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PubMed2004

Substance use, social networks, and the geography of urban adolescents.

This article demonstrates a research strategy and prevention methodology for substance using urban youth that incorporates individual, social, and geographical parameters to systematically understand the ecology of risk and protection for urban youth. The primary goal of this study was to describe and analyze substance using and nonusing urban adolescents' social networks; risky and protective settings where they socialize; and the relationship to health outcomes such as substance use, depression, and stress. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) derived spatial relationships and analyses between the specific locations where the teens are active, their subjective ratings of these locations, and objective environmental risk data. These social network and GIS data were merged to form a detailed description and analysis of the social ecology of urban adolescent substance use. A case study was constructed to illustrate the methodology of creating a three-dimentional ecological profile that helps explain these relationships and provides preventive applications. Linear distances were computed between the homes of the users and the risky and safe places that they identified. On average, the distance between users' homes and their identified safe places was three times the distance between their homes and their identified risky places. This study provides support for understanding urban adolescent substance use through the detailed and multiple dimensional analysis of teens' social ecologies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Health impact on caregivers of providing informal care to a cognitively impaired older adult: rural versus urban settings.

INTRODUCTION: Rural caregivers, compared to urban caregivers, may experience a heavier burden, which could result in poorer health status for these caregivers. Furthermore, caregiving demands may prevent rural caregivers from engaging in healthy behaviours. We investigated potential differences between rural and urban caregivers in the health impact on these caregivers of caring for cognitively impaired individuals. METHODS: Two convenience samples of caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment were obtained from Northern Ontario. The rural sample (n = 20) was taken from a community of < 15,000 inhabitants, the urban sample (n = 17) from a community of 125,000. We obtained demographical information for caregivers and care recipients, and information regarding the level of independence in activities of daily living and frequency of behaviour problems of care recipients, the type and quantity of supports available and used by caregivers, global health indices and a measure of healthy behaviours from caregivers. RESULTS: A greater proportion of rural caregivers was non-spousal and employed. Care recipients' characteristics from the 2 groups were similar, except for higher frequencies of behaviour problems among the rural sample. Rural caregivers had access to fewer formal supports but did not report greater burden, poorer health status, or fewer healthy behaviours than urban caregivers. However, for rural caregivers, higher reports of burden were associated with fewer healthy behaviours (r = 0.79, p = 0.001); we found no such association for urban caregivers (r = 0.04, p = 0.861). CONCLUSION: Rural caregivers may have special needs regarding the management of behaviour problems in care recipients and in the promotion of healthy behaviours for themselves. Primary health care providers have an important role in ensuring that these needs are met.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Community prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in rural and urban Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are becoming increasingly common in India. Currently, antenatal prevalence is a surrogate marker for HIV prevalence in the community. The association between antenatal and community prevalence of HIV needs to be validated so that estimates can be verified or adjusted appropriately. METHODS: A probability proportional to size cluster survey was conducted in the Kaniyambadi block of Vellore district and in the urban wards of Vellore town to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to rubella from August 1999 to February 2000. All personal identifier data from the serum samples were removed to yield a collection for which only the age and sex were known. Estimation of antibodies to HIV in sera from individuals between 15 and 40 years of age, was carried out by one screening ELISA and the reactive sera were further subjected to a supplementary test. RESULTS: We tested 1512 serum samples from subjects residing in rural areas and 1358 samples from those residing in urban areas. The seropositivity among rural samples was 0.66% and among urban samples 1.4%. The prevalence was almost equal among men and women and the youngest infected individual was 15 years old. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HIV during the period of study was similar to the national surveillance data for Tamil Nadu based on antenatal women. HIV prevalence differs in urban and rural Tamil Nadu, with urban areas having a higher burden of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Nutrient intake of urban and rural elderly receiving home-delivered meals.

