In addition, we show how to decompose the total number of Life Years Lost into specific causes of death through a competing risks model, and how to calculate confidence intervals for the estimates using non-parametric bootstrap. We provide a description on how to use the method when the researcher has access to individual-level data (e.g. electronic healthcare and mortality records) and when only aggregated-level data are available.INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) is an epidemic concentrated in agricultural communities in Central and South America, including young, male sugarcane harvesters. The purpose of this analysis is to understand early changes in kidney function among a cohort of first-time sugarcane harvesters and to determine risk factors for kidney function decline. METHODS Joint latent class mixed models were used to model sub-population kidney function trajectory over the course of 4 years (2012-2016). Probability weighted logistic regression was used to determine personal health, community, and individual behavior risk factors associated with sub-population assignment. Data analysis occurred in 2019. RESULTS Of 181 new workers median age 19 years old (IQR 4), 39 (22%) were identified as having non-stable kidney function with an annual age-adjusted decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of -1.0 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (95% CI -3.4, 1.3). Kidney function (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93, 0.98), mild hypertension (OR 5.21; 95% CI 2.14, 13.94), and having a local home of residence (OR 7.12; 95% CI 2.41, 26.02) prior to employment in sugarcane were associated with non-stable eGFR sub-population assignment. CONCLUSIONS Mild hypertension may be an early indicator of the development of CKDu. A better understanding of preexisting risk factors is needed to determine why individuals are entering the workforce with reduced kidney function and elevated blood pressure and increased risk of renal function decline.Rabies is a lethal zoonotic encephalomyelitis that causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths yearly worldwide. Although developing countries of Asia and Africa bear the heaviest burden, surveillance and disease detection in these countries is often hampered by the absence of local laboratories able to diagnose rabies and/or the difficulties of sample shipment from low-access areas to national reference laboratories. Filter papers offer a convenient cost-effective alternative for the sampling, shipment, and storage of biological materials for the diagnosis of many pathogens including rabies virus, yet the properties of diagnostic tests using this support have not been evaluated thoroughly. Sensitivity and specificity of molecular diagnosis of rabies infection using a reverse transcription followed by a hemi-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-hn-PCR) either directly on brain tissue or using brain tissue dried on filter paper were assessed on 113 suspected field animal samples in comparison to the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT) recommended by the World Health Organization as one of the reference tests for rabies diagnosis. Impact of the duration of the storage was also evaluated. The sensitivity and the specificity of RT-hn-PCR i) on brain tissue were 96.6% (95% CI [88.1-99.6]) and 92.7% (95% CI [82.4-98.0]) respectively and ii) on brain tissue dried on filter paper 100% (95% CI [93.8-100.0]) and 90.9% (95% CI [80.0-97.0]) respectively. No loss of sensitivity of RT-hn-PCR on samples of brain tissue dried on filter paper left 7 days at ambient temperature was detected indicating that this method would enable analyzing impregnated filter papers sent to the national reference laboratory at ambient temperature within a 1-week shipment time. It could therefore be an effective alternative to facilitate storage and shipment of samples from low-access areas to enhance and expand rabies surveillance.A potentially effective way to influence people's fire prevention behavior is letting them experience a fire in an immersive virtual environment (IVE). We analyze the effects of experiencing a fire in an IVE (versus an information sheet) on psychological determinants of behavior-knowledge, vulnerability, severity, self-efficacy, and locus of control-based mainly on arguments from Protection Motivation Theory and the Health Belief Model. Crucial in our setup is that we also relate these determinants to actual prevention behavior. Results show that IVE has the hypothesized effects on vulnerability, severity, and self-efficacy, and an unexpected negative effect on knowledge. Only knowledge and vulnerability showed subsequent indirect effects on actual prevention behavior. There remains a direct positive effect of IVE on prevention behavior that cannot be explained by any of the determinants. Our results contradict the implicit assumption that an induced change in these psychological determinants by IVE, necessarily implies a change in behavior. A recommendation for research on the effects of IVE's is, whenever possible, to study the actual target behavior as well.INTRODUCTION All individuals and couples have a basic human right to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing, and timing of their child. However, In Ethiopia, the prevalence of contraceptive utilization remains low and it varies in different regions. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/super-tdu.html Therefore, this study was aimed to determine prevalence and determinant factors affecting the utilization of modern contraception in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) in Edaga-Hamus Town. METHODOLOGY A community based Cross-Sectional study was carried out on April 23 to May 10, 2017. A systemic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Information was collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. The data were entered into EPI-info version 7.1 and imported to SPSS version 20. Summary statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS version 20. Those variables having a P-value of less than 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were fitted in multivariable analysis. AOR with 95% CI and P-value less then 0.05 were used during multivariable analysis to identify the factors associated with the utilization of modern in reproductive. RESULT In this study the overall prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization was 58.5%. Age (AOR = 0.406,95%,Cl (0.000,0.398)), Educational status (AOR = 0.901,95% Cl (0.340,4.107)), Feeling of husband towards Modern contraceptive (AOR = 0.186, 95% CI (0.056,0.617) had protective effect of utilization of modern contraceptive. But Number of children 1-3 and 4-5 wanted(AOR = 10.802,95%(4.027,28.975)), AOR = 2.624,95% CI (1.437,4.791), was a risk for utilization of modern contraceptive. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The prevalence of Modern contraceptive utilization was still to be low (far below the national target). Therefore, providing educational opportunities, creating awareness about contraception and effective counseling would increase modern contraceptive methods utilization.