Impact of medical insurance integration on reducing urban-rural health disparity: Evidence from China.

The urban-rural health disparity poses a significant challenge for countries worldwide. China encounters substantial disparities in healthcare services and health outcomes between urban and rural regions. In 2015, the Chinese government integrated the medical insurance schemes for urban and rural residents into a unified program, with the goal of mitigating the disparities and enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of the medical insurance system. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we explored the impact of this integration on health outcomes and the health disparity between urban and rural residents, employing a triple difference approach with propensity score matching. We found that both urban and rural residents benefited from the medical insurance reform, experiencing improvements in their health outcomes to some extent. Urban residents reported better self-reported health, while rural residents exhibited improved health in terms of both self-reported health and number of diagnosed diseases. Notably, the disparity in activities of daily living (ADL) difficulties decreased. However, we also observed a worsening trend in ADL difficulties, especially among the elderly and the working population. This underscores the urgent need for further attention to health behaviors and healthcare resource allocation to these socio-demographic groups.

Urban-rural health disparity among patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional community-based study from 2012 to 2019.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing owing to the ageing population, resulting in an increased demand for dialysis and kidney transplantation, which can be costly. Current research lacks clarity regarding the relationship between residence setting and CKD prevalence or its related risk factors. This study explored the urban-rural disparities in CKD prevalence and risk factors in Taiwan. Our findings will aid the understanding of the distribution of CKD and the design of more effective prevention programmes. DESIGN: This cross-sectional community-based study used the Renal Value Evaluation Awareness and Lift programme, which involves early screening and health education for CKD diagnosis and treatment. CKD prevalence and risk factors including alcohol consumption, smoking and betel nut chewing were compared between urban and rural areas. SETTING: Urbanisation levels were determined based on population density, education, age, agricultural population and medical resources. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 7786 participants from 26 urban and 15 rural townships were included. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD was significantly higher in rural (29.2%) than urban (10.8%) areas, representing a 2.7-fold difference (p<0.0001). Risk factors including diabetes (rural vs urban: 21.7% and 11.0%), hypertension (59.0% vs 39.9%), hyperuricaemia (36.7% vs 18.6%), alcohol consumption (29.0% vs 19.5%), smoking (15.9% vs 12.0%), betel nut chewing (12.6% vs 2.8%) and obesity (33.6% vs 19.4%) were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CKD is three times higher in rural versus urban areas. Despite >99% National Health Insurance coverage, disparities in CKD prevalence persist between residential areas. Targeted interventions and further studies are crucial for addressing these disparities and enhancing CKD management across different settings.

Rural Health Disparities in Skin Cancer Amplified Among Skin of Color.

Limited studies explore the role social determinants of health have on urban-rural health disparities, particularly for Skin of Color. To further evaluate this relationship, a cross-sectional study was conducted on data from five states using the 2018 to 2021 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a national state-run health survey. Prevalence of skin cancer history and urban/rural status were evaluated across these social determinants of health: sex, age, race, insurance status, number of personal healthcare providers, and household income. Overall, rural counterparts were significantly more likely to have a positive skin cancer history across most social determinants of health. Rural populations had a higher prevalence of skin cancer history across all races (P<.001). Rural non-Hispanic Whites had greater odds than their urban counterparts (OR=1.40; 95% CI 1.34 - 1.46). The odds were approximately twice as high for rural Black (OR=1.74; 95% CI 1.14 - 2.65), Hispanic (OR=2.31; 95% CI 1.56 - 3.41), and Other Race, non-Hispanic (OR=1.99; 95% CI 1.51 - 2.61), and twenty times higher for Asians (OR=20.46; 95% CI 8.63 - 48.54), although no significant difference was seen for American Indian/Alaskan Native (OR=1.5; 95% CI 0.99 - 2.28). However, when household income exceeded $100,000 no significant difference in prevalence or odds was seen between urban and rural settings. Despite increasing awareness of metropolitan-based health inequity, urban-rural disparities in skin cancer prevalence continue to persist and may be magnified by social determinants such as income and race. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(6):480-484.    doi:10.36849/JDD.8094.

Effectiveness of hierarchical medical system and economic growth: based on China's urban vs. rural health perspectives.

