Preventive health care of Indian preschoolers in the Sioux Lookout Zone,northwestern Ontario.

The provision of preventive health care to native children in the Sioux Lookout Zone of northwestern Ontario was assessed by reviewing the medical charts of 568 randomly selected preschoolers in 1980. Data were collected on the method of infant feeding; immunization status, vaccination and testing for tuberculosis; development, vision and hearing screening; monitoring of growth; and nutritional status and vitamin supplementation. Most of the children had been breast-fed and had received primary diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-polio immunization as well as measles-mumps-rubella and bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination. However, less than 30% had undergone developmental screening, and only 10% and 8% respectively had had their vision and hearing screened. Growth monitoring was adequate in the first year of life but not thereafter. Only about 55% of the children had ever had a hemoglobin level determined. More emphasis on health promotion is needed if native children are to receive adequate preventive health care.     

Prevalence and control of hypertension in an Ontario county

A survey of a representative population sample was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and control of hypertension in Middlesex County, Ontario. Of the 3067 subjects selected 2735 completed the initial interview. If the diastolic blood pressure was greater than 89 mm Hg in three readings, up to two further visits were made. The prevalence rate of hypertension in the sample was estimated to be 115/1000. Only 5.1% of the hypertensive subjects were unaware of their condition, and 5.4% were aware but not receiving treatment. In 16.9% the hypertension was treated but uncontrolled, while in 72.6% it was treated and controlled. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in the older subjects (p < 0.0001). Control was better in the women and the older subjects. The results indicate that physicians in Middlesex County are detecting and treating most patients with hypertension; screening programs are thus not needed. Control of hypertension could be further improved by determining why the condition in those receiving treatment is not being controlled.     

Birth weight,length, head circumference and bilirubin level in Indian newborns in the Sioux Lookout Zone,northwestern Ontario.

The norms for birth weight, length, head circumference and bilirubin level for native newborns have not been available. To develop appropriate norms, data were obtained from the charts on all live births in the Sioux Lookout Zone, northwestern Ontario, in 1968-69 and 1974-77. These data were correlated to maternal age and parity as well as sex of the infant. Despite impoverished living conditions, the birth weights of the study population were significantly higher than the Canadian norms; length and head circumference, however, were not significantly different. Over one third of the infants had serum bilirubin levels greater than 12 mg/dL (205 mumol/L). Increased maternal age was associated with increased birth weight and length and a lower bilirubin level.     

Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region,Ghana

BackgroundLeishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by various species of female phlebotomine sand flies. The first report of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ghana refer to a cluster of cases in 1999–2003 in the Ho municipality of the Volta Region. We conducted an epidemiological assessment in the Oti Region, encouraged by recent reports of potential cases of CL.Methodology/Principal findingsUsing a cross-sectional study design, the exposure to Leishmania was investigated in three communities of the Oti Region based on the leishmanin skin test (LST). LST results for 3,071 participants comprising 1091, 848, and 1132 persons from the communities of Ashiabre, Keri, and Sibi Hilltop, indicated an overall prevalence of exposure to Leishmania infection of 41.8% and individual community prevalence of 39.4%, 55.1%, and 34.2% respectively. Being male [AOR = 1.27; CI: 1.09, 1.49], and living in Keri [AOR = 1.83; CI: 1.43, 2.34] were associated with an increase in the odds of exposure to Leishmania. Being 5–10 years old [AOR = 1.48; CI: 1.06, 2.05], 11–17 years old [AOR = 2.03; CI: 1.45, 2.85], 18–40 years old [AORR = 2.83; CI: 1.81, 4.43] and 41–65 years old [AOR = 5.08; CI: 2.98, 8.68] were also significantly associated with increased odds of being exposed to Leishmania.Conclusions/SignificanceThis study demonstrated exposure to Leishmania in the study communities and also identified associated factors. Future efforts aimed at reducing exposure to Leishmania infection in the study area should take the associated factors into consideration.     

