scholarly journals Hazard of Contamination with Heavy Metals in Thymus serpyllum L. Herbs from Rural Areas

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 375
Author(s):  
Anna Figas ◽  
Magdalena Tomaszewska-Sowa ◽  
Mirosław Kobierski ◽  
Anna Katarzyna Sawilska ◽  
Katarzyna Klimkowska
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
World Health ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Geochemical Background ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Thymus Serpyllum ◽  
Health Organization

The aim of the research has been to assay the contents of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Pb in soil and in the organs of wild Thymus serpyllum L. acquired from three natural habitats from the Kuyavia-Pomerania Province (Poland) not exposed to contamination with metals. As compared with the contents of the geochemical background of the soils in the region and the value of enrichment factor (EF), there was noted a considerable content of Pb in the soil from two locations. The Pb content in plant tissues in one of the three locations was higher than the admissible content specified by the World Health Organization WHO (above 10 mg kg−1 d.w.). As for the Zn content, only the plants from the locations with the relatively youngest phytocenosis met the conditions for herbs to be used for phytotherapy. The Zn content in the dry weight of the plants collected from the other two locations exceeded 50 mg kg−1. The risk of an elevated content of Zn and Pb in the plants makes it necessary to monitor the soil environment and to limit the collection of the plants from natural habitats, as well as to encourage the collection from controlled habitats.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Patterns in India Stratified by Zones, Age, Region, BMI and Implications for COVID-19: A Nationwide Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 097275312199850
Author(s):  
Vivek Podder ◽  
Raghuram Nagarathna ◽  
Akshay Anand ◽  
Patil S. Suchitra ◽  
Amit Kumar Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Home Work ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Physically Inactive ◽  
At Home

Rationale: India has a high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which can be lowered by regular physical activity. To understand this association, recent population data is required which is representative of all the states and union territories of the country. Objective: We aimed to investigate the patterns of physical activity in India, stratified by zones, body mass index (BMI), urban, rural areas, and gender. Method: We present the analysis of physical activity status from the data collected during the phase 1 of a pan-India study. This ( Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharata 2017) was a multicenter pan-India cluster sampled trial with dual objectives. A survey to identify all individuals at a high risk for diabetes, using a validated instrument called the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS), was followed by a two-armed randomized yoga-based lifestyle intervention for the primary prevention of diabetes. The physical activity was scored as per IDRS (vigorous exercise or strenuous at work = 0, moderate exercise at home/work = 10, mild exercise at home/work = 20, no exercise = 30). This was done in a selected cluster using a mobile application. A weighted prevalence was calculated based on the nonresponse rate and design weight. Results: We analyzed the data from 2,33,805 individuals; the mean age was 41.4 years (SD 13.4). Of these, 50.6% were females and 49.4% were males; 45.8% were from rural areas and 54% from urban areas. The BMI was 24.7 ± 4.6 kg/m 2 . Briefly, 20% were physically inactive and 57% of the people were either inactive or mildly active. 21.2% of females were found physically inactive, whereas 19.2% of males were inactive. Individuals living in urban localities were proportionately more inactive (21.7% vs. 18.8%) or mildly active (38.9% vs. 34.8%) than the rural people. Individuals from the central (29.6%) and south zones (28.6%) of the country were also relatively inactive, in contrast to those from the northwest zone (14.2%). The known diabetics were found to be physically inactive (28.3% vs. 19.8%) when compared with those unaware of their diabetic status. Conclusion: 20% and 37% of the population in India are not active or mildly active, respectively, and thus 57% of the surveyed population do not meet the physical activity regimen recommended by the World Health Organization. This puts a large Indian population at risk of developing various NCDs, which are being increasingly reported to be vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. India needs to adopt the four strategic objectives recommended by the World Health Organization for reducing the prevalence of physical inactivity.

scholarly journals Iodization of table salt and attitudes and habits in relation to the use of salt in general population

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 225-229
Author(s):  
Gorica Sbutega-Milosevic ◽  
Zorica Djordjevic ◽  
Zoran Marmut ◽  
Boban Mugosa
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Iodine Content ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
World Population ◽  
Table Salt ◽  
Salt Iodization ◽  
The World ◽  
Domestic Use ◽  
Health Organization

