Sociodemographic Patterns of Exclusive,Dual, and Polytobacco Use Among U.S. High School Students: A Comparison of Three Nationally Representative Surveys

PurposeThis study examines sociodemographic patterns of exclusive/dual/polytobacco use among U.S. high school students using multiple national surveys.MethodsUsing three national youth surveys (Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health [PATH] Wave 4 [2016–2017], 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and 2017 National Youth Tobacco Survey), we classified tobacco products into four groups: (1) electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), (2) conventional cigarettes (CCs), (3) other combustible tobacco products, and (4) smokeless tobacco products. We created 16 categories of non/exclusive/dual/polytobacco use within the past 30 days using the four product groups and calculated weighted population prevalence by sex and race/ethnicity (all surveys) and parental education and income (PATH), based on variable availability.ResultsThe results from 9,331, 12,407, and 9,699 high school students in PATH, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and National Youth Tobacco Survey, respectively, largely agreed and pointed to similar conclusions. ENDS was the most prevalent exclusive use product (3.8%–5.2% across surveys), with CCs falling to second or third (1.2%–2.0% across surveys). By sex, exclusive, dual, and poly smokeless tobacco product use were more common for males, whereas exclusive CC use was more common for females. By race/ethnicity, non-Hispanic Whites had a higher prevalence of exclusive ENDS use and ENDS/CC dual use than non-Hispanic Blacks. As income and parental education levels increased from low to high, the prevalence of exclusive CC use decreased, whereas the prevalence of exclusive ENDS use increased.ConclusionUnderstanding sociodemographic patterns of tobacco use can help identify groups who may be at greater risk for tobacco-related health outcomes.     

Women's status within the household as a determinant of maternal health care use in Nigeria

BackgroundAlthough gender inequality is often cited as a barrier to improving maternal health in sub-saharan Africa, there is lack of empirical data on how women''s socio-cultural characteristics may influence use of health services in Nigeria.ObjectiveTo describe how women''s position in the household affects receipt of maternity care services.MethodsSecondary data analysis of 10,052 and 4,590 currently married women aged 15 to 49 years from the 2008 Nigerian DHS who receive skilled antenatal and delivery care at least till pregnancy was done.ResultsReceipt of skilled delivery care was by 37.9% while, natal care was by 98.4%. Education, residence and wealth index all significantly influenced receipt of maternal health care. Women who were involved in decision making on their own health (aOR=1.97; 95%CI=1.88–2.06) and were employed throughout the year (aOR=1.11; 95%CI=1.01–1.23) were more likely to receive skilled antenatal care, while those who justified physical intimate partner violence were less likely to receive both skilled antenatal care (aOR=0.92; 95%CI=0.85–0.98) and delivery services (aOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.33–0.87).ConclusionInterventions aimed at improving maternal care should promote women empowerment (decision making, self worth, educational and economic) and should involve partners.     

Pre-and-post-operative aversion among men whose partners had caesarean delivery in a patriarchal setting

ObjectivesThe study evaluated pre and post-operative perception and aversion to caesarean delivery (CD) among men whose partners underwent the procedure.DesignA multicentre cross-sectional study.SettingTwo tertiary and two secondary health facilities.ParticipantsMen whose partners underwent CD at the study sites.MethodsParticipants were recruited by purposive sampling, data collection was through interaction via an interviewer-administered questionnaire first immediately the decision for CD was made and thereafter on the third postoperative day. Men whose partners had vaginal delivery were excluded from the study and data management was with SPSS version 21.0 while p<0.05 was significant.ResultsAwareness about CD was 84.0% mainly through the healthcare workers (42.1%) and the female partner (34.1%); 88.0% of participants recommended CD for medically-indicated reasons. The greatest influence on consent was the male partner (48.8%). The major pre-operative concerns were limitation of family size (34.7%) and fear of repeat CD (34.0%). Pre-operative perceptions of CD included being expensive (60.7%), fear of the procedure (48.0%), fear of complications (45.3%) and longer hospital stay (44.0%). Aversion to CD was 30.0% pre and 5.3% post-operation; predictors of aversion were history of previous surgery among male or female partner and awareness about CD. However, there were reductions in negative perception and aversion post-operation.ConclusionThe high negative perception and aversion to CD among male partners were reduced post-operation. Healthcare workers should address the concerns and negative perceptions about CD and prioritize patient-friendly experiences during surgical operations.FundingFunding was by the researchers; no grant or external support was received for the study.     

