ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1758-8341
Current Organisation
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: E.U. European Publishing
Date: 24-08-2018
DOI: 10.18332/TID/93574
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-01-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10903-022-01445-2
Abstract: While the prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors is understood to be higher among migrants than for people born in host nations, little is known about the dementia risk profile of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. This systematic review examines published literature to understand what is currently reported about 12 identified modifiable risk factors for dementia among migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers residing in Australia. Three literature databases (PubMed/CINAHL/MEDLINE) were systematically searched to find articles reporting excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, air pollution, lack of education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, and limited social contact in Australia’s migrant, refugee and asylum seeker population s les. Papers were systematically reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 763 studies were found, of which 676 articles were excluded, and 79 articles remained. Despite wide variability in study design, size and purpose, the prevalence and correlates of modifiable risk factors of dementia appears markedly different among the studied s les. Compared with Australian-born participants, migrant s les had a higher prevalence of depression, social isolation, physical inactivity and diabetes mellitus. Insufficient information or conflicting evidence prevented inference about prevalence and correlates for the remaining dementia risk factors. A better understanding of the prevalence and correlates of modifiable dementia risk factors is needed in Australia’s migrant, refugee and asylum seeker populations. This information, together with a deeper understanding of the contextual and cultural contributing factors affecting people who arrive in Australia through differing pathways is needed before preventive interventions can be realistically targeted and sensitively implemented.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-08-2019
Publisher: Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention
Date: 30-03-2013
DOI: 10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.3.1919
Abstract: Smoking is known as a major risk factor for different types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease. Its prevalence is increasing in developing countries. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of smoking and its associated factors among the population aged 40-64 years in the city of Shahroud which is a representative urban population in Iran. A cross-sectional population-based study with stratified random cluster s ling was conducted in 2009 as the first phase of Shahroud Eye Cohort Study. Of 6,311 people, 5,190 participated (82.2%). Information about smoking habit was obtained by face-to- face interview. The overall prevalence of current tobacco smoking was 11.3% (95%CI: 10.5-12.3). It was significantly higher among males than females (25.7% and 0.71%, P<0.001). The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 10.8% and 1.75% were past smokers. The smoking rate of water-pipe was 0.67%. Unemployed people smoked more than employed (OR=2.66, 95%CI: 1.38-5.14). The prevalence of smoking is low in Shahroud compared with other parts of Iran and other countries. Age, sex, job and marital status were associated with smoking. The low smoking rate among women may be attributed to cultural and social reasons.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-04-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-017-01366-3
Abstract: Chronic stress is closely linked to the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hyperuricemia and thromboembolism, but the mechanisms remain elusive. We reported recently that stress targets visceral adipose tissue (VAT), inducing lipolysis, low-grade inflammation with production of inflammatory adipokines, metabolic derangements such as insulin resistance, and prothrombotic state. In the present study, we hypothesized the involvement of VAT xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and uric acid (UA) in the above processes. Restraint stress in mice resulted in upregulation of XOR and xanthine oxidase activity, accumulation of ROS in VAT as well as liver and intestine, increase in serum UA levels, upregulation of NADPH oxidase subunits and downregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis also showed that restraint stress induced VAT monocyte accumulation and proinflammatory adipokine production, resulting in reduced insulin sensitivity and induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue factor in VAT. Treatment with febuxostat, a potent XO inhibitor, suppressed stress-induced ROS production and VAT inflammation, resulting in improvement of serum UA levels, insulin sensitivity, and prothrombotic tendency. Our results suggest that stress perturbs glucose and UA metabolism, and promotes prothrombotic status, and that XO inhibition by febuxostat might be a potential therapy for stress-related disorders.
