ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several features of the neighborhood built environment have been shown to promote leisure-time physical activity (PA) in the general population, but few studies have examined its impact on PA during pregnancy. METHODS: Data were extracted from 8362 Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be cohort participants (2010-2013). Residential address information was linked to 3 built environment characteristics: number of gyms and recreation areas within a 3-km radius of residence and census block level walkability. Self-reported leisure-time PA was measured in each trimester and dichotomized as meeting PA guidelines or not. Relative risks for cross-sectional associations between neighborhood characteristics and meeting PA guidelines were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: More gyms and recreation areas were each associated with a greater chance of meeting PA guidelines in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and preexisting conditions. Associations were strongest in the third trimester where each doubling in counts of gyms and recreation areas was associated with 10% (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.13) and 8% (95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.12), respectively, greater likelihood of meeting PA guidelines. Associations were similar though weaker for walkability. CONCLUSIONS: Results from a large, multisite cohort suggest that these built environment characteristics have similar PA-promoting benefits in pregnant women as seen in more general populations.
Subject(s)
Built Environment , Environment Design , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Residence Characteristics , WalkingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ticks are increasingly acknowledged as significant vectors for a wide array of pathogens in urban environments with reports of abundant tick populations in recreational areas. The study aims to contribute to a better knowledge of the abiotic and biotic factors which impact the ecology of hard ticks in urban and peri-urban habitats in Romania. METHODS: Questing ticks were collected by flagging in seven recreational locations, from four types of habitats in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: parks; gardens; a cemetery; and peri-urban forests. Hedgehogs, birds and micromammals were also sampled and searched for ticks, using standard methods (i.e. torch-based searches, ornithological mist nets, snap-traps, etc.), while vegetation was evaluated on surveyed areas. Data on questing ticks were converted to abundance indices. Mood's median tests were used to assess the relationship between the abiotic and biotic factors and the abundance of questing ticks. RESULTS: Two species of questing ticks were found: Ixodes ricinus (96.8%) and Haemaphysalis punctata (3.2%). Ixodes ricinus was also the predominant engorged tick collected from urban wildlife. For I. ricinus the highest mean total abundance index/location (total no. of ticks/100 m2) was recorded in the urban gardens (3.79, 95% CI: ± 1.59) and parks (2.68, 95% CI: ± 0.75), whereas the lowest mean total abundance index was noted in the peri-urban forests (0.06, 95% CI: ± 0.03) and the urban cemetery (0.04, 95% CI: ± 0.02). The adults and nymphs of I. ricinus displayed a bimodal activity pattern, while the larvae showed a unimodal questing behaviour with an autumnal peak. Positive correlations were found between the mean total abundance index and the rise in the daily mean temperature and relative humidity, and between the global abundance of questing ticks and the presence of hedgehogs in the respective locations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ticks were collected in all the recreational sites surveyed in Cluj-Napoca. Ixodes ricinus was the dominant questing and engorged tick species. Several abiotic and biotic factors shape the ecology of ticks in Cluj-Napoca city, with climate and the local presence of suitable hosts being the most important.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Ixodidae/physiology , Animal Distribution , Animals , Birds/physiology , Cities , Female , Ixodidae/classification , Ixodidae/genetics , Male , Parks, Recreational , Romania , Seasons , TemperatureABSTRACT
Las plazas y parques son áreas de recreación, en especial para los niños; pero la presencia de huevos de Toxocara spp. y otros helmintos en dichos lugares puede representar un riesgo para contraer la toxocariasis y otras helmintiasis de origen zoonótico. Se realizó un estudio para determinar la presencia de huevos de Toxocara spp. y otros helmintos en plazas y parques de Puerto Ordaz, municipio Caroní, estado Bolívar, Venezuela. Cada plaza y parque seleccionado fue dividido en 4 cuadrantes y de cada uno se colectó una muestra de suelo la cual fue procesada mediante las técnicas de flotación de Willis-Malloy, Lutz y Araraki. En 8 (80%) plazas/parques se identificaron huevos o larvas de helmintos; hubo plazas/parques positivos en las tres parroquias de la ciudad. Del total de 40 muestras de tierra procesadas, 15 (37,5%) resultaron positivas para la presencia de larvas o huevos de helmintos, siendo la frecuencia de Toxocara spp. de 32,5% (13/40). Además de Toxocara spp., resaltó el hallazgo de Strongyloides spp. (5,0%), Ascaris spp. (2,5%) y Ancylostomideos (2,5%). En conclusión, se determinó una frecuencia de 80% de contaminación con huevos y larvas de helmintos en las plazas/parques evaluadas, destacando Toxocara spp. en el 32,5% de las muestras estudiadas
The squares and parks are recreation areas, especially for children; but the presence of eggs of Toxocara spp. and other helminths in these places can represent a risk of contracting toxocariasis and other helminthiasis of zoonotic origin. A study was carried out to determine the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs and other helminths in squares and parks from Puerto Ordaz, Caroní municipality, Bolívar state, Venezuela. Each square was divided into 4 quadrants and from each one a soil sample was collected which was processed using the techniques of Willis- Malloy, Lutz and Araraki. Of the 10 squares studied, 8 (80%) identified helminth eggs or larvae; there were positive places in the three parishes. Of the total of 40 processed soil samples, 15 (37.5%) were positive for the presence of larvae or helminth eggs, being the frequency of Toxocara spp., of 32.5% (13/40). In addition to the presence of Toxocara spp. (32.5%), highlighted the finding of Strongyloides spp. (5.0%), Ascaris spp. (2.5%) and Ancylostomideos (2.5%). In conclusion, an 80% frequency of contamination with eggs and larvae helminth was determined in the squares/parks evaluated, highlighting Toxocara spp. in 32.5% of the samples studied
