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The prevalence rates and correlates of mental or physical disability among recently resettled refugees, who undergo strenuous journeys before arriving in the US, remain unknown, masking potential health disparities. Self-reported disability was measured by the 2018 Annual Survey of Refugees (ASR), and defined as having a physical, mental, or other health condition for more than 6 months that precluded one from working. Prevalence rates of self-reported disability and sample correlates were investigated using descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Of N = 4259 participating refugees in ASR (Mean Age = 28.2, SD = 17.2; 52.5% male), 2875 responded to the disability question and 21.4% reported disability. About 33.7% were born in the Middle East region, 29.5% had no formal education, and 35% had an income of less than $15,000. Age (OR = 1.06, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.06,1.07], p < 0.001), region of birth (OR = 1.82, 95% CI [1.31, 2.51], p < 0.001), employment status (OR = 3.31, 95% CI [2.67, 4.11], p < 0.001), and receiving food stamps (OR = 2.09, 95% CI [1.66, 2.62], p < 0.001) were associated with self-reported disability. Disability levels among refugees recently resettled in the United States are comparable to national disability rates in the US. Our results suggest that multiple aspects of the refugee experience (i.e., demographics, socioeconomic status, contextual migration history) need to be considered to understand the risk for health outcomes. Future investigations of disabilities in diverse refugee populations over time and tailored public health interventions to mitigate potential risk factors are warranted to promote health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary : Due to the high prevalence of low bone mineral density in North Africa and Middle East region, estimating its attributable burden would help to a better understanding of this neglected condition for policymakers and health researchers. This study presented the number of attributable deaths has doubled from 1990 to 2019. Purpose: This study provides the latest estimates of the burden of low bone mineral density (BMD) from 1990 to 2019 in North Africa and Middle East (NAME) region. Methods: The data were extracted from the global burden of disease (GBD) 2019 study to estimate epidemiological indices such as deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and summary exposure value (SEV). SEV is a measure of the exposure of the population to a risk factor that considers the amount of exposure by the level of risk. Results: Our findings showed that in 1990–2019, the number of deaths and DALYs attributable to low BMD had almost doubled in the region and caused 20,371 (95% uncertainty intervals: 14,848–24,374) deaths and 805,959 (630,238–959,581) DALYs in 2019. However, DALYs and death rates showed a decreasing trend after age standardization. Saudi Arabia had the highest, and Lebanon had the lowest age-standardized DALYs rates in 2019, with rates of 434.2 (329.6–534.3) and 90.3 (70.6–112.1) per 100,000, respectively. The highest burden attributable to low BMD was in the 90–94 and over 95 age groups. Also, there was a decreasing trend in age-standardized SEV to low BMD for both sexes. Conclusion: Despite the decreasing trend of age-standardized burden indices, considerable amounts of deaths and DALYs were attributable to low BMD, especially in the elderly population, in the region in 2019. As the positive effects of proper interventions will be detectable in the long term, robust strategies and comprehensive stable policies are the ultimate solutions to achieving desired goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent neurological disorder. As there is a gap in the literature regarding the disease burden attributable to TTH in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the aim of the present study was to report the epidemiological indicators of TTH in MENA, from 1990 to 2019, by sex, age and socio-demographic index (SDI). Methods: Publicly available data on the point prevalence, annual incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) were retrieved from the global burden of disease (GBD) 2019 study for the 21 countries and territories in MENA, between 1990 and 2019. The results were presented with numbers and age-standardised rates per 100000 population, along with their corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Results: In 2019, the age-standardised point prevalence and annual incidence rates for TTH in the MENA region were 24504.5 and 8680.1 per 100000, respectively, which represents a 2.0% and a 0.9% increase over 1990-2019, respectively. The age-standardised YLD rate of TTH in this region in 2019 was estimated to be 68.1 per 100000 population, which has increased 1.0% since 1990. Iran [29640.4] had the highest age-standardised point prevalence rate for TTH, while Turkey [21726.3] had the lowest. In 2019, the regional point prevalence of TTH was highest in the 35-39 and 70-74 age groups, for males and females, respectively. Furthermore, the number of prevalent cases was estimated to be highest in those aged 35-39 and 25-29 years, in both males and females, respectively. Moreover, the burden of TTH was not observed to have a clear association with SDI. Conclusions: While the prevalence of TTH in the MENA region increased from 1990 to 2019, the incidence rate did not change. In