Public Health

Background: Proper hand hygiene practices have been shown to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Although diarrhoeal diseases continue to be recorded among university students, there is paucity of studies focusing on hygiene behavior among university students in Ghana. This study assessed hand washing behavior, knowledge and practices among students of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 422 students from 4th January 2018 to 21st January 2018. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect all relevant data. Frequencies and percentages were used for categorical data. Chi square and one –way ANOVA were used to determine associations between some selected variables. P values,

Schistosoma haematobium (blood fluke) is a digenetic trematode, which, as all digenetic trematode, has a complex life cycle including one parasite stage in a mollusk (freshwater snail – intermediate host) and one in a vertebrate – definitive host (1). In the vertebrate host the parasite reaches sexual maturity and releases eggs, which are expelled through urine; each egg develops into a miracidium larva, the first free-living stage of the development, which infects the intermediate host. In this, the miracidium undergoes metamorphosis to become a cercaria stage. The cercaria leaves the snail and actively searches, thanks to chemical and physical signals (2) the vertebrate definitive host, being the usual portal of entry the skin. After penetration, the cercariae are known as schistosomulae. These migrate and develop into mature adult schistosome worms, in and around the vesical plexus, and occasionally in the rectal region, the mesenteric portal system and ectopic sites (3). In (4) we have a good article, of general character, on digenetic trematode as parasites, the diversity of trematodes that infect humans, and the economic impact of digenetic flukes. Considering the dependence of blood flukes on freshwater our objective is to show the effects of freshwater environmental changes on the spread of Schistosoma haematobium in Guinea Bissau. Freshwater without flow or with little flow is the favorable habitat for free life stages (miracidium and cercaria) of S. haematobium, as well as, of their snail (Gastropoda) intermediate hosts. Thus, in areas where schistosomiasis caused by S. haematobium is endemic, a change of water flow to without flow or little flow constitutes a potential risk of appearance of new foci of transmission of schistosomiasis. This type of situation of decrease of flow in freshwater collections has occurred in several zones along the Geba river in Guinea Bissau, and this was a consequence…

Introduction: There is a strong risk perception of personal knowledge on both cigarette-and alcohol-related harm. One possible factor contributing to this may be greater availability and access of cigarette and alcohol in the communities especially in developing settings. The causes of the difference in psychological factors that affect the public with high risk perception of cigarette and alcohol consumption was analysed. A higher perception of cigarette and alcohol availability is not only likely to increase supply but also to raise awareness of the different brands of alcohol, create a competitive local market that reduces product costs, and influence local social norms relating to cigarette and alcohol consumption. This paper assess risk perception with respect to the association between psychological paradigms of alcohol and cigarette use in both Korea and Cameroon nationwide. Methods: Using questionnaire survey a cross sectional study on risk perception regarding cigarette and alcohol consumption was assessed among some 2,181 men and 2,203 women from Korea and Cameroon who were over the age of 20 nationwide. Descriptive statistics were performed in order to analyse the sociodemographic characteristics of South Korea and Cameroon. Student’s t-test was performed to test the difference between risk perception and the psychometric paradigm. Correlational analysis was performed to analyse the relationship between risk perception and psychometric paradigm for each country. In order to analyse the components that affect risk perception, multivariate regression analysis was conducted. Results: The analysis results indicated that for Koreans, the risk perception from smoking was the highest 5.49 ± 1.37 which was beyond controllability and the perceived risk from alcohol consumption was the highest for Cameroonians 6.21 ± 1.22). The results indicated that both South Koreans and Cameroonians indicated a strong risk perception based on cigarette and alcohol consumption with regards to their personal knowledge, scientifically proven evidence, dread consequences…

