Low acceptance of intimate partner violence by pregnant women in Uganda predicts higher uptake of HIV self-testing among their male partners.

: Heterosexual couples are at high risk for HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa, and HIV self-testing (HST) is an additional approach to expand access to HIV testing services. However, it is not well known how gender equality is associated with HST.: We used intervention-arm data from a cluster-randomised controlled HST intervention trial ( = 1 618) conducted in Uganda to determine the association between attitudes towards intimate partner violence (IPV), decision-making power and male partner's uptake of HST among heterosexual couples expecting a child in south-central Uganda.

Socio-demographic predictors of gender inequality among heterosexual couples expecting a child in south-central Uganda.

Background: Gender inequality is a pervasive problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and has negative effects on health and development.

Objective: Here, we sought to identify socioeconomic predictors of gender inequality (measured by low decision-making power and high acceptance of intimate partner violence) within heterosexual couples expecting a child in south-central Uganda.

Method: We used data from a two-arm cluster randomized controlled HIV self-testing intervention trial conducted in three antenatal clinics in south-central Uganda among 1,618 enrolled women and 1,198 male partners.

The Rates of Nonunion and Malunion in Lower Extremity Fractures: Experience in South Carolina over 17 years.

Our purpose was to determine the rates of lower extremity nonunion and malunion over 17 years in South Carolina. Our hypothesis was that malunions and nonunions decreased over time due to improved access to trauma centers and improved orthopaedic surgical training. The South Carolina Department of Budget and Control Hospital Discharge Database was queried between 1998-2014 and yielded a total of 4,994 malunions and 16,454 nonunions.

NICU infants who require a feeding gastrostomy for discharge.

Objective: To determine population data for infants receiving a gastrostomy tube (GT) in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to better understand the premature infant population at risk for GT prior to discharge.

Study Design: We identified all NICU infants born 2015-2016 who received a GT and determined the birth gestational age below which GTs were placed due to oral feeding failure secondary to prematurity-related comorbidities, rather than anomalies or other reasons. Aggregate data were used to compare infants born <30 weeks (w) gestation who received a GT with those who did not.

Relationship Gender Equality and Couples' Uptake of Oral Human Immunodeficiency Virus Self-Testing Kits Delivered by Pregnant Women in Kenya.

Background: Higher gender equality is associated with many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preventive behaviors, including HIV testing. HIV self-testing is a relatively new testing technology that could assist with HIV prevention. However, there are no studies examining gender equality and HIV self-testing.

Social and Demographic Predictors of Gender Inequality Among Heterosexual Couples Expecting a Child in Central Kenya.

Imbalance of power and equality in sexual relationships is linked to health in various ways, including (1) reduced ability to get information or take action, (2) increased violence between partners, and (3) influence on the reduced use of health services. While there has been research assessing multiple social and economic variables related to gender inequality, studies have used many different definitions of gender inequality, and there is a lack of this research within a pregnancy context. Here, we attempt to identify social and economic predictors of gender inequality (measured by decision-making power and acceptance of intimate partner violence) within heterosexual couples expecting a child in central Kenya.

Determining the Joint Effect of Obesity and Diabetes on All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular-Related Mortality following an Ischemic Stroke.

Although obesity and diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, are independently associated with mortality-related events ( all-cause mortality and cardiovascular-related mortality) following an ischemic stroke, little is known about the joint effect of obesity and diabetes on mortality-related events following an ischemic stroke. The aim of this study is to evaluate the joint effect of obesity and diabetes on mortality-related events in subjects with a recent ischemic stroke. Data from the multicenter Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS) trial was analyzed for this study.

Determining the joint effect of obesity and diabetes on functional disability at 3-months and on all-cause mortality at 1-year following an ischemic stroke.

Background: Obesity and diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, are independently associated with post-ischemic stroke outcomes (e.g., functional disability and all-cause mortality).

The epidemiology of stroke in Africa: A systematic review of existing methods and new approaches.

Accurate epidemiological surveillance of the burden of stroke is direly needed to facilitate the development and evaluation of effective interventions in Africa. The authors therefore conducted a systematic review of the methodology of stroke epidemiological studies conducted in Africa from 1970 to 2017 using gold standard criteria obtained from landmark epidemiological publications. Of 1330 articles extracted, only 50 articles were eligible for review grouped under incidence, prevalence, case-fatality, health-related quality of life, and disability-adjusted life-years studies.

Risk Factors for Admission and Prolonged Length of Stay in Pediatric Isolated Skull Fractures.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess management of pediatric isolated skull fracture (ISF) patients by determining frequency of admission and describing characteristics associated with patients admitted for observation compared with patients discharged directly from the emergency department (ED) and those requiring a prolonged hospitalization.

Methods: We evaluated children younger than 5 years who presented with ISF using the South Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registry System data from 2001 to 2011. Outcomes analyzed included discharged from ED, admitted for less than 24 hours, and admitted for more than 24 hours (prolonged hospitalization).

