The prevalence of low birth weight and its associated maternal factors among women of reproductive age who gave birth to live babies within five years preceding the survey in Tanzania: an analysis of data from the 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey.

BACKGROUND: Infant survival is an important factor in any community's health. Low birth weight affects babies not only during their infancy but also has long-term consequences for their health as adults. Unfortunately, Sub-Saharan Africa as a region is still dealing with the burden of Low birth weight (LBW), and Tanzania as a part of this region is no exception. So this study aimed to determine the Magnitude of Low Birth Weight and Its Associated Maternal Factors among Women of Reproductive Age who gave birth to live babies. METHODS: The study used analytical cross-sectional study design to analyze secondary data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey 2015-2016. A total of 4,644 women of reproductive age who gave birth to live babies within five years preceding the survey were included in the study. Both bivariate and multivariable logistics regression analyses were used to assess maternal factors associated with low birth weight. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBW was 262(6.2%). After adjusting for confounders, the maternal factors associated with LBW were Age group of a pregnant woman [Less than 20 years (aOR = 1.907 CI = 1.134-3.205) in reference to those aged more than 34years], Number of ANC visits made [Inadequate visits (aOR = 1.612 CI = 1.266-2.05)], parity [para 2-4 (aOR = 0.609 CI = 0.453-0.818), para 5+ (aOR = 0.612 CI = 0.397-0.944)] and area of residence [Unguja (aOR = 1.981 CI = 1.367-2.87). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low birth weight in Tanzania remains high. Women's age, parity, number of Antenatal care visits (ANC), and area of residence were found to be maternal factors associated with LBW. Thus, early prenatal diagnosis of risk factors for low birth weight in high-risk pregnant women may help to reduce the LBW burden in Tanzania and its detrimental effects.

Demographic evolution and natural increase projection of the Yanomami indigenous population in Brazil.

The Yanomami population, residing in Brazil's largest indigenous reserve in the Amazon Rainforest, face significant health challenges exacerbated by external threats such as infectious diseases, malnutrition, and mercury contamination from illegal mining. These issues, coupled with inadequate healthcare provision, have led to an alarming increase in mortality rates and potentially threaten the long-term survival of the Yanomami community. This ecological study utilized demographic data from the Special Secretariat of Indigenous Health to explore the demographic evolution and natural increase of the Yanomami Indigenous population in Brazil from 2003 to 2022. Employing population pyramids, crude rates of natural increase, the Mann-Kendall test for trend analysis, and linear regression modeling, the study analyzed vital statistics to forecast demographic trends, with analysis conducted using the R statistical software. Our findings showed a substantial growth of the Yanomami population, yet with a decreasing natural increase rate (τ = -0.33; p = 0.047), suggesting a shift toward population stagnation or decline within the next century. These results call for urgent, coordinated actions to address the complex demographic trends and health challenges faced by Yanomami Indigenous people, ensuring their demographic sustainability and the preservation of their traditional ways of life amidst ongoing environmental and health crises.

Elucidating vaccine efficacy using a correlate of protection, demographics, and logistic regression.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine efficacy (VE) assessed in a randomized controlled clinical trial can be affected by demographic, clinical, and other subject-specific characteristics evaluated as baseline covariates. Understanding the effect of covariates on efficacy is key to decisions by vaccine developers and public health authorities. METHODS: This work evaluates the impact of including correlate of protection (CoP) data in logistic regression on its performance in identifying statistically and clinically significant covariates in settings typical for a vaccine phase 3 trial. The proposed approach uses CoP data and covariate data as predictors of clinical outcome (diseased versus non-diseased) and is compared to logistic regression (without CoP data) to relate vaccination status and covariate data to clinical outcome. RESULTS: Clinical trial simulations, in which the true relationship between CoP data and clinical outcome probability is a sigmoid function, show that use of CoP data increases the positive predictive value for detection of a covariate effect. If the true relationship is characterized by a decreasing convex function, use of CoP data does not substantially change positive or negative predictive value. In either scenario, vaccine efficacy is estimated more precisely (i.e., confidence intervals are narrower) in covariate-defined subgroups if CoP data are used, implying that using CoP data increases the ability to determine clinical significance of baseline covariate effects on efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes and evaluates a novel approach for assessing baseline demographic covariates potentially affecting VE. Results show that the proposed approach can sensitively and specifically identify potentially important covariates and provides a method for evaluating their likely clinical significance in terms of predicted impact on vaccine efficacy. It shows further that inclusion of CoP data can enable more precise VE estimation, thus enhancing study power and/or efficiency and providing even better information to support health policy and development decisions.

