scholarly journals Estimating Occupational Exposure to VOCs, SVOCs, Particles and Participant Survey Reported Symptoms in Central Thailand Rice Farmers Using Multiple Sampling Techniques

Author(s):  
Saowanee Norkaew ◽  
Wantanee Phanprasit ◽  
Mark Gregory Robson ◽  
Susan Woskie ◽  
Brian T. Buckley

Thailand is known for its agricultural productivity and rice exportation. Most farms use small machines and manual labor, creating potential exposure to multiple health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure pollutants liberated during preparation, pesticide application, and harvesting. Thirty rice farmers, mostly males from 41 to 50 years old, participated. The participant survey data showed that 53.3% of the respondents spent >2 h per crop on preparation, <1 h on pesticide application, and about 1–2 h harvesting; 86.7% of the respondents maintained and stored mechanical applicators at home, suggesting possible after-work exposures. Gloves, fabric masks, boots, and hats were worn during all activities, and >90% wore long sleeved shirts and pants. VOCs and SVOCs were collected using charcoal tubes and solid phase micro sample extraction (SPME). An analysis of the charcoal and SPME samplers found that 30 compounds were detected overall and that 10 were in both the charcoal tubes and SPME samplers. The chemicals most often detected were 1, 1, 1 Trichloro ethane and xylene. Additionally, farmers experienced the highest exposure to particulates during harvesting. These results demonstrated that farmers experience multiple exposures while farming and that risk communication with education or training programs may mitigate exposure.

Author(s):  
Gabriel Karubanga ◽  
Paul Kibwika ◽  
Florent Okry ◽  
Haroon Sseguya

Videos have the potential of enhancing learning among smallholder farmers. The study intended to establish whether timing and location of video shows influence learning among rice farmers in Kamwenge district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 48 focus group participants; 100 individual video participants and 16 key informants. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) mapping was used to establish the video catchment areas and distribution of video participants. Farmers approved the video for providing timely, useful and reliable information and bringing extension service providers closer to the farming communities. Majority (94%) of the farmers said that video provided useful information that fostered change in rice production practices and technologies. A one sample T-test indicated that the timing and location of video events are significant in influencing learning among farmers particularly by women, elderly and distant farmers. The implication is that locating video shows far away and running them late at night seriously compromised involvement by females, elderly and distant people. Thus, modalities suggested by farmers need to focus on adjusting the timing of video shows and ensuring rotational operational of videos in the respective villages or parishes purposely to reach out to the elderly, distant and women farmers.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 77-81, December, 2016


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annop Kittithaworn ◽  
Prempreeda Wongprasert ◽  
Worathon Worasangkart ◽  
Noppawit Aiumtrakul ◽  
Surapong Saravutthikul ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is described as a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors that can increase the possibility of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. According to monastic rules, Thai Buddhist monks are not allowed to cook meals and do exercise. This unique lifestyle generally encompasses low physical activities and may cause several noncommunicable diseases. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and perception of MetS among Thai Buddhist monks. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among Thai Buddhist monks living in Tha Luang District, Lopburi Province, Central Thailand. Study participants completed a questionnaire inquiring about personal and health data, and they also underwent physical examination, including anthropometric measurements, before undergoing biochemical blood tests. MetS was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III (NCEP ATP3) criteria. A qualitative study using in-depth interview was conducted to determine the knowledge and perceptions regarding MetS among Thai Buddhist monks. Results In total, 96 Thai Buddhist monks were included in this study. The prevalence of MetS was 28.1%. Participants who had a body mass index of \(\ge\)25 kg/m2 were determined to have a higher risk of developing MetS (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.6–13.3). The in-depth interview revealed that participants’ perceptions were directly associated with their beliefs, experience, and basic healthcare knowledge. A qualitative study identified two primary factors of MetS among Thai Buddhist monks, viz., unhealthy diet and low physical activity. Conclusions MetS prevalence in Thai Buddhist monks was moderate compared with that reported by other studies. Medical providers and Buddhist devotees should cooperate in providing health promotion by donating healthy food, conducting annual health checkups, and arranging alternative exercises in a private area that correspond with the monastic rules. Therefore, early screening, treatment, and patient education are the most important factors to manage MetS in Thai Buddhist monks.


