scholarly journals Blood concentrations of lead and mercury in British Columbians (2009-2010)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gagandeep Dhillon ◽  
BCIT School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health ◽  
Helen Heacock ◽  
Reza Afshari
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Authority ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
P Value ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Blood Mercury

  Background and Purpose: Adverse effects of lead and mercury on human health due to environmental and occupational exposures require a public health attention. These metals can cause severe harm to vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. The probability of chronic and harmful exposure is higher in occupational settings. Monitoring the levels of these two metals in blood is an important tool to identify and quantify exposure to these metals in the environment. Monitoring data provides vital information required for management of health risk posed by these metals. The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of blood lead levels and blood mercury levels within the province of British Columbia on the health services data obtained from BC Centre of Disease Control. The primary objective was to compare the levels of lead and mercury in blood among different health authorities of British Columbia. The secondary objective was to compare the levels of lead and mercury among different age groups and gender. Methods: The blood lead and mercury concentrations used for the analysis were provided by Environmental Health Services at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). The data comprised of blood analyses that were ordered by physicians during the period of 2009-2010 for reasons not disclosed. Access to this data was provided by Dr. Reza Afshari with the permission of Dr. Tom Kosastsky for the completion of this project only. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and SAS University Edition Analytic Software. Various descriptive and inferential statistical tests were performed on the data to determine the differences of blood mercury and lead levels among different genders, Health Authorities and age groups. Results: The levels of blood mercury and lead concentrations were not significantly different in males and females in province (p-value 0.5543 for mercury; p-value 0.5336 lead). However, it was found that blood levels of lead were higher in Interior Health and “Unknown” category (p<0.02), while blood mercury levels were significantly higher in coastal health authorities (highest in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, followed by Fraser Health Authority and Vancouver Island Health Authority) (p<0.001). For both toxic metals, levels were highest in age group of 50 and above. (p<0.0001 for mercury, p<0.02 for lead). Conclusion: The statistical analysis of lead and mercury data was useful in characterizing the exposure among Health Authorities, age and sex of the people tested in province of British Columbia. Analysis of mercury data has generated clear patterns inferring association between coastal Health Authorities and elevated mercury levels. Vancouver Coastal Health had highest median mercury levels 4.02 μg/L higher than other health authorities (p<0.0001). Analysis of lead data established a pattern among physicians suggesting that they are more likely to order a test if the patient is under 18 years of age. Median levels were found to be highest in Interior Health Authority and “Unknown”  

scholarly journals Correlation of Blood Lead Levels and Elevated Blood Pressure in Newly Detected Hypertensive Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 941-946
Author(s):  
Shuaib Ahmed M. A ◽  
Raghav Sharma ◽  
Shama Prakash K
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Lead Level ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
P Value ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Lead Levels

BACKGROUND Hypertension is one of the most common diseases all over the world. Lead is a common environmental and industrial pollutant with no beneficial biological role. The contribution of environmental lead exposure to hypertension is an important public health concern. The objective of this study was to determine the blood lead levels in hypertensive patients and to investigate the correlation between blood lead (B-Pb) levels and the values of blood pressure in hypertensive patients. METHODS This is a hospital based analytical cross-sectional study conducted over a period of one and half years. Subjects included 50 newly detected hypertensive and 50 healthy subjects recruited who were both age and sex matched. Mean of age, blood lead levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with standard deviation were assessed. Linear regression was used to estimate the predicted systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP with lead levels. Pearson correlation was used to estimate the correlation between blood lead and blood pressure levels. RESULTS In this study, 52 % of cases and controls were in the age group of 41 - 60 years. 22 % of the subjects were more than 61 years of age. 45 % of the total subjects were females and 55 % were males. 46 % of the controls and 44 % of the cases were females. Comparison of the serum lead levels (mcg / dl) between cases and controls showed that serum lead levels (mcg / dl) were higher in Cases group with a t-value of -7.38 and was statistically significant with a P-value of < 0.001. Comparison of the serum lead levels (mcg / dl) between the males and females showed that serum lead levels (mcg / dl) were higher in female group with a t-value of - 0.151 and was statistically non-significant with a P-value of 0.881. This study showed that there is an increase in blood lead levels in hypertensive patients compared to the control group. Stage 2 hypertension has higher serum lead level value of 21.228 compared to stage 1. Serum lead levels were higher in females compared to males. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that blood lead level is significantly and positively correlated to blood pressure among newly detected hypertensive patients. Increase in blood lead levels causes increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. KEY WORDS Hypertension, Lead, Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure

scholarly journals The motives for seeking dental health services in a sample of children attending a College of Dentistry.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97
Author(s):  
Alaa Mustafa ◽  
Heran Hassan ◽  
Fighan Huseen
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Chief Complaint ◽  
P Value ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Chief Complaints

