Increasing risk of hepatocellular carcinoma with successive generations in the United States among Mexican American adults: The Multiethnic Cohort.

BACKGROUND: US-born Latinos have a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than foreign-born Latinos. Acculturation to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and an immigrant self-selection effect may play a role. In this study, the authors examined the influence of generational status on HCC risk among Mexican American adults. METHODS: The analytic cohort included 31,377 self-reported Mexican Americans from the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). Generational status was categorized as: first-generation (Mexico-born; n = 13,382), second-generation (US-born with one or two parents born in Mexico; n = 13,081), or third-generation (US-born with both parents born in the United States; n = 4914). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to examine the association between generational status and HCC incidence. RESULTS: In total, 213 incident HCC cases were identified during an average follow-up of 19.5 years. After adjusting for lifestyle and neighborhood-level risk factors, second-generation and third-generation Mexican Americans had a 37% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.92) and 66% (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.11-2.49) increased risk of HCC, respectively, compared with first-generation Mexican Americans (p for trend = 0.012). The increased risk associated with generational status was mainly observed in males (second-generation vs. first-generation: HR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.05-2.44]; third-generation vs. first-generation: HR, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.29-3.37]). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing generational status of Mexican Americans is associated with a higher risk of HCC. Further studies are needed to identify factors that contribute to this increased risk.

Couple communication quality and family resilience among Chinese gynecologic cancer patients and their spouses: a dyadic study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the couple communication process for gynecologic cancer (GC) patients and their spouses. Particular attention was given to examining the relationship between couple communication quality and family resilience for GC dyads. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 354 dyads were recruited from a gynecology ward of a public hospital in China. The patients and their spouses completed the Couples' Communication Quality Scale and the Family Hardiness Index. This study used the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the effect of couple communication quality on family resilience in distinguishable GC dyads. RESULTS: Both GC patients and their spouses reported a moderate level of couple communication quality and family resilience, but spouses reported better couple communication and family resilience than patients. With the exception of perceived response, for which only a patient actor effect was observed, the factors of couple communication quality had significant actor effects on family resilience for both patients and spouses. Additionally, four significant partner effects were found: spouse self-disclosure, stress coping, and productive action positively predicted patients' family resilience, while patient normalcy crafting positively predicted spouses' family resilience. CONCLUSION: This study not only highlights the need for couple-based communication strategies for developing family resilience but also identifies differences in the experiences of patients and their partners, which provides a direction for future intervention research. Through the development of interventions at a dyadic level, spouses can be encouraged to actively engage in communication, which may promote mutual family resilience in a larger sense.

The Effect of COVID-19 on anxiety levels of mothers and changes in the nutritional behavior of their children / O efeito do COVID-19 nos níveis de ansiedade das mães e mudanças no comportamento nutricional de seus filhos

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to measure the anxiety levels of mothers during the pandemic period and to investigate the correlation between anxiety levels and children's eating behaviors in Turkey. Methods Mothers with children aged 3-6 years (n=303) living in Turkey were recruited from different social media channels until February and March 2021 due to the pandemic. Mothers completed an online questionnaire that included the Child Feeding Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to determine the existing relationship between the scales. Results Although 21.2% of mothers had moderate and severe anxiety, only 0.3% of mothers had coronavirus anxiety. No significant correlation was found between any of the Child Feeding Questionnaire subscales and anxiety levels evaluated according to Beck Anxiety Inventory. Only a correlation was observed between the Beck Anxiety Inventory score and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale score (r=0.47, p<0.001). Conclusion Although coronavirus anxiety was found in a small group in our study, more comprehensive studies are needed to see the effect of the anxiety created by the pandemic on child nutrition. Considering that human beings will face various pandemics in the coming years, the negative effects of the pandemic on the individual should be determined and precautions should be taken. In this way, it can be ensured that future generations are healthy in all aspects.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo medir os níveis de ansiedade das mães durante o período de pandemia e investigar a correlação entre os níveis de ansiedade e os comportamentos alimentares das crianças na Turquia. Métodos Mães com filhos de 3 a 6 anos (n=303) residentes na Turquia foram recrutadas em diferentes canais de mídia social até fevereiro e março de 2021 devido à pandemia. As mães preencheram um questionário online que incluía o Child Feeding Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, e a Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. A análise de correlação de Pearson e os testes de Kruskal-Wallis foram aplicados para determinar a relação existente entre as escalas. Resultados Embora 21,2% das mães tivessem ansiedade moderada e grave, apenas 0,3% das mães tinham ansiedade por coronavírus. Não foi encontrada correlação significativa entre nenhum dos subfatores do Child Feeding Questionnaire e os níveis de ansiedade avaliados de acordo com o Beck Anxiety Inventory. Apenas uma corre Conclusão Embora a ansiedade por coronavírus tenha sido encontrada em um pequeno grupo em nosso estudo, são necessários estudos mais abrangentes para ver o efeito da ansiedade criada pela epidemia na nutrição infantil. Considerando que os seres humanos enfrentarão várias epidemias nos próximos anos, os efeitos negativos da epidemia sobre o indivíduo devem ser determinados e precauções devem ser tomadas. Dessa forma, pode-se garantir que as gerações futuras sejam saudáveis em todos os aspectos.

