Analysis of mercury concentration in former mine areas in Slovakia

Abstract Background Mercury is ubiquitous in the biosphere, occurring in the air, water, land, and soil, as well as in the living organisms. Mercury release in the environment is mainly the result of human activity, particularly from coal-fired power stations, waste incinerators and as a result of mining for mercury and other metals, which have led to wide spread global mercury pollution. The excessive exposure to mercury is a public health concern since it is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects including damage to the central nervous system and the kidneys. Mercury poses a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. We answer the question whether the monitoring of mercury is important even though the ore processing factories ended their production. Methods A total of 5,579 samples of foodstuffs from food retails in Slovakia and 24 species of plants within 100 meters to the former ore processing factory in Eastern Slovakia have been collected over the last two decades. The samples were selected randomly and the material was homogenized. Atomic absorption spectrometry standard solutions for mercury were used at a wavelength of 254 nm. Results The maximum mercury level set by the European Commission Regulation was exceeded in 314 samples. 50.52% of the total 384 fish samples from food retails in Slovakia were above the limit. The concentrations of mercury in the plants and in the soils taken to a depth of 0.25 m exceeded the maximum levels more than 6-times and 50-times, respectively. Conclusions The acceptance of mercurýs environmental impacts require several decades of research and public health activities. The monitoring of mercury worldwide is important, since we found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination. We recommend developing procedures and legislation for the consumption of selected foods from the areas of ore processing companies for children, adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Key messages The systematic monitoring of mercury is still very important, since we found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination in the former ore processing areas. It is not recommend the consumption of selected foods and plants from the former ore processing areas for selected groups of the population – children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

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Prevalence of health misinformation in social media: a systematic review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17187 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Victor Suarez-Lledo ◽

Javier Alvarez-Galvez

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Social Media ◽

Eating Disorders ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Health Concern ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Medical Treatments ◽

Wide Range ◽

Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND The propagation of health misinformation through social media has become a major public health concern over the last two decades. Although today there is broad agreement among researchers, health professionals, and policy makers on the need to control and combat health misinformation, the magnitude of this problem is still unknown. Consequently, before adopting the necessary measures for the adequate control of health misinformation in social media, it is fundamental to discover both the most prevalent health topics and the social media platforms from which these topics are initially framed and subsequently disseminated. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to identify the main health misinformation topics and their prevalence on different social media platforms, focusing on methodological quality and the diverse solutions that are being implemented to address this public health concern. METHODS This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and the Web of Science for articles published in English before March 2019 with a particular focus on studying health misinformation in social media. We defined health misinformation as a health-related claim based on anecdotal evidence, false, or misleading due to the lack of existing scientific knowledge. The criteria for inclusion were: 1) articles that focused on health misinformation in social media, including those in which the authors discussed the consequences or purposes of health misinformation; and 2) studies that described empirical findings regarding the measurement of health misinformation in these platforms. RESULTS A total of 69 studies were identified as eligible, covering a wide range of health topics and social media platforms. The topics were articulated around six principal categories: vaccines (32%), drugs or smoking (22%), non-communicable disease (19%), pandemics (10%), eating disorders (9%), and medical treatments (7%). Studies were mainly based on five methodological approaches: Social Network Analysis (28%), Evaluating Content (26%), Evaluating Quality (24%), Content/Text analysis (16%) and Sentiment Analysis (6%). Health misinformation proved to be the most more prevalent in studies related to smoking products and drugs such as opioids or marijuana. Posts with misinformation reached 87% in some studies focused in smoking products. Health misinformation about vaccines was also very common (43%), but studies reported different levels of misinformation depending on the different vaccines, with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine being the most affected. Secondly, health misinformation related to diets or pro eating disorders (pro-ED) arguments were moderate in comparison to the aforementioned topics (36%). Studies focused on diseases (i.e. non-communicable diseases and pandemics) also reported moderate misinformation rates (40%), especially in the case of cancer. Finally, the lowest levels of health misinformation were related to medical treatments (30%). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of health misinformation was most common on Twitter and on issues related to smoking products and drugs. However, misinformation is also high on major public health issues such as vaccines and diseases. Our study offers a comprehensive characterization of the dominant health misinformation topics and a comprehensive description of their prevalence in different social media platforms, which can guide future studies and help in the development of evidence-based digital policy actions plans. CLINICALTRIAL

