scholarly journals Awareness and Occupational Exposure to Brucellosis and Other Zoonotic Diseases Among Abattoir Workers in Rwanda

Author(s):  
Jean Bosco Ntivuguruzwa ◽  
Anita Michel ◽  
Charles Byaruhanga ◽  
Richard Gashururu ◽  
Francis Babaman Kolo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis are endemic in Rwandan cattle, but little is known about the awareness of zoonotic transmission and occupational exposure among abattoir workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the awareness, practices, and history of the diseases among 100 abattoir workers from four high throughput and 18 workers from two low throughput abattoirs. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire, and exposure and outcome variables were assessed by univariate and correspondence analyses.Results: It was found that 82.2%, 27.1%, 8.5%, 10.2%, and 12.7% of abattoir workers were familiar with tuberculosis, brucellosis, Q-fever, leptospirosis, and cysticercosis, respectively. Three years before the survey, the majority (67.8%) of abattoir workers reported sickness of malaria (48.3%), and symptoms of flu (5.1%), headache (5.1%), fever (5.1%), headache (5.1%), and nephritis (3.4%). Malaria-negative patients had the symptoms of fatigue (11.0%), and flu (9.3%). Respondents (7.6%) had contracted ‘abattoir-related diseases including typhoid (1.7%) and have had symptoms of diarrhea (5.9%). Few workers also reported abortion (0.9%), and orchitis (0.9%). Most abattoir workers (70.3%) usually cut their hands, a few (9.3%) wore gloves while 39.8% worked with bare and injured hands. Most (74.6%) of workers experienced splashes of animal fluids into their faces while none (0.0%) wore facemasks or safety goggles. Eating at work was observed in 28.0% of abattoir workers. Univariate and correspondence analyses showed that transporters of carcasses, butchers, and workers with 3 years’ experience and above were more likely to get sick than other groups. Conclusions: The awareness that was low for zoonotic brucellosis, Q-fever, leptospirosis, and cysticercosis was supported by not wearing protective equipment’s alerting the competent veterinary authorities to improve biosafety protection in the abattoirs. The awareness for zoonotic brucellosis and tuberculosis was highest in educated workers indicating the need for educating abattoir. Abattoir workers reported the symptoms of fever, fatigue, flu, headache, nephritis, abortion, and orchitis which are common symptoms of brucellosis, leptospirosis, and Q-fever. Abattoirs are key points for the detection of zoonotic infectious diseases; thus, routine sampling and testing of slaughtered animals and abattoir workers are needed for surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Pone Simo ◽  
Valirie Ndip Agbor ◽  
Jean Jacques Noubiap ◽  
Orlin Pagnol Nana ◽  
Pride Swiri-Muya Nkosu ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a surge in the burden of hypertension, and rural communities seem to be increasingly affected by the epidemic. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension, its associated factors, as well as its awareness, treatment, and control rates in rural communities of the Baham Health District (BHD), Cameroon.Design: A community-based cross-sectional study.Setting: Participants from five health areas in the BHD were recruited from August to October 2018.Participants: Consenting participants aged 18 years or older were included. Results: We included 526 participants in this study. The median age of the participants was 53.0 (IQR = 35 – 65) years and 67.1% were female. The prevalence of hypertension was 40.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 36.7 – 45.1) were hypertensive with no gender disparity. The overall age-standardised prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% (95% CI = 20.3 – 27.5). Five-year increase in age (adjusted odd’s ratio [AOR] = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.23 – 1.44), family history of hypertension (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.37 – 3.60), and obesity were associated with higher odds of hypertension (AOR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.40 – 4.69).The rates of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were 37.2% (95% CI = 31.0 – 43.9), 20.9% (95% CI = 16.0 – 26.9), and 22.2% (95% CI = 15.2 – 46.5), respectively.Conclusion: The high hypertension prevalence in this rural community is associated with contrastingly low awareness, treatment, and control rates. Age, family history of hypertension, and obesity are the major drivers of hypertension in this community. Veracious policies are needed to improve awareness, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of hypertension in this rural community.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Soo Hwan Byun ◽  
Dae Myoung Yoo ◽  
Minwook Chang ◽  
Hyo Geun Choi ◽  
Seok Jin Hong

