scholarly journals Thalassaemia Prevention: Bangladesh Perspective - A Current Update

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarabon Tahura ◽  
Md Selimuzzaman ◽  
Waqar Ahmed Khan
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Autosomal Recessive Disorder ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Hereditary Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cultural Tradition ◽  
Carrier Status ◽  
Inherited Disease ◽  
Hb E

Thalassaemias are a group of autosomal recessive disorder and the most common inherited disease worldwide with a wide geographical variation in incidence. Bangladesh, a developing country, having a population over 160 million. World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 3% of our population carries ?- thalassaemia and 4% of population carries Hb-E in Bangladesh. But recently Khan WA showed that carrier status of Hb-E is 6.1% and as high as 41.7% in tribal school children in Bangladesh. Since Thalassaemia is a severe and incurable disease, it is only manageable when it is prevented. The WHO has advocated and promoted the programs for thalassaemia prevention from the early 1970s. Several countries have already set up comprehensive national thalassaemia prevention programs but in our country most of the population is unware of this hereditary disease. The rapidly growing number of children diagnosed as thalassaemia in Bangladesh clearly indicate that thalassaemia will be a emerging health burden for our country. So, we need to prevent thalassaemia before it’s too late by comprehensive national integrated prevention programs which include public awareness and education, carrier screening, genetic counseling, premarital screening and prenatal diagnosis. Thalassaemia prevention program has become a community concern as it affects marriage practices and reproduction. So, ethical issues need to be addressed for proper implementation of this by government policy, central control and co-ordination according to the local structures, social values, religious laws and cultural tradition of our country.Bangladesh J Child Health 2016; VOL 40 (1) :31-38

Ethical Issues Arising in Revising Classifications of Mental Disorders

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
N. Sartorius
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Diagnostic Systems ◽  
The World

The classification of mental disorders in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) will be revised in the course of the next three years and its publication (as the 11th Revision of the ICD) will be published, after the approval of the World Health Assembly in 2014. In parallel, the American Psychiatric Association created a Task Force which has begun work on the proposals for the revision of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual which is to be published as the DSM 5th Revision, in 2012. The World Health Organization has established a special advisory group that should assist it in developing proposals for the classification of mental disorders for the 11th Revision of the ICD and this group collaborates closely with the APA Task Force creating the DSM5 proposals.Numerous ethical issues arise in this process and need to be discussed now so as to inform the process of agreeing on the proposals for the new classifications. They include the importance of an internationally accepted classification as a protection against abuses of psychiatric patients; the need to set the threshold for the diagnosis of a mental disorder at a level ensuring that people with such disorders receive help, the need to avoid imposition of diagnostic systems or categories without sufficient evidence and others. The presentation will briefly discuss the process of constructing the proposals for the new classifications and ways in which the groups established by the WHO and the APA handle these ethical questions.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Awareness of Masks and N95 Respirators Used for COVID-19 Prevention Among Chemical Engineering Students at Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banan Hudaib ◽  
Ali F. Al-shawabkeh ◽  
Fadia Hudaib
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
The Other ◽  
World Health ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Protective Mask

Background and Objectives: On March 11, the World Health Organization stated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a global pandemic; the rapid and extended spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant cause of concern for face-to-face university study. This study investigated the knowledge and awareness of chemical engineering students in Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) in Jordan about respiratory protective measures against COVID-19.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed using a multi-stage random sampling technique conducted from April 21–28, 2020. The data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to BAU's chemical engineering students, with 179 responders completed the survey correctly. The data were analyzed statistically using the SPSS program. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first measured the student's general knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second focused on the respiratory protection methods against COVID-19; it was structured to assess the student's knowledge about the suitable types of masks and respirators used in COVID-19 prevention, their detailed mechanism of action and filtration process type, their production materials, and finally how the student's knowledge affects choosing a proper preventive method.Results: The study found moderate awareness among engineering students about COVID-19 causative agent, effective preventive masks/respirators used, and the mask's viral blockage mechanisms. A total of 89 respondents (49.7%) pointed to the correct best protective mask, i.e., N95 mask. On the other hand, 119 respondents (66.5%) believed that a surgical mask is the best protective mask. The study also showed differences in knowledge between different academic years; the knowledge about respirators, masks, and their action mechanism among senior students in the last three academic years was better than the younger students with a P-value of 0.047 for knowledge about respirator used for protection against coronavirus disease and the P-value of 0.028 for knowledge of the comparisons between the N95 and surgical mask. On the other hand, the study showed a lack of awareness of the most suitable mask types used in pandemics and the appropriate use method.Conclusions: The study found that chemical engineering students in Al-Balqa university were moderately knowledgeable regarding COVID-19 respiratory preventive methods; these results provided an overview of each student's community's knowledge level. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve public awareness through comprehensive educational campaigns to increase students' knowledge, attitude, and practice.

scholarly journals A comparison of coronavirus disease 2019 and seasonal influenza surveillance in five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène Bricout ◽  
Rigoine de Fougerolles Thierry ◽  
Joan Puig-Barbera ◽  
Georges Kassianos ◽  
Philippe Vanhems ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Data Communication ◽  
European Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
The United Kingdom