Behavioral health in young adults with epilepsy: Implications for transition of care.

Aim: Neurodevelopmental and behavioral health disorders commonly occur with epilepsy, yet risk for young adults is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and risk characteristics of neurodevelopmental and behavior health comorbidities among young adults with epilepsy compared with those among young adults with migraine and healthy controls.

Method: A case-control study examining hospital admission, outpatient, and emergency department (ED) visits for young adults with an ICD-9-CM diagnosis of epilepsy, migraine, or lower extremity fracture (LEF) was conducted.

Mortality following status epilepticus in persons with and without epilepsy.

Purpose: Incidence of status epilepticus (SE) ranges from 6.8 to 41.0 per 100,000 population.

Mortality in people with epilepsy: A statewide retrospective cohort study.

Rationale: People with epilepsy (PWE) have a higher risk of mortality than the general population, because of disparities in the receipt of appropriate epilepsy care, which may be affected by socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity and insurance coverage. Increased epilepsy prevalence has been associated with black race, low educational attainment, unemployment, and low income levels. Rural/urban residence may affect health through individual or environmental factors.

Epidemiology of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Among Persons Older Than 21 Years: A Population-Based Study in South Carolina, 1998-2012.

Background: A gap exists in the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in a statewide population.

Objective: To describe population-based epidemiology and trend of TSCI in persons 22 years and older in South Carolina over a 15-year period from 1998 through 2012.

Methods: Data on patients with TSCI were obtained from ongoing statewide TSCI surveillance and follow-up registry.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in a Population-Based Cohort, 1998-2012.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) that occurs in children and adolescents who are still developing represents a different challenge than SCI in adults. However, information on the epidemiology and incidence of SCI in a population-based cohort is lacking.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of pediatric SCI in a population-based cohort in the United States and to assess trend in incidence over a 15-year period (1998-2012).

Population-based comparative analysis of risk of death in children and adolescents with epilepsy and migraine.

Objective: Follow-up studies of children and adolescents with epilepsy (CAW-E) have revealed higher risk of mortality than children in the general population. The mortality experience of CAW-E relative to patients with other common neurologic disorders in the pediatric age group is yet undetermined. The objectives of this study are the following: (1) to compare the causes and the adjusted risk of death in CAW-E with that of children and adolescents with migraine (CAW-M) in reference to children and adolescents with lower extremity fracture (CAW-LEF), and children and adolescents in the general population; (2) to evaluate if disparate mortality risks exist by demographic characteristics.

Determining patient needs: A partnership with South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy (SAFE).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to collaborate with a community partner to administer a current needs assessment of persons with epilepsy (PWE) and determine the types of resources that PWE would like to access through the community partner.

Methods: A self-report needs assessment survey was administered to caregivers and PWE across the state of South Carolina during a community partner educational workshop (n=20) and via secure software distributed through an email link (n=54).

Key Findings: The most frequently reported challenges (>50%) were concerns about finding time to participate in epilepsy community activities, the personal safety of the PWE, finding social connections or social support, finding mental or behavioral health services, and work concerns.

Approaches for dealing with various sources of overdispersion in modeling count data: Scale adjustment versus modeling.

Overdispersion is a common problem in count data. It can occur due to extra population-heterogeneity, omission of key predictors, and outliers. Unless properly handled, this can lead to invalid inference.

Stroke after adult-onset epilepsy: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Earlier studies indicate a higher risk of subsequent stroke in PWE aged ≥60. However, little is known of the incidence of subsequent stroke in people with epilepsy (PWE) aged 35 through 60. We determined the risk factors that increase the incidence of stroke following adult-onset epilepsy in a large statewide population over a 10-year period.

Premature deaths among children with epilepsy - South Carolina, 2000-2011.

Epilepsy is a common childhood neurologic disorder. In 2007, epilepsy affected an estimated 450,000 children aged 0-17 years in the United States. Approximately 53% of children with epilepsy and special health care needs have co-occurring conditions, and only about one third have access to comprehensive care.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in people with epilepsy.

Objective: Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among people with epilepsy (PWEs) has not been previously reported. Standard VTE prevention methods may increase the risk of complications in this population. This statewide study assessed the risk of VTE in PWEs.

Neurodevelopmental and mental health comorbidities in children and adolescents with epilepsy and migraine: a response to identified research gaps.

Aim: To determine the distribution and risk characteristics of comorbid neurodevelopmental and mental health comorbidities among children and adolescents (6-18y) with epilepsy or migraine (i.e. a neurological condition with shared features and potential etiology) compared with lower extremity fracture (LEF).

Abusive head trauma in young children: a population-based study.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to provide population-based incidence estimate of abusive head trauma (AHT) in children aged 0 to 5 years from inpatient and emergency department (ED) and identify risk characteristics for recognizing high-risk children to improve public health surveillance.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study based on children's first encounter in ED or hospital admission with a diagnosis of head trauma (HT), 2000-2010. The relationship between clinical markers and AHT was examined controlling for covariables in the model using Cox hazards regression.