Background: The hierarchical medical system is an important measure to promote equitable healthcare and sustain economic development. As the population's consumption level rises, the demand for healthcare services also increases. Based on urban and rural perspectives in China, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the hierarchical medical system and its relationship with economic development in China. Materials and methods: The study analyses panel data collected from Chinese government authorities, covering the period from 2009 to 2022. According to China's regional development policy, China is divided into the following regions: Eastern, Middle, Western, and Northeastern. Urban and rural component factors were downscaled using principal component analysis (PCA). The factor score formula combined with Urban-rural disparity rate (ΔD) were utilized to construct models for evaluating the effectiveness of the hierarchical medical system from an urban-rural perspective. A Vector Autoregression model is then constructed to analyze the dynamic relationship between the effects of the hierarchical medical system and economic growth, and to predict potential future changes. Results: Three principal factors were extracted. The contributions of the three principal factors were 38.132, 27.662, and 23.028%. In 2021, the hierarchical medical systems worked well in Henan (F = 47245.887), Shandong (F = 45999.640), and Guangdong (F = 42856.163). The Northeast (ΔDmax = 18.77%) and Eastern region (ΔDmax = 26.04%) had smaller disparities than the Middle (ΔDmax = 49.25%) and Western region (ΔDmax = 56.70%). Vector autoregression model reveals a long-term cointegration relationship between economic development and the healthcare burden for both urban and rural residents (ßurban = 3.09, ßrural = 3.66), as well as the number of individuals receiving health education (ß = -0.3492). Both the Granger causality test and impulse response analysis validate the existence of a substantial time lag between the impact of the hierarchical medical system and economic growth. Conclusion: Residents in urban areas are more affected by economic factors, while those in rural areas are more influenced by time considerations. The urban rural disparity in the hierarchical medical system is associated with the level of economic development of the region. When formulating policies for economically relevant hierarchical medical systems, it is important to consider the impact of longer lags.

More Than Half of US Rural Hospitals No Longer Offer Birthing Services-Here's Why.

This Medical News article discusses a new report on labor and delivery department closures in the rural US as well as potential financial and workforce solutions.

Impact of oral onditions on Quality of Life in Peruvian Preschoolers in Rural and Urban Areas / Impacto de las alteraciones bucales en la calidad de vida de preescolares peruanos de zonas rurales y urbanas

Abstract The objective of this study is to determine the impact of oral conditions on the quality of life related to the oral health of preschool children in a rural and urban area of Cusco. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional, from a population of 179 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years, from two public early childhood education institutions, and their respective parents or caregivers in the department of Cusco, Peru. We worked with the entire population that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, seventy-four preschool children were selected for each area, deciding to have the same amount of children per group based on the smallest group. A clinical odonto-stomatological examination was carried out for oral conditions (dental caries, malocclusion, and dental trauma) according to the WHO's criteria and a survey that was used for sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, a validated Peruvian version of the ECOHIS questionnaire was used to obtain data on the impact on quality of life. All the variables of the total and individual scores of the ECOHIS domains were analyzed individually and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine the association between variables. The oral conditions prevalence in preschool children in rural areas referring to dental caries was 100% (dmft index > 6), dental trauma 10.8%, and malocclusions 60.8%; for the urban area dental caries was 93.2% (dmft index > 6), dental trauma 9.5% and malocclusions 36.5%. Of the three oral conditions only the experience of dental caries was related to the OHRQOL of preschoolers in urban and rural areas.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el impacto de las alteraciones bucales en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal de niños preescolares de una zona rural y urbana de Cusco. El estudio fue descriptivo y transversal, de una población de 179 preescolares de 3 a 5 años de edad, de dos instituciones públicas de educación inicial, y sus respectivos padres o cuidadores en el departamento de Cusco, Perú. Se trabajó con toda la población que cumplió con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron setenta y cuatro niños preescolares por cada área, decidiendo tener la misma cantidad de niños por grupo en base al grupo más pequeño. Se realizó un examen clínico odonto-estomatológico para detectar alteraciones bucales (caries dental, maloclusión y trauma dental) según los criterios de la OMS y una encuesta que se utilizó para las características sociodemográficas. Además, se utilizó una versión peruana validada del cuestionario ECOHIS para obtener datos sobre el impacto en la calidad de vida. Todas las variables de los puntajes totales e individuales de los dominios ECOHIS fueron analizadas individualmente y se utilizó la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis para determinar la asociación entre variables. La prevalencia de alteraciones bucales en niños preescolares de zonas rurales referida a caries dental fue del 100% (índice dmft > 6), traumatismo dental 10,8% y maloclusiones 60,8%; para la zona urbana la caries dental fue del 93,2% (índice dmft > 6), el traumatismo dental 9,5% y las maloclusiones 36,5%. De las tres alteraciones bucales, sólo la experiencia de caries dental se relacionó con la OHRQOL de los preescolares de las zonas urbana y rural.