Author(s):  
Anh Kieu Thi Nguyen ◽  
Anh Hoang Vu ◽  
Thu Tuyet Nguyen ◽  
Dong Vinh Nguyen ◽  
Giang Chau Ngo ◽  
...  

Vietnam is a rabies-endemic country where eating dog meat is customary. However, the risks of rabies transmission to dog slaughtering and processing workers have not been identified. This study aimed to determine the rabies neutralizing antibody (NTA) and risk factors in dog slaughterers to propose appropriate intervention methods for this occupational group. In 2016, a cross-sectional study on NTA against rabies virus and related factors was conducted among 406 professional dog slaughterers in Vietnam. The participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and their sera were tested for rabies NTA by a rapid focus fluorescence inhibition test. Statistical algorithms were used to analyze the data. The results showed that most of the professional dog butchers (344/406 subjects, 84.7%) had no rabies NTA. Interestingly, 7.8% (29/373) had NTA without a rabies vaccination history. Over 5 years of experience as a dog butcher was positively associated with the presence of NTA in unvaccinated individuals (OR = 6.16, P = 0.001). The NTA in vaccinated butchers was present in higher titer and for longer persistence to those of other previously reported professionals, which is possibly as a result of multiple exposures to low levels of rabies virus antigens during dog slaughtering. Our study demonstrated that professional dog butchers in Vietnam are at a high risk of rabies virus infection, apart from those with common bite experiences. In countries where dog meat consumption is customary, rabies control and prevention activities should focus on safety during dog trading and slaughtering.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Miguel Peralvo-Vidal ◽  
Nicolai Rosager Weber ◽  
Jens Peter Nielsen ◽  
Matthew Denwood ◽  
Svend Haugegaard ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the within-herd prevalence of pars oesophageal ulcers (POU) in high-risk Danish herds using commercial diets. Furthermore, we aimed to estimate the association between gastric content fluidity and POU using a generalised additive model (GAM). The study included 200 clinically healthy nursery pigs randomly selected from ten farms (20 pigs from each farm). The 10 farms were selected based on a suspected high prevalence of gastric ulcers. Post-mortem gastric ulcer assessment was based on macroscopic lesions, and gastric content fluidity was assessed based on the solid particle sedimentation percentage (solid phase). Results We observed an overall prevalence of 35.5% for POU in nursery pigs. Within-herd prevalence varied considerably among farms, with values ranging from 0% in Farm 1 to 84% in Farm 4. Our model showed strong associations between POU and gastric content fluidity (P < 0.001), as well as between POU and farm of origin (P < 0.001). In addition, we observed that the risk of POU decreased non-linearly as the gastric content solid phase percentage increased, i.e. as the gastric content became more solid. Conclusion We have demonstrated that pars oesophageal ulcers are present in Danish herds with nursery pigs fed commercial diets. Furthermore, we have established that gastric content fluidity is strongly associated with POU in nursery pigs. Even so, we cannot conclude that gastric content fluidity is solely responsible for POU. Future research should look into the association between pars oesophageal ulcers and both farm management activities and individual pig factors.


