scholarly journals Occurrence of Congenital Anomalies in Iran and Implications of Osr-o-Haraj "Denegation of Intolerable Hardship Rule" in Shia Fiqh

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-401
Author(s):  
saeed dastgiri ◽  
Abdolhassan Kazemi ◽  
Mohammad heidarzadeh ◽  
Morteza Alian ◽  
Bahram Samadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Defects ◽  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Community Genetics ◽  
Statistical Estimates ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Public Health Authorities

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to explain the examples of "the Jurisprudential Rule of "Osr o- Haraj" or Denegation of Intolerable Hardship in the occurrence of congenital anomalies and genetic disorders and show that according to the current laws of the country, more of these diseases can be prevented. Material and Methods: Data for occurrence of congenital anomalies were derived from two major regional and national epidemiological studies based on 6,465,849 births in the country. A comprehensive review of literature was carried out on the details of ‘Denegation of Intolerable Hardship Rule. The details of medical termination of pregnancies diagnosed for congenital anomalies and the role of ‘Denegation of Intolerable Hardship’ principle in the prevention of birth defects were explored in several Focused Group Discussions formed by peditricians, geneticists, psychiatrists, neotatalogists and expert jurisprudents. Results: The statistical estimates indicate that there are now nearly 100,000 births with one of the birth defects occurring every year in Iran. The total prevalence of the anomalies has more than tripled in the last 18 years. Conclusion: The occurrence of congenital anomalies and genetic disorders will undermine the gene pool of the population if preventive measures are not properly implemented in the community genetics services to control those disorders. According to the current law on therapeutic abortion, disorders that lead to the hardships of father, mother, family, community, as well as future generations may be diagnosed by the three specialists (before the 16th week of pregnancy, the time of onsetting the soul). They can then be referred for medical abortion. A minimum of 70,000 birth defects may be avoided using the therapeutic termination of pregnancies diagnosed for congenital anomalies if the ‘no hardship and negation of distress and constriction’ principle is suitably explored in maternal, pediatric, neonatal settings and for public health authorities.

scholarly journals Spatial air pollution modelling for a West-African town

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirak Zenebe Gebreab ◽  
Danielle Vienneau ◽  
Christian Feigenwinter ◽  
Hampâté Bâ ◽  
Guéladio Cissé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
West African ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Air Pollution Modelling ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Leave One Out

<p>Land use regression (LUR) modelling is a common approach used in European and Northern American epidemiological studies to assess urban and traffic related air pollution exposures. Studies applying LUR in Africa are lacking. A need exists to understand if this approach holds for an African setting, where urban features, pollutant exposures and data availability differ considerably from other continents. We developed a parsimonious regression model based on 48-hour nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) concentrations measured at 40 sites in Kaédi, a medium sized West-African town, and variables generated in a geographic information system (GIS). Road variables and settlement land use characteristics were found to be important predictors of 48-hour NO<sub>2</sub> concentration in the model. About 68% of concentration variability in the town was explained by the model. The model was internally validated by leave-one-out cross-validation and it was found to perform moderately well. Furthermore, its parameters were robust to sampling variation. We applied the model at 100 m pixels to create a map describing the broad spatial pattern of NO<sub>2</sub> across Kaédi. In this research, we demonstrated the potential for LUR as a valid, cost-effective approach for air pollution modelling and mapping in an African town. If the methodology were to be adopted by environmental and public health authorities in these regions, it could provide a quick assessment of the local air pollution burden and potentially support air pollution policies and guidelines.</p>

scholarly journals Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk of Dementia: A Hypothesis Generated but Not Adequately Tested

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 153331752110624
Author(s):  
Mishah Azhar ◽  
Lawrence Fiedler ◽  
Patricio S. Espinosa ◽  
Charles H. Hennekens
Keyword(s):  
Proton Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Proton Pump ◽  
Real World ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities

We reviewed the evidence on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and dementia. PPIs are among the most widely utilized drugs in the world. Dementia affects roughly 5% of the population of the United States (US) and world aged 60 years and older. With respect to PPIs and dementia, basic research has suggested plausible mechanisms but descriptive and analytic epidemiological studies are not inconsistent. In addition, a single large-scale randomized trial showed no association. When the evidence is incomplete, it is appropriate for clinicians and researchers to remain uncertain. Regulatory or public health authorities sometimes need to make real-world decisions based on real-world data. When the evidence is complete, then the most rational judgments for individual patients the health of the general public are possible At present, the evidence on PPIs and dementia suggests more reassurance than alarm. Further large-scale randomized evidence is necessary to do so.

scholarly journals O5E.4 Bridging the gap between clinical cases and epidemiological evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A50.1-A50
Author(s):  
Lode Godderis ◽  
Jelena Bakusic ◽  
Sara Pauwels ◽  
Henk Van der Molen ◽  
Annet Lenderink
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
List Type ◽  
Occupational Physicians ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Societal Level ◽  
Clinical Cases

