ASSESSING COMPLIANCE WITH SMOKE FREE LAWS IN BATU BURUK, TERENGGANU: A DIRECT OBSERVATION

Batu Buruk beach has been gazetted as a non-smoking zone by the Minister of Health under the initiative of Terengganu state government via their program known as ‘Terengganu Bebas Asap Rokok’ (TBAR). The smoking bans at Batu Buruk was enforced in order to preserve and protect the public from the dangers of cigarette smoke as well as to keep the city's environment clean and healthy. The objectives of this study were to assess the status of compliance to legislation and identify the potential aspects of violations in Batu Buruk, Terengganu, a gazetted smoke-free area. A cross-sectional study using direct observation was conducted includes all indoor and outdoor public areas in Batu Buruk Beach. Data were collected using a standard checklist which was constructed based on the provisions of the law governing exposure to tobacco smoke as stated in Control for Tobacco Products Regulation (CTPR) 2004. The study revealed that the average overall compliance with smoke-free policy was low (66.2%). The average compliance for indoor (67.4%) was higher as compared with outdoor (58.9%). Thirteen smokers were discovered smoking outdoor in the area during the study. None of the owners provides smoking aid at their premises. Although the beach has been gazetted as a non-smoking zone for more than two years, it is disappointing that overall compliance was still minimal and smoking activities are still happening in the area. Along with intense health promotion activities, continuous enforcement, close monitoring and periodic evaluation would improve and ensure the successfulness of the programme.

Download Full-text

Citizens’ Expectations from Government in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in Iran

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25745/v4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leila Zarei ◽

Saeed Shahabi ◽

Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽

Reza Tabrizi ◽

Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Main Body ◽

Close Monitoring ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Policy Makers ◽

The Public ◽

Health Related ◽

The Face ◽

The Government

Abstract Background: The government is the main body in charge of controlling epidemics; hence, expectations from government’s intention and capacity would affect citizens’ behavior and flexibility. Given the severity of COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need for people's cooperation in the prevention and combat processes, understanding the public perspectives would be crucial and instructive. This study aimed to explore such perspectives towards the current pandemic among the Iranian. Indeed, we sought to provide a favorable platform for effective policies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic by recognizing public expectations.Methods: This cross sectional study used an open-ended online questionnaire to investigate the common perspectives of the Iranian towards government’s response to COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were selected using snowball and convenient sampling techniques across the country. The collected data were analyzed and described using thematic content analysis. Results: In general, 2547 participants agreed to participate in this study and completed the online questionnaire. According to the findings, the Iranian exhibited several expectations regarding the government's response to COVID-19 pandemic, based on which three main themes were extracted: (1) health-related expectations, (2) policy-related expectations, and (3) mass media-related expectations. In this study, a majority of the participants highlighted the need to consider and follow-up the patients and their families, provide financial and hygiene support during the pandemic, apply strict restrictions, and have close monitoring and controlling procedures. Furthermore, they mentioned that authorities and news agencies should observe honesty and transparency principals. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that people expect the government and other responsible institutions to minimize the burden of this pandemic on them through adopting effective policies. The study findings could help policy-makers become aware of people's expectations and develop better strategies.

Download Full-text

Study of the Epidemiology and Use of Condoms in Vulnerable Women Referring to Damage Reduction Centers in Shiraz During 2015-2016

International journal of epidemiologic research ◽

10.34172/ijer.2021.31 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 175-181

Author(s):

Masoumeh Sadat Mousavi ◽

Seyedeh Leila Dehghani ◽

Bahareh Behzad ◽

Samira Pourrezaei ◽

Marzieh Ata’ali

Keyword(s):

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Education Level ◽

Critical Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Public ◽

First Sexual Intercourse ◽

Damage Reduction ◽

The Status

Background and aims: Female sex workers (FSWs) play an essential role in the transmission of HIV and are considered critical groups compared to the public groups of society and their customers. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the status of sexual intercourse among prostitutes in Shiraz in 2015-2016. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 162 prostitutes referred to Shiraz transitional damage reduction centers and the information was gathered through a checklist. Results: The results showed that the mean age at the first vaginal intercourse was 16.57±3.65. In 62.3% of people, the main reason for prostitution was the need for money to help the family. It was also found that 39.5% of prostitutes had anal sex, and more than 95% of them did not use condoms during sex. There was also a statistically significant relationship (P<0.01) between the age of sexual intercourse and education level. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that prostitutes initiated the first sexual intercourse at a very young age, and increase in the education level postponed the first sexual intercourse. Otherwise stated, the first sexual intercourse can be delayed by increasing the level of education.

