Associations between sleep duration, sleep disturbance and cardiovascular disease biomarkers among adults in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are associated with abnormal cardiovascular biomarkers and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, studies investigating associations between sleep problems and CVD biomarkers have reported conflicting findings. This study examined the associations between sleep problems and CVD biomarkers in the United States. METHODS: Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2018) and analyses were restricted to adults ≥ 20 years (n = 23,749). CVD biomarkers [C-reactive Protein (CRP), low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting blood glucose] were categorized as abnormal or normal using standardized cut-off points. Sleep problems were assessed by sleep duration (short [≤ 6 h], long [≥ 9 h], and recommended [> 6 to < 9 h) and self-reported sleep disturbance (yes, no). Multivariable logistic regression models explored the associations between sleep duration, sleep disturbance, and CVD biomarkers adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. RESULTS: The mean sleep duration was 7.1 ± 1.5 h and 25.1% of participants reported sleep disturbances. Compared to participants with the recommended sleep duration, those with short sleep duration had higher odds of abnormal levels of HDL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.39), CRP (aOR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.18-8.05), HbA1c (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05-1.49), and insulin (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03-1.51). Long sleep duration was associated with increased odds of abnormal CRP (aOR = 6.12, 95% CI = 2.19-17.15), HbA1c (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.09-2.17), and blood glucose levels (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.07-1.95). Sleep disturbance predicted abnormal triglyceride (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.01-1.37) and blood glucose levels (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.04-1.49). CONCLUSION: Short and long sleep durations were positively associated with abnormal CRP, HDL, HbA1c, blood glucose, and insulin levels, while sleep disturbance was associated with abnormal triglyceride and blood glucose levels. Since sleep is a modifiable factor, adopting healthy sleeping habits may create a balanced metabolism and reduce the risk of developing a CVD. Our study may provide insights into the relationship between sleep duration, sleep disturbance, and CVD risk.

Access to psychosocial support for church-going young people recovering from drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The church and other religious-affiliated organizations have promising yet underexplored potential to provide social support services for young people recovering from substance abuse in communities where drug and substance rehabilitation services are limited. This study aimed to establish the barriers and facilitators of accessing psychosocial support, the role of the church, and strategies to promote access to psychosocial support for youths recovering from drug and substance abuse. METHODS: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study, and semi-structured interviews of 18 church-going youths and three youth pastors were conducted in eastern Zimbabwe. Data were collected using recorded telephone interviews. Data were transcribed and analyzed using the thematic network analysis technique of producing basic themes, which build into organizing themes. Organizing themes produces one overarching global theme. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines for reporting on qualitative research were used in reporting the study findings. RESULTS: The interviews produced the following basic themes under organizing theme barriers: stigma and discrimination, parental/guardian denial, radical religious beliefs, and negative role models. Under the organizing theme facilitators, the basic themes were acceptance, confidentiality, peer and parental support, and an organized support program. The church acted as the bridge between the barriers to access to services and support seeking through innovative, inclusive projects and activities, as well as a pillar of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance of one's addiction problem is critical to initiate seeking psychosocial support. Confidentiality, support from trustworthy relationships, and the availability of a well-coordinated recovery program enable young people to seek support. We recommend formal training church-based counselors in the ethical aspects of psychotherapy to reduce the preconceived social stigma associated with drug and substance abuse.