Prevalence and causes of chronic energy deficiency and obesity in Indian women

We investigate the nutritional status of women in India and its relation to the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) and obesity. To do this, we have used the data from the Indian National Family Health Survey, 1998-1999, on body mass index (BMI) of ever-married women, ages 15-49 years, along with several socioeconomic factors, such as level of education, religion or caste, occupational status, and standard of living index. The study was based on 81,712 women from 26 states and 6 zones, which were grouped according to geographic proximity of the states of India. A multiple linear regression analysis was done to see the relation between nutritional status of women and different socioeconomic factors. The data reveal that the prevalences of CED, overweight, and obesity in India are 31.2%, 9.4%, and 2.6%, respectively. The incidences of CED and obesity are negatively related. The prevalence of CED is the lowest in Arunachal Pradesh and highest in Orissa. Punjab has the highest prevalence of obesity, and Bihar has the lowest. For the zonewise distribution the Northeast zone has the lowest degree of prevalence of CED and the East zone is at the bottom of the list with the highest degree of malnutrition. We also found that the nutritional status of women goes together with the enhancement of their educational status, standard of living, and so on. There are also significant differences between rural and urban sectors and among castes, religions, and occupations. Furthermore, regression analysis shows that all the socioeconomic variables considered here significantly affect BMI in Indian women.     

西北印度洋卡尔斯伯格脊卧蚕热液羽流影响区细菌群落结构特征及其演化

【目的】热液羽流影响区包括热液羽流流经区域和羽流中性浮力层下方受热液颗粒物影响的区域。随着热液羽流的演化,热液羽流影响区内微生物群落的结构组成也会发生相应的变化,但是,由于观测和取样困难等原因,迄今热液羽流影响区不同空间位置微生物的群落结构特征及其在月际尺度上的演化尚不清楚。【方法】中国大洋49航次在卧蚕1号热液喷口东南侧300 m处投放了沉积物捕获器锚系,在不同离底高度开展了为期18个月的观测和时序采水。本文采用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术对水样中的微生物类群进行测序分析,结合现场实时探测的浊度异常资料,研究卧蚕热液区附近中性浮力羽流和热液颗粒沉降区细菌群落结构的特征和演化及其影响因素。【结果】结果表明,样品中细菌群落以γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria)、弯曲菌纲(Camplylobacteria)、α-变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria)、拟杆菌纲(Bacteroidia)、梭菌纲(Clostridia)和脱硫叶菌纲(Desulfobulbia)为主。在时间上,优势类群的相对丰度随浊度起伏发生变化,当浊度异常值升高时,弯曲菌纲相对丰度...     

Constructs of health and environment inform child obesity prevention in American Indian communities

Objective: Obesity prevention efforts have had limited success in American Indian (AI) populations. More effective prevention programs might be designed using insights into linkages between parental health beliefs, environmental constraints and healthy lifestyle choices. Methods and Procedures: Focus group sessions (n = 42 participants) were conducted to explore parental perspectives on children's health, diet and physical activity in three Wisconsin Tribal communities. Focus group questions were derived from preliminary interviews and observations on environmental barriers surrounding nutrition and physical activity. Results: Two broad thematic areas emerged from the focus groups: child health themes and environmental themes. Health themes included views of child health (emphasizing emotional health), views on parenting, and assessment of risks to child safety. Environmental (social and physical) themes included assessments of personal support networks, assessments of local facilities and programs, and values regarding household relationships. A provisional model of family behaviors related to child nutrition and physical activity was developed to better understand these themes and the potential tensions among them. Discussion: Understanding the unique cultural constructs of health and environment of AI communities can inform decision making in community‐level prevention research. The proposed model served as a useful starting point for designing healthy lifestyle interventions in these AI communities. This model may also be applicable to other minority communities.     

Chironomidae (Diptera) of peatlands in northwestern Ontario, Canada

Eighty-four species of Chironomidae were collected, using emergence traps, from three poor fens located in the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) of northwestern Ontario. Of these, 37 were considered to be true peatland fauna. The majority (23) of the peatland species are new North American or Canadian records and, of these, 10 are previously undescribed. Numbers m⁻² yr⁻¹ emerging from the fens were similar to neighbouring lakes but biomass (mg) m⁻² yr⁻¹ emerging was much less, indicating the small average size of the fen chironomids. Emergence began in early May and was virtually completed by late July-early August in all three years of the study. Most of the emergence occurred early in the season. Eight species accounted for ≥90% of the emergence. Five of these, Gymnometriocnemus (R.) acigus Saeth., Doithrix villosa Saeth. and Subl., Pseudorthocladius (s.s.) destitutus Saeth. and Subl., P. (s.s.) curtistylus (Goetgh.), and Paramerina nr. smithae (Subl.) had univoltine life cycles and relatively stichronous emergences. Pseudosmittia forcipata (Goetgh.) was bivoltine, and Limnophyes minimus (Meig.) and Smittia nr. nudipennis Geotgh. had protracted emergence periods that made voltinism difficult to determine. Characteristic features of the chironomid fauna of peatlands at ELA are discussed. The general applicability of these features to peatlands, and needs for further research in these neglected but extensive Canadian habitats are considered.     