We evaluated nutrient intake (as measured by a 3-day food record) and nondietary factors that may influence nutrient intake in urban (n = 48) and rural (n = 47) elderly clients in the Title III C home-delivered meal program. Mean nutrient intake did not differ significantly between the two populations; each population met or exceeded 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for all nutrients other than energy, vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. However, 70% of the individuals within each population had intakes below 66% of the RDA for three or more nutrients and were thus classified as having poor diets. Factors such as the need for assistance with shopping and cooking, living situation, vitamin/mineral supplementation, prescription drugs, and dentition did not significantly predict nutritional intake in either the urban or the rural cohorts. However, 50% to 70% of both the rural and the urban homebound elderly needed assistance with cooking and shopping for food. The rural elderly relied on family members for help with shopping and cooking to a greater extent than did their urban counterparts. We conclude that nutrient intake of the homebound elderly is not affected by geographic location. However, both rural and urban clients are at risk for developing nutrient deficiencies.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[Analysis of reproductive parameters of urban and rural population of Chuvashia].

Genetic and demographic characteristics for urban and rural population of the Chuvash Republic (Chuvashes and Russians) were calculated based on 1122 questionnaires. The sibship sizes for Chuvashes were 2.05 (urban) and 2.78 (rural). For Russians these indices were 1.75 (urban) and 2.00 (rural), respectively. Crow's index and its components were I(m) = 0.04; I(f) = 0.18; and I(tot) = 0.22 for urban, and I(m) = 0.07; I(f) = 0.27; and I(tot) = 0.36 for rural Chuvashes, respectively; and I(m) = 0.04; I(f) = 0.30; and I(tot) = 0.36 for urban, and I(m) = 0.03; I(f) = 0.29; and I(tot) = 0.33 for rural Russians, respectively.

Ethnicity↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiological study of child & adolescent psychiatric disorders in urban & rural areas of Bangalore, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on child mental health needs in our country. Therefore, an epidemiological study to determine the prevalence rates of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders was initiated as a two-centre (Bangalore and Lucknow) study by the Indian Council of Medical Research. It also aimed to study the psychosocial correlates of the psychiatric disorders. We present here the findings of Bangalore Centre. METHODS: In Bangalore, 2064 children aged 0-16 yr, were selected by stratified random sampling from urban middle-class, urban slum and rural areas. The screening stage was followed by a detailed evaluation stage. The ICD-10 DCR criteria were used to reach a penta-axial diagnosis. RESULTS: The results indicated a prevalence rate of 12.5 per cent among children aged 0-16 yr. There were no significant differences among prevalence rates in urban middle class, slum and rural areas. The psychiatric morbidity among 0-3 yr old children was 13.8 per cent with the most common diagnoses being breath holding spells, pica, behaviour disorder NOS, expressive language disorder and mental retardation. The prevalence rate in the 4-16 yr old children was 12.0 per cent. Enuresis, specific phobia, hyperkinetic disorders, stuttering and oppositional defiant disorder were the most frequent diagnoses. When impairment associated with the disorder was assessed, significant disability was found in 5.3 per cent of the 4-16 yr group. Assessment of felt treatment needs indicated that only 37.5 per cent of the families perceived that their children had any problem. Physical abuse and parental mental disorder were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity in 0-16 yr old children in India were found to be lower than Western figures. Middle class urban areas had highest and urban slum areas had lowest prevalence rates. The implications for clinical training, practice and policy initiatives are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Relationship between urban eco-environment and competitiveness with the background of globalization: statistical explanation based on industry type newly classified with environment demand and environment pressure.

Within the global urban system, the statistical relationship between urban eco-environment (UE) and urban competitiveness (UC) (RUEC) is researched. Data showed that there is a statistically inverted-U relationship between UE and UC. Eco-environmental factor is put into the classification of industries, and gets six industrial types by two indexes viz. industries' eco-environmental demand and pressure. The statistical results showed that there is a strong relationship, for new industrial classification, between the changes of industrial structure and evolvement of UE. The drive mechanism of the evolvement of urban eco-environment, with human demand and global work division was analyzed. The conclusion is that the development stratege, industrial policies of cities, and environmental policies fo cities must be fit with their ranks among the global urban system. At the era of globalization, so far as the environmental policies, their rationality could not be assessed with the level of strictness, but it can enhance cities' competitiveness when they are fit with cities' capabilities to attract and control some sections of the industry's value-chain. None but these kinds of environmental policies can probably enhance the UC.

China↗
PubMed2005

Scottish urban versus rural trauma outcome study.