Telehealth Utilization and Associations in the United States During the Third Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Population-Based Survey Study in 2022.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changed the landscape of clinical practice in the United States; telehealth became an essential mode of health care delivery, yet many components of telehealth use remain unknown years after the disease's emergence. OBJECTIVE: We aim to comprehensively assess telehealth use and its associated factors in the United States. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a nationally representative survey (Health Information National Trends Survey) administered to US adults (≥18 years) from March 2022 through November 2022. To assess telehealth adoption, perceptions of telehealth, satisfaction with telehealth, and the telehealth care purpose, we conducted weighted descriptive analyses. To identify the subpopulations with low adoption of telehealth, we developed a weighted multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among a total of 6252 survey participants, 39.3% (2517/6252) reported telehealth use in the past 12 months (video: 1110/6252, 17.8%; audio: 876/6252, 11.6%). The most prominent reason for not using telehealth was due to telehealth providers failing to offer this option (2200/3529, 63%). The most common reason for respondents not using offered telehealth services was a preference for in-person care (527/578, 84.4%). Primary motivations to use telehealth were providers' recommendations (1716/2517, 72.7%) and convenience (1516/2517, 65.6%), mainly for acute minor illness (600/2397, 29.7%) and chronic condition management (583/2397, 21.4%), yet care purposes differed by age, race/ethnicity, and income. The satisfaction rate was predominately high, with no technical problems (1829/2517, 80.5%), comparable care quality to that of in-person care (1779/2517, 75%), and no privacy concerns (1958/2517, 83.7%). Younger individuals (odd ratios [ORs] 1.48-2.23; 18-64 years vs ≥75 years), women (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09-1.61), Hispanic individuals (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.80; vs non-Hispanic White), those with more education (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03-2.87; at least a college graduate vs less than high school), unemployed individuals (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.02-1.54), insured individuals (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.25-2.69), or those with poor general health status (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.30-2.13) had higher odds of using telehealth. CONCLUSIONS: To our best knowledge, this is among the first studies to examine patient factors around telehealth use, including motivations to use, perceptions of, satisfaction with, and care purpose of telehealth, as well as sociodemographic factors associated with telehealth adoption using a nationally representative survey. The wide array of descriptive findings and identified associations will help providers and health systems understand the factors that drive patients toward or away from telehealth visits as the technology becomes more routinely available across the United States, providing future directions for telehealth use and telehealth research.

Disparities in Demographics in Hip Arthroplasty Between U.S. Active Duty Military and the ACS-NSQIP Clinical Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Patient demographics, such as sex and age, are known risk factors for undergoing revision following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The military population is unique because of the increased rates of primary and secondary osteoarthritis of the hip. Treatment options are limited for returning patients to their line of duty; however, THA has been shown to be an effective option. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate and contrast the demographic differences of patients undergoing primary THA between the U.S. active duty military population and the general population. The secondary goal was to identify the proportion of primary THA performed at the MTF within the military health system (MHS). METHODS: This was an exempt study determined by the local institutional review board. A retrospective analysis of the MHS Data Repository (MDR) and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was performed. The databases were used to identify the patients who underwent THA from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. The MDR was used to identify demographics such as sex, age, setting of surgery, geographic location, previous military deployments, history of deployment-related injuries, branch of service, and rank. The NSQIP database was queried for sex and age. The median age of the population was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and gender was compared using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The MDR was used to evaluate 2,734 patients, whereas the NSQIP database was used to evaluate 223,832 patients. In the military population, patients who underwent THA were 87.7% male with an average age of 45 years, whereas in the general population as measured via the NSQIP database, 45.2% patients were male with an average age of 66.0 years. Comparing the two groups, we demonstrated that the military patients were significantly more likely to be younger (P < .001) and males (P < .001). Only 29.6% of primary THAs were performed within the MTF. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the MHS are undergoing THA at a younger age and are more likely to be male compared to the general population. A significant portion of primary THAs in the MHS are also being performed at civilian institutions. These demographics may result in increased risk of revision; however, long-term studies are warranted to evaluate survivorship in this unique population.

Estrés relacionado con el trabajo y sintomatología mental en personas trabajadoras: Un análisis de género / Work-related stress and mental symptoms in working people: A gender analysis

El objetivo fue analizar el estrés laboral de mujeres y hombres con empleo y categorías laborales y demográficas similares, estudiando su asociación con la sintomatología mental. Estudio exploratoriodescriptivo y transversal con una muestra de conveniencia formada por 2643 personas con empleo y edades entre 18 y 64 años de las cuales el 54.3% son hombres y el 45.7% mujeres. Todas fueron evaluadas mediante cinco autoinformes y una hoja de recogida de datos sociodemográficos y de usos del tiempo. Resultados: El 67.5% de los hombres y el 66.5% de las mujeres tuvo algún tipo de estrés relacionado con el trabajo, no existiendo diferencias entre mujeres y hombres en ninguna de las medidas de estrés laboral, en insatisfacción con el rol laboral, ni en la asociación entre el estrés laboral y la sintomatología mental, asociación que era muy baja en mujeres y en hombres. Las mujeres tenían más estrés crónico no laboral y mayores contrariedades diarias que los hombres, además de mayor sintomatología mental de ansiedad, depresión grave, somática y de disfunción social. Asimismo, dedicaban más tiempo a las tareas domésticas y de cuidado y menos al ocio y a las actividades físico-deportivas que los hombres. Conclusiones: los resultados evidenciaron que el rol laboral no supone amenazas específicas para la salud mental de las mujeres con empleo, aunque sí parecen suponerlas su mayor dedicación a las tareas domésticas y de cuidado. Los resultados del presente trabajo son relevantes para el diseño de políticas y programas destinados a fomentar la salud de la ciudadanía y al logro de mayor igualdad de género(AU)

