MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

文章

Climate change impact on the health of African women and adaptation strategies

*Nwoke E.A and Ibe S.N.O

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, windstorms and wildfires. Indirect effects of climate change on health may arise from the disruption of natural systems, causing infectious diseases, malnutrition, food and water-borne illnesses and increased air pollution. These effects of climate change are more and expected to be experienced more in Africa. African women whether as resident or migrants are most vulnerable group because of their social role as managers of household resources (water, fuel, food and so on) and care givers. In addition, because of their biological and social disposition, African women are confronted with greater risk of these emerging health challenges due to climate change. This paper therefore discusses the climate change impact on the health of African women and the need for this most vulnerable group, to adapt strategically to these emerging health challenges due to climate change.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Climate change, impact, health, Africa women, adaptation strategies.

Full text

Download：2413

文章

Prevalence of cognitive impairment varied with sex and education in an elderly population 60 years and over living in the commune of Diourbel, Senegal

Touré K., *, Coumé M., Sow A., Basse A., Diagne N.S., Sarr Moustapha. , Ndao A.K., Diop M. S., Seck L.B., Ndiaye M., Tal Dia A., Diop A.G. and Ndiaye M.M.

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 history, familial history of dementia were collected with a structured questionnaire. Interviews were completed with a clinical exam and neuropsychological testing with the Test of Senegal. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of ≤ 28/39 with the Test of Senegal. The population (584 elderly) had a mean age of 69.5 years (±7.3), was mostly female (54%), married (74.6%), and illiterated (80.1%). Social network was poor, alcohol and smoking rare. Hypertension (58%), arthritis (45.9%), gastro-intestinal diseases (38.2%), anemia (29.5%) and cataract (22.9%) were the main health conditions reported. History of dementia was reported by 26.2%. Prevalence of cognitive impairment was 20.7% (95% CI: 17.7%-23.7%). This prevalence was more frequent among female and illiterated elderly persons. Prevalence of cognitive impairment was high and more frequent in female and illiterated elderly population living in the commune of Diourbel, Senegal.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Cognitive Impairment, Prevalence, Elderly population, Diourbel, Senegal.

Full text

Download：1816

文章

Rapid epidemiological mapping of cholera outbreak in parts of Abeokuta metropolis: A GIS-supported post-epidemic assessment

*Oyedepo, J. A., Shittu, O.B., Popoola, T.O.S. and Ogunshola, E.O.

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 affected communities. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Vibrio cholera (V. cholera). Results revealed a high load (>180 MPN/1000 ml) of cholera bacteria at the abstraction point, which reduced to[...] Read More.

Keywords: GIS, utility board, geo-ecological characteristics, cholera, post-epidemic assessment.

Full text

Download：3083

文章

Routine checkup on overweight amongst urban school children in Tunisia

*Habib Hend Azria, Malek M. Dadi and Oussama W. Jaidi

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 more likely to track: 61.9 and 66.7% remained in the bottom and upper quartiles, respectively. Overweight children were 2.6 times as likely as all other children to become overweight adolescents. Individual’s initial BMIs, sex and socioeconomic status helped to predict tracking and change in BMI. Predictors of overweight tracking found in this study would be useful to select children at risk for preventive intervention.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Obesity, adolescents, cardiovascular risk factor.

Full text

Download：2429

文章

Urban-rural differentials about AIDS: knowledge and awareness

Fazle Zahid Nazrul

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 growing awareness about AIDS in both of these areas. In the urban area 61.6 percent women knew at least one correct way to avoid AIDS but rural women are in miserable condition because the corresponding figure for rural women was only 31.3% that means 37.7 and 67.7% among urban and rural women respectively still did not know how to avoid AIDS. Binary logistic regression method shows that education, occupation, ever use of contraception, currently using condom, permission to go to hospital/health center, mass media exposure, region of residence and wealth index significantly influence the knowledge about AIDS among rural women, whereas, in the urban areas except occupation and currently using condom all these remaining variables appear as the significant predictors of knowledge about AIDS.[...] Read More.

