International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-014, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Staphylococcal enterotoxins: Molecular aspects and detection methods

Nathalie Gaebler Vasconcelos and Maria de Lourdes Ribeiro de Souza da Cunha*

Biosciences Institute, UNESP – Univ Estadual Paulista, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bacteriology Laboratory, Botucatu-SP, Brazil.

Accepted 19 April, 2018

Abstract

Members of the Staphylococcus genus, especially Staphylococcus aureus, are the most common pathogens found in hospitals and in community-acquired infections. Some of their pathogenicity is associated with enzyme and toxin production. Until recently, S. aureus was the most studied species in the genus; however, in last few years, the rise of infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci has pointed out the need for further studies on virulence factors that have not yet been completely elucidated so as to better characterize the pathogenic potential of this group of microorganisms. Several staphylococcal species produce enterotoxins, a family of related proteins responsible for many diseases, such as the toxic-shock syndrome, septicemia and food poisoning. To this date, 23 different enterotoxin types have been identified besides toxic-shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), and they can be divided into five phylogenetic groups. The mechanism of action of these toxins includes superantigen activity and emetic properties, which can lead to biological effects of infection. Various methods can detect genes that encode enterotoxins and their production. Molecular methods are the most frequently used at present. This review article has the objective to describe aspects related to the classification, structure and regulation of enterotoxins and toxic-shock syndrome toxin-1 detection methods.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, enterotoxins, TSST-1, PCR, molecular detection.

Key words: Waste, disposal, motor parks.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (12), pp. 001-004, December, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The impact of health facility monitoring on cold chain management practices in Lagos, Nigeria

A.  Munir Bankole^1,6*, Kola-Korolo Olusegun¹, N. Bankole Marian², Iboma Godswill^1,6, O. Adeluola Adebowale³, A. J. Shittu Lukeman⁴, Olonire Olufemi¹, Tayo Adetokunbo⁵ and A. Mariam Odunaiye¹

¹Department of Health Facility Monitoring, Ministry of Health, The Secretariat, P. O. Box 4185, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.

²Department of Clinical Science, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

³Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idiaraba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Anatomy, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.

⁶Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idiaraba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 May, 2018

Abstract

About 1000 privately owned health facilities (HFs) were (re)-visited between September 2007 and September, 2009. A total of 2,100 health workers (HWs) were interviewed in these HFs to evaluate their knowledge on vaccine management and administration. Cold chain assessment form was completed for each HF revisited. Health Workers that were deficient in cold chain management knowledge were given on the spot training. Between September 2007 and March 2009, 90% of fridges in the HFs monitored were non-functioning. 95% of HWs interviewed had little or no knowledge about vaccine vial monitor (VVM) while 80% of vaccines screened were either in stage 3 or 4 of VVM or with VVM indicator removed. During revisits, between March - September, 2009, 92% of fridges were in good functioning state, 84% of HWs had good knowledge of VVM with 9.3% of vials in stage 3 or 4 of VVM or with VVM indicators removed.

Key words: Vaccine, monitoring, cold chain, VVM, immunization.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (11), pp. 001-007, November, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hypertension-related knowledge, attitudes and life-style practices among hypertensive patients in a sub-urban Nigerian community

Godfrey B.S. Iyalomhe¹* and Sarah I. Iyalomhe²

¹Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

²Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Central Hospital Auchi, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 May, 2018