Equitable psychiatry, telehealth, and the COVID-19 pandemic: Analysis of national data.

Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was foreseen that the number of face-to-face psychiatry consultations would suffer a reduction. In order to compensate, the Australian Government introduced new Medicare-subsidized telephone and video-linked consultations. This study investigates how these developments affected the pre-existing inequity of psychiatry service delivery in Australia. Methods: The study analyses five and a half years of national Medicare data listing all subsidized psychiatry consultation consumption aggregated to areas defined as Statistical Area level 3 (SA3s; which have population sizes of 30 k-300 k). Face-to-face, video-linked and telephone consultations are considered separately. The analysis consists of presenting rates of consumption, concentration graphs, and concentration indices to quantify inequity, using Socio Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) scores to rank the SA3 areas according to socio-economic disadvantage. Results: There is a 22% drop in the rate of face-to-face psychiatry consultation consumption across Australia in the final study period compared with the last study period predating the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the loss is made up by the introduction of the new subsidized telephone and video-linked consultations. Referring to the same time periods, there is a reduction in the inequity of the distribution of face-to-face consultations, where the concentration index reduces from 0.166 to 0.129. The new subsidized video-linked consultations are distributed with severe inequity in the great majority of subpopulations studied. Australia-wide, video-linked consultations are also distributed with gross inequity, with a concentration index of 0.356 in the final study period. The effect of this upon overall inequity was to cancel out the reduction of inequity resulting from the reduction of face-to face appointments. Conclusion: Australian subsidized video-linked psychiatry consultations have been distributed with gross inequity and have been a significant exacerbator of the overall inequity of psychiatric service provision. Future policy decisions wishing to reduce this inequity should take care to reduce the risk posed by expanding telepsychiatry.

The change of myopic prevalence in children and adolescents before and after COVID-19 pandemic in Suqian, China.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the change of myopic prevalence in students with different demographic characteristics before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Suqian, China. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. Student data from 52 schools in 2019 and 2020 were collected from the electronic medical records database through cluster sampling. Ophthalmic examinations were conducted on students from September to December in 2019 and 2020. Measurements of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and noncycloplegic autorefraction were included to obtain the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and prevalence of myopia. The difference in the rate of myopia and SER of students ages 6 to 18 with various demographic characteristics was compared between the two years. RESULTS: Records from 118,479 students in 2019 and the 121,881 students in 2020 were obtained. In 2019 and 2020, the prevalence of overall myopia increased from 43.1% to 48.9% (5.8 percentage point), and a substantial shift in myopic rate occurred in grades 4 to 6 (6.9 percentage point). The change in the prevalence of myopia in girls (5.9 percentage point) was approximately equal to that in boys (5.8 percentage point) and it was more common in rural students (5.9 percentage point) than in urban students (5.1 percentage point). The prevalence of low myopia increased more in children, and the prevalence of moderate myopia increased more in adolescents. The mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) (-1.34±2.03 D) was lower in 2020 than in 2019 (-1.16±1.92 D), while SER decreased mainly at ages 7 to 15. The SER presented myopic status at the age of 9 (-0.55±1.26 D in 2019, -0.71±1.42 D in 2020), and attained moderate myopia at the age of 15 (-3.06±2.41 D in 2019, -3.22±2.40 D in 2020). CONCLUSIONS: After the COVID-19 pandemic, myopia increased in this population with variable rates of increase in different demographic groups. The change of myopia in children was comparatively greater than that in adolescents. Therefore, we should take measures to prevent and control the development of myopia after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for younger students.

Association between personal exposure to household air pollution and gestational blood pressure among women using solid cooking fuels in rural Tamil Nadu, India.

