Psychosocial working conditions and self-reported health in a representative sample of wage-earners: a test of the different hypotheses of the Demand–Control–Support–Model

Purpose  This paper presents an in-depth examination of the demand–control–support–model (DCS-model). Each hypothesis of the DCS-model is tested: the main effects of job demands, job autonomy, task variation and social support; the additive effects of job strain, active learning and iso-strain; and the interactive buffer-effects of job autonomy, task variation and support on job demands. Methods  Data from a representative cross-sectional sample of 11,099 male and female wage-earners are investigated using log linear methods. The outcome measures are self-reported persistent fatigue, musculoskeletal complaints and emotional well-being. Results  There is some support for each of the hypotheses. Quantitative job demands and superior support have the strongest effects. The job autonomy and buffer hypotheses are only partially supported. Conclusions  The strong effects of job demands, support, job strain and active learning are suggesting that a policy aimed at improving psychosocial working conditions should focus on a bearable level of job demands and the quality of social relationships at work.     

Validity of the school setting interview: an assessment of the student–environment fit

The School Setting Interview (SSI) is an internationally used client-centred interview assessment that specifically investigates the student–environment fit for students with physical disabilities. In this study the Rasch measurement model was used to examine validity of the SSI; specifically, whether or not the SSI measures a unidimensional construct. Data for analysis included SSI assessments of 87 Swedish students with physical disabilities aged between 8 and 19 years of age. The results of the Rasch analysis revealed that all items had acceptable infit MnSq and z values supporting evidence of construct validity of the SSI. The established order of the difficulty of the items was also shown to be in acceptable congruence with the theoretical basis for item development. In addition, the analysis revealed aspects of the SSI that need improvements, such as the need for more challenging items and refinements of the manual. Further investigations of validity in different cultural contexts are recommended.     

Antibody persistence of two pentavalent DTwP–HB–Hib vaccines to the age of 15–18 months,and response to the booster dose of quadrivalent DTwP–Hib vaccine

Objectives

Antibody persistence in children following three doses of primary vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell-pertussis (DTwP), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines (SIIL Pentavac vaccine vs. Easyfive^® of Panacea Biotec), and response to the booster dose of DTwP–Hib (Quadrovax^®) vaccine.

Methods

Children who completed their primary immunization were assessed for antibodies at 15–18 months of age, and then given a booster dose of DTwP–Hib vaccine. Reactogenicity and safety of the booster dose was evaluated.

Results

Both pentavalent vaccines demonstrated a good immune response at 15–18 months. Following the booster dose, all vaccinated subjects achieved protective titers against diphtheria, tetanus and Hib, whereas the response to pertussis antigen was ∼78%. Fever and irritability was noted in 24%, local pain in 51%, and swelling in 36% of the children following booster dose.

Conclusions

Primary immunization with either pentavalent vaccine induced an excellent immunity lasting till the second year of life. A booster dose with DTwP–Hib (Quadrovax^®) vaccine effectuated a good anamnestic response to all vaccine components, being specially strong for Hib in children previously vaccinated with SIIL liquid pentavalent vaccine (Pentavac^®). Also, the safety profile of SIIL quadrivalent vaccine (Quadrovax^®) administered as booster dose was acceptable.     

Evaluation of the Sources of Contamination in the Suburban Area of Koropi–Markopoulo, Athens, Greece

Heavy metal concentrations were monitored in agricultural soils and irrigation groundwaters of Koropi–Markopoulo area, a representative agricultural suburb in Athens, Greece, aiming at the identification of the sources of contaminants. Multivariate analyses of geochemical data demonstrated that agricultural practices and industrial activities considerably affected the quality of both environmental compartments. The levels of Ni, Cr, Co, Mn and Fe in agricultural soils were associated with geological parent materials whereas Pb, Zn and Cu mainly originated from anthropic activities. Referring to groundwaters, individual major anions and cations (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, NO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2?, Cl^?) were influenced by various natural and anthropogenic factors whereas Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn were controlled by industrial and agronomic activities. The identification of the sources of contaminants in soil and groundwater environments is a valuable basis for encouraging mitigation strategies preventing further quality degradation.     