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and glaucoma. This prospective cohort study used epidemiological data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study performed between 2004 and 2016. Among 173,209 participants, 9572 patients with periodontitis and 115,332 controls (nonperiodontitis) were selected. We analysed the history of glaucoma in periodontitis and control participants. The participants were interviewed regarding their history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, periodontitis, glaucoma, smoking, and alcohol consumption by trained interviewers. A logistic regression model was created to analyse the odds ratio of having a history of glaucoma among patients with periodontitis. Two-tailed analyses using chi-square and independent t-tests were used for statistical analysis. The adjusted odds ratio of periodontitis as a risk factor for glaucoma was 3.44 (95% confidence interval = 2.99–3.97, p < 0.001 ). This study demonstrated that glaucoma was associated with periodontitis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amany Edward Seedhom ◽  
Eman Sameh Mohammed ◽  
Eman Mohammed Mahfouz

Aim. To determine the score and frequency of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among female college students and to detect the possible risk factors of PMS. A trial of life style modification regarding prevention and control of PMS symptoms was carried out using counseling. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 253 El-Minia University unmarried female students. A self-administered questionnaire inquiring about symptoms of PMS in the previous three months and risk factors possibly related to it was used. PMS score was calculated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which of several biopsychosocial and dietary factors influenced PMS. Life style modification counseling was done to prevent and control PMS. Results. The study revealed that 80.2% of the participants experienced various degrees of PMS symptoms which were significantly associated with a family history of PMS, physical inactivity, habitual excess consumption of coffee, BMI, frequent consumption of fast food, and smoking, but these factors explained only 52% of the variability in the logistic regression model. Conclusion. We recommend the introduction of a reproductive health component into school and college health education programs and encourage female adolescents and young adults to adopt a healthy behavior.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 89-94
Author(s):  
Philippe Salomon Nguwoh ◽  
Akenji Blaise Mboringong ◽  
Joseph Fokam ◽  
Christian Ngounouh Taheu ◽  
Ibrahima Halilou ◽  
...  

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has subsequently become a worldwide pandemic. During the pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) were very exposed to COVID-19 infected patients. The aim of this study was to determine seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among HCWs in three health facilities of Yaounde. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 368 HCWs was conducted from January 18th to February 13th, 2021, in three health facilities located in city of Yaounde. Data of study participants were collected by face-to-face interviews using standard questionnaire. Blood samples were collected in labelled dry tubes and analyzed using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cassettes (Abbott PanbioTMCOVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device). The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 7. Any value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age was 30.25 (SD±10.43) years old, range from 21 to 72 years old. Overall, the positivity rates of IgM, IgG and IgM+IgG were 6.79% (n=25), 17.93% (n=66) and 1.09% (n=4) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, the rate of IgM positivity was highest in laboratory personnel (χ2= 7.99, p=0.3) and IgG (χ2= 8.50, p=0.29), IgM+IgG (χ2= 1.92, p=0.26) respectively in pharmacy and clinical personnel. The clinical signs such as fever (˃38°C) or history of fever was statistically significant with IgM (χ2=11.71, p= 0.0006) while, sore throat was statistically significant associated with IgM (χ2= 14.3, p= 0.0008) and IgG (χ2= 6.33, p= 0.04). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal a high seroprevalence of circulation of the virus in hospital milieu in Yaounde suggesting the continuation of the COVID-19 « Track-Test-Treat » system to break the chain of transmission.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
Pradip Gyanwali ◽  
Navindra Raj Bista ◽  
Mira Khadka ◽  
Anju Vaidya ◽  
Namra Kumar Mahato ◽  
...  

Background: Preparedness, readiness, and response status of any country is integral in identifying, managing, and preventing COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to assess the status of the Government of Nepal designated COVID hospitals and COVID clinics to respond against COVID-19. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted with the focal persons of COVID hospitals and COVID clinics using a semi-structured questionnaire from April 26, 2020 to May 27, 2020 via face to face interview with onsite observation and telephonic interview in few unreachable health facilities. Results: Government of Nepal designated COVID hospitals and COVID clinics demonstrated efforts in establishing preparedness plans and committees such as COVID management core team (96.7% and 86%), provision of coordination with the government authority (both 100% ), preparedness response plan (93.3% and 84%), and infection prevention and control committee (63.3% and 65.6%) to respond to COVID-19 respectively. The participants reported differences in training provided to their health care workers with maximum COVID hospitals (80%) providing training on use of personal protective equipment and least (43.3%) on handling dead bodies. Only half of the COVID clinics (49.5%) had provision of triage systems.Conclusions: COVID hospitals and COVID clinics in Nepal demonstrated different status of COVID pandemic preparedness and readiness. In case of surge, Nepalese hospitals would struggle due to lack of trained workforce and infrastructure.  Interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral collaboration with various focused strategies, including in-service training to staff, is paramount to increase preparedness and readiness. Keywords: COVID-19; Nepal; preparedness; readiness