One of the current gaps in the prevention of work-related diseases (WRDs) is the missing link between the assessment of occupational hazards introduced at the workplace, clinical alerts, epidemiological studies and policy actions. Alert systems aim to bridge this gap, by collecting information on diseases and exposures to raise alerts to different stakeholders and trigger timely prevention.This project started with a review of international alert systems to identifying good practices and learning about prerequisites, drivers and obstacles to implement alert and sentinel systems. Next, the findings led to the implementation of an integrated approach consisting of alert systems on three levels in the Belgian context:Signal detection and assessment: suspected clinical cases of new WRDs (new exposure–disease combinations) can be reported though an online platform called ‘SIGNAAL’. Each reported case is followed by an extensive assessment of exposure– and work–relatedness performed by clinical experts. Since the start, 22 cases have been reported to the platform.Signal strengthening though a network of occupational health physicians. This sentinel approach has been introduced though the PROBE system, in which 47 occupational physicians participated. During the periodic health examinations of workers, the physicians filled in a web survey regarding occupational exposure of a random sample of workers to 22 selected hazardous chemicals during the last working week. Results of the first study showed that 47% of workers were exposed to at least one chemical product from the list, with diesel exhaust being the most frequently reported substance (n=91; 14% of workers).Alerts to public health authorities are mainly communicated though collaboration with Federal Public Services and Federal Agency for Occupational Risks.These agencies provide support in the maintenance of systems and in turn, data from the systems is used as input for potential preventive strategies on company and societal level.

scholarly journals Trends and Causes of Congenital Anomalies in the Pleven Region, Bulgaria

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kovacheva ◽  
M Simeonova ◽  
A Velkova
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Secular Trend ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Genetic Causes ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Regional Population

Trends and Causes of Congenital Anomalies in the Pleven Region, BulgariaWe describe the secular trend, pattern and causes of congenital anomalies (CAs) in the Pleven region, Bulgaria. The source of the data was the regional population-based registry of CAs using criteria according to EUROCAT recommendations. During the period 1988-2006, 47,622 births were surveyed. A total of 1,225 cases of CAs were ascertained, giving a total prevalence of 25.72 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 24.3 to 27.15 per 1,000 births. There was a significant increase in total prevalence from 17.76 per 1,000 births in 1988 to 29.40 in 2006 (χ2 test for trend = 5.03;p= 0.025). Congenital heart disease (4.3 per 1,000 registered births), nervous system anomalies (3.3 per 1,000 births), limb defects (2.5 per 1,000 births) and neural tube defects (2.0 per 1,000 births) demonstrated the highest prevalence. There was a significant upward trend in the prevalence of some specific anomalies: digestive system, tumors, gastroschisis and non syndromal dysmorphologic conditions. Genetic causes were identified in approximately 62% of all cases with CAs (chromosomal 8%, single gene defects 14%, multifactorial 40%). The secular trend and particular pattern of CAs in the Pleven region require some potential underlying contributing factors to be considered: case ascertainment and diagnostic methods, and some environmental factors. These data draw attention to the need of further regional epidemiological studies. The high proportion of genetic causes emphasize the role of genetic services as an integral part of preventive medical care.

scholarly journals Methodological, political and legal issues in the assessment of the effects of nanotechnology on human health

2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Guseva Canu ◽  
Paul A Schulte ◽  
Michael Riediker ◽  
Liliya Fatkhutdinova ◽  
Enrico Bergamaschi
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) raise questions among the scientific community and public health authorities about their potential risks to human health. Studying a prospective cohort of workers exposed to ENMs would be considered the gold standard for identifying potential health effects of nanotechnology and confirming the ‘no effect’ levels derived from cellular and animal models. However, because only small, cross-sectional studies have been conducted in the past 5 years, questions remain about the health risks of ENMs. This essay addresses the scientific, methodological, political and regulatory issues that make epidemiological research in nanotechnology-exposed communities particularly complex. Scientific challenges include the array of physicochemical parameters and ENM production conditions, the lack of universally accepted definitions of ENMs and nanotechnology workers, and the lack of information about modes of action, target organs and likely dose–response functions of ENMs. Standardisation of data collection and harmonisation of research protocols are needed to eliminate misclassification of exposures and health effects. Forming ENM worker cohorts from a combination of smaller cohorts and overcoming selection bias are also challenges. National or international registries for monitoring the exposures and health of ENM workers would be helpful for epidemiological studies, but the creation of such a registry and ENM worker cohorts will require political support and dedicated funding at the national and international levels. Public authorities and health agencies should consider carrying out an ENM awareness campaign to educate and engage all stakeholders and concerned communities in discussion of such a project.

