scholarly journals Knowledge and awareness about airborne pathogens and its prevention among the general public

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Ashritha M ◽  
Geetha R V ◽  
Jayalakshmi Somasundaram

The airborne disease is mainly caused by the pathogens, which spread through respiratory droplets while coughing, sneezing or talking. Infection protection and control measures are taken to prevent the possible spread of , which also spreads through respiratory droplets. Discharged microbes are suspended in the air as dust particles and even in the form of droplets. The Middle East respiratory syndrome is caused by wherein the health workers are at a higher risk. Hence, awareness must be created in order to reduce a number of cases. The preventive measures are mainly taken in health care as patients are susceptible to diseases. It is essential for all the people to become aware and take steps according. The survey was distributed online to around 100 participants of various places of Tamil regarding the awareness of airborne pathogens. From this above study, it could be noticed that around 85% of the people are aware of the airborne pathogen whereas 15% of the people are not aware of. 64% of people have a good knowledge of the symptoms of any type of airborne disease. the protective measures that must be taken, about 65% of the people are conscious of doing it. The study concludes that there is awareness of airborne pathogens and its prevention among the general public.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karwan M Amen ◽  
Kazhan I. Mahmood ◽  
Sherzad A. Shabu ◽  
Nazar Shabila

Abstract Background Understanding the public perception and behavior towards the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can help in mitigating the transmission of the infection. This study aimed to assess the perspectives of the people towards COVID-19, especially concerning the risk of the disease, adherence to protective measures, and the effectiveness of the imposed prevention and control measures. Methods An explorative study based on Q-methodology was conducted in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The study involved a purposively selected sample of 40 persons representing different educational, social, and economic levels. Forty-one statements were extracted that have covered various aspects of the impact of COVID-19 on the life of people, and different perceptions and uncertainties around it. We asked the participants to rank-order the 41 statements into a distribution on a nine point scale, ranging from “least agree” to “most agree." Data analysis involved a by-person factor analysis using PQMethod 2.35, which aimed to identify the main viewpoints. Results The analysis revealed three distinct viewpoints and one consensus perspective for the people’s perspectives about COVID-19. Viewpoint 1, confidence and obedience to protective measures, centers on compliance with the main protective measures, the seriousness of COVID-19, and the effectiveness of the government's preventive measures. Viewpoint 2, apprehensiveness and noncompliance, focuses on extremely worry about the disease and concerns about the government measures against COVID-19. Viewpoint 3, people’s inattentiveness, emphasizes the lack of awareness and adherence to protective measures by the people and ineffectiveness of the government’s preventive measures. Conclusion The primary aspects distinguishing the three viewpoints focus on risk perception, protective behavioral response, and government’s preventive measures. Risk perception can guide appropriate protective behavior, but not always. For strengthening the preventive measures, and compliance with protective behaviors, different approaches that can address the needs of different groups of people are required. The focus should be on increasing the risk awareness, reducing anxiety, and explaining the justification and effectiveness of the government's preventive measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rapeephan R. Maude ◽  
Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽  
Sumawadee Skuntaniyom ◽  
Thanomvong Muntajit ◽  
Stuart D. Blacksell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Key infection prevention and control measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hand hygiene, use of facemasks and personal protective equipment. However, these have limited or no impact if not applied correctly through lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitude or incorrect practice. In order to maximise the impact of infection prevention and control measures on COVID-19 spread, we undertook a study to assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and practice among 119 healthcare workers and 100 general public in Thailand. The study setting was two inpatient hospitals providing COVID-19 testing and treatment. Detailed information on knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. Results Knowledge of the main transmission routes, commonest symptoms and recommended prevention methods was mostly very high (> 80%) in both groups. There was lower awareness of aerosols, food and drink and pets as sources of transmission; of the correct duration for handwashing; recommended distance for social/physical distancing; and about recommended types of face coverings. Information sources most used and most trusted were the workplace, work colleagues, health workers and television. The results were used to produce a set of targeted educational videos which addressed many of these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting in a number of areas. This included improvements in handwashing practice with an increase in the number of areas correctly washed in 65.5% of the public, and 57.9% of healthcare workers. The videos were then further optimized with feedback from participants followed by another round of retesting. Conclusions Detailed information on gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. This was used to produce targeted educational videos which addressed these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting. The resulting videos were then disseminated as a resource to aid in efforts to fight COVID-19 in Thailand and worldwide.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Deborah Alaigba ◽  

Gully erosion remains a major threat to the people of Benin City. This study applies Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and geospatial techniques to evaluate vulnerability to gully erosion in Benin City, Nigeria. Five essential criteria were identified based on literature, and evaluation by experts. Pairwise Comparison Matrix (PCM) was obtained and weights for each of the PCM were determined using AHP. The consistency of generated weights obtained is not above 0.07. The method resulted in a gully erosion vulnerability model. Analysis of the model revealed that 52.1% (488.69Km2) of the area is vulnerable to gully erosion, while 3.4% (32.37 Km2) was found to be highly vulnerable to gully erosion. Fieldwork was conducted to establish the people’s perception and identify the causes and control measures for the gully erosion problem in the area. Findings on the major contributing factor that leads to the gully erosion formation showed that lack of drainage system accounts for 56.25%, improper land use practice account for 25%, and bad road construction (18.75%). About 50% of the respondents are of the view that an adequate drainage system would go a long way to mitigate the gully erosion. This present study has provided information on the state of gully erosion vulnerability in Benin City through mapping of vulnerable areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Erhan KAYA ◽  
Hüseyin ÜÇER