Background and Objectives: The chief complaints of the patients are essential components, being useful for several reasons, including monitoring of oral health services and measuring the effectiveness of the oral health awareness programs. The objective of the study was to explore the common chief complaints of patients seeking treatment and distribution of cases according to the demographic data among patients attending a dental college in Erbil, Iraq. Patients and methods: The age, gender, and the chief complaints or the main reason for the visit were recorded for each consecutive patient of a total of 1233 patients who visited the oral hygiene clinics in the College of Dentistry at Hawler Medical University (Erbil city, Iraq), from October 2016 to June 2017 were recruited. Patients at the age of 3 - 14 years old. The chi-square test was used to find any statistical association between the variables. P value of less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results: The pain was found to be the most common chief complaint reported by 51.1% of the patients. Followed by oral hygiene reported by 26%, among which 658 (53.4%) were males and 575 (46.6%) were females. When the age groups were considered separately, “toothache” or pain was the most common chief complaints reported by all ages except for the <5 years’ group patients for whom that oral hygiene was the most common chief complaint. In the age group of 10-14 years, in addition to pain and oral hygiene, significantly more subjects complained of or-thodonitc treatment need. Conclusion: Chief complaints denote the demand for dental care and thus, helps in proper plan-ning of the public dental health care system. So the reason for dental visit varies across differ-ent age groups and to some extent, gender differences was a considering issue. Keywords: Distribution, Paedodontics, Diagnosis, Dental chief complaints.

scholarly journals Blood Lead Level of Children and its Trend in Mitrovica, Kosova

2019 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. e84-e89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Driton Shabani ◽  
Ardiana Murtezani ◽  
Bernard Tahirbegolli ◽  
Adnan Bozalija ◽  
Edita Alili-Idrizi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Anodic Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Lead Level ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Lead Pollution ◽  
Environmental Lead ◽  
Pollution Problem ◽  
Lead Levels

AbstractEnvironmental exposure to lead is considered to be one of the most important hazards to the health of children. Most commonly exposed are those who are poor and live in developing countries. The environmental lead pollution problem in the Roma Mahala neighborhood of Mitrovica was discovered through the appearance of high blood lead levels (BLLs) in children living there. The aim of our study was to investigate the BLLs in children according to gender, age, and area of residence. This study describes the results from a 7-year retrospective study (January 2010–April 2017) based on BLLs conducted on children aged 0 to 13 years living in all three districts of Mitrovica. The survey included 331 children. Blood lead analysis was performed in the laboratory using capillary and venipuncture samples tested by anodic stripping voltammetry using LeadCare II machines. Mean BLLs were the highest in the Roma Mahala with 23.6 mg/dL (standard deviation ± 15.9 µg/dL). We obtained a statistical significance (p < 0.0001) between BLLs according to the settlements. The mean BLLs was higher in the 3 to 4 years aged children group in comparison with other age groups (p = 0.009). In none of the age groups with the Mann–Whitney test we obtained a significant gender difference on BLL (p > 0.05). Lead poisoning levels continue to be a serious problem among children living in Mitrovica over the past several years due to heavy lead pollution. All children from this region should receive environmental evaluations and medical examinations.

scholarly journals Resources available to develop mental health services

1992 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 490-492
Author(s):  
John Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Authority ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Audit Commission ◽  
Local Services

The Audit Commission has drawn attention to local champions of change in mental health services. Good Practices in Mental Health (GPMH) (1985) has highlighted a district which has overcome some of the myths about the impossibility of transforming the service, and recently the Institute of Health Services Management (IHSM) Working Group (1991) has entered the debate with “good psychiatric services can be developed in areas where managers are determined to introduce improved services”. The Audit Commission singled out Torbay Health Authority, GPMH highlighted Exeter Health Authority, and the IHSM Working Group have listed 12 exemplary health authorities (including Torbay and Exeter) where good local services have been developed.

scholarly journals Blood Lead alters the anemia status of malaria infected children in Katanga Kampala Uganda.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambrose K Mukisa ◽  
Denis M Kasozi ◽  
Claire Aguttu ◽  
Peter C. Vuzi ◽  
Joseph Kyambadde
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Density ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Aminolevulinic Acid ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Iron Bioavailability ◽  
P Value ◽  
Lead Pollution ◽  
Environmental Lead ◽  
Lead Levels