BACKGROUND: The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial is an ongoing multi-center randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cookstove and fuel intervention on health. Given the potential impacts of household air pollution (HAP) exposure from burning solid fuels on cardiovascular health during pregnancy, we sought to determine whether baseline exposures to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) were associated with blood pressure among 799 pregnant women in Tamil Nadu, India, one of the HAPIN trial centers. METHODS: Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between 24-h personal exposure to PM2.5/BC/CO and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, controlling for maternal age, body mass index (BMI), mother's education, household wealth, gestational age, and season. At the time of measurement, women were between 9- and 20-weeks of gestation. RESULTS: We found that systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher in pregnant women exposed to higher levels of HAP, though only the result for CO and DBP reached conventional statistical significance (p < 0.05). We observed a positive association between CO and DBP among the entire study cohort: a 1-log µg/m3 increase in CO exposure was associated with 0.36 mmHg higher DBP (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02 to 0.70). The effect was stronger in pregnant women with higher CO exposures (in the 3rd [≥ 0.9 and < 2.1 ppm] and 4th quartiles [≥ 2.1 and ≤ 46.9 ppm]). We also found that pregnant women with PM2.5 exposures in the highest quartile (≥ 129.9 and ≤ 2100 µg/m3) had a borderline significant association (p = 0.054) with DBP compared to those who had PM2.5 exposures in the lowest quartile (≥ 9.4 and < 47.7 µg/m3). No evidence of association was observed for BC exposure and blood pressure. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to limited evidence regarding the relationship between HAP exposure and blood pressure among women during pregnancy, a critical window for both mother and child's life-course health. Results from this cross-sectional study suggest that exposures to PM2.5 and CO from solid fuel use are associated with higher blood pressure in pregnant women during their first or second trimester.

Características sociodemográficas, de trabalho e saúde de homens e mulheres deficientes residentes em contexto rural / Características sociodemográficas, de trabajo y salud de hombres y mujeres discapacitados residentes en un contexto rural / Sociodemographic characteristics of work and health of disabled men and women living in a rural setting

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar as características sociodemográficas, de saúde e de trabalho de homens e mulheres com deficiência que residem em contexto rural. Método: Estudo transversal analítico, com 276 pessoas com deficiência residentes em cenário rural de oito municípios da região noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário fechado, com variáveis sociodemográficas, de trabalho e saúde, aplicado na residência dos participantes nos meses de setembro de 2018 a julho de 2019. Esses foram digitados e analisados no programa estatístico software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows, versão 18.0 por meio de estatística analítica descritiva (comparação de frequência). Para comparar os dois grupos (homens e mulheres) empregou-se o teste Qui-Quadrado. Resultados: Dos homens, 27,8% apresentaram deficiência física e a deficiência múltipla foi mais frequente na mulher (p<0,001). O trabalho na agricultura e do lar eram mais frequentes no sexo feminino e as atividades autônomas e empregatícias, no sexo masculino. Ambos recebiam BPC, ainda que 18% não tivessem nenhum tipo de benefício. Homens tinham duas vezes mais chance de serem tabagistas e quase três vezes maior risco de etilismo que as mulheres (p<0,001). Conclusão: As características de pessoas com deficiência que residem em contexto rural se diferenciam entre os sexos, no que se refere à deficiência, trabalho e hábitos que vulnerabilizam a saúde.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comparar las características sociodemográficas, de salud y de trabajo de hombres y mujeres con discapacidad que residen en contexto rural. Método: estudio transversal analítico, con 276 personas con discapacidad residentes en escenario rural de ocho municipios de la región noroeste del Estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de un cuestionario cerrado, con variables sociodemográficas, de trabajo y salud, aplicado en la residencia de los participantes en los meses de septiembre de 2018 a julio de 2019. Estos fueron introducidos y analizados en el programa estadístico software StatisticalPackageforthe Social Sciencesfor Windows, versión 18.0. por medio de estadística analítica descriptiva (comparación de frecuencia). Para comparar los dos grupos (hombres y mujeres) se empleó la Prueba de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: de los hombres, el 27,8% presentó discapacidad física y la discapacidad múltiple fue más frecuente en la mujer (p<0,001). El trabajo en la agricultura y en el hogar eran más frecuentes en el sexo femenino y las actividades autónomas y de empleo, en el sexo masculino. Ambos recibían BPC, aunque el 18% no tenía ningún tipo de beneficio. Los hombres tenían dos veces más probabilidades de ser fumadores y casi tres veces mayor riesgo de etilismo que las mujeres (p<0,001). Conclusión: las características de las personas con discapacidad que residen en un contexto rural se diferencian entre los sexos, en lo que se refiere a la discapacidad, trabajo y hábitos que vulneran la salud.