Dental asymmetry,maternal obesity,and smoking

This study examines the levels of fluctuating dental asymmetry in four samples of school children: those whose mothers were obese and had smoked during the pregnancy concerned (n = 111); those whose mothers were obese non-smokers (n = 114); those whose mothers were non-obese smokers (n = 104); and those whose mothers were lean non-smokers (n = 111). The degree of fluctuating asymmetry was assessed by means of a rescaled asymmetry measure. Obesity was defined as Quetelet's index in excess of 30, and smoking status as at least 20 cigarettes per day during the pregnancy concerned. When the magnitudes of fluctuating asymmetry in children of lean smokers were compared to the control group of lean non-smokers, no significant univariate differences were found. Children of obese mothers, whether these smoked or not, were found to have significantly raised levels of asymmetry. An analysis of variance confirmed that the combination of obesity and maternal smoking was a significant predictor of fluctuating dental asymmetry. The teeth involved tended to be the maxillary first incisor and molars. It is concluded that maternal obesity has a destabilizing effect on the developing fetus and that this effect appears to be enhanced in obese mothers who smoked. This effect was absent in lean mothers, irrespective of their smoking status. Am J Phys Anthropol 102:133–139. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Malignant hypertension and cigarette smoking.

The smoking habits of 48 patients with malignant hypertension were compared with those of 92 consecutive patients with non-malignant hypertension. Thirty-three of the patients with malignant and 34 of the patients with non-malignant hypertension were smokers when first diagnosed. This difference was significant, and remained so when only men or black and white patients were considered separately. Results suggest that malignant hypertension is yet another disease related to cigarette smoking.     

The safety of obstetric services in small communities in northern Ontario.

The safety of the obstetric care system in the small hospitals of northern Ontario was assessed by analysing the outcomes of all obstetric cases over a 2-year period. Information was retrieved by place of residence rather than hospital of delivery so that the overall perinatal system, including the referral patterns, would be assessed. There was little difference in perinatal loss rate (stillbirths and neonatal deaths up to 28 days per 1000 births) for residents of areas served by different levels of obstetric care. Areas served by units where cesarean sections are done regularly but which do not have specialists in obstetrics or pediatrics had a perinatal loss rate of 10.43, whereas areas served by units staffed with two or more specialists in both obstetrics and pediatrics and handling more than 1000 deliveries per year had a perinatal loss rate of 12.13. Although many of the smaller hospitals did not have the minimum capabilities suggested for obstetric units relatively safe care was being provided. These results do not support the need for further centralization of obstetric services in northern Ontario.     

Prevalence of obesity in British children born in 1946 and 1958.

The prevalence of overweight at ages 7 and 11 years and in late adolescence was compared in two nationally representative cohorts of British children born in 1946 and 1958. Overweight was defined as weight that exceeded the standard weight for height, age, and sex by more than 20% (relative weight greater than 120%). The prevalence of overweight among 7 year olds born in 1958 was nearly twice that among those born in 1946. Changes in infant feeding practices, food supply, and level of physical activity might be responsible for this difference. By adolescence the prevalence of obesity in both cohorts had increased but the difference between cohorts had almost disappeared. Around 9% of adolescent girls and 7% of adolescent boys were overweight. If infant feeding practices have an influence on prevalence of overweight at 7 years the data from the two cohorts suggest that such an effect does not persist. In neither cohort was there a significant relation between the prevalence of obesity and social class in boys, but in girls the prevalence was higher among those from the lower socioeconomic groups. Correlation coefficients showing the strength of the relation between relative weights at different ages were remarkably similar for both cohorts. The risk of being obese later in childhood for those who had not been obese at the age of 7 was less than one in 10, whereas for those with a relative weight greater than 130% the risk exceeded six in 10.