Download Full-text

Implementation status of antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospitals: A quantitative analysis study in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

MedPharmRes ◽

10.32895/ump.mpr.4.2.5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 34-39

Author(s):

Thi-Hai-Yen Nguyen ◽

Truong Van Dat ◽

Phuong-Thao Huynh ◽

Chi-Thuong Tang ◽

Vinh-Chau Van Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Ho Chi Minh City ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Clostridioides Difficile ◽

The Status ◽

Specific Assessment ◽

Implementation Status

Vietnam has one of the highest multi drug resistance in Asia. Although, despite many efforts to implement the Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (the ASP) since 2016, studies that on the implementation policy are very lacking of this program are limited. For that reason, we conducted this cross-sectional study to analyze the viewpoint of health workers (HWs) on the implementation of the ASP at some hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). An assessment of 234 HWs showed that the implementation of the ASP in HCMC hospitals was above average (62.7/100.0). A barrier to the implementation consisted of the deficiency in finances, guidelines for diagnosis, and specific interventions for some common infections, such as distributing current antibiogram and monitoring rate of Clostridioides difficile infections. These were the widely recognized problems in initially implementing the ASP. Although most HWs are aware of the importance of implementing the ASP (79.1%), the specific assessment has not been recorded clearly due to the numerous neutral responses. Despite the support of the leadership, the implementation still faces many difficulties and limitations, especially in 3rd and 4th class hospitals. Besides, there was a lack of wide dissemination of information on the ASP at each unit. To generalize the status of the ASP implementation, researchers should conduct qualitative and quantitative studies with a larger scale.

Download Full-text

CONSUMO DE ALIMENTOS PROCESSADOS E ULTRAPROCESSADOS POR ESCOLARES DE ARROIO DO TIGRE, RS

Revista Interdisciplinar de Estudos em Saúde ◽

10.33362/ries.v7i1.1300 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 157-164

Author(s):

Rubiane Inara Wagner ◽

Patrícia Molz ◽

Camila Schreiner Pereira

Keyword(s):

Public School ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Private School ◽

Food Habits ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Public And Private ◽

The Public ◽

Cereal Bars

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a frequência do consumo de alimentos processados e ultraprocessados e verificar a associação entre estado nutricional por adolescentes do ensino público e privado do município de Arroio do Tigre, RS. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com adolescentes, com idade entre 10 e 15 anos, de uma escola pública e uma privada de Arroio do Tigre, RS. O estado nutricional foi avaliado pelo índice de massa corporal. Aplicou-se um questionário de frequência alimentar contendo alimentos processados e ultraprocessados. A amostra foi composta por 64 adolescentes com idade média de 12,03±1,15 anos, sendo 53,1% da escola pública. A maioria dos adolescentes encontravam-se eutróficos (p=0,343), e quando comparado com o consumo de alimentos processados e ultraprocessados, a maioria dos escolares eutróficos relataram maior frequência no consumo de balas e chicletes (50,0%) e barra de cereais (51,0%), de 1 a 3 vezes por semana (p=0,004; p=0,029, respectivamente). Houve também uma maior frequência de consumo de alimentos processados e ultraprocessados como pizza (73,5%; p0,001), refrigerante (58,8%; p=0,036) e biscoito recheado (58,8%; p=0,008) entre 1 a 3 vezes por semana na escola pública em comparação a escola privada. O consumo de suco de pacote (p=0,013) foi relatado não ser consumido pela maioria dos alunos da escola particular em comparação a escola pública. Os dados encontrados evidenciam um consumo expressivo de alimentos processados e ultraprocessados pelos adolescentes de ambas as escolas, destacando alimentos com alto teor de açúcar e sódio.Palavras-chave: Hábitos alimentares. Adolescentes. Alimentos industrializados. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of consumption of processed and ultraprocessed foods and to verify the association between nutritional status by adolescents from public and private schools in the municipality of Arroio do Tigre, RS. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with adolescents, aged 10 to 15 years, from a public school and a private school in Arroio do Tigre, RS. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index. A food frequency questionnaire containing processed and ultraprocessed foods was applied. The sample consisted of 64 adolescents with a mean age of 12.03±1.15 years, 53.1% of the public school. Most of the adolescents were eutrophic (p=0.343), and when compared to the consumption of processed and ultraprocessed foods, most eutrophic schoolchildren reported a higher frequency of bullets and chewing gum (50.0%) and cereal bars (51.0%), 1 to 3 times per week (p=0.004, p=0.029, respectively). There was also a higher frequency of consumption of processed and ultraprocessed foods such as pizza (73.5%, p0.001), refrigerant (58.8%, p=0.036) and stuffed biscuit (58.8%, p=0.008) between 1 to 3 times a week in public school compared to private school. Consumption of packet juice (p=0.013) was reported not to be consumed by the majority of private school students compared to public school. Conclusion: The data found evidenced an expressive consumption of processed and ultraprocessed foods by the adolescents of both schools, highlighting foods with high sugar and sodium content.Keywords: Food Habits. Adolescents. Industrialized Foods.

