International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS)
Not a member yet
1348 research outputs found
Sort by
Detection of heavy metals concentration in vegetables and analyze the health risks
Get PDFHeavy metals are elements found in Earth’s crust but introduced into soil and water bodies by human activities. They are not biodegradable, so they persist for a long time in the environment. Heavy metals are incorporated into to human body through the food chain, resulting in various health problems. Akaki Rivers, which are major water sources in Addis Ababa, are contaminated with various wastes, including heavy metals. This research aimed to detect heavy metal concentration in cabbage, potato, tomato, and beetroot irrigated with the Akaki Rivers and evaluate associated health risks. Following the vegetable sample collection, a laboratory-based study was used in sample processing, digestion, and heavy metal detection. Mean concentration (mg/kg dry weight) of Cd (26.11-26.34), Pb (17-33.84) in all samples, and Hg (0.124) in beetroot exceeded the permissible limits set by WHO/FAO. The HRI of Cd (28.3-140.96), Pd (10.9-27.35), both in adults and children, and Hg (1.727 for children) exceeded the safe limit (<1). The health of adults and children is at risk due to Cd, Pb, and Hg, with children facing approximately 2.5 times higher. Minimization of the release of wastewater into the Akaki Rivers, and dietary diversification should be encouraged, and the health of permanent consumers should be checked
Likely uptakers of the COVID-19 vaccinations in Cross River South Senatorial District, Nigeria
Get PDFThe COVID-19 outbreak resulted in widespread concern and disruption globally. The development of vaccines was a significant focus in mitigating the impact of the deadly virus. However, vaccine uptake in many regions has been challenging, including the Cross River South Senatorial District. This study examines the socio-demographic variables influencing the adoption of the COVID-19 vaccine. Data was collected from 750 respondents through the questionnaire. Bivariate analysis using Chi-square statistics was used to evaluate the association between COVID-19 vaccination and covariates, including age, sex, location, occupation status, religion, educational status, and availability of COVID-19 vaccination sites. A logistic regression model was used to ascertain this connection. Based on the findings, COVID-19 uptake was 32.3%. Employment status was the only variable statistically significant with the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. When promoting the use of vaccines, consideration should be given to variables other than personal characteristics. With the low uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines, continued efforts are needed to improve the vaccination uptake rate by all segments of the study population
Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli carriage and associated risk factors among healthy individuals in Rural Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance (AMR), driven by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli, poses a significant public health threat, silently spreading through asymptomatic carriers. Limited data from rural areas highlight the need for focused studies to guide resistance control efforts. This study aimed to isolate faecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) from apparently healthy individuals in a rural community in Southwestern Nigeria, determine their antimicrobial resistance profiles, and evaluate risk factors associated with MDR E. coli carriage. A total of 347 stool samples were collected from healthy, consenting individuals. E. coli was isolated and identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed via the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Isolates were screened phenotypically for the extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and genotypically for ESBL genes (CTX-M, SHV, TEM). The data were analyzed using WINPEPI. E. coli was isolated from 269 participants (77.5%), yielding 555 isolates. High resistance rates were observed against sulphamethoxazole (94.0%), ampicillin (85.0%), and tetracycline (83.2%), while imipenem showed the lowest resistance (6.7%). Twenty-seven isolates (5%) were confirmed as ESBL producers. Among these, 17 (63%) carried at least one ESBL gene-TEM being the most common (44.4%). Additionally, 50.1% of the isolates were classified as MDR, with MDR E. coli carriage significantly associated with self-medication (p=0.05). The widespread presence of MDR E. coli among healthy rural dwellers, coupled with its association with self-medication, highlights serious public health concerns and raises the urgent need for more evidence-based strategies to combat AMR
Viral hepatitis morbidity and mortality data in major urban cities in the Philippines
Get PDFThis study investigates the transmission, impact, and prevention of viral hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region 7, Philippines, from 1960 to 2020. These infections significantly contribute to liver complications, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, affecting mental well-being and posing risks to pregnant women. Although hepatitis mortality is notable, complete treatment can mitigate the risk. Transmission occurs through various routes, such as blood products, body secretions, and perinatal routes. The study underscores the importance of understanding transmission and implementing screening and prevention measures. Vaccination, particularly for Hepatitis A and B, is crucial, reshaping disease epidemiology through universal infant immunization. Challenges like low vaccination coverage persist, especially among children and healthcare workers. Analyzing mortality data reveals a significant recent decrease attributed to government efforts and vaccination programs since 1995. Despite regional variations, mortality remains relatively low. The study recommends prioritizing and expanding vaccination programs, raising awareness, improving healthcare accessibility, and strengthening surveillance systems. Coupled with community engagement, these measures promise sustained success against viral hepatitis, reinforcing the observed trend in mortality reduction
Syndemics of coronaviurs disease and aging: the interplay among nutrition, the immune system and health outcomes
Get PDFThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed “many pandemics”. Right from the beginning of the COVID pandemic and various intimidating waves of new variants seriously affected vulnerable populations, including the elderly. This scoping review aimed to summarize the available data on nutrition and immune response during aging and associations between the immune system and viral infections in the older population. The review particularly emphasizes micronutrients including vitamins C, D, zinc, and selenium and their relations to COVID-19 infection. We have summarized the available literature related to the nutritional management of COVID-19 infection to reduce adverse disease outcomes. The review found that the coexistence of micronutrient deficiencies, immune dysfunction, and high infection exposure increases the risk of mortality in older people with COVID-19. Most studies confirmed a positive association between vitamin D status or supplementation and its effect on COVID-19, whereas a few other studies reported a low zinc and selenium status in COVID-19 infected people. Immediate and adequate nutritional management could help tackle the adverse health consequences in elderly. Hence, the pandemic like this requires a comprehensive approach to understand all related aspects and needs further in-depth investigations related to micronutrient supplements to enhance immunity in COVID-19 infected older population
