scholarly journals More than scales and tape measures needed to address obesity in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
R. Ramlal ◽  
R. D. Govender

Obesity is an emerging public health problem worldwide increasing from 857 million in 1980 to 2.1 billion by 2013. A study was done on a sample of 100 obese and overweight patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m2. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire, which included socio-demographic data and perceptions regarding their weight.The patients were between the ages of 18 and 76 years old with 82% being female patients. The mean BMI for males was 41.7 kg/m2 (SD = 7.38112) and females 39.9 kg/m2 (SD = 7.90504). The results of this study confirm that 17% of overweight and obese patients saw themselves as having a normal weight and 97% felt that they were not unattractive. Of the sample, 96% affirmed that being obese was a health risk. The commonest reason cited for their obesity is by choice (70%).Although obese patients knew that obesity is a health risk, they have a positive image of obesity. The dramatic trend towards increasing obesity suggest that healthcare providers need to understand how people from different cultures view obesity. This will help them to promote key messages about the health risks associated with excess weight in a culturally sensitive way.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birhan Agmas ◽  
Marshet Adugna

Abstract Pesticides are the parent compounds, their metabolites, and associated impurities of agricultural and health chemical inputs. If they are found concentration level higher than the standard limits, they have potential negative impacts on ecosystem in general and in fish and humans in particular. This study investigates organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residue occurrences in fish muscle and assesses their public health potential risks, in North West Ethiopia. The concentration of OCPs residue under GC-ECD detected in 37.84% fish muscle samples. The mean amount detected were Endosalfan I, 341.50 ± 32.19 μg/kg; Endosalfan II, 36.01 ± 2.3μg/kg; Endosalfan sulfate, 5.43 ± 4.06 μg/kg; 4,4, DDE, 64.01 ± 9.08μg /kg; 4, 4, DDD, 5.65 ± 3.12μg /kg; and 4,4, DDT, 1.58 ± 0.30μg/kg. The mean concentration of Endosalfan I tested fish muscle sample was higher than that of permissible limit of different international standards. However, due to low per capital consumption rate of fish origin food in Ethiopia, health risk index (HRI) ranges from 0.002-0.1275 which shows there is no public health risk. This study highlights the possibilities of chemical residues occurrence in fish food products and hence pesticide use regulations and monitoring concentration level should be implemented regularly to avoid human and environmental health risks.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1125
Author(s):  
Osiel González Dávila

This paper estimates the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among participants in the first wave of The Aguascalientes Longitudinal Study of Child Development (EDNA). The analytical sample includes 1052 children in 100 public elementary schools. Dental fluorosis is determined using the Modified Dean’s Index. There is a 43% general dental fluorosis prevalence, and the estimated Community Fluorosis Index is 0.99. Five municipalities report average groundwater fluoride concentrations above the official Mexican guideline value of 1.5 mg/L. In those municipalities, there is a 50% average dental fluorosis prevalence. An ordered logistic regression analysis indicates that obesity in participants increases the likelihood of suffering more severe dental fluorosis symptoms compared with normal-weight participants (OR = 1.62, p < 0.05). Households consuming tap water are more likely to have children suffering more severe dental fluorosis symptoms (OR = 1.63, p < 0.05). Children aged 8 years are more likely to present more severe dental fluorosis symptoms than their peers aged 7 years (OR = 1.37, p < 0.05). Dental fluorosis will persist as a public health problem in Aguascalientes State unless appropriate technologies for fluoride removal from water are installed and operated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Feyza Nur İncesu Çintesun

Objective Obesity is the defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of the fat which is harmful for the health, and its prevalence has been increasing. Many studies have shown that obesity alone leads to inflammation and causes poor gestational outcomes. In our study, we aimed to investigate the association between basic hematologic markers and obesity in the first trimester pregnancies. Methods A total of 321 pregnant women who admitted to the clinic of gynecology and obstetrics in a tertiary state hospital were included in the study. The patients were separated into three groups, which were normal weight (BMI: 18–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI>30 kg/m2). Of the patients, the demographic data (age, gravida, and parity) and the parameters of hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet (PLT), eosinophil, basophil, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) measured in the complete blood count which was checked in the first trimester routinely during the pregnancy follow-up were analyzed. The three groups were compared in terms of inflammatory markers. Results The patients were evaluated in three groups: 108 patients with normal weight (Group 1), 109 overweight patients (Group 2) and 104 obese patients (Group 3). No significant difference was found in terms of age, parity and gravida when the demographic data were analyzed among the groups (p>0.05). When the groups were compared in terms of hematologic markers, similar values were found in the markers other than white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, PLT and PCT values. The difference among white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, PLT and PCT values were between the patients with normal weight and obese patients, and the values of these markers were found higher in overweight / normal weight patient groups than the normal group (p<0.05). Conclusion The values of white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, PLT and PCT which were shown to be associated with inflammation were higher in the obese patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 006-009
Author(s):  
Ali Kemal Erenler ◽  
Seval Komut ◽  
Ahmet Baydin

