Current Innovations in Disease and Health Research Vol. 6

Despite the awareness created on the modes of HIV transmission through sexual behaviour change intervention programmes, the incidence rates of HIV infections remain considerably high in Nigeria, with a figure of 227,518 cases in 2014. The present study examines the motivations for sexual relationships, sero-discordant partnerships and the spread of HIV amongst Tiv People of Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 1,621 respondents was collected using multi-stage and purposive sampling methods. Structured and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. SPSS (version 21) was used for quantitative data analysis.  The desire for pleasure, place to live, favours, love and their combined effects, age; and levels of education are significantly associated with sero-discordant partnerships. The motivation factors for sero-discordant sexual relationships will need to be addressed, while ensuring access to quality education, if significant reduction in the incidence rates of HIV is to be achieved amongst the Tiv People of North Central Nigeria.   

This study was designed to access the level of alanine transaminase in obese subject in the population of Peshawar city, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Obesity is the end result of an imbalance between energy expended and consumed, which causes abnormal fat buildup in the body's tissues. Epidemiological, clinical, and animal studies have reported the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated risk factor. Obesity also leads to the development of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease mortality independently of other cardiovascular risk factors. The current research was conducted in RMI Hospital, Peshawar KPK Pakistan during December 2018 to June 2019. A total of 300 people who seems to be obese (159 females and 141 males) was examined during the entire period for obesity using BMI. Out of 300 cases, 148 (49.3%) cases were separated in the categories of obese individuals depending on body mass index values according to WHO criteria. Female with increased body mass index were 71 (48.0%) and 77 (52.0 %) were males. About 35 (46%) male patients showed elevated Alanine Aminotransferase level and 24 (33.8%) females. In both male and female with increase body mass index showed elevated serum Alanine Aminotransferase. The prevalence of increased ALT values in obese subjects (BMI greater than or equal to 31 kg/m2) was more than eight times that in those with normal weight (BMI less than or equal to 25 kg/m2), even after allowing for the confounding effect of alcohol consumption. From this study, it was concluded that there is relatively increase in serum Alanine Aminotransferase level with increase in body mass index and this raised enzyme levels is more common in obese males than obese females.

This chapter aim to highlights the spectrum of presentation in individuals with discordant genotype and phenotype especially in cases of 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis and to identify the genetic cause and determine the role of genetic testing in such individuals. Disorders of sex development (DSD) refers to a group of conditions in which prenatal sex development is not typical. This usually results in external genitalia that are atypical or ambiguous in appearance. DSD may result from hormonal defects, congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, or molecular defects that alter the differentiation of the bipotential gonad into a testis or ovary during fetal life. Some DSD are associated with defects in kidney or renal development, or inborn errors of metabolism. 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis can have varied genetic etiology and can be the consequence of defects of any gene involved in the process of gonad formation. A retrospective study was conducted and patients with 46, XY with gonadal dysgenesis and female phenotype were studied. A comprehensive clinical examination and in-depth history elicitation were performed. In each case, karyotypic genetic analyses and mutation studies were conducted. Complete gonadal dysgenesis genotypes are known as either 46, XX or 46, XY. Here, we would discuss only 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis, which can be either complete or partial based on its characteristic phenotype and genetic aetiology. This study included 4 patients with 46, XY DSD. We identified mutations in 2 (50%) patients in the WT1 gene. Among them, one patient harboured pathogenic variant, while the other patient had variant of uncertain significance. Despite the clinical and genetic variability of DSD, targeted exome sequencing is an effective technique to increase diagnostic yield. A better knowledge of the disease mechanism, phenotype, and genetic link, as well as patient counseling and therapy, can be achieved by knowing the precise cause in terms of mutation. DNA sequencing technologies have enhanced investigations into specific genetic causes of these disorders and has become crucial for diagnosis, management and prognosis of such disorders caused by gene mutation.

This study was conducted to find the association between D antigen or Rhesus factor (Rh factor) and low blood pressures (LBP) in O blood group participants. An organized and focused analysis of potential genetic relationships may reveal unique conclusions regarding the observations from this research and similar investigations.