Anti-inflammatory and phytochemical properties of twelve medicinal plants used for treating gastro-intestinal ailments in South Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The investigated medicinal plants are commonly used for the treatment of pains and cramps related to gastro-intestinal tract infections in South African traditional medicine.

Aims of the study

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the plant extracts to inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out in the quest to determine some plant metabolites that may be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

The cyclooxygenase assay was used to test for the anti-inflammatory activity of the plant extracts using cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes. Total phenolic compounds including condensed tannins, gallotannins and flavonoids were quantitatively determined using spectrophotometric methods. Qualitative tests for alkaloids and saponins were also carried out.

Results

Most of the plant extracts evaluated showed dose dependent activity against COX-1 and/or COX-2 enzymes. Agapanthus campanulatus root dichloromethane extract showed the highest COX-2 inhibitory activity (83.7%) at 62.5 μg/ml. The presence and/or amounts of phenolics, condensed tannins, gallotannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins varied with plant parts and species.

Conclusion

The results support the use of the investigated plant in treating pain and cramp related to gastro-intestinal tract infections. To some extent, the observed anti-inflammatory activity could be attributed to the various plant secondary metabolites detected in the plant materials.     

Perception and Practice of Emergency Contraception among Female Undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Objective To assess perception and level of proper utilization of emergency contraception （EC） among female undergraduates. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed on 383 female undergraduates in Nigeria in June 2006. Data analysis was with Z-square test and logistic regressions （P 〈O. 05）. Results One hundred and five （48.2%） had been sexually exposed. Only 32 （30.5%） used regular contraception. Seventy-three （24.3%）female undergraduates were aware of EC. Only 29 （7.6%） had used EC before. Most would not use emergency contraceptive drugs in future due to lack of awareness （64.8%）, and fear for future fertility and of drugs being injurious to health. Use of EC was associated with awareness of correct interval for use （OR=9.1; 95%CI： 2.1-39.9）. Conclusion There is poor knowledge about EC and poor use, while significant need remains. Most knowledge was acquired from peers and inaccurate. Peer educators are important and professionals＇ knowledge needs improvement.     

A study of the utility of silver nucleolar organizer regions in categorization and prognosis of salivary gland tumors.

BACKGROUND: this study aimed at assessing the utility of silver nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining in categorization and prognostication of salivary gland tumors. METHODS: Twenty-seven malignant salivary gland tumors, 16 benign neoplasms, and 6 chronic sialadenitis lesions were stained using the technique described by Ploton et al. (1986). RESULTS: The mean AgNOR counts for inflammatory lesions (1.67 +/- 0.19) and benign neoplasms (1.67 +/- 0.11), were less than for malignant neoplasms (3.59 +/- 0.55), P < .05. There was no significant difference between the mean AgNOR counts of different specific histological types and grades of malignant neoplasms. In addition, no correlation was found between mean AgNOR counts and the clinical course of malignant or benign salivary gland neoplasms. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that AgNOR staining is useful for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions, but is neither helpful for discriminating between histological types and grades of malignant neoplasms, nor prognostication of malignant salivary gland neoplasms.     

Detecting antepartum and postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms and disorders in immigrant women: A scoping review of the literature

A scoping review of the literature was conducted to compile existing evidence and identify gaps on detection methods and practices of antepartum and postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms and disorders in immigrant women. With the assistance of a health science librarian, four databases were searched between January and March 2016. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and their findings were compiled using numerical summary and thematic analysis. No articles specifically addressing the screening of anxiety disorders or symptoms in antepartum or postpartum immigrant women were found. Some studies showed positive results for using translated tools. Other studies showed similarities in immigrant and non‐immigrant assessment. However, several challenges in detection existed. Some of these challenges include cultural appropriateness of some questions and the accuracy of interpretive services and instrument translation. Limited literature was found, indicating a need to design and test targeted strategies to ensure that immigrant women are provided with appropriate antepartum and postpartum emotional support and mental health services based on appropriate policies and practices.