Lisa K. Zottarelli

Influence of parental and socioeconomic factors on stunting in children under 5 years in Egypt.

We assessed the relationship between parental and socioeconomic characteristics and nutritional status of children under 5 years in Egypt. Data from the 2000 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey were used. A logistic regression technique was used to estimate the odds of being malnourished. Children whose mothers had a higher level of education and were >150 cm had a lower risk of stunting than those of mothers with no education and shorter height (<150 cm). Parental consanguinity, rural residence, high birth order and short birth interval significantly increased the odds of stunting. Children aged > 12 months had greater odds of stunting than those <12 months.

Dimensions of the human-animal bond and evacuation decisions among pet owners during Hurricane Ike

ABSTRACT The events of Hurricane Katrina focused attention on the plight of companion animals and their human guardians during disasters. One result was the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act of 2006. Hurricane Ike, one of the first mass evacuation events after the legislation was signed into law, provided an opportunity to examine pet owner evacuation in a post-Katrina PETS Act environment. The relationships between two dimensions of the human–animal bond—attachment and commitment—and evacuation decisions among pet owners were examined using the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) and the Miller-Rada Commitment to Pets Scale (CPS). A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a sample of pet-owning residents in zip codes that had been under mandatory evacuation order. One hundred and twenty valid responses were received. Descriptive and bi-variate statistics and logistic regressions were conducted. The two dimensions of the human–animal bond were positively correlated. The results of the logistic regression found people with higher levels of commitment had lower odds of evacuation, but the level of attachment did not predict human evacuation. Pets were noted to influence decisions among people who evacuated, as well as people who did not. Contrary to the changes expected under the PETS Act, the relationship between the human–animal bond and evacuation decisions was found to be consistent with pre-PETS Act research.

Student utilization of a university 2009 H1N1 vaccination clinic

The 2009 H1N1 influenza resulted in widespread outbreaks on college campuses. Once sufficient quantity of vaccine became available, many universities held vaccination clinics for students. We sought to examine factors associated with participation in an on-campus vaccination effort. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by students in January 2010. Our results suggest a high degree of awareness of the 2009 H1N1 virus among students. The odds of being vaccinated were higher for students who believed the H1N1 virus was a greater public health threat and for students who had friends and family that were vaccinated after controlling for sex, ethnicity, age, and living conditions.

AN ASSESSMENT OF FETAL LOSS AMONG CURRENTLY MARRIED WOMEN IN INDIA

The present paper assesses fetal loss among currently married women in India. In addition, the effects of social, economic, demographic and health factors on fetal loss are studied. The study uses data from the second National Family Health Survey conducted in India during 1998-2000. The results show wide variations in fetal loss (induced abortion, spontaneous abortion and still-birth) measures across the country. The importance of mothers nutritional status, birth spacing, risky behaviours such as smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco and age at marriage for pregnancy outcomes in India is also discussed. The study results imply a broad understanding of reproductive health in India, and emphasize the importance of widening the scope of community-based reproductive health education programmes to improve the reproductive health of women.

College student adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic: a study of two Texas universities in Fall 2009.

OBJECTIVE College students were at high risk for contracting the 2009 H1N1 virus. Many universities implemented campaigns to encourage use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce the spread of the virus. The purpose of this study was to determine factors related to student adoption of NPIs. METHODS Online surveys were conducted at two universities prior to the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. In total, 909 students participated. RESULTS More than 80% of students adopted at least one action to reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu. Perception of the public health threat was associated with use of each of the NPIs. Perceived susceptibility, previous seasonal flu vaccination, and symptom knowledge were associated with four of the five NPIs. CONCLUSION Increasing college student understanding of the threat posed by a pandemic, as well as their susceptibility to that threat, could encourage the use of NPIs prior to availability of a vaccine.