scholarly journals Awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo ◽  
Sara J. Burgos-Muñoz ◽  
Luz M. Vargas-Tineo ◽  
Jhosuny Perez-Fernandez ◽  
Otto W. Vargas-Tineo ◽  
...  

Background Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem. Objective To describe the awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pimentel beach, Peru. The “Beach Questionnaire” was used and we surveyed all the beachgoers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from March 5 to March 19. For the statistical analysis, sun exposure habits, sunburns history, knowledge, attitudes and practices were crossed with sex using the chi2 test. Results We surveyed 410 beachgoers, the most frequent phototype was type III (40.5%). Only the 13.66% of the respondents correctly answered the seven knowledge questions related to sun exposure and skin cancer. Men more frequently agreed that “when they are tanned their clothes looks nicer” (p = 0.048). Likewise, regarding the questions “Sunbathing is relaxing” and “Sunbathing improves my mood”, men agreed or totally agreed with more frequency than women (63.64% vs. 46.15%, p < 0.001; and 61.36% vs 49.15%, p = 0.014, respectively). Regarding sun protection practices, women more frequently used sunshade (p = 0.001) and sunscreen (SPF ≥ 15) (p < 0.001) when compared to the male group. Conclusion Sun exposure is a potentially preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, awareness of the risks of UVR overexposure and adequate sun-protective behaviors and attitudes are essential. Our results, however, are not as favorable as expected. Public health efforts should encourage sun-safety precautions and intervention campaigns should be carried out in recreational settings, such as the beaches.

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
V Kattel ◽  
R Rizal ◽  
D Katwal ◽  
S Subedi ◽  
G Kattel ◽  
...  

Background : TB is a major public health problem. Though Investigation and chemotherapy is free of cost we are still facing poor compliance and severe degree of disease among the poorly treated ones. We have tried to explore into reasons behind it. Methodology : It was a retrospective cross- sectional study done at Biratnagar Sub-metro Politian City. Result : People accept DOTS. They visit as early as they are referred but are diagnosed lately. They have multiple reasons to quit the treatment before completion. Conclusion : We found that early diagnosis and proper counselling about the need of prolonged regime of treatment and its side effects are important factors in preventing transmission and poor compliance. Keywords: TB; DOTS; HIV; BPKIHS; cases; defaulters     DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v7i1.3957SAARC J. TUBER. LUNG DIS. HIV/AIDS 2010 VII(1) 13-18


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney Malama ◽  
Tone Bjordal Johansen ◽  
John Bwalya Muma ◽  
Musso Munyeme ◽  
Grace Mbulo ◽  
...  

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Zambia. While human to human transmission ofMycobacterium tuberculosisis of major importance in driving the tuberculosis epidemic, the impact ofMycobacterium bovistransmission from infected cattle is largely unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed at molecular characterization ofM. bovisin humans and cattle. A total of 100 human sputum samples and 67 bovine tissues were collected and analyzed for the presence of mycobacteria. Of 65 human samples that harbored acid fast bacteria (AFB), 55 isolates were obtained of which 34 were identified asM. tuberculosisand 2 asM. bovis. AFB-positive bovine samples (n=67) yielded 47 mycobacterial isolates among which 25 were identified asM. bovisand noM. tuberculosiswas found. Among theM. bovisisolates, spoligotyping revealed a high homogeneity in genotypes circulating in Namwala district. Human and cattle isolates shared identical MIRU-VNTR genotypes, suggesting that transmission between the two hosts may occur. Therefore, this study has documented zoonotic TB in human patients in Namwala district of Zambia. However, further molecular epidemiological studies in the study area are recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis Jomaa ◽  
Farah Naja ◽  
Samer Kharroubi ◽  
Nahla Hwalla

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Gabriel Polanco-Rodríguez ◽  
Hugo A. Ruiz-Piña ◽  
Fernando I. Puerto-Manzano

