International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epidemiological investigation of death cases by pesticide poisoning

A.  Tall¹*, A. B. Ly¹, P. Nabeth¹, A. A. Sall¹, F. D. Sarr¹, J. Faye¹, A. Badiane¹, G. Diakhaby¹, R. Michel¹, N. A. Bar¹, M. E. Gomes Do Espirito Santo², A. Bazire², L. Marrama¹, R. Garnier², F.

Simon¹, M. O. Rambourg² and B. Chevalier³

¹Institute Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal.

²Institute de Veille Sanitaire, 94415 Saint-Maurice, Cedex, France.

³Hôpital Principal de Dakar, BP 3006 Dakar, Senegal.

Accepted 9 February, 2018

Abstract

This study gives the report of an epidemiological investigation of seven death cases in a police force headquarters by pesticide poisoning diagnosed by the decrease of the enzyme choline esterase activity. A case control study with an environmental description has been realized, permitting the establishment of temporarily dynamic relationships among the death cases. In Africa, there are many incidents of domestic or professional poisoning with a fatal ending for which, few data are available. The aetiological orientations are discussed in the African context and the difficulties to reach the analysis of toxicology in sub-Saharan Africa are underlined.

Key words: Poisoning organophosphate, organochloride, Senegal.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Tracking of overweight among urban school children: A 4 years cohort study in Sousse Tunisia

Harrabi Imed¹, Maatoug Maaloul Jihene ¹*, Ben Hammouda Hamida¹, Gaha Rafika¹, Lazreg Fatma², Boussaadia Amel² and Ghannem Hassen¹

¹Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Farhat Hached Hospital, BP 126 4002 Sousse Tunisia.

²Regional Direction of Scholar Medicine, Tunisia.

Accepted 18 September, 2017

Abstract

Our objective was to examine tracking patterns of body mass index (BMI) as well as their predictors between childhood and adolescence. A cohort of 452 Tunisian children aged 13 - 15 years was followed for 4 years (1999 - 2003). Tracking of BMI was defined as in individual maintaining a certain status or relative position (relative BMI quartile) overtime. After 4 years, almost 50% of the subjects had maintained their relative positions, but 25% had moved into a lower or higher quartile. The BMIs of thin and fat were more likely to track: 61.9 and 66.7% remained in the bottom and upper quartiles, respectively. Overweight children were 2.6 times as likely as all other children to become overweight adolescents. Individual’s initial BMIs, sex and socioeconomic status helped to predict tracking and change in BMI. Predictors of overweight tracking found in this study would be useful to select children at risk for preventive intervention.

Key words: Obesity, adolescents, cardiovascular risk factor.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Simplifying mathematical modelling to test intervention strategies for Chlamydia

Catherine Heffernan^1* and Jacob A. Dunningham²

¹Leeds Primary Care Trust, West Park Ring Road, United Kingdom or Institute of Health Sciences, Charles Thackrah Buidling, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

²School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Accepted 10 September, 2017

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a rise in applications of mathematical modelling in sexually transmitted infections. This paper outlines a new approach to mathematical modelling that tests intervention efforts on Chlamydia. The aim was to produce a simple model that can be used when new data comes to hand without the need to re-run the simulation. A simple model was developed to study the effects of interventions in lowering rates of Chlamydia in a high-risk population of 16 to 24 year olds. Parameters are informed by the best available data. The model was verified by running it backwards in time to see if it correctly ‘retrodicts’ rates of Chlamydia in the past. The model predicted that Chlamydia would disappear long-term if there were 45% condom use, annual check- ups and 23.5% successful contact tracing among the high-risk 16 – 24 year old age group. The model’s expressions can be applied readily to different populations of interest and to address specific questions, indicating that the model is a quick and easy tool to apply in public health policy making.

