Socioeconomic differences in physical disability at older age

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and physical disability at older age, using a framework that incorporates education, social class and wealth. Wave One data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing are used.

METHODS

Self-reported difficulties with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living and motor skills were combined and categorised into "no disability", "mild disability" and "severe disability". The indicators of SEP used were wealth, education and social class. Multinomial regression was used to assess the associations between SEP and physical functioning reflecting the temporal relationship between education, social class and wealth.

RESULTS

Men and women who had the highest levels of wealth, education and social class also had the lowest disability rates. The association was stronger in younger age groups and in men. The association of education with disability, which was found to be significant in the unadjusted models, was attenuated when adjusted for other factors such as occupation or wealth. This supports a temporal model of education feeding into occupation and then wealth. The association of SEP with disability was stronger for men and for men and women in the younger age group.

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic circumstances affect the prevalence and scale of physical disability even at older ages. In particular, wealth appears more important as a socioeconomic factor for physical disability than social class or education. Socioeconomic gradients in physical disability are greater for men than for women and for those in the younger age groups.

Child labour a reality: results from a study of a squatter settlement of Karachi

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan's exports have suffered heavy losses due to its denunciation for use of children in the industry on the premise that it destroys their childhood and desires for progress. The international community has not realized the root cause of child employment and imposed harsh economic sanctions that have harmed Pakistan's economy leading to further deterioration of health and well being of these unprivileged children.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the reasons behind child labour and to asses the occupational, health and related problems faced by the working children.

METHODS

This study was done in a section of a squatter settlement Bhutta village near the seaport called Accora with a population of 10000 (approx.). It was a cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire with questions regarding occupation, eating habits, health, hopes and aspirations. Respondents were 150 male working children permanent residents of Bhutta Village (Accora) selected by systematic sampling.

RESULTS

The children were between the ages of 12-14 years (mean = 13.91 yrs). The average family size of these children was 7.4 members and the average family income was Pak Rupees 2,884/month. Fifty seven percent said they get no time to rest whereas the remaining got half to one hour of rest during the day. The usual foods consumed included pulses (46%), vegetables (39%) and meat (15%). Eighty seven percent were not suffering from any disease at the time of interview. The children had an average income of Pak Rupees 615/month (range: 200-1200). Forty five percent were helpers in shops the rest were employed in other businesses. The reasons given for job included family support (89%), parent's pressure (5%), fond of work (4%), learning skills (1%) and self support (1%). The majority (56%) was working for more than 7 hours per-day and 79% said that they do not like to work. Majority of the children wanted to study, play, be born in another family and become doctors, engineers and officers.

CONCLUSION

The children in this area were deprived and were trapped between work for family and the desire of living the life of a child with hopes dreams and aspiration for a better future. Making them jobless is only going to aggravate their health and financial problems and will not improve their social and economic status. A policy for supporting these children has to be worked out which caters to their need for financial support and at the same time provides them with learning opportunities.

Metabolic effects of alcoholism and its relationship with alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic and excessive ethanol consumption is associated with cellular proliferation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer of liver. It was planned to study the effect of alcohol on different biochemical parameters as distribution of these parameters may lead to several complications in gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, brain etc.

METHODS

50 alcoholic males and 20 normal subject (with no history of alcohol) with an age ranges 30-45 years were included in the study. Biochemical parameters related to liver were estimated by standard kit. Besides, ions and electrolytes were also determined by standard kit and flame photometry.

RESULTS

It was observed that level of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transferase, protein and globulin were significantly increased as compared to normal subjects. Besides, ions like calcium and phosphate were significantly decreased. On the other hand the level of potassium and magnesium was significantly decreased as compared to normal subjects. Electrophoresis shows a protein of 100 Kda is present in the patients sample as compared to control subjects.

CONCLUSION

It is therefore concluded that abnormal biochemical function of liver in alcoholism can lead to several complications, hence further research is needed to reach a definite conclusion.