Introducción: La Investigación Participativa (IP) es una herramienta que puede abordarse para el análisis de procesos socioculturales, medioambientales, y de salud pública. La participación de niños en edad escolar en la apropiación del conocimiento para la prevención de la Enfermedad de Chagas (EC) puede romper su ciclo de transmisión. La EC es un problema de salud pública que afecta principalmente a comunidades rurales endémicas de países en desarrollo. Objetivo: Desarrollar una estrategia para la adquisición y transferencia de nuevos conocimientos en niños, debido en la falta de información acerca del ciclo de transmisión de la Enfermedad de Chagas. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional de corte transversal, realizado con un grupo de 48 niños de una comunidad en pobreza extrema en Yucatán, México. Mediante herramientas de IP y con el apoyo de padres de familia, autoridades ejidales y escolares, se impartieron talleres educativos a niños en la escuela de educación básica para conocer el ciclo de transmisión, y prevenir la EC debido a la abundancia del vector en el área de estudio. Se implementó un programa denominado “Pequeños Investigadores”, para iniciar procesos de apropiación y socialización del conocimiento en la comunidad. Resultados: El nuevo conocimiento adquirido por el grupo de niños fue aprovechado y diseminado a sus familias, compañeros de escuela, y círculos sociales, fomentando la prevención de la enfermedad. Fueron recolectados 182 triatomas a nivel domiciliar y peri domiciliar. Conclusiones: Los nuevos conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas adquiridos por los niños bajo esquemas de participación, resulta benéfico para la prevención de la EC. Se recomienda al sector oficial la participación en la promoción de la salud en niños bajo el esquema del presente estudio en países en desarrollo. Keywords: Enfermedad de Chagas, niños, promoción de la salud, investigación participativa ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Participatory Research (PR) is a tool that can be approached for the analysis of sociocultural, environmental, and public health processes. The participation of school-age childrens in the appropriation of knowledge for the prevention of Chagas' Disease (CD) can break the cycle of transmission. CD is a public health problem that mainly affects rural endemic communities of developing countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a group of 48 childrens from a community in extreme poverty in Yucatan, Mexico. Through PR tools and with the support of parents, ejidal and school authorities, educational workshops were given to children of the basic education to know the cycle of transmission, and to prevent CD due to the abundance of the vector in the study area. A program called "Small Investigators" was implemented to initiate processes of appropriation and socialization of knowledge in the community. RESULTS: The new knowledge acquired by the group of children was used and disseminated to their families, partners, and social circles, promoting the prevention of the disease. 182 triatomas were collected at home and peri domicile. CONCLUSIONS: The new knowledge, attitudes and practices acquired by children under participation schemes is beneficial for the prevention of the Chagas Disease. The official sector is recommended to design the promotion health programs in children under the scheme of the present study in developing countries. Keywords: Chagas Disease, childs, promotion health, participatory research


Author(s):  
Trisakti Halimah Delimasari ◽  
◽  
Vitri Widyaningsih ◽  

ABSTRACT Background: Stroke is a major public health problem, affecting millions of people in both developed and developing countries. In Indonesia stroke prevalence in 2013 rose from 7% to 10.9%.The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with stroke using the Indonesian family live survey 5 (IFLS-5) year 2015. Subjects and Method: This was a cross sectional study. A sample of 34,250 study subject aged ≥18 years old was selected for this study. The dependent variable was stroke. The independent variables were age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, cholesterol level, and diabetes mellitus. The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: The risk of stroke increased with age ≥40 years old (OR= 5.09; 95%CI= 3.13 to 8.26; p= 0.001), male (OR= 1.86; 95%CI= 1.36 to 2.52; p= 0.001), hypertension (OR= 8.71; 95%CI= 6.09 to 12,46; p= 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR= 1.89; 95%CI= 1.22 to 2.95; p= 0.004), and cholesterol level (OR= 3.42; 95%CI= 2.35 to 4.99; p= 0.001). The risk of stroke decreased with normal BMI (OR= 0.75; 95%CI= 0.58 to 0.96; p= 0.026). Conclusion: The risk of stroke increases with age ≥40 years old, male, hypertension, cholesterol level, and diabetes mellitus. The risk of stroke decreases with normal BMI. Keywords: stroke, Indonesian family life survey 5 Correspondence: Trisakti Halimah Delimasari. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: [email protected]. Mobile:+6285293994629. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.01.34


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 406-410
Author(s):  
Sunil Arya ◽  
Sehrish Gazal ◽  
Anil K. Raina

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of three villages of Doda district, J&K. A total of 391 individuals (202 males and 189 females) were examined from 60 households by house to house survey for recording the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis by using Dean’s Index (1942) along with WHO health assessment form (1997b) and Community fluorosis Index. Of the total studied population 299 (76.47%) have found to be affected with various grades of dental fluorosis with moderate (33.5%) level of fluorosis to be the most frequent category observed. Prevalence of dental fluorosis was more in males (86.61%) than females (63.49%). No significant relation (P>0.05) between prevalence of dental fluorosis to the socioeconomic status was found. Community fluorosis Index was found to be 2.05 which denotes “marked” category of public health significance. High prevalence and high community fluorosis Index suggest that fluorosis is a major public health problem in the area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getu Abeje Negatu ◽  
Getaneh Alemu Abebe ◽  
Woyneshet Gelaye Yalew

