ABSTRACT
Objective. We sought to understand knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 in pregnant women in seven low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Results. In all, 25 260 women completed the survey. Overall, 56.8% of women named ≥3 COVID-19 symptoms, 34.3% knew ≥2 transmission modes, 51.3% knew ≥3 preventive measures and 79.7% named at least one high-risk condition. Due to COVID-19 exposure concerns, 23.8% had avoided prenatal care and 7.5% planned to avoid hospital delivery. Over half the women in the Guatemalan site and 40% in the Pakistan site reduced care seeking due to COVID-19 exposure concerns. Of the women, 24.0% were afraid of getting COVID-19 from healthcare providers. Overall, 63.3% reported wearing a mask and 29.1% planned to stay at home to reduce COVID-19 exposure risk
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Child Health , Cross-Sectional Studies , Pregnant Women , COVID-19ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies that evaluate the relationship between occupational asphalt exposure and head and neck cancer have had a limited ability to control for known risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and human papillomavirus (HPV). AIMS: To better elucidate this relationship by including known risk factors in a large case-control study of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from the greater Boston area. METHODS: We analysed the relationship between occupational asphalt exposure and HNSCC among men in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts. Analyses were conducted using unconditional multivariable logistic regression, performed with adjustments for age, race, education, smoking, alcohol consumption and HPV serology. RESULTS: There were 753 cases and 913 controls. No associations between HNSCC and occupational asphalt exposure (neither among ever-exposed nor by occupational duration) were observed for exposures in any occupation or those restricted to the construction industry. We also observed no associations in subgroup analyses of never-smokers and ever-smokers. Adjusting for known risk factors further reduced the estimated effect of asphalt exposure on HNSCC risk. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for an association between occupational asphalt exposure and HNSCC. The null findings from this well-controlled analysis could suggest that the risk estimates stemming from occupational cohort studies may be overestimated due to uncontrolled confounding and enhance the literature available for weighing cancer risk from occupational exposure to bitumen.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/etiology , Head and Neck Neoplasms/etiology , Hydrocarbons , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Exposure , Aged , Boston , Case-Control Studies , Cohort Studies , Humans , Hydrocarbons/adverse effects , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Occupations , Risk Factors , Smoking , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: A novel laser interferometric method for monitoring linear polymerization shrinkage in dental restoratives is demonstrated. METHODS: The experimental apparatus consists of a low power Helium-Neon laser, a home-built Michelson interferometer, amplified photodiode detectors, and a computer data acquisition system. The feasibility of using interferometry to measure linear shrinkage was evaluated by measuring the percent linear contraction in five commercially available light cured restorative systems. RESULTS: Five-min interferometric curing profiles were collected for each restorative using a 400 mW/cm2 curing light irradiance. The 'interferograms' were converted into percent linear contraction profiles that revealed the relative kinetics of material shrinkage. The overall percent linear contraction after 5 min compares favorably with literature data for the five commercial restoratives studied here. SIGNIFICANCE: Interferometry offers several advantages over conventional methods of measuring polymerization contraction. These advantages include the inherent sensitivity and accuracy offered by interferometric measurements; the instrument does not need to be calibrated since the wavelength of the laser light source provides an accurate length standard. Also, the ability to collect data at high acquisition rates allows for the real-time characterization of unusually fast photopolymerization reactions. The low cost and relative ease of use associated with the apparatus are also advantageous.
