International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291  Vol. 4 (6), pp. 152-157, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Rapid epidemiological mapping of cholera outbreak in parts of Abeokuta metropolis: A GIS-supported post-epidemic assessment

^1*Oyedepo, J. A.,  ²Shittu, O.B., ²Popoola, T.O.S. and ³Ogunshola, E.O.

¹Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

³Department of Primary Health Care and Disease Control, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The paper presents the outcome of a GIS-supported post-epidemic survey of cholera in pipe-borne water of parts of Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria. Utility pipelines were digitized and superimposed with analyzed water samples and geo-ecological features of the area. Water samples were then collected from various locations along with the corresponding geographical coordinates. Water samples were collected from Ogun River (abstraction point), from the water board treatment tank and from various faucets within the affected communities. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Vibrio cholera (V. cholera). Results revealed a high load (>180 MPN/1000 ml) of cholera bacteria at the abstraction point, which reduced to <10 MPN/1000 ml in the treatment tank. But as the sampling progressed from the water works into the communities, there was an associated increase in V. cholerae contamination level from 60 MPN/1000 ml up to above 180 MPN/1000 ml. The poor sanitary practices of the indigenes of the area namely; improper sewage and waste disposal systems, heaps of refuse dumps with human faeces on old, rusty and leaking water pipes explains the water contamination. This in conjunction with poor sanitation of people holds high significance for future cholera epidemics in this part of the city.

Key words:  GIS, utility board, geo-ecological characteristics, cholera, post-epidemic assessment.  

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 147-151, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Routine checkup on overweight amongst urban school children in Tunisia

*Habib Hend Azria, Malek M. Dadi and Oussama W. Jaidi

Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 May, 2015

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. 4 (5), pp. 140-146, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Urban-rural differentials about AIDS: knowledge and awareness

Fazle Zahid Nazrul

Department of Public health, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 April, 2015

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. 4 (4), pp. 134-139, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reduced Concentration of cyanotoxins synthesized by Cyanobacteria in a public water supply source

*Ayrton E. Fernando, Morena V. Gisele and Daniel Campos Santoro

Department of Preventive Veterinarian Medicine and Animal Reproduction, Anhembi Morumbi University, São Paulo, Brazil.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 March, 2015

Abstract

Current analysis, involving measurements of biotic and abiotic factors, determined which factor favored cyanobacteria with subsequent concentrations of microcystins in water collected from a public water supply source during the dry and rainy periods and which received residual water from agricultural production systems. Since no microcystins were detected, waters fitted within the maximum limits of 1g.L^-1 for MC-LR. Nevertheless, if aquiculture production systems are not properly administered, especially for the diet factor, great risks will exist in the contamination and pollution of fresh water. This fact may cause intoxication to the population that use the water and to the aquatic plants and animals which make it their habitat.

Key words: HPLC, nitrogen, organic matter, microcystins, phosphorus.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 129-133, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sporadic preventive treatment of pregnancy affected with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in Ibadan, Nigeria

*Olofujana B. Tolu, Sanjuma D. Prudence and Dimeji E. O

Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 4 February, 2014

Abstract

Malaria in pregnancy (MIP) remains a major public health concern, inspite of the adoption of WHO recommended sporadic 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, sporadic preventive treatment, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 121-128, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exposure, protection and self-reported health problems among solid waste handlers in a Coastal Peri-urban community in Ghana

James-Paul Kretchy*¹ Mawuli Dzodzomenyo^1, Thilde Rheinlӓnder^3, Irene Ayi^2, Flemming Konradsen^3, Julius N. Fobil¹ and Anders Dalsgaard⁴

¹ Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon.   

² Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon.
³ Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Copenhagen School of Global Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 23, June 2014

Abstract 

Mixed method design was used to investigate exposure to waste, use of personal protective gear (PPG), and self-reported health problems among 280 solid waste handlers in a peri-urban township of southern Ghana. From the survey, the most commonly reported health problems were bodily pains (56.4%), headache (38.6%) and fever (35.7%). In-depth interviews highlighted eye problems, stomach pains and non-specific symptoms such as stress and tiredness. Waste handlers whose bare hands were exposed to waste had a higher likelihood to report fever [odds ratio (OR) = 1.89 (95% C.I 1.37 – 2.56), p < 0.0001] and diarrhoea [OR = 6.25 (95% C.I 4.17 – 10.00), p < 0.0001] compared with those who used rubber gloves. Similarly, waste handlers with uncovered mouth/nose had higher likelihood to report cough than those who used mouth/nose cover [OR = 7.69 (95% C.I 4.00 – 14.29), p < 0.0001]. Waste handlers who did not use PPGs consistently cited reasons including physical discomforts, impracticalities of wearing them in hot/humid conditions, inability of employers to supply or to finance PPGs. Waste handlers need affordable and suitable protective gear to reduce risk to  health as well as the provision of water and soap to promote personal hygiene at work. Employers must educate and train waste handlers on disease preventive purposes of using PPGs. 

Key words: Solid waste handlers, mixed method, exposure, protection, health problem, Peri-urban.