Pregnant women's decision-making capacity and adherence to iron supplementation in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country analysis of 25 countries.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia and related complications during pregnancy is a global problem but more prevalent in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Women's decision-making power has significantly been linked with maternal health service utilization but there is inadequate evidence about adherence to iron supplementation. This study therefore assessed the association between household decision-making power and iron supplementation adherence among pregnant married women in 25 sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS: We used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 25 sub-Saharan African countries conducted between 2010 and 2019. Women's decision-making power was measured by three parameters; own health care, making large household purchases and visits to her family or relatives. The association between women's decision-making power and iron supplementation adherence was assessed using logistic regressions, adjusting for confounders. The results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Approximately 65.4% of pregnant married women had made decisions either alone or with husband in all three decisions making parameters (i.e., own health care, making large household purchases, visits to her family or relatives). The rate of adherence to iron medication during pregnancy was 51.7% (95% CI; 48.5-54.9%). Adherence to iron supplementation was found to be higher among pregnant married women who had decision-making power (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI; 1.16-1.83), secondary education (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI; 1.05-2.00) and antenatal care visit (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI; 2.19-3.51). Wealth quintiles and religion were significantly associated with adherence to iron supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to iron supplementation is high among pregnant women in SSA. Decision making power, educational status and antenatal care visit were found to be significantly associated with adherence to these supplements. These findings highlight that there is a need to design interventions that enhance women's decision-making capacities, and empowering them through education to improve the coverage of antenatal iron supplementation.

Inflammatory bowel diseases among first-generation and second-generation immigrants in Denmark: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate the relative risk of IBD among first-generation and second-generation immigrants in Denmark compared with native Danes. DESIGN: Using national registries, we established a cohort of Danish residents between 1977 and 2018. Cohort members with known country of birth were followed for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnoses. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) served as measures of relative risk and were calculated by log-linear Poisson regression, using rates among native Danes as reference, stratified by IBD risk in parental country of birth, and among first-generation immigrants by age at immigration and duration of stay in Denmark. RESULTS: Among 8.7 million Danes, 4156 first-generation and 898 second-generation immigrants were diagnosed with CD or UC. Overall, comparing first-generation immigrants with native Danes, the IRR was 0.80 (95% CI 0.76 to 0.84) for CD and 0.74 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.77) for UC. The IRR of IBD increased with ≥20 years stay in Denmark. The IRR of CD increased with immigration at ≥40 years of age. Comparing second-generation immigrants with native Danes, the IRR of IBD was 0.97 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.04). There was significant interaction with sex, with higher IRR of IBD in male than in female immigrants. CONCLUSION: Relative to native Danish men and women, IBD risk among first-generation immigrants was lower, reflected the risk in their parental country of birth and increased with ≥20 years stay in Denmark. For second-generation immigrants, relative risk of IBD was lower only among women. These complex patterns suggest the role of environmental IBD risk factors.

"It is what I tell her that she will do": a mixed methods study of married men's knowledge and attitude towards supporting their wives' cervical cancer screening in rural South-East Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among Nigerian women. Women often require spousal support before attending cervical cancer screening services. This study assessed married men´s knowledge and attitude towards male involvement in cervical cancer screening of their wives. METHODS: a cross-sectional study using a mixed methods approach was conducted among 245 married men in Izzi, Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria. Quantitative data collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and qualitative data from focus group discussions were triangulated. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20. Qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: the mean knowledge of cervical cancer was 2.06±0.55. Only 2.9% of the respondents had adequate knowledge of risk factors for cervical cancer. Up to 89.8% were willing to approve screening for their spouses. Majority (76.3%) considered screening important in cervical cancer prevention, while 91.4% were willing to pay for the screening test. Most of them exhibited patriarchal tendencies and insisted that their wives must obtain their consent before screening as depicted by the statement "It is what I tell her that she will do". Previous spousal screening was a predictor of good knowledge (OR = 10.94, 95% CI = 2.44-48.93; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: married men in this study had poor knowledge of cervical cancer. However, they were willing to support cervical cancer screening conditional on their pre-information and consent. Awareness creation activities on cervical cancer screening should incorporate active engagement of husbands in order to promote screening uptake by their wives.