The objective was to analyze work stress in women and men with similar occupation and demographic categories, studying its association with mental symptomatology. Exploratory-descriptive and cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 2643 employed persons aged 18 to 64 years, 54.3% of whom were men and 45.7% women. All were assessed by five self-reports and a sociodemographic and time-use data collection sheet. Results: 67.5% of the men and 66.5% of the women had some type of work-related stress. There were no differences between women and men in any of the measures of work stress, in dissatisfaction with the work role, or in the association between work stress and mental symptomatology, association that was very low in both women and men. Women had more chronic non-work stress and greater daily hassles than men, as well as greater symptomatology of anxiety, severe depression, somatic and social dysfunction. In addition, they spent more time on housework and caregiving and less time on leisure and physical-sports activities than men. Conclusions: the results show that the work role does not pose specific threats to the mental health of working women, although their greater dedication to domestic and caregiving tasks does seem to do so. The results of this study are relevant for the design of policies and programs aimed at promoting the health of citizens and achieving greater gender equality(AU)

Relación de lesiones cervicales: factores demográficos, Historia reproductiva y tamizaje / Cervical Lesions Relationship: Demographic Factors, Reproductive History, and Screening Tests

El cáncer cervical es una preocupación de salud pública en Ecuador y América Latina. Este artículo explora factores de riesgo y pruebas de detección como predictores de lesiones cervicales. Objetivo: Evaluar factores demográficos, historia reproductiva y pruebas de tamizaje como predictores de lesiones cervicales en mujeres que acudieron al servicio de Colposcopía del Hospital Universitario de Guayaquil entre los años 2021 y 2022. Materiales y Métodos: Se analizaron los registros de 1610 mujeres, excluyendo 129 por falta de información completa. Se utilizaron análisis estadísticos, como la prueba de Chi Cuadrado de Pearson, para examinar la asociación entre variables categóricas. Los resultados se expresaron en promedios y porcentajes. Resultados: 1118 mujeres (69.4%) tuvieron resultados negativos para lesiones cervicales, mientras que 332 mujeres (30.6%) presentaron lesiones intraepiteliales cervicales o cáncer cervical. (tabla 1) Se encontraron relaciones significativas entre un índice de masa corporal (IMC) elevado y las lesiones cervicales, así como entre la multiparidad y estas lesiones. Además, se identificaron correlaciones entre múltiples parejas sexuales, sinusorragia y lesiones cervicales. La colposcopía demostró ser efectiva en la evaluación de resultados citológicos. (tabla 2). Conclusiones: Factores como el IMC alto, la multiparidad, múltiples parejas sexuales y la sinusorragia se relacionaron significativamente con las lesiones cervicales. No se encontraron relaciones significativas con otras variables. Se resalta la importancia de futuras investigaciones para abordar limitaciones, como la falta de pruebas de genotipificación del virus del papiloma humano (VPH), para una comprensión más completa de estas patologías cervicales en la población ecuatoriana...(AU)

Do demographic factors affect the environment? Empirical evidence from the Middle East and North African countries.

Every country intends to enhance national production by achieving sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to examine whether there exists any long-run association among environmental deterioration measured by territorial emissions in CO2, demographic factors (total population, population density, and urban population) and some other variables, namely, energy use, per capita income, energy intensity, and industrial value added for the 16 countries from the Middle East and North African (MENA) over 1990-2018. We implemented the generalized method of moments (GMM), fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), robust least square estimators, and panel Granger causality techniques for estimation. The empirical estimates reveal that there exists a long run cointegration among the series. Results also exhibit that energy use, per capita income, energy intensity, industrial value added, population density, total population, and urban population have positive effects on CO2 emissions. Furthermore, in each panel, there is bi-directional causality between population density and CO2 emissions, total population and CO2 emissions, and urban population and CO2 emissions. These findings suggest that the policymakers need not exclusively to focus on the transformation of rural labor from an agricultural-based model to urban regions with powerful, dominant industry and services sectors but also related to the changing of rural establishments into urban spaces is required. These changes in demographics involve changes in the demand for additional transportation services, food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities.