Publisher: Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention
Date: 22-01-2015
DOI: 10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.24.10981
Abstract: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the standard technique for diagnosis of patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Some reports have shown high prevalence of esophageal cancer in the northern part of Afghanistan. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological profile of esophageal cancer among patients in this region. We identified 364 consecutive patients that received EGD examinations to examine upper gastrointestinal tract at the endoscopy unit of Balkh regional Hospital from March 2012 to March 2013. The case subjects included both in-patients and out-patients aged 16 years or more. We evaluated the results retrospectively. The cases consisted of 184 (51%) males and 180 (49%) females. The mean age was 47.3±17.8 and the age range 17-88 years. Ninety two cases had esophageal cancer, out of which 58 (63.0%) were male. The mean age at time of diagnosis was 57.8±13.2 years. Uzbek-Turkmen peoples were more common among patients with esophageal cancer (52.2%). Dysphagia was the most frequent symptom among patients with esophageal cancer at the time of presentation, seen in 77 (84.8%) of cases. Our results showed high incidence of esophageal cancer in the northern part of Afghanistan, especially in the Uzbek-Turkmen ethnic group.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-06-2023
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.761
Abstract: Gender and bilingualism are reported to influence the risk of dementia. This study examined the prevalence of self‐reported modifiable dementia risk factors by gender in two s les: one that speaks at least one language other than English (LoE) and one that speaks only English. A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted on a s le of Australian residents aged 50 years or over ( n = 4339). Participant characteristics and dementia risk behaviours were inspected using descriptive statistics in data collected via online surveys between October 2020 and November 2021. In both s les, men had a higher rate than women of being overweight and were classified more frequently as being at risk of dementia due to alcohol consumption, lower cognitive activity, and non‐adherence to the Mediterranean‐style diet. Men reported better management of their cardiometabolic health than women across both groups. Non‐significant trends showed men were more often smokers but more physically active than women in the LoE group, and less often smokers but less physically active than women in the English‐only group. This study found men and women reported similar patterns of dementia risk behaviours regardless of LoE or English‐only status. Gender differences in risk behaviours prevail regardless of language‐speaking status. The results can be used to guide future research aiming to understand and reduce modifiable dementia risk in Australia and beyond.
Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Date: 10-2019
Abstract: Purpose: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of cigarette smoking and the association between cigarette smoking and opium use among patients visiting an outpatient clinic in Afghanistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on consecutive patients aged 18 years and older from January 2018 to April 2018. Data on patients’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables were collected using an interview-based survey. Results: Six hundred and twenty-two patients (391males vs. 231 females) were interviewed for this study. The overall prevalence of current smoking was 50.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 46.2–54.2). Males were (odds ratio [OR] = 9.5 95% CI: 5.3–17.1) more likely to smoke cigarettes than females. The odds of current cigarette smoking increased with having a family member smoker or a friend smoker (OR =3.3 95% CI: 2.0–5.3). Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with the level of education (illiterate OR = 8.9 95% CI: 4.0–19.8), primary rivate education (OR = 7.8 95% CI: 3.9–15.6), and secondary education (OR = 4.4 95% CI: 2.3–8.4), with high school or higher education as the reference group. Rural residents were 3.7 times (95% CI: 2.3–6.2) more likely to smoke cigarette than urban residents. Opium users were 23.0 times (95% CI: 12.5–42.3) more likely to smoke cigarettes than non-opium users. Conclusions: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among patients visiting an outpatient clinic in Afghanistan was high, and there was an association between cigarette smoking and male gender, a family history of smoking or a friend history of smoking, level of education, rural residency, and opium consumption.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 28-03-2021
DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1739247
Abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among resettled refugee populations and may be particularly problematic for refugees who have resettled in rural and regional areas. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence and correlates of PTSD among Afghan refugees resettled in a regional area of Australia, namely, Launceston, Tasmania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 66 resettled Afghan refugees living in Launceston using the Post Migration Living Difficulties Scale (PMLD) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis of variables associated with a probable diagnosis of PTSD were conducted. Approximately half of participants 48.8% (95% CI: 36.0-61.1%) met an operational definition of probable PTSD diagnosis according to the IES-R. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, communication difficulties (OR = 14.6, 95% CI: 1.7-124.7), separation from family (OR = 9.9, 95% CI: 1.8-55.5), and self-recognition of a mental health problem (OR = 13.8, 95% CI: 2.4-80.0) were strongly and independently associated with probable PTSD diagnosis. While most participants (81.2%) with a probable PTSD diagnosis recognised that they had a mental health problem, less than half (46.9%) had sought professional help for such a problem. The findings suggest that there are high rates of PTSD, and relatively low uptake of mental health care by sufferers, among resettled Afghan refugees in the regional area of Launceston, Australia. Factors that might usefully be targeted in health promotion, prevention and early intervention program include communication difficulties, issues of family separation and isolation and aspects of "mental health literacy" likely to detract from help-seeking.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-04-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EIP.12957
Publisher: Salvia Medical Sciences Ltd
Date: 18-09-2019
Abstract: Background: Lipid abnormalities are major risk factors of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). As well as, lipid markers are time-dependent covariates that change with aging. Previous cohort studies have only investigated baseline measurements of lipid markers on CVD mortality. Materials and Methods: The study s le consisted of 4,148 in iduals aged over 40 years. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured in five phases. A joint model analysis was used to investigate the association between each longitudinal lipid markers and CVD mortality in men, women and pooled s le. All analysis was performed using the survival and joint modeling packages in R 3.3.3. Results: Totally, 233 CVD deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 12.4 years. For men, CVD mortality increased by 28% (confidence interval [CI]: 14%,44%) for a 10% increased in TC. For women, CVD mortality increased by 43% (CI: 22%, 68%) and 21% (CI:7%, 37%) for 10 % increase in TC and LDL-C and decreased by 18% (CI:7%, 27%) for a 10% increase in HDL-C. Conclusion: Association of lipid markers with CVD mortality is different in men and women, such that high levels of TC and LDL-C and low levels of HDL-C are risk factors of CVD mortality in women, but only TC is a risk factor of CVD mortality in men. [GMJ.2019 :e1516]
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATHEROSCLEROSIS.2014.10.098
Abstract: The interaction between the renin-angiotensin system and toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of advanced atherosclerotic plaques is not well understood. We studied the effects of the renin inhibitor aliskiren on the progression of advanced atherosclerotic plaque in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice with a special focus on plaque neovessel formation. Four-wk-old ApoE(-/-) mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8 wks, and the mice were randomly assigned to one of three groups and administered a vehicle, hydralazine, or aliskiren for an additional 12 wks. Aliskiren reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area and plaque neovessel density. It increased the plaque collagen and elastin contents, and reduced plasma angiotensin II levels and plaque macrophage infiltration and cathepsin S (CatS) protein. Aliskiren also decreased the levels of AT1R, gp91phox, TLR2, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and CatS mRNAs in the aortic roots. Hydralazine had no beneficial vascular effects, although its administration resulted in the same degree of blood pressure reduction as aliskiren. CatS deficiency mimicked the aliskiren-mediated vasculoprotective effect in the ApoE(-/-) mice, but aliskiren showed no further benefits in ApoE(-/-) CatS(-/-) mice. In vitro, TLR2 silencing reduced CatS expression induced by angiotensin II. Moreover, aliskiren or the inhibition of CatS impaired the endothelial cell angiogenic action in vitro or/and ex vivo. Renin inhibition appears to inhibit advanced plaque neovessel formation in ApoE(-/-) mice and to decrease the vascular inflammatory action and extracellular matrix degradation, partly by reducing AT1R/TLR2-mediated CatS activation and activity, thus regressing advanced atherosclerosis.
