scholarly journals Anaemia among Kenyan children: a call for improved monitoring and intervention in school-aged children

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (8) ◽  
pp. 627-631
Author(s):  
Emelda A Okiro ◽  
Noel K Joseph ◽  
Caroline W Gitonga ◽  
Robert W Snow
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Poor Nutrition ◽  
Moderate Anaemia

Abstract Background Anaemia has long been recognised as a major public health problem among young children in lower- and middle-income countries and is an indicator of both poor nutrition and health status. There has been little progress towards improvement of anaemia in part due to its complex aetiology. An added impediment to the progress is that the monitoring of anaemia does not routinely target the whole population, with school-aged children (SAC) largely overlooked. Methods We re-examined data on the prevalence of anaemia among children aged <15 y sampled from 2008–2015 in Kenya. Results Approximately one in four Kenyan children aged <15 y were described as anaemic, including 12% with WHO-defined moderate anaemia and 1% who were severely anaemic. Average haemoglobin concentrations increased with age and the risk of having anaemia decreased with age. However, one in five SAC in Kenya were suffering from anaemia; most were either mild (11.4%) or moderately (10.9%) anaemic. Conclusions The monitoring of anaemia in SAC continues to be a neglected area limiting a careful articulation of the need to target interventions in this age group.

scholarly journals Antiparasitic phytotherapy perspectives, scope and current development

Infectio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jhon Carlos Castaño Osorio ◽  
Alejandra María Giraldo García
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Commercial Markets ◽  
Health And Economic Development ◽  
New Treatments

Tropical protozoan diseases are currently a major public health problem throughout the world and are strongly linked with poverty, this combined with a lack of commercial markets for potential drugs has created a large burden on the health and economic development of low-income and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Due to the low research interest and the high increase of resistance against the existing treatments, as well as increasing inefficiency, toxicity, prolonged treatment schedules and costs, there is an urgent need for cost-effective, safe and easy-to-administer, new effective compounds with novel mechanisms of action. Several studies of crude plant extracts have already identified potential compounds to treat Chagas’ disease, Leishmaniasis, Toxoplasmosis, Giardiasis, and Malaria among other protozoan parasites. Natural compounds of medicinal plants have shown lower toxicity together with higher specificity, creating an optimistic view of new treatments for diseases. Out of 1010 new active substances approved as drugs for medical conditions by regulatory agencies during the past 25 years, 490(48.5%) were from a natural origin.

scholarly journals Serious non-fatal unintentional injuries among in-school adolescents in Sri Lanka: results from the 2016 Sri Lankan Global School-Based Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sashimali Wickramasinghe ◽  
Nalika Gunawardena ◽  
Dhanusha Punyadasa ◽  
Shanthi Gunawardena ◽  
Champika Wickramasinghe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Unintentional Injuries ◽  
School Based ◽  
The World

Abstract Background Unintentional injuries among adolescents is a major public health problem the world over. A great majority of the annual deaths among adolescents is due to unintentional injuries; it is also the leading cause of death among adolescents in the world. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of injuries and their associated factors among school going adolescents aged 13-17 years using data from the most recent Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS) conducted in Sri Lanka. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire, among 3,262 adolescents attending government schools. The sample was selected through a two-staged cluster sampling technique. In the first stage, 40 schools were selected using probabilities proportional to school enrollment size, from all schools in the country that have classes in grades 8-12 . Then, from the selected schools, classes were selected using systematic equal probability sampling with a random start. The weighted prevalence was calculated, and logistic regression analysis was conducted in order to determine the correlates. Results During the 12 months before the survey, 35.8% (95% CI-30.7 - 41.1) of the students reported being seriously injured one or more times. The injuries were more common among males, but were equally common among the two different age groups (13-15 age group vs 16-17 age group). The most common type of injury was cut or stab wounds (5.5%), followed by broken bones/dislocated joints (5.3%). Multivariable analysis revealed that only a few factors were associated with injury, such as being of the male sex, being bullied, being physically attacked, and/or being in a physical fight. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the prevalence of serious unintentional injuries among school going adolescents is a major public health problem in Sri Lanka. This timely and comprehensive survey would help policy makers and researchers identify the unmet needs related to adolescent injuries. Furthermore, evidence generated form the study should be given due consideration when designing school-based interventions to prevent adolescent injuries.

scholarly journals Malaria and Intestinal Parasites among Children in Muslim Schools, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 8-16
Author(s):  
Eze, Chinwe Nwadiuto ◽  
Owhoeli Ovutor ◽  
Olasunkanmi, Rukayat Motunrayo
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Ancylostoma Duodenale ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
Age Range