COVID-19 And Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Health Risk, Employment, And Household Composition.

We used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to explore potential explanations for racial/ethnic disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations and mortality. Black adults in every age group were more likely than White adults to have health risks associated with severe COVID-19 illness. However, Whites were older, on average, than Blacks. Thus, when all factors were considered, Whites tended to be at higher overall risk compared with Blacks, with Asians and Hispanics having much lower overall levels of risk compared with either Whites or Blacks. We explored additional explanations for COVID-19 disparities-namely, differences in job characteristics and how they interact with household composition. Blacks at high risk for severe illness were 1.6 times as likely as Whites to live in households containing health-sector workers. Among Hispanic adults at high risk for severe illness, 64.5 percent lived in households with at least one worker who was unable to work from home, versus 56.5 percent among Black adults and only 46.6 percent among White adults.

Exploring a broader context of the home environment and its relationship with asthma control in American Indian children.

In this cross-sectional study of 60 American Indian mother-child dyads from Southeastern North Carolina, we examined whether childhood asthma control was related to household-level factors, such as environmental tobacco smoke and family management behaviors. We also examined the relationships among family management behaviors and maternal depressive symptoms. We used logistic regression to assess the relationships among childhood asthma control, the presence of environmental tobacco smoke, and family management behaviors, specifically condition management ability (CMA) and condition management effort (CME). We used linear regression to evaluate the relationships between both CMA and CME and maternal depressive symptoms. Better asthma control in children was associated with the absence of environmental tobacco smoke in the home and the maternal perception of asthma as a manageable condition. Mothers perceived an increase in effort to manage their child's asthma as their depressive symptoms increased. These findings emphasize the importance of environmental triggers, perceptions of condition management, and maternal mental health in controlling asthma in American Indian children. Interventions to reduce environmental triggers, treat maternal depressive symptoms, and support mothers in their ability to manage childhood asthma may yield better asthma control and help to reduce existing racial disparities in this population.

Association between generational status and smoking behaviors before and during pregnancy among Hispanic women.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is limited on the risk of maternal smoking before and during pregnancy across generations of Hispanic immigrants. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether immigration generational status predicts maternal smoking behaviors before and during pregnancy among Hispanic women. METHODS: Data on pregnancies in National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 were used. Current study sample consists of Hispanic women (15-24 years) reporting pregnancy between 1979 and 2014 (n = 616). Data on birthplaces of the respondent and their parents were used to determine generation status. Maternal smoking behaviors before and during pregnancy were self-reported. Data were analyzed using weighted covariate-adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: There were 24% first-generation, 20% second-generation, and 56% third or higher generation Hispanic women in the sample. Majority of participants were married (72%), with a high school degree or more (69%), and of Mexican origin (56%). After controlling for covariates, first generation Hispanic women had lower likelihood of smoking prior to (OR = 0.40, p = 0.009) and during pregnancy (OR = 0.35, p = 0.007) compared to third or higher generation women. The second-generation women had lower likelihood of smoking during pregnancy (OR = 0.46, p = 0.038) compared to third or higher generation women. CONCLUSIONS: First generation Hispanic women are at lower risk of smoking both prior to and during pregnancy. Identification of cultural factors discouraging smoking during pregnancy among first/second generation Hispanic women and incorporating in smoking prevention interventions targeting Hispanic women could benefits the later generations of Hispanic immigrants.

Are parent involvement and school quality associated with adult smoking behaviors? Findings from an urban early childhood cohort.

