International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

Abstract: Obesity and overweight are considered the most rapidly growing form of malnutrition in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and some risk factors of obesity and overweight among Taif university students. A cross-sectional approach was conducted and 1473 male students were selected. A self administered questionnaire included socio-demographic data, different forms of activities, sedentary behaviors, smoking, dietary habits and family history was used for data collection. Body mass inde…

Abstract: This study was designed to ascertain if the rabies virus antigen found among apparently healthy dogs were viable and to which genotype they belong. One hundred and fifty two dog heads were randomly collected from markets and restaurants where dogs are slaughtered and consumed as delicacy in Enugu State, Nigeria. The brain samples from the heads were examined for the presence of rabies virus antigen by direct fluorescent antibody technique, while positive ones were isolated by the mice inoculation test. Viral genoty…

Abstract: Zika virus infection is an emerging public health problem in Africa and Asia with potential for global spread. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and correlates for Zika virus infection in Western and North-Western provinces of Zambia. A cross sectional study was conducted in which serum samples were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies against Zika virus. Odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the magnitude of association. Altogether, 3625 participants were recruited…

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lower reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and the influential risk factors among Chinese women from the poorest families. A face-to-face interview and a gynecological examination were performed for 848 Chinese women from the poorest families. The prevalence of lower RTIs among the poorest women was 53.80%, and cervix presented the most prevalent cite of lower RTIs (46.93%). Women with lower education level [odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.09…

Abstract: Mixed method design was used to investigate exposure to waste, use of personal protective gear (PPG), and self-reported health problems among 280 solid waste handlers in a peri-urban township of southern Ghana. From the survey, the most commonly reported health problems were bodily pains (56.4%), headache (38.6%) and fever (35.7%). In-depth interviews highlighted eye problems, stomach pains and non-specific symptoms such as stress and tiredness. Waste handlers whose bare hands were exposed to waste had a higher lik…

Abstract: Malaria in pregnancy (MIP) remains a major public health concern, inspite of the adoption of WHO recommended sporadic preventive treatment (IPTp) with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for its control in Nigeria. Using interviewer administered questionnaires, information on knowledge of the burden, consequences and the use of SP for malaria control in pregnancy was obtained from 800 mothers within 24 h after delivery at two health centres in Ibadan. Women who attended antenatal care (ANC) at the secondary facility we…

Abstract: Current analysis, involving measurements of biotic and abiotic factors, determined which factor favored cyanobacteria with subsequent concentrations of microcystins in water collected from a public water supply source during the dry and rainy periods and which received residual water from agricultural production systems. Since no microcystins were detected, waters fitted within the maximum limits of 1g.L-1 for MC-LR. Nevertheless, if aquiculture production systems are not properly administered, especially for the…

Abstract: This study utilized data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2004 to identify the determinants of knowledge about AIDS for women of urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression methods were employed in analyzing data. This study found that a wider gap exists between urban and rural areas regarding knowledge about AIDS, where every 8 out of 10 urban women know about AIDS but almost half of the rural women still do not know about AIDS. Mass media play a major role for…

Abstract: Our objective was to examine tracking patterns of body mass index (BMI) as well as their predictors between childhood and adolescence. A cohort of 452 Tunisian children aged 13 - 15 years was followed for 4 years (1999 - 2003). Tracking of BMI was defined as in individual maintaining a certain status or relative position (relative BMI quartile) overtime. After 4 years, almost 50% of the subjects had maintained their relative positions, but 25% had moved into a lower or higher quartile. The BMIs of thin and fat were…

Abstract: The paper presents the outcome of a GIS-supported post-epidemic survey of cholera in pipe-borne water of parts of Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria. Utility pipelines were digitized and superimposed with analyzed water samples and geo-ecological features of the area. Water samples were then collected from various locations along with the corresponding geographical coordinates. Water samples were collected from Ogun River (abstraction point), from the water board treatment tank and from various faucets within the affec…

Abstract: With the aging of the population, cognitive impairment is becoming frequent. Thus, a study was conducted to estimate its prevalence in a Senegalese elderly population 60 years and over living in the commune of Diourbel, Senegal. A cross sectional study was conducted from July to august 2007 in a population of elderly aged 60 years and over living in the commune of Diourbel, Senegal to screen for cognitive impairment. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, physical activity, social network, medical hi…

Abstract: Climate change is now compromising the sustainability of human development on the planet because it threatens human health and the ecological support systems on which life depends. Health impact of climate change is grouped into direct and indirect effects depending on whether they occur predominantly via the impact of climate variables upon human biology or are mediated by climate-induced changes on biological and biogeochemical systems. Direct impacts stem from extreme events such as heat waves, floods, droughts…

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to elaborate the concept of global warming and to highlight the impact of global warming on animal and human vector borne disease. Global Warming is defined as the increase of the average temperature on Earth. Global warming is a gradual process that threatens to have serious consequence over time, including elevated sea level, crop failure, famine, change in global rain fall pattern, changes to animals and plant populations and serious health effect. The diseases are global entities that…

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest communicable diseases, responsible for ill-health among millions of people each year. Early detection and management of the disease is crucial to reduce associated burdens. Cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 at Bahir Dar health centre. Sputum samples were collected stained with Ziehl Neelsen staining technique and examined microscopically. Data were analysed by using SPSS for Windows and descriptive statistics was used to present…

Abstract: Brainstem haemorrhage is a low but lethal health condition and few studies have been conducted about it in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology of brainstem haemorrhage among patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, Fann University, Dakar-Senegal. During a cohort study, patients hospitalized from February to July 2009 for brainstem haemorrhage were followed at days 1, 3, 7, 15 and 90. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patient, medical history, clinical, biological, r…