<b>Introduction</b><br> Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and organochlorines (OCs) are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment and proposed endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). They can be transferred across the placenta during pregnancy, and studies suggest that the prenatal period may be particularly sensitive for influences on fetal growth and development. Several studies have ...

Introduction: We examined if we could identify predictors for smoking cessation at six months post cessation, among smokers enrolled in a large Norwegian populationbased intervention study.<p> <p>Methods: We followed 4333 (72.1% women) smokers who enrolled in an internetbased smoking cessation intervention during 2010–2012. The baseline questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic and ...

<p>Aims: The objectives of this study are to identify the proportion and characteristics of people with type 1 and 2 diabetes treated in primary, specialist and shared care and to identify the proportion of persons with type 2 diabetes reaching HbA_1c treatment targets and the clinical risk factors and general practitioner and practice characteristics associated with treatment in specialist ...

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Russia is among the highest in the world. CVD mortality rate among Russian middle-aged (30-59) men and women is more than ten times higher than in Norway. Comparative studies however show that abnormally high levels of the conventional (atherosclerotic) cardiovascular risk factors such as serum cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and hypertension are ...

<p><i>Background:</i> Diabetes patient associations and diabetes-specific patient groups around the world are present on social media. Although active participation and engagement in these diabetes social media groups has been mostly linked to positive effects, very little is known about the content that is shared on these channels or the post features that engage their users the most. <p><i>Objective:</i> ...

<i>Background</i> - The first 1000 days of life, from conception to the second birthday, offer a unique window of opportunity for optimal growth, critical for future health. The primary aim of this study was to analyze growth of children between 12 and 24 months age in Tanzanian children, and to explore possible predictors for growth.<p> <p><i>Methods</i> - Observational, cross-sectional study ...

<i>Background</i>: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hematological genetic disease affecting over 25 million people worldwide. The main clinical manifestations of SCD, hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusion, lead to chronic pain and organ damages. With recent advances in childhood care, high-income countries have seen SCD drift from a disease of early childhood mortality to a neglected chronic disease of ...

In sub-Saharan Africa, most new HIV infections occur in stable relationships, making couples testing an important intervention for HIV prevention. We explored factors shaping the decision-making of cohabiting couples who opted to self-test in Blantyre, Malawi. Thirty-four self-tested participants (17 couples) were interviewed. Motivators for HIV self-testing (HIVST) emerged at three main levels. ...

The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on factors that determine decision making in child protection investigations. More specifically, to investigate the existing research on the 4 factors that are considered fundamental for child protection decision making: case characteristics, caseworker characteristics, organizational characteristics, and external factors. The ...

<p><i>Background</i>: In recent years, the world has seen a surge in Enterobacteriaceae resistant to broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics due to the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) or plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC) enzymes. Data on the epidemiology of cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Sub-Saharan Africa are still limited.</p> <p><i>Methods</i>: Two hundred ...