Child Pedestrian Casualties as a Public Health Problem

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. J. Havard
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Pedestrian Accidents ◽  
Available Information ◽  
And Control

The importance to public health authorities of the mortality and morbidity from child pedestrian accidents is reviewed and attention is drawn to the inadequate state of the available information on morbidity from such accidents. The need to improve the existing statistics is emphasized and the contribution which can be made by epidemiological studies is discussed in the light of the available evidence concerning the human and environmental factors influencing the risk of mortality and morbidity from such accidents. Attention is drawn to the need for public health authorities to become more actively involved in the prevention and control of child pedestrian accidents. The importance of countermeasures being based on proven epidemiological studies is emphasized and it is suggested that countermeasures should be subjected to the same degree of preparation and evaluation as is accorded by public health authorities to other high-risk groups in the population.

scholarly journals Hydatidosis cases in one of Mar del Plata City hospitals, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 635-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Cecilia Dopchiz ◽  
María Celina Elissondo ◽  
María Alejandra Rossin ◽  
Guillermo Denegri
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Buenos Aires ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Buenos Aires Province ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Clinical Records

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution produced mainly by the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. In Argentina, its distribution reaches endemic levels. The aims of this investigation were to contribute to the knowledge of hydatidosis in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, study its evolution at the Interzonal General Hospital for Acute Diseases between 1992 and 2002 and discuss its importance. Clinical records of operated and/or diagnosed patients were reviewed with regard to this disease. One hundred and twenty cases were analyzed. Among the patients, 56.7% were women. The average age was 42.2+16.8 years. 68.3% lived in urban areas. In 75% of the cases, ultrasonography was used. Hepatic location was most frequently seen. 89.2% received surgical treatment. Albendazole was used for 19 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 16 days. We conclude that this zoonosis is a disease that generates high costs in medical care and for this reason more epidemiological studies should be carried out and public health authorities should implement control and prevention strategies in the region.

Cryptosporidiosis and hotel swimming pools - a multifaceted challenge

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.Y. Cartwright ◽  
J.S. Colbourne
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Sand Filters ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pool Water ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
The Media ◽  
Swimming Pool Water ◽  
Initial Source

An outbreak of cryptosporidium infection affected at least 172 British tourists who had stayed at a family hotel in a Mediterranean resort. Recognition of the outbreak came from non-official sources. In the absence of any meaningful investigations by the public health authorities of both the countries, a tour operator undertook an investigation. The epidemiological studies were restricted but it was concluded that the outbreak was associated with contaminated swimming pool water at the hotel. The initial source of contamination was most probably a hotel guest who was excreting cryptosporidium oocysts. Examination of the water treatment system revealed some deficiencies in the sand filters but the effect on the course of the outbreak could not be determined. Although the media in the filters was thoroughly cleaned and the filters refreshed, oocysts could still be detected in pool water and further cases occurred. The challenges of an outbreak involving more than one country and the measures necessary to reduce the risks of cryptosporidium infections associated with hotel swimming pools are discussed.

scholarly journals Users’ Beliefs Toward Physical Distancing in Facebook Pages of Public Health Authorities During COVID-19 Pandemic in Early 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812110144
Author(s):  
Soon Guan Tan ◽  
Aravind Sesagiri Raamkumar ◽  
Hwee Lin Wee
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Belief Model ◽  
United States Public Health ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Health Belief Model

This study aims to describe Facebook users’ beliefs toward physical distancing measures implemented during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic using the key constructs of the health belief model. A combination of rule-based filtering and manual classification methods was used to classify user comments on COVID-19 Facebook posts of three public health authorities: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States, Public Health England, and Ministry of Health, Singapore. A total of 104,304 comments were analyzed for posts published between 1 January, 2020, and 31 March, 2020, along with COVID-19 cases and deaths count data from the three countries. Findings indicate that the perceived benefits of physical distancing measures ( n = 3,463; 3.3%) was three times higher than perceived barriers ( n = 1,062; 1.0%). Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 ( n = 2,934; 2.8%) was higher compared with perceived severity ( n = 2,081; 2.0%). Although susceptibility aspects of physical distancing were discussed more often at the start of the year, mentions on the benefits of intervention emerged stronger toward the end of the analysis period, highlighting the shift in beliefs. The health belief model is useful for understanding Facebook users’ beliefs at a basic level, and it provides a scope for further improvement.

scholarly journals Fueling the Covid-19 pandemic: summer school holidays and incidence rates in German districts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Plümper ◽  
Eric Neumayer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Summer School ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Robert Koch Institute ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Holiday Period ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities

AbstractBackgroundThe Robert-Koch-Institute reports that during the summer holiday period a foreign country is stated as the most likely place of infection for an average of 27 and a maximum of 49% of new SARS-CoV-2 infections in Germany.MethodsCross-sectional study on observational data. In Germany, summer school holidays are coordinated between states and spread out over 13 weeks. Employing a dynamic model with district fixed effects, we analyze the association between these holidays and weekly incidence rates across 401 German districts.ResultsWe find effects of the holiday period of around 45% of the average district incidence rates in Germany during their respective final week of holidays and the 2 weeks after holidays end. Western states tend to experience stronger effects than Eastern states. We also find statistically significant interaction effects of school holidays with per capita taxable income and the share of foreign residents in a district’s population.ConclusionsOur results suggest that changed behavior during the holiday season accelerated the pandemic and made it considerably more difficult for public health authorities to contain the spread of the virus by means of contact tracing. Germany’s public health authorities did not prepare adequately for this acceleration.

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