Social support and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Western Kenya.

As coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in 2020, countries around the world implemented various prevention strategies, such as banning of public and social gatherings, restriction in movement, etc. These efforts may have had a deleterious effect on already vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH were concerned about contracting COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on their social networks that provide social support, and the continued availability of antiretroviral medications during the pandemic. In addition, their mental health may have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore pandemic-related concerns among a cohort of PLWH in Kenya and investigate social support factors associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. This study is part of a larger cohort study that recruited from two clinics in Western Kenya. Data are drawn from 130 PLWH who participated in two phone surveys about experiences during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Participants reported a variety of concerns over the course of the pandemic and we documented statistically significant increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety over time, which affected some participants' ability to adhere to their antiretroviral medication. However, a small but statistically significant group of participants reached out to expand their networks and mobilize support in the context of experiencing mental health and adherence challenges, speaking to the importance of social support as a coping strategy during times of stress. Our findings call for holistic approaches to HIV care that consider the broader political, economic, and social contexts that shape its effectiveness.

Interpregnancy interval and birth defects.

BACKGROUND: Interpregnancy interval is a risk factor for various adverse birth outcomes including birth defects. We investigated the relationship between interpregnancy interval and birth defects. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked data from Nevada Birth Outcomes Monitoring System and birth certificate data for 124,341 singleton live births, of which 4641 infants had 7192 birth defects, among Nevada resident women between 2006 and 2011. We used logistic regression to assess factors independently associated with birth defects. RESULTS: Women who had an interpregnancy interval of 36 months or more, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.33, were more likely to have an infant with a birth defect compared with women with an interpregnancy interval of 18 to 23 months. Other independent risk factors for birth defects included male infants, AOR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.26-1.42; maternal age (30-34 years) and advanced maternal age (35 years and older), AOR = 1.10, 95% CI, 1.01-1.19 and AOR = 1.29, 95% CI, 1.18-1.42, respectively; being a Black woman, AOR = 1.46, 95% CI, 1.32-1.61; three and four or more previous births, AOR = 1.12, 95% CI, 1.02-1.23 and AOR = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.11-1.38, respectively; smoking, AOR = 1.23, 95% CI, 1.10-1.38; and prescription drug use, AOR = 1.14, 95% CI, 1.07-1.21. CONCLUSION: A long interpregnancy interval is an independent risk factor for birth defects. It may be helpful for maternal and child health programs and health care providers to highlight the deleterious effects of a long interpregnancy interval.

Birth Defects Surveillance in the United States: Challenges and Implications of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification Implementation.

Major birth defects are an important public health issue because they are the leading cause of infant mortality. The most common birth defects are congenital heart defects, neural tube defects, and Down syndrome. Birth defects surveillance guides policy development and provides data for prevalence estimates, epidemiologic research, planning, and prevention. Several factors influence birth defects surveillance in the United States of America (USA). These include case ascertainment methods, pregnancy outcomes, and nomenclature used for coding birth defects. In 2015, the nomenclature used by most birth defects surveillance programs in USA will change from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM. This change will have implications on birth defects surveillance, prevalence estimates, and tracking birth defects trends.

Correlates of television viewing among African American and Caucasian women.

This study explores the associations between time spent watching television and physical activity, selected eating behaviors, and quality of life variables among 189 African American and Caucasian women aged 18-60 years. Data were collected via a cross-sectional, random-digit-dialed telephone survey. Seventy-two percent and 46% of women reported to "always, often, or sometimes" eating or overeating while watching television, respectively. Significant associations with television time per week included: eating meals or snacks while watching television, number of days per month feeling depressed, number of days per month feeling anxious, self-rated health, and BMI. Results contribute to recent studies finding associations between television viewing, body mass index, and health; and suggest potential points for intervention.

Intimate partner violence and depression in a population-based sample of women: can social support help?

Data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in Nevada was analyzed to determine whether social support is independently associated with depression in a population-based sample of women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). More than a quarter (27%) of the women who were randomly chosen to participate in the survey reported lifetime IPV (n = 472). Twenty-four percent of abused women were categorized as currently depressed according to the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Abused women who reported low social support, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.95, 95% CI (1.69-14.49), or moderate social support, AOR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.00-7.33), were more likely to be depressed than women who reported high levels of social support. Other independent risk factors for depression included younger age, AOR = 5.36, 95% CI (1.36-25.39); low education (less than high school), AOR = 12.55, 95% CI (2.78-56.72); fair or poor perceived health status, AOR = 3.72, 95% CI (1.39-9.87); being overweight or obese, AOR = 3.21, 95% CI (1.26-8.19); having experienced sexual IPV, AOR = 4.95, 95% CI (1.08-22.74); and having experienced both physical and sexual IPV, AOR = 4.54, 95% CI (2.07-9.99). There is an urgent need for routine screening for IPV and depression in clinic and community settings. Interventions that target younger women who experience IPV and aim to decrease depression in this vulnerable population are likely to be most effective if they promote social support, increase education opportunities, and support healthy weight loss behaviors.