Outcomes of pregnancy-related referrals from rural health facilities to two central hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe: a prospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Between the years 2000 and 2017, the global maternal mortality rate dropped by 38% however, 94% of maternal deaths still emanated from low-to middle-income countries. Rural women are at a significantly higher risk of dying from pregnancy when compared to their urban counterparts. Early detection of complications and prompt referral to higher levels of care can reduce the associated maternal and perinatal mortality. This study aimed to determine the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy-related referrals from rural health facilities to central hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe. METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was conducted using a sample of 206 patients. All mothers who were referred from rural healthcare facilities were recruited for participation. Data were extracted from patient notes using a structured questionnaire and missing information was obtained from the mother after she had recovered. Bivariate analysis was done using IBM SPSS. RESULTS: The average age of study participants was 27.4 ± 7.7 years. 87.4% had booked for antenatal care and 81.6% presented to the tertiary facility with their referral notes. The major reasons for referring patients were previous cesarean section (20.4%) and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (18.4%). There were nine maternal deaths thus a case fatality rate of 4.4% while the perinatal mortality rate was 151/1000 live births. Young mothers were at a higher risk of having adverse perinatal outcomes while primiparous mothers were more likely to have a blood transfusion. Mothers who traveled for > 100 km to the tertiary facility and those who did not attend any antenatal visit were more likely to need blood transfusion. Delivering at the rural health facility was significantly associated with receiving a blood transfusion at the tertiary facility. Mothers who did not attend antenatal visits were more likely to have negative perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: The proportion of obstetric patients being referred from rural facilities to tertiary institutions for complications reveals how primary and secondary healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe are falling short of offering the services they should be offering. Equipping these facilities with skilled human resources as well as contemporary equipment could help decongest the central hospitals consequently reducing the adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Malaria outbreak investigation in a rural area south of Zimbabwe: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Ninety percent of the global annual malaria mortality cases emanate from the African region. About 80-90% of malaria transmissions in sub-Saharan Africa occur indoors during the night. In Zimbabwe, 79% of the population are at risk of contracting the disease. Although the country has made significant progress towards malaria elimination, isolated seasonal outbreaks persistently resurface. In 2017, Beitbridge District was experiencing a second malaria outbreak within 12 months prompting the need for investigating the outbreak. METHODS: An unmatched 1:1 case-control study was conducted to establish the risk factors associated with contracting malaria in Ward 6 of Beitbridge District from week 36 to week 44 of 2017. The sample size constituted of 75 randomly selected cases and 75 purposively selected controls. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and Epi Info version 7.2.1.0 was used to conduct descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses of the factors associated with contracting malaria. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of the cases were females and the mean age of cases was 29 ± 13 years. Cases were diagnosed using rapid diagnostic tests. Sleeping in a house with open eaves (OR: 2.97; 95% CI 1.44-6.16; p < 0.01), spending the evenings outdoors (OR: 2.24; 95% CI 1.04-4.85; p = 0.037) and sleeping in a poorly constructed house (OR: 4.33; 95% CI 1.97-9.51; p < 0.01) were significantly associated with contracting malaria while closing eaves was protective (OR: 0.45; 95% CI 0.20-1.02; p = 0.055). After using backward stepwise logistic regression, sleeping in a poorly constructed house was associated with five-fold odds of getting sick from malaria (AOR: 8.40; 95% CI 1.69-41.66; p = 0.009). Those who had mosquito nets did not use them consistently. The district health team and the rural health centre were well prepared to response despite having limited human resources. CONCLUSION: Health promotion messages should emphasize the importance of closing the entry points of the malaria vector, and the construction of better houses in the future. Residents had to be educated in the importance of consistent use of mosquito nets. The district had to improve malaria preventive measures like distribution of mosquito nets and lobby for more human resources to assist with malaria surveillance thus, curbing the recurrence of malaria outbreaks.

Exploring the Views of Barbers and Stylists on the Acceptability of Delivering Community-Based Interventions to Promote COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for effective community-based interventions to promote disease prevention and reach high-risk, underserved communities. Trusted community leaders like barbers and stylists may serve as effective conduits for intervention implementation. This study aimed to explore the perceived acceptability of an intervention to promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination delivered by barbers in South Carolina. METHODS: We conducted exploratory in-depth interviews to ascertain barbers' and stylists' perceptions and identify potential barriers and facilitators. Data analysis used a deductive coding approach to identify themes and was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. RESULTS: Sixteen participants were interviewed. Participants expressed positive reactions towards the interventions. Acceptability was influenced by strong trust relationships with clients, perceived community influence, self-efficacy in providing the intervention, and a shared sense of responsibility for community health. However, potential barriers included declining public concern about COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, and limited COVID-19 knowledge among barbers and stylists. Participants emphasized the need for training and incentives for effective and sustained intervention delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Barbers and stylists are well-positioned to promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination due to their trusted roles and community influence. Given the complacency from the waning perceived COVID-19 threat and the historical mistrust in health interventions, vaccine hesitancy must be addressed through supportive communication strategies.

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression and stress among mothers of preterm and low birthweight infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Accra, Ghana.