Although smoking prevention is a high priority, few studies have examined alterable family and school context factors in childhood that influence later smoking behaviors. The present study examined associations of parent involvement in and expectations for children's education, elementary school quality, and school mobility with lifetime smoking history in adulthood for a low-income, minority cohort. Participants from the Chicago Longitudinal Study (N = 1142) were interviewed at age 22-24 as part of a 20-year follow-up of a prospective early childhood cohort of economically disadvantaged families. The sample is 74% of the original cohort (N = 1539). Family surveys and school records measured parent involvement and expectations as well as school quality and mobility from 4th to 8th grades. At age 22-24 follow-up, 47% reported a smoking history, and 37% were current smokers. After controlling for family background and participant characteristics, parent involvement in school was associated with reduced odds of a smoking history (OR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.78, 0.99). Magnet school attendance (a school quality indicator) was associated with lower odds of current (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.79) and daily smoking (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.74). More frequent school moves were consistently associated with increased odds of smoking (e.g., OR [currently] = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.36). Results indicate that protective factors within the family and school context were consistently associated with smoking measures. Programs and practices that strengthen parent involvement and school support may contribute to prevention efforts.

Saneamento básico e desigualdades de cor/raça em domicílios urbanos com a presença de crianças menores de 5 anos, com foco na população indígena / Basic sanitation and inequalities in color/race in urban households with under-five children, with a focus on the indigenous population / Saneamiento básico y desigualdades de color/raza en domicilios urbanos con presencia de niños menores de 5 años, centrándose en población indígena

Resumo: Objetivou-se analisar a presença dos serviços de saneamento básico em domicílios com crianças de até cinco anos de idade, localizados em áreas urbanas do Brasil, com foco nos indígenas. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com base na amostra do Censo Demográfico de 2010. Calcularam-se as frequências de domicílios com abastecimento de água (rede geral), esgotamento sanitário (rede geral ou fossa séptica) e coleta de lixo (diretamente ou por caçamba do serviço público de limpeza). Modelos de regressão logística múltipla (RLM) estimaram a associação entre cor/raça e presença dos serviços por meio das razões de chance (RC). Foram consideradas as áreas urbanas e regiões metropolitanas do país, estratificando os resultados por região. Utilizou-se nível de significância de 5%. As menores frequências foram encontradas para esgotamento sanitário e, em geral, para os indígenas. Nas análises de RLM foram 29 comparações (48,3%) em que os domicílios com crianças indígenas, quando comparados às outras categorias de cor/raça, encontram-se em desvantagem, em especial no Sul, onde todas as comparações foram negativas para os indígenas. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados para as regiões metropolitanas. Nesse sentido, os resultados coligidos por este trabalho sugerem a possível existência de iniquidades relacionadas à presença dos serviços de saneamento básico e cor/raça dos indivíduos, em que os indígenas, em geral, ocupam posição de desvantagem, particularmente no Sul do país. Diante da relação entre saneamento e saúde já estabelecida na literatura, esses resultados podem explicar, em parte, os baixos níveis de saúde apresentados por crianças indígenas no Brasil.

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the presence of basic sanitation services in households with children under five years of age located in urban areas of Brazil, with a focus on indigenous children. This cross-sectional study was based on data from the 2010 Population Census. We calculated the rates of households with running water (public system), sewage disposal (public system or septic tanks), and garbage collection (directly or via public dumpsters). Multiple logistic regression (MLR) models were used to estimate associations between color/race and presence of sanitation services, based on odds ratios (OR). The study considered Brazil's urban metropolitan areas and stratified the results by major geographic region. Significance was set at 5%. The lowest frequencies were for sewage disposal, and all the rates were lower for indigenous people. MLR analyses included 29 comparisons (48.3%) in which households with indigenous children (compared to other color/race categories) were at a disadvantage, especially in the South of Brazil, where all comparisons were negative for indigenous households. Similar results appeared in metropolitan areas. The results thus suggest inequalities basic sanitation services based on color/race, where indigenous people are generally at a disadvantage, especially in the South of Brazil. Given the relationship between sanitation and health, as already demonstrated in the literature, these results can partly explain the low health levels in indigenous children in Brazil.