Introduction. Combating nutritional deficiencies of micronutrients, such as iodine, represents a priority task of health care organizations. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the publication: Global Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), according to which some 2,2 billion people live in areas poor in naturally occurring iodine. Approximately 13% of the world population suffer from goitre - one of the IDD. The recommended iodine content in table salt is 20-40 mg/kg, which should satisfy the daily iodine requirements of an adult. Objective. The authors sought to ascertain whether iodization of table salt in Montenegro was carried out in accordance with the existing legislature. An assessment was also carried out of the attitudes and habits of the population regarding the use of salt in nutrition and the level of awareness in relation to the relevance of table salt iodization. Methods. The research was carried out in 2004 and was sponsored by UNICEF. A sample of 594 homes from the municipalities of Bar and Podgorica was chosen: 354 homes from urban and 240 from rural areas. The participants completed a questionnaire related to the daily use and intake of salt, as well as their understanding of the relevance of table salt iodization. Iodine content was tested in 15 samples of table salt at production level, 170 samples at retail level and 126 samples taken from domestic use. Results. The analysis of table salt samples showed an optimal iodine level in 73.3% of samples from production, in 81.2% from retail, and in 73.0% from domestic use. A lower level of iodine was found in 8.8% retail samples and 15.1% samples from home use. A greater concentration of iodine was found in 26.7% production, 10.0% retail and 11.9% samples from domestic use. Conclusion. Although the application of the WHO programme has led to an improvement in iodization of table salt in Montenegro, both at production and retail levels, this still falls short of the standards recommended by WHO to combat IDD. The levels of iodine in table salt in domestic use also fail to comply with the WHO criteria for elimination of IDD.

scholarly journals HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN SOME SEAFOODS COLLECTED FROM MUARA ANGKE FISH AUCTION PLACE, JAKARTA.

1987 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Horas Hutagalung ◽  
Suwirma Syamsu
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Heavy Metal Content ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Health Organization

Determination of  heavy  metal  content  (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn) in some seafoods collected from  Muara  Angke  Fish  Auction  Place  were carried out during February to July 1979. The results showed  that Zn  content  in seafoods a nalyzed  was always much higher than the other heavy metals. The concentration levels of  the  six  heavy  metals observed were low. It is almost of the same level as the metal concentration of  other  seafoods  observed  in various parts of the world oceans, but still lower  than the maximum standard set  for human  consumption  as  established  by   Tasmania, Australia and  World Health Organization. The  mean  per capita  consumption of  fish  in Jakarta is only  about 165 g  per week, while  the  Provisional Tolerated Weekly Intake for Hg, set by WHO/FAO at 300 ug level, would be attained by consuming 1500 g Rastrelliger sp., or 698 gPenaeus setiferus, or 545 g Sepia sp., and or 1250 g Pecten sp.  Therefore,  at   present the  level of metal content in fishes sold at TPI  Muara  Angke  can be  considered  as  not  dangerous  to human health as long as these quantities are not surpassed.

Drug control: a prerequisite for health

1980 ◽  
Vol 209 (1174) ◽  
pp. 159-163
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Third World ◽  
Health Care Expenditure ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Limited List

The purchase of drugs employs an increasingly large part of the health budget of many Third World countries. Like health care expenditure as a whole, drug spending is heavily biased in favour of urban hospitals, often for expensive proprietary drugs that offer little benefit over cheaper preparations. As a result, because limited funds are available, vaccines and drugs for prevention and primary care are sometimes unavailable, especially in rural areas. The World Health Organization and many individual countries have responded to the problem of drug costs by creating a limited list of drugs considered essential for health care needs. Other methods of curtailing spending on drugs have included tendering for supplies and the establishment of plants to manufacture and formulate drugs. Controls of this type meet enormous resistance from doctors and pharmaceutical manufacturers, but are vital for the implementation of policies for appropriate health care.

scholarly journals Self-supply as an alternative approach to water access in rural scattered regions: evidence from a rural microcatchment in Colombia

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmar Torres-López ◽  
Inés Restrepo-Tarquino ◽  
Charlotte Patterson ◽  
John Gowing ◽  
Isabel Dominguez Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
External Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
Unfinished Business ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Thermotolerant Coliforms ◽  
Health Organization

<p>Globally, access to improved water sources is lower in rural areas compared to urban areas. Furthermore, in rural areas many people use water from individual systems they have developed with their investments, often without external support. This phenomenon has been called Self-supply. Self-supply ranges from simple to complex systems and different water sources. Water quality varies, from achieving World Health Organization (WHO) standards (0 CFU/100 ml) to systems that provide water posing high risks to human health. While most studies in Self-supply have been developed in Africa, little is known in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This research explores Self-supply in a rural microcatchment in Colombia (LAC). Data was collected through household and drinking water surveys and analysed. Results showed that 40% of households used Self-supply systems taking water from springs and brooks. Thermotolerant Coliforms were below 50 CFU/100 ml, both in dry and rainy season, and between 5 to 7% of samples achieved the WHO standard. These results suggest that Self-supply has potential to offer safe drinking water, provided improvements on source protection and institutional support. Therefore, Self-supply could contribute to address “unfinished business”, including ensuring access for the hardest-to-reach people, as stated in the post-2015 development agenda.</p>

scholarly journals Collaboration between traditional healers and psychiatrists in Sudan

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Sorketti ◽  
N. Z. Zuraida ◽  
M. H. Habil
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Belief System ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The importance of traditional healing in low- and middle-income countries cannot be under estimated. It is generally perceived as part of the prevailing belief system and traditional healers are often seen as the primary agents for psychosocial problems in these countries; estimates of their service share range from 45% to 60% (World Health Organization, 1992). The World Health Organization (2000) estimated that 80% of people living in rural areas in low- and middle-income countries depend on traditional medicine for their health needs.