Background: In response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak that unfolded across Europe in 2020, the World Health Organisation called for repurposing existing influenza surveillance systems to monitor COVID-19. This analysis aimed to compare descriptively the extent to which influenza surveillance systems were adapted and enhanced, and how COVID-19 surveillance could ultimately benefit or disrupt routine influenza surveillance. Methods: We used a previously developed framework in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom to describe COVID-19 surveillance and its impact on influenza surveillance. The framework divides surveillance systems into 7 sub-systems and 20 comparable outcomes of interest, and uses 5 evaluation criteria based on WHO guidance. Information on influenza and COVID-19 surveillance systems were collected from publicly available resources shared by European and national public health agencies. Results: Overall, non-medically attended, virological, primary care and mortality surveillance were adapted in most countries to monitor COVID-19, whilst community, outbreak, and hospital surveillance were reinforced in all countries. Data granularity improved, with more detailed demographic and medical information recorded. A shift to systematic notification for cases and deaths enhanced both geographic and population representativeness whilst the sampling strategy benefited from the roll out of widespread molecular testing. Data communication was greatly enhanced, contributing to improved public awareness. Conclusions: Well-established influenza surveillance systems are a key component of pandemic preparedness and their upgrade allowed European countries to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, uncertainties remain on how both influenza and COVID-19 surveillance can be jointly and durably implemented.

scholarly journals European Immunization Week 2008: Progress towards regional goals

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Collective WHO
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Political Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
Childhood Immunisation ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
The Public ◽  
National Immunisation ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe established the European Immunization Week (EIW, http://www.euro.who.int/vaccine) in 2005 for three reasons: 1) to raise public awareness of the benefits of immunisation, 2) to support national immunisation systems, and 3) to provide a framework for mobilising public and political support for governmental efforts to protect the public through universal childhood immunisation.

Pheochromocytoma and Extra-adrenal Paraganglioma: Updates

2008 ◽  
Vol 132 (8) ◽  
pp. 1272-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur S. Tischler
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Genetic Defect ◽  
Tumor Location ◽  
Hereditary Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Adrenal Tumors ◽  
Endocrine Tumors ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Extra Adrenal Paraganglioma

Abstract Context.—Advances in genetics and gene expression profiling have led to new ways of thinking about the pathobiology of pheochromocytoma and extra-adrenal paraganglioma. These developments are concurrent with the publication and dissemination of the 2004 World Health Organization bluebook on pathology and genetics of endocrine tumors. Objective.—To summarize new information required by pathologists for effective participation in patient management and research. Data Sources.—Literature review and primary material from Tufts Medical Center. Conclusions.—The World Health Organization reserves the term pheochromocytoma for tumors arising from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. Closely related tumors in extra-adrenal sympathetic and parasympathetic paraganglia are classified as extra-adrenal paragangliomas. A pheochromocytoma is an intra-adrenal sympathetic paraganglioma. Although arbitrary, this nomenclature emphasizes important distinctive properties of intra-adrenal tumors, including an often adrenergic phenotype, relatively low rate of malignancy, and predilection to occur in particular hereditary syndromes. Malignancy is defined by presence of metastases not local invasion. Occult germline mutations characteristic of familial syndromes are now found in more than 20% of patients with apparently sporadic tumors, bringing the percentage of tumors with a known genetic basis close to 30%. In addition, tumor location and risk of malignancy vary with the underlying genetic defect. The “10 percent rule” for pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma—10% familial, 10% malignant, 10% extra-adrenal—is therefore no longer tenable. Current roles of pathology are limited to diagnosing primary or metastatic tumors and identifying features suggestive of malignant potential or hereditary disease. Future roles may involve more definitive assessment of malignancy, genotype-phenotype correlation, and identification of targets for therapy.

Bioethics in Unani medicine: Relevant quotes from Kamilussanah, a 10th century manuscript

2022 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Ghazala Javed ◽  
Nandini Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
National Level ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Unani Medicine ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its Alma Ata Declaration, 1978, focuses on the development, promotion and recognition of the traditional medical systems. India has taken steps in this direction by recognising Unani medicine with other traditional medical systems practised in India. Presently, Government is promoting integration of the recognised traditional medical systems with conventional medicine at the national level, as an interdisciplinary approach to providing better patient-centred care. Bioethics is a field of enquiry that examines ethical issues and dilemmas emerging from medical care and research involving humans. Although the term ‘bioethics’ was first mentioned in 1927 and later established as a distinct discipline in 1970s, the ethical principles in various contexts had been described centuries ago in the classical texts pertaining to traditional medical systems. Since ethics as a code of conduct was followed by ancient Unani physicians to safeguard the interests of humanity when providing healthcare, it was felt that a review of classical Unani manuscripts should be attempted to give an insight into codes of conduct described by various Unani physicians. In this paper, a 10th century book, “Kamilussanah” authored by Ali ibn Abbas al-Majoosi, also known as Majoosi (930-994 CE), is reviewed through the prism of ethics.

