Spatial distribution of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis cases in the rural areas of Pernambuco, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and intensity of geohelminth infections and schistosomiasis remain high in the rural areas of Zona da Mata, Pernambuco (ZMP), Brazil, where these parasites still represent a significant public health problem. The present study aimed to spatially assess the occurrences of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the ZMP. METHODS: The ZMP has a population of 1,132,544 inhabitants, formed by 43 municipalities. An ecological study was conducted, using secondary data relating to positive human cases and parasite loads of schistosomiasis and positive human cases of geohelminthiasis that were worked up in Excel 2007. We used the coordinates of the municipal headquarters to represent the cities which served as the unit of analysis of this study. The Kernel estimator was used to spatially analyze the data and identify distribution patterns and case densities, with analysis done in ArcGIS software. RESULTS: Spatial analysis from the Kernel intensity estimator made it possible to construct density maps showing that the northern ZMP was the region with the greatest number of children infected with parasites and the populations most intensely infected by Schistosoma mansoni. In relation to geohelminths, there was higher spatial distribution of cases of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura in the southern ZMP, and greater occurrence of hookworms in the northern/central ZMP. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several surveys and studies showing occurrences of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the ZMP, no preventive measures that are known to have been effective in decreasing these health hazards have yet been implemented in the endemic area.

Download Full-text

Epidemiological profile of patients served due to official accidents in the north of Brazil, Amazon Region, in the period from 2009 to 2019

Panorama brasileiro de tungstênio (w) entre os anos de 2008 e 2014 ◽

10.32749/nucleodoconhecimento.com.br/health/profile-of-patients ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 47-59

Author(s):

Larissa Queiroz Costa Carneiro ◽

Isabela Menezes Barbosa ◽

Igor de Souza Cardoso ◽

Cláudio Alberto Gellis de Mattos Dias ◽

Euzébio de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Northern Region ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

The North ◽

Unified Health System ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Epidemiological Profile

Ophidian accidents are a significant public health problem worldwide, due to both their frequency and morbidity and mortality. In Brazil, during the years 2009 to 2019 there were 313,139 registered cases, of which 151,565 occurred in the North Region, making explicit the importance of studying this disease in that Region. The objective of the present study is to determine the epidemiological profile of the affected patients (age and sex), the accident itself (UF, month, year, time to attend) and the snake gender of the accidents that occurred in the Northern region of Brazil. Secondary data were obtained through access to the Information Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS), at the electronic address www.datasus.gov.br, in the SIH / SUS Hospital Information System. It was found that the accidents occurred mainly in rural areas, with men, in socioeconomically active age, caused by snakes of the Bothrops genus. Several cases could be classified as accidents at work, these could be avoided or minimized with appropriate personal protective equipment and guidelines.

Download Full-text

Mapping the Spatial Variability of Sexually Transmitted Infections Across Fiji Health Regions

Pacific Health ◽

10.24135/pacifichealth.v4i.50 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Michaela Sidloski ◽

Tayyab Shah ◽

Elisa Toroca

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Spatial Distribution ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Significant Public Health

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health problem in countries within the South Pacific, including Fiji. If untreated, curable STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can cause infertility, adverse outcomes in pregnancy, and can increase the risk of contracting HIV in infected individuals. Methods: This research used cartographic software to map and analyze the spatial distribution of selected STIs across health regions in Fiji. Total rates of STIs, as well as the prevalence of gonorrhea and syphilis specifically, were examined for the years of 2007 and 2016 to determine how spatial distribution patterns have changed over this period, and how resources might currently be most effectively mobilized to address this public health issue. Results/Discussion: Our findings suggest that while some specific regions with high prevalence rates for 2007 and 2016 should be targeted for intervention in the short term, lack of data collecting and reporting raises concerns about the accuracy of rate estimations in non-urban areas. Conclusion: Analyzing the spatial distribution of the prevalence of STIs in a given population can better inform the development and implementation of intervention strategies at local scales, thus improving health outcomes for countries and their communities. Overall, consistent and transparent STI data collection and reporting procedures are necessary for effective long-term management and minimization of STI spread in Fiji.

Download Full-text

Household Factors Associated with Underweight in Children 24-59 Month in Urban and Rural in Indonesia

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia ◽

10.30597/mkmi.v16i1.9105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 140

Author(s):

Andini Retno Yunitasari ◽

Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika ◽

Asih Setiarini

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Education Level ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

The underweight still remains a public health problem for toddlers in Indonesia. The purpose of the study to identify the factors related to the underweight incident for toddlers at 24-59 months in urban and rural areas of Indonesia. This research used cross-sectional study design. This study used secondary data on the Total Diet Study-Individual Food Consumption Survey of 2014. The sample size in this study was 5165 toddlers from 24-59 months and distinguished by urban and rural areas. Bivariate Analysis used chi square. This study estimates that 20.3% of children aged 24-59 months were underweight with a greater proportion in rural areas 22.5%. Significant factors related to the underweight incidence in the urban and rural areas were the father's education level (urban; p = 0.02 and rural; p = 0.005) and mother’s education level (urban; p = 0.001 and rural; p = 0.005), number of household members (urban; p = 0.03 and rural; p = 0.012), and energy adequacy level (urban; p = 0.012 and rural; p = 0.005). The factor that was estimated to be significantly related to the underweight incidence just in rural areas as children’s age (p = 0.012), the total number of children in one house (p = 0.047). Multisectoral collaboration is needed to reduce nutritional problems, especially in rural areas. The efforts to improve community nutrition by improving the socio-economic condition of the community should be based on regional capabilities and local wisdom in the region.

