scholarly journals MAVSCOT: A fuzzy logic-based HIV diagnostic system with indigenous multi-lingual interfaces for rural Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241864
Author(s):  
Olugbenga Oluseun Oluwagbemi ◽  
Folakemi Etseoghena Oluwagbemi ◽  
Abdulwahab Jatto ◽  
Cang Hui
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Diagnostic System ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Health Care Practitioners

HIV still constitutes a major public health problem in Africa, where the highest incidence and prevalence of the disease can be found in many rural areas, with multiple indigenous languages being used for communication by locals. In many rural areas of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa, for instance, the most widely used languages include Zulu and Xhosa, with only limited comprehension in English and Afrikaans. Health care practitioners for HIV diagnosis and treatment, often, cannot communicate efficiently with their indigenous ethnic patients. An informatics tool is urgently needed to facilitate these health care professionals for better communication with their patients during HIV diagnosis. Here, we apply fuzzy logic and speech technology and develop a fuzzy logic HIV diagnostic system with indigenous multi-lingual interfaces, named Multi-linguAl HIV indigenouS fuzzy logiC-based diagnOstic sysTem (MAVSCOT). This HIV multilingual informatics software can facilitate the diagnosis in underprivileged rural African communities. We provide examples on how MAVSCOT can be applied towards HIV diagnosis by using existing data from the literature. Compared to other similar tools, MAVSCOT can perform better due to its implementation of the fuzzy logic. We hope MAVSCOT would help health care practitioners working in indigenous communities of many African countries, to efficiently diagnose HIV and ultimately control its transmission.

scholarly journals Socio-demographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoeal disease among children under five in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pintu Paul
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diarrhoeal Disease ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Past

Abstract Background Globally, diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in children under five and a major public health problem. Despite several health care initiatives taken by the government, a large proportion of children still experience diarrhoeal diseases which cause high childhood death in India. This study aims to examine the socio-demographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoea in children under five in India. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed using secondary data from the recent round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015–16. A total of 247,743 living children below 5 years of age were included in the analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out to assess the factors associated with childhood diarrhoeal disease. Results In India, about 9% of under-five children experience diarrhoeal disease in the past 2 weeks preceding the survey. Children living in rural areas (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09), children belonged to scheduled tribe (aOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.89) and other castes (aOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97), Muslim children (aOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.24), and children resided in the central (aOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.70) and west (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.15) regions were significantly associated with higher likelihood of diarrhoea in the past 2 weeks. Concerning environmental factors, child stool disposal (aOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.09), floor materials (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.12) and roof materials (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) of the household were found to be significant predictors of childhood diarrhoea occurrence. Conclusions Diarrhoeal disease is common among children who lived in rural areas, scheduled castes, Muslims, and children from poor families. Regarding environmental factors, stool disposal practices in the household, dirt floor, and thatch roof materials of the household unit are risk factors for diarrhoeal disease. Targeted approach should be initiated to mitigate the problem of the poor health status of children by providing adequate health care. The policy-makers and stakeholders should address adverse environmental conditions by the provision of latrine and improved housing facilities.

scholarly journals Socio-demographic and environmental factors of diarrhoea among under-five children in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pintu Paul
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diarrhoeal Disease ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Under Five Children

Abstract Background Globally, diarrhoea is a second leading cause of deaths among under-five children and is a major public health problem. Despite several health care initiatives, a large proportion of under-five children are still experienced diarrhoeal diseases causes high mortality in India. This study aims to examine the socio-demographic and environmental factors of diarrhoea among children under-five in India.Methods A cross-sectional study was designed using the recent round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), conducted in 2015-16. A total of living children below 5 years of age were utilized for the analysis of this study. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression were carried out to investigate the factors of childhood diarrhoea.Results In India, about 9% under-five children experience diarrhoeal disease in the past 2 weeks. Children from rural areas (AOR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09), Scheduled Tribe (AOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.89) and others caste (AOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97), Muslim (AOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.24), and from central (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.70) and west region (AOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.15) were significantly associated with higher likelihood of diarrhoea in past 2 weeks. Furthermore, this study also revealed that child’s stool disposal (AOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.09), floor materials (AOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.12) and roof materials (AOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) of the household were found to be significant factors of childhood diarrhoea occurrence.Conclusions Diarrhoeal disease remains a serious public health problem in India. The findings of this study suggest strengthening of existing health care programs. Policy intervention should also address socio-economic vulnerabilities of mothers and children to combat the incidence of diarrhoea. In addition, provisioning of sanitation and housing facilities may help positively to control diarrhoeal disease that could eventually reduce the incidence of child mortality.

scholarly journals Socio-demographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoeal disease among children under five in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pintu Paul
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diarrhoeal Disease ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Past