BACKGROUND: Outcome following trauma and health care access are important components of health care planning. Resources are limited and quality information is required. We set the objective of comparing the outcomes for patients suffering significant trauma in urban and rural environments in Scotland. METHOD: The study was designed as a 2 year prospective observational study set in the west of Scotland, which has a population of 2.58 million persons. Primary outcome measures were defined as the total number of inpatient days, total number of intensive care unit days, and mortality. The participants were patients suffering moderate (ISS 9-15) and major (ISS>15) trauma within the region. The statistical analysis consisted of chi square test for categorical data and Mann Whitney U test for comparison of medians. RESULTS: There were 3,962 urban (85%) and 674 rural patients (15%). Urban patients were older (50 versus 46 years, p = 0.02), were largely male (62% versus 57%, p = 0.02), and suffered more penetrating traumas (9.9% versus 1.9%, p < 0.001). All prehospital times are significantly longer for rural patients (p < 0.001), include more air ambulance transfers (p < 0.001), and are characterized by greater paramedic presence (p < 0.001). Excluding neurosurgical and spinal injuries transfers, there was a higher proportion of transfers in the rural major trauma group (p = 0.002). There were more serious head injuries in the urban group (p = 0.04), and also a higher proportion of urban patients with head injuries transferred to the regional neurosurgical unit (p = 0.037). There were no differences in length of total inpatient stay (median 8 days, p = 0.7), total length of stay in the intensive care unit (median two days, p = 0.4), or mortality (324 deaths, moderate trauma, p = 0.13; major trauma, p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Long prehospital times in the rural environment were not associated with differences in mortality or length of stay in moderately and severely injured patients in the west of Scotland. This may lend support to a policy of rationalization of trauma services in Scotland.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMed2006

Academic performance and scientific involvement of final year medical students coming from urban and rural backgrounds.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the academic performance and research involvement of students coming from urban and rural backgrounds. To our knowledge, this is the first such study of undergraduate medical students in Croatia. METHOD: We surveyed the final (sixth) year medical students from Medical School, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Students were surveyed during the academic year 2004/2005, several months prior to their graduation. We analysed students' academic performance (grade point average, which is the most important academic success indicator in Croatia, and the number of failed study years) and research involvement (involvement in research projects and the possible subsequent publication of scientific articles). Additionally, we investigated the extent of extracurricular activities, and students' workplace preferences. Data were analysed using chi2 test, Fisher's exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, due to non-normal data distribution. RESULTS: A total of 204 students (out of 240 enrolled, with a response rate of 85%) were surveyed, and divided into three groups: (1) those coming from the highly urbanised background (capital and other highly urbanised areas; n = 100, 49%); (2) mid-urban (towns; n = 75, 37%); and (3) rural and remote backgrounds (n = 29, 14%). There was no indication of gender gap or age difference among the three groups. However, significant differences were recorded in most academic and research indicators. Students from highly urbanised backgrounds reported the best grade point average (p = 0.022). Students from rural and remote backgrounds most commonly reported a study year failure (p = 0.032), with 17 (59%) cases, compared with 32 (32%) and 31 (42%) cases in high and mid-urban ones, respectively. Rural and remote students were also the most likely to experience multiple years failure (p = 0.030), were the least often involved in research projects (p = 0.002), and reported the least interest in career supplemented with scientific research (p = 0.015). Finally, students from rural and remote backgrounds were the least commonly involved in extracurricular activities, such as membership in student organizations (p = 0.005), or various hobbies (p = 0.009). However, 12 (41%) of rural and remote students were likely to seek employment in rural and remote areas, compared with a much lower percent among high and mid-urban students, with 16 (16%) and 16 (21%) students, respectively (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: This study exhibited significant differences in the academic performance and research involvement of students coming from urban and rural backgrounds. Students from highly urbanised background reported the best academic indicators, while students from rural and remote backgrounds reported the poorest. Implementation of a rural students' support program should be strategically planned and carried out, because students from rural backgrounds in more than half the cases experienced a study year failure. Because students from rural and remote backgrounds were the most likely to prefer employment in rural and remote areas, they present a valuable resource for reduction of disparities in health workforce geographical distribution.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trends of head and neck cancers in urban and rural India.

