Developing a Knowledge-Based System for Diagnosis and Treatment of Malaria

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (04) ◽  
pp. 1650036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chala Diriba ◽  
Million Meshesha ◽  
Debela Tesfaye

Malaria is a serious and fatal disease caused by a parasite that can infect a certain type of mosquito which feeds on human blood. It is a public health problem in Ethiopia and a major cause of illness and death. More than 75% of the total land of Ethiopia is malarious affecting more than 68% of the population, making malaria the leading public health problem in Ethiopia. In an effort to address such problems, it is important to develop knowledge-based system (KBS) that can provide advice for health professionals and patients to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of malaria patients. Experimental research design was used to developed prototype system. Purposive sampling technique was used to select domain experts for knowledge acquisition. The domain experts are selected from Jimma special hospital, Adama hospital and Agaro health centre. The knowledge was acquired using both structured and unstructured interviews from domain experts and represented by production rule, (if- then method). The user's acceptance of the prototype system by visual interaction method that by showing the prototype system to the domain experts was conducted result is 83.21%. In addition, performance of the prototype system was evaluated using case testing method and produce result of 82.3%. It is promising to save the life of people in rural area where there is scarcity of health professionals and apparatus. In addition, it is possible to reduce time and cost of diagnosis and treatment in health centre by implementing intelligent systems. Developing in local languages, good interface programming language and in other techniques are the future works of the study.

2021 ◽  
pp. 179-186
Author(s):  
Emily F. Rothman

Human trafficking is an insidious public health problem that may be worsened by the constant demand for new pornography, but sex workers’ rights—including the rights of pornography performers—are not always served by anti-trafficking efforts. This chapter provides a definition of human trafficking, reviews three main arguments about how pornography may influence human trafficking, and encourages public health professionals to value anecdotal information from both sex workers’ rights advocates and human trafficking survivors to move toward better science and evidence-informed decision-making.


Author(s):  
Jesús RIC

Due to the innovation and jeopardy of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, it has been observed that the population is not treating their pre-existing health conditions as usual. It has also been observed that people, for the fear of being infected with COVID-19 and due to confinement, do not continue with their treatments of health conditions diagnosed prior to the pandemic, and it will be possible an increase, in the not too distant future, of other health conditions. Also, the health of the population, both physical and mental, can be compromised. The objective of this article is to present some of the conditions that have been observed during other epidemic episodes and some risk factors that population are currently exposed to due to COVID-19. As health professionals we have to create awareness about the importance of provide immediate attention to these mental health conditions because it could become a detrimental public health problem also, this issue can possibly be greater than the one we have today with the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 319 ◽  
pp. 02019
Author(s):  
Tidiane Diallo ◽  
Abdourahamane Diara ◽  
Sanou Khô Coulibaly ◽  
Youssoul Konaté ◽  
Hinde Hami ◽  
...  

Introduction: In Mali, the irrational use of drugs constitutes a public health problem through the misuse of certain psychotropic and / or analgesic drugs for drug addiction purposes. The aim of this study was to measure the consumption of drugs diverted from their therapeutic use in Bamako. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Bamako with a sample of 260 respondents: 98 health workers and 162 clients (pharmacies) / patients (hospitals). Results: Men were more affected than women, with 62% of cases. The 15-45 age group accounted for 55% of cases. According to the results, workers and students respectively represented 19% and 17% of cases. Promethazine (20%), the combination Paracetamol / codeine / caffeine (13%) and Tramadol (11%) were the drugs most commonly used and diverted from their medical use among clients of pharmacies. According to pharmacists, the drugs affected by misuse were Misoprostol (10%), Clonazepam (9%) and Promethazine (9%). According to doctors and nurses, Misoprostol, Promethazine and diazepam were used for other purposes with 23%, 16% and 13%, respectively. Conclusion: In order to reduce this practice, a synergy of action by health professionals is essential for the rational use of drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Henrique da Mata Martins ◽  
Mary Jane Paris Spink

Abstract When attributing the causes and agents responsible for a public health problem, people position themselves discursively. This study aimed to analyze utterances attributing causality and responsibility for a neglected disease in Brazil: human leptospirosis. A qualitative method was adopted, using semi-structured interviews and discourse analysis by dialogical maps. Nine interlocutors participated in the study. They were indicated by managers and health professionals, considering their competence to talk about practices and experiences related to the control of the disease. Our results show five simultaneous types of attribution in the utterances, indicating variability. However, we also identified traces of discursive patterns associated with the positions occupied by interlocutors within the healthcare network. Then, we articulated a critical reflection on the potential effects of these patterns. We suggest complementary studies to be performed, associating attributions with actions aiming to reduce leptospirosis cases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Witt ◽  
Rebecca Brown ◽  
Paul L. Plener ◽  
Elmar Brähler ◽  
Jörg M. Fegert ◽  
...  

Zusammenfassung. Kindesmisshandlung stellt einen bedeutenden Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung dar. Einzelne Formen von Kindesmisshandlung treten häufig nicht isoliert auf, sondern das gemeinsame Auftreten verschiedener Formen von Kindesmisshandlung stellt eher die Regel als die Ausnahme dar. Neben den langfristigen und vielfältigen individuellen Folgen führt Kindesmisshandlung jährlich zu einer hohen gesamtgesellschaftlichen Belastung. Die WHO hat Kindesmisshandlung als großes Public Health Problem identifiziert und die Vereinten Nationen haben den Kampf gegen Kindesmisshandlung zum Ziel in ihrer Agenda für nachhaltige Entwicklung gemacht. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Häufigkeit sowie das gemeinsame Auftreten unterschiedlicher Formen von Kindesmisshandlung sowie deren Assoziation mit psychischen und somatischen Folgen auf Basis einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Stichprobe untersucht und dargestellt. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen den Zusammenhang zwischen der Kumulation verschiedener Formen von Misshandlung und negativen Folgen für die Betroffenen. So ist das Risiko für negative Konsequenzen beim Erleben von vier oder mehr Formen von Misshandlung um das bis zu 10-fache erhöht. Viel zu selten werden die kumulativen Effekte von mehreren Belastungen berücksichtigt. Gerade weil die Wirkweisen über die Misshandlung, die Gesundheit beeinflusst, zunehmend gut untersucht sind, muss dieses Wissen im Gesundheitswesen stärker bei der Konzeption von Präventions- und Interventionsmaßnahmen berücksichtigt werden.


Author(s):  
I.E. Levchenko ◽  
◽  
A.Y. Kuznetsov ◽  
E.G. Korniltseva ◽  
◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Nurul Qamila ◽  
Agel Vidian Krama

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a contagious disease caused by the dengue virus and is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Aa.aegypti). The population is still a public health problem that increases the number of sufferers and also widespread, with population and education. This study aims to reveal the spatial pattern and distribution of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) with the spatial pattern and the spread of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) can result in different locations of these allegations. From the map that can be used for the prevention of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DBD) in Bandar Lampung City. This study aims to reveal the spatial pattern and distribution of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) with the descriptive method and spatial pattern of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) can result in different locations of these allegations. From the map that can be used for the prevention of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DBD) in Bandar Lampung City. Keywords: DHF, Spatial Analysis


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