This chapter conducts a thorough assessment of the literature and data on the clinical application and mechanism of non-pharmacological therapy for late-life depression using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases. One of the most common mental diseases among the elderly, geriatric depression has a significant negative impact on both their physical and mental health. Due to its accessibility and high ecological value, non-pharmacological treatments are being used more often in the prevention and treatment of late-life depression (LLD). The findings indicate that non-invasive brain stimulation, psychotherapies, physical activity, and Tai Chi can significantly lessen the psychological and physical symptoms of those who are suffering from late-life depression while also enhancing their quality of life. The experimental design, evaluation procedures, sample size, and failure to observe the persistent effects of intervention measures through long-term follow-up are still weaknesses in earlier studies, nevertheless. The standard of evidence-based research on non-pharmacological treatments intervention in late-life depression should be improved in future studies.

Bariatric surgery is known to be an effective treatment strategy for a variety of obesity related medical comorbidities. Obesity associated airway disease poses a significant morbidity and mortality risk. Individuals with obesity are at higher risk of developing respiratory infections, report negative quality of life scores, longer and increased hospitalisation rates as well as being more susceptible to life threatening emergencies such as cardiorespiratory arrest in comparison to healthy weight individuals.

This book chapter summarises the evidence base of the management of some obesity related airway pathologies, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) with bariatric surgery.

The literature base for the management of OSA and asthma with bariatric surgery is plentiful, with most of the evidence demonstrating a significant improvement of symptoms with weight loss achieved through various bariatric interventions (gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy and roux en-Y-gastric bypass). However, with LTS, the impact of bariatric surgery as a treatment modality is novel and subsequently the evidence is largely unknown. To date, there is only one prospective multicentre observational study that has evaluated the impact of bariatric surgery on clinical outcomes in LTS patients, yielding encouraging results. Individuals not only benefited from a reduction in the number of interventions that were required to manage the symptoms of LTS, but bariatric surgery also enabled more patients to successfully undergo definitive surgical treatment through effective pre-operative optimisation achieved through weight loss.

Given the effectiveness of bariatric surgery for the management of these airway diseases; OSA, asthma and LTS may be considered as airway pathologies that can be safely and effectively treated by metabolic surgery. This may be reflected in updated national and international guidelines created by learned bodies such as the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders to guide the bariatric and metabolic communities.

The primary aim of this study is to determine the impact of geographical factors on the respiratory health of workers of the biri and tea gardens. Occupational hazards are common among biri and tea garden employees. Individual physicians might profit from using GIS for demographic analysis to estimate demand for various sorts of services. GIS has aided the healthcare business in the same manner that it has aided other customer service firms in managing assets and staff. The technique included field surveys, interactive sessions with employees, lung function testing, data input, and the analysis of independent and dependent data, as well as the construction of indexes. Seasonal medical camps with spirometers for pulmonary function testing were held. Environmental conditions were studied using air samplers. With sufficient diversification, the detected and evaluated issues can be prevented from becoming harmful. The dust from the kendu leaves becomes airborne during bidi manufacturing and is breathed by the biri binders, affecting their health and causing respiratory impairments.  Male and female biri binders exposed to biri binders had poorer pulmonary function test values than controls of the same sex. Tobacco-exposed male biri binders had 36.29 % pulmonary impairments, of which 21.77 % were restrictive, 4.03 per cent were obstructive, and 10.48 percent were both restricted and obstructed. Garden workers complained of shortness of breath three times more than industry workers.

This chapter presents a comprehensive exploration of summer-related burn injuries, encompassing their etiology, preventative strategies, prehospital management, and the essential criteria guiding patient transfer to specialized burns units. As the temperature rises during summer, so does the incidence of burn injuries. This chapter discusses a spectrum of causative agents, including scalds, sunburns, contact burns, and flame-related incidents, all more prevalent in warmer months.

Proactive measures to mitigate burn risks take center stage, emphasizing prudent sun protection, safe outdoor practices, and vigilant heat source handling. Within the burn injury context, efficient prehospital care assumes paramount importance. This chapter meticulously elucidates tailored first aid protocols corresponding to diverse burn categories, highlighting rapid cooling techniques, wound care essentials, and effective pain management strategies. Trained prehospital responders emerge as pivotal actors, entrusted with stabilizing patients, gauging burn severity, and facilitating seamless transitions to specialized medical facilities. In the last part of the chapter, attention shifts to the criteria governing the transportation of burn patients to designated burns units.

