International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS)
Not a member yet
1348 research outputs found
Sort by
Factor associated with physical activity level among secondary boarding school students in Selangor, Malaysia
Get PDFThis cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with physical activity among secondary boarding school students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that captured socio-demographic information, physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, social support (from family and peers), and psychological factors (depression, anxiety, and stress). Anthropometric measurements, including height and weight, were obtained using a SECA217 stadiometer and a Tanita weighing scale, with body mass index (BMI)-for-age subsequently calculated. A total of 181 participants were included in the study. The results indicated that the majority of students met the recommended physical activity guidelines. Approximately two-thirds of participants were classified as having a normal BMI, while the majority exhibited high levels of sedentary behavior. Regarding social support, only one-fifth of students reported receiving adequate family support, while half of the students reported adequate peer support. Psychological assessments revealed that one-third of participants exhibited normal depressive symptoms, whereas nearly half exhibited symptoms of anxiety and stress. Significant associations were identified between physical activity levels and several factors, including age, gender, family support, peer support, and stress. In conclusion, while most secondary boarding school students in this study met the recommended daily amount of physical activity, high levels of sedentary behavior and varying levels of social support and psychological distress highlight areas that warrant further intervention
Incidence rate and spatial clustering of measles cases in Malaysia, 2018–2022
Get PDFThe distribution of measles varies worldwide. Malaysia has seen fluctuating incidence rates of measles across its districts, highlighting the persistent challenge of measles control despite national vaccination efforts. This study aimed to map the incidence rates of measles and identify hotspots areas of measles in Malaysia between 2018 and 2022. The study utilized secondary data from the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, and was analyzed through spatial autocorrelation techniques. Choropleth map applied to the incidence rate of measles and Global Moran’s I statistics quantified spatial autocorrelation, supplemented by local indicators of spatial association (LISA) for localized analysis. The measles incidence rate exceeded 500 per million population in Bintulu, Marudi, and Miri, Sarawak in 2018 and in Gua Musang, Kelantan in 2019. There is a downward trend in the incidence rate across the districts in Malaysia. The Global Moran’s I statistic revealed significant positive spatial autocorrelation of measles cases in Malaysia from 2018 to 2022. Districts, specifically in Klang Valley, have been identified as persistent hotspot areas. There is a need for continuous surveillance, adequate vaccination coverage, and supplementary public health measures, especially in identified hotspot areas, in order to achieve measles elimination goals in Malaysia
Prevalence and health literacy on high blood pressure among late adulthood individuals in Northeast Thailand: a cross sectional study
Get PDFHigh blood pressure (HBP) is a leading risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and mortality. This study aimed to identify health literacy and other characteristics associated with HBP among late adults in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,345 adults aged 35-59 years from Health Centers 7, 8, 9, and 10 in Northeast Thailand. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) were used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (Adj. OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results showed a prevalence of HBP at 24.76% (95% CI: 22.52-27.13). Multivariable analysis revealed a significant association between HBP and health literacy in finding health information (Adj. OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.28-1.96, p-value<0.001), as well as judging health information (Adj. OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.04-1.73, p-value=0.024). Additionally, history of smoking (Adj. OR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.29-3.24, p-value = 0.002), comorbidity (Adj. OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.76-2.74, p-value <0.001), physical activity (Adj. OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.28-2.16, p-value <0.001), and body mass index (Adj. OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.14-4.26, p-value=0.018) were found to be associated with HBP. Poor health literacy increases the risk of HBP. Relevant authorities must evaluate the group context and develop a suitable health literacy model
Occupational safety of morticians: A case study of mortuary facilities in Cape Coast, Ghana
Get PDFRisk assessment is helpful for risk management because it makes significant workplace concerns easier to understand. Because of the numerous risks involved, the death care sector is regarded as one of the riskiest places to work. Nevertheless, not enough research has been done on the safety of mortuary staff in low-resource environments. This study assessed the risks associated with identified hazards in two mortuary facilities at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study that used a combination of methods. Thirty-six morticians participated in the study. Respondents scored low on knowledge, high on attitude, and awareness toward occupational health and safety. Only 9 (25.0%) participants knew the correct concentrations of chlorine solution required to disinfect surfaces. Only two of the six chosen volunteers could reconstitute the chlorine solution for disinfection correctly. Risks of chemical inhalation, musculoskeletal injuries, cuts, and traumatic injuries were evaluated as high. A review of incident registers revealed underreporting of injuries. While the study showed significant gaps in the occupational safety of morticians in low-resource environments, it also presents an opportunity for improvement. Regulatory agencies for morticians in Ghana must set out minimum qualifications for this critical category of health workers
Analysis of risk factors associated with subjective fatigue symptoms among coal mining vehicle operators
Get PDFCoal mining vehicle operators have negative consequences with health effects such as fatigue. The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors related to subjective fatigue among coal mining operators. Specifically, it seeks to examine the relationship between work shift, working period, sleep quantity, sleep quality, and personal characteristics, such as age, neck circumference, and body mass index. Data were collected from a coal mining site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia in 2022 with primary questionnaires. A total of 440 workers who worked in the mining and hauling area for at least one year were recruited in this study. This was a cross-sectional study. Quantitative data were obtained to describe the level of subjective fatigue and to analyze the risk factors associated with the work fatigue in coal mining vehicle operators. The fatigue was associated with obesity (OR:1.777, 95% CI:1.0067-2.960), overweight (OR:1.783, 95% CI:1.046-3.040), neck circumference (OR:1.513, 95% CI:1.0983-2.329), sleep quality (OR:4.597, 95% CI:2.762-7.650), and working period (OR:0.545, 95% CI:10.360-0.825) (p<0.05 for all). However, fatigue did not significantly affect from sleep quantity and work shift. Ensuring individual health is essential for preserving the opportunity to sleep and allowing the body to recover from fatigue
