International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

12 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Text Messaging: An Intervention to Increase Physical Activity among African American Participants in a Faith-Based, Competitive Weight Loss Program

by Pamela McCoy^1,*, Sophia Leggett¹, Azad Bhuiyan¹, David Brown²

, Patricia Frye¹ and Bryman Williams³

¹ School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

² College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA

³ College of Liberal Arts, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040326 - 29 Mar 2017

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 7339

Abstract

African American adults are less likely to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity than Caucasian adults. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a text message intervention would increase physical activity in this population. This pilot [...] Read more.

African American adults are less likely to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity than Caucasian adults. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a text message intervention would increase physical activity in this population. This pilot study used a pre-/post-questionnaire non-randomized design. Participants in a faith-based weight loss competition who agreed to participate in the text messaging were assigned to the intervention group (n = 52). Participants who declined to participate in the intervention, but agreed to participate in the study, were assigned to the control group (n = 30). The text messages provided strategies for increasing physical activity and were based on constructs of the Health Belief Model and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model. Chi square tests determined the intervention group participants increased exercise time by approximately eight percent (p = 0.03), while the control group’s exercise time remained constant. The intervention group increased walking and running. The control group increased running. Most participants indicated that the health text messages were effective. The results of this pilot study suggest that text messaging may be an effective method for providing options for motivating individuals to increase physical activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

18 pages, 639 KiB

Open AccessReview

Perceptions and Experiences with Flavored Non-Menthol Tobacco Products: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

by Sarah D. Kowitt^1,2,*, Clare Meernik³, Hannah M. Baker², Amira Osman², Li-Ling Huang² and Adam O. Goldstein^2,3

¹ Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

² Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA

³ Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 590 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040338 - 23 Mar 2017

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 8853

Abstract

Although a few countries have banned flavored cigarettes (except menthol), flavors in most tobacco products remain unregulated across the globe. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies examining perceptions of and experiences with flavored non-menthol tobacco products. Of 20 studies on flavored [...] Read more.

Although a few countries have banned flavored cigarettes (except menthol), flavors in most tobacco products remain unregulated across the globe. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies examining perceptions of and experiences with flavored non-menthol tobacco products. Of 20 studies on flavored tobacco products included in our qualitative systematic review, 10 examined hookah, six examined e-cigarettes, two examined little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs), and three examined other tobacco products, including cigarettes. The majority of studies, regardless of product type, reported positive perceptions of flavored tobacco products, particularly among young adults and adolescents. In six studies that assessed perceptions of harm (including hookah, LCCs, and other flavored tobacco products), participants believed flavored tobacco products to be less harmful than cigarettes. In studies that examined the role of flavors in experimentation and/or initiation (including three studies on e-cigarettes, one hookah study and one LCC study), participants mentioned flavors as specifically leading to their experimentation and/or initiation of flavored tobacco products. Given that many countries have not yet banned flavors in tobacco products, these findings add to existing research on why individuals use flavored tobacco products and how they perceive harm in flavored tobacco products, providing further support for banning non-menthol flavors in most tobacco products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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15 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Psychosocial Correlates of the Intention to Use Condoms among Young Men in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

by Thabang Manyaapelo^1,*

, Anam Nyembezi², Robert A. C. Ruiter³, Bart Van den Borne⁴, Sibusiso Sifunda⁵ and Priscilla Reddy²

¹ Human Sciences Research Council, Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

² Human Sciences Research Council, Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation, Private Bag X9182, Cape Town 8000, South Africa

³ Department of Work & Social Psychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands

⁴ Department of Health Education & Health Promotion, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands

⁵ Human Sciences Research Council, HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040339 - 23 Mar 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4742

Abstract

South Africa leads the world with the number of people infected with HIV. Even with all attempts that have been made to curb HIV, it is still evident that new infections are on the rise. Condom use remains one of the best tools [...] Read more.

South Africa leads the world with the number of people infected with HIV. Even with all attempts that have been made to curb HIV, it is still evident that new infections are on the rise. Condom use remains one of the best tools against this challenge yet a small number of sexually active men use them. This study investigates the psychosocial correlates of the intention to use condoms among young men in KwaZulu-Natal province. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a framework, hierarchical linear regression models were used to determine the unique contribution of the study measures in explaining the overall variance of intention to consistently use condoms. Subjective norms and perceived behavioural control towards consistent condom use explained 46% of the variance in the intention to use a condom, suggesting that health behaviour interventions should focus on targeting the normative beliefs as well as control beliefs of the target population. Furthermore, subjective norms and intentions towards reducing alcohol and marijuana use explained an additional 7% to the final model in intentions to condom use, implying that substance use and condom usage may influence each other. No significant contributions were found for beliefs underlying cultural aspects of responsible manhood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Determinants of HIV, Substance Abuse and Addiction)

15 pages, 314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pesticide Knowledge and Safety Practices among Farm Workers in Kuwait: Results of a Survey

by Mustapha F.A. Jallow^*, Dawood G. Awadh, Mohammed S. Albaho, Vimala Y. Devi and Binson M. Thomas

Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040340 - 24 Mar 2017

Cited by 217 | Viewed by 14588

Abstract