Download Full-text

Spatiotemporal mapping of dengue cases in Sleman district, Indonesia year 2014-2017

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20190579 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 971

Author(s):

Sulistyawati Sulistyawati ◽

Tri Wahyuni Sukesi ◽

Surahma Asti Mulasari

Keyword(s):

Health Sector ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Dengue Case ◽

District Health ◽

Tropical Country ◽

Spatiotemporal Mapping ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Dengue Control

Background: Dengue is a significant public health problem in the mostly tropical country such as Indonesia. Even though many efforts have been established in Indonesia, in fact, dengue remains drawing attention from the health sector. Geographic Information System (GIS) is a powerful tool to support dengue surveillance on understanding the dengue pattern with the goal to give input for the decision maker. Accordingly, there is a need to providing the presence and the dynamic of dengue case particularly in Sleman district to establish evidence on building dengue control strategy.Methods: A descriptive study using GIS was performed to provide a spatial-temporal mapping of dengue case. Secondary data which sourced from Sleman district health office was collected for period 2014-2017. This data was grounded into subdistrict level. Quantum GIS and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse the data.Results: During 2014-2017 dengue spreads over the Sleman district. In 2016, found the increased of subdistrict with high dengue case. The high dengue case found in sub-district with an urban characteristic.Conclusions: Mapping of dengue using GIS is helpful to understanding the disease presence and dynamic disease over time.

Download Full-text

A Fatal and Rare Case of Hydatid Cyst in the Pouch of Douglas

Journal of Laboratory Physicians ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1726668 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ritu Asnani ◽

Sunil Kumar Yeshvanth ◽

Lancelot Lobo ◽

Shipra Sonkusare

Keyword(s):

Hydatid Cyst ◽

Rare Case ◽

Frozen Section ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Zoonotic Infection ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Pouch Of Douglas

Abstract Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic infection and a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. A 79-year-old female patient was presented to the gynecology outpatient department with complaints of pain in the abdomen and difficulty in micturition, with a mass palpable per speculum. The ultrasound was suggestive of an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, whereas computed tomography of the abdomen favored hydatid cyst with adnexal neoplasm as a differential diagnosis. Considering the contradictory findings, a frozen section was sent to confirm the diagnosis, which showed hooklets of Echinococcus granulosus/hydatid cyst under the microscope. This was a rare case of pelvic hydatid cyst mimicking ovarian malignancy and was associated with a less-preferred mode of investigation (frozen section). This article focuses on how a frozen section, despite its limitations and being expensive, can still be considered for accurate patient management.

Download Full-text

Possible role of Unani Pharmacology in COVID-19 – a narrative review

Reviews on Environmental Health ◽

10.1515/reveh-2020-0106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Md Anzar Alam ◽

Mohd Abdul Gani ◽

G. Shama ◽

Ghulamuddin Sofi ◽

Mohd Aleemuddin Quamri

Keyword(s):

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

World Health ◽

Santalum Album ◽

Boswellia Serrata ◽

Unani Medicine ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Health Organization

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral diseases continue to rise, and pose a significant public health problem. Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is close to Amraz-e-Wabai (epidemic diseases) which was described by Hippocrates, Galen, Aristotle, Razes, Haly Abbas, Avicenna, Jurjani etc. Presently, there is no specific or challenging treatment available for COVID-19. Renowned Unani Scholars recommended during epidemic situation to stay at home, and fumigate the shelters with aromatics herbs like Ood kham (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), Kundur (Boswellia serrata Roxb), Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora L.), Sandal (Santalum album L), Hing (Ferula foetida L.) etc. Use of specific Unani formulations are claimed effective for the management of such epidemic or pandemic situation like antidotes (Tiryaqe Wabai, Tiryaqe Arba, Tiryaqe Azam, Gile Armani), Herbal Decoction (Joshandah), along with Sharbate Khaksi, Habbe Bukhar, Sharbate Zanjabeel, Khamira Marwareed, Jawarish Jalinus, and Sirka (vinegar). Such drugs are claimed for use as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, cardiotonic, and general tonic actions. The study enumerates the literature regarding management of epidemics in Unani medicine and attempts to look the same in the perspective of COVID-19 prevention and management.