Fecal bacterial indicator analyses have been widely used for monitoring the water quality. The present study was designed to determine the density of Coliform and Thermotolerant fecal E. coli from ready to use water samples collected for a five month(from november-2016 to March-2017) period of monitoring from in and around Navsari city. A total of 73 samples were collected from different places and processed under standard bacteriological techniques. The EMB Agar was used as selective medium for isolation. The presumptive isolates of thermotolerant fecal E. coli were identified by Indole and Mac Conkey broth test (Acid & Gas) at 44°C incubation and coliform were enumerated by MPN technique and E. coli were identified by metallic seen on EMB agar plate and biochemical test. Analysis of result revealed 11 isolates (15.06 %) (3 samples from Abrama village, 3 samples from fish market, 1 sample from PG hostel, 1 samples from Krishna hotel, 1 sample from Jay Ambe tea stall, 1 sample from Mahadev mandir and 1 sample from panipuri centre) of Thermotolerant fecal E. coli as well as E. coli from 73 samples. All 11 isolates having presumptive number of coliform (MPN/100ml) ranging from 13-242 which may higher than the standard number which is below 10 according to BIS. The sensitivity pattern of Thermotolerant fecal E. coli with different antimicrobial agents was evaluated by D-test and showed cent percent resistant towards Amoxycilline followed in reducing levels by 18.18% each, of Cephalothine, Trimethoprime and Gatifloxacin and 9.09% each, of Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol. The pattern clearly indicated overall intermediate resistance to Cephalothine (36.36%), Gatifloxacin (36.36%). The isolates showed sensitivity towards 90.90% each, of Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol followed in reducing levels by Trimethoprime (81.81%) and 45.45% each, of Cephalothine and Gatifloxacin. The multiple antibiotic resistance MAR index was determined for each isolate which may…

The emission of methane from dumpsite have become a global mantra due to its remarkable effect on global climate change. This study assessed the levels of methane emissions from 6 dumpsites using portable air quality meter (AEROQUAL-Series 300). Results showed that the spatial level of methane ranged from 1.00 – 6.44 ppm. Based on temporal variation level of methane ranged from 1.59 – 4.09 ppm (p

Background: Malaria continues to be of grave concern, despite all efforts geared towards its control and so remains a public health dilemma in Nigeria. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of malaria among persons patronizing drugstores for malaria treatment in Port Harcourt and its environs, Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods: Ethical clearance was obtained and samples were randomly collected from 24 drug stores in three different locations and analyzed using both microscopy and rapid diagnostic techniques. Results: Out of 663 participants, 151(22.78%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. None was positive for P. Vivax. Preponderance by location showed that out of 221 sampled in each location, Mile IV (Rumueme) 68(30.77%), Rumuosi had 51(23.08%) and D/Line area 32(14.48%). The occurrence of malaria in the study area was significantly different (X2 = 16.69; p = 0.001). Out of the 151 positive cases, 134 (88.0%) had an intensity level of 1,000 parasites/µl, 16 (10.6%) had an intensity level of 1000-9999 parasites/µl and only 1(0.71%) had an intensity level of ≥10,000parasites/µl (0.71%). (X2 = 2.58; P = 0.275). This implies that majority of those patronizing drugstores for malaria treatments do not have severe malaria. In conclusions: The occurrence of malaria among the study group is high. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of malaria across the three study areas. Therefore, the populace should be encouraged to step up their practice on malaria prevention and control.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) still remains an important nosocomial and community-acquired pathogen because of its multidrug resistant nature which gives them the innate/acquired ability to evade the onslaught of antibiotics. MRSA infection now occurs globally; and it is important to be on the lookout for these resistant pathogens in clinical samples in order to effectively guide therapy for patients. Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the frequency of MRSA strains from urine samples of out-going patients in a tertiary hospital using oxacillin-cefoxitin disk diffusion test (OCDDT). Materials and methods: In this study, a total of thirty nine (39) non-duplicate isolates of S. aureus from urine samples of out-going patients who attended a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, Nigeria for medical attention was bacteriologically investigated for methicillin resistance. All the S. aureus isolates was re-characterized using standard microbiology techniques. The modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique was used to evaluate the antibiogram of the S. aureus clinical isolates while MRSA positive isolates was phenotypically confirmed using the oxacillin-cefoxitin disk diffusion technique (OCDDT). Multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was used to calculate the multidrug resistant nature of the MRSA positive S. aureus isolates. Results: Our result shows that the S. aureus isolates showed varying rates of susceptibility and resistance to the tested antibiotics which are usually used in hospitals for treating infections caused by the organism. The S. aureus isolates was highly resistant or intermediately resistant to cefoxitin (56.4 %), bacitracin (89.7 %), oxacillin (89.7 %), and mupirocin (71.7 %). Clindamycin which is usually used for the treatment of S. aureus infections had no inhibitory activity on the S. aureus isolates evaluated in this study. Out of the 39 isolates of S. aureus, the detection of MRSA positive isolates was recorded at 35.8 % (n=14). All the MRSA positive isolates had MARI…