Resumen: El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la presencia de servicios de saneamiento básico en domicilios con niños de hasta cinco años de edad, localizados en áreas urbanas de Brasil, enfocándose en los de origen indígena. Se trata de un estudio transversal, basado en la muestra del Censo Demográfico de 2010. Se calcularon las frecuencias de domicilios con abastecimiento de agua (red general), alcantarillado (red general o fosa séptica) y recogida de basura (directamente o mediante camiones de basura del servicio público de limpieza). Los modelos de regresión logística múltiple (RLM) estimaron la asociación entre color/raza, y la presencia de los servicios se realizó a través de las razones de oportunidad (RC). Se consideraron áreas urbanas y regiones metropolitanas del país, estratificando los resultados por región. Se utilizó un nivel de significancia del 5%. Las frecuencias menores se encontraron en el alcantarillado y, en general, respecto a los indígenas. En los análisis de RLM se realizaron 29 comparaciones (48,3%) en las que los domicilios con niños indígenas, cuando se comparan con otras categorías de color/raza, se encuentran en desventaja, en especial en el Sur, donde todas las comparaciones fueron negativas en relación con los indígenas. Resultados semejantes se encontraron respecto a las regiones metropolitanas. En ese sentido, los resultados recopilados por este estudio sugieren la posible existencia de inequidades relacionadas con la presencia de los servicios de saneamiento básico y color/raza de los individuos, donde los indígenas, en general, ocupan una posición de desventaja, particularmente en el Sur del país. Ante la relación entre saneamiento y salud, ya establecidos en la literatura, estos resultados pueden explicar, en parte, los bajos niveles de salud presentados por niños indígenas en Brasil.

Classificação de cor/raça de filhos em domicílios indígenas no Brasil / Classification of color/race in children from indigenous households in Brazil / Clasificación de color/raza de hijos en domicilios indígenas en Brasil

Resumo: As investigações sobre os sistemas de classificação racial no Brasil evidenciam as influências de aspectos socioeconômicos na expressão das categorias de cor/raça, com destaque para brancos e negros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar arranjos específicos formados entre pais, mães e filhos em que, pelo menos, um deles era indígena. Com base na amostra do Censo Demográfico de 2010, foram selecionados domicílios com pelo menos três moradores (pai, mãe e filhos), sendo, pelo menos, um indígena. Os filhos foram caracterizados segundo cor/raça (branca, parda e indígena), sexo, idade, renda domiciliar per capita, escolaridade das mães e número de moradores nos domicílios urbanos e rurais. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e regressão logística multinomial. Estimou-se um total de 290.247 filhos (77,1% indígenas, 13,8% pardos e 9,1% brancos), dos quais 74,3% residiam em domicílios rurais e 41,3% na Região Norte; filhos brancos e pardos estavam localizados majoritariamente em áreas urbanas. As chances de os filhos de pais ou mães indígenas terem sido classificados como brancos foram mais expressivas nas regiões Sudeste e Sul. Os filhos apresentaram maiores chances de serem classificados como brancos e pardos com o aumento do rendimento mensal e da escolaridade materna. Os achados demonstram como a posição socioeconômica está associada de forma significativa com os processos de classificação de cor/raça no Brasil, também nos segmentos indígenas da população.

Abstract: Studies on racial classification systems in Brazil reveal the influence of socioeconomic factors in the expression of color/race categories, especially for whites and blacks. The aim of this study was to analyze specific family arrangements between fathers, mothers, and children, at least one of whom was indigenous. Based on the sample from the 2010 Population Census, we selected households with at least three residents (father, mother, and children), at least one of whom was indigenous. Children were characterized according to color/race (white, brown, and indigenous), sex, age, per capita household income, maternal schooling, and number of urban and rural household residents. Descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. We estimated a total of 290.247 children (of whom 77.1% were classified as indigenous, 13.8% brown, and 9.1% white), 74.3% living in rural households and 41.3% in the North region of Brazil; children classified as white and brown were located mostly in urban areas. The odds of children of indigenous fathers or mothers being classified as white were higher in the Southeast and South. The odds of children being classified as white or brown increased proportionally with monthly income and maternal schooling. The findings show that socioeconomic status is significantly associated with color/race classification in Brazil, including in indigenous households.