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaikh Muhammad Naeem ◽  
Firdous Jahan ◽  
Muhammad Asadullah Siddiqui ◽  
Muhammad Moazzam Khan

The main purpose of this study was to identify specific problems and pattern of morbidities that is common in the elderly. A cross sectional study surveying the health status and needs of targeted population was conducted in selected primary health care (PHC) outpatient settings. All consenting individuals aged 60 years and above who visited the selected PHC clinics were interviewed. Information was collected using face-to-face interviews based on a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 185 people were evaluated in this study. About 75% of participants were age 60-70 years. Overall, male predominance was noted with 137 (74.1%) males and among all participant’s 80% were married. The mean BMI was 26.47±4.98 kg/m2 and mean waist circumference was 90.16±12.97 cm. The prevalence of smoking, DM, HTN, dyslipidaemia and history of IHD among participants were 7.6%, 37.8%, 49.7%, 27.6% and 8.1%, respectively and males showed a significantly higher prevalence than females in smoking and HTN (p<0.05). Hypertension was common comorbid ailment with 29.2% of stage I and 19.5% of stage II hypertension among 60-70 age groups. The majority of the participants were taking shower; using toilet, feeding and get dressed independently, 88.6%, 87.6%, 87% and 87.6% respectively. These findings provide important information on high prevalence of overweight, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidaemia among elders. The other common morbidities were impaired vision, walking difficulty, and hearing problems. The activity of daily living (bathing dressing toileting feeding) is preserved in most of older people.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Abda Neja ◽  
Amir Adam

Abstract Background A survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2021 to assess veterinary extension service and public perception on major infectious and zoonotic diseases at Robe veterinary clinic. 384 animal owners who brought their animals for treatment were interviewed. Results The result indicated that 70.8% of respondents had no veterinary extension service. The majority (88%) had no access to the veterinary consultant. Although 51.6% of them used AI, only 7.8% of them know how to detect estrous. The most frequently known zoonotic diseases were Rabies (96.6%) followed by Anthrax (33.07%), and Tuberculosis (4.2%). Out of the 96.6% of respondents that replied to know about Rabies, 51.8% of them mentioned the disease can be transmitted only through dog biting while 14.8% of them say through biting and contact with saliva. Likewise, only 43.3% of respondents perceive that Anthrax is transmitted through ingestion, whereas 85% of them mentioned Tuberculosis can be transmitted from animal to humans only through inhalation. Although most animal owners prefer early treatment of animals in the veterinary clinic, there are also practices of traditional animal treatment. Remarkable only 16.4% and 24.7% of respondents know the importance of vaccination and slaughterhouse respectively. 93.8% and 94.8% of them still consume raw milk and meat respectively. Conclussion : The finding indicates that veterinary extension services are a neglected venture; the knowledge, attitude, and practice on prevention and control of major infectious and zoonotic diseases are still insufficient. Therefore there should be multidisciplinary one-health approach in educating the community about infectious and zoonotic diseases.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e054753
Author(s):  
Younghee Jung ◽  
Mihye Kwon ◽  
Hyo Geun Choi

ObjectivesThe prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among patients with COVID-19 and the association between RA and the outcome of COVID-19 remain unclear. We aimed to compare the prevalence of RA between participants with and without COVID-19; we then analysed the association between the presence of RA and the severity of COVID-19.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingData from a nationwide COVID-19 cohort database by the Korea National Health Insurance Corporation were used.Participants and interventionsA total of 8070 patients with COVID-19 (1 January 2020 through 4 June 2020) were matched with 32 280 control participants with regard to age, sex and income. Patients with COVID-19 were confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 PCR and controls were collected from the database. RA was confirmed using the diagnostic code (International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision) and medication claim codes. Conditional/unconditional logistic regression was applied to analyse the association between RA and COVID-19.Primary outcome and secondary outcomeLaboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was severe COVID-19 defined as a history of intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation or death.ResultsThe prevalence of RA in the COVID-19 (0.4%, 35/8070) and control (0.4%, 121/32,280) groups did not differ (p=0.446). After adjusting for underlying diseases, no association between RA and COVID-19 was observed (adjusted OR=1.14, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.67) and COVID-19 severity was not associated with RA (adjusted OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.14 to 7.29). The overall mortality rate was 2.9% (237/8070) and RA was not significantly associated with mortality (adjusted OR=1.64, 95% CI: 0.33 to 8.15).ConclusionWe did not find an association between the presence of RA and COVID-19. In addition, RA was not associated with the severity of COVID-19.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e044892
Author(s):  
Wenqing Ni ◽  
Xueli Yuan ◽  
Jia Zhang ◽  
Ping Li ◽  
Hong Min Zhang ◽  
...  

ObjectiveHypertension has become the leading cause of death worldwide. Data on hypertension management among Shenzhen elderly are sparse. Our study aims to investigate treated and controlled hypertension in Shenzhen elderly, and identify relevant predictors.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingCommunities in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.ParticipantsA cross-sectional study was conducted. We employed a convenience sampling method to select participants; 124 007 participants aged 65 years and older were recruited from January to December 2018 at local community health centres in Shenzhen.Main outcome measuresData on treatment, control and influencing factors of hypertension were obtained from a standard questionnaire, physical measurements and biochemical analyses.ResultsPrevalence of hypertension was 55.8% among the sample population. Among this group of hypertensive patients, those undergoing hypertension treatment and those with hypertension under control were 54.4% and 32.3%, respectively. Employing multivariate analysis, significant associations were found between treatment and older age, junior high school education and above (OR=1.25, p<0.05), being widowed rather than being married or cohabiting (OR=1.28, p<0.05), engaging in physical activity (OR=1.14, p<0.05), ex-smoker (OR=1.19, p<0.05), habitual drinker (OR=0.72, p<0.05), history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR=2.20, p<0.05) and comorbidities, with a higher probability for those with obesity (OR=1.89, p<0.05), central obesity (OR=1.10, p<0.05), diabetes (OR=1.49, p<0.05) or dyslipidaemia (OR=1.20, p<0.05). Male sex (OR=0.91, p<0.05), junior high school education and above (OR=1.28, p<0.05), engaging in physical activity (OR=1.06, p<0.05), history of CVD (OR=1.82, p<0.05) and individuals who had diabetes (OR=1.52, p<0.05) or dyslipidaemia (OR=1.05, p<0.05) were associated with increased likelihood of control. Aged 80 years and older (OR=0.93, p<0.05), habitual drinker (OR=0.73, p<0.05) and central obesity (OR=0.94, p<0.05) were negatively associated with control of hypertension.ConclusionsWe found a high prevalence of hypertension, but a low prevalence of treatment and control among Shenzhen elderly.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-47
Author(s):  
Adawiyah Jamil ◽  
Siew Wen Goh ◽  
Chon Sian Lee ◽  
Mohan Arumugam

Introduction: The atopic march consists of atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis or sinusitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and bronchial asthma (BA). The influence of concomitant atopic diseases on AD is under-explored. We determined the relationship between personal and family history of atopic diseases with AD severity and persistence. Methods: A cross sectional study involving AD patients was performed at dermatology clinics of two tertiary hospitals. Inclusion criterion was all patients diagnosed with AD. Demographic data, personal and family history of atopy (BA, AR and AC) were obtained by face-to-face interview. AD severity was evaluated using Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA). AD was considered persistent if continued beyond age 12 years. Results: Sixty patients aged 21.6±17.2 participated. There were 25(41.7%) with concomitant AR, 16(26.7%) BA and 12(20%) AC. Forty seven (78.3%) patients had family history of atopy, 25(41.7%) had eczema, 24(40%) AR, 19(31.7%) BA and 2(3.3%) AC. Patients with BA [OR=3.8, 95%CI 1.04 to 14.4)], BA and AR [OR=9.74, 95%CI 1.13 to 83.67) and family history of BA [OR= 4.00, 95%CI 1.20 to 13.27) were more likely to exhibit moderate-severe AD. Personal AR, AC and family history of AD and BA were significantly more prevalent in patients with persistent AD. Conclusions: AR was the most common atopic disease associated with AD. Family history of eczema and AR were common. Personal BA, BA with AR and family history of BA were predictors of severe AD. Personal AR, AC and family history of AD and BA were associated with AD persistence.


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