents. Conclusion: Iron metabolism alteration is important in pregnant adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire, causing severe anaemia in this group of population.

Characteristics of Group B Streptococcal Bacteremia in Non-pregnant Adults and Neonates / 감염

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococci (GBS) are major cause of meningitis and septicemia in neonates and pregnant women, but the importance in non-pregnant adults has not been clearly defined. METHODS: Medical records of all patients with group B streptococcal bacteremia from 1988 to 1997 at Asan Medical Center were reviewed. We compared the clinical and laboratory findings of non-pregnant adults to those of neonates. RESULTS: In a 8-year period there were 41 patients with GBS bacteremia. Thirteen (31.7%) patients were neonates (mean age 14.0+/-11.5 day) and 28 (68.3%) were non-pregnant adults (mean age 52.8+/-13.3 year). Community-acquired infections were 2 cases (15.4%) in the neonates and 7 cases (25.0%) in the non-pregnant adults. In the non-pregnant adults, the most common clinical diagnosis was bacteremia without identified source (15 cases, 53.6%). The others were bone or joint infection (6), urinary tract infection (4), pneumonia (2), skin infection (2), peritonitis (2), and meningitis (1). GBS bacteremia was more common in old age (50 years, 20 cases, 71.4%), the presence of diabetes mellitus (10), solid tumors (10) and liver cirrhosis (10). The mortality rate in non-pregnant adults was 35.7% (10 cases), accounting for 10.7% (3) of deaths related to GBS. In the neonates, early onset infection were 5 cases (38.5%) and late onset infection were 8 (61.5%). The presumed portal of entries were bacteremia without identified focus (5 cases, 38.5%), and meningitis (8, 61.5%). The mortality rate in the neonates was 23.1% (3 cases) and 7.1% (1) related to GBS bacteremia. CONCLUSION: GBS bacteremia is a serious problem not only in the neonates and pregnant women but also in the non-pregnant adults, especially those who are elderly patients with significant underlying diseases.