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Predictors of Anaemia prevalence among pregnant women in urban Ghana: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.13559/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jones Asafo Akowuah ◽

Ebenezer Owusu-Addo ◽

Ama Opuni Antwiwaa

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Iron Sulphate

Abstract Background Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern. Despite its wide scope and adverse effects including increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and long-term adverse effects in the new born, extensive interventions using upstream approaches to public health have largely not been implemented. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of anaemia in pregnant women in four health facilities in the Kwabre East Municipality of Ghana.Method A cross-sectional survey with a two-stage sampling technique was conducted on 220 pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the selected health facilities. Interview-based structured questionnaires were used. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors.Results The prevalence of anaemia was 11.4%. Few women (25) were anaemic and morphologically, 14 had normocytic normochromic (56%) anemia and 9 had Microcytic hypochromic (36) anaemia. Iron deficiency was reported in 19 (8.6%) pregnant women. Iron sulphate intake (AOR [95% CI] = 3.16 [1.15, 7.37], ANC follow-up during pregnancy (AOR [95% CI] = 3.07 [1.59, 7.99], household size of ≥ 5 (AOR [95% CI] = 3.58 [1.75, 9.52], folic acid intake (AOR [95% CI] = 5.29 [2.65, 12.39] and the period in pregnancy AOR [95% CI]= ≥36 weeks 3.2 (1.3–4.5) were independent predictors of anemia.Conclusion Though anaemia prevalence has been low in urban areas as previously reported, collaborated healthcare measures that aim at eradicating the menace are encouraged. Maternal health care interventions including the administration of folic acid, regular iron sulphate intake and intensive education on early ANC are recommended.

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Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Genetic Characterization of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Escherichia coli Isolated From Healthy Pregnant Women in Madagascar

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.786146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Milen Milenkov ◽

Saida Rasoanandrasana ◽

Lalaina Vonintsoa Rahajamanana ◽

Rivo Solo Rakotomalala ◽

Catherine Ainamalala Razafindrakoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Large Scale ◽

Genomic Diversity ◽

World Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Snp Analysis ◽

Phylogenetic Groups ◽

E Coli

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern worldwide affecting humans, animals and the environment. However, data is lacking especially in developing countries. Thus, the World Health Organization developed a One-Health surveillance project called Tricycle focusing on the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in humans, animals, and the environment. Here we present the first results of the human community component of Tricycle in Madagascar. From July 2018 to April 2019, rectal swabs from 492 pregnant women from Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Ambatondrazaka, and Toamasina were tested for ESBL-E. coli carriage. Demographic, sociological and environmental risk factors were investigated, and E. coli isolates were characterized (antibiotic susceptibility, resistance and virulence genes, plasmids, and genomic diversity). ESBL-E. coli prevalence carriage in pregnant women was 34% varying from 12% (Toamasina) to 65% (Ambatondrazaka). The main risk factor associated with ESBL-E. coli carriage was the rainy season (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–5.6, p = 0.009). Whole genome sequencing was performed on 168 isolates from 144 participants. blaCTX–M–15 was the most frequent ESBL gene (86%). One isolate was resistant to carbapenems and carried the blaNDM–5 gene. Most isolates belonged to commensalism associated phylogenetic groups A, B1, and C (90%) and marginally to extra-intestinal virulence associated phylogenetic groups B2, D and F (10%). Multi locus sequence typing showed 67 different sequence types gathered in 17 clonal complexes (STc), the most frequent being STc10/phylogroup A (35%), followed distantly by the emerging STc155/phylogroup B1 (7%), STc38/phylogroup D (4%) and STc131/phylogroup B2 (3%). While a wide diversity of clones has been observed, SNP analysis revealed several genetically close isolates (n = 34/168) which suggests human-to-human transmissions. IncY plasmids were found with an unusual prevalence (23%), all carrying a blaCTX–M–15. Most of them (85%) showed substantial homology (≥85%) suggesting a dissemination of IncY ESBL plasmids in Madagascar. This large-scale study reveals a high prevalence of ESBL-E. coli among pregnant women in four cities in Madagascar associated with warmth and rainfall. It shows the great diversity of E. coli disseminating throughout the country but also transmission of specific clones and spread of plasmids. This highlights the urgent need of public-health interventions to control antibiotic resistance in the country.

