Trematode Infections in Freshwater Snails and Seasonal Variations in Iringa and Arumeru Districts, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
J. Nzalawahe
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Larval Trematode ◽  
Biomphalaria Pfeifferi ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trematode Infections ◽  
Selection Of

Understanding of the larval trematode infections in snail intermediate hosts is essential in designing appropriate control measures. The current study was designed to determine larval trematode infection and seasonal variations in freshwater intermediate host snails Iringa and Arumeru Districts where trematode infections in cattle are endemic. A repeated cross-sectional study was adopted whereby Snails were collected three times a year (dry, early wet and mid wet). The selection of water bodies for sampling was based on random sampling and snails were collected by scooping method. The collected snails were identified based on the published morphological keys. A total of 2,016 snails were collected and 134 (6.6%) were found to be infected with trematode larvae. Six species of snails were identified that were Radix natalensis, Bulinus africanus group snails, Bulinus tropicus group snails, Bulinus forskalli group snails, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Ceratophallous natalensis. Five morphologically different types of cercariae were identified that included gymnocephalous, amphistomes, mammalian Schistosoma, avian Schistosoma and Xiphidiocercariae. The findings on overall seasonal snail infection rates indicated low rate during the wet season while peak of infections were in the dry and early wet seasons. It is concluded that domesticated ruminants in the study areas are at high risk of getting infected with the trematodes (Fasciola and amphistomes) during dry and early wet seasons. Therefore, deworming of domesticated ruminants with an effective flukicide is recommended at the end of the wet season and followed by a treatment in mid dry season and the last treatment in early wet season.

scholarly journals FACTORS INFLUENCING THE INCIDENCE OF Eimeria leuckarti IN HORSES

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Tauseef Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cluster Method ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Selection Of

Cross sectional study was planned to figure out the prevalence rate of Eimeria (E.) leuckarti in horses and factors influencing its occurrence in district TT Singh, Punjab, Pakistan. From April 2009 to March 2010, equine feces were collected. Two stage cluster method was adopted for random selection of horses. Total of 484 fecal samples were collected from whole district and collected samples were subjected to quantitative floatation method. It was found that 50.41% of sampled horses were positive for E. leuckarti with prevalence reaching to its peak in August (OR=1.156; χ2=20.055) while lowest occurence was recorded in April, May and June, coinciding with the period of lowest humidity and precipitation of the year in Pakistan. It can be inferred from these observations that wet season seems to be favorable for propagation of this disease. Foals (62.94%; OR=0.422; χ2=20.825) were found to be more susceptible (P<0.05) to E. leuckarti in comparison to adults (41.81%) while mares with prevalence of 56.48% (OR=0.512; χ2=13.265) were found to be more susceptible (P<0.05) as compared to and male horses (35.04%). Horses kept on non-cemented floor, mix farming with other animals, given food on ground and watered in ponds/common places were found to have higher rates of prevalence of E. leuckarti (P<0.05) in comparison to those kept on cemented/ partially cemented floor, separate farming, food in trough and tap watered, respectively. It is inferred from findings of this survey that disease can be controlled by improving management systems.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Patterns of Dietary Supplement Use among Students Attending King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110208
Author(s):  
Abdulraof Alqrache ◽  
Mostafa Mostafa ◽  
Omar Ghabrah ◽  
Ziyad Ghabrah ◽  
Nezar Kamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Dietary Supplement Use ◽  
Harmful Effects ◽  
Selection Of

Oral dietary supplements (DSs) include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy drinks, and herbal products. The use of DSs is increasing and their manufacturers promote their benefits. Studies have validated some of these benefits, but have also indicated that some DSs can have adverse effects, especially if used without the appropriate supervision. Little information on DS use among Saudis is available. This study assessed the use of dietary supplements among male and female university students with the goal of educating the community about DSs and the dangers associated with their misuse. Online and paper validated questionnaires were administered to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students between September 2019 and January 2020. The responses were collected and analyzed statistically. Of the 954 KAU students who completed the survey, one-third used DSs (42.9% women vs 25.7% men). Of these, 51.7% believed that DSs are essential for health, 41.7% classified them as both food and drugs, 67.2% were aware that DSs could not replace a healthy diet, and 25.8% were aware of their potentially harmful effects. Multivitamins and minerals were the most used DSs. DS awareness among KAU students is limited. Additional health education is necessary to assist students in their selection of the most suitable DSs.

scholarly journals A cross‐sectional study of infection control measures against COVID‐19 and psychological distress among Japanese workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshino Yasuda ◽  
Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽  
Masako Nagata ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
Hisashi Eguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Japanese Workers

scholarly journals Government management capacities and the containment of COVID-19: a repeated cross-sectional study across Chinese cities

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e041516
Author(s):  
Wenchao Li ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Junjian Yi
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Government Management ◽  
The Government ◽  
Laws And Policies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