Workplace violence (WPV) is a growing public health problem worldwide affecting physical and mental health of healthcare providers. It has many deterious consequences such as anxiety, burnout and intention to leave the job. With the pandemic, it is assumed that the incidence of workplace violence tends to increase. Particularly, misinformation about the nature of the disease create prejudice against staff working in healthcare facilities. There are several measures to be taken for prevention of physical and mental health of healthcare providers. A “zero-tolerance policy against violence” should be implemented. Doctors and nurses should be encouraged to report incidents. Social support should be provided for the personnel. In this review, our aim was to clarify if there is an increase in the incidence of WPV against healthcare providers in the pandemic process. We also aimed to make recommendations about measures that must be taken to prevent healthcare providers from detrimental effects of WPV.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (19) ◽  
pp. 4085-4113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parveen Azam Ali ◽  
Alicia O’Cathain ◽  
Elizabeth Croot

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major social and public health problem affecting people from different cultures and societies. Much research has been undertaken to understand the phenomenon, its determinants, and its consequences in numerous countries. However, there is a paucity of research on IPV in many areas of the world including Pakistan. The present study aimed to develop a theory of the meaning and process of IPV from the perspective of Pakistani men and women living in and outside Pakistan.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s116-s116
Author(s):  
Ellen Bloomer ◽  
Tina Endericks

Introduction:Risk assessment for mass gatherings (MGs) is undertaken to enable public health authorities to systematically identify and assess the generic characteristics of an MG, which introduce or enhance particular threats and develop measures to reduce or mitigate these threats. The World Health Organization Collaborating Centres on Mass Gatherings and Global Health Security (WHO CCs) produced a comprehensive guide to MGs called “Public Health for Mass Gatherings: Key Considerations” (KC2). This is being converted into an eLearning resource. A public health risk assessment toolkit is being developed by the WHO CCs to complement and guide organizers in their planning process for the health risks associated with an MG event. Preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (BCG) are underway and it is important to involve a public health element in the planning for the BCG.Aim:To develop a public health risk assessment toolkit for MGs and pilot it as part of the planning process for the BCG.Methods:Based on KC2 principles, methods included developing and finalizing a public health risk assessment toolkit for MGs. This study also piloted the toolkit for the BCG.Results:A toolkit will be developed. Key learning will be documented on how the toolkit can be improved. The pilot will identify the key public health risks for the BCG, and assess how to mitigate them.Discussion:The development of this toolkit will be an innovative contribution to the resources available for those organizing MGs. It will support organizers to conduct risk assessments and thus maximize the potential for health from the event. Piloting the toolkit for the BCG is an opportunity for validating it, and provides valuable learning for its use in future events. It will support the risk assessment process for the BCG and share learning regarding the key risks for this event.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Dhaouadi ◽  
A Cherif ◽  
M Osman ◽  
M Hsairi

Abstract Background Cancer is a major public health problem in Tunisia. The objectives of this study were to describe the epidemiological pattern of cancer for all and main cancer sites in Northern Tunisia during the period 2007-2009 and to analyze it’s incidence trend between 1994 and 2009. Methods Cancer registry of Northern Tunisia was the source of data for the identification of patients for this study. This registry notify, since 1994, all cases of malignant tumor in people living in the District of Tunis, Nabeul, Zaghouan, Bizerte (North East) Beja, Jendouba, Kef and Siliana (North West). Cases were codified using the third version of International Classification of Diseases for Oncology. Demographic data were provided by the National Statistical Institute. Incidence trend analysis was achieved by using JoinPoint Software. Results During the period 2007-2009, the age-standardised incidence rate of all sites combined was 149.2/100 000 person-years and 112.3/100 000 person-years respectively among males and females. The sex ratio was 1.26. The mean age at diagnosis was 58.28±16.77 years. The most common sites for males were: lung, bladder, prostate and colorectal; while for females, they were breast, colorectal, thyroid and cervix uteri. Local stage at diagnosis was observed in 37.7% of cases. The highest incidence rates were observed in the District of Tunis and in the governorates of North East. The trend incidence cancer of all sites combined during the period from 1994 to 2009 was significantly risen except for stomach cancer among males and cervix uteri among females with annual percent changes of -2.5% and of -4.1% respectively. Conclusions Despite the existence of a national cancer strategy in Tunisia, many barriers affect the implementation of interventions; while the trend cancer incidence continues to rise particularly in males. Strengthening prevention strategy of this scourge is strongly recommended. Key messages Cancer is a major public health in world and in Tunisia. Prevention must be applied to reduce the incidence of cancer.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ufuk Kamber ◽  
Hilmi Yaman

