scholarly journals Overview of Current Practices in the Methamphetamine Testing and Decontamination Industry: An Australian Case Study

Author(s):  
Emma J. Kuhn ◽  
G. Stewart Walker ◽  
Harriet Whiley ◽  
Jackie Wright ◽  
Kirstin E. Ross

To better protect public health from third-hand exposure to methamphetamine, it is important to understand the techniques and current practices used within the methamphetamine testing and decontamination industry in Australia. A survey was conducted focusing on business owners that advertised testing and/or remediation services online. They were also invited to participate in a follow-up phone interview upon completion. The survey demonstrated that testing and decontamination methods were highly varied, which was expected for an industry with no regulation. Most companies offered methamphetamine testing and remediation which could be a conflict of interest. Participants also shared personal experiences, including the conduct of other industry members, demonstrating both poor practice and/or the competitive nature of the business. Participating business owners were following Australian guidelines to the best of their ability, and many are advocates for regulation to be implemented within the industry. This would address the inconsistencies between companies and establish trust for industry members and the public. It would also provide significant public health protection, which is currently lacking. A more consistent approach to the testing and remediation of methamphetamine contamination, aided by regulation, would address the significant risk to public health caused by third-hand exposure to methamphetamine.

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 273-278
Author(s):  
F. El Sharkawi

Alexandria is the main summer resort of Egypt. The population of the city is about 3 million and in summer it receives about half a million tourists who come to its beaches for recreation. Part of the city sewage is discharged into the sea through some outfalls along the coast. A coastal line of about 20 kms in length was monitored in order to study the pollution of the recreational waters. Also, a retrospective epidemiological study was carried out to find if there was a relation between the state of pollution and the occurrence of typhoid among bathers. The results of this study showed that there was a significant risk of contracting typhoid from bathing in the heavily polluted water and the most affected was the young age group. Therefore, it was recommended that the minor outfalls should be closed immediately to protect the public health, and a long outfall as recommended by the Master plan should be constructed as quickly as possible.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Musa

This research was conducted to determine the Effectiveness of Jakarta Siaga 112 Emergency Services in Fire Management by UPT. Disaster Data & Information Center of BPBD DKI Jakarta Province by paying attention to aspects contained in the Effectiveness of the Jakarta Siaga Emergency Service Program 112. The research method was carried out with a case study method with data collection techniques using interview methods and document review. Interviews were conducted on 10 (ten) key informants, document review focused on documents related to the Jakarta Emergency Alert Service 112 Effectiveness research in Fire Management. The results showed that the Effectiveness of Jakarta Siaga 112 Emergency Services in Fire Management by UPT. The Center for Disaster Data & Information BPBD DKI Jakarta Province Its effectiveness is still low, due to the Implementation of Emergency Services Jakarta Standby 112 in Fire Management implemented by UPT. Disaster Data & Information Center of BPBD DKI Jakarta Province in terms of the Target Group Understanding of the Program, the Achievement of the Program Objectives aspects, and the Program Follow-up aspects. It is recommended to continue to disseminate this Emergency Service to the public, it is necessary to increase the firm commitment of the Head of 8 SKPD related to fire management so that all units play a role in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Fire Management and the evaluation and follow-up of program services that are held periodically 3 once a month.Keywords: Effectiveness, Emergency Services, Fire Handling


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Manoj Rajagopal ◽  
Aravind Komuravelli ◽  
Jacqueline Cannon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sudden public health restrictions can be difficult to comprehend for people with cognitive deficits. However, these are even more important for them to adhere to due to their increased levels of vulnerability, particularly to COVID-19. With a lack of previous evidence, we explored the understanding and changes in adherence to COVID-19 public health restrictions over time in people living with dementia (PLWD). Methods Unpaid carers and PLWD were interviewed over the phone in April 2020, shortly after the nationwide UK lockdown, with a proportion followed up from 24th June to 10th July. Participants were recruited via social care and third sector organisations across the UK, and via social media. Findings A total of 70 interviews (50 baseline, 20 follow-up) were completed with unpaid carers and PLWD. Five themes emerged: Confusion and limited comprehension; Frustration and burden; Putting oneself in danger; Adherence to restrictions in wider society; (Un) changed perceptions. Most carers reported limited to no understanding of the public health measures in PLWD, causing distress and frustration for both the carer and the PLWD. Due to the lack of understanding, some PLWD put themselves in dangerous situations without adhering to the restrictions. PLWD with cognitive capacity who participated understood the measures and adhered to these. Discussion In light of the new second wave of the pandemic, public health measures need to be simpler for PLWD to avoid unwilful non-adherence. Society also needs to be more adaptive to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities more widely, as blanket rules cause distress to the lives of those affected by dementia.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Fabianova ◽  
J Cástková ◽  
C Beneš ◽  
J Kyncl ◽  
B Kriz