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COVID-19 Trends in Florida – August 10 – November 14, 2020

10.1101/2020.11.24.20235861 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rebekah D. Jones ◽

Jacob E. Romer

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

The United States ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

National Database ◽

Wide Range ◽

K 12 ◽

Case Data

AbstractLimited research on the prevalence and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in K-12 environments has led to a flurry of speculative, qualitative, non-data-driven analysis with potentially dangerous implications for public health policy. Twenty-four US states provide, at a minimum, outbreak data in K-12 schools. Student enrollment across Florida’s 67 districts totals more than 2.67 million, with five of the ten most populated districts in the country in the state. This study uses Florida as a case study in COVID-19 trends in schools. With no state-wide mask mandate, varying levels of virtual-instruction participation, and a range of rural, suburban, and urban environments, Florida represents the wide range of learning environments and COVID-19 approaches to mitigation observed across the country. The Covid Monitor began tracking case data in K-12 schools in July 2020, and has since reported more than 200,000 confirmed cases of the virus in the K-12 environment nationwide – the largest date repository for cases in schools. The Covid Monitor’s national database allows for analysis of the characteristics and trends of cases in schools over time. The results may inform decisions about continued in-person and virtual learning access and promotion across the United States, as well as mitigation measures related to reopening policies across districts responsive to model results. These results also provide a baseline for monitoring trends and evaluating mitigation strategies.Table of Contents SummaryUsing the most comprehensive database of K-12 COVID-19 case data in the country, Florida provides clues for understanding student and staff cases in schools.What’s known on this subjectFlorida schools began reopening to in-person instruction in August and reported 15,393 student and staff cases of COVID-19 as of November 14, 2020. Incidence of COVID-19 cases in K-12 students and staff is of urgent public health concern.What this study addsCOVID-19 cases reported in Florida schools were most influenced by community case rates and percent of students attending face-to-face. Student case rates were highest in high schools (4.5 per 1,000); staff case rates were highest in elementary levels (4.5-4.8).

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Preliminary Characterization of Triatomine Bug Blood Meals on the Island of Trinidad Reveals Opportunistic Feeding Behavior on Both Human and Animal Hosts

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed5040166 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 166

Author(s):

Alexandra Hylton ◽

Daniel M. Fitzpatrick ◽

Rod Suepaul ◽

Andrew P. Dobson ◽

Roxanne A. Charles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Chagas Disease ◽

Blood Meal ◽

Health Concern ◽

Triatomine Bugs ◽

Wide Range ◽

Local Risk ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Cruzi Infection ◽

Blood Meals

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite is endemic to the Americas, including the Caribbean, where it is vectored by triatomine bugs. Although Chagas disease is not considered a public health concern in the Caribbean islands, studies in Trinidad have found T. cruzi-seropositive humans and T. cruzi-infected triatomine bugs. However, little is known about triatomine bug host preferences in Trinidad, making it difficult to evaluate local risk of vector-borne T. cruzi transmission to humans. To investigate this question, we collected triatomine bugs in Trinidad and diagnosed each one for T. cruzi infection (microscopy and PCR). We then carried out a blood meal analysis using DNA extracted from each bug (PCR and sequencing). Fifty-five adult bugs (54 Panstrongylus geniculatus and one Rhodnius pictipes) were collected from five of 21 sample sites. All successful collection sites were residential. Forty-six out of the 55 bugs (83.6%) were infected with T. cruzi. Fifty-three blood meal hosts were successfully analyzed (one per bug), which consisted of wild birds (7% of all blood meals), wild mammals (17%), chickens (19%), and humans (57%). Of the 30 bugs with human blood meals, 26 (87%) were from bugs infected with T. cruzi. Although preliminary, our results align with previous work in which P. geniculatus in Trinidad had high levels of T. cruzi infection. Furthermore, our findings suggest that P. geniculatus moves between human and animal environments in Trinidad, feeding opportunistically on a wide range of species. Our findings highlight a critical need for further studies of Chagas disease in Trinidad in order to estimate the public health risk and implement necessary preventative and control measures.