Download Full-text

Assessment of COVID-19 Related Misinformation among the Community in Basrah, Iraq

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine ◽

10.37319/iqnjm.2.csi.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (CSI) ◽

pp. 12-18

Author(s):

Ali Al-Rubaye ◽

Dhurgham Abdulwahid ◽

Aymen Albadran ◽

Abbas Ejbary ◽

Laith Alrubaiy

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Bachelor's Degree ◽

Public Knowledge ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Educational Levels ◽

The Public ◽

First Case ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Central District

Background: There has been a rapid rise in cases of COVID-19 infection and its mortality rate since the first case reported in February 2020. This led to the rampant dissemination of misinformation and rumors about the disease among the public. Objectives: To investigate the scale of public misinformation about COVID-19 in Basrah, Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a 22-item questionnaire to assess public knowledge and understanding of information related to the COVID-19 infection. Results: A total of 483 individuals completed the questionnaire. The most frequent age group was 26–35 years (28.2%); there were 280 (58%) males and 203 (42%) females. Of the participants, 282 (58.4%) were with an education level below the Bachelor’s degree, 342 (70.8%) were married, and 311 (64%) were living in districts in Basra other than the central district. Overall, 50.8% (11.8/ 22 * 100%) of individuals had the correct information regarding COVID-19. There was a significant association between the level of COVID-19 related misinformation and participants’ educational levels and occupation (p <0.05). However, there was no significant difference found across sex, age group, marital state, and area of residence. Conclusions: Misinformation related to COVID-19 is widely spread and has to be addressed in order to control the pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, misinformation, knowledge, Iraq

Download Full-text

Determinants of alcohol consumption and marijuana use among young adults in the Republic of Palau

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12199-020-00928-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mizuki Sata ◽

Renzhe Cui ◽

Chifa Chiang ◽

Singeru Travis Singeo ◽

Berry Moon Watson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Age Groups ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Education Levels ◽

The Status ◽

The Republic ◽

Republic Of Palau

Abstract Background This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels. Results The proportion of current drinking was higher in people aged 21–24 than in those aged 18–20 (73.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.09 in men and 48.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.02 in women), while that of marijuana use did not differ between the age groups. The proportions of current drinking and marijuana use were higher in Palauan than in other ethnicities (current drinking: 70.6% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.005 in men and 38.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.04 in women; lifetime marijuana use: 80.0% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.02 in men and 56.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.09 in women). The proportion of frequent (3 times or more) marijuana users was higher for the lower educated than for the higher educated (62.5% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001 in men and 33.9% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.12 in women). Conclusions Sex, age, ethnicity, and education were significant determinants of alcohol and marijuana use.

Download Full-text

Panic and Trust during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study on Immigrants in South Korea

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9020199 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 199

Author(s):

Myeong Sook Yoon ◽

Israel Fisseha Feyissa ◽

So-Won Suk

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Korea ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Native Community ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Public ◽

Marginalized Groups ◽

Local Media ◽

Effective Public Health

In the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized groups like migrants are disproportionately affected. As panic, fear of neglect, and mistrusting institutions in these groups are presumed to be apparent, their detachment to health services still needs to be investigated. This study comparatively analyzed the level of panic and trust between South Koreans and immigrants who are living within highly affected areas of South Korea. Mann–Whitney-U-Test and Pearson correlation showed panic is more pronounced in the Korean group while having a similar panic display pattern with the immigrants. The immigrant group appears to highly trust the Korean health system, health institutions, local media, and the local native community. Beyond conventional expectations, participant’s average panic score showed a statistically significant positive correlation with items of the trust scale, indicating a level of individual reliance amid the pandemic panic. Thus, ascertaining institutional trust and matured citizenry are identified as factors for effective public health outcomes. During such a pandemic, this study also reminded the public health needs of immigrants as secondary citizens, and presumptions of immigrants’ mistrust in such settings might not always be true.