Observance of the Laws of Family Purity in Modern–Orthodox Judaism

This research is a follow-up to a previous study measuring the observance of the ritually unclean period (Niddah) among Modern–Orthodox Jews. A total of 267 participants completed an online questionnaire comprised of a list of 16 “strict” and “lenient” forbidden behaviors. Participants reported whether they had engaged in these behaviors during Week 1 (the actual menstrual period) and during Week 2 (the “clean days” following the cessation of bleeding). Results showed that laws were being violated, with more transgressions during the second week than the first week. Additionally, more “lenient” laws were being broken than “strict” ones. Level of religious observance was significantly negatively correlated to the number of transgressions. However, there was no significant correlation between the number of transgressions and the age at marriage, sex, or how long one had been married.     

Information–processing methods for mortality surveillance in the presence of varying levels of completeness and ill–defined codes of causes of death – the case of Brazil

Background

The World Health Organization has developed proposals on how efforts to reduce non–communicable diseases (NCD) in low– and middle–income countries may be monitored over time. One of the proposed indicators is the unconditional probability of death between the ages of 30 and 70 from any of the four main groups of non–communicable diseases – cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes. Our objective is to describe Information–processing methods developed to facilitate this monitoring of mortality over time for Brazil.

Methods

We developed an IPython Notebook which incorporates mortality records, population sizes, estimates of sub notification, redistribution of ill–defined causes of death, international disease codes, and world standard population weights for five–year age group, gender, state, and year strata. The approach permits flexibility in the incorporation of different estimates of sub–notification and ill–defined causes of death. The main output is a “Basic Sheet”, where each line provides corrected deaths by disease categories and denominators for a given stratum. This sheet is then used to generate desired statistics.

Results

This collection of shareable computer code and data organizes the approach necessary for calculations, making the data available to interested parties for the remaining relatively simple calculations. The mortality statistic suggested by the World Health Organization is derived from this sheet.

Conclusions

The approach developed is an additional step toward rapid and accurate reporting of Brazilian NCD mortality data. The code is available and may be adapted by others facing similar tasks.

     

Genetic Aspects of Scurvy and the European Famine of 1845–1848

The view of scurvy being exclusively a nutritional disorder needs to be updated. Genetic polymorphisms of HFE and haptoglobin (Hp) may explain the geographic variability of mortality caused by the European famine of the mid-19th century. In this period, potatoes had fallen victim to the potato blight and Ireland was more severely hit than continental Europe. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder with mutations in the HFE gene, characterized by iron overload (with a reduced vitamin C stability) and with a predominance of affected men. The Irish have the world’s highest frequency of the C282Y mutation and the particular iron metabolism of the Irish helps to understand the size of the catastrophe and the observed overrepresentation of male skeletons showing scurvy. Hp is a plasma α₂-glycoprotein characterized by 3 common phenotypes (Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2). When the antioxidant capacity of Hp is insufficient, its role is taken over by hemopexin and vitamin C. The relative number of scurvy victims corresponds with the Hp 2-2 frequency, which is associated with iron conservation and has an impact on vitamin C stability. As iron is more abundant in males, males are overrepresented in the group of skeletons showing scurvy signs.     

Differential Size of the Discrimination–Depression Relationship Among Adolescents of Foreign-Born Parents in the US

Background

In estimating the association between discrimination and depression, existing research using standard regression models has generally relied on a single parameter estimate based on the conditional mean that reflects the relationship size for the average individual. Such estimates that focus on the average individual, however, may provide limited information regarding the true nature of the discrimination–depression relationship, which may vary across different points of the distribution of depressive symptoms conditional on various personal and social attributes.

Objective

This study examined the size of the differential associations between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms among immigrant youth in the US—a rapidly growing and potentially vulnerable demographic group.

Methods

This study used quantile regression models to analyze data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (N = 4,113), which is a sample of adolescents of foreign-born parents in California and Florida.

Results

A single relationship measure that focuses on the average individual would have provided a poor estimate of the perceived discrimination–depressive symptoms relationship. Specifically, a single parameter estimate (β = 0.33, p < .001) would have understated the potential harm of discrimination near the higher end of the conditional depressive symptoms distribution (β = 0.67, p < .01 on the 90th quantile), while overstating the relationship size near the lower end (β = 0.19, p < .01 on the 25th quantile).

Conclusions

Findings from this study may stand to present substantive implications for both practitioners and policy makers who are often most interested in understanding the daily stressful experiences and their correlates concerning the most marginalizing situations.     