addition, the burden of TTH in MENA was higher than at the global level for both sexes and all age groups. Therefore, prevention of TTH would help alleviate the attributable burden imposed on the hundreds of millions of people suffering from TTH around the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with low income tend to eat less balanced than people with higher income. This seems to be particularly the case for people with migration background. This cross-sectional study examined the relation of consumption patterns of 597 food bank users with different migration background in Germany. Questionnaires were distributed assessing sociodemographic information and consumption patterns. Analyses were conducted using binary logistic regressions. Models were controlled for age, gender, type of household and education. The group of German food bank users consumed fewer fruits and vegetables and less fish compared to all other groups with migration background (former USSR, Balkan region, Middle East). A significant predictor for fruit and vegetable consumption was migration status. Participants from the former USSR consumed less often SSBs compared to the other groups. Dietary recommendations for low income populations should take into consideration other aspects besides income such as migration status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hookah smoking is more prevalent among individuals of Middle Eastern descent. This study examined general and ethnic-specific risk factors for hookah smoking among Arabs and Chaldeans. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was conducted among 801 adults residing in Southeast Michigan. Binary logistic regression modeling was used to predict risk factors for hookah smoking. Hookah smoking was significantly more prevalent among Arabs (32 %) than Chaldeans (26 %, p < 0.01) and being Arab was a risk factor for lifetime hookah use. Younger age (<25 years), being male, higher annual income, and having health insurance were significant risk factors for hookah use. Chaldeans believed to a greater extent than Arabs that smoking hookah is less harmful than cigarette smoking (75 vs. 52 %, p < 0.001). Hookah smoking is prevalent in both ethnic groups, but significantly higher among Arabs. Results indicate that prevention efforts should target younger males with higher incomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A quarter of trauma-related deaths are attributable to traumatic chest injury (TCI). Objective: To outline the pattern and outcome of TCI in a rapidly developing country among different age groups. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study for patients who sustained TCI and admitted between January 2008 and December 2010 to the Level I trauma center at Hamad General Hospital in Qatar. Patients were classified and analyzed in four age groups (group 1 ≤18, group 2 between 19-44, group 3 45-59, and group 4 >60 years). Multivariate regression analysis was performed for predictors of mortality. Results: Of 5,118 cases admitted to the Section of Trauma Surgery, 1,355 (26.5 %) had TCI (12, 67, 16, and 5 % in groups 1-4, respectively), which was due to blunt trauma in 96 % of cases. The overall mean age was 33 ± 15 years and males comprised 94 % of cases. Children (≤18 years of age) had more traffic-related injury, intubation, high Injury Severity Score (ISS) (19 ± 12), and associated head and liver injuries in comparison to the other groups. The overall mortality rate was 13 % (24, 11, 12, and 16 % in groups 1-4, respectively). The death rate was higher in pedestrians, followed by motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and fall-related injuries (24 vs. 13 vs. 7 %, respectively, p = 0.001). The highest mortality occurred within the first day ( n = 115, 65 %). In comparison to old age, children were more likely to die early (on the first day) and the adult group died mostly within the first week of hospitalization. Independent predictors for mortality included associated head injury [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.48-3.62), ISS (OR 1.11, 95 % CI 1.09-1.13), and age (OR 0.37, 95 % CI 0.22-0.62). Conclusion: TCI is an alarming problem in Qatar, with a bimodal mortality curve. The highest mortality peak occurred in children, followed by old age. However, young males are the most exposed population. Regulatory efforts and strict enforcement of traffic laws would likely reduce morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared and contrasted personal characteristics, tobacco use (cigarette and water pipe smoking), and health states in Chaldean, Arab American and non-Middle Eastern white adults attending an urban community service center. The average age was 39.4 (SD = 14.2). The three groups differed significantly (P < .006) on ethnicity, age, gender distribution, marital status, language spoken, education, employment, and annual income. Current cigarette smoking was highest for non-Middle Eastern white adults (35.4%) and current water pipe smoking was highest for Arab Americans (3.6%). Arab Americans were more likely to smoke both cigarettes and the narghile (4.3%). Health problems were highest among former smokers in all three ethnic groups. Being male, older, unmarried, and non-Middle Eastern white predicted current cigarette smoking; being Arab or Chaldean and having less formal education predicted current water pipe use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]