scholarly journals Current status and future trends in Cryptosporidium and Giardia epidemiology in Malaysia

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. L. Lim ◽  
R. A. Ahmad ◽  
H. V. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Shared Resources ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are major causes of diarrhoeal diseases of humans worldwide, and are included in the World Health Organisation's ‘Neglected Diseases Initiative’. Cryptosporidium and Giardia occur commonly in Malaysian human and non-human populations, but their impact on disease, morbidity and cost of illness is not known. The commonness of contributions from human (STW effluents, indiscriminate defaecation) and non-human (calving, lambing, muck spreading, slurry spraying, pasturing/grazing of domestic animals, infected wild animals) hosts indicate that many Malaysian environments, particularly water and soil, are sufficiently contaminated to act as potential vehicles for the transmission of disease. To gain insight into the morbidity and mortality caused by human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, they should be included into differential diagnoses, and routine laboratory testing should be performed and (as for many infectious diseases) reported to a centralised public health agency. To understand transmission routes and the significance of environmental contamination better will require further multidisciplinary approaches and shared resources, including raising national perceptions of the parasitological quality of drinking water. Here, the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia should be an integral part of the water quality requirement. A multidisciplinary approach among public health professionals in the water industry and other relevant health- and environment-associated agencies is also required in order to determine the significance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination of Malaysian drinking water. Lastly, adoption of validated methods to determine the species, genotype and subgenotype of Cryptosporidium and Giardia present in Malaysia will assist in developing effective risk assessment, management and communication models.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Education for Public Health: A Practical Foundation for Solidarity

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Perkiö ◽  
R Harrison ◽  
M Grivna ◽  
D Tao ◽  
C Evashwich
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Abstract Education is a key to creating solidary among the professionals who advance public health’s interdisciplinary mission. Our assumption is that if all those who work in public health shared core knowledge and the skills for interdisciplinary interaction, collaboration across disciplines, venues, and countries would be facilitated. Evaluation of education is an essential element of pedagogy to ensure quality and consistency across boundaries, as articulated by the UNESCO education standards. Our study examined the evaluation studies done by programs that educate public health professionals. We searched the peer reviewed literature published in English between 2000-2017 pertaining to the education of the public health workforce at a degree-granting level. The 2442 articles found covered ten health professions disciplines and had lead authors representing all continents. Only 86 articles focused on evaluation. The majority of the papers examined either a single course, a discipline-specific curriculum or a teaching method. No consistent methodologies could be discerned. Methods ranged from sophisticated regression analyses and trends tracked over time to descriptions of focus groups and interviews of small samples. We found that evaluations were primarily discipline-specific, lacked rigorous methodology in many instances, and that relatively few examined competencies or career expectations. The public health workforce enjoys a diversity of disciplines but must be able to come together to share diverse knowledge and skills. Evaluation is critical to achieving a workforce that is well trained in the competencies pertinent to collaboration. This study informs the pedagogical challenges that must be confronted going forward, starting with a commitment to shared core competencies and to consistent and rigorous evaluation of the education related to training public health professionals. Key messages Rigorous evaluation is not sufficiently used to enhance the quality of public health education. More frequent use of rigorous evaluation in public health education would enhance the quality of public health workforce, and enable cross-disciplinary and international collaboration for solidarity.

Microcystin Exposure Pathways and Human Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rajesh Melaram ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Algal Toxins ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Exposure Pathways ◽  
Green Algal

Microcystins (MCs) are blue-green algal toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria. Their environmentally relevant concentrations throughout global surface waters have tampered with human populations’ drinking and recreational supplies. MCs have gained immense public health attention due to their potential health effects. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic variant of the MCs. Investigations on MC-LR toxicity and detection in water signify a growing potential environmental health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization established a provisional drinking water guidance value of 1 μg/L and a provisional recreational exposure guidance value of 10 μg/L for MC-LR. This review surveys human MC exposure pathways and integrates epidemiological studies to support MCs’ critical exposure pathways. A discussion on monitoring and mitigation strategies provides a guide for policy development in adopting MCs’ regulatory levels to protect public health.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned From an Intensive Writing Training Course for Applied Epidemiologists

2020 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-434
Author(s):  
Jessica Arrazola ◽  
Malorie Polster ◽  
Paul Etkind ◽  
John S. Moran ◽  
Richard L. Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Publishing Process ◽  
Writing Courses ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Council Of State

Although writing is a valued public health competency, authors face a multitude of barriers (eg, lack of time, lack of mentorship, lack of appropriate instruction) to publication. Few writing courses for applied public health professionals have been documented. In 2017 and 2018, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered to implement a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Intensive Writing Training course to improve the quality of submissions from applied epidemiologists working at health departments. The course included 3 webinars, expert mentorship from experienced authors, and a 2-day in-person session. As of April 2020, 39 epidemiologists had participated in the course. Twenty-four (62%) of the 39 epidemiologists had submitted manuscripts, 17 (71%) of which were published. The program’s evaluation demonstrates the value of mentorship and peer feedback during the publishing process, the importance of case study exercises, and the need to address structural challenges (eg, competing work responsibilities or supervisor support) in the work environment.