ABSTRACT Objective: Comparing the sociodemographic characteristics of health and work of men and women with disabilities living in a rural context. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study with 276 people with disabilities living in a rural setting in eight cities in the Northwest Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected through a closed questionnaire with sociodemographic, work and health variables applied at the participants' residence from September 2018 to July 2019. These were typed and analyzed in the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows, version 18.0 by means of descriptive analytical statistics (frequency comparison). To compare the two groups (men and women) the Chi-Square test was used. Results: Of the men, 27.8% had physical disabilities and multiple disability was more frequent in women (p<0.001). Work in agriculture and home was more frequent in females and autonomous and employment activities in males. Both received PB, although 18% did not have any kind of benefit. Men were twice as likely to be smokers and almost three times higher risk of alcohol than women (p<0.001). Conclusion: The characteristics of people with disabilities living in a rural setting differ between the genders, with regard to disability, work and habits that make health vulnerable.

Semelhanças e diferenças intergeracionais entre mães e filhas trabalhadoras rurais: características sociodemográficas e reprodutivas / Similitudes y diferencias intergeneracionales entre madres e hijas obreras rurales: características socio demográficas y reproductivas / Intergenerational similarities and differences between rural working mothers and daughters: socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics

RESUMO Objetivo analisar as semelhanças e diferenças intergeracionais envolvendo características sociodemográficas e reprodutivas entre mães e filhas trabalhadoras rurais. Método estudo analítico e quantitativo desenvolvido em fevereiro de 2018 com 21 díades, mães e filhas trabalhadoras rurais, em idade reprodutiva cadastradas no Programa Chapéu de Palha Mulher − Pernambuco. Utilizou-se o questionário da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde para verificar as características sociodemográficas e reprodutivas. Resultados Mães e filhas não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas para estado conjugal (p = 1,00), grau de instrução (p = 0,053), cor/raça (p = 1,00), religião (p = 1,00), idade que começou a trabalhar (p = 0,433) e horas de trabalho por semana (p = 1,00), participação em grupo de planejamento familiar (p = 0,344), uso de método contraceptivo (p = 0,065), aborto espontâneo (p = 1,00) e parto cesáreo (p = 0,459). Conclusão e implicações para a prática Os resultados sugerem que ocorreu o processo de modelação em diversos aspectos, ou seja, a mãe serviu de figura de referência para as suas filhas na tomada de atitudes e comportamentos, o que necessita maior entendimento sobre relação intergeracional, inclusive entre profissionais de saúde para melhor qualificação na assistência, a exemplo, no cuidado reprodutivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo analizar las similitudes y diferencias intergeneracionales que involucran características sociodemográficas y reproductivas entre madres e hijas trabajadoras rurales. Método estudio analítico y cuantitativo desarrollado en febrero de 2018 con 21 díadas, en edad reproductiva, registradas en el Programa Chapéu de Palha Mulher - Pernambuco. Se utilizó el cuestionario de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud para verificar las características sociodemográficas y reproductivas. Resultados Madres e hijas no presentaron diferencias estadísticas para estado civil (p = 1,00), nivel educativo (p = 0,053), color/raza (p = 1,00), religión (p = 1,00), edad a la que trabaja (p = 0,433) y horas de trabajo a la semana (p = 1,00), participación en un grupo de planificación familiar (p = 0,344), uso de métodos anticonceptivos (p = 0,065), aborto espontáneo (p = 1,00) y parto por cesárea (p = 0,459). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica Los resultados sugieren que el proceso de modelado se dio en varios aspectos, o sea, la madre sirvió como figura de referencia para sus hijas en la toma de actitudes y comportamientos, lo que exige una mayor comprensión de la relación intergeneracional, incluso entre los profesionales de la salud para una mejor calificación en asistencia, por ejemplo, en el cuidado reproductivo.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze similarities and differences involving socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics between rural working mothers and daughters. Method An analytical and quantitative study was developed in February 2018 with 21 dyads, rural working mothers and daughters, of reproductive age registered in the Chapéu de Palha Mulher Program in Pernambuco State, Brazil. The National Health Survey questionnaire was adopted to verify socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics. Results Mothers and daughters did not show statistical differences for marital status (p = 1.00), education level (p = 0.053), skin color/race (p = 1.00), religion (p = 1.00), age when started working (p = 0.433) and working hours per week (p = 1.00), participation in a family planning group (p = 0.344), use of contraceptive methods (p = 0.065), miscarriage (p = 1.00), and cesarean childbirth (p = 0.459). Conclusion and implications for practice The results suggest that the modeling process took place in numerous aspects, meaning these mothers fulfilled a reference role for their daughters in decision-making and behaviors. It requires a greater understanding of intergenerational relationships, especially amongst health professionals, for them to provide a better qualification in assistance, such as in reproductive care.