Health literacy on HIV/AIDS and adherence to antiretroviral treatment: the moderating role of social support
Get PDFThe increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS continues to pose a significant global health challenge, with developing countries experiencing the fastest growth in transmission rates, including Indonesia. This quantitative correlational study examined the influence of HIV/AIDS-related health literacy on adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), with peer social support considered as a moderating variable. Participants included 208 PLWHA residing in Majalengka Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Data were gathered using standardized instruments measuring HIV/AIDS health literacy, treatment adherence, and peer social support, and were analyzed through moderation analysis using Jamovi software. The results demonstrated that HIV/AIDS health literacy had a significant positive effect on ARV adherence, and that peer social support strengthened this relationship. Nonetheless, the study is limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported measures, which may restrict causal inference and generalizability
Relationship between shift work and the risk of colorectal cancer among Moroccan women
Get PDFColorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health problem worldwide, and also in Morocco, with 7.9% of new cancer cases. Dietary factors have been linked to CRC risk; however, several modifiable risk factors have not been studied in Morocco. This study aimed to explore the association between shift work and the risk of colorectal cancer among Moroccan women. A case-control study was conducted at CHU Mohamed VI Marrakech, involving 165 cases and 165 controls. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. For general characteristics, we used the Chi-square test for categorical variables and student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U for continuous variables to select confounding factors, we ran logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Findings from our study show an increased risk of CRC for rotating shift workers ORb:1.74 (95% CI:1.05-2.91) (p-value = 0.01). When stratified by tumor location, night shift work was correlated with an increased risk of rectal cancer, while stratified by age, rotating shift work was also correlated with an increased risk of CRC among those aged 45 to 65 years ORb: 2.18 (95% CI:1.03-4.79) (p-value = 0.048). Findings from this study may be helpful for future research in Morocco and North African countries
Computational paradigm for advancing lung cancer drug discovery
Get PDFLung cancer remainders one of the foremost causes of cancer-related impermanence worldwide. The availability of novel medicines for patients with lung cancer is restricted by the extremely lengthy timetables and high attrition rates of traditional drug discovery procedures. However, in silico drug discovery has emerged as a powerful and affordable way to identify potential treatments. This work offers well-structured paradigms for using virtual techniques to identify potential lung cancer treatments. The main concerns are virtual screening, target validation and identification, pharmacokinetic assessment, and molecular docking. The cost and time of drug development are reduced and a valuable platform for discovering novel drugs to treat lung cancer is produced by merging computational resources with proper methodologies. The current work explores the recent advancements, challenges, and possible future paths. Mann-Whitney U test says that the sampled data is different in distribution for molecular weight (MW), LogP, amount of H acceptors, and quantity of H donors for active and inactive molecules. Python tool has been utilized and identified that the CHEMBL4850929 (C31H31F2N7O4) molecule is a potential drug. It has pIC50 7.61, Lipinski values in terms of MW 603.63, LogP 3.36, amount of H donors 1, quantity of H acceptors 10
Quality of life among peri menopausal and post-menopausal women from rural area of Western India
Get PDFMenopause, remains a poorly investigated topic holding increased taboo. In addition to symptoms categorized under vasomotor, vaginal, energy, food and insomnia, it is linked to occurrence of various medical comorbidities. Understanding the status of menopause symptoms and awareness will help provide insight on how it influences women’s quality of life. Objective was to assess the association of menopause on attributes of sleep, energy, memory, work, leisure and everyday activities affecting quality of life. This was a community based cross-sectional study conducted over three months in randomly selected villages under rural field practice area of private medical college in Maharashtra. Data was collected during health camps along with house visits. Research tool containing socio-demographic, menopausal status and quality of life components was used targeting women aged 40-65 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to find odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio respectively for menopausal symptoms with associated attributes at 5% level of significance and 95% CI. Results showed the mean age of women was 48.16 years ±8.4 SD, by which 57% had fully attained menopause and it was associated with significant changes in sleep, memory and physical relations. This study lays emphasis on the fact that menopause period is associated with sleep and memory disturbances as well as physical relations in rural women. It also highlights on the poor knowledge and attitude pertaining to menopause in a rural setup
Maternal behavior in provider of reproductive health education to early childhood
Get PDFSociety often views sex education for early childhood as taboo, believing it is inappropriate for young children. However, early health education plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of sexual violence. In 2022, the Indonesian government recorded a high incidence of sexual violence, with 11.016 reported cases. This study examines the factors that influence maternal behavior in providing reproductive health education to early childhood in West Sumatra during 2021. This study uses a quantitative cross-sectional study method, the research conducted in May to October 2021 in West Sumatra. The study involved 257 mothers with children aged 3-6 years, selected through cluster sampling. We analyzed the data using univariate and bivariate analysis, employing the Chi-square method. The result shows that factors such as attitudes (0.029), exposure to information (<0.001), and family support (<0.001) significantly influence maternal behavior in providing reproductive health education. However, knowledge levels do not show a significant influence on maternal behavior. In addressing these findings, we recommend strengthening family support through family counseling training programs and increasing the availability and accessibility of information on reproductive health education