Artificial intelligence model for the prediction of cannabis addiction
Get PDFA novel approach for predicting cannabis addiction has been introduced by integrating combined machine learning (ML) algorithms, specifically K-means clustering and linear regression (LR). The study, conducted in Marrakech, Morocco, at a center linked to the National Association for drug-risk reduction (DRR), involved 146 participants. Among those with prior cannabis use, one subgroup included passive users, while another exhibited cannabis dependence. The research utilized features derived from patient data, emphasizing psycho-cognitive state, addiction status, and socio-demographic factors. The goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined ML algorithms (K-means + LR) in distinguishing between addicted and non-addicted individuals using real-world data from a primary care addiction center. The findings indicate that the proposed method delivers balanced results, achieving an overall accuracy of 70%, a sensitivity of 65%, and a specificity of 86%. These results are particularly noteworthy when compared to other ML studies in addiction research. The combined algorithm demonstrates promising potential with competitive accuracy and high specificity. Further efforts to improve sensitivity and validate the model in diverse settings will be essential for advancing predictive modeling in this field. Our findings contribute to existing research by developing simple and effective tools for early detection of cannabis addiction, potentially aiding in the creation of preventive and therapeutic strategies to reduce its prevalence
E-waste management in higher education institutions: insights and policy recommendations
Get PDFElectronic waste disposal is a primary concern both on a national and global spectrum. The increased usage of information and communication technology and electronic devices among higher education institutions (HEIs) contributes to the annual generation of e-waste. HEIs are called to implement a sustainable scheme to curtail the environmental and public health threats brought by e-waste. Against this background, the recycling strategies of HEIs for discarded electronics were examined and evaluated as to its effectiveness and used as basis to develop policy recommendations for e-waste management. The interventions developed were met with general approval and positive response. The innovative products were perceived to be useful in serving their new purposes and reducing the problems of e-waste in HEIs. These findings provide valuable input for HEIs seeking to enhance their e-waste recycling practices. Existing legislation concerning e-waste was looked into, and policy recommendations that encouraged cooperation and shared accountability among key players and stakeholders were drawn up
Determinants of cigarette consumption among Indonesian adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFAdolescent smokers in Indonesia remain a problem that impacts educational output. This study aimed to examine the determinants of cigarette consumption among school-age adolescents. The study employed a cross-sectional design in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The study collected data from January 2022 to July 2023. The total sample in this study consisted of 819 adolescents from junior high and senior high schools (SHS). Among all respondents, 438 adolescents (53.5%) reported smoking >10 stems/day. The binary logistic regression results revealed that significant variables associated with cigarette consumption included males aged 14 to 16, who drank alcohol more than three times a week, consumed more than three liters of alcohol a week, had low parental education levels, had peer influence, were exposed to social media, had parents who smoked, and had experienced parental divorce. The collaboration between stakeholders at the school level and parents, such as counseling and supervision intensive, can prevent adolescent smoking behavior
Adaptation of parental expectation of children’s future scale in Indonesian version
Get PDFParental expectations play a crucial role in shaping a child's developmental trajectory, serving as a primary motivator for the attainment of future aspirations. Researchers conducted a literature review on parental expectations toward their children, utilizing ten instruments developed in journal literature from 2008 to 2020. Of particular interest was the Parent Questionnaire containing the Chinese Parental Expectation on Child’s Future Scale (CPECF), it constitutes a fundamental framework for comprehending parental anticipations in the realm of child development. This study aimed to adapt and validate the PECF scale, employing established validation procedures endorsed by the International Test Commission. Initially, a cohort of 987 parents participated; however, after data cleansing procedures aimed at eliminating incomplete responses and ensuring accuracy, the analysis focused on 593 respondents. The participants’ ages ranged from 21 to 78 years, with a mean age of 35.93 years. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed 17 valid and reliable items. The model demonstrated a good fit. These findings suggest that the PECF scale effectively measures parental expectations, aligning with the original scale. It is anticipated that this scale will serve as a valuable tool for research concerning parental expectations in Indonesia, aiding in understanding and addressing the dynamics
Instilling trash throwing behavior through play in early childhood: a review
Get PDFThe waste problem is a serious problem that affects the environment and human health. Involving young children in waste management is very important because they are the future generation. One effective method for instilling waste disposal behavior in young children is by providing educational games. This literature review aims to find out how to instill waste disposal behavior through games in early childhood. The method used is systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Based data obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed/NCBI, UpToDate, Springer, Wiley on Library, ScienceDirect, MedRxiv, DOAJ, MDPI, and JAMA Network. A total of 3,728 journals were found which were then filtered based on related titles and 1,400 journal titles were obtained. Next, selection was carried out based on research variables, where there were 764 journals that were excluded because there were no suitable variables, namely those related to instilling trash throwing behavior in children through games, so that the remaining 636 journals were then filtered based on the research method used. It was found that 444 journals did not use the method cross sectional study, cohort, experimental study, quasi experiment, and field research so that the remaining 192 journals were then filtered again based on journal access and journal indexes to obtain 14 journals