Impact of the early COVID-19 pandemic on outcomes in a rural Ugandan neonatal unit: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: During the early COVID-19 pandemic travel in Uganda was tightly restricted which affected demand for and access to care for pregnant women and small and sick newborns. In this study we describe changes to neonatal outcomes in one rural central Ugandan newborn unit before and during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We report outcomes from admissions captured in an electronic dataset of a well-established newborn unit before (September 2019 to March 2020) and during the early COVID-19 period (April-September 2020) as well as two seasonally matched periods one year prior. We report excess mortality as the percent change in mortality over what was expected based on seasonal trends. FINDINGS: The study included 2,494 patients, 567 of whom were admitted during the early COVID-19 period. During the pandemic admissions decreased by 14%. Patients born outside the facility were older on admission than previously (median 1 day of age vs. admission on the day of birth). There was an increase in admissions with birth asphyxia (22% vs. 15% of patients). Mortality was higher during COVID-19 than previously [16% vs. 11%, p = 0.017]. Patients born outside the facility had a relative increase of 55% above seasonal expected mortality (21% vs. 14%, p = 0.028). During this period patients had decreased antenatal care, restricted transport and difficulty with expenses and support. The hospital had difficulty with maternity staffing and supplies. There was significant community and staff fear of COVID-19. INTERPRETATION: Increased newborn mortality during the early COVID-19 pandemic at this facility was likely attributed to disruptions affecting maternal and newborn demand for, access to and quality of perinatal healthcare. Lockdown conditions and restrictions to public transit were significant barriers to maternal and newborn wellbeing, and require further focus by national and regional health officials.

Changes in prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among adults in Bangladesh: An analysis of two waves of nationally representative surveys.

INTRODUCTION: Bangladesh is one of the countries where the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension is rising due to rising living standards, sedentary lifestyles, and epidemiological transition. Among the NCDs, hypertension is a major risk factor for CVD, accounting for half of all coronary heart disease worldwide. However, detailed research in this area has been limited in Bangladesh. The objective of the study was to estimate changes in the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among Bangladeshi adult population. The study also sought to identify socioeconomic status-related inequality of hypertension prevalence in Bangladesh. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using nationally representative two waves of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) in 2011 and 2017-18. Survey participants were adults 18 years or older- which included detailed biomarker and anthropometric measurements of 23539 participants. The change in prevalence of hypertension was estimated, and adjusted odds ratios were obtained using multivariable survey logistic regression models. Further, Wagstaff decomposition method was also used to analyze the relative contributions of factors to hypertension. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2018, the hypertension prevalence among adults aged ≥35 years increased from 25.84% to 39.40% (p<0.001), with the largest relative increase (97%) among obese individuals. The prevalence among women remained higher than men whereas the relative increase among men and women were 75% and 39%, respectively. Regression analysis identified age and BMI as the independent risk factors of hypertension. Other risk factors of hypertension were sex, marital status, education, geographic region, wealth index, and diabetes status in both survey years. Female adults had significantly higher hypertension risk in both survey years in the overall analysis in, however, in the subgroup analysis, the gender difference in hypertension risk was not significant in rural 2011 and urban 2018 samples. Decomposition analysis revealed that the contributions of socio-economic status related inequality of hypertension in 2011 were46.58% and 20.85% for wealth index and BMI, respectively. However, the contributions of wealth index and BMI have shifted to 12.60% and 55.29%, respectively in 2018. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension among Bangladeshi adults has increased significantly, and there is no subgroup where it is decreasing. Population-level approaches directed at high-risk groups (overweight, obese) should be implemented thoroughly. We underscore prevention strategies by following strong collaboration with stakeholders in the health system of the country to adopt healthy lifestyle choices.