Distribution, abundance and seasonality of scale insects in sugarcane crops in the state of São Paulo / Distribuição, abundância e sazonalidade de cochonilhas em culturas de cana-de-açúcar no estado de São Paulo

In the state of São Paulo, the main sugarcane producing region of the world, two species of scale insects have frequently occurred, Aclerda takahashii (Kuwana, 1932) (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) and Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell, 1895) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). To map the distribution and abundance of these species, 17 sugarcane producing fields, distributed in six mesoregions in São Paulo, were evaluated in August 2017 and, January, February, June and July 2018 during the ripening phase. The study on the seasonality of these species, by the presence or absence of the scale insects during the phenological cycle of the plant, was conducted between August 2017 and July 2018 in two sugarcane producing fields in the municipality of Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. The presence of S. sacchari was found in all the analyzed locations, and A. takahashii in twelve. Both scale insects showed significant difference of infestation in the node’s region of the stems during the ripening phase in one of the studied locations. The aclerdid presented significant difference by infestation in one site during the ripening phase of the plant. The pseudococcid infested a greater number of nodes in the following phases of development; vegetative, grand growth and ripening in both studied areas, but it was in one site during the ripening phase that presented the greatest difference. Although the pink sugarcane mealybug was more abundant than A. takahashii in both studies, there were no patterns of relationships between the numbers of individuals to geographical locations and temperature.

No estado de São Paulo, principal região produtora de cana-de-açúcar do mundo, duas espécies de cochonilhas têm ocorrido frequentemente, Aclerda takahashii (Kuwana, 1932) (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) e Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell, 1895) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Para mapear a distribuição e abundância destas espécies, 17 regiões produtoras de cana-de-açúcar, distribuídas em seis mesorregiões de São Paulo, foram avaliadas em agosto de 2017 e janeiro, fevereiro, junho e julho de 2018, durante a fase de maturação. O estudo da sazonalidade destas espécies, pela presença ou ausência das cochonilhas durante o ciclo fenológico da planta, foi conduzido entre agosto de 2017 e julho de 2018 em duas regiões produtoras de cana-de-açúcar no município de Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brasil. Saccharicoccus sacchari foi encontrada em todas as localidades analisadas, e A. takahashii em 12. Ambas cochonilhas mostraram diferença significativa de infestação na região dos nós dos colmos durante a fase de maturação em uma das localidades estudadas. O aclerdídeo apresentou diferença significativa pela infestação em uma localidade durante a fase de maturação da planta. O pseudococcídeo infestou um grande número de nós nas seguintes fases de desenvolvimento; perfilhamento, crescimento vegetativo e maturação em ambas áreas estudadas, mas foi em uma localidade durante a fase de maturação que apresentou a maior diferença. Embora a cochonilha rosada da cana-de-açúcar foi mais abundante do que A. takahashii em ambos estudos, não houve padrões de relações entre o número de indivíduos com a localização geográfica e temperatura.

Efectos emocionales que causa el aborto espontáneo / Emotional effects caused by spontaneous abortion

Introducción: en el contexto mexicano la maternidad suele ser una de las prioridades de la mujer, por lo cual, cuando se interrumpe el proceso se desencadena un conjunto de emociones que le afectan de manera negativa, pudiendo limitar su actuar cotidiano. Objetivo: identificar las emociones que surgen a causa del aborto espontáneo en mujeres jóvenes. Metodología: estudio descriptivo y cualitativo. Se aplicó una escala de actitudes hacia el aborto y una entrevista semiestructurada validada por juicio de expertos. Resultados: los hallazgos evidencian tristeza, enojo y rabia, que mantienen a las participantes en estado de confusión, decepción, retraimiento, inseguridad y vacío existencial. Conclusiones: el aborto espontáneo trae como consecuencia la ruptura del ideal de la mujer, ya que esta se representa como procreadora, lo cual coincide con el perfil mexicano de la maternidad; por ende, ante un aborto ya no se cumple con la supuesta función principal de la mujer.

Introduction: In the Mexican context, motherhood is the reason for being of a woman, therefore, when the process is interrupted, a set of emotions are triggered that affect negatively, and can even limit her daily actions. Objective: To identify the emotions that arise due to spontaneous abortion in young women. Methodology: Descriptive and qualitative study. A semi-structured interview validated by expert judgment was applied. Results: The findings show sadness, anger and rage that keep the informants in a state of confusion, disappointment, withdrawal, insecurity and existential emptiness. Conclusions: Spontaneous abortion results in the rupture of the ideal of women, since this is represented as procreating, which coincides with the Mexican profile of motherhood; therefore, in the face of an abortion, the main function of the woman is no longer fulfilled.