Download Full-text

Retrospective study of the distribution of doctors in municipalities of extreme poverty in Brazil

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.323 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

B L O Luizeti ◽

E M M Massuda ◽

L F G Garcia

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health System ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Extreme Poverty ◽

The Public ◽

The North ◽

Unified Health System ◽

Shortage Of Doctors ◽

Demographic Distribution

Abstract In view of the national scenario of scarcity of material and human resources in public health in Brazil, the survey verified the demographics of doctors who attend the Unified Health System (SUS) in municipalities of extreme poverty. An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out, based on secondary quantitative data from the Department of Informatics of the SUS using the TABNET of December 2019. The care networks variable was restricted to infer the number of physicians who attend the SUS in extreme poverty municipalities in Brazil. Municipalities of extreme poverty are those that at least 20% of the population have a household income of up to 145 reais per capita monthly. In Brazil, there are 1526 municipalities in extreme poverty, 27.4% of the country's total municipalities. 14,907 doctors linked to SUS work in this condition, 3.19% of the total of these professionals in Brazil. There is still disproportion between regions: North concentrates 11.2% of the municipalities in extreme poverty and 8.61% of the total number of doctors; Northeast, with 61.33% of these municipalities, for 61.5% of doctors; Southeast, with 15.46% of the municipalities in this condition, has 20.6% of doctors; South concentrates 10.87% of the municipalities under discussion with 5.61% of doctors and the Midwest, with 4.87% of these municipalities, has 3.54% of doctors. Between 2009 and 2018, there was a 39% increase in the number of doctors in these locations, however, for 2019, there was a decrease of 3.89%. The medical demographic distribution in Brazil is uneven, especially in the North. There is also the vulnerability of this population in view of the observed reduction in the number of professionals between 2018 and 2019 in municipalities of extreme poverty, for political reasons. It is evident the need to restructure the health system to guarantee access to health for this population, through the attraction and fixation of doctors in needy regions in Brazil. Key messages Shortage of doctors in extreme poverty municipalities reinforces the health vulnerability of the population in Brazil. The uneven medical demography in Brazil requires restructuring in the public health system.

Download Full-text

From Isolation to Containment: Perceived Fear of Infectivity and Protective Behavioral Changes during the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126503 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6503

Author(s):

Arielle Kaim ◽

Maya Siman-Tov ◽

Eli Jaffe ◽

Bruria Adini

Keyword(s):

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Behavior ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

The Public ◽

The Road ◽

Israeli Population ◽

Study Results ◽

Public Health Officials

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, maintenance of protective behavior is a continued challenge in the effort to contain the spread of the virus. A cross-sectional study via an internet questionnaire was utilized to elucidate changes in compliance to protective behavior among the Israeli population (n = 1120), after the beginning of the vaccination campaign. Comparison was made between individuals who were previously infected with the virus, those who received one dose of inoculation with the vaccine, and individuals that were neither infected or vaccinated. The study results indicate that those who were previously infected with the COVID-19 virus were less careful about mask wearing (18.8%) and social distancing (29.7%), as compared to the other examined groups (regarding mask wearing, 8.2% and 11.6% respectively, and with regard to social distancing 12.8% and 19.2%) and may require targeted risk communication campaigns to address this population. Furthermore, the study revealed that those that were non-Jewish (as compared to Jewish study counterparts) or that were older (19+) were more vigilant in their protective behavior (29.6% vs. 11.2% respectively for social distancing and 29.6% vs. 11.1% respectively for mask wearing). Despite a successful initial vaccination campaign in Israel, public health officials need to engage all members of the public to unremittingly observe compliance to directed health guidelines, to ensure that the results of previous governmental efforts in fighting the pandemic (such as lockdowns) will be effectively sustained, and the road to containment will be hastened.

Download Full-text

Status of Histopathology Services In Ethiopia

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqaa161.262 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S120-S120

Author(s):

G O Yeabyo

Keyword(s):

Addis Ababa ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Status ◽

Prevention Of Cancer ◽

Great Public Health ◽

Cancer Diseases

Abstract Introduction/Objective Cancer is one of a great public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia and scarcity of histopathology laboratory is another burden for diagnosis and follow up of cancer diseases. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the accessibility of histopathology services in Ethiopia. Methods Cross sectional study design were used to analyze the status of histopathology services in Ethiopia. Results There are 13 histopathology laboratories in the nation and a survey was conducted at these institutions. Out of these 13 Histopathology services seven are located in the capital, Addis Ababa and six found out of the capital located in four different regions. About 40,239,100 habitants have no histopathology service around their catchment area. Conclusion There are very limited histopathology laboratories, as a result diagnosis and prevention of cancer diseases are inadequate throughout the country.

Download Full-text