BACKGROUND: The sub-site predilection of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) reflects the risk profile of a community and there are suggestions that these are changing over time. OBJECTIVE: To determine the change in head and neck cancer in rural and urban populations in India. METHODS: Cancer registry data of an urban and a rural population were reviewed over a period of 13 and 11 years, respectively. Age adjusted rates (AAR) and age specific incidence rates were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Oral cancers formed the majority of the head and neck cancers with a predilection for tongue, except in rural males, in whom the pharynx was the predominant sub-site. Overall there was a reduction in the incidence of HNSCC, which was more pronounced in urban females and rural males (p< .001). Among the sub-sites, oral cavity cancers showed a decreasing trend in urban females (p< .01) and rural males (p< .01). However, the trend was towards increase of incidence of tongue cancers. Pharyngeal cancer showed reduction in urban females (p< .01), whereas it increased in rural females. The recent increase in incidence of young adults with HNSCC reported in developed countries was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, incidence of HNSCC is reducing. This may be attributed to the decreased prevalence of tobacco use. The increase in incidence of tongue cancer may suggest factors other than tobacco and alcohol in its genesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Marriage-migration characteristics of the urban and rural populations of Udmurtia].

Marriage records of six raions (districts) of Udmurtia and the city of Glazov (a total of 10,518 records) have been used to calculate marriage-migration parameters. The endogamy indices of the rural and urban Udmurt populations are 0.59 (from 0.48 to 0.76 in individual districts) and 0.29, respectively, and those of the rural and urban Russian populations are 0.33 and 0.47, respectively. The mean ethnic assortativeness values are 1.05 and 0.89 for the rural and urban Udmurt populations, respectively, and 2.13 and 1.44 for the rural and urban Russian populations, respectively. The parameters of isolation by distance for the rural Udmurt population are the following: sigma = 52.4, a = 0.00035, and b = 0.012; those for the urban Udmurt population are 54.1, 0.00020, and 0.010, respectively.

Ethnicity↗
PubMed2006

A descriptive study comparing health attitudes of urban and rural oncology patients.

INTRODUCTION: Rural patients have poor outcomes in cancer management. Previous studies have shown different health beliefs and values in rural populations with high levels of stoicism and fatalism, leading to later presentation and diagnosis, with subsequent poorer prognosis and survival. This study explores the relationship between urban or rural background and health attitudes of newly diagnosed oncology patients, attending one oncology unit in north Queensland, during a 5 month period. This study is a forerunner to a planned larger project to explore the research question: do oncology patients from rural backgrounds differ in their health attitudes and hope levels compared with those from urban backgrounds? The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the selected validated instruments, newly diagnosed patients' willingness and ability to complete the composite survey instrument, and to identify likely issues for inclusion and/or greater focus in the larger project. As pilot studies are also used to develop or refine research questions and hypotheses, this article also considers some research questions for the planned large scale study. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaire survey of 47 patients newly referred to the Medical Oncology Department in The Townsville Cancer Centre. Scales used were: the EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess symptom burden and quality of life; the Duke UNS Functional Social Support Questionnaire to assess social support; the Herth Hope Index to assess hope; and the Multi-Dimensional Health Locus of Control to assess health beliefs. Data were collated and transformed according to the various scales' scoring manuals. Rurality was ascertained using the RRMA classification and patient self-assessment. Uni-variate analyses were conducted as small numbers precluded multi-variate analysis. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used where data were skewed, or categorical. Monte-Carlo estimations of p-values were generated. RESULTS: In all, 28 of 47 patients classified as rural, 27 were suitable for curative treatment, and 31 were male. Median age was 56 years. Some respondents (17%) identified as 'rural', although they had an urban residence, and vice versa. Health attitude scores were not affected by global health scores or by intent of treatment (palliative/curative). Males scored significantly higher for belief in chance. Rural patients scored significantly higher for internal belief and belief in chance. No statistically significant differences were evident between rural/urban patients by gender, nor social support scores. Hope levels were generally high with no significant difference between urban and rural patients, regardless of treatment intent. DISCUSSION: The study does reveal differences in health attitudes between urban and rural populations; however, there are several confounding factors which may contribute to this, especially gender. In this study women were under-represented. People with fatalistic beliefs (high belief in chance) tend to have poor initiative in health matters which may cause delay in seeking treatment, or poor compliance with treatment. Analysis is limited by small numbers of patients. This study is a pilot to a larger project to investigate health attitudes and decisions by oncology patients in northern Queensland. The questionnaire was well received by patients, but the need for a dedicated recruitment person was evident. There is a need to determine how patients identify in terms of rurality over and above their actual place of residence.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Spatio-temporal change and gradient differentiation of landscape pattern in Guangzhou City during its urbanization].