Sífilis congênita em regiões de fronteira internacional brasileira: uma realidade preocupante / Congenital syphilis in brazilian international border regions: a worrisome reality / La sífilis congénita en las regiones fronterizas internacionales de brasil: una realidad preocupante

Este estudo objetivou verificar o número de casos de sífilis congênita (SC) diagnosticada em crianças até um ano de idade no Brasil, com ênfase no estado e na cidade gêmea com maior número de casos e investigar os aspectos sócio-demográficos e clínicos. Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e com abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido a partir de dados secundários do período de 2011 a 2020 no Brasil e em regiões de fronteira internacional do país. Os dados foram obtidos através do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. As taxas de incidência de SC foram calculadas pela constante 1.000. Foram notificados no Brasil 190.034 casos de SC, 43.016 casos foram em estados com fronteira internacional. O estado fronteiriço que apresentou o maior número de casos foi o Rio Grande do Sul (14.617) e a sua cidade gêmea, Uruguaiana (167), com taxa média de incidência anual de 13,2 e 12,3 casos/1.000 nascidos vivos (p<0,05). Observou-se predominância de gestantes com 20 a 29 anos 53,2%, baixo nível escolar 28,1% (p<0,05), cor da pele, branca 58,1%, realizou pré-natal 92,8% (p>0,05), diagnosticadas com sífilis durante o pré-natal 69,4% e com tratamento inadequado 39,5% (p<0,05). A faixa etária das crianças com SC foi em menores de sete dias de vida 95,2% e diagnosticadas como SC recente 95,2% (p>0,05). O número de casos notificados de SC no Brasil e em regiões de fronteira e os fatores contribuintes evidenciados, indicam a necessidade de melhoria do acompanhamento pré-natal e criação de políticas públicas direcionadas à redução e/ou erradicação de casos.

This study aimed to verify the number of cases of congenital syphilis (CS) diagnosed in children up to one year of age in Brazil, with emphasis on the state and the twin city with the highest number of cases and to investigate the socio-demographic and clinical aspects. Descriptive study, retrospective study with a quantitative approach, developed from secondary data from 2011 to 2020 in Brazil and in international border regions of the country. Data were obtained through the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The CS incidence rates were calculated by the constant 1000. Were notified in Brazil 190,034 cases of CS, 43,016 cases were in international border states. The state with the highest number of cases was Rio Grande do Sul (14,617) and its twin city, Uruguaiana (167), with an average annual incidence rate of 13.2 and 12.3 cases/1,000 live births (p<0.05). There was a predominance of pregnant women aged 20 to 29 years 53.2%, low schooling 28.1% (p<0.05) and skin color, white 58.1%, attended prenatal 92.8% (p>0.05), diagnosed with syphilis during prenatal care 69.4% and with inadequate treatment 39,5% (p<0.05). The age range of children with CS was under seven days of life 95.2% and diagnosed as recent CS 95.2% (p>0.05). The number of reported cases of CS in Brazil and in international border regions and the contributing factors evidenced indicate the need to improve prenatal care and create public policies aimed at reducing and/or erradicating cases.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar el número de casos de sífilis congénita (SC) diagnosticados en niños de hasta un año de edad en Brasil, con énfasis en el estado y la ciudad gemela con mayor número de casos e investigar los aspectos sociodemográficos y clínicos. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y con enfoque cuantitativo, desarrollado a partir de datos secundarios del período 2011 a 2020 en Brasil y en regiones fronterizas internacionales del país. Los datos se obtuvieron a través del Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación. Las tasas de incidencia del SC se calcularon mediante la constante 1.000. En Brasil se notificaron 190.034 casos de SC, 43.016 de ellos en estados con frontera internacional. El estado fronterizo con mayor número de casos fue Rio Grande do Sul (14.617) y su ciudad gemela, Uruguaiana (167), con una tasa de incidencia media anual de 13,2 y 12,3 casos/1.000 nacidos vivos (p<0,05). Se observó predominio de embarazadas de 20 a 29 años 53,2%, nivel de escolaridad bajo 28,1% (p<0,05), color de piel, blanca 58,1%, realizado prenatal 92,8% (p>0,05), diagnosticada de sífilis durante el prenatal 69,4% y con tratamiento inadecuado 39,5% (p<0,05). El rango de edad de los niños con CS fue de menos de siete días de vida 95,2% y diagnosticado como CS reciente 95,2% (p>0,05). El número de casos reportados de SC en Brasil y en las regiones fronterizas y los factores contribuyentes evidenciados, indican la necesidad de mejorar la atención prenatal y la creación de políticas públicas dirigidas a la reducción y/o erradicación de los casos.

Big Data, Small Personas: How Algorithms Shape the Demographic Representation of Data-Driven User Segments.