Abstract

Hypertension (htn) is an important public health challenge at Auchi Nigeria. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological survey was to determine hypertensive patients’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and life-style practices so as to optimize their health and treatment needs. We examined a cohort of 108 randomly selected hypertensive by means of a self-structured questionnaire and a detailed interview. Analysis was by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and chi- square of the GraphPad Prism software was used for significance tests at 0.05 level. More males 60 (55.6%) than females 48 (44.4%) were assessed. Their age range was 35 – 80 years (mean = 59.05 ± 9.06 years), the modal age group was 56 – 60 years (24.1%). Sixty-six respondents (61%) knew htn to be high blood pressure (BP), 22 (20%) thought it meant excessive thinking and worrying while 57 (53%) claimed it was hereditary. Forty-three (40%) felt it was caused by malevolent spirits, 32 (30%) believed it was caused by bad food or poisoning. A few (18%) knew some risk factors. Symptoms attributed to htn were headache, restlessness, palpitation, excessive pulsation of the superficial temporal artery and “internal heat”, but 80 (74%) attested to its correct diagnosis by BP measurement. Although 98 (90.7%) felt the disease indicated serious morbidity, only 36 (33.3%) were adherent with treatment and fewer practiced life-style modification. Thirty-two (30%) knew at least one antihypertensive drug they use. Psychosocial factors like depression and anxiety, fear of addiction and intolerable drug adverse effects impacted negatively on patients’ attitude to treatment. We conclude that patients’ knowledge of htn in Auchi is low and their attitudes to treatment negative. Patient education, motivation and public enlightenment are imperative.

Key words: Hypertension-related knowledge, perception, attitudes, life-style practices, hypertensive Nigerian patients.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (11), pp. 001-011, November, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Professional analysis of medical staff in public hospitals in China

Abdul K. Mbawah, Peng Xiaoming and Chen Shaoxian*

Faculty of Health Management, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2^nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.

Accepted 29 April, 2018

Abstract

To analyze the efficiency of public hospitals in Guangdong Province, China, and to compare the differences by region and levels of care. To carry out a survey of selected hospitals in different cities by the method of cluster sampling and to analyze the efficiency of these hospitals using data envelopment analysis (DEA) . 254 public hospitals were surveyed with a 100% response rate. About 184 (72.4%) completed the survey and gave realistic responses. 22 (11.96%) of the hospitals and facilities were totally efficient. The average total efficiency value was 0.727 (range 0.251 to 1), which indicated that the total efficiency of most of these hospitals were below average. There were also differences between hospitals in different regions. Comparatively, the proportion of efficient hospitals between regions and the levels of care were not significantly different. The average efficiency values in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) area hospitals were significantly higher than those in the non PRD area. This suggested that the prevalence of low efficiency and the wastage of resources were more serious in the non PRD area. Most of the hospitals in the non PRD area had increasing level efficiency and thus their level could be increased without loss of efficiency. More than half of the hospitals in PRD area had declining level efficiency suggesting they need downsizing to achieve better efficiency. There were no significant differences in the level of care in the different hospitals (tertiary, city secondary and county secondary hospitals). The lack of case-mix data for these hospitals could have been a major difficulty in the analysis. Waste of useful Resources was prevalent in public hospitals in Guangdong Province. The efficiency of hospitals in the PRD area was better than that in the non-PRD area. The management level and the efficient utilization of the current facilities and resources require further improvement.

Key words: Public hospital efficiency, resources, DEA analysis, Guangdong, Pearl River Delta, China.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (10), pp. 001-004, October, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-economic implications of Simulium damnosum complex infestation in some rural communities in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

M. A. Adeleke^{1, 2}*, I. K. Olaoye³ and A. S. Ayanwale³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

²Public Health Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, P. M. B. 2013, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

³Department of Economics, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 17 May, 2018

Abstract

Simulium damnosum sensu lato constitutes serious public health hazard and socio-economic problem in many areas of West Africa. The present study was carried out to document the socio-economic implications of black fly infestation in some rural communities of Odeda Local Government. Structured questionnaires were administered to thirty randomly selected people aged 18 years and above in three selected communities. All the respondents agreed that black fly is a problem in their communities and 63 (70%) out of 90 respondents attributed body itching/ swelling to black fly bite. Majority of the respondents (60%) lost 14 working days in a year due to illness caused by black fly bites. Those who lost between 7 and 14 days in a year due to black fly bites constituted (37.8%). While in the sick bed, each to 46 (51.1%) respondents had at least one person detailed to stay with them and the majority of them up to $100 in treating the ailment. The results emphasize the need to break man/fly contact considering the fact that most of the affected people are subsistence farmers with low incomes.

Key words: Socio-economic implications, Simulium damnosum complex, Nigeria.