Resumen: Las investigaciones sobre los sistemas de clasificación racial en Brasil evidencian las influencias de aspectos socioeconómicos en la expresión de las categorías de color/raza, destacando blancos y negros. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar núcleos específicos familiares formados por padres, madres e hijos donde, por lo menos, uno de ellos era indígena. A partir de la muestra del Censo Demográfico 2010, se seleccionaron domicilios con por lo menos tres residentes (padre, madre e hijos), siendo, por lo menos, uno indígena. Todos ellos fueron caracterizados según color/raza (blanca, mestiza e indígena), sexo, edad, renta domiciliaria per cápita, escolaridad de las madres y número de residentes en los domicilios urbanos y rurales. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y una regresión logística multinomial. Se estimó un total de 290.247 hijos (77,1% indígenas, 13,8% mestizos y 9,1% blancos), de los cuales un 74,3% residían en domicilios rurales y 41,3% en la región norte; los hijos blancos y mestizos estaban localizados mayoritariamente en áreas urbanas. Las oportunidades de que los hijos de padres o madres indígenas hayan sido clasificados como blancos fueron más expresivas en las regiones del sudeste y sur. Los hijos presentaron mayores oportunidades de ser clasificados como blancos y mestizos con el aumento de la renta mensual, así como de la escolaridad materna. Los hallazgos demuestran como la posición socioeconómica se asocia de forma significativa con los procesos de clasificación de color/raza en Brasil, también en los segmentos indígenas de la población.

The Effects of a Couples-Based Health Behavior Intervention During Pregnancy on Latino Couples' Dyadic Satisfaction Postpartum.

Many couples tend to report steadily decreasing relationship quality following the birth of a child. However, little is known about the postpartum period for Latino couples, a rapidly growing ethnic group who are notably underserved by mental and physical health caregivers in the United States. Thus, this study investigated whether a brief couples' intervention focused on helping couples support each other while increasing healthy behaviors might improve dyadic functioning postpartum. This study presents secondary analyses of data regarding couple functioning from a larger randomized controlled trial with 348 Latino couples to promote smoking cessation. Portions of the intervention taught the couple communication and problem-solving skills to increase healthy behavior. Couples participated in four face-to-face assessments across 1 year starting at the end of the first trimester. Latent growth curve analyses revealed that the treatment group reported an increase in relationship satisfaction and constructive communication after the intervention, which diminished by 1-year follow-up, returning couples to their baseline levels of satisfaction. Results suggest that incorporating a brief couple intervention as part of a larger health intervention for Latinos may prevent postpartum decreases in relationship satisfaction.

Nutrition education linked to agricultural interventions improved child dietary diversity in rural Cambodia.

Poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are major determinants of chronic malnutrition. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of a nutrition education (NE) programme aimed at promoting improved IYCF behaviours in combination with an agriculture intervention on children's dietary diversity and nutritional status. From 2012 to 2014, a cluster randomised trial was rolled out in Cambodia in the context of an agriculture and nutrition project of the FAO of the UN. The cross-sectional baseline study was carried out in sixteen pre-selected communes in 2012. Restricted randomisation allotted the communes to either intervention (NE and agriculture intervention) or comparison arms (agriculture intervention only). The impact survey was conducted as a census in all FAO project villages in 2014. Caregivers of children aged 0-23 months were interviewed using standardised questions on socio-economic status and dietary diversity (24-h recall). Anthropometric measurements were taken. A difference-in-differences model was applied. The sample comprised 743 households with children ≥6 months of age at baseline and 921 at impact. After 1 year of NE, 69 % of the intervention households reported to have participated in the NE. Estimated mean child dietary diversity was significantly different at impact between comparison and intervention (3·6 and 3·9, respectively). In particular, the consumption of pro-vitamin A-rich foods and other fruits and vegetables increased. No treatment effects on height-for-age Z-scores could be shown. NE led to improvements in children's diets. For effects on growth, it is assumed that longer NE activities are required to achieve sustainable behaviour change of age-appropriate infant feeding.

The role of mental illness on cigarette dependence and successful quitting in a nationally representative, household-based sample of U.S. adults.

PURPOSE: To begin to explore whether the association between mental illness (MI), cigarette dependence, and unsuccessful quit attempts differs across particular demographic subgroups. METHODS: This study examines data from adults aged 18 years or older participating in the 2008-2012 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Analyses explored the moderating effects of age, gender, and race and/or ethnicity on associations between three levels of MI: (serious mental illness [SMI], any mental illness but no SMI, and no MI) and two smoking-related outcomes (cigarette dependence among current smokers and successful quitting among ever daily smokers). RESULTS: After confirming that adults with MI were more likely to be dependent on cigarettes and less likely to successfully quit smoking, particularly among those with SMI, adjusted analyses indicated that age (but not gender or race/ethnicity) moderated the associations between MI and cigarette dependence and between MI. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of the association between MI and cigarette dependence and between MI and successful quitting appears to be stronger among older adults than among younger adults. Identifying subgroups at particular high risk of cigarette dependence is paramount to targeting smoking prevention, cessation, and treatment services appropriately.