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A Study on Maternal Weight Gain and its Correlation with Birth Weight of Baby at Term

Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/akmmcj.v9i1.35820 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 22-28

Author(s):

Shiffin Rijvi ◽

Sharmin Abbasi ◽

Anuradha Karmakar ◽

Sehereen Farhad Siddiqua ◽

Farhana Dewan

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Health Concern ◽

Maternal Weight Gain ◽

Maternal Weight ◽

Medical College ◽

The Mean

Background: Maternal weight gain is influenced by several trends in perinatal health that are of great public health concern. Maternal weight gain during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters is an important determinant of fetal growthObjective: To determine the relationship between maternal weight gain and birth weight of baby at term.Methodology : A cross sectional observational study was carried among 50 pregnant women at term were admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital and Anwer Khan Modern Medical College hospital during the period of January 2014 to July 2014. Data were collected pre-designed data collection sheet.Results: This study found maximum (36%) were age group 21-25 years followed by 28% were 20 years, 24% were 26-30 years, 8% were 31-35 years and only 4% were 36-40 years. The average age was 25 years. Among these 50 pregnant women, 2 cases (4%) had BMI <18.5, 15 cases (30%) had a BMI 18.5- 24.9, 19 cases (38%) had a BMI 25-29.9 and 14 cases (28%) had a BMI ≥30. The mean birth weight was 2.77±0.33. kg. Mean weight gain was 10.72±3.72 Kg. Weight increased there was a corresponding increase in the mean birth weight and this relationship was statistically significant (<0.05).Conclusion: This study shows maternal weight gain significantly increased birth weight of the baby at term. Maternal weight should continue to be given importance in monitoring the health of pregnancies and bioelectrical impedance analysis and arm measurements should be further investigated as another simple way to track appropriate body composition changes across gestation, especially in resource-limited settings. Although challenging, public health efforts should continue working to improve the nutritional status of women of reproductive age before they conceive as an apparent way to improve birth outcomes.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 9, No. 1: Jan 2018, P 22-28

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From Sea to Skin: Is There a Future for Natural Photoprotectants?

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md19070379 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (7) ◽

pp. 379

Author(s):

Alfonsina Milito ◽

Immacolata Castellano ◽

Elisabetta Damiani

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Natural Products ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Marine Species ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Health Concern ◽

Skin Damage ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation ◽

Wide Range

In the last few decades, the thinning of the ozone layer due to increased atmospheric pollution has exacerbated the negative effects of excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and skin cancer has become a major public health concern. In order to prevent skin damage, public health advice mainly focuses on the use of sunscreens, along with wearing protective clothing and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. Sunscreens present on the market are topical formulations that contain a number of different synthetic, organic, and inorganic UVR filters with different absorbance profiles, which, when combined, provide broad UVR spectrum protection. However, increased evidence suggests that some of these compounds cause subtle damage to marine ecosystems. One alternative may be the use of natural products that are produced in a wide range of marine species and are mainly thought to act as a defense against UVR-mediated damage. However, their potential for human photoprotection is largely under-investigated. In this review, attention has been placed on the molecular strategies adopted by marine organisms to counteract UVR-induced negative effects and we provide a broad portrayal of the recent literature concerning marine-derived natural products having potential as natural sunscreens/photoprotectants for human skin. Their chemical structure, UVR absorption properties, and their pleiotropic role as bioactive molecules are discussed. Most studies strongly suggest that these natural products could be promising for use in biocompatible sunscreens and may represent an alternative eco-friendly approach to protect humans against UV-induced skin damage.