Abstract Background Uganda, like other malaria endemic countries, childhood anemia due to malaria infection, malnutrition and social disadvantages remains a health challenge. Other contributing factors towards the pathogenesis of this disease like blood lead have not been fully explored. Persistent lead exposure accounts for one’s blood lead levels and other many health outcomes. Recent studies report elevated environmental lead levels in urban Uganda with anthropogenic activities including leaded paints, leaded fuels spillages, lead-contaminated air, water and soils listed as major sources. Blood lead (BL) alters iron bioavailability by competitively blocking iron absorption hence anemia. BL inhibits key enzymes ferrochelatase and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) involved in hemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis resulting into elevated free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP). Children in this area are generally anemic due chronic exposure to malaria parasites that thrive on their red blood cells for survival. Concomitant exposure to both malaria infection and lead pollution, exerbates the anemia status of these children. This study therefore aimed at expounding the anemia status of these Ugandan children simultaneously living exposed to both malaria infection and environmental lead pollution. Methods Briefly venous blood samples from 198 children were microscopically assayed for malaria parasite density, hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations by the cyanmethemoglobin method, BL levels by the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometric method and FEP levels by the standard fluorimetric method. Results A total of 151/198 (76.3%) children were analyzed with moderate anemia (Hb <10>5 g/dL) while 8/198 (4%) had severe anemia (<5 g/dL). They had means of BL levels (9.3 µg/dL), Hb (7.5 g/dL), FEP/Hb (8.3 µg/g) and parasite density (PD) (3.21×103 parasites / µL). There was weak negative correlation between PD and Hb (r = -0.231, R2= 0.15 P-value < 0.001), as compared to that between FEP/Hb and Hb (r = -0.6, R2=0.572 P-value=0.001). Conclusion Basing on this study’s findings, we conclude that BL is a significant contributor to anemia pathogenesis and therefore its co-existence with plasmodium malaria infection in the host exerbates the anemia status.Trial registration Not applicable

Evaluation of Facial Anthropometric Parameters in 11-17 Year Old Boys

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Jahanbin ◽  
N Mahdavishahri ◽  
M Baghayeripour ◽  
H Esmaily ◽  
N Eslami
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
P Value ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Irregular Pattern ◽  
Angular Measurements ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mouth Width

Background and Objective: Anthropometry is the study of qualitative specifications based on linear and angular measurements of human body. The aim of the present study was to determine anthropometric parameters of 11-17 year old boys of northeast Iran. Method: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 583 boys of Fars ethnicity living in Mashhad with Class I skeletal and dental relationships. Digital photographs in natural head position were transferred to a computer and the desired anthropometric landmarks were traced on each image. Anthropometric parameters including the width of the forehead, the width of the face, the width of the cranial base, intergonial width, intercanthal width, binocular width, nasal width, mouth width, facial and nasal height and depth of superior, middle and inferior one-third of the face were measured by “Smile Analyzer” software. ANOVA, Tukey test, and linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: Most of the parameters studied increased gradually with age. A growth spurt was evident at the ages of 15-16 years old for binocular width, nasal width, nasal height and depths of middle and inferior one-third of the face. Facial height was among some parameters which were found to increase slightly after 16. Unlike the other parameters, intercanthal width showed an irregular pattern of changes and statistical analysis did not show any significant differences among different age groups (P-value = 0.362). Conclusion: Aging of the face occurs in spurts and at different periods of life. During the studied time span, significant growth in most anthropometric parameters except intercanthal width was obvious.

scholarly journals Association of hearing loss and lead exposure in a North Indian tertiary hospital: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 1845
Author(s):  
Anuja Bhargava ◽  
Syed M. Faiz ◽  
Saloni Singh ◽  
Deepika Goswami ◽  
Harsha Singh
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Pure Tone Audiometry ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Exclusion Criterion ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
P Value ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Lead Levels

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Lead poisoning is one of the most common metal poisonings. Lead is present in many man-made structures, work environments and various products. It has been consistently shown that low as well as high exposure levels to heavy metals have an adverse effect on human health, leading to conditions such as cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunctions.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 25 patients (50 ears) presented with hearing loss were included in the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criterion. All the patients were subjected to pure tone audiometry and blood lead levels followed by data analysis. Statistical analysis was used and data was analysed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 21.0 software. Chi-square test and ANOVA were used to compare the data. P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Age group of patients included in study was 5-50 years with female predominance. Blood lead levels were independent of sex and age of patient, however statistical association was noted with pure tone audiometry (hearing loss).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>As positive correlation was observed between lead levels and hearing loss, we emphasize on the fact that further studies on a larger sample size including a control arm should be planned.</p>

scholarly journals Survey of Drug Information Database Preferences among Staff from Selected British Columbia Health Authorities

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiu-Ching Jennifer Wong ◽  
Candy Lee ◽  
Adil Virani
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Authority ◽  
Drug Information ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Base De Données ◽  
Professionnels De La Santé ◽  
Information Database