Effects of a Parent-Child Interactive Program for Families on Reducing the Exposure of School-Aged Children to Household Smoking.

INTRODUCTION: Parental smoking has been identified as the major source of children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Therefore, parental involvement is critical in ETS exposure prevention programs. This study examined the effects of a parent-child interactive program on reducing children's exposure to ETS at home and enhancing parents' and children's prevention strategies. METHODS: A clustered randomized controlled trial was administered to 75 families of school-aged children from six primary schools in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Families in the intervention group received a parent-child interactive intervention, and parents in the control group received written materials on tobacco hazards. Data on children's exposure and the prevention of children's exposure to ETS at home were obtained at baseline, 8-week, and 20-week or 6-month assessments. RESULTS: The percentage of children with urine cotinine levels greater than or equal to 6 ng/ml was significantly lower in the intervention group than it was in the control group at both the 8-week and 6-month assessments. The intervention significantly reduced parental smoking in the presence of children and increased parents' prevention of children's ETS exposure and children's ETS avoidance behavior from the baseline to the 20-week assessment. CONCLUSIONS: This is a preliminary study design aimed at creating a program for reducing children's ETS exposure at home. Further research to produce evidence supporting the application of the parent-child interactive program in primary schools is suggested. The theoretical basis of the intervention design can serve as a reference for nursing education and the design of health education programs.

Usual coffee intake in Brazil: results from the National Dietary Survey 2008-9.

Coffee is central to the economy of many developing countries, as well as to the world economy. However, despite the widespread consumption of coffee, there are very few available data showing the usual intake of this beverage. Surveying usual coffee intake is a way of monitoring one aspect of a population's usual dietary intake. Thus, the present study aimed to characterise the usual daily coffee intake in the Brazilian population. We used data from the National Dietary Survey collected in 2008-9 from a probabilistic sample of 34,003 Brazilians aged 10 years and older. The National Cancer Institute method was applied to obtain the usual intake based on two nonconsecutive food diaries, and descriptive statistical analyses were performed by age and sex for Brazil and its regions. The estimated average usual daily coffee intake of the Brazilian population was 163 (SE 2.8) ml. The comparison by sex showed that males had a 12% greater usual coffee intake than females. In addition, the highest intake was recorded among older males. Among the five regions surveyed, the North-East had the highest usual coffee intake (175 ml). The most common method of brewing coffee was filtered/instant coffee (71%), and the main method of sweetening beverages was with sugar (87%). In Brazil, the mean usual coffee intake corresponds to 163 ml, or 1.5 cups/d. Differences in usual coffee intake according to sex and age differed among the five Brazilian regions.

Social network characteristics associated with health promoting behaviors among Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between social network characteristics and health promoting behaviors (having a routine medical check-up, consuming no alcohol, consuming no fast food, and meeting recommendations for leisure-time physical activity and sleep duration) among Latinos to identify potential targets for behavioral interventions. METHOD: Personal network characteristics and health behavior data were collected from a community sample of 393 adult Latinos (73% women) in San Diego County, California. Network characteristics consisted of size and composition. Network size was calculated by the number of alters listed on a name generator questionnaire eliciting people with whom respondents discussed personal issues. Network composition variables were the proportion of Latinos, Spanish-speakers, females, family, and friends listed in the name generator. Additional network composition variables included marital status and the number of adults or children in the household. RESULTS: Network members were predominately Latinos (95%), Spanish-speakers (80%), females (64%), and family (55%). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, gender moderated the relationship between network composition, but not size, and a health behavior. Married women were more likely to have had a routine medical check-up than married men. For both men and women, having a larger network was associated with meeting the recommendation for leisure-time physical activity. CONCLUSION: Few social network characteristics were significantly associated with health promoting behaviors, suggesting a need to examine other aspects of social relationships that may influence health behaviors.

Couples' joint decision-making: the construction and validation of a key proxy for understanding gender relations in contemporary families / /Tomada de decisão conjunta: construção e validação de uma proxy-chave para o estudo das relações de gênero de casais contemporâneos / /Decisiones conjuntas de las parejas: la construcción y validación de los elementos fundamentales para entender las relaciones de género en familias contemporáneas

Gender relations have become a key dimension in family studies, and understanding gender relations as both determining and resulting from outcome of new family configurations requires the use of specific surveys aimed at the dynamics of couples. Unfortunately, nationally representative surveys of this type are not available for Latin American countries. Nonetheless, the most recent versions of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) include a section called "Women's Status and Empowerment", which can provide information about gender relations as well. This study aims at assessing the construct of gender relations in terms of couples' joint decision-making for all five Brazilian geographical regions. To this end, a step-by-step multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was applied in order to verify whether this concept can be compared across Brazilian regions. Results show that the DHS items can be used reliably for measuring couples' joint decision-making and that this construct can be meaningfully compared over the regions. These findings will contribute to further demographic and sociological research on gender relations which can use this concept and other indicators provided by the DHS to identify the causal processes related to it...