Key words: Mathematical modelling, Chlamydia, public health interventions, partner notification, annual check-up, condom use.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determinants of knowledge and awareness about AIDS: Urban-rural differentials in Bangladesh

Mosiur Rahman

Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 29 August, 2018

Abstract

This study utilized data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2004 to identify the determinants of knowledge about AIDS for women of urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression methods were employed in analyzing data. This study found that a wider gap exists between urban and rural areas regarding knowledge about AIDS, where every 8 out of 10 urban women know about AIDS but almost half of the rural women still do not know about AIDS. Mass media play a major role for growing awareness about AIDS in both of these areas. In the urban area 61.6 percent women knew at least one correct way to avoid AIDS but rural women are in miserable condition because the corresponding figure for rural women was only 31.3% that means 37.7 and 67.7% among urban and rural women respectively still did not know how to avoid AIDS. Binary logistic regression method shows that education, occupation, ever use of contraception, currently using condom, permission to go to hospital/health center, mass media exposure, region of residence and wealth index significantly influence the knowledge about AIDS among rural women, whereas, in the urban areas except occupation and currently using condom all these remaining variables appear as the significant predictors of knowledge about AIDS.

Key words: AIDS, mass media, Bangladesh, logistic regression analysis.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The use of intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in pregnancy in Ibadan, Nigeria: Implications for policy

Tongo O. Olukemi¹, Orimadegun Adebola Emmanuel² and Akinyinka Olusegun Olusina¹*

¹Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadán, Oyo State, Nigeria.

²Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 4 September, 2017

Abstract

Malaria in pregnancy (MIP) remains a major public health concern, inspite of the adoption of WHO recommended intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for its control in Nigeria. Using interviewer administered questionnaires, information on knowledge of the burden, consequences and the use of SP for malaria control in pregnancy was obtained from 800 mothers within 24 h after delivery at two health centres in Ibadan. Women who attended antenatal care (ANC) at the secondary facility were less likely to demonstrate poor knowledge of causes (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.38), consequences (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.24, 0.55) and control strategies (OR = 0.32, 95% = 0.18, 0.59) compared with tertiary facility. Only 56.4% of all the mothers were aware of IPTp SP as government policy for prevention of MIP out of which 16.9% used IPTp SP in index pregnancy. Overall, only 18.4% of all mothers used IPTp SP. Being unaware of the existing government policy and educational attainment of 9 years independently predicted non-usage of IPTp SP. This study revealed that the uptake of IPTp SP in pregnancy is poor in spite of good knowledge of burden of malaria in pregnancy and underscores the need to scale up awareness campaign and monitor implementation at all levels of health care.

Key words: Malaria in pregnancy, intermittent preventive treatment, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 373-382, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Race-and sex-related differences in the incidence of coronary heart disease in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study

^1,2Rodrigue Pierre*, ¹C Perry Brown,¹Charlotte Baker,¹Matthew Dutton,²Oghenekome Onokpise, ³Brian Hickey

¹Institute of Public Health, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 1601 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA, Tallahassee, Florida, ²College of Agriculture and Food Science, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida, ³Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 May, 2017

Abstract

Despite the many cardiovascular studies conducted in the United States (US), nationally representative estimates of incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) have been lacking. This study aimed at investigating incidence estimates of CHD in a nationally representative sample of the US population and to compare race- and sex-related incidence estimates. We used data from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (NHEFS) [n = 6,346]. We determined cumulative incidence and incidence density and used log-rank and chi-square test for estimates comparison. A total of 382 CHD events occurred among 6,346 study participants from 1971 to 1992. The cumulative incidence was 9.93% in the NHEFS cohort; 13.46% among men and 7.00% among women (P< .001); 9.72% among Whites and 11.01% among non-Whites (P = .64). The incidence density, per 1,000 person-years, was 3.68 in the NHEFS cohort; 4.99 among men and 2.66 among women (P< .001); 3.65 among Whites and 3.90 among non-Whites (P = .67). From 1971 to 1992 in the US, the cumulative incidence of CHD was 9.93% and the incidence density was 3.68 per 1,000 person-years. While CHD incidence did not vary across race, males had a higher incidence than females.   

Keywords: Cumulative incidence, incidence density, coronary heart disease, sex-related differences, race-related differences, Kaplan Meier, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study.