The public health protection authorities in the Czech Republic report a rise in cases of viral hepatitis A (HAV) since the end of May 2008. In total, as many as 602 HAV cases have been reported in 2008 until the end of calendar week 39 (28 September).


CommonHealth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
David Brookstein

The widespread respiratory transmission of the Covid-19 virus has taught us the importance of face masks to mitigate both the community spread of the virus and protection of wearers by face masks.  As such, there could be an extremely adverse public health possibility where respiratory pathogenic agents could be spread as a means of bioterrorism.  While eventually vaccines could mitigate wide spread infection, protective face masks are an important way to immediately   prevent respiratory infections from various pathogenic agents.  In view of the possibility of respiratory-based bioterrorism it is critical that the public might have to adopt universal usage of face masks.  The CDC recommends that all families stockpile respiratory protection as part of their personal pandemic plan because face masks should be worn by all individuals during a pandemic especially one caused by bioterrorism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Chua ◽  
Yahaya Ahmad

Back lanes are ubiquitously found in every city as they are a required component according to the by-laws. The intention of back lane is to serve as a service road and consequently society tends to neglect and had led to a forgotten public space due to its lack of maintenance. Thus, this has discouraged the pedestrian movement as it is unsafe because the laneway is mainly hidden from public eye. Therefore, it became a space for undesirable activities to be taken place especially for hoodlums. In line with the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Master Plan 2015-2025, that gives emphasise to revitalise forgotten spaces, this research looks into the issues of back lanes in Petaling Street with the aims to unlock its potentials. The study adopted a qualitative approach through 2 phases. The first phase is through literature review to study and understand its historical background follows by site observation through photographs and recording of the site existing conditions. The second phase is through interviews with urban planning experts and business owners to discuss the historical value, issues and parameters to revitalize the back lane. The outcome of the research divulges that revitalization of back lane and shifting the front façade to the back lane or adapting to a double façade are able to greet the public with new urban social spaces and that tenants are able to utilize and give it a new meaning.


Author(s):  
Iain Barrass ◽  
Joanna Leng

Since infectious diseases pose a significant risk to human health many countries aim to control their spread. Public health bodies faced with a disease threat must understand the disease’s progression and its transmission process. From this understanding it is possible to evaluate public health interventions intended to decrease impacts on the population. Commonly, contingency planning has been achieved through epidemiological studies and the use of relatively simple models. However, computational methods increasingly allow more complex, and potentially more realistic, simulations of various scenarios of the control of the spread of disease. However, understanding computational results from more sophisticated models can pose considerable challenges. A case study of a system combining a complex infectious disease model with interactive visualization and computational steering tools shows some of the opportunities this approach offers to infectious disease control.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 922-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Hegger ◽  
Maarten O. Kok ◽  
Susan W.J. Janssen ◽  
Albertine J. Schuit ◽  
Hans A.M. van Oers

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adaobi Vivian Duru

This study used the 2014 Ebola outbreak as a case study to compare news coverage of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) between the Polarized Pluralist media system and the Liberal media system. This investigation revealed that partisan frames, emphasis on local and international efforts and use of health expert sources all differed across the two media systems. These differences suggest that social, political and economic attributes of media systems affect how news is shaped. When an event of international significance occurs, such as a disease outbreak, the characteristics that make up a media system will influence how issues are covered and presented to the public. Giving the current globalized nature of news, the findings in this study has implications for international news flow.


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