Importance: Non-healing diabetic ulcerations of the foot lead to amputations and premature mortality. Microburst Insulin Infusion has demonstrated an ability to accelerate healing in otherwise non-healing wounds. Objective: To demonstrate the benefit of adding Microburst Insulin Infusion to conventional diabetic wound care to significantly decrease wound healing time. Methods: A case series of five patients received Microburst Insulin Infusion therapy for significant peripheral diabetic ulcerations after failing conventional wound care. These five cases were treated from 4 independent Microburst Insulin Infusion clinics. Four of the wounds exceeded 6 cm². Patient charts were reviewed and relevant data was collected. All individuals in this manuscript have given written informed consent to publish these case details. Setting: Multicenter referral clinics providing Microburst Insulin Infusion Therapy Exposure: Microburst Insulin Infusion is an adjunctive treatment to conventional diabetic therapy performed in an outpatient clinic setting. A weight based oral glucose dose is administered while pulsatile intravenous insulin is delivered by the Bionica Microdose pump. The treatment is comprised of three 1 hour sessions and occurs up to five times a week, when the patient presents with un-healing wounds. Main Outcomes and Measures: Time to wound healing. A secondary outcome was failure of wound healing. Hypothesis for this study was formulated post treatment. Results: A significant decrease in wound healing time was observed when utilizing Microburst Insulin Infusion. The mean time to complete healing was 84.2 days compared to 133 days in published literature(1). The patient with a foot wound measuring an amazing 228.6 cm² healed in 102 days and amputation was not necessary. There were no treatment failures in this small series. As a result of decreased healing time, there was an absence of infection and no amputations were required for these wounds. Conclusion and Relevance: The addition of Microburst Insulin Infusion therapy resulted in…

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disorders defined by a range of behavioral problems including social withdrawal, communication deficits, and stereotypic/repetitive behavior. Patient observation and clinical history rather than biomarkers as known in laboratory analysis are the defining factors. Pathophysiological etiologies remain controversial, but genetic and environmental factors have been discussed in recent years. International research has focused on neurotoxic metals such as mercury and lead, suggesting that these and other metals contribute to the development of the disorder. Since the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria is widely known for its petroleum industry and pollution, we aimed to evaluate if Nigerian children diagnosed with ASD carry a greater burden of toxic metals compared to healthy Nigerian children living in the same region. While the ASD group shows a higher metal concentration in blood and hair, combined with low blood zinc levels, we also determined an unusual metal burden in the healthy group but no zinc deficiency.

Introduction Population aging is one of the greatest challenges in contemporary public health. Thus, one of the consequences of this dynamic is a greater demand for health services. The aim of the present research consists in explaining the main topics that justify the fact that the increase of population-aging worldwide influences public health strategies applied. Materials and methods To carry out this review article the search strategies included electronic databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane Library and Science Direct, reference lists of articles, and selected textbooks. Articles and textbooks used in this study were mainly reached by using the following keywords: “Public health”; “Population-ageing “; “Global Aging”; “Elderly” and “Health”. Selection criteria included articles published from 1985 to the present year of 2018. At the end of the search, 11 scientific articles were selected. Results and Discussion The physical / biological, psychological and social changes associated with the elderly leads to decrease of health, withdrawal from the labor market and several unfavorable situations, which cannot be controlled. In this context, the elderly seek to find support in the family, neighborhood, friends and institutions that will influence their quality of life. Therefore, the path of Public Health has three essential points: first, health promotion and primary prevention, which requires a lot of health education to develop healthy living habits and improve understanding of the aging process; secondly, appropriate health treatments, including professionals trained in Geriatrics and Gerontology, aiming at early diagnosis and interdisciplinary administration of diseases, seeking to preserve functional capacity; and finally, the rehabilitation of the functions committed, aiming at functional independence and mental autonomy, in any type of incapacity or limitation. Conclusions Aging is a challenge to be integrated by Public Health and the vulnerability inherent in the elderly should never be seen in a unique way. Thus, we believe…