Guangzhou City is a rapidly urbanizing city in China, and a constructed city with holistic planning. By using the remote sensing images of 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2004, this paper studied the 20 years spatio-temporal changes of landscape pattern in Guangzhou, and analyzed the relationships between these changes and urbanization. The landscape and class-level pattern indices of whole Guangzhou City and its five districts were compared, and the results indicated that the landscape pattern in Guangzhou had an obvious spatio-temporal variation, and an increase of diversity and fractal dimension. The landscape structural complexity and fragmentation increased gradually from 1985 to 2004, and the variation intensity and tendency varied during four comparative stages 1985-1990, 1990-1995, 1995-2000, and 2000-2004. It was a rapid development period from 1985 to 1995 in Guangzhou. The represents of ten districts varied in their spatio-temporal landscape pattern, because of the different development progress and planning motive. The urbanization of Panyu was from 1990 to 2000, and its natural landscape was seriously disturbed by human activities. The represents of Conghua and Zengcheng districts were of integrative disturbance, and also, the urbanization process mainly took place during 1990-2000. In the city center consisting of 8 official constructed districts, the urbanization process happened earlier. In Huadu district, the landscape change revealed the frequent and severe human disturbance.

China↗
PubMed2006

Assessing the willingness of the public to pay to conserve urban green space: the Hangzhou City, China, case.

The authors assessed the willingness of residents to pay for urban green-space conservation in Hangzhou, China, using the contingent-valuation method. The aim of the study was to provide policy makers with information that would be useful for making informed decisions in urban-development planning. The findings of the study are as follows: 1) The willingness of residents to pay for urban green-space conservation was positively correlated with their perceptions of the benefits of green spaces and negatively correlated with perceptions of the annoyances. 2) The willingness to pay a higher premium for green-space conservation is directly related to gender, income level, and residential-ownership status. Age and education level are not significantly correlated with willingness to pay. 3) A majority of respondents view the conservation of urban green spaces as a very important function of the city, and most of them are willing to pay additional taxes for this conservation. 4) The total value per year to the public of the conservation program in Hangzhou is about $15.4 million. These qualitative and quantitative findings can be used in the policy-making process for urban-development plans.

China↗
PubMed2006

Legionella and other gram-negative bacteria in potable water from various rural and urban sources.

A total of 107 potable water samples were collected from various rural and urban sources located in the Lublin region (eastern Poland). 54 samples from rural sources comprised 32 samples of untreated well water and 22 samples of treated (chlorinated) tap water from rural dwellings distributed by the municipal water supply system (MWSS). 53 samples of treated water from urban sources were supplied by the city of Lublin MWSS. They comprised: 11 samples of tap water from offices and shops, 8 samples of tap water from dwellings, 19 samples from showerheads in health care units, and 15 samples from the outlets of medical appliances used for hydrotherapy in a rehabilitation centre. Water samples were examined for the presence and species composition of Legionella, Yersinia, Gram-negative bacteria belonging to family Enterobacteriaceae (GNB-E) and Gram-negative bacteria not belonging to family Enterobacteriaceae (GNB-NE), by filtering through cellulose filters and culture on respectively GVPC, CIN, EMB and tryptic soya agar media. Legionella was recovered from samples of well water, tap water from rural dwellings, tap water from urban dwellings, and water from medical appliances - with the isolation frequency of 27.8-50.0 %, and the low concentrations ranging from 0.7-13.3 x 10 (1) cfu/l. No Legionella strains were detected in tap water from offices and shops, and in water from showerheads in health care units. Strains of the Legionella pneumophila types 2-14 predominated, forming 89.9 % of total Legionella isolates, while other species of Legionella formed 10.1 %. Neither Legionella pneumophila type 1 strains nor Yersinia strains were isolated from the examined water samples. The isolation frequency and mean concentration of GNB-E in water samples from rural sources was significantly greater than in water samples from urban sources (respectively 61.1 % vs. 20.8 %, 17.1 vs. 3.4 x 10(1) cfu/l, p < 0.001). Isolation frequency of GNB-NE in water samples from rural sources was significantly greater compared to that from urban sources (77.8 % vs. 47.2 %, p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the concentration of GNB-NE in both sample sets. A significant correlation was found between concentrations of Legionella and GNB-NE for total MWSS water samples (p < 0.001), but not for the total well water samples. Altogether 34 GNB-E and GNB-NE species and/or genera were identified in the examined samples, out of which 21 were potentially pathogenic. Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Serratia spp., and Pantoea agglomerans were most common among GNB-E, while Acinetobacter spp. and species of Pseudomonadaceae family predominated among GNB-NE.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Why factors rooted in the family may solely explain the urban-rural differences in schizophrenia risk estimates.