Introduction: Malaria and intestinal helminthes infections are major public health problem in low and middle-income countries affecting over 2 million people across the globe. Objectives: This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasites among Muslim school children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methodology: Four Muslim schools: kab model school Rumuagolu, Manbaul hikma Eliozu, An-nur school Rumuodomaya and Al-ameen school Eneka. One hundred and fifty (150) blood and stool samples were collected randomly from the pupils (70 males and 80 female; age range 5-12 years) and examined between the Months of May to July 2018. Results: The overall prevalence of 50.7%, and 43.3% was recorded for malaria and intestinal helminthes respectively. The prevalence for malaria was 32.5%, 63.0%, 58.0% and 50.0%. Intestinal helminthes was 30%, 53.3%, 42.0% and 53.0% for kab, Manbaul hikma, An-nur and Al-ameen Schools respectively. The frequency of parasites encountered was as follows, Strongyloides stercoralis 8.7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 14.0%, Enterobious vermicularis 1.3%, Necator americanus 5.3%, Ancylostoma duodenale 4.7%, and Trichuris trichuria 9.3%. Malaria and intestinal helminthes infection was highest in females with 51.2% and 45.0% respectively. Pupils between ages 9-10 had the highest infection rate of (54.0%) for malaria while ages 7-8 had the highest prevalence of 47.7% for intestinal helminthes. Co-infection was 22.0%, 23.0%, 22.0% and 32.0% for kab, Manbaul hikma, An-nur and Al-ameen Schools Respectively. Conclusions: The overall infection for malaria and intestinal helminthes was high. Therefore, regular de-worming of the pupils by parents, and health education are necessary to keep the prevalence in check. This study may also be used to predict risk for communities under consideration.

scholarly journals The incidence of pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) in pre-school and school aged children in the Eastern Slovakia

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-280
Author(s):  
A. Dudlová ◽  
P. Juriš ◽  
P. Jarčuška ◽  
Z. Vasilková ◽  
V. Vargová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Paediatric Population ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
School Age ◽  
Enterobius Vermicularis ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Helminth infections caused by Enterobius vermicularis have a cosmopolitan character and most often affect the paediatric pre-school and school age population. The presented study was conducted to determine the prevalence of E. vermicularis in the analyzed population of children in the Eastern Slovakia. The Graham’s scotch tape method was used to investigate the presence of Enterobius vermicularis eggs in 390 specimens. The analyzed set consisted of 218 girls and 172 boys, divided by age into three groups - aged from 5 months to 2 years, aged from 3 to 6 years, and aged from 7 to 15 years. Investigation of perianal scotch tapes of children for the presence of E. vermicularis eggs revealed the prevalence of E. vermicularis was P = 3.59 %. Depending on the incidence of E. vermicularis infection, we detected no statistically signifi cant difference (p> 0.05). The prevalence of E. vermicularis in boys was P = 4.07 %, and in girls P = 3.21 %. The highest prevalence of E. vermicularis was recorded in the group of children aged from 3 to 6 years (P = 5.03 %). Most of the samples were positive at age 4 and 5. The lowest prevalence was in the group of children aged from 5 months to 2 years (P = 0.97 %), and the prevalence of E. vermicularis in the group of children aged from 7 to 15 was P = 3.91 %. The difference in the incidence of E. vermicularis infection among different age groups of children was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Enterobius vermicularis nematode infection and enterobiasis currently represents a major public health problem in Slovakia. At the present its occurrence is the most frequent in the paediatric population. Therefore it is important to introduce a targeted hygienic-epidemiological measure in children’s collectives, what also should include proper and effective diagnostics and frequent recurrent therapy.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis in patients with chronic kidney disease: atypical presentation and diagnostic dilemma

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Ravi R. Pradhan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Disease Patient ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diagnostic Dilemma ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Significant Public Health

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem, and more common in developing countries like Nepal. Worldwide, it is the second most frequent cause of death from infectious disease. Patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) under mainte­nance dialysis are more likely to develop TB compared to general population. Given the increasing prevalence of CKD in TB endemic areas, a merging of CKD and TB epidemics could have significant public health implications, especially in low- to middle-income countries like Nepal. Because of increased frequency of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in patient with CKD, the clinical presentation is atypical and leads to diagnostic dilemma.

The Epidemiology of Māori Suicide in Aotearoa/New Zealand

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Coupe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

AbstractSuicide is a Māori Public Health Issue. Suicide rates in Aotearoa/New Zealand are amongst the highest in OECD countries in the 15-24 year age group and second only to Hungary in other age groups (WHO, 1996; Disley & Coggan, 1996). Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people under the age of 25 years in Aotearoa/New Zealand and a major public health problem (Coggan, 1997). Approximatel, 540 New Zealanders kill themselves each year (Rose, Hatcher, & Koelmeyer, 1999). The total Māori suicide rate (per 100 000) increased to 17.5 in 1997, compared to non-Māori (13.1), and the Māori youth suicide rate (33.9) far exceeded the equivalent non-Māori rate (24.3), reflecting the disparity between Māori and non-Māori (Ministry of Health, 1997). This paper aims to present epidemiological data on Māori suicide and then use the existing literature to discuss possible reasons for the high Māori rate.

scholarly journals Contextualizing Evidence for Action on Diabetes in Low-Resource Settings—Project CEAD Part-II, Strengthening the Health System: A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3391
Author(s):  
Mari Carmen Bernal-Soriano ◽  
Francisco Barrera-Guarderas ◽  
Alfonso Alonso-Jaquete ◽  
Elisa Chilet-Rosell ◽  
Ikram Benazizi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Underlying Causes