This chapter serves as an essential guide for healthcare practitioners, first responders, and stakeholders, offering insights into proactive burn injury prevention, efficacious prehospital intervention, and the meticulous orchestration of patient transfers to burns units during the summer season.

Background: The term "uterine surgery" refers to any surgery on a woman's reproductive system. The quality of life of menopausal women might be impacted by uterine prolapse, which can also increase maternal morbidity and mortality. The symptoms and severity of uterine prolapse determine the course of treatment.

Aim of this Study: To assess the Effectiveness of Nursing Post-discharge Guideline on Life Quality among Menopausal Women Undergoing Uterine prolapse Surgery.

Research Design: A quasi-experimental design was used.

Research Setting: The study was carried out at gynecological outpatients' clinics affiliated with Ain Shams University hospitals.

Sampling: 210 menopausal women who were scheduled for surgery and had uterine prolapse in the second, third, or fourth degree made up the purposive sample. The pre-test interviews were conducted in outpatient clinics, and the post-surgery interviews were conducted three months following discharge during the hospital's outpatient department follow-up.

Tools: The study variables were measured using three different instruments. First tool: a systematic questionnaire for personal and health information. A questionnaire to assess knowledge of uterine prolapse surgery is the second tool. Tool (3). To assess the quality of life in the bio-psychosocial and environmental domains, the World Health Organization developed the WHOQOL-BREF.

Results: Indicated a knowledge difference between the pre-and post-test that was statistically significant. Additionally, following the discharge guideline, there was a statistically significant association between certain elements of the physical quality of life domain.

Conclusion: The nursing post-discharge approach led to improvements in many areas of life quality.

Recommendations: For menopausal women undergoing uterine prolapse surgery, a continuous periodic nursing care routine should be administered.

Maternal health is commonly acknowledged as one of the most significant and challenging health indicators. Targeted MMR still faces significant obstacles, mainly because of the inequality, availability, and accessibility of the continuum of maternal health services (CMHS). This study was conducted to assess the status of utilization, determinants, and satisfaction of /with CMHS in the North Indian urban fringe. A community-based study including 310 recently delivered women (RDWs) was carried out. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather the data through household surveys, and SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze it. Full utilization of antenatal care (ANC), intra-natal care (INC), and post-natal care (PNC) were 158 (51%), 228 (73.5%), and 92; (29.7%) respectively. Birth order, the husband's educational level, previous pregnancy complications, the family structure, the first ANC visit, and the location of the ANC were all significant (p<0.05) predictors of full ANC utilization. Significant (p<0.05) predictors of full utilization of INC included husband and RDWs education levels and complications from prior pregnancies. The husband's age, birth order, and level of education were all significant (p<0.05) predictors of full utilization of PNC. Full utilization of overall CMHS was only 60 (19.4%). More than 70% of RDWs expressed satisfaction with the quality of CMHS. Post-natal care is acting as a bottleneck in the adequate Utilization of CMHS. To satisfy commitments and reach the target established by SDG, a systematic approach is required to thoroughly examine the gaps by population requirements and discover efficient solutions fast.

Health literacy and awareness are essential strategies for promoting global health and improving access to care. While seen as an essential tool for promoting population health awareness to improve early detection and treatment of chronic diseases, it is yet to be emphasized in many low- and middle-income health systems. Health literacy is an essential practice to promote good health outcomes, prevent infection and reduce chronic disease-risk factors. Health education is essential to improve and promote health literacy and empower individuals and communities to identify, recognize disease risk factors and adopt necessary practices to prevent, reduce, and manage conditions from progressing. Incidence and mortalities from diseases can arise from lack of or limited knowledge about disease risk factors and the non-use of available health services.

This chapter addresses the important role health literacy and awareness play in improving individual and population health and how health education can empower people to take the initial steps in diseases prevention and support others to live well and seek care for their health conditions timely. It discussed how the interactions of humans, and animals within their environments can pose risks for the spread of infectious diseases; concepts and dimension of disease preventions; role of health education in creating health literacy and awareness; constraints to health literacy, and recommendations for a better health literacy campaigns to prevent diseases and minimize impacts.