Derived from the notion of algorithmic bias, it is possible that creating user segments such as personas from data results in over- or under-representing certain segments (FAIRNESS), does not properly represent the diversity of the user populations (DIVERSITY), or produces inconsistent results when hyperparameters are changed (CONSISTENCY). Collecting user data on 363M video views from a global news and media organization, we compare personas created from this data using different algorithms. Results indicate that the algorithms fall into two groups: those that generate personas with low diversity-high fairness and those that generate personas with high diversity-low fairness. The algorithms that rank high on diversity tend to rank low on fairness (Spearman's correlation: -0.83). The algorithm that best balances diversity, fairness, and consistency is Spectral Embedding. The results imply that the choice of algorithm is a crucial step in data-driven user segmentation, because the algorithm fundamentally impacts the demographic attributes of the generated personas and thus influences how decision makers view the user population. The results have implications for algorithmic bias in user segmentation and creating user segments that not only consider commercial segmentation criteria but also consider criteria derived from ethical discussions in the computing community.

Análise comparativa das características demográficas, sintomatologia e comorbidades de adultos e idosos notificados e confirmados com covid-19 nas capitais brasileiras / Análisis comparativo de las características demográficas, la sintomatología y las comorbilidades de los adultos y ancianos notificados y confirmados con covid-19 en las capitales brasileñas / Comparative analysis of demographic characteristics, symptoms and comorbidities of adults and elderly people notified and confirmed with covid-19 in brazilian capitals

RESUMO Objetivo: comparar o perfil demográfico, a sintomatologia e as comorbidades de adultos e idosos notificados com COVID-19 nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal - DF. Métodos: estudo ecológico desenvolvido a partir dos dados da plataforma online e-SUS Notifica, preenchidos até dia 4 de janeiro de 2021, com amostra constituída por 1.416.252 indivíduos, utilizando como critérios de inclusão: ter idade > 20 anos; residir nas capitais brasileiras ou no Distrito Federal - DF; e apresentar resultado do teste positivo para COVID-19. A análise descritiva contou com a exposição das frequências absoluta e relativa e medidas de tendência central. Para a análise inferencial, aplicou-se o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson, considerando diferença significativa para valores de p<0,05. Resultados: predominou sexo masculino (52%), com média de idade de 43,29 ± 14,85 anos. Os indivíduos apresentaram tosse (45,4%), febre (38,8%) e outros sintomas (83,1%). As comorbidades mais prevalentes foram: doenças cardíacas (7,1%) e diabetes (4,5%). Houve diferença significativa (p<0,001) entre as regiões brasileiras, ao comparar sexo, idade, ser profissional da saúde, sintomas e comorbidades. Conclusão: os dados contribuíram para o conhecimento acerca do processo epidêmico de COVID-19 no Brasil no primeiro ano de pandemia e demonstraram a distribuição dos casos e as relações existentes entre perfil demográfico, sintomatologia e doenças preexistentes com os agrupados das capitais brasileiras.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comparar el perfil demográfico, la sintomatología y las comorbilidades de los adultos y ancianos notificados con COVID-19 en las capitales brasileñas y el Distrito Federal - DF. Métodos: estudio ecológico, desarrollado a partir de los datos de la plataforma online e-SUS Notifica, completados hasta el 4 de enero de 2021, con una muestra compuesta por 1.416.252 individuos, utilizando como criterios de inclusión: edad > 20 años; residir en capitales brasileñas o en el Distrito Federal - DF; y presentar un resultado positivo en la prueba de COVID-19. El análisis descriptivo incluyó la presentación de frecuencias absolutas y relativas y medidas de tendencia central. Para el análisis inferencial, se aplicó la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson, considerando la diferencia significativa para valores p <0,05. Resultados: predominó el sexo masculino (52%), con una edad media de 43,29 ± 14,85 años. Los individuos presentaron tos (45,4%), fiebre (38,8%) y otros síntomas (83,1%). Las comorbilidades más prevalentes fueron las cardiopatías (7,1%) y la diabetes (4,5%). Hubo una diferencia significativa (p<0,001) entre las regiones brasileñas al comparar el género, la edad, ser profesional de la salud, los síntomas y las comorbilidades. Conclusión: los datos contribuyeron al conocimiento del proceso epidémico del COVID-19 en Brasil, en el primer año de pandemia, y demostraron la distribución de los casos y las relaciones existentes entre el perfil demográfico, la sintomatología y las enfermedades preexistentes con los agrupados de las capitales brasileñas.

