Malaria in Haiti: A Descriptive and Temporal Study from 2009 to 2018.

Abstract Background Haiti is one of the Caribbean countries where malaria still persists. Malaria occurs throughout the country at altitudes below 600 meters. More than 99% of the malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and the main vector is Anopheles albimanus. This paper aims to describe the epidemiological profile of malaria in Haiti between 2009 and 2018. Methods We analyzed information on malaria cases reported by both the Health Ministry of Haiti (Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population-MSPP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) during the study period. Results Between 2009 and 2018, a total of 232,479 malaria cases were reported by the MSPP. There was an increase in the incidence of malaria in the country in 2010 followed by a decrease in 2011. Due to efforts made by Haiti over the past decade to reduce malaria by 2020, malaria incidence has declined from 60,130 cases in 2010 to 8,978 cases in 2018. We verified that the MSPP and the WHO data are conflicting in relation to the number of cases reported. However, the results from both data sets presented the same malaria trend in Haiti from 2009 to 2018. The results also show the endemicity of the disease throughout Haiti, both in rural and urban areas, especially along the coast. Conclusion This work emphasizes the need to promote official data collection and analyses and the application of epidemiological surveillance of malaria for a better knowledge about the real impact of malaria on the Haitian population aiming more appropriate interventions.

Download Full-text

Economic Impact Of Covid-19 And Change In Value System

International Journal on Integrated Education ◽

10.31149/ijie.v3i8.530 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (8) ◽

pp. 23-31

Author(s):

Bilal Ahmad Khan

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Urban Areas ◽

World Health ◽

The Novel ◽

Value System ◽

Supply Chain Networks ◽

Mass Gatherings ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Health Organization

Mankind has observed various pandemics throughout history where some of were more disastrous than the others to the humans. We are observing a very tough time once again fighting an invisible enemy; the novel COVID-19 coronavirus. Initially identified in the Wuhan province of China, and then rapidly spread across the world. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has created a shock, putting all global population under lockdown. The worldwide spread of the pandemic resulted in unfathomable economic fallouts; zero economic activity, disruption of supply chain networks, falling global demands. The COVID-19 global crisis continues to disrupt social chains. Although there is no vaccine available and in order to prevent and avoid COVID-19, World Health Organization recommended avoiding large events and mass gatherings. The effects of COVID-19 on education, businesses, laborers’ and families have been adverse. The main objective of the study is to assess the disruptions caused by Covid-19 on supply chain both in rural and urban areas and further analyze the effect of Covid-19 on inter and intra district mobility movement of labour and consequent human psychology and value system.

Download Full-text

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Mauritius

European Heart Journal Supplements ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/suab051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_B) ◽

pp. B101-B103

Author(s):

Sudhirsen Kowlessur ◽

Bhoosun Ori ◽

Jaysing Heecharan ◽

Xin Xia ◽

Neil R Poulter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Blood Pressure Measurement ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Temporary Solution ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Hypertension is a growing burden worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.13 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative of the International Society of Hypertension aimed at raising awareness of high blood pressure (BP) and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide. We provide the results of the 2019 MMM (MMM19) edition in Mauritius. This cross-sectional survey of participants aged ≥ 18 years was carried out in May 2019. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP of at least 140 mmHg or diastolic BP of at least 90 mmHg or in those on antihypertensive medication. Blood pressure measurement and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Screening was conducted by the Non-Communicable Diseases and Health Promotion Unit, which is under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, mainly in workplaces and community centres, in both rural and urban areas across Mauritius. Of the 8262 individuals screened, after multiple imputations, 950 (14%) had untreated hypertension. May Measurement Month 2019 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Mauritius. These results suggest that MMM19 is useful in the identification of potential patients with raised BP.