Background: With the increasing use of electronic point-of-care resources, it is imperative to clearly understand what health professionals consider valuable when selecting a drug information database. A current analysis of the preferences of staff in selected British Columbia health authorities was deemed helpful for determining which electronic drug information database should be purchased.Objectives: To determine the factors that BC hospital pharmacists, nurses, and other health professionals value in an electronic drug information database and to better understand the general preferences of staff in choosing between the Lexicomp and Micromedex databases.Methods: An electronic survey was created for data collection. The survey was open from August 10 to September 15, 2018, and again from November 11 to December 7, 2018. The survey link was sent by e-mail to staff in the following health authorities: Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the survey data.Results: A total of 247 responses were received, of which 145 (58.7%) were complete. Completed surveys were received from 77 pharmacists, 52 nurses, and 16 other health professionals. Participants ranked dosing information and ease of use as the most important factors that they considered when choosing a drug information database. There were no significant differences between the Lexicomp and Micromedex resources in terms of usability, quality, and preference.Conclusions: This survey provided insights into what BC health authority staff perceive as important when utilizing a drug information database. Those considering either renewing or initiating a subscription to an online drug information database can use these results to better understand the preferences of health care professionals. Survey respondents ranked dosing information and ease of use as the 2 most important factors in selecting a drug information database. Pharmacists were more particular about using their preferred database than were other health professionals.Keywords: drug information databases, pharmacists, nurses, health authority staff, preferencesRÉSUMÉ Contexte : Avec l’utilisation croissante de ressources électroniques aux points de services, il est impératif de bien comprendre ce que les professionnels de la santé estiment important lorsqu’ils choisissent une base de données sur les médicaments. Une analyse actuelle des préférences des membres du personnel des autorités sanitaires sélectionnées de la Colombie-Britannique a été jugée utile pour déterminer le type de base de données sur les médicaments à acheter.Objectifs : Déterminer quels facteurs sont importants pour les pharmaciens d’hôpitaux, les infirmiers et les autres professionnels de la santé de la C.-B. lors du choix d’une base de données électronique sur les médicaments et mieux cerner les préférences générales des membres du personnel lorsqu’ils choisissent entre les bases de données Lexicomp et Micromedex.Méthodes : Un sondage électronique a servi à la collecte des données. Il s’est déroulé du 10 août au 15 septembre 2018, et à nouveau du 11 novembre au 7 décembre 2018. Les membres du personnel des autorités sanitaires suivantes ont reçu le lien menant au sondage : Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority et Vancouver Coastal Health. L’analyse des données a été effectuée à l’aide de méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives.Résultats : Les investigateurs ont reçu 247 réponses, dont 145 étaient complètes (58,7 %). Soixante-dix-sept (77) pharmaciens, 52 infirmiers et 16 autres professionnels de la santé ont dument rempli le sondage. Les participants ont indiqué que les renseignements sur le dosage et la facilité d’utilisation étaient les deux facteurs les plus importants à prendre en compte lors du choix d’une base de données sur les médicaments. Aucune différence significative n’est ressortie entre les bases de données Lexicomp et Micromedex quant à l’opérabilité, la qualité et la préférence.Conclusions : Ce sondage a permis de fournir un aperçu sur ce que les membres du personnel des autorités sanitaires de la C.-B. percevaient comme important pour l’utilisation d’une base de données sur les médicaments. Les personnes qui ont l’intention de renouveler ou de souscrire un abonnement à une base de données sur les médicaments en ligne peuvent utiliser ces résultats pour mieux cerner les préférences des professionnels de la santé. Les répondants ont indiqué que les renseignements sur le dosage et la facilité d’utilisation étaient les deux facteurs les plus importants à prendre en compte lors du choix d’une base de données sur les médicaments. Les pharmaciens étaient moins disposés que les autres professionnels de la santé à changer leur base de données préférée pour une autre.Mots-clés : base de données sur les médicaments, pharmaciens, infirmiers, membres du personnel des autorités sanitaires, préférences 

scholarly journals Blood Lead Levels of Pregnant Women in Agricultural and Coastal Area: A SDG’s Indicator for Health and Pollution in Brebes District

2021 ◽  
Vol 940 (1) ◽  
pp. 012072
Author(s):  
N A Sakina
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Coastal Area ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
P Value ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lead Levels

Abstract Maternal mortality is still a severe problem in Indonesia. One of the causes is the blood lead levels. Blood lead levels in pregnant women can increase the risk of preeclampsia which is the cause of high maternal mortality in Indonesia. One of the factors for high blood lead levels is living close to the source of lead pollution. This study determines the differences in blood lead levels in pregnant women in agricultural and coastal areas in Brebes District. The t-test independent is used to analyze the mean differences with SPSS v 21 software with 84 samples. The results show a significant difference in the average blood lead levels in pregnant women in agricultural and coastal areas in Brebes Regency (p-value=0,047). The average blood lead levels are higher in agricultural areas (46.243 µg/dL) than in coastal areas (37.731 µg/dL). It can be implied that the risk of maternal mortality in an agricultural area is higher than in a coastal area.

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