ObjectivesBetter understanding of the dynamics of the COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) pandemic to curb its spread is now a global imperative. While travel restrictions and control measures have been shown to limit the spread of the disease, the effectiveness of the enforcement of those measures should depend on the strength of the government. Whether, and how, the government plays a role in fighting the disease, however, has not been investigated. Here, we show that government management capacities are critical to the containment of the disease.SettingWe conducted a statistical analysis based on cross-city comparisons within China. China has undergone almost the entire cycle of the anticoronavirus campaign, which allows us to trace the full dynamics of the outbreak, with homogeneity in standards for statistics recording.Primary and secondary outcome measuresOutcome measures include city-specific COVID-19 case incidence and recoveries in China.ResultsThe containment of COVID-19 depends on the effectiveness of the enforcement of control measures, which in turn depends on the local government’s management capacities. Specifically, government efficiency, capacity for law enforcement, and the transparency of laws and policies significantly reduce COVID-19 prevalence and increase the likelihood of recoveries. The organisation size of the government, which is not closely related to its capacity for management, has a limited role.

Comparison and Association of Neck Extensor Muscles’ Endurance and Postural Function in Subjects with and without Chronic Neck Pain – A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar Kandakurti ◽  
Ravi Shankar Reddy ◽  
Venkata Nagaraj Kakarparthy ◽  
Kanagaraj Rengaramanujam ◽  
Jaya Shanker Tedla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Endurance Capacity ◽  
Control Parameters ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Velocity Moment

Abstract Purpose Neck extensor endurance (NEE) and position sense are vital for maintaining cervical spine function and defects in these processes may be associated with impaired postural control in chronic neck pain (CNP) subjects. The study’s objectives are 1) to compare the cervical extensor endurance capability and postural control of CNP subjects with those of asymptomatic controls; 2) to investigate the association between NEE and postural control. Materials and Methods Sixty-four participants (38 asymptomatic, 38 with CNP) participated in this cross-sectional study. NEE was assessed using a clinical extensor endurance test. Under open and closed eyes conditions, postural control measures were tested with the Good Balance system. The postural control parameters were AP-velocity (mm/s), ML-velocity (mm/s) and Velocity moment (mm2). NEE capacity and postural control parameters were compared and correlated between asymptomatic and CNP subjects. Results and Discussion CNP subjects showed lower NEE capacity (p<0.001) and significantly larger AP-velocity (p<0.001), ML-velocity (p<0.001) and Velocity moment (p<0.001) than asymptomatic participants. NEE negatively correlated with AP-velocity (r=−0.51, p=0.001), ML-velocity (r=0.46, p=0.003) and velocity moment (r=0.38, p=0.020) in asymptomatic subjects in eyes open condition and no correlations in subjects with CNP. CNP subjects showed increased postural sway velocities and lowered extensor endurance capacity compared to asymptomatic participants. No correlations existed between NEE and postural control parameters in CNP subjects.

Knowledge about biosafety measures in clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian dental students

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Matheus dos Santos Fernandez ◽  
Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽  
Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz ◽  
Nathalia Ribeiro Jorge da Silva ◽  
Camilla Hubner Bielavski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Medium Level

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian dental students about biosafety measures that should be adopted in the clinical setting during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 1,050 dental students was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared with students. Mean knowledge score on biosafety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic was the outcome, with a maximum of 8 scores. Explanatory variables included sociodemographic and educational characteristics, aspects related to biosafety education, actions adopted by the dental schools during the pandemic, and sources of biosafety information. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Mean knowledge score was 5.19 (1.28). Female students (β=0.346; 95%CI:0.154–0.539), those enrolled in the intermediate (β=0.525; 95%CI:0.167–0.883) or final (β=0.569; 95%CI:0.200–0.937) stage of course, and those who had already received theoretical-practical training in biosafety (β=0.464; 95%CI:0.063–0.866) presented higher mean knowledge scores. Students who did not receive guidance on aerosol control measures before the pandemic (β=-0.324; 95%CI:-0.519–-0.130) had the lowest score. Conclusion: Students presented a medium level of knowledge about dental biosafety measures in the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics and those related to the institutional profile of the participants, and access to orientation and training in biosafety may influence their knowledge.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of AsymptomaticLeishmania donovaniamong Laborers and Associated Risk Factors in Agricultural Camps of West Armachiho District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Animen Ayehu ◽  
Yibeltal Aschale ◽  
Wossenseged Lemma ◽  
Animut Alebel ◽  
Ligabaw Worku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Study Participants