Download Full-text

Comparative health risk assessment of nitrate in drinking groundwater resources of urban and rural region(Isfahan, Iran), Using GIS

10.21203/rs.3.rs-210864/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Saba Aghapour ◽

Bijan Bina ◽

Mohammad Javad Tarrahi ◽

Fahimeh Amiri ◽

Afshin Ebrahimi

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

World Health ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Isfahan Province ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Background : Groundwater contaminant such as nitrate (NO 3 - ) is one of the environmental factors that can affect human health . Methemoglobinemia of infants, thyroid disorders, and probably some carcinogenic effects, are health concerns associated with dietary nitrate. Isfahan province has a dry and semi-arid desert climate that the main source of various applications in this province is groundwater resources. This study evaluated spatial analysis of the concentration of NO 3 - in groundwater resources and its possible health risk to residents. Results : It was indicated that nitrate concentrations in the rural and urban areas were in the range of 0.4–137 mg/L NO 3 − with the mean of 33.72 mg/L NO 3 − , and 2.9-209 mg/L NO 3 - with the mean of 38.87 mg/L, respectively. As well, 226 samples (25%), and 104 (24%) ones were detected above the Iran and World Health Organization guidelines 50 mg/L as NO 3 − . While the highest levels of NO 3 − which were located in the west and central groundwater resources of the province were in the agricultural and residential areas. The HQ for Infants, in 32% of samples, urban 136 and rural 297 samples were higher than 1 (HQ>1). Also, in urban area HQ was more than 1 in 8, 5, 1, and 3 samples in children, teens, male and female, respectively. Conclusions : Infants were the most vulnerable compared with the other groups. Therefore, in some areas, there are potential risks of methemoglobinemia, especially for infants. So, it is critical to adopt specific strategies to reduce the nitrate concentration in the studied groundwater.

Download Full-text

An interventional study regarding knowledge and awareness of TB and HIV among high school children in rural and urban areas of Dehradun

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20192820 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. 2885

Author(s):

Harsimranjit K. Natt ◽

Ashwani Sharma ◽

Megha Luthra ◽

Puneet Ohri ◽

Kamal S. Negi

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Urban Area ◽

Causative Agent ◽

School Children ◽

Urban Areas ◽

World Health ◽

Interventional Study ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: The World Health Organization Global TB report reported that TB ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide. Evidence based studies revealed that knowledge and awareness has a substantial impact on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. This study was conducted to compare the awareness and knowledge of high school children regarding HIV and TB in the rural and urban areas and to assess the impact of educational intervention on the same.Methods: One school each from rural and urban field practice area was selected by purposive sampling technique. A total of 205 high school students were included in the study by total enumeration method. An interventional study was conducted regarding awareness and knowledge about TB and HIV/AIDS by means of health talk and help of audio visual aids. The data was collected in a predesigned self administered questionnaire by pretest and post test method.Results: The total of 205 students participated in the study. Majority of the respondent have correct knowledge regarding the causative agent of TB (38.5%) with 28.4% in rural and 48.5% in urban area. Moreover majority of the respondent correctly elicited the causative agent of HIV/AIDS (52.6%) with 44.1% in rural and 61.1% in urban area. Overall the intervention had a substantial effect on the awareness and knowledge level of the students regarding HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.Conclusions: Although awareness among the masses is there but right knowledge and practice plays a pivotal role in improving the health status and awareness of the community.

Download Full-text

West Nile virus in humans, Greece, 2018: the largest seasonal number of cases, 9 years after its emergence in the country

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.32.1900543 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (32) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Danai Pervanidou ◽

Annita Vakali ◽

Theano Georgakopoulou ◽

Takis Panagiotopoulos ◽

Eleni Patsoula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Daily Basis ◽

West Nile ◽

Public Health Organization ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Health Organization

Background Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection are recorded since 2010 in Greece, with seasonal outbreaks occurring almost annually. Enhanced surveillance has been implemented since 2010, to promptly characterise cases’ temporal and geographical distribution and inform authorities for implementation of appropriate measures (mosquito control, health education, blood safety). Aim We describe the epidemiology of WNV human infections in Greece focusing on the 2018 season. Methods The National Public Health Organization advised physicians to test all suspect WNV infection cases and refer samples to reference laboratories. Laboratories notified diagnosed cases on a daily basis. Treating physicians, patients, and infected blood donors were interviewed within 48 hours after diagnosis and the probable infection location was identified. Hospitalised cases were followed up until discharge. Results A total of 317 autochthonous WNV infection cases were diagnosed in 2018. Among them, 243 cases had neuroinvasive disease (WNND), representing a 23% increase of WNND cases compared with 2010, the previous most intense season. There were 51 deaths. Cases started occurring from week 22, earlier than usual. Both rural and urban areas were affected, with 86 (26% of the total) municipalities belonging to seven (54% of the total) regions recording cases. Two major epicentres were identified in Attica and Central Macedonia regions. Conclusions The largest number of human cases of WNV infection ever recorded in Greece occurred in 2018, with a wide geographical distribution, suggesting intense virus circulation. Enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.

