Increased numbers of CD4 and CD8 positive T lymphocytes with decreased CD4/CD8 ratio in patients with high grade CIN lesions

Awareness of HPV infection and attitudes toward HPV vaccination among Latvian adolescents

Objective\ud To evaluate awareness of HPV and its vaccine among Latvian adolescents.\ud \ud Methods\ud A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a 2‐week period in September 2015 among 270 adolescents attending a secondary school in Riga, Latvia. All students present during sexual‐health classes (grades 10–12 [aged 16–21 years]) were included. A self‐administered paper‐based survey assessed sociodemographic factors, sexual behaviours, smear history and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections, HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, and sources of information.\ud \ud Results\ud Overall, 121 surveys were completed (62 by male students and 59 by female students). Latvian adolescents lacked awarene…

Iodine Deficiency in Latvia: Current Status and Need for National Recommendations

Abstract In the absence of a mandatory salt iodisation programme, two nationwide cross-sectional cluster surveys revealed persisting iodine deficiency among Latvian schoolchildren during the spring season and a noteworthy iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia; these deficiencies warrant intervention. The consequences of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy and lactation can adversely affect foetal brain development. Data from a Latvian population survey revealed the consumption of approximately 100 μg of iodine per day through foods and iodised salt. Therefore, strategies to increase the consumption of iodine-containing products should be implemented, particularly for…

Post-reproductive aged women: a lost generation in the cervical cancer screening programme

The aims of the study were to find out why some post-reproductive aged women did not participate in the organised cervical cancer screening programme in Latvia and to clarify factors that would motivate them to take part. A cross-sectional study was carried out between January and July 2017 among female patients in three general practitioner (GP) practices. GP practice nurses used the Latvian national health service database to identify women aged 25–70 who had not participated in the organised programme for the last 3 years. Participants were asked to complete a specially developed questionnaire. The results were then compared between three age groups: 25–34, 35–49 and 50–70 years. Include…

Retrospective Serological Evidence of High Exposure of Globally Relevant Zoonotic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii in The Latvian Population

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is an important infection caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is a zoonotic parasite causing widespread human and animal diseases, mostly involving the central nervous system. Humans can acquire toxoplasmosis by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing T. gondii tissue cysts, ingestion of oocysts shed by infected felids via contaminated food or water, and by vertical transmission to the fetus through the placenta from the mother during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using a large set of clinical diagnostic laboratory data obtained over a 14-y…

Iodine deficiency during pregnancy: a national cross-sectional survey in Latvia

AbstractObjectiveLow iodine intake during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunction, which results in inadequate fetal brain development. In the absence of a universal salt iodization programme, we conducted a nationwide survey of iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia.DesignA countrywide twenty-cluster survey, with at least twenty women per cluster. Participants completed a questionnaire on dietary habits concerning iodine intake (n 739). Thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and thyroperoxidase antibodies) was measured (n 550). Urinary iodine was measured using the ammonium persulfate method (n 696).SettingThe survey was performed in all regions of Latvia duri…

Expression of p63, p53 and ki-67 in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Objective: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a dysplastic process in cervical squamous epithelium and carries a risk of progression to cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to compare expression of three biomarkers named p53, p63 and Ki-67 in patients with various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and in a control group. Material and Method: 58 patients were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent a colposcopy-guided biopsy of the cervix. Immunostaining for markers (p53, p63 and Ki-67) was performed on tissue samples of normal cases (n=10), CIN I (n=20), CIN II (n=14), and CIN III (n=14). Results: Our study showed a significant increase of the expression of t…

Barriers and motivators for uptake of cervical cancer prevention strategies in Eastern Europe: Perspective from Latvia

Introduction The incidence of cervical cancer (CC) in eastern European countries is high; however, uptake of available prevention strategies is suboptimal. We explored knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes toward CC prevention strategies in Latvian women. Methods A mixed-methods study of Latvian women, consisting of surveys and semi-structured interviews, was conducted in Riga, Latvia in September and October 2015. Results Altogether, 158 surveys were completed and 10 interviews were conducted. In total, 87% (n = 135) had previously had a smear test, and 67% (n = 105) correctly identified that cervical cytology was performed to identify precancerous changes. The practice of annual gynecologic…

Relationship between pregnant women and their partners during COVID-19 and the role of accompanying persons during childbirth

Objective: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the presence of a support person, several hospitals in Latvia have restricted the presence of supporting persons due to COVID-19. This study was conducted to understand the importance of partnership and the role of the accompanying person in childbirth in the context of COVID-19 in Latvia.Methods: A mixed method study with sequential explanatory design was conducted from 26 July to 30 October 2020. The quantitative study consisted of a behavioral cross-sectional online survey with convenience sampling. The survey items, methods, and implementation were performed as part of the I-SHARE study carried out in 33 countries, with …