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the demographic profile, symptoms and comorbidities of adults and elderly people notified with COVID-19 in Brazilian capitals and the Distrito Federal - DF. Methods: ecological study developed from data from the online platform e-SUS Notifica, completed until January 4, 2021, with a sample consisting of 1,416,252 individuals, using as inclusion criteria: being > 20 years old; reside in Brazilian capitals or the Distrito Federal - DF; and present a positive test result for COVID-19. The descriptive analysis included the exposure of absolute and relative frequencies and measures of central tendency. For the inferential analysis, Pearson's chi-square test was applied, considering a significant difference for values of p<0.05. Results: males predominated (52%), with a mean age of 43.29 ± 14.85 years. Subjects had cough (45.4%), fever (38.8%) and other symptoms (83.1%). The most prevalent comorbidities were: heart disease (7.1%) and diabetes (4.5%). There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between Brazilian regions, when comparing sex, age, being a health professional, symptoms and comorbidities. Conclusion: the data contributed to the knowledge about the epidemic process of COVID-19 in Brazil in the first year of the pandemic and demonstrated the distribution of cases and the relationships between demographic profile, symptoms and pre-existing diseases with the groups of Brazilian capitals.

Pregnancy resumption following contraceptive discontinuation: Hazard survival analysis of the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey Data 2007, 2012 and 2017.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to estimate the probability of pregnancy resumption after discontinuing reversible contraceptives-pills, injectables, implants and IUDs, and to examine the factors associated with the resumption of fertility. METHOD: The study uses pregnancy calendar data from Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys (IDHS) of 2007, 2012 and 2017. A hazard model survival method is used for estimating the time needed to resume pregnancy since discontinuing reversible contraceptives. Retrospective data on 4,573; 5,183 and 5,989 episodes of reversible contraceptive discontinuation at the three surveys respectively have been analysed. RESULTS: This study shows that women regained fecundity within one year of discontinuing IUD, pill, injectables or implants. Women using IUD could resume their pregnancy faster than those using implants, pills and injectables. Over the three IDHS 2007, 2012 and 2017 the age-specific percentages of women becoming pregnant after one year of contraceptive discontinuation vary between 72 and 85 for IUD, 75 and 81 for pills, 72 and 76 for implants and 64 and 67 for injectables, with the percentages being higher among younger women. The analysis further shows that length of contraceptive use, parity, prior sexually transmitted infections, knowledge of fertile period, household wealth status and place of residence have no impact on occurrence of pregnancy after contraceptive discontinuation. CONCLUSION: The analysis disproves a myth that reversible contraceptives make women infertile. Depending on the type of reversible contraceptive used, 65% to 85% of the women were able to conceive after one year of discontinuation.

Geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases by social determinants of health in metropolitan areas in Canada: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 transmission associated with the social determinants of health could help the development of effective mitigation strategies that are responsive to local transmission dynamics. This study aims to quantify social determinants of geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases across 16 census metropolitan areas (hereafter, cities) in 4 Canadian provinces, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. METHODS: We used surveillance data on confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases and census data for social determinants at the level of the dissemination area (DA). We calculated Gini coefficients to determine the overall geographic heterogeneity of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in each city, and calculated Gini covariance coefficients to determine each city's heterogeneity by each social determinant (income, education, housing density and proportions of visible minorities, recent immigrants and essential workers). We visualized heterogeneity using Lorenz (concentration) curves. RESULTS: We observed geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases in cities, as half of the cumulative cases were concentrated in DAs containing 21%-35% of their population, with the greatest geographic heterogeneity in Ontario cities (Gini coefficients 0.32-0.47), followed by British Columbia (0.23-0.36), Manitoba (0.32) and Quebec (0.28-0.37). Cases were disproportionately concentrated in areas with lower income and educational attainment, and in areas with a higher proportion of visible minorities, recent immigrants, high-density housing and essential workers. Although a consistent feature across cities was concentration by the proportion of visible minorities, the magnitude of concentration by social determinant varied across cities. INTERPRETATION: Geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases was observed in all of the included cities, but the pattern by social determinants varied. Geographically prioritized allocation of resources and services should be tailored to the local drivers of inequalities in transmission in response to the resurgence of SARS-CoV-2.

Do empowered women receive better quality antenatal care in Pakistan? An analysis of demographic and health survey data.

