Hypertension is a major public health burden in Bangladesh. However, studies considering the underlying multifaceted risk factors of this health condition are sparse. The present study concurrently examines anthropometric parameters and intermediary factors influencing hypertension risk in Bangladesh. Using the 2018 World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) study conducted in Bangladesh and involving 8019 nationally representative adult respondents, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between anthropometrics, other intermediary factors and hypertension. The regression results were presented using the odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The risk of hypertension was higher among females and males who were 40 years and older. However, among females, those who were age 60 years and older were more than twice and thrice more likely to be hypertensive compared to those in the younger age groups (18–39, 40–59). Females who were obese (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], waist to height ratio [WHtR]) or had high waist circumference [WC] were twice as likely to be hypertensive. Males and females who were physically active, consuming more fruits and vegetables daily and educated had lower odds of developing hypertension. Key findings suggest that the association between anthropometric indices (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], waist to height ratio [WHtR]), waist circumference [WC]), other intermediary determinants (e.g., education, physical activity) and hypertension exist across gender and with increasing age among adults in Bangladesh. Developing appropriate public health interventions (e.g., regular assessment of anthropometric parameters) for early identification of the risk and pattern of hypertension through appropriate screening and diagnosis is required to meet the specific health needs of the adult Bangladesh population.

Background: A wish to die is common in elderly people. Concerns about death wishes among the elderly have risen in Ghana, where the ageing transition is comparable to other low-and middle-income countries. However, nationally representative research on death wishes in the elderly in the country is not readily available. Our study aimed to assess the determinants of the wish to die among the elderly in Ghana. Methods: We analysed data from the World Health Organisation Global Ageing and Adult Health Survey, Wave 1 (2007–2008) for Ghana. Data on the wish to die, socio-demographic profiles, health factors and substance abuse were retrieved from 2147 respondents aged 65 and above. Ages of respondents were categorised as 65–74 years; 75–84 years; 85+ to reflect the main stages of ageing. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between these factors and the wish to die. Results: Age, sex, place of residence, education, body mass index, hypertension, stroke, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, income, diabetes, visual impairment, hopelessness and depression had statistically significant associations with a wish to die. Older age cohorts (75–84 and 85+) were more likely to have the wish to die (AOR = 1.05, CI = 1.02–1.16; AOR = 1.48, CI = 1.22–1.94), compared to younger age cohorts (65–74 years). Persons who felt hopeless had higher odds (AOR = 2.15, CI = 2.11–2.20) of experiencing the wish to die as compared to those who were hopeful. Conclusions: In view of the relationship between socio-demographic (i.e., age, sex, education and employment), hopelessness, anthropometric (body mass index), other health factors and the wish to die among the elderly in Ghana, specific biopsychosocial health promotion programmes, including timely identification of persons at risk, for appropriate intervention (e.g., psychotherapy, interpersonal support, alcohol-tobacco cessation therapy, clinical help) to promote their wish for a longer life is needed.

Information on the concentration of body mass index and child death among females in Malawi, where the epidemics of weight gain have been disconcerting and preventable deaths among children linger, is limited. Therefore, the study examined the polarity of body mass index and the death of children among females. Using data from the Malawian Demographic and Health Survey from 2000 to 2015–2016, the study applied for the first time the index of concentration at the extremes and indirect demographic techniques to estimate the polarity of body mass index and child mortality among 65,499 females aged 15 to 49 years. The preponderance of obesity more than doubled from 2000 to 2015–2016 and was highest among females who were older (35–49 years), urban dwellers, rich, and located in districts within the central and southern regions. In addition, child survival was low among underweight, overweight, and obese females. While national-, regional-, and individual-level statistics are in development, these findings provide helpful information for health experts and other stakeholders to initiate appropriate age-region specific programs and interventions in Malawi, including targeting females in the high socio-economic bracket.

An individual’s subjective judgment about his or her Human Immunodeficiency Virus status depends on certain factors, behavioral, health, and sociodemographic alike. This paper aims to develop a model with good accuracy for predicting subjective HIV infection status using the random forest approach. A total of 12,796 responses of Malawians over a 12-year period were assessed. Fourteen risk factors including behavioral, health, and sociodemographic information were analysed as potential predictors of subjective Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection status in the general population and thirteen behavioral, health, and sociodemographic information were analysed among males and females. The random forest approach was adopted to build a comprehensive model comprising 14 risk factors in Malawi. It was revealed that age, worries about infection, and health rate were the most significant predictors as compared to use of condoms, marital status, and education which were the least important predictors of subjective Human Immunodeficiency Virus status in Malawi. However, the importance of infidelity on the part of a spouse and marital status as predictors of subjective Human Immunodeficiency Virus status alternated among males and females. The importance of infidelity and marital status was relatively high among females than among males. The model achieved a prediction accuracy of about 97%–99% measured by c-statistic with jack-knife cross validation and verified by Mathews correlation coefficient. As a result, RF based model has great potential to be an effective approach for analysing subjective health status.

Abstract Background: Recent empirical evidence suggests variations in handgrip strength in the elder years of life depending on multiple parameters, but such evidence is lacking in Ghana. The study determines what multiple factors are associated with handgrip strength among the older population in Ghana. Method: Using data from the World Health organisation Global Ageing and Adult Health Survey (SAGE) Wave 1, four thousand, five hundred and ninety-six Ghanaians aged 50 and above years were selected through a multistage sampling technique in the country. Results: It was revealed that handgrip strength decreased with age and on the average was lower among females. Older females had a weaker handgrip strength than their male counterparts. Handgrip strength was higher among persons who were not suffering from hypertension or arthritis. Additionally, weight (Model 1, [left hand {ꞵ= 0.95, p<0.01}, right hand {ꞵ=0.18, p<0.01}]); Model 2, [left hand {ꞵ=0.59, p<0.01}, right hand {ꞵ=0.01, p<0.001}]) and height (Model 1, [left hand {ꞵ= 0.04, p<0.01}, right hand {ꞵ=0.45, p<0.01}]); Model 2, [left hand {ꞵ=0.38, p<0.01}, right hand {ꞵ=0.03, p<0.001}]) were associated with increased grip strength. Conclusions: Older adults’ physical deterioration is inevitable because of structural and functional musculoskeletal limitations due to ageing. Hence, a timely identification of those at risk for appropriate intervention to promote their healthy living is necessary.

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Background and study aim: Circulatory and respiratory diseases, neoplasms and external causes of death are the major clusters of diseases leading causes of death among males in Egypt. We studied the age-and cause-specific mortality among males in Egypt from 2000 to 2015. The study measured the trends in age-and cause-specific mortality and the recorded rates of the standardized deaths among males in Egypt. Materials and Methods: We used data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database and United Nations Population Division to estimate the standardized death rates from circulatory and respiratory diseases, neoplasms, external causes and all other causes of death among males in Egypt for a period of 16 years. Results: We found that recorded death rates from circulatory diseases were highest while death rates from external causes were the least. All the causes of death we studied were highest in ages 45 and above years. Youthful ages recorded the least mortality from all the cause of mortality we studied. Conclusion: Health policies and programs should target circulatory diseases and its related mortality and the other causes of death in the adult and elderly years of male life in Egypt.