Protecting health from metal exposures in drinking water

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret-Ann Armour
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Environmental Determinant ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractDrinking water is essential to us as human beings. According to the World Health Organization “The quality of drinking-water is a powerful environmental determinant of health” (

Bacterial quality of drinking water sources and antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterobacteriaceae in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayeh Abera ◽  
Mulugeta Kibret ◽  
Goraw Goshu ◽  
Mulat Yimer
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Multiple Drug Resistance ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Bahir Dar ◽  
Probable Number

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the bacterial quality and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Enterobacteriaceae from drinking water in Bahir Dar city. A total of 140 water samples were collected in the wet and dry periods from springs (n = 4), reservoirs (n = 10) and private tap water at households (n = 126). Bacteriological analysis of water was conducted using multiple tube method. Overall, 21.4%, 18.6% and 17.8% of drinking water samples had total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and Escherichia coli, respectively. All spring water samples and 29.2% of private tap water had the highest TC load (18 most probable number/100 mL, 95% CI: 100). For FC, 81.4% of the drinking water supplies tested complied with both World Health Organization and Ethiopian Standards. High levels of resistance (98–100%) were observed for ampicillin by Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All P. aeruginosa isolates and 20 (66.7%) of E. coli revealed multiple drug resistance. Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited high levels of antimicrobial resistance. The bacterial quality of drinking water in Bahir Dar city was poor. Microbial surveillance and monitoring with periodic assessment on physical integrity of the water pipelines need to be undertaken.

scholarly journals Information needs of public health professionals in Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Kaygorodova ◽  
I Kriukova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Types Of Information

Abstract Purpose To analyze information needs of the Russian public health professionals Methods Statistical, sociological, bibliometrics and content analysis Objectives To analyze results of a survey of information needs of public health professionals; To analyze requests by public health professionals; To present topics and types of information resources needed by public health professionals Results public health professionals usually prepare informational and analytical reports and reviews for decision-makers. Therefore, it is important to understand what issues this group of information consumers is interested in, as well as what information resources they may need. To address this purpose, the authors have surveyed this group of specialists and analyzed their requests for information submitted to WHO Documentation Center in the Russian Federation. The results obtained made it possible to define major information needs of Russian public health professionals. By topics, they are arranged as follows: analysis and trends in mortality by age and cause of death; analysis and trends in fertility; analysis of information resources on healthy lifestyles, physical activity, healthy diet an risk factors, as well as analysis of international experience and comparisons. Distribution by information resources used by the public health professionals: Russian collections of statistical data, National report on health; articles from Russian journals on public health and nutrition; statistical databases of the World Health Organization; Eurostat; WHO reports on different public health issues (tobacco control, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and unhealthy diet, etc.); WHO/Europe reports on health and well-being; WHO evidence reports on public health problems; PubMed - articles on public health questions; Cochrane library, etc. Key messages This poster presents the results of a study of the information needs of public health professionals. The study was conducted by interviewing these specialists at conferences and seminars.

scholarly journals Hand hygiene implementation: an easy step to improve public health

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Fankhauser-Rodriguez ◽  
Chloé Guitart ◽  
Didier Pittet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Nurses And Midwives ◽  
Trained Nurse

The World Health Organization has declared 2020 the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife”. On May 5th of this year, for the annual celebration of the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign, the WHO highlighted the critical role of nurses and midwives in promoting public health. Increasing well-trained nurse staffing will enable nurses and midwives to improve quality of care and prevent infections. The implications for improved nursing and health policy are many. Investing in nurses ensures better care for patients, reduces infections and the economic burden of healthcare-associated infections on countries' economies.

scholarly journals Socio-economic aspects of epidemiology of helicobateriosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 861-864
Author(s):  
Tatiana P. Fedichkina ◽  
L. G. Solenova ◽  
I. E. Zykova ◽  
S. V. German ◽  
A. V. Modestova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori Infection ◽  
Technical State ◽  
Economic Aspects

