Masako Ono-Kihara

Internationally, the prevalence of gambling disorder has been reported to be higher among homeless people than the general population; however, little is known about the factors associated with gambling disorder in this population. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of gambling disorder and its associated factors among homeless men using shelters in Osaka City. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 30 to 2018 to 4 January 2019, using the 2017 Japanese National Survey of Gambling (JNSG) questionnaire, supplemented with questions about homeless experiences, drinking, and smoking. Using the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the presence of gambling disorder was determined by a score ≥ 5 out of 20. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to explore factors associated with lifetime gambling disorder. Lifetime and past-year prevalence of gambling disorder among 103 participants was 43.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.5–53.3) and 3.9% (95% CI: 1.5–9.6), respectively, which are higher than the 6.7% and 1.5% found among men in the 2017 JNSG. Reasons reported for currently gambling less were primarily financial. Factors associated with lifetime GD included “more than 20 years since the first incidence of homelessness” (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.97, 95% CI: 1.50–16.45) and “more than five incidences of homelessness” (AOR: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.06–19.26). When homeless individuals with gambling disorder try to rebuild and stabilize their lives, the presence or resurgence of gambling disorder may hinder the process and pose a risk of recurring homelessness. Comprehensive support services for homeless individuals with gambling disorder are required. (250 words)

In developing countries such as Egypt, the risk of blood-borne diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus is high for healthcare workers. To evaluate infection control knowledge, attitudes and practices, as well as the associated risk of percutaneous infection among dental students, a cross-sectional study was conducted in four Egyptian public dental schools in 2016. A total of 1776 students received an anonymous questionnaire on infection control knowledge, attitudes, and practices and the occurrence of needle and sharps injuries; 1067 (60.1%) completed the questionnaire. Third- (pre-clinical), fourth- (junior-clinical), and fifth-year (senior-clinical) students comprised 44.2%, 15.6%, and 40.2%, respectively. Although the majority of the students reported good attitudes and practices for infection control, knowledge scores were generally low. Female students scored higher on self-protection and sterilization practices than did male students, and the fourth-year students showed significantly higher scores for infection control practice than did the fifth-year students. In multivariate analysis, higher scores for all infection control practices were associated with higher scores for attitudes towards infection control and fewer (1–3) needle injury experiences. Although an alarming proportion had experienced needle or sharps injuries during clinical training, around 30% of the students had not received a complete hepatitis B vaccination. Future infection control education should introduce refresher training before graduation that focuses on injury prevention and post-exposure protocols. Additionally, introducing safer products and clinical procedures is highly recommended to minimize the risk of injuries during clinical practice for dental students in Egypt.

Kenya is experiencing a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet data to inform effective interventions are limited. We investigated the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and their determinants in a rapidly urbanizing area in Kenya. Data on socio-demographics, dietary and behavioural risk factors, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood glucose, plasma lipids and urinary biomarkers were collected from 221 men and 372 women (25–64 years). Multivariable logistic regression models assessed correlates of elevated blood pressure (EBP) and elevated blood glucose (EBG). Participants’ mean age was 38.0. ± 11.1 years. The prevalence rates of pre-hypertension and hypertension were 49.0% and 31.6% in men and 43.7% and 20.1% in women, respectively, while those of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 8.4% and 8.0% in men and 11.6% and 7.4% in women, respectively. The prevalence of Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² was higher in women (60.2%) than in men (39.7%). However, both the risk of EBP and EBG were stronger among men than among women. The high prevalence rates of EBP, EBG and overweight/obesity coupled with low physical activity and low fruit and vegetable intake predispose this population to a higher NCD risk. Interventions to mitigate this risk considering the sex differences are urgently required.