Abstract Background: Globally, diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in children under five and a major public health problem. Despite several health care initiatives taken by the government, a large proportion of children still experience diarrhoeal diseases which cause high childhood death in India. This study aims to examine the socio-demographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoea in children under five in India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed using the recent round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015–16. A total of 247,743 living children below five years of age were included in the analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out to assess the factors associated with childhood diarrhoeal disease.Results: In India, about 9% of under-five children experience diarrhoeal disease in the past two weeks preceding the survey. Children living in rural areas (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09), belonged to scheduled tribe (aOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.89) and other castes (aOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97), Muslim children (aOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.24), and children resided in the central (aOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.70) and west (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.15) regions were significantly associated with higher likelihood of diarrhoea in the past two weeks. Concerning environmental factors, child stool disposal (aOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.09), floor materials (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.12) and roof materials (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) of the household were found to be significant factors of childhood diarrhoea occurrence.Conclusions: Diarrhoeal disease is common among children who lived in rural areas, scheduled castes, Muslims, and children from poor families. Regarding environmental factors, stool disposal practices in the household, dirt floor, and thatch roof materials of the household unit are risk factors for diarrhoeal disease. Targeted approach should be initiated to mitigate the problem of the poor health status of children by providing adequate health care. The policy-makers and stakeholders should address adverse environmental conditions by the provision of latrine and improved housing facilities.

scholarly journals Knowledge on cervical cancer and perceived barriers to the uptake of HPV vaccination among health professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Poongodi Chellapandian ◽  
Sindhura Myneni ◽  
Divya Ravikumar ◽  
Padmavathy Padmanaban ◽  
Kavin Mozhi James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Care Hospital

Abstract Background Despite the fact that cervical cancer is preventable and curable in the early stages, it still remains to be a major public health problem in India. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination among health care professionals working in a tertiary care hospital in urban India. Methods To this aim, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 318 health care professionals working in tertiary hospitals across Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Our research group designed a structured questionnaire with 31 items to assess the knowledge and attitudes on cervical cancer, its prevention, and HPV vaccination. Results Among the 318 respondents, 90.6% were aware of cervical cancer, 83.3% were aware that PAP (Papanicolaou) smear test detects cervical cancer, and 86.2% of the respondents knew that HPV causes cervical cancer. 29.2% of the eligible respondents underwent the screening against cervical cancer, and 19.8% of the study participants were vaccinated for HPV. Only 34.9% know that the HPV vaccine could be given to boys. The most common reason for not being vaccinated against HPV was the lack of awareness. In our study, 77.2% of the respondents were willing to be vaccinated and recommend HPV vaccination to their family members. Conclusion From this study, it was evident that there is a lack of awareness about HPV vaccination and its importance in preventing cervical cancer among healthcare professionals. Our finding clearly establishes the need to devise intervention programs to promote vaccination against HPV and periodical screening for cervical cancer among healthcare professionals.

Healthcare-Associated Infections: Not Only a Clinical Burden, But a Forensic Point of View

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 658-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Di Paolo ◽  
Luigi Papi ◽  
Paolo Malacarne ◽  
Federica Gori ◽  
Emanuela Turillazzi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) occur when patients receiving treatment in a health care setting develop an infection. They represent a major public health problem, requiring the integration of clinical medicine, pathology, epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and, finally, forensic medicine. Methods: The determination of cause of death is fundamental not only in the cases of presumed malpractice to ascertain the causal link with any negligent behavior both of health facilities and of individual professionals, but also for epidemiological purposes since it may help to know the global burden of HCAIs, that remains undetermined because of the difficulty of gathering reliable diagnostic data. A complete methodological approach, integrating clinical data by means of autopsy and histological and laboratory findings aiming to identify and demonstrate the host response to infectious insult, is mandatory in HCAIs related deaths. Results: Important tasks for forensic specialists in hospitals and health services centers are the promotion of transparency and open communication by health-care workers on the risk of HCAIs, thus facilitating patients’ engagement and the implementation of educational interventions for professionals aimed to improve their knowledge and adherence to prevention and control measures. Conclusion: HCAIs are a major problem for patient safety in every health-care facility and system around the world and their control and prevention represent a challenging priority for healthcare institution and workers committed to making healthcare safer. Clinicians are at the forefront in the war against HCAIs, however, also forensic pathologists have a remarkable role.

scholarly journals SEANUTS: the nutritional status and dietary intakes of 0.5–12-year-old Thai children

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (S3) ◽  
pp. S36-S44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nipa Rojroongwasinkul ◽  
Kallaya Kijboonchoo ◽  
Wanphen Wimonpeerapattana ◽  
Sasiumphai Purttiponthanee ◽  
Uruwan Yamborisut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Serum Retinol

In the present study, we investigated nutritional status and health-related factors in a multistage cluster sample of 3119 Thai urban and rural children aged 0·5–12·9 years. In a subsample, blood samples were collected for the measurement of Hb, transferrin receptor, vitamin A and vitamin D concentrations. The prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural children than in urban children, whereas the wasting rate was similar in both rural and urban areas. Among children aged 3·0–5·9 years, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas and so was the obesity rate in children aged 6·0–12·9 years. Protein intakes of all age groups were relatively high in both the areas. Intakes of Ca, Fe, Zn and vitamin C were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The prevalence of anaemia in rural areas was twice as high as that in urban areas, particularly in infants and young children. However, the prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia was similar in both urban and rural areas. While the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 0·7 μmol/l) seemed to be very low, vitamin A insufficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 1·05 μmol/l) was more prevalent (29·4–31·7 %) in both the areas. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency ranged between 27·7 and 45·6 % among the children. The present study indicates that the double burden of malnutrition is still a major public health problem in Thailand. Further studies need to explore the associated risk factors for these nutrient deficiencies. Effective strategies and actions are needed to tackle the nutritional problems in Thai children.