Background. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also called kala-azar) is a public health problem in Ethiopia, especially in sesame and sorghum growing areas. Compared to other populations, labor migrants are the most exposed. Knowing the seroprevalence ofLeishmania donovaniand associated risk factors is essential to design appropriate control measures. The main aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers and associated risk factors in agricultural camps of West Armachiho district, Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the seroprevalence and associated risk factors ofL. donovaniinfection.Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 laborers from October to December 2017. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants from selected agricultural camps. After obtaining written informed consent, data were collected using a structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire using the interview technique. A single finger prick blood sample was collected from the study participants and the blood samples were subjected to the serological diagnostic method using the rk39 kit. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated withL. donovaniinfection.Result. Among 185 participants examined using rk39, 14 (7.6%) were seroreactive forL. donovani.Leishmania donovaniinfection had a statistically significant association with sleeping underBalanitestrees (AOR: 4.36, 95%CI: 1.186-16.06), presence of domestic animals near sleeping place (AOR: 4.68, 95% CI: 1.25-17.56), and lack of knowledge about VL transmission (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.07-13.47).Conclusion. Seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers in agricultural camps of West Armachiho was low. Prevention measures and health education about risk factors that expose toL. donovaniinfection for the laborers are essential to prevent the spread of the disease.

scholarly journals Intensive care unit professionals' knowledge and behavior related to the adoption of contact precautions

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Cristina de Oliveira ◽  
Clareci Silva Cardoso ◽  
Daniela Mascarenhas
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Appropriate Behavior ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Nursing Professionals ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and behavior of professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICU) related to the adoption of contact precautions for the control of hospital infections (HI). This cross-sectional study used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were carried out, including logistic regression and decision tree using CHAID algorithm. A total of 102 professionals participated in the study, of whom 36.3% presented appropriate knowledge and 51% appropriate behavior in relation to HI control measures. Nursing professionals had almost four times more chance (OR = 3.58, CI 1.48-8.68) of presenting appropriate behavior than the remaining professionals. The multivariate analysis did not reveal variables associated with knowledge. No statistically significant association was found between knowledge and behavior (p = 0.196). These results suggest the need to implement educational activities so as to permit a balance between theory and professionals' practice concerning HI preventive measures, aiming to improve knowledge and behavior.

scholarly journals Compreensão da prescrição de medicamentos em uma unidade básica de saúde: autorrelato do usuário e aferição pelo pesquisador

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 24934
Author(s):  
Cristiane Olinda Coradi ◽  
Jussara Dos Santos Cardoso ◽  
Ronara Camila de Souza Groia ◽  
Karina Cristina Lima Silva ◽  
Maria das Graças Braga Ceccato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Drug Prescriptions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Proper Understanding ◽  
Kappa Test ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
The City ◽  
Selection Of

Aims: To evaluate the understanding of drug prescriptions by patients, comparing the user self-report with the researcher assessment.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to February 2014 at a Basic Health Unit in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Users 18 years of age or older who sought medicines in the unit's pharmacy, for themselves or for minors under their care, were interviewed. The selection of the sample was non-probabilistic, for convenience. During the interview, the users informed if they had understood the following data of the prescriptions: drug name, dose and frequency of administration. Participants then repeated the data for researchers, being allowed to check the prescriptions at the same time. After the interviews, the answers to the questions were interpreted by the researchers, who evaluated the agreement between the information provided by the users and the actual instructions of the recipes, using the Kappa test.Results: Data were collected from 69 users of the unit's pharmacy (corresponding to 69 delivered prescriptions). Fifty-nine (85.5%) users reported having understood all the prescriptions data (self-report), while according to the measurement of the researchers, 23 (33.3%) were the respondents who simultaneously understood all data, relating to the name of the drug, number of daily doses and schedule. Kappa test indicated a degree of agreement between self-report and measurement of researchers of 0.138 (slight) considering all items of the prescription, and specifically on the number of doses the agreement was -0.055 (poor).Conclusions: Self-reported rate of patient's understanding of drug prescriptions was higher than the assessed by the researchers. This result suggests that self-report of patients with respect to the understanding of prescriptions has limitations and should be interpreted with caution both in research and in clinical practice. It is recommended to enhance the means of providing information to patients, in order to contribute to the proper understanding of drug prescriptions.

scholarly journals Content Analysis of the Free COVID-19 Telephone Consultations Available during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Japan

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽  
Yuka Sumikawa ◽  
Noriha Tanaka ◽  
Chikako Honda ◽  
Riho Iwasaki-Motegi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Consultation Services

This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) describe the unclassified contents of telephone consultation services provided by a public health center during the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan and (2) examine whether the contents required assistance from public health nurses (PHNs). We analyzed a total of 207 calls in which the purpose of the call was unclassified into pre-set categories. PHNs transcribed the exact text of the consultation conversations recorded from 25 March to 20 April 2020 in City A. Approximately half of the calls were from residents. Seven categories were extracted through a qualitative content analysis. The most common topic was infection control measures, where the presence of COVID-19 infection was assumed (n = 62); the second most common was extreme anxiety and fear of infection (n = 50). Questions about the COVID-19 response system (n = 30), discrimination and misunderstandings about COVID-19 (n = 24), and response measures for COVID-19 outbreaks within organizations (n = 18) were also included. The unclassified consultations included various topics, several of which required the expertise of a PHN. Each local government should consider sharing and task-shifting telephone consultation services among PHNs and other staff to reduce their burden and allow them to concentrate on conducting infection control more effectively.

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