Total antioxidant capacity increased in smokers who took fish oil supplements -- Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Vol.31 No.3

This is our second consecutive post on the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. Today we are featuring vol.31 no.3. 

This issue includes "Protective Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on DNA Damage Induced by Cigarette Smoking" by Ghorbanihaghjo et al. This study examines the influence of fish oil supplements on 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and total antioxidant capacity of 40 healthy male smokers. Half of the smokers were given fish oil supplements to take once a day for three months, and the other half were given a placebo to take once a day for three months. 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and total antioxidant capacity of each person was taken through blood samples before and after the intervention. The results indicated that 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine significantly decreased and total antioxidant capacity was increased in the group taking fish oil supplements after three months. The study concludes that fish oil supplements can help increase antioxidant capacity.

This issue also includes "Food Insecurity and Its Sociodemographic Correlates among Afghan Immigrants in Iran" by Omidvar et al. This study examines the prevalence of food insecurity and sociodemographic determinants among Afghan immigrants in the cities of Mashad and Tehran in Iran. 310 females participated in a qualitative questionnaire. A locally-adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to measure food security. 60% reported to have moderate-to-severe food insecurity. 37% faced mild food insecurity, while 23% reported to be food secure. Food insecurity was more prevalent in Mashad than Tehran, and relatively high among Afghan immigrants overall.

For the complete results of these studies and other studies from this article, click here.

Almost 38% of pregnant women in this study were found to have prenatal vitamin A deficiency -- Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Vol.31 No.2

This week we will be featuring the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition on the blog. 

Today we are featuring vol.31 no.2. This issue includes "Prevalence and Correlates of Prenatal Vitamin A Deficiency in Rural Sidama, Southern Ethiopia" by Gebresalassie et al. This study examines the correlation and prevalence of prenatal vitamin A deficiency in rural Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. Seven hundred pregnant women were randomly selected for the study. High-performance liquid chromatography determined serum retinol concentration. Researchers analyzed data using logistic and linear regression. The results indicated that prenatal vitamin A deficiency was found in almost 38% of cases. The odds of having prenatal vitamin A deficiency was higher in women who did not have a self-earned income or education. Women between the ages of 35 and 49 had over 2 times the odds of having prenatal vitamin A deficiency than women between the ages of 15 and 24 years. The results also indicated that the lower the dietary diversity score before the survey, the higher the odds of vitamin A deficiency.

"Sleeping under Insecticide-treated Nets to Prevent Malaria in Nigeria: What Do We Know?" by Oneyeho is also featured in this issue. This study was conducted through focus group discussions in 3 geopolitcal zones in Nigeria to assess the usage of insecticide-treated nets to protect against the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Through these focus group discussions, it was found that people had poor knowledge of mosquito bites and malaria, which resulted in improper usage. Among the improper usage was using the nets as door and window blinds with the misconception that this would protect the entire house. Only two nets were given per household. The study concluded that community structures such as places of worship could be used to educate the community about health and malaria.

These articles and other articles from this issue can be found here.