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ABSTRACT: Background: Early onset of menopause poses a risk for various health issues in women. This study aimed to primarily examine the link between early menopause and indoor air pollution (IAP) and demonstrate this association within the Indian population, considering their place of residence. Methods: This longitudinal study included 24,862 eligible participants out of 73,000 surveyed. Logistic regression analyses, both crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR), were used to examine the association between early menopause and various sociodemographic factors, IAP, and place of residence (rural/urban). Results: The study identified a significant correlation between early menopause and body mass index (BMI), educational status, marital status, occupation, physical activity, self-rated health, and smoking status. Women using unclean fuels did not show increased odds of early menopause (aOR: 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.08). Poor ventilation was linked to a slightly higher incidence (28.1% vs. 26.9%, aOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.99-1.15). Exposure to pollution-generating sources was significantly associated with early menopause (28.8%, aOR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.18), especially in urban areas (aOR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36) but not rural (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.99-1.17). Indoor smoking was linked to higher odds (aOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17), particularly in rural areas (aOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18). Overall, IAP was significantly associated with early menopause (aOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15). Conclusion: The findings reveal that IAP, from sources such as smoke and pollutants, significantly increases the risk of early menopause among Indian women. Urban women are more affected by pollution, whereas indoor smoking impacts both urban and rural women. Enhancing indoor air quality could reduce early menopause and improve women's health in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Introduction: With increased urbanization the prevalence of important public health problems like road traffic accidents (RTA) and depression are surging. This study was aimed to determine the association between RTA and depression among Indian population aged ≥45 years. Methods: Using Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) dataset (April 2017–December 2018), we have conducted this study among older adults (45–59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) Indians. Bivariate analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of RTA and depression nationally and across aspirants, achievers, and front runner states. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted between RTA and depression, adjusted with demographic and socioeconomic; health related and behavioral factors. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of RTA was 1.84 (1.74-1.94)% nationally, highest among achiever states (2.04 (1.82–2.30)%). Prevalence of depression was 6.08 (5.90–6.26)% nationally, highest among aspirant states (7.02 (6.74–7.30)%). The adjusted odds of having accident was significantly 1.75 times higher among depressed (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.44–2.13) than non-depressed participants which was highest across front runners (aOR 1.86, 95%CI 1.26–2.72) followed by aspirant states (aOR 1.79, 95%CI 1.37–2.33). Conclusion: This study established the association between depression and road traffic accidents among older adults and elderly. Therefore, efforts must be taken to address mental health issues specially focusing on depression in them with proper policy implication more focused on front runners followed by aspirant states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Anemia is an important public health disorder. There is a significant chunk of India's population residing in poor housing quality with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, which might lead to higher anemia prevalence. The objective was to determine the association between anemia with poor housing quality among the older Indian adult population (≥45 years) as per residence. Methods: This study analyzed the nationally representative dataset of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI 2017–18, Wave-1). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were conducted to show the association of anemia (outcome variable) with poor housing quality (explanatory variable). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted by adjusting for covariates as per their models. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. STATA version 17 was used for analysis. Results: Our study found that higher adjusted odds of having anemia among older Indian adults were observed among participants with overcrowding (AOR 1.30, 95%CI 1.19–1.42), having access to open/nonsanitary toilet facility (AOR 1.56, 95%CI 1.41–1.72), no electric supply (AOR 1.31, 95%CI 1.12–1.53), and overall poor housing quality (AOR 1.34, 95%CI 1.21–1.48). All of these associations were even higher in urban areas except for having access to open/nonsanitary toilet facilities, which was much higher in rural areas (AOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.45–1.79). Conclusion: Through a nationally representative large dataset, this study generated compelling evidence despite several obstacles indicating a positive association between anemia and poor housing quality among older Indian adults. It might raise awareness and assist individuals in steering clear of the negative effects of overcrowding, using open/nonsanitary toilet facilities, lack of electric supply, and overall housing quality on anemia status. It is advised to conduct additional research to determine temporality and causation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Introduction: An aging population is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Sleep duration, both excess and deficiency, is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the relationship between sleep duration and cognition in the Indian population. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted across India in all 34 states and union territories. Sleep duration was calculated using sleep and wake times, whereas cognition was measured as a composite cognitive index. Both univariable and multivariable linear regressions were performed on the composite cognitive score. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on sex and age groups (45-59 years and ≥60 years). Results: The median (IQR) cognition score was 25 (20-30). A sleep duration of ≤4 hours was associated with a decrease in cognition status of 1.15 points (1.57-0.72), and a sleep duration of ≥9 hours was associated with a decrease of 0.93 points (1.25-0.60). Subgroup analysis revealed that this relationship remained consistent across both genders and both age groups. Conclusion: Both long and short durations of sleep were seen to be associated with a decrease in cognition scores among Indian adults, in both sexes and both age groups. Thus, proper sleep duration can help in the prevention of declining cognition as one ages and the development of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Population ageing is expected to be accompanied by an increase in multi-morbidity, i.e. the co-occurrence of multiple chronic conditions simultaneously. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant disease prevalent in ageing men. Both BPH and multi-morbidity are known to have a significant impact on quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the association between BPH and multimorbidity among older adults and the elderly population in India. Methods This is an analytical cross-sectional study involving secondary data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave I 2017-18. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to study the association between BPH and multimorbidity while accounting for other associated factors. Results Compared to those having no co-morbidities, the odds of having BPH increased with the increasing number of co-morbidities. Those with at least two co-morbidities were twice as likely (aOR=2.19; 95%CI 1.78-2.72), and those with at least four co-morbidities were almost six times as likely (aOR=5.78; 95%CI 2-16.72) to have BPH as compared to those with no co-morbidities. The association was stronger among males >60 years. Conclusion Self-reported benign prostatic hyperplasia was found to be strongly associated with multi-morbidity. The need of the hour is the inclusion of BPH within the framework of a national health programme. Health technology assessment of high-risk screening strategies for BPH may be conducted among patients with multimorbidity. Research into the impact on the quality of life of those affected by both BPH and multimorbidity will help highlight this as a priority problem for decision-makers., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Halder et al.)