Despite bold commitments to reduce anemia, little change in prevalence was observed over the past decade. We aimed to generate subnational maps of anemia among women of reproductive age (WRA), malaria transmission, and hemoglobinopathies to identify priority areas, but also explore their geographical overlap.

Using the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), we first mapped anemia clusters across Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) and identified the WCA as a major cluster. Geographic clusters with high anemia and related etiologic factors were identified using spatial statistics. Multilevel regression models were run to identify factors associated with any, moderate and severe anemia.

West and Central African countries (n=17).

WRA (n= 112,024) residing in 17 WCA countries.

There was a significant overlap in geographical clusters of anemia, malaria, and hemoglobinopathies, particularly in the coastal areas of the WCA region. Low birth interval (0.86 [0.77, 0.97]), number of childbirth (1.12 [1.02, 1.23]), being in the 15-19 age range (1.47 [1.09, 1.98])) were associated with increased odds of any anemia. Unimproved toilet facility and open defecation were associated with any anemia, whereas the use of unclean cooking fuel was associated with moderate/severe anemia (P<0.05). Access to health care facility, living in malaria prone areas, and hemoglobinopathies (HbC and HbS) were all associated with any, moderate or severe anemia.

Interlinkages between infection, hemoglobinopathies, and nutritional deficiencies complicate the etiology of anemia in the WCA region. Without renewed efforts to integrate activities and align various sectors in the prevention of anemia, progress is likely to remain elusive.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe associations between NIH Toolbox-Cognition Battery subtests and legacy measures of neurocognitive function in two samples with neurological conditions (stroke and sickle cell disease (SCD)).

This exploratory secondary analysis uses data from two studies that assessed cognition at one time point using the NIH Toolbox-Cognition Battery, the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and subtests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Functions System (DKEFS). People with stroke (n = 26) and SCD (n = 64) were included. Associations between the NIH Toolbox-Cognition Battery subtests and corresponding legacy measures were examined using linear correlations, Bland–Altman analysis, and Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient.

Linear correlations and Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient were poor to strong in both samples on NIH Toolbox-CB subtests: Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention (r = .35 to .48, Lin CCC = .27 to .37), Pattern Comparison Processing Speed (r = .40 to .65, Lin CCC = .37 to .62), Picture Sequence Memory (r = .19 to .55, Lin CCC = .18 to .48), Dimensional Change Card Sort (r = .39 to .77, Lin CCC = .38 to .63), Fluid Cognition Composite (r = .88 to .90, Lin CCC = .60 to .79), and Total Cognition Composite (r = .64 to .83, Lin CCC = .60 to .78). Bland–Altman analyses demonstrated wide limits of agreement across all subtests (–3.17 to 3.78).

The NIH Toolbox-Cognition Battery subtests may behave similarly to legacy measures as an overall assessment of cognition across samples at risk for neurological impairment. Findings should be replicated across additional clinical samples.

Anemia has created attention worldwide because of its adverse effects on the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. A large body of evidence has shown that pregnant women are the most vulnerable group to anemia.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of anemia, and associated risk factors, among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at government and private hospitals in Bangladesh.

This cross-sectional study included 424 pregnant women, who visited hospitals for ANC from January to July 2019. We used a simple random sampling technique to select study subjects. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and participant’s current medical record cards. SPSS software was used for analyzing data.

The prevalence of anemia was 62.5% and significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the subjects attending ANC in government hospitals (68.7%) than in private (55.0%) hospitals. The prevalence of the severity of anemia was 28.3% mild, 36.9% moderate, and 3.40% severe in government hospitals while in private hospitals was 14.7% mild, 39.8% moderate, and 0.5% severe anemia. Anemia was significantly associated with maternal age 20–25 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.9] and 26–30 years (AOR = 2.37), monthly family income (300–500) US$ (AOR = 2.76), and ANC in government hospitals (AOR = 2.02), the parity [multiparous (AOR = 1.92)], gravidity [multigravid (AOR = 1.63)], contraception [no contraception (AOR = 2.50), and iron supplement [no iron supplement (AOR = 0.64).

The result suggests that pregnant women should receive routine ANC and recognize iron supplementation during pregnancy. Finally, the results of this study are particularly relevant for pregnant women who are receiving ANC.

The effects of iron deficiency on the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum iron levels and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss prognosis and its usefulness as an independent prognostic marker for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

The audiological and haematological data, including hearing recovery and serum iron levels, of 103 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss evaluated between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed.

The overall complete recovery rate was 16.5 per cent. Initial higher hearing threshold was associated with poor idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss prognosis. Serum iron levels were significantly higher in the complete recovery group than in the non-complete recovery group (p < 0.05).

The possibility of complete recovery from idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was significantly lower with lower serum iron levels, suggesting that the serum iron level might be a novel prognostic marker for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

role of global cognition in the association between Anemia and depression.

We examined the longitudinal relationships between hemoglobin concentrations or Anemia and depression and whether baseline cognitive function modifies these longitudinal relationships over 4 years of follow-up.

A total of 1608 community-dwelling older adults from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) aged 65 to 74 years were recruited in Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia), Kingston (Ontario, Canada), and Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec, Canada). The study outcome was depression, defined by a score of 16 or over in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Longitudinal associations over four years follow-up were examined using generalized estimating equations. Models reported were either unadjusted and adjusted for research sites, alcohol drinking status, body mass index, chronic conditions, activities of daily life disabilities, and polypharmacy.

Longuitinal relationships suggested an evidence of multiplicative interaction by baseline global cognition in which 1g/dL increase in hemoglobin concentrations there was a significant reduction in the risk of depression with a stronger effect among participants with good cognitive function (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92) compared to those with poor cognition (OR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.97). Anemia and poor cognition at baseline were associated with an increased risk of depression over four years of follow-up (OR=5.80, 95% CI: 1.84-18.23). Global cognition was also an effect modifier of the longitudinal association between the severity of Anemia and depression.

In international samples of older adults, hemoglobin concentrations, as well as the severity of Anemia, were independent risk factors for depression, and these associations differed by global cognitive function.

This study investigated the health effects of Lake Urmia’s drought on adjacent urban and rural areas and people.

The data for sociodemographic status, physical activity, dietary pattern, smoking, and angina of the subjects living in areas adjacent to and far from Lake Urmia were collected through validated questionnaires. Physical examinations, including blood pressure, anthropometrics, and biochemical measurements, were performed.

There were no significant differences between 2 areas in the case of age, sex, educational, and physical activity and smoking status (P > 0.05). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and the prevalence of hypertension, prehypertension, and anemia in cases living in the adjacent areas were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between 2 districts in the prevalence of hyperlipidemia, overweight/obesity, asthma, angina, infraction, diabetes, and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.

Our data showed that Lake Urmia’s drought has serious effects on hypertension and anemia. More longitudinal and well-designed studies are needed to confirm these results.