Author(s):  
Shakila Bashir ◽  
Munaza Bajwa ◽  
Sulmaz Rana

In daily life of students there are many factors that play a vital role in their lives but the major aspect that plays a crucial role in building there personality and in increasing their academic capabilities is a teacher. A teacher is a role model if he/she is attentive towards student’s academic growth and gives equally importance to their personal growth. This study conducted teacher’s social behavior related with student’s personality and teacher’s performance related with student’s academics. Multiple sampling designs including stratified random sampling and cluster random sampling are used; a sample of 300 was selected from students of APWA College, Queen Mary College and Kinnaird College belonging to different socio economic status. A cross sectional study using structured questionnaire was carried out including basic information. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out on the data collected. The findings demonstrated that out of 300 respondents 212 students take their teachers as a role model. The results of the study showed that there is a need for both teachers and students to become more socially attached with each other by keeping outside classroom relations and better understanding of each other.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Miguel Peralvo-Vidal ◽  
Nicolai Rosager Weber ◽  
Jens Peter Nielsen ◽  
Matthew Denwood ◽  
Svend Haugegaard ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the within-herd prevalence of pars oesophageal ulcers (POU) in high-risk Danish herds using commercial diets fed ad libitum. Furthermore, we aimed to estimate the association between gastric content fluidity and POU using a generalised additive model (GAM). The study included 200 clinically healthy nursery pigs randomly selected from ten farms (20 pigs from each farm). The 10 farms were selected based on a suspected high prevalence of gastric ulcers. Post-mortem gastric ulcer assessment was based on macroscopic lesions, and gastric content fluidity was assessed based on the solid particle sedimentation percentage (solid phase). Results: We observed an overall prevalence of 35.5% for POU in nursery pigs. Within-herd prevalence varied considerably among farms, with values ranging from 0% in Farm 1 to 84% in Farm 4. Our model showed strong associations between POU and gastric content fluidity (P<0.001), as well as between POU and farm of origin (P<0.001). In addition, we observed that the risk of POU decreased non-linearly as the gastric content solid phase percentage increased, i.e. as the gastric content became more solid. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that pars oesophageal ulcers are present in Danish herds with nursery pigs fed commercial diets ad libitum. Furthermore, we have established that gastric content fluidity is strongly associated with POU in nursery pigs. Even so, we cannot conclude that gastric content fluidity is solely responsible for POU. Future research should look into the association between pars oesophageal ulcers and both farm management activities and individual pig factors.


Author(s):  
Arianna Antonucci ◽  
Matteo Vitali ◽  
Stefano Martellucci ◽  
Vincenzo Mattei ◽  
Carmela Protano

After the introduction of the smoke-free legislation, household smoking has become the major source of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure for children. In our previous research, we found a strong association between urinary unmodified benzene (u-UB) levels and passive smoking exposure related to the home smoking policies (HSP). The aim of the study is to further investigate the impacts of several factors on ETS-exposure in childhood by using u-UB as tobacco-related carcinogen biomarker of exposure. Two cross-sectional studies were performed on the same target population of our previous research, in summer and winter season of the years 2017 and 2018, respectively. A questionnaire and a head space–solid phase micro-extraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) analytical method were used as investigative procedures. The improvement found in smoking habits, when compared to our previous surveys, reduced the levels of u-UB in children. However, significant differences related to the high number of smokers and smoked cigarettes, in total and at home, still persist. These differences are more relevant in the winter season. Finally, the only effective way for making homes completely smokefree is to develop public health policies for encouraging people to quit or drastically reduce smoking.


Author(s):  
Benjamin Ndayambaje ◽  
Hellen Amuguni ◽  
Jeanne Coffin-Schmitt ◽  
Nancy Sibo ◽  
Martin Ntawubizi ◽  
...  

Background: Agriculture contributes a third of Rwanda’s GDP and is the main source of income for rural households, with 80% of the total population involved in crop and/or livestock production. The Government of Rwanda established the Muvumba rice project in 2011 amidst a policy shift towards rice as a national staple crop. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides by local, low-income rice growers has raised concerns about potential human, animal and ecosystem health impacts as pesticide distribution and application are not strictly regulated. Although pesticide use can directly influence farmer health and ecosystems, little is known about small-scale farmers’ pesticide application practices and knowledge. We aimed to assess local application practices and understanding of pesticides to identify gaps in farmers’ knowledge on safe pesticide use and deviations from established standards and recommended practices. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of observations of pesticide practices and interviews with 206 small-scale rice growers in Nyagatare District, Rwanda, in March 2017. Descriptive statistical analyses (sample means, standard deviation and range) were performed, and we evaluated the association between farmers’ personal protective equipment (PPE) use and their education level and literacy status. Results: Over 95% of observed farmers did not comply with minimum standards for safe pesticide use, and 80% of respondents reported that they stored pesticides in their homes without personal protection measures. Education and literacy level were not significantly associated with PPE use. Additionally, 90% of respondents had experienced adverse health effects after using pesticides including intense headache, dizziness, stomach cramps, skin pain and itching, and respiratory distress. All respondents also reported animals in and around the rice scheme (cattle, birds, and fish) behaving abnormally or with signs consistent with pesticide exposure in the six months preceding the study, which may be linked to pesticide-contaminated water. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates potential for high exposure to pesticides for farmers, their families, and animals sharing rice-growing or downstream environments and points to the need for training on safe and effective pesticide use.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document