scholarly journals Anaemia among Egyptian adolescents: prevalence and determinants

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1017-1025
Author(s):  
F. El Sahn ◽  
S. Sallam ◽  
A. Mandif ◽  
O. Galal
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Socioeconomic Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wide Scale

We aimed to estimate the nationwide prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in Egypt and to study possible risk factors. A cross-sectional approach was used. Blood samples were collected from 1980 adolescents for haemoglobin estimation. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 46.6%, most of which was mild or moderate, with severe cases in less than 1.0% of the sample. Gender difference was almost nonexistent. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the level of anaemia and age [especially among boys], socioeconomic level and educational level. Anaemia was more prevalent in rural areas and in Upper [southern] Egypt. Anaemia is a major public health problem among Egyptian adolescents and wide-scale public health education is warranted.

Out of the Shadows

2019 ◽  
pp. 123-144
Author(s):  
Douglas C. Haldeman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Health Care Training ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
And Gender

Sexual minority and gender-diverse (SM/GD) persons experience depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use issues at a disproportionate rate when compared with heterosexuals. Stigma, minority stress, and prejudicial social attitudes and institutional policies are viewed as the reason for this. The disparities in access to health care for SM/GD persons is significant and is perceived as due to lack of access to competent care as well as mistrust of health care professionals on the part of SM/GD persons. SM/GD teens and elders, as well as individuals with low socioeconomic status, those living in rural areas, and those with disabilities, are particularly vulnerable. Recommendations for changes in health care policy, as well as strategies for improving the cultural competence of health care providers and evidence-based treatments, are discussed. Additionally, further research, standardizing health care training to include SM/GD persons, prevention, and inter-organizational advocacy are recommended.

scholarly journals Surgical eye camp in rural area of Nepal and its role in Vision 2020

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kharel Sitaula ◽  
S N Joshi ◽  
S Khanal
Keyword(s):  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Rural Nepal ◽  
Eye Camps

Blindness continues to remain a major public health problem in Nepal and cataract is the leading cause. Cataract surgical coverage is relatively low in the rural areas where prevalence of blindness is high. To evaluate the role of surgical out­reached eye camps in rural Nepal and its impact in Vision 2020. This is a descriptive cross sectional camp based study in a remote village of Nepal, where 4 days screening of the eye disease mainly the cataract was done. 250 patients (54.80% males and 45.20% females) underwent eye health screening tests. Cataract was the commonest ocular disease (29.6%) among the screened population and 24% (60 patients) of them required cataract surgery (57% male and 43% female). The mean age of the operated patient was 71.84 ± 10.6years. Among the operated cases, bilateral blindness was present in 21.66% and unilateral blindness in 70% but after vision restoring cataract surgery, normal visual acuity (6/6-6/18) was achieved in 31(51.66%), and vision of 6/24-6/60 in 23 (38.33%) cases. Cataract remains to be the major cause of blindness in Nepal and arrangement of repeated surgical eye camps in the remote areas of Nepal could aid in reducing the prevent­able cause of blindness thereby help in achieving the goal of Vision 2020. 

scholarly journals Workshop: Health workforce meets HSR: Tackling regional inequalities in health service provision

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Do So

Abstract Background Many countries across Europe are facing considerable challenges in providing accessible and high quality care regardless of where people live. A major element is the difficulty that countries face to attract and retain health care professionals to work in remote and rural areas. This applies to primary care services as well as to hospital care, and to the care provided by physicians and other health professionals, including nurses. A widely shared question is therefore how to safeguard access to health care in rural areas and to solve recruitment and retention problems in such regions, both of medical and nursing staff. The workshop will build on last year’s joint workshop of the Sections on HSR and HWR that ended with questions related to how to organize accessible and equitable health services including the workforces required to do so. Objectives This workshop will provide a snapshot of studies from across the European region, with a particular focus on differences between rural and urban health care practices and the types of solutions being used to reduce regional disparities in provision of care. This often refers to retention and recruitment strategies, but the session will also address other types of solutions in the organization of care that can help ensure accessible care, including in vulnerable regions and settings. Tackling this challenge will therefore require a joint approach, tapping into experience from health workforce research as well as wider health services research, bringing together research into the organization and management of healthcare and into the health human resources providing this care, operated from different angles and being informed by different research traditions and data sources. Based on statements, we will discuss the topic of how to organize accessible and equitable health services including the workforces required to do so after the presentations. Key messages Workforce policies should focus on retaining primary care workforce in rural areas and integrated policies should attract new primary care practices. Both in primary care and hospital care new solutions are being sought which should help resolve regional differences in access to care and attractiveness for the health workforce.

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