Associations of serum androgens with coronary heart disease and interaction with age: The Henan Rural Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to investigate the associations of testosterone and androstenedione with coronary heart disease, and the interaction effect of testosterone or androstenedione and age on coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 6178 participants were included in this study. Serum testosterone and androstenedione were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to assess the independent effects of testosterone and androstenedione on coronary heart disease. Interactive plots were employed to examine the interaction effects of testosterone or androstenedione with age on coronary heart disease. After adjusting for multiple variables, serum testosterone and androstenedione levels were negatively associated with coronary heart disease in males (tertile 3 vs tertile 1, odd ratio (OR) = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.33, 0.96), and OR = 0.40, 95% CI (0.22, 0.74)). Per 1 unit increase in ln-testosterone and ln-androstenedione was associated with a 24% (OR = 0.76, 95% CI (0.63, 0.91)) and 30% (OR = 0.69, 95% CI (0.55, 0.86)) lower risk of coronary heart disease, respectively. Additionally, the positive association of age with coronary heart disease was attenuated by increasing concentrations of ln-testosterone and ln-androstenedione concentration in males. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that serum testosterone and androstenedione were negatively associated with coronary heart disease risk in Chinese rural males. To some extent, this study supports the application of hormone therapy in males with coronary heart disease, which can contribute to reducing the burden of coronary heart disease and related cardiovascular disease.

The Etiology of Childhood Pneumonia in Bangladesh: Findings From the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) Study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death among children <5 years, but its cause in most children is unknown. We estimated etiology for each child in 2 Bangladesh sites that represent rural and urban South Asian settings with moderate child mortality. METHODS: As part of the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health study, we enrolled children 1-59 months of age with World Health Organization-defined severe and very severe pneumonia, plus age-frequency-matched controls, in Matlab and Dhaka, Bangladesh. We applied microbiologic methods to nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, blood, induced sputum, gastric and lung aspirates. Etiology was estimated using Bayesian methods that integrated case and control data and accounted for imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the measurements. RESULTS: We enrolled 525 cases and 772 controls over 24 months. Of the cases, 9.1% had very severe pneumonia and 42.0% (N = 219) had infiltrates on chest radiograph. Three cases (1.5%) had positive blood cultures (2 Salmonella typhi, 1 Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae). All 4 lung aspirates were negative. The etiology among chest radiograph-positive cases was predominantly viral [77.7%, 95% credible interval (CrI): 65.3-88.6], primarily respiratory syncytial virus (31.2%, 95% CrI: 24.7-39.3). Influenza virus had very low estimated etiology (0.6%, 95% CrI: 0.0-2.3). Mycobacterium tuberculosis (3.6%, 95% CrI: 0.5-11.0), Enterobacteriaceae (3.0%, 95% CrI: 0.5-10.0) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (1.8%, 95% CrI: 0.0-5.9) were the only nonviral pathogens in the top 10 etiologies. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood severe and very severe pneumonia in young children in Bangladesh is predominantly viral, notably respiratory syncytial virus.

Role of community engagement in maternal health in rural Pakistan: Findings from the CLIP randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Community-based strategies to promote maternal health can help raise awareness of pregnancy danger signs and preparations for emergencies. The objective of this study was to assess change in birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) and pregnant women's knowledge about pre-eclampsia as part of community engagement (CE) activities in rural Pakistan during the Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) Trial. METHODS: The CLIP Trial was a cluster randomized controlled trial that aimed to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality using CE strategies alongside mobile health-supported care by community health care providers. CE activities engaged pregnant women at their homes and male stakeholders through village meetings in Hyderabad and Matiari in Sindh, Pakistan. These sessions covered pregnancy complications, particularly pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, BPCR and details of the CLIP intervention package. BPCR was assessed using questions related to transport arrangement, permission for care, emergency funds, and choice of facility birth attendant for delivery during quarterly household surveys. Outcomes were assessed via multilevel logistic regression with adjustment for relevant confounders with effects summarized as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: There were 15 137 home-based CE sessions with pregnant women and families (n = 46 614) and 695 village meetings with male stakeholders (n = 7784) over two years. The composite outcomes for BPCR and pre-eclampsia knowledge did not differ significantly between trial arms. However, CE activities were associated with improved pre-eclampsia knowledge in some areas. Specifically, pregnant women in the intervention clusters were twice as likely to know that seizures could be a complication of pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) = 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11, 4.23) and 2.5 times more likely to know that high blood pressure is potentially life-threatening during pregnancy (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.31, 4.83) vs control clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that a CE strategy for male and female community stakeholders increased some measures of knowledge regarding complications of pre-eclampsia in low-resource settings. However, the effect of this intervention on long-term health outcomes needs further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov - INCT01911494.

