Contextual socioeconomic determinants of cardiovascular risk factors in rural south-west China: a multilevel analysis

Background  

We examined independent influences of contextual variables on cardiovascular risk factors in Shilin county, Yunnan province, South-west China.     

Assessing the disease burden of Yi people by years of life lost in Shilin county of Yunnan province, China

Background  

Years of Life Lost (YLL) is one of the methods used to estimate the duration of time lost due to premature death. While previous studies of disease burden have been reported using YLL, there have been no studies investigating YLL of Yi people in rural China. Yunnan Province ranks first in terms of Yi people in China. This paper uses YLL to estimate the disease burden of Yi people in Shilin county of Yunnan Province. This study aims to address the differentials about YLL between Yi people and Han people for providing useful information for health planning.     

Measuring the burden of disease using disability-adjusted life years in Shilin County of Yunnan Province,China

Background  

Few studies calculating burden of disease (BOD) have been carried out in China. Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) is one of the useful methods used to estimate BOD. This study aims to use DALY for evaluating BOD and to provide useful information for health planning for residents in Shilin Yi Nationality Autonomous County (Shilin County) of Yunnan Province, China.     

Needle and syringe programs in Yunnan,China yield health and financial return

Background  

As a harm reduction strategy in response to HIV epidemics needle and syringes programs (NSPs) were initiated throughout China in 2002. The effectiveness of NSPs in reducing the spread of infection in such an established epidemic is unknown. In this study we use data from Yunnan province, the province most affected by HIV in China, to (1) estimate the population benefits in terms of infections prevented due to the programs; (2) calculate the cost-effectiveness of NSPs.     

Prevalence of Khat chewing in college and secondary (high) school students of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia

Background  

Khat is widely consumed among the youth of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. However, its prevalence is not well documented.     

Seroprevalence of select bloodborne pathogens and associated risk behaviors among injection drug users in the Paso del Norte region of the United States – Mexico border

Background  

The region situated where the borders of Mexico, Texas and New Mexico meet is known as 'Paso del Norte'. The Paso del Norte Collaborative was formed to study the seroprevalence of select pathogens and associated risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) in the region.     

Hospitalizations for acetaminophen overdose: a Canadian population-based study from 1995 to 2004

Background  

Acetaminophen overdose (AO) is the most common cause of acute liver failure. We examined temporal trends and sociodemographic risk factors for AO in a large Canadian health region.     

Extreme temperatures and mortality in the North of Spain

Objective  

To study the relationship between mortality and temperature in Cantabria, a Spanish region that includes both rural and urban areas.     

Patterns of sexual violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: reports from survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital in 2006

Background  

Despite the signing of international peace agreements, a deadly war continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and sexual violence is a prominent modus operandi of many military groups operating in the region.     

P.Re.Val.E.: outcome research program for the evaluation of health care quality in Lazio,Italy

Background  

P.Re.Val.E. is the most comprehensive comparative evaluation program of healthcare outcomes in Lazio, an Italian region, and the first Italian study to make health provider performance data available to the public.     

Knowledge and anticipated attitudes of the community about bird flu outbreak in Turkey, 2007–2008: a survey-based descriptive study

Objective  

To determine factors associated with knowledge and anticipated attitudes to a foreseen avian influenza outbreak in a high-risk population from a Turkish remote region.     

Influence of the consumption of fruits and vegetables on the nutritional status of a group of institutionalized elderly persons in the Madrid region

Aim  

To determine the nutritional status in a group of institutionalized elderly people in the Madrid region of Spain, with respect to their consumption of fruits and vegetables.     

Practice of walking and its association with perceived environment among elderly Brazilians living in a region of low socioeconomic level

Background  

The aim of this study was analyze associations between the practice of walking and environmental perception among elderly Brazilians in a region of low socioeconomic level.     

Prevalence,awareness and control of diabetes in the Seychelles and relationship with excess body weight

Background  

The evidence for a "diabesity" epidemic is accumulating worldwide but population-based data are still scarce in the African region. We assessed the prevalence, awareness and control of diabetes (DM) in the Seychelles, a rapidly developing country in the African region. We also examined the relationship between body mass index, fasting serum insulin and DM.     

Improvements to water purification and sanitation infrastructure may reduce the diarrheal burden in a marginalized and flood prone population in remote Nicaragua

Background  

The isolated northern region of Nicaragua has one of the highest rates of diarrheal disease in Central America. Political and environmental hardships faced by inhabitants of this region are contributing factors to this health inequity. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between water and latrine infrastructure and the prevalence of diarrhea in this region.     

Effects of individual and social factors on preterm birth and low birth weight: empirical evidence from regional data in Italy

Objectives  

We examine the effects of mother’s characteristics and socioeconomic condition on weight at birth and preterm delivery in an Italian region (Umbria).     

Chronic undernutrition alters renal active Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> transport in young rats: potential hidden basis for pathophysiological alterations in adulthood?

Background  

Epidemiological studies in the northeastern region of Brazil show an association between hypertension and malnutrition, especially in areas where protein-deficient diets are combined with high salt intake.     

Risk behaviours among HIV positive injecting drug users in Myanmar: a case control study

Background  

The severity of HIV/AIDS pandemic linked to injecting drug use is one of the most worrying medical and social problems throughout the world in recent years. Myanmar has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV among the IDUs in the region.     

Prevalence of obesity in preschool Greek children,in relation to parental characteristics and region of residence

Background  

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to record the prevalence of overweight and obesity in relation to parental education level, parental body mass index and region of residence, in preschool children in Greece.     

Western Australian food security project

Background  

The aim of the Western Australian (WA) Food Security Project was to conduct a preliminary investigation into issues relating to food security in one region within the Perth metropolitan area in Western Australia. The first phase of the project involved a food audit in one lower income area that was typical of the region, to identify the range, variety and availability of foods in the region.