To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum stress (PPS) and identify associated risk factors among mothers of preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected from 255 mothers with preterm and LBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. A standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data on maternal, pregnancy, birth, and infant characteristics. The questionnaire also included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) to assess PPD and PPS, respectively. Simple and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PPD and PPS. The prevalence of moderate to moderately severe PPD was 3.9%, and that of PPS was 43.5%. The multivariable linear regression analysis showed that an increased number of prenatal care visits (ß-estimate = 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.43; P < 0.01) was positively associated with higher scores on the PHQ-9, whereas gestational age at birth (ß = -0.21; 95% CI -0.40 to -0.03; P = 0.02) was inversely associated with PHQ-9 scores. Moreover, a longer gestational period at the first prenatal care visit (ß = 0.25; 95% CI 0.05-0.45; P = 0.01) and following the Islamic religion were associated with elevated scores on the PSS-4 (ß = 0.95; 95% CI 0.11-1.80; P = 0.011). Our findings underscore the presence of moderate PPD levels and high PPS levels among mothers. Active screening, diagnosis, and treatment for mothers at risk of mental health disorders during the peripartum period could enhance coping mechanisms for mothers navigating the challenging NICU environment and transitioning to the home environment.

Evaluation of a device to detect neonatal hypothermia in a clinical setting in Ghana.

Neonatal hypothermia poses an increased risk of infection, hypoglycemia, metabolic dysfunction, and mortality, particularly in preterm or low birthweight (LBW) infants. However, early detection of hypothermia and prompt thermoregulation can mitigate these effects thus, the need for continuous neonatal temperature monitoring. The BEMPU TempWatch is a small bracelet designed for continuous temperature monitoring for neonates. When the body temperature falls below 36.5˚C, the bracelet generates an alarm sound and flashes an orange light, indicating hypothermia. This study aimed to assess the validity of the BEMPU TempWatch in detecting hypothermia in a clinical setting in Ghana using sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the study sought to identify factors associated with misclassification using logistic regression analysis. A standardized questionnaire collected information about the mother, pregnancy, delivery, and neonate. The BEMPU TempWatch was placed on the wrist of the neonate, and over a 24-hour follow-up period, a nurse took 4-hourly axillary temperature readings using a digital thermometer. Whenever the device's alarm sounded, a nurse immediately checked and recorded the axillary temperature, undertook necessary clinical actions, and rechecked after 30 minutes. Among the 249 neonates included in the study, 57.0% were female, 12.5% were extremely LBW, and 13.7% were extremely preterm. Based on 1,973 temperature readings, the sensitivity of the BEMPU TempWatch in detecting hypothermia was 67.8%, and the specificity was 95.9%. The sensitivity was lower among neonates being treated in incubators (58.4%) compared to those not (82.7%). Sensitivity was higher among neonates with LBW (1,500-2,500g) (73.5%) than very or extremely LBW neonates (<1,500g) (62.8%). The results showed that the BEMPU TempWatch had significantly fewer misclassifications among neonates who were not treated in an incubator, received only breastmilk, and were not born extremely preterm. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of the BEMPU TempWatch on neonatal health outcomes.

Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of infants aged 6 to 12 months in Gwanda District, Zimbabwe.

Background: In 2016, 98% of children in Zimbabwe received breastmilk, however only 40% of babies under six months were exclusively breastfed 24 h prior to data collection. A 2014 survey revealed that Matabeleland South Province had the country's highest starvation rates and food insecurities were rife. This study aimed at investigating maternal, infant, household, environmental and cultural factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice in Gwanda District. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2018. Interviews used pretested structured questionnaires for 225 mothers of infants aged between six and twelve months at immunization outreach points and health facilities. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis estimated the association between the dependent and independent variables. Exclusive breastfeeding was defined as feeding an infant on breast milk only from birth up to the age of six months. Results: The majority of mothers (n = 193; 89%) had knowledge about EBF and 189 (84%) expressed a positive attitude towards the practice, however, only 81 (36%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The most common complementary food/fluid given to the infants was plain water (n = 85; 59%). Predictors for EBF were: maternal Human Immuno-deficiency Virus positive status (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.30; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.17, 0.56) and being economically independent (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21, 0.79). Barriers to practicing EBF were: being a young mother under 25 years of age (OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.67, 5.57), having one or two children (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.29, 4.79), living in less than two rooms (OR 3.86; 95% CI 1.88, 7.93) and having a baby of low birthweight (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.40, 2.71). After multivariate analysis, only the mother's economic independence was associated with practicing EBF (Adjusted OR [AOR] 0.83; 95% CI 0.30, 0.92). Key informants identified traditional family practices as the major barrier to EBF. Conclusion: The exclusive breastfeeding rates were low despite the mothers' high knowledge levels and positive attitudes towards the practice. In addressing the multiple factors influencing the cost effective practice, there is need to channel supportive measures through a system-wide approach. This can be achieved by realigning breastfeeding policy directives as well as community attitudes and values towards the exclusive breastfeeding.