Disparities in the change of cervical cancer mortality rate between urban and rural Chiang Mai in the era of universal health care and the Thai national screening program.

BACKGROUND: The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand established universal health coverage (UHC) in 2002, which also included national-level screening for cervical cancer in 2005. This study examined the changes in mortality of cervical cancer in rural and urban areas in Chiang Mai Province of northern Thailand during the era of UHC and the immediately preceding period. METHODS: Data of cervical cancer patients in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, who died from 1998 through 2012, were used to calculate the change in age-standardized rates of mortality (ASMR) using a joinpoint regression model and to calculate estimated annual percent changes (APC). The change in mortality rate by age groups along with changes by geographic area of residence were determined. RESULTS: Among the 1177 patients who died from cervical cancer, 13(1%), 713 (61%) and 451 (38%) were in the young age group (aged < 30), the screening target group (aged 30-59) and the elderly group (aged ≥60), respectively. The mortality rate among women aged 30-59 significantly declined by 3% per year from 2003 through 2012 (p < 0.001). By area of residence, the mortality rate in women targeted by the screening program significantly decreased in urban areas but remained stable in more rural areas, APC of - 7.6 (95% CI: - 12.1 to - 2.8) and APC of 3.7 (95% CI: - 2.1 to 9.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: The UHC and national cervical cancer screening program in Thai women may have contributed to the reduction of the mortality rate of cervical cancer in the screening target age group. However, this reduction was primarily in urban areas of Chiang Mai, and there was no significant impact on mortality in more rural areas. These results suggest that the reasons for this disparity need to be further explored to equitably increase access to cervical cancer services of the UHC.

Incidence and Risk of Suicide Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer in Rural, Urban, and Metropolitan Areas.

Importance: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are known to be at increased risk of suicide compared with the general population, but there has been insufficient research on whether this risk differs based on patients' rural, urban, or metropolitan residence status. Objective: To evaluate whether the risk of suicide among patients with HNC differs by rural vs urban or metropolitan residence status. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study uses data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database on patients aged 18 to 74 years who received a diagnosis of HNC from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2016. Statistical analysis was conducted from November 27, 2020, to June 3, 2021. Exposures: Residence status, assessed using 2013 Rural Urban Continuum Codes. Main Outcomes and Measures: Death due to suicide was assessed by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes (U03, X60-X84, and Y87.0) and the cause of death recode (50220). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of suicide, assessing the suicide risk among patients with HNC compared with the general population, were calculated. Suicide risk by residence status was compared using Fine-Gray proportional hazards regression models. Results: Data from 134 510 patients with HNC (101 142 men [75.2%]; mean [SE] age, 57.7 [10.3] years) were analyzed, and 405 suicides were identified. Metropolitan residents composed 86.6% of the sample, urban residents composed 11.7%, and rural residents composed 1.7%. The mortality rate of suicide was 59.2 per 100 000 person-years in metropolitan counties, 64.0 per 100 000 person-years in urban counties, and 126.7 per 100 000 person-years in rural counties. Compared with the general population, the risk of suicide was markedly higher among patients with HNC in metropolitan (SMR, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.49-3.09), urban (SMR, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.13-3.71), and rural (SMR, 5.47; 95% CI, 3.06-9.02) areas. In Fine-Gray competing-risk analyses that adjusted for other covariates, there was no meaningful difference in suicide risk among urban vs metropolitan residents. However, compared with rural residents, residents of urban (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.94) and metropolitan counties (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.32-0.94) had greatly lower risk of suicide. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that suicide risk is elevated in general among patients with HNC but is significantly higher for patients residing in rural areas. Effective suicide prevention strategies in the population of patients with HNC need to account for rural health owing to the high risk of suicide among residents with HNC in rural areas.