Download Full-text

Self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey in the Greater Accra region

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041609 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041609

Author(s):

Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽

Farag Shuweihdi ◽

Mitch Waterman ◽

Allan House

Keyword(s):

Public Health Problem ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Injury ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Treatment Measures ◽

Self Harm ◽

Greater Accra Region

ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence, methods, associations and reported reasons for self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana.DesignA cross-sectional survey. We applied multi-level regression models and model-based cluster analysis to the data.SettingThree contexts in the Greater Accra region were used: second cycle schools, facilities of charity organisations and street census enumeration areas (sleeping places of street-connected adolescents, street corners, quiet spots of restaurants, markets, train and bus stations, and lorry and car parks).ParticipantsA regionally representative sample of 2107 (1723 in-school and 384 street-connected) adolescents aged 13–21 years.Outcome measuresParticipants responded to a structured self-report anonymous questionnaire describing their experience of self-harm and eliciting demographic information and social and personal adversities.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of self-harm was 20.2% (95% CI 19.0% to 22.0%), 12-month prevalence was 16.6% (95% CI 15.0% to 18.0%) and 1-month prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.0%). Self-injury alone accounted for 54.5% episodes and self-poisoning alone for 16.2% episodes, with more than one method used in 26% of episodes. Self-cutting (38.7%) was the most common form of self-injury, whereas alcohol (39.2%) and medications (27.7%) were the most commonly reported means of self-poisoning. The factors associated with self-harm were interpersonal: conflict with parents (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.87, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.81), physical abuse victimisation (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47), difficulty in making and keeping friends (aOR=1.24, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.80), sexual abuse victimisation (aOR=1.21, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.87) and conflict between parents (aOR=1.07, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.56).ConclusionsSelf-harm is a significant public health problem among in-school and street-connected adolescents in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Its origins are very largely in social and familial adversity, and therefore prevention and treatment measures need to be focused in these areas.

Download Full-text

Female sexual dysfunction: a problem hidden in the shadows

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612827666210719104950 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Author(s):

Konstantinos P. Imprialos ◽

Konstantinos Koutsampasopoulos ◽

Aleksandra Katsimardou ◽

Sofia Bouloukou ◽

Iakovos Theodoulidis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Management Options ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Cv Disease

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has mainly been underdiagnosed and undertreated due to the lack of concrete definitions, validated assessment methods, and efficient treatments. However, during the last few decades, there has been significant progress in the clinical management and research of FSD. Objective: The purpose of this review is to describe the pathophysiology of FSD, report the prevalence of the disease in the setting of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and disease, and review current and under investigation treatment options. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify studies examining the association of FSD with CV risk factors and/or disease and studies reporting appropriate management options. Results: The prevalence of FSD is increased in the general population (approximately 40%) and is significantly higher in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. In patients with overt CV disease, FSD is even more prevalent (up to 90%). The cause of FSD is multifactorial and includes various vascular, hormonal, interpersonal, and psychological factors, which are all intertwined. Several treatment options exist that are efficient in improving female sexual function, while a cluster of other alternatives has been shown to offer benefits. Conclusion: FSD is a significant public health problem with a great impact on the patients’ quality of life. In the setting of increased CV burden, FSD is even more prevalent. Increased awareness is needed for the physician to establish a trustful environment with the patient, discuss such issues, and offer suitable management options.

Download Full-text

DHEA as a Biomarker of Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Frédéric Dutheil ◽

Sarah de Saint Vincent ◽

Bruno Pereira ◽

Jeannot Schmidt ◽

Farès Moustafa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mental Stress ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Main Peak ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Two Measures

Background: Psychosocial stress is a significant public health problem inducing consequences for quality of life. Results about the use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a biomarker of acute stress are conflicting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate that DHEA levels could be a biomarker of stress.Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases were searched on March 19, 2021 using the keywords “acute stress” AND “DHEA” OR “Dehydroepiandrosterone.” Articles needed to describe our primary outcome, i.e., induction of acute stress and at least two measures of DHEA.Results: We included 14 studies, with a total of 631 participants, in our meta-analysis. The DHEA levels increased overtime after acute stress [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.13–1.99]. Stratification by time showed a main peak at the end of stress (SMD = 2.43, 95%CI = 1.59–3.27), followed by a progressive decrease (coefficient = −0.11, 95%CI = −0.19 to −0.17, p = 0.020). There was no significant change 1 h after the end of acute stress. Metaregressions showed an impact of mental stress (SMD = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.43–2.65), sex (SMD = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.00–0.04), age (SMD = −0.12, 95%CI = −0.2 to −0.05), and obesity (SMD = 0.31, 95%CI = −0.00 to 0.63). There was no difference whatever the type of fluid (blood or saliva) and the measurement technique used.Conclusions: DHEA is a biomarker of acute stress, with a short-term increase (1 h). DHEA increases following acute mental stress, whatever the type and duration of mental stress. Women, young people, and obese individuals had a higher response. Blood and saliva measures were comparable.

Download Full-text