There are considered special social and economic aspects of the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori. These aspects acquired the particular importance for the last time due to the fact that the provision of the people with pure water has been becoming the focus of the attention of geopolitical and socio-economic interests in a number of countries. The availability ofpure drinking water serves a marker of the socio-economic state of the territory and the population living there. In Russia where different climatic conditions are deposited by considerable regional differences in the conditions of communal services caused both by various level of the socio-economic development of the territory, the supplementation with pure drinking water serves as the social determinant of the ecological conditions of the population’s life. This particularly has impact on the unfeasible technical state of the water distribution systems, microorganism ecology of which can substantially affect public health. The performed by authors a specialized screening ofpresented at the official web site of the joint-stock company «Mosvodokanal» current data concerning the quality of drinking water consumed by 2500 Moscovites, tested for the Helicobacter pylori infection revealed no deviations from the sanitary standards in the water received by the consumers. Along with that, the comparison of the map documents of the distribution of the Helicobacter pylori infection in Moscow with the distribution of citizens’ complaints of the decline of the quality of tap water has revealed a territorial fastening of the high values of the population infection rate of n^ylori and the urban sites with the greatest number of complaints. In the microbial ecology of water-distribution systems there are tightly aligned problems of their epidemiological safety, technical state and economic damage caused by corrosion as a result of microbiotic activity. In contrast to acute bacterial and viral infections which are deemed of the greatest importance when assessing the sanitary condition of water sources and water-distribution systems, the consequences of infection with H. pylori may not be manifestedfor a long time but some years later they may be manifested as serious chronic diseases (from gastritis to adenocarcinoma of the stomach and a wide range of extraintestinal pathologies), which causes great social and economic losses. Thus, the socio-economic aspect of the epidemiology of helicobacteriosis includes at least two components: the technic - the maintenance of the feasible technic and sanitary state of the water distribution systems and the medico-social - expenditures for screening and treatment of infected patients. In total they are an inseparable part of the prevention of socially-important diseases in the public health system.

scholarly journals Temporal and Location Variations, and Link Categories for the Dissemination of COVID-19–Related Information on Twitter During the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Europe: Infoveillance Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Pobiruchin ◽  
Richard Zowalla ◽  
Martin Wiesner
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
World Health ◽  
Shared Resources ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Geographical Variations ◽  
Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND The spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, across Asia and Europe sparked a significant increase in public interest and media coverage, including on social media platforms such as Twitter. In this context, the origin of information plays a central role in the dissemination of evidence-based information about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19. On February 2, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) constituted a “massive infodemic” and argued that this situation “makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.” OBJECTIVE This <i>infoveillance</i> study, conducted during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on the social media platform Twitter. It allows monitoring of the dynamic pandemic situation on a global scale for different aspects and topics, languages, as well as regions and even whole countries. Of particular interest are temporal and geographical variations of COVID-19–related tweets, the situation in Europe, and the categories and origin of shared external resources. METHODS Twitter’s Streaming application programming interface was used to filter tweets based on 16 prevalent hashtags related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Each tweet’s text and corresponding metadata as well as the user’s profile information were extracted and stored into a database. Metadata included links to external resources. A link categorization scheme—introduced in a study by Chew and Eysenbach in 2009—was applied onto the top 250 shared resources to analyze the relative proportion for each category. Moreover, temporal variations of global tweet volumes were analyzed and a specific analysis was conducted for the European region. RESULTS Between February 9 and April 11, 2020, a total of 21,755,802 distinct tweets were collected, posted by 4,809,842 distinct Twitter accounts. The volume of #covid19-related tweets increased after the WHO announced the name of the new disease on February 11, 2020, and stabilized at the end of March at a high level. For the regional analysis, a higher tweet volume was observed in the vicinity of major European capitals or in densely populated areas. The most frequently shared resources originated from various social media platforms (ranks 1-7). The most prevalent category in the top 50 was “Mainstream or Local News.” For the category “Government or Public Health,” only two information sources were found in the top 50: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at rank 25 and the WHO at rank 27. The first occurrence of a prevalent scientific source was Nature (rank 116). CONCLUSIONS The naming of the disease by the WHO was a major signal to address the public audience with public health response via social media platforms such as Twitter. Future studies should focus on the origin and trustworthiness of shared resources, as monitoring the spread of fake news during a pandemic situation is of particular importance. In addition, it would be beneficial to analyze and uncover bot networks spreading COVID-19–related misinformation.

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