Methods for the assessment of low-frequency noise from mining activities in the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. 5175-5186
Author(s):  
Jelle Assink ◽  
Rosan Nusselder ◽  
Kim White ◽  
Olivier den Ouden ◽  
Erik de Graaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
World Health ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Low Frequency Noise ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Presentation Methods

According to the World Health Organisation, noise ranks among the environmental stressors with the highest impact on public health. The contribution of low-frequency noise (LFN) is not well-understood and deserves more research attention from several perspectives, that include epidemiology, acoustics as well as civil engineering. The attribution of symptoms to LFN is increasing due to a growth in public awareness and the expansion of industrial installations and traffic. In the Netherlands, numbers of LFN-related complaints are rising. Several of those have been attributed to the mining industry. However, an effective methodology for the assessment of such complaints is not yet available. In this presentation, methods are defined to assess LFN from mining activities in the Netherlands, focusing on the extraction, processing, transportation and storage of gas, salt and geothermal heat. Through a literature review and interviews with domain experts, methodologies have been derived with regards to 1) the prediction of LFN generation at the source, 2) observational techniques and 3) potential impacts on health. A broad low-frequency band is considered, spanning from the often-discarded infrasonic frequencies to up to 200 Hz. Based on this study's results, recommendations are given for establishing a standard procedure to assess LFN produced by mining activities.

Immunosuppressant Drugs And Covid-19: Associated Risks, Drug-Drug Interactions & Contraindications

Coronaviruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debjyoti Talukdar ◽  
Diane Ignacio ◽  
Madan Mohan Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
International Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Organizations ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

: Immunosuppressant drugs like Etanercept, Mycophenolate mofetil, Sirolimus, Cyclosporine and Rituximab can weaken the immune system and make patients susceptible to SARS nCoV-2 virus. These drugs make immunocompromised persons more vulnerable to complications associated with COVID-19. Moreover, it can also increase mortality and morbidity, as a weakened immune system can lead to a longer duration of infection. This study discusses the guidelines on immunosuppressant drugs and its associated risk factors with COVID-19, issued by the U.S CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organization), U.S FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and other accredited global health organizations. Moreover, it also includes information about pharmaceutical properties, mechanism of action, COVID-19 associated risk factors, adverse drug reactions, contraindications and drug-drug interactions. Our study will help government partners and international health organizations to better understand COVID-19 health risks associated with immunosuppressants. Increased public awareness about effective drug therapy for autoimmune diseases, cancer treatment, immunocompromised and organ transplant patients will help lower the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease amid COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Interventions for Child Drowning Reduction in the Indian Sundarbans: Perspectives from the Ground

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 291
Author(s):  
Medhavi Gupta ◽  
Sujoy Roy ◽  
Ranjan Panda ◽  
Pompy Konwar ◽  
Jagnoor Jagnoor
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Child Death ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Home Based

Drowning is a leading cause of child death in the coastal Sundarbans region of India due to the presence of open water, lack of supervision and poor infrastructure, but no prevention programs are currently implemented. The World Health Organization has identified interventions that may prevent child drowning in rural low-and middle-income country contexts, including the provision of home-based barriers, supervised childcare, swim and rescue training and first responder training. Child health programs should consider the local context and identify barriers for implementation. To ensure the sustainability of any drowning prevention programs implemented, we conducted a qualitative study to identify the considerations for the implementation of these interventions, and to understand how existing government programs could be leveraged. We also identified key stakeholders for involvement. We found that contextual factors such as geography, cultural beliefs around drowning, as well as skillsets of local people, would influence program delivery. Government programs such as accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and self-help groups could be leveraged for program implementation, while Anganwadi centres would require additional support due to poor resourcing. Gaining government permissions to change Anganwadi processes to provide childcare services may be challenging. The results showed that adapting drowning programs to the Sundarbans context presents unique challenges and program customisation.

scholarly journals Water Quality of Sundarijal Reservior and its Feeding Streams in Kathmandu

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 99-106
Author(s):  
Krishna R Bhattarai ◽  
Bharat B Shrestha ◽  
Hari D Lekhak
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Sanitary Condition ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Scientific World ◽  
Chemical Characters ◽  
Health Organization

Physico-chemical (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, nitrogen, heavy metal, etc) and bacteriological (coliform bacteria) characteristics of water were studied in samples collected from Sundarijal reservoir and its main feeding streams: Bagmati, Nagmati and Shyalmati in 2003 and 2004 AD. Human activities near the water bodies and sanitary condition of the residential areas of watershed were also examined. Although public awareness and proper management of watershed and reservoir premises were lacking, yet the physico-chemical characters were within the standard of World Health Organization (WHO) and European Commission (EC) for drinking water. However, the coliform bacteria were high and water was not safe to consume without intense treatments with disinfectants. Key words: Coliform; Heavy metals; Human activities; Physico-chemical characters; Sanitary condition. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v6i6.2643 Scientific World, Vol. 6, No. 6, July 2008 99-106

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