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Sleep and cognition in South African patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas

by Olivia de Villiers, Claudia Elliot-Wilson, Kevin G. F. Thomas, Patrick L. Semple, Thurandrie Naiker, Michelle Henry, Ian L. Ross

Strong lines of evidence in the neuroscience literature indicate that (a) healthy sleep facilitates cognitive processing, and (b) sleep disruption is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Despite the fact that patients with pituitary disease often display both disrupted sleep and cognitive dysfunction, few previous studies investigate whether these clinical characteristics in these patients might be related. Hence, we explored whether sleep disruption in patients with pituitary disease mediates their cognitive dysfunction. We recruited 18 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) and 19 sociodemographically matched healthy controls. They completed the Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (thus providing self-report data regarding sleep disruption) and were administered the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone, which assesses cognitive functioning in the domains of processing speed, working memory, episodic memory, inhibition, and reasoning. We found no significant differences in cognition between patients and controls. Furthermore, spectra of sleep disturbance did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Our data suggest that NFPA patients’ cognition and sleep quality is relatively intact, and that sleep disruption does not mediate cognitive dysfunction. Larger studies should characterize sleep and cognition in patients with NFPA (and other pituitary diseases) to confirm whether disruption of the former mediates impairment in the latter.

Childhood and adolescent factors shaping vulnerability to underage entry into sex work: a quantitative hierarchical analysis of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

Por: Shah · P. · Kabuti · R. · Beksinska · A. · Nyariki · E. · Babu · H. · Kungu · M. · Jama · Z. · Ngurukiri · P. · The Maisha Fiti Study Champions · Kaul · R. · Kyegombe · N. · Medley · G. F. · Devries · K. · Seeley · J. · Weiss · H. A. · Beattie · T. S. · Kimani · J. · Gwala · Oside · Kamen
Objective

To explore factors associated with early age at entry into sex work, among a cohort of female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background

Younger age at sex work initiation increases the risk of HIV acquisition, condom non-use, violence victimisation and alcohol and/or substance use problems. This study aimed to understand factors in childhood and adolescence that shape the vulnerability to underage sex work initiation.

Design

Building on previous qualitative research with this cohort, analysis of behavioural–biological cross-sectional data using hierarchical logistic regression.

Participants and measures

FSWs aged 18–45 years were randomly selected from seven Sex Workers Outreach Programme clinics in Nairobi, and between June and December 2019, completed a baseline behavioural–biological survey. Measurement tools included WHO Adverse Childhood Experiences, Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test and questionnaires on sociodemographic information, sexual risk behaviours and gender-based violence. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were conducted using hierarchical modelling.

Results

Of the 1003 FSWs who participated in the baseline survey (response rate 96%), 176 (17.5%) initiated sex work while underage (

Conclusions

Lower education level and childhood homelessness, combined with sexual violence and sexual risk behaviours in childhood, create pathways to underage initiation into sex work. Interventions designed for girls and young women at these pivotal points in their lives could help prevent underage sex work initiation and their associated health, social and economic consequences.

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