Ro3280 Declaration of interests br Abstract Background In ti

Declaration of interests
Abstract Background In times of seawater inundation in coastal deltas, unprotected drinking water sources, such as ponds and shallow tube wells, take on salt water with each inundation. Daily consumption of these saline sources contributes to overall sodium intake. Although there is evidence that a high dietary salt intake is an important risk factor for hypertension, little is known about the effect of high concentrations of sodium in drinking water on Ro3280 health. In this longitudinal study, we aimed to measure the effect of high concentrations of sodium in drinking water on blood pressure and to assess the reversibility of raised blood pressure when conventional drinking water sources were replaced by low-saline water. Methods We used a multistage sampling process to recruit participants aged 18 years or older from the salinity-affected sub-districts of Dacope, Batiagatha, and Paikgatchha in coastal Bangladesh. Most participants consumed drinking water from highly saline sources, such as ponds and tube-wells, while a small percentage had access to rainwater. In March, 2013, we recorded: baseline concentrations of sodium in drinking water; participants\' blood pressure; and personal, lifestyle, and environmental characteristics. During the study period, some study participants gained access to low-saline drinking water alternatives that were installed for use in the dry season, when water from ponds becomes more saline. In March, 2014, and May, 2014, we made follow-up assessments of drinking water sodium, blood pressure, and repeated the questionnaire about personal, lifestyle, and environmental characteristics. We used generalised linear mixed methods to model the effect of drinking water sodium on blood pressure and assess reversibility of raised blood pressure when participants switched from conventional drinking water sources to low-saline alternatives. Findings We included data from 581 participants in analysis, of which 277 (48%) were male. Median age was 38 years (IQR 30–49). Systolic blood pressures at baseline varied greatly with drinking water sodium: mean systolic blood pressure in the lowest water sodium quintile was 119·4 (SD 13·7) and 138·4 mmHg (SD 25·0) (for particpants younger than 60 years and participants 60 year and older, respectively) and in the highest sodium quintile 126·7 mm Hg (18·0) and 147·0 mm Hg (22·3), respectively. Drinking water sodium concentrations remained, after controlling for personal, lifestyle and environmental factors, highly associated with blood pressures. Furthermore, for a 100 mg/L decrease in sodium concentration in drinking water, blood pressure was reduced, on average, by 0·95/0·57 mm Hg and the odds of hypertension reduced by 16% (95% CI 8%–26%). Interpretation Drinking water is an important contributor to daily sodium intake in salinity-affected areas and, therefore, a risk factor for hypertension. Alternative low-sodium drinking water sources could help to prevent hypertension-related morbidity and mortality for the large number of people living in these coastal areas. The practicalities of supply of such alternative sources, including safeguarding the microbial quality, should be further studied. Funding Leverhulme Trust, Wellcome Trust. Declaration of interests
Abstract Background Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) are an important cause of death in young children in low-income countries. High concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) indoors caused by open burning of biomass are associated with risk of ALRI. However, improved biomass stoves reduce emissions and might reduce the incidence of lower respiratory illness. A cluster-randomised, step-wedge, community-based trial was conducted to estimate the effect that a change from open burning of biomass to improved biomass stoves could have on rates of ALRI in children younger than 36 months in a rural area of southern Nepal. Methods Households were enrolled in Sarlahi district that had at least one child aged younger than 36 months or a married woman aged 15–30 years. Respiratory morbidity data were collected for 6 months prior to the introduction of improved biomass stoves between March, 2010, and December, 2010. Mothers were asked about respiratory signs and symptoms (cough, difficult or rapid breathing, wheeze, ear discharge, fever) in their participating children in the past 7 days during weekly visits from local study staff. A 12-month stepped-wedge introduction of an improved biomass stove with chimney to participating households followed the 6-month run-in period (Envirofit Corp. Colorado Springs, CO, USA). Weekly morbidity assessments continued during the step-wedge period (from January, 2011, to February, 2012) and for 6 months after stove introduction (from March, 2012, to December, 2012). Children were discharged at age 36 months. The primary outcome was ALRI, defined as a maternal report of 2 or more consecutive days of fast or difficult breathing accompanied by fever. Episodes were separated by a minimum of 7 symptom-free days. An environmental assessment was done in households once before and once after the improved stove was installed. The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00786877).