Source and mobilization mechanism of arsenic contamination in Manipur, Northeast India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra Shekhar Azad Kashyap ◽  
Swati Singh
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
World Health ◽  
Arsenic Content ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Paddy Crop ◽  
Waterlogging Condition

&lt;p&gt;India is one of the fastest economic growing and second-largest country by population. More than 75% people are living in rural areas and engage with agricultural activities for livelihood. A significant portion of the revenue comes from agriculture which cause ignorance in follow the guideline to get more yield. The supply of good quality food and drinking water are the necessity for economic and social health welfare of urban and rural population. In this study, we have observed that the groundwater quality is being degrading due to improper implementation of the rules and regulation. Twenty three groundwater sample were analyze for arsenic and trace elements contamination. The arsenic content in groundwater ranging from 10 to 780 &amp;#181;g/L, which is far above the levels for drinking water standards prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO). For identify the provable source of the contamination, four soil sample were analyzed and observed arsenic content ranging from 110 to 190 mg/kg. Rice is the staple food and ultimately cultivating the paddy crop on more over 80% of the agricultural land. The Paddy crop requires a large amount of water, ultimately maintain the waterlogging condition in the agricultural field. This waterlogging condition is providing a long time to get dissolution of the arsenic bearing minerals present in the soil. This study concluded that the traditional practicing of continuous growing paddy crop in the same field leading to groundwater contamination. The crops cycling could be a better option for reducing the contamination at a local scale.&lt;/p&gt;

Safe Arrivals: Responding to the Local Context in a Training Program for Birth Attendants in Cambodia

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Lois V. McKellar ◽  
Kevin Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Skilled Birth Attendant ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Quality Assurance Process ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Assurance Process

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that every woman should have a skilled birth attendant (SBA) attend her birth; however, until this ideal is met, traditional birth attendants (TBA) continue to provide care to women, particularly in rural areas of countries such as Cambodia. The lack of congruence between an ideal and reality has caused difficulty for policy makers and governments. In 2007, The 2h Project, an Australian-based, nongovernment organization in partnership with a local Cambodian organization, “Smile of World,” commenced the “Safe Arrivals” project, providing annual training for SBAs and TBAs in the rural provinces of Cambodia. Following implementation of this project, feedback was collected through a questionnaire undertaken by interviews with participants. This was part of a quality assurance process to further develop training in line with WHO recommendations and to consider the cultural context and respond to local knowledge. Over a 2-year period, 240 birth attendants were interviewed regarding their role and practice. Specifically, through the responses to the questionnaires, several cultural practices were identified that have informed training focus and resource development. More broadly, it was evident that TBAs remain a valuable resource for women, acknowledging their social and cultural role in childbirth.

Scarcity of Nurses in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reema Gill
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Government ◽  
Population Ratio ◽  
Health Organization

The human resources for health (HRH), especially nurses, constitute an important part of health systems. It is difficult to ascertain comprehensive information on the availability of health workers globally due to irregular reporting of data from the countries. However, experts have proposed minimum thresholds for achieving certain health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These thresholds have been used as yardsticks by others for determining HRH shortages in their nations. As per the minimum threshold developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), not enough health workers are available in India, especially in the rural areas. The nurse to population ratio in India is even lower than some of the other developing countries in Asia. Various factors, such as low professional and socio-economic status, gender issues, lack of political will on part of the government and unregulated private sector, have led to scarcity of nurses in numbers as well as qualitatively in India. To overcome the dismal working and social conditions, many Indian nurses are migrating to developed nations, further exacerbating the nursing shortages in the country. Inclusive planning, adequate financing and political commitment on the part of all stakeholders are required for overcoming the shortage of health personnel existing in India.

Characteristics, distribution and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in coastal sediments from the heavily industrialized area of Asalouyeh, Iran

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 3340-3350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Arfaeinia ◽  
Zahra Asadgol ◽  
Ehsan Ahmadi ◽  
Morteza Seifi ◽  
Masoud Moradi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Coastal Sediments ◽  
World Health ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Toxic Equivalents ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract In this research, the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in the marine sediments of Asaluyeh harbor, in the Persian Gulf. The samples were taken from industrial, semi-industrial and urban regions. The mean concentration levels of total (Σ) 18 detected PCBs were 514.32, 144.67 and 31.6 pg/g dw for the industrial, semi-industrial and urban sampling stations, respectively. Based on a multivariate statistical analysis, it was found that high contamination levels of PCBs in sediments collected along the Persian Gulf were associated with releases from local industries. Total organic carbon (TOC) content was significantly and positively correlated with the concentrations of PCB congeners. World Health Organization toxic equivalents (TEQs) for PCBs ranged from 0.04 to 2.66 pg TEQ/g dry weight (dw) in the coastal sediments. The TEQ values in this study were higher than many reported worldwide in the literature for sediments. This suggests that there are high levels of contamination in the area due to industrial and other human activities.

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