INTRODUCTION: Quality antenatal care is a window of opportunity for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Numerous studies have shown a positive effect of women empowerment on improved coverage of maternal and reproductive health services, including antenatal care (ANC). However, there is scarce evidence on the association between women's empowerment and improved ANC services both in terms of coverage and quality. Addressing this gap, this paper examines the relationship between multi-dimensional measures of women empowerment on utilization of quality ANC (service coverage and consultation) in Pakistan. METHODS: We used Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 (PDHS) data which comprises of 6,602 currently married women aged between 15-49 years who had a live birth in the past five years preceding the survey. Our exposure variables were three-dimensional measures of women empowerment (social independence, decision making, and attitude towards domestic violence), and our outcome variables were quality of antenatal coverage [i.e. a composite binary measure based on skilled ANC (trained professional), timeliness (1st ANC visit during first trimester), sufficiency of ANC visits (4 or more)] and quality of ANC consultation (i.e. receiving at least 7 or more essential antenatal components out of 8). Data were analysed in Stata 16.0 software. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics and binary logistic regression was employed to assess the association between empowerment and quality of antenatal care. RESULTS: We found that 41.4% of the women received quality ANC coverage and 30.6% received quality ANC consultations during pregnancy. After controlling for a number of socio-economic and demographic factors, all three measures of women's empowerment independently showed a positive relationship with both outcomes. Women with high autonomy (i.e. strongly opposed the notion of violence) in the domain of attitude to violence are 1.66 (95% CI 1.30-2.10) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.19-1.75) and times more likely to receive antenatal coverage and quality ANC consultations respectively, compared with women who ranked low on attitude to violence. Women who enjoy high social independence had 1.87 (95% CI 1.44-2.43) and 2.78 (95% CI 2.04-3.79) higher odds of quality antenatal coverage and consultations respectively, as compared with their counterparts. Similarly, women who had high autonomy in household decision making 1.98 (95% CI 1.60-2.44) and 1.56 (95% CI 2.17-1.91) were more likely to receive quality antenatal coverage and consultation respectively, as compared to women who possess low autonomy in household decision making. CONCLUSION: The quality of ANC coverage and consultation with service provider is considerably low in Pakistan. Women's empowerment related to social independence, gendered beliefs about violence, and decision-making have an independent positive association with the utilisation of quality antenatal care. Thus, efforts directed towards empowering women could be an effective strategy to improve utilisation of quality antenatal care in Pakistan.

Psychological well-being in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation

The aim of the study is to determine the psychological well-being of patients who underwent stem cell transplantation. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 patients. Data were collected face-to-face using an introductory information form and the Brief Symptom Inventory.When the results of the patients were examined, the interpersonal sensitivity of the sub-dimensions of the scale was found to be 5.0 ± 4.06, depression 7.60 ± 5.37, and anxiety disorder 7.90 ± 5.34. There was a significant difference between the diagnosistime of the patients and all sub-factors of the scale, except phobic anxiety. It was found that the psychological state of the patients was directly related to the time of first diagnosis. As a result, the importance of following the psychological processof the patients during the treatment process was revealed when planning nursing care.

Volunteer motivation in sports events in Brazil / Motivação de voluntários em eventos esportivos no Brasil

ABSTRACT The purpose was to analyze the potential differences in the motivation factors of volunteers according to the demographics; sex, level of education, and type of events in Brazil. The Volunteer Motivations Scale for International Sporting Events was administered to Brazilian volunteers via an online survey. Back-translation was used to ensure accuracy between the original scales. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to perform the transcultural adaptation. MANOVA was utilized to compare differences in demographic variables. Volunteers were motivated by two factors: Love of Sports and Community Involvement. The level of education verified significant differences only in the love of sport factor. The MANOVA revealed that the volunteers with a lower level of schooling (incomplete and elementary school) have higher levels of motivation (love for sport) compared to volunteers with high school, undergraduate, master's and PhD degrees. The interaction between sex and level of education indicated a significant difference in the same factor, and the interaction sex and type of event with the factor Community Involvement. Therefore, the results identify some differences in demographics. It is concluded that Volunteers' motivation is linked to the love of sport and involvement with the community and is related to sex and schooling, highlighting the importance of investigating volunteer motivations amongst sports events to promote positive development in management practices, specially to Brazilian sports events.

RESUMO O objetivo foi analisar as potenciais diferenças nos fatores de motivação de voluntários de acordo com os dados demográficos; sexo, nível de escolaridade e tipo de eventos no Brasil. A Escala de Motivação de Voluntários para Eventos Esportivos Internacionais foi aplicada a voluntários brasileiros por meio de um questionário online. A retrotradução foi usada para garantir a precisão entre as escalas originais. A análise fatorial confirmatória foi utilizada para realizar a adaptação transcultural. MANOVA foi utilizada para comparar diferenças nas variáveis demográficas. Os voluntários foram motivados por dois fatores: Amor ao Esporte e Envolvimento Comunitário. O nível de escolaridade verificou diferenças significativas apenas no fator amor ao esporte. A MANOVA revelou que os voluntários com menor escolaridade (escola primaria e incompleta) possuem níveis de motivação (amor ao esporte) maiores comparado aos voluntários com ensino médio, graduação, mestrado e doutorado. A interação entre sexo e escolaridade indicou diferença significativa no mesmo fator, e a interação sexo e tipo de evento com o fator Envolvimento na Comunidade. Portanto, os resultados identificam algumas diferenças demográficas. Conclui-se que a motivação dos voluntários está atrelada ao amor ao esporte e envolvimento com a comunidade e possui relações com sexo e escolaridade, destacando a importância de investigar as motivações do voluntariado entre os eventos esportivos para promover o desenvolvimento positivo das práticas de gestão, especialmente dos eventos esportivos brasileiros.