Relações de gênero tornou-se um construto fundamental para os estudos da família. A compreensão das relações de gênero como determinante e resultado de novas configurações familiares requer a utilização de levantamentos específicos visando a dinâmica dos casais. Infelizmente, pesquisas nacionais representativas deste tipo não estão disponíveis para países latino-americanos. No entanto, dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde - PNDS 2006 incluem informações sobre tomadas de decisões, que podem servir de construto para mensuração da igualdade de gênero. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se o construto relações de gênero, referindo-se à tomada de decisão conjunta pelos casais, pode ser extraído da PNDS 2006 e se o mesmo é comparável nas cinco regiões brasileiras. Para este fim, uma análise fatorial confirmatória para multigrupos (MGCFA) foi aplicada. Os resultados mostram que os itens da PNDS 2006 medem o mesmo conceito e podem ser significativamente comparados entre as regiões brasileiras. Estes resultados contribuirão para futuras investigações demográficas e sociológicas acerca das relações de gênero, que podem usar este conceito para identificar os processos causais relacionados ao mesmo...

Las relaciones de género se convirtieron en una dimensión fundamental de los estudios familiares. Su entendimiento como un factor determinante y resultante de nuevas configuraciones familiares exige encuestas específicas sobre la dinámica de las parejas. Desafortunadamente, encuestas nacionales representativas sobre el tema no se encuentran disponibles en los países latinoamericanos. Sin embargo, las últimas fases de las Encuestas de Demografía y Salud - Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) - incluyen una sección denominada 'Status y Empoderamiento de las Mujeres', que también puede suministrar informaciones sobre cuestiones de género. Este artículo tiene el propósito de evaluar la construcción de relaciones de género en lo concerniente a las decisiones conjuntas de la pareja en cinco regiones de Brasil. Para ello, se efectuó un análisis factorial confirmatorio paso a paso entre múltiples grupos (MGCFA) para verificar si dicho concepto puede utilizarse para efectuar comparaciones entre las regiones brasileñas. Los resultados muestran que las DHS pueden ser utilizadas de forma confiable para medir las decisiones conjuntas de las parejas y que ello se puede comparar con otras regiones. Estos hallazgos contribuirán para investigaciones demográficas y sociológicas sobre relaciones de género que podrán utilizar este concepto y otros indicadores proporcionados por las DHS para identificar los procesos causales relacionados a ellos...

Energy density of the Scottish diet estimated from food purchase data: relationship with socio-economic position and dietary targets.

Frequent consumption of energy-dense foods has been strongly implicated in the global increase of obesity. The World Cancer Research Fund suggests a population-level energy density (ED) goal for diets of 523 kJ/100 g (125 kcal/100 g) as desirable for reducing weight gain and related co-morbidities. However, there is limited information about the ED of diets of contemporary populations. The aims of the present study were to (1) estimate the mean ED of the Scottish diet, (2) assess differences in ED over time by socio-economic position, by household (HH) composition and for HH meeting dietary targets for fat and fruit and vegetables, and (3) assess the relationship between ED and the consumption of foods and nutrients, which are indicative of diet quality. ED of the diet was estimated from food (including milk) from UK food purchase survey data. The average ED of the Scottish diet was estimated as 718 kJ/100 g with no change between the survey periods 2001 and 2009. Individuals living in the most deprived areas had a higher mean ED than those living in the least deprived areas (737 v. 696 kJ/100 g). Single-parent HH had the highest mean ED (765 kJ/100 g) of all the HH surveyed. The mean ED of HH achieving dietary targets for fat and fruit and vegetables was 576 kJ/100 g compared with 731 kJ/100 g for non-achievers. HH within the lowest quintile of ED were, on average, closest to meeting most dietary guidelines. Food purchase data can be used to monitor the quality of the diet in terms of dietary ED of the population and subgroups defined by an area-based measure of socio-economic status.