Keywords: AIDS, mass media, Bangladesh, logistic regression analysis.

Full text

Download：1590

文章

Reduced Concentration of cyanotoxins synthesized by Cyanobacteria in a public water supply source

*Ayrton E. Fernando, Morena V. Gisele and Daniel Campos Santoro

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 diet factor, great risks will exist in the contamination and pollution of fresh water. This fact may cause intoxication to the population that use the water and to the aquatic plants and animals which make it their habitat.[...] Read More.

Keywords: HPLC, nitrogen, organic matter, microcystins, phosphorus.

Full text

Download：1805

文章

Sporadic preventive treatment of pregnancy affected with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in Ibadan, Nigeria

*Olofujana B. Tolu, Sanjuma D. Prudence and Dimeji E. O

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 were less likely to demonstrate poor knowledge of causes (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.38), consequences (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.24, 0.55) and control strategies (OR = 0.32, 95% = 0.18, 0.59) compared with tertiary facility. Only 56.4% of all the mothers were aware of IPTp SP as government policy for prevention of MIP out of which 16.9% used IPTp SP in index pregnancy. Overall, only 18.4% of all mothers used IPTp SP. Being unaware of the existing government policy and educational attainment of 9 years independently predicted non-usage of IPTp SP. This study revealed that the uptake of IPTp SP in pregnancy is poor in spite of good knowledge of burden of malaria in pregnancy and underscores the need to scale up awareness campaign and monitor implementation at all levels of health care.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Malaria in pregnancy, sporadic preventive treatment, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine.

Full text

Download：1596

文章

Exposure, protection and self-reported health problems among solid waste handlers in a Coastal Peri-urban community in Ghana

James-Paul Kretchy* Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, Thilde Rheinlӓnder, Irene Ayi, Flemming Konradsen, Julius N. Fobil and Anders Dalsgaard

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 likelihood to report fever [odds ratio (OR) = 1.89 (95% C.I 1.37 – 2.56), p < 0.0001] and diarrhoea [OR = 6.25 (95% C.I 4.17 – 10.00), p < 0.0001] compared with those who used rubber gloves. Similarly, waste handlers with uncovered mouth/nose had higher likelihood to report cough than those who used mouth/nose cover [OR = 7.69 (95% C.I 4.00 – 14.29), p < 0.0001]. Waste handlers who did not use PPGs consistently cited reasons including physical discomforts, impracticalities of wearing them in hot/humid conditions, inability of employers to supply or to finance PPGs. Waste handlers need affordable and suitable protective gear to reduce risk to health as well as the provision of water and soap to promote personal hygiene at work. Employers must educate and train waste handlers on disease preventive purposes of using PPGs. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Solid waste handlers, mixed method, exposure, protection, health problem, Peri-urban.

Full text

Download：2386

文章

Prevalence and risk factors of lower reproductive tract infections among women in an Urban Area of China

Shenghui Wu*, Zhong Liu, Zhaomin Liu and Lap Ah Tse*

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) 1.09-2.04] and under unemployment (1.47, 1.07-2.01) were associated with significantly increased risk of lower RTIs after adjustment for other covariates. High prevalence of RTIs was associated with low education and unemployment status and perceived poverty was the main reason for not seeking medical consultation for reproductive problems. Specific reproductive health educational promotion programs and adequate services should be offered to this group of disadvantaged women from the lowest socioeconomic class.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Reproductive tract infection, poverty, women, prevalence, risk factors.

Full text

Download：2288

文章

Seroprevalence of Zika virus infection specific IgG in Western and North-Western Provinces of Zambia

Olusegun Ayorinde Babaniyi, Peter Mwaba, Peter Songolo*, Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba-Liwewe, Idah Mweene-Ndumba, Freddie Masaninga, Emmanuel Rudatsikira andSeterSiziya

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 of which 46.7% were male and 9.4% were aged[...] Read More.

Keywords: Arboviruses, zika virus infection, seroprevalence, correlates, Zambia.

Full text

Download：4636

Search Filter