Diabetes is a major public health problem, increasingly affecting low- and middle-income countries. The project CEAD (Contextualizing Evidence for Action in Diabetes in low-resource settings) aims to evaluate the implementation of comprehensive diabetes care in two low-resource settings in Ecuador and to stimulate context-led health systems innovations to improve diabetes care and reduce inequity. The mixed-methods approach includes a 24-month retrospective study to assess the current level of implementation of comprehensive diabetes care and participants will be followed up prospectively for two years to assess changes in healthcare and clinical outcomes from the outset of the research. We will include individuals diagnosed with type-2 diabetes aged over 18 years, who are accessing diabetes care in health facilities in the study districts. Varied stakeholders (patients and family members, community members, healthcare workers and decision-makers) will interpret the underlying causes of the observed weaknesses and propose solutions to strengthen diabetes-related healthcare in focus group discussions (FG). A second set of FG will analyze perceived improvements in healthcare based on prospective cohort findings and consider the success/failure of any context-led innovations occurring throughout the research. Our study will demonstrate how evidence can be contextualized to stimulate local innovations and overcome weaknesses of diabetes-related healthcare in low resource settings.

scholarly journals Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pediatrics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Coronel-Martínez ◽  
Luis Augusto Moya-Barquín
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Parental Acceptance ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Adolescent Population ◽  
Active Population ◽  
Poor Access

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) disproportionately affect young people, with more than half of the infections occurring in 15- to 25-year-olds, although as an age group they constitute only 25% of the sexually active population. Adolescents have been considered as a key and vulnerable population; adolescents are considered as marginalized populations (i.e., poor access to adequate health services, social and parental acceptance, stigmatization, among others. Every year, 87 million new cases of gonorrhea are reported worldwide in the population from 15 to 49 years old. In 2016, the estimated global prevalence of CT in 15-to 49-year-old women was 3.8% and in men 2.7%, with regional values ranging from 1.5 to 7.0% in women and 1.2 to 4.0% in men. The worldwide prevalence of HSV-2 among 15–49-year old is 11.3% and for HSV-1 among 0–49-year-old is 67%. These numbers alert us about the increase in the frequency of these diseases among young populations; more open sexual behavior could be an important factor for this increase; the treatment of these diseases is challenging due to the difficulties with detection and treatment; in the case of gonorrhea, it could become a major public health problem due to the emerging antimicrobial resistance; in the case of Chlamydia, despite the effective treatment, reinfection is still a possibility and for genital herpes, the disease can be controlled but not cured. This chapter will describe the most important aspects of these three diseases for supporting the clinicians and researchers about the management of sexually transmitted diseases in the adolescent population.

Policy brief on improving access to artemisinin-based combination therapies for malaria in Burkina Faso

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bocar Kouyaté ◽  
Victor Nana
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Medical Consultations ◽  
Children Under 5

Malaria is a major public health problem in Burkina Faso. Statistics from health facilities in 2006 show that 40.1 percent of medical consultations, 53.4 percent of hospital admissions, and 45.8 percent of deaths are malaria related (2). Malaria among children under 5 years of age accounted for 46 percent of all cases in 2004, 49 percent in 2005 and 48 percent in 2006. In the same age group, malaria was the cause of 66.4 percent of deaths in 2004, 62.0 percent in 2005 and 62.7 percent in 2006.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among Lebanese households with children aged 4–18 years: findings from a national cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis Jomaa ◽  
Farah Naja ◽  
Samer Kharroubi ◽  
Nahla Hwalla
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Households With Children

AbstractObjectiveFood insecurity (FI) is a major public health problem in Lebanon, a small middle-income country with the highest refugee per capita concentration worldwide and prolonged political and economic challenges. The present study aimed to measure the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of household FI and to explore the association of household FI with anthropometric measures of children and their mothers.DesignCross-sectional survey (2014–2015).SettingLebanon.ParticipantsNationally representative sample of Lebanese households with 4–18-year-old-children and their mothers (n1204).ResultsFI prevalence (95 % CI), measured using the Arabic-translated, validated Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, was found to be 49·3 (44·0, 54·6) % in the study sample. Mild, moderate and severe FI were found in 7·0 (5·5, 9·2) %, 23·3 (20·1, 26·8) % and 18·9 (14·9, 23·5) % of households, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that low maternal and paternal education, unemployment and crowding were significant correlates of household FI (P<0·05). No significant associations were observed between FI and anthropometric measures of children and their mothers, after adjusting for other socio-economic correlates. Food-insecure households reported various mechanisms to cope with food shortage, such as reducing the number of meals/d (49·6 %), borrowing food (54·4 %), spending savings (34·5 %) and withdrawing children from schools (8·0 %).ConclusionsFI exists among a remarkable proportion of Lebanese households with children. Correlates of household FI should be considered when designing social welfare policies and public health programmes to promote more sustainable, resilient and healthier livelihoods among vulnerable individuals.

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