AbstractMicrobiological studies on chicken meat and carcasses are well documented, but very few studies exist on goose meat and carcasses. Therefore, in this study, dried goose carcass samples were collected from the local households in Kars/Turkey and microbiologically analyzed in terms of public health risks. The total mesophilic viable count was found to be 6.58 (mean log10 CFU g−1) (100%). The number of Enterobacteriaceae was 4.85 (92.8%). Coliform bacteria was counted at the numbers of 2.98 (67.8%), while it was 3.95 (91.1%) for the enterococci, 0.42 (26.7%) for the clostridia, 0.04 (3.5%) for the Clostridium perfringens, and 0.41 (12.5%) for the coagulase positive staphylococci. The numbers of mould and yeast were 0.93 (25%) and 4.81 (94.6%), respectively. Salmonellae and Bacillus cereus could not be isolated in the samples. The results indicate that the dried goose meat samples had poor hygienic quality, contained some of the pathogen microorganisms that are likely to pose a potential health risk.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
T K Bhagat ◽  
A Shrestha

Background: Dental caries, an infectious microbiologic disease of dental hard tissues, is a common public health problem worldwide. The distribution of dental caries studied in any population, shows that a few in the population experience a lot of decayed teeth and most do not experience any at all or experience very little.Objective: To assess the extent and severity of dental caries among 5-12 years old children of eastern Nepal using DMFT(Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth) and SiC (Significant Caries) index.Methods: Six hundred and sixteen 5-12 years old school children were examined for decayed, missing and filled teeth using WHO criteria. DMFT, dft (decayed filled teeth) and SiC Indices were calculated. Results: The mean dft and SiC* were 1.84 and 4.60 respectively, whereas mean DMFT and SiC were 0.33 and 0.92 respectively.Conclusion: SiC gives a better picture of the at risk population, hence it should be widely used along with dft/DMFT.Health Renaissance 2014;12(2): pp 74-77


Cephalalgia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vlasta Vuković Cvetković ◽  
Davor Plavec ◽  
Arijana Lovrenčić-Huzjan ◽  
Maja Strineka ◽  
Dražen Ažman ◽  
...  

Background Headaches are often under-diagnosed in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the one-year prevalence of primary headaches among high school students in the city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Methods This was a population-based, cross-sectional study. A total of 2350 questionnaires consisting of questions on demographic data, the presence and clinical characteristics of headaches were distributed among students in eight high schools; 2057 (87.5%) questionnaires were eligible for analysis. Results The mean age of the students was 17.2 ± 1.2 years; 50.2% were female. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 30.1% (620/2057), girls 35.1%, boys 25.2%. Among students with headache, 291 (46.9%) had migraine, and 329 (53.1%) had tension-type headaches (TTHs). The mean frequency of headaches was 5.66 per month in girls and 4.42 in boys; mean duration of a headache attack was 8.94 hours in girls and 8.37 hours in boys (NS). Unilateral headache was present in 31.6%, throbbing quality in 22.6%, dull in 34.4% of students; 22.4% had severe intensity and 70.3% moderate. Nausea was present in 4.0% always and in 14.7% frequently (girls 18.8%), photophobia in 41.3%, phonophobia in 63.2%, osmophobia in 23.9% (NS among genders). Almost 30% of students were disabled and stayed at home, more frequently boys. Girls (33.4%) were more likely to take drugs for every attack; number per month was 3.7. The results of this study showed that the prevalence of migraine among adolescents in Croatia was 16.5% for girls and 11.8% for boys; the prevalence of TTH was 18.4% for girls and 13.4% for boys. Conclusions The prevalence of self-reported headache among high school students in Zagreb is relatively high. Significant gender differences in frequency and clinical characteristics were observed. Primary headaches among adolescents are an important public health problem and should receive more attention from school and health authorities.


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