Effectiveness of cognitive–behavioral therapy based on the Mediterranean diet for the treatment of obesity

ObjectiveThe Mediterranean dietary pattern improves cardiovascular disease factors. More research is needed on the usefulness of a Mediterranean dietary pattern in terms of weight loss. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of behavioral therapy based on the Mediterranean diet for the treatment of obesity and to determine the main obstacles to weight loss.MethodsA total of 1406 obese subjects (body mass index, 31 ± 5 kg/m²), aged 20–65 y, from a Mediterranean area in southeast Spain were subjected to a weight-reduction program. To evaluate effectiveness, weight loss, body fat distribution, biochemical variables, blood pressure changes, mean duration of treatment, percentage of attrition, and the ability to fulfill a Mediterranean diet pattern were assessed. To determine the main barriers to losing weight, a “Barriers to Weight Loss” checklist was completed.ResultsThe behavioral therapy program was effective for the treatment of obesity. The average weight loss was 7.7 kg. The duration of treatment was 34 wk. Eighty-nine percent of subjects fulfilled the Mediterranean principles during the program, and all the variables studied were significantly improved. Attrition was 4–9%, with the main reason being stress (37%). Main obstacles to weight loss were “losing motivation,” being “prone to stress-related eating,” and being liable to eat when bored. Recording food intake and assisting group therapy were also important tools for losing weight (P ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsDietary/behavioral treatment based on Mediterranean dietary principles is effective in clinical practice. Nutrition professionals should encourage their patients to record food intake and to attend group therapy.     

Determinants of the Uptake of the Full Dose of Diphtheria–Pertussis–Tetanus Vaccines (DPT3) in Northern Nigeria: A Multilevel Analysis

Objectives Health behaviors are influenced by an array of factors at the individual, household, community and societal levels. This paper examines the relative contribution of child’s characteristics, mother’s attributes, household profiles and community factors on the probability that a child will receive the full series of diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus vaccines (DPT3) as a proxy for full immunization. Methods We used data from a 2004 household survey conducted in three northern Nigeria states: Borno, Kano and Yobe. We estimated multilevel models with fixed effects specified at the individual, household and community levels, and random effects at the community level. Results Overall, only 16.0% of the children aged 12–35 months had received DPT3. The data show that a significant amount of the variation in DPT3 uptake occurs at the community level. The most significant predictors of the uptake of DPT3 are found at multiple levels and include child’s place of birth, presence of an immunization card, mother’s ideation, mother’s decision-making power and perceived social approval of immunization. The data further show that significant community-level variations in immunization uptake remain even after individual and household factors have been considered. Conclusions The data reveal that childhood immunization is influenced by norms and unmeasured factors at the community level in addition to factors operating at the level of the individual child and the household. Strategies for improving the uptake of immunization should include culturally appropriate interventions that target multiple levels of influences. Improving parental attitudes towards immunization without addressing the issue of community norms is not likely to yield significant results.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contents in Surface Soil in the Lhasa–Shigatse–Nam Co Area of the Tibetan Plateau,China

Eight important heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Hg) were investigated in surface soil samples collected from the Lhasa–Shigatse–Nam Co region, Tibetan Plateau, China. The mean contents of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Hg in the samples were 39.5, 57.4, 28.5, 48.2, 15.7, 79.2, 637 and 0.0175 mg/kg, respectively. All metals were divided into three clusters by cluster analysis. The results of geoaccumulation index indicated that no samples were polluted by Cr, Pb, Zn, and Mn, and samples were polluted with As, Cu, Ni, and Hg to different degrees. All surface soils had a low ecological risk with potential ecological risk index below 150, indicating a low ecological risk. As, Pb, and Hg were the primary contributors to potential ecological risk.     

Impact of history of febrile convulsions on the risk difference of febrile convulsions with the tetravalent measles–mumps–rubella–varicella vaccine: Post-hoc exploratory analysis of results from a matched-cohort study

This post-hoc analysis of data from a matched cohort study investigated the risk of febrile convulsions (FC) 5–12 days post-first dose of measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) in a low-risk population, compared to measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and varicella (V) vaccines administered separately.The low-risk population excluded children with personal history of FC (Scenario 1) and children with personal or/and family history (≥1 parent/sibling) of FC (Scenario 2).Incidence of FC post-MMRV in Scenario 2 (excluding at risk children) (36.3–49.5/100,000) and post-MMR+V in the whole cohort including children with personal/family history of FC (43.6/100,000) were similar. The risk difference of FC increased by 0.2 case/100,000 in Scenario 1 and decreased by 5.3–8.6 cases/100,000 of vaccinated children in Scenario 2, compared to the whole cohort.The overall risk of FC post-first dose MMRV vaccination could be lowered by administering MMRV only to children with no personal or family history of FC.