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1159/000375313
Abstract: b i Background: /i /b Both airflow limitation and smoking are established cardiovascular risk factors. However, their interaction as risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease patients remains unclear. b i Objectives: /i /b To evaluate the effect of the interaction between airflow limitation and smoking status on the severity of carotid atherosclerosis. b i Methods: /i /b We categorized the 234 enrolled patients with coronary artery disease into four groups: never-smokers with normal pulmonary function (group A), never-smokers with airflow limitation (group B), ever-smokers with normal pulmonary function (group C), and ever-smokers with airflow limitation (group D). b i Results: /i /b The prevalence of airflow limitation in the enrolled patients was 23.1% (ever-smokers: 15.8%, never-smokers: 7.3%). The prevalence of severe carotid atherosclerosis was 28.2, 29.4, 41.3, and 45.9%, respectively, in the four groups (group D vs. group A, p = 0.035). Even after multivariate adjusting for confounding factors, ever-smokers with airflow limitation were independently associated with severe carotid atherosclerosis (odds ratio 2.89, 95% confidence interval, 1.19-7.00, p = 0.019). b i Conclusions: /i /b Ever-smokers with airflow limitation were significantly associated with severe carotid atherosclerosis among patients with coronary artery disease. These findings also provide additional insight into the correlation between airflow limitation and poor cardiovascular clinical outcomes.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 04-11-2020
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-40326/V2
Abstract: Background: Crystal (meth hetamine) is a strong stimulant of addictive substances that affects the central nervous system. The consumption of this substance is increasing among teenagers and adult young people in the country. In this matter, one of the practical and important ways to its control is to identify the factors leading to its first use. Thus this paper, explores the factors related to the first crystal use in Golestan province, Iran. Methods: In a qualitative study, 19 crystal users were recruited in the study conducted in Golestan province by snowball s ling from DIC (Drop-In Center) in addiction treatment centers. The interviews were mostly carried out in idually with the participants only one interview was conducted in an addiction treatment c in the form of a group-focused discussion. Data analysis was implemented through content analysis in MAXQDA 10 software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35.05± 6.06 years with a range of 23-46 years. Meanwhile, the mean of crystal use period was 7.42 (SD:3.61) and a range of 1-14 years. Based on the obtained data, the reasons for first crystal use could be categorized in six 1: "crystal use to other drugs rehabilitation" 2: "Lack of awareness of the addictive nature of crystal" 3: “stimulating curiosity in public with crystal-use friends” , 4: affordable and convenient use”, 5: "anti-sleeping effects and increasing work efficiency", and 6: "therapeutic and other misconceptions”". Conclusions: The results indicated that crystal is mostly abused to opium rehabilitation. The lack of awareness and misconceptions about this substance can lead people to crystal use. Therefore, designing public health interventions to increase awareness about negative consequences of crystal use is fundamental to prevent people from abusing it. We suggest designing public health program to promote awareness about health risks of crystal and modifying related misconceptions. Finally, the government can establish policies to mandate sale tax for crystal producers and reduce easy access to crystal especially among youth.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 08-2018
DOI: 10.1155/2018/8560835
Abstract: There is a relationship between mental and physical health. Depression and anxiety are linked with the development of several chronic diseases. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression among adult hypertensive outpatients in Afghanistan. Methods . Two hundred thirty-four consecutive hypertensive patients from December 2015 to August 2016 were recruited to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, which has scores for classifying the participants having anxiety and depression symptoms. Results . Of the total 234 patients, 81 (34.6%) were males and 153 (65.4%) were females. The mean age was 54.6 ± 12.7 for the hypertensive patients with anxiety and 63.8 ± 15.0 for the hypertensive patients with depression while this figure was 49.5 ± 10.2 for the adult participants in general population in Kabul city (Saeed, 2013). The prevalence of anxiety and depression (42.3% vs. 58.1%) among hypertensive persons is compared with the same mental disorders among Afghan refugees (39.3% vs. 22.1%) in Dalakee Refugee C (in Iran) (Hosseini Divkolaye and Burkle, 2017). Of the total participants, 99 had anxiety (42.3%), 136 had depression (58.1%), and 66 had (28.2%) comorbid anxiety-depression. Multivariate analysis was used. For anxiety age, female gender, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and 2 or more chronic diseases had a significant association. For depression, age and diabetes mellitus had a significant association, and for comorbid anxiety, depression, age, diabetes mellitus, and 2 or more chronic diseases had a significant association. Conclusion . This study shows that anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among hypertensive patients in an outpatient clinic in Afghanistan. There was an association between some sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and anxiety and depression. More studies are needed on a national level to inform the development of strategies for the prevention and control of psychological distress among patients with chronic diseases in Afghanistan.
Location: Afghanistan
Start Date: 2017
End Date: 2018
Funder: Takeda Science Foundation
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