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Preventing Cancer with Two Injections, A Clinical Review of the HPV Vaccination

Osteopathic Family Physician ◽

10.33181/11063 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 24-29

Author(s):

Gerald Julian ◽

David Go ◽

Jay Shubrook

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

The United States ◽

Infection Process ◽

Health Concern ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Papilloma Virus ◽

Wide Range ◽

Patient Refusal

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has become a major public health concern in the United States. HPV has high subclinical infection rates and is a major cause of preventable cancers (cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal). Despite availability of an effective vaccine against several common and carcinogenic strains of HPV, it remains the most common STI. Gardasil 9 is a widely available vaccine that protects against nine strains of HPV. Seven of those strains are known to cause a wide range of cancer, and the other two strains are the most common cause of condylomas (genital warts). Yet, patients are not completing this vaccination series. There is a constellation of reasons for this, including the failure of the provider to offer it to patients and patient refusal. Either way, this easy public health intervention is significantly underutilized. This review explores the infection process of HPV; its link to cancer; a comparison of vaccines offered in the past, such as Cervarix and Gardasil 4, compared to the currently offered Gardasil 9; and finally, an exploration of the beliefs and views around vaccination of the STI and cancer by looking at patient/physician stances against the vaccine tied with the ways to help patient compliance.

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Carcass Salmonella and Its Drug Resistance

International Journal of Pathogen Research ◽

10.9734/ijpr/2019/v2i130064 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Gizachew Muluneh Amera ◽

Amit Kumar Singh

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Health Concern ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Wide Range ◽

Food Animals

Salmonella are the major pathogenic bacteria in humans as well as in animals. Salmonella species are leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in several countries and salmonellosis remains an important public health problem worldwide, particularly in the developing countries. Isolation of Salmonella from a wide range of sources suggests that Salmonella is widespread in food animals and meat products and underlines the necessity for a joint and coordinated surveillance and monitoring programs for salmonellosis and other major food borne zoonotic diseases. Food animals harbor a wide range of Salmonella and so act as sources of contamination, which is of paramount epidemiological importance in non-typhoid human salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is more aggravated by the ever increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance strains in food animals. The high prevalence and dissemination of multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella have become a growing public health concern. Multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella are now encountered frequently and the rates of multidrug resistance have increased considerably in recent years. Food animal consumption is a potential cause for antimicrobial resistant Salmonella illnesses besides, the common factors such as overcrowding, poverty, inadequate sanitary conditions, and poor personal hygiene. Practicing good sanitary measures, extensive education programs for proper hygiene and improvement of managements are solutions to eliminate the high bacteriological load as well as prevalence of Salmonella in cattle carcass. Furthermore, restricting the use of antimicrobial agents in food animals, designation of multidrug-resistant Salmonella as an adulterant in ground beef, improving the mechanisms for product trace-back investigations and wise and discriminate use of antimicrobials should be practiced to combat the ever increasing situation of antimicrobial resistance. So, this review used for updating information on their prevalence and resistance patterns is very important to suggest the acceptance of the carcass in relation to the standards and for proper selection and use of antimicrobial agents in a setting.

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Conceptual Framework Based On Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Theory for Predicting Childhood Obesity Risk

International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering (iJOE) ◽

10.3991/ijoe.v16i03.12701 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (03) ◽

pp. 95

Author(s):

Khalid Almohammadi

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Fuzzy Logic ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Health Concern ◽

Fuzzy Logic Systems ◽

Wide Range ◽

Logic Systems

Obesity is a critical public health concern affecting a wide range of people globally. The rise in obesity is limited to not only the wealthiest countries but also the poorest. Childhood obesity has grown exponentially in the last few years, and its progression is significant contribution to the increase in mortality rates. Childhood obesity is linked with a wide range of risk factors. These include individual and parental biological factors, sedentary behavior or decreased physical activity, and parent restriction. This paper focuses on reviewing the techniques of artificial intelligence (AI) utilized in the management of obesity in children. The paper will also propose a conceptual framework to use novel type-1 and type-2 fuzzy logic methods capable of predicting risks for developing childhood obesity. The proposed approach will address factors such as family characteristics, unhealthy food choices and lack of exercise, and others related to children and their home environment. The procedure will help in the prevention of childhood obesity, promote public health, and reduce treatment costs for a wide range of obesity-related conditions. The paper will also plan an examination of type-1 and type-2 fuzzy logic systems on approximately one thousand families in Saudi Arabia. The proposed methods can handle the encountered uncertainties to enhance modeling and promote the accuracy of predictions of the risk for childhood obesity. Type-1 and type-2 fuzzy logic systems can also encode extracted rules comprehensively to provide insight into the best childhood obesity prevention behaviors.

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