Many studies have identified urban-rural differences in schizophrenia risk. The underlying cause(s) may hypothetically include toxic exposures, diet, infections, and selective migration. In a recent study, we concluded that some of the cause(s) responsible for the urban-rural differences in schizophrenia risk are rooted in families, but some might also be rooted in individuals. First, we describe temporality as a potential methodological pitfall within this line of research, then we review studies not subject to this pitfall, and finally, we describe why factors rooted in the family may solely explain the urban-rural differences. Although other potential explanations for these differences exist, we focus on this hypothesis as it has not previously been discussed in detail. To determine the cause(s) responsible for the urban-rural differences, we need direct measurements of genetic and/or environmental factors related to urban life.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia in rural and urban Indians.

BACKGROUND: Low vitamin B12 concentration in South Asian Indians is common, but the exact prevalence is not known. AIM: To investigate prevalence and associations of low vitamin B12 concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia in rural and urban Indian men living in and around Pune, Maharashtra. METHOD: We studied 441 middle-aged men (149 rural, 142 slum and 150 urban middle-class residents, mean age 39 y). Data on lifestyle, socio-economic status, nutrition and medical history were obtained. Circulating concentrations of vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, total homocysteine (tHcy), and haematological indices, and cardiovascular risk variables were measured. RESULTS: Median plasma B12 concentration was low (110 pmol/L): Overall, 67% of men had low vitamin B12 concentration (<150 pmol/L) and 58% had hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 micromol/L). Of the urban middle class, 81% had low vitamin B12 concentration and 79% had hyperhomocysteinemia. Low vitamin B12 concentration contributed 28% to the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia (population attributable risk) while low red cell folate contributed 2%. Vegetarians had 4.4 times (95% CI 2.1, 9.4) higher risk of low vitamin B12 concentrations and 3.0 times (95% CI 1.4, 6.5) higher risk of hyperhomocysteinemia compared to those who ate non-vegetarian foods frequently. Urban middle-class residence was an additional independent risk factor of hyperhomocysteinemia (odds ratio 7.6 (95% CI 2.5, 22.6), compared to rural men). Low vitamin B12 concentration was related to lower blood haemoglobin concentration and higher mean corpuscular volume, but macrocytic anemia was rare. CONCLUSION: Low vitamin B12 concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia are common in Indian men, particularly in vegetarians and urban middle class residents. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other parts of India.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Canine excrement in the urban environment: what is the solution?].

With the increase in urban dog populations during the 1960s and 1970s, the problem of canine excreta has become more serious, and has become a typical subject of concern for the urban environment and the quality of life. While there may be a discrepancy between the often controversial treatment of the subject by the media and the actual situation for city dwellers, responsibility lies with the local authorities. This article presents the results of ten years of theoretical study and practical applications, undertaken on behalf of the French Association for Information and Studies on Companion Animals (AFIRAC) by experts from many disciplines: doctors, veterinarians, ethologists, teachers, landscape gardeners, town planners and architects, in collaboration with those responsible for open spaces, roadways, urban cleaning, etc. The results obtained are illustrated by the success of programmes implemented by cities such as Grenoble, Le Havre and Mulhouse, and they have led to the establishment of basic principles designed to solve the problem of canine excreta in the urban environment. Details of these principles are provided: the need for an overall approach to animals in towns, a permanent long-term programme under centralised guidance, suitable regulations complemented by information, education, etc. Next there is an account of sanitary equipment specific for dealing with the problem of canine excreta in the urban environment. Cleaning and general maintenance of such equipment are also discussed.

Animals↗