Introduction. Protection measurements should be paid attention so that the regions affected to a great extent gain time for medical care and medical facilities can cope with increasing intensive care cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the rate of behaviours of people related to going out and wearing a mask during the pandemic in Turkey. Material and methods. This observational study investigated people’s behaviours of going out and mask-wearing in the province of Kahramanmaras in Turkey during 4 different periods with 14-day intervals before and after Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 48 hours camera record made in 4 different periods at 12 pedestrian crossings used intensively by people was examined. Two researchers recorded and examined the number and gender of the people using these pedestrian crossings and their wearing-mask behaviours on a data collection form. The obtained data were presented as tables and graphics, showing numbers and percentages. Appropriate mask-wearing according to gender was analysed by ChiSquare test. Results. The number of people using pedestrian crossings decreased by 70.19% for men and 87.07% for women compared to before the pandemic. When comparing the appropriate mask-wearing according to gender, it was concluded that women had a higher statistically significant rate on the appropriate mask-wearing compared to men (p<0.05).Conclusions. Compliance to mask-wearing and control measures was high at the beginning of the pandemic. A high percentage of women wore masks correctly. About 40 days after the pandemic started, people wore the mask less correctly.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Resom Berhe ◽  
Mark Spigt ◽  
Francine Schneider ◽  
Lucy Paintain ◽  
Cherinet Adera ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Leishmaniasis is the top health problem among migrant workers in Ethiopia. Poor disease risk perception and inappropriate health-seeking behaviour are significant challenges to prevent and eliminate the disease. Therefore, there is a lack of guidance on supporting migrant workers in taking actions to prevent Leishmaniasis.Method: Between June and November 2019, we conducted qualitative research among migrant workers at risk of Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. Seventeen Focus Group Discussions and 16 Key informant interviews were conducted to study risk perception in relation to exposure to sandfly bites and the use of sandfly control measures amongst migrant workers. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated for analysis. Data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis using ATLASti. Result: Migrant workers feel susceptible to Leishmaniasis due to their past exposure, and the disease is prevalent in the area. However, they feel that Leishmaniasis is a mild illness that is easy to cure. While there is a general acceptance of Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) as a protective measure, hesitations remain in the actual behaviour of utilizing it due to the alternative use of the traditional practice, seasonality, and the inconvenience to hang in the farmland areas. The central cues were the message reminders from health workers and rose in sandfly bite irritation regardless of the high perceived self-efficacy. Based on the findings, three-level intervention modalities are recommended: 1) awareness creation throughout of door media (posters, stickers, billboards) at pre-arrival, 2) the arrival level aims to stimulate the use of protective measures to be initiated and maintained, and 3) the aim at the departure level is to inform about the recognition of late signs and symptoms and the use of the protective measure to be continued at home. Conclusion: This finding proposes that leishmaniasis prevention interventions should focus on individuals' perceptions to promote consistent use of protective measures. Results empowered the researchers to foster comprehension of the content required for effective intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 003685042110096
Author(s):  
Yongshun Zheng ◽  
Xingfang Zhang ◽  
Shiyuan Fang ◽  
Yeben Qian ◽  
Fan Zhang

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads globally, hospital departments will need take steps to manage their treatment procedures and wards. The preparations of high-risk departments (infection, respiratory, emergency, and intensive care unit) were relatively well within this pandemic, while low-risk departments may be unprepared. The spine surgery department in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, was used as an example in this study. The spine surgery department took measures to manage the patients, medical staff and wards to avoid the cross-infection within hospital. During the outbreak, no patients or healthcare workers were infected, and no treatment was delayed due to these measures. The prevention and control measures effectively reduced the risk of nosocomial transmission between health workers and patients while providing optimum care. It was a feasible management approach that was applicable to most low-risk and even high-risk departments.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Parent du Châtelet ◽  
D Floret ◽  
D Antona ◽  
D Lévy-Bruhl

Since the beginning of 2008, France has been experiencing a resurgence of measles. It started in a religious traditionalist group with low coverage and secondarily spread to the general population. This situation is the consequence of the insufficient vaccine coverage (less than 90 % at 24 months of age) which had led to the accumulation of susceptibles over the last years. More than 550 cases have been notified in 2008, the vast majority being unvaccinated. One measles-related death has occurred early 2009. Efforts to enhance communication to the general public and the health professionals on measles vaccination and control measures around cases are ongoing.


2021 ◽  
pp. 597-622
Author(s):  
Robert J. Kim-Farley

Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. Lower respiratory infections are the third leading causes of death worldwide and their control is a constant challenge that faces health workers and public health officials in both industrialized and developing countries. This chapter provides a global and comprehensive view of the principles of infectious disease control through examination of the magnitude of disease burden, the chain of infection (agent, transmission, and host) of infectious diseases, the varied approaches to their prevention and control (measures applied to the host, vectors, infected humans, animals, environment, and agents), and the factors conducive to their eradication as well as emergence and re-emergence.


2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Lúcia Gattás ◽  
Antonio Silva Lima Neto ◽  
George Santiago Dimech ◽  
Denise Mancini ◽  
Ligia Maria Cantarino ◽  
...  

Abstract To increase the timeliness of detection of human cases of the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and to reduce the risk of transmission, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has established and standardized rules and control measures. These include the definition of criteria for suspect cases, reporting, monitoring, and control measures for illness prevention and transmission. Guidelines to be used by the team of health care staff were published and distributed to health workers. A detailed proposal for a simplified system of surveillance for prion diseases was developed and mandatory reporting introduced. Additional effort is necessary to increase vCJD case detection, thus making it necessary to establish a partnership with health care services for best identification of suspected cases and dissemination of information to all involved in the service dealing with vCJD investigation.


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