Abstract BackgroundMalaria is a major public health problem which still results in illness and death. Despite efforts to reduce the mortality and morbidity of malaria, the disease is still a prominent health problem in Ethiopia. This study, therefore, was undertaken to assess the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among symptomatic patients in northwest Ethiopia.MethodA facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2020 among 210 febrile patients attending at Hamusite health center, northwest Ethiopia. Thin and thick blood films were prepared from blood collected by finger puncture and from capillary blood buffy coat. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultsOut of 210 malaria suspected participants, 61 (29.0%) were confirmed to be infected by Plasmodium species. Plasmodium falciparum mono-infection was detected in 41 (19.5%) participants while P.vivax mono-infection and mixed infections were detected in 10 (4.3%) participants each. Female participant and those having family members with history of malaria were at higher risk of acquiring Plasmodium infectionConclusionThe present study revealed that malaria continued to be the major public health problem in the study area. Therefore, community mobilization should be strengthening in order to improve implementation of malaria control activities.


Author(s):  
Desirée Mena-Tudela ◽  
Susana Iglesias-Casás ◽  
Víctor Manuel González-Chordá ◽  
María Jesús Valero-Chillerón ◽  
Laura Andreu-Pejó ◽  
...  

Background: Obstetric violence is a worldwide public health problem, which seems greater in Spain. As no studies were found that identify the most representative healthcare professionals, times, and areas involved in obstetric violence, the objective of this work was to study at what time of maternity, with which professionals, and in what areas women identified obstetric violence. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was performed from January 2018 to June 2019. The main variables were the area (hospital, primary care, both), the time (pregnancy, birth, puerperium), and the professionals attending to women. Results: Our sample comprised 17,541 participants. The area identified with the most obstetric violence for the different studied variables was hospitals. Women identified more obstetric violence at time of birth. Findings such as lack of information and informed consent (74.2%), and criticism of infantile behavior and treatment (87.6%), stood out. The main identified healthcare professionals were midwives and gynecologists, and “other” professionals repeatedly appeared. Conclusions: Having identified the professionals, times, and areas of most obstetric violence in Spain, it seems necessary to reflect on not only the Spanish National Health System’s structure and management but also on healthcare professionals’ training.


Author(s):  
Chutima Rattanawan ◽  
Suraiya Cheloh ◽  
Asma Maimahad ◽  
Malatee Tayeh

Anemia is a global public health problem. The prevalence of anemia among different ages, genders or ethnic groups must be clarified in order to solve problems. This study proposed to determine the prevalence and factors related to anemia among the Muslim school-age population in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from 200 school-age subjects. The thalassemia screening was performed with KKU-OF and KKU-DCIP reagents. The prevalence of anemia in this study was 36.5%, divided into males and females, 33.3% and 39.1%, respectively. The means of Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC in the anemic group were significantly lower. The positive results for KKU-OF or KKU-DCIP or both were 15.0%, 2.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. The result of positive OF test was a significantly independent factor for anemia. The number of family members was 5 to 7 and more than 7 persons are related factors for anemia in this study. In summary, the contribution of thalassemia and socio-economic factor are associated factors to anemia in this population. These findings should be addressed in public health strategies for the control of anemia of school-aged Muslims in the region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Mohsen Aly ◽  
Marwa Aly Elchaghaby

Abstract Background The use of antibiotics in dentistry as prophylaxis and treatment is frequent. Their misuse has led to a major public health problem globally known as antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the pattern of antibiotic prescription and its prophylactic use for systemic conditions. Besides, this study evaluated the awareness and adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines and antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines along with awareness of antibiotic resistance across pediatric and general dentists. Methods An overall of 378 pediatric and general dentists meeting the required eligibility criteria, fulfilled a pre-designed validated questionnaire. Data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results A significant statistical difference was found among the pediatric and general dentists regarding antibiotics prescription for most of the oral conditions where Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic among the two groups (53% pediatric dentist and 52% general dentist). The majority of pediatric and general dentists, on the other hand, were aware of antibiotic resistance and prescribing recommendations. Conclusions The present study showed a tendency to overprescribe and overuse antibiotics in certain dental conditions among the participants. The vast majority of dentists, especially general dentists do not have adherence to professional guidelines for antibiotics prescription in children despite their awareness of antibiotic resistance and prescription guidelines.


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