Download Full-text

Oral Health of Children from the SOS Children’s Village in Croatia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020616 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 616

Author(s):

Zrinka Ivanisevic ◽

Zvonimir Uzarevic ◽

Stjepanka Lesic ◽

Aleksandar Vcev ◽

Marko Matijevic

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Urban Area ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Economic Status ◽

World Health ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Significant Difference

The aim of this study was to determine the values of DMFT/DMFS and dft/dfs in the examined groups of children and the assessment of the mothers of the examined groups of children related to the oral health of their children. The research included children from the SOS Children’s Village in Croatia as well as children from biological families from rural and urban areas. The children were examined by the visual–tactile method according to the standardized World Health Organization criteria. dft/DMFT and dfs/DMFS indices were calculated. An analysis of completed questionnaires was made. The children from the SOS Children’s Village demonstrated the lowest mean values of the dft/dfs (2.42/3.31) and DMFT/DMFS (1.61/2.23) indices compared to children from rural and urban areas. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed a significant difference (p = 0.01) in SiC index values between the examined children. In the groups of children from the SOS Children’s Village and from the rural area compared to the children from the urban area, oral hygiene was singled out as the most important factor in the analysis of the main components. An equally significant factor for all the respondents is the assessment of oral health and eating habits. The least significant factor for the group of children from the SOS Children’s Village is socio-economic status, which is the most significant for the children from the urban area. The children from the SOS Children’s village have the lowest dft/DMFT, dfs/DMFS, and SiC indices. The most important factor influencing oral health in the group of children from the SOS Children’s Village that stands out is oral hygiene, and the least important is the socio-economic status. The assessment of oral health by the SOS mothers does not differ from the assessment of biological mothers of children from rural and urban areas.

Download Full-text

Epidemiological profile of meningitis in Iran before pentavalent vaccine introduction

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-019-1741-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zeinab Berangi ◽

Manoochehr Karami ◽

Younes Mohammadi ◽

Milad Nazarzadeh ◽

Seyed Mohsen Zahraei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Surveillance System ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

World Health ◽

Quality Data ◽

Vaccine Introduction ◽

Negative Results ◽

Pentavalent Vaccine ◽

Epidemiological Profile ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Background No reliable and comprehensive study has been published on the incidence and epidemiological profile of meningitis in Iran from 2008 to 2014, before pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pentavalent vaccine (DTPw-Hep B-Hib (PRP-T) vaccine (pentavac) (adsorbed)) introduction. The present study aimed to portray the epidemiological profile of meningitis in Iran from 2008 to 2014. Methods Data on meningitis cases aged from 1 day to 110 years were extracted from national notifiable diseases surveillance system from March 2008 to December 2014 in Iran. A total number of 48,006 cases of suspected meningitis were identified and 1468 cases of which met the criteria for diagnosis-confirmed meningitis. Of 1468 cases, 1352 patients were included in the study. Results The great number of cases reported from urban areas. Moreover, males were more predominant than females (58.51% vs. 33.81%) in total. The estimated annual incidence rate of meningitis varied from 0.28/100000 in 2008 to 0.09/100000 in 2014. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis were the most leading pathogens causing bacterial meningitis, accounted for 266(23.44%), 145(12.78%), 95(8.37%) of cases, respectively. Each of the three bacterial species showed a descending trend. The majority of infected subjects are children under five years. Conclusions Unlike the decreasing trend of meningitis and high percentage of cultures with negative results, according to World Health Organization recommendation PCV introduction into routine immunization is evident. Implementing an enhanced surveillance system to provide high quality data on epidemiological profile of meningitis in Iran is necessary.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and sociodemographic covariates of infertility in Allahabad district

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183064 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (8) ◽

pp. 3372 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Samreen Kazmi ◽

Shiv Prakash ◽

Khurshid Parveen ◽

Shama Shaikh ◽

Gyan Prakash

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Uttar Pradesh ◽

Secondary Infertility ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Primary Infertility ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

One Year ◽

Demographic Covariates ◽

Health Organization

Background: Childbearing is an extremely important event in every human’s life and is strongly associated with the ultimate goals of completeness, happiness and family integration. Infertility also has important demographic and health implications. TheWorld Health Organization (WHO), using a two year reference period, defines primary infertility as the lack of conception despite cohabitation and exposure to pregnancy and secondary infertility is defined as the failure to conceive following a previous pregnancy despite cohabitation and exposure to pregnancy (in the absence of contraception, breastfeeding or postpartum amenorrhea) for a period of two years.Methods: The study was conducted for a period of one year in randomly selected rural and urban areas of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Multistage random sampling was done and sample size was calculated out to be 844. Data was collected on a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Various socio-demographic covariates of infertility were also found.Results: Prevalence of infertility in Allahabad was 8.53%, 11.85% in urban area and 5.21% in rural area. Overall prevalence of primary infertility was 4.98% and secondary infertility was 3.55%. Age of female at the time of marriage, educational and working status of female and socioeconomic status of the couple was found to be significantly associated with infertility.Conclusions: Prevalence of infertility was higher in urban area and overall prevalence of primary infertility was higher as compared to secondary infertility.

Download Full-text

The Relationship between External and Internal Risk Factors with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Children Aged 0-59 Months in Slums in Indonesia, 2013

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v12n11p116 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 116

Author(s):

Made Agus Nurjana ◽

Gunawan Gunawan ◽

Dwi Hapsari Tjandrarini ◽

Olwin Nainggolan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

World Health ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

The Status ◽

And Gender ◽

One Year ◽

Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (Tb) remains a health problem throughout the world. World Health Organization (WHO) has set it as a “Global Emergency” disease. The difficulty of confirming the diagnosis of it in children, different from it in adults, causes the treatment of it in children often neglected. This problem is exacerbated by the supporting environmental conditions, namely living in slums, which makes the risk of transmission even higher. OBJECTIVE: To identify internal and external factors related to Tb in children aged 0-59 months living in slums in Indonesia. MATERIAL & METHOD: The data source used was the 2013 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) using a sample of children less than five years old who lived in slums in 34 provinces in Indonesia. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis found three risk factors, namely BCG immunization status (age-based), at-risk home environment, and gender (residential area-based). Vaccinated children under one year of age have the best probability of not suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. Those who live in a house inhabited by less than five people, or in that occupied by more than four with no one of which smokes or does not suffer from pulmonary tuberculosis has a probability of not being exposed to it. Likewise, women who live in rural areas have almost two times less probability of suffering from it, compared to men in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Factors contributing to the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in infants in slums are the status of BCG immunization, air cleanliness in the neighborhood, which can be seen from the differences of risks in rural and urban, and the number of inhabitants per house and their behavior.

Download Full-text

Urban Japanese Encephalitis: Time for a Reality Check

JOURNAL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ◽

10.24321/0019.5138.202112 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (01) ◽

pp. 72-77

Author(s):

Rina Tilak ◽

Keyword(s):

Japanese Encephalitis ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Population ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Reality Check ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Urban Periphery ◽

Inclusive Approach ◽

Geographical Locations

Expansion of JEV from its historical rural origin in the Oriental Realm has been evident. Apprehensions were raised by several investigators that the occurrence of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in the urban areas is a possibility. Creating wetlands, rice farms, and piggeries close to the rural-urban periphery to support the increasing urban population facilitates the migration of mosquitoes, ardeid birds, and pigs in these areas. The presence of vectors (Culex vishnui complex), reservoirs (the ardeid birds), and the amplifying hosts (pigs) together in these urban and peri-urban areas creates highly conducive situations for the JE transmission thus, creating an urban ecotype for JE. Apart from the primary vectors, JEV has been isolated from several species of mosquitoes belonging to different genera. JE antibodies have also been detected in several birds and mammals other than the known reservoirs and amplifying hosts. Such mosquitoes, birds, and mammals might be acting as complementary or maintenance vectors and reservoirs, respectively, which likely can keep the virus circulating perennially in nature. The reported occurrence of JE in urban areas from different geographical locations is decidedly indicative of the reality of the urban JE. It is thus pertinent that an inclusive approach encompassing sustained epidemiological surveillance and monitoring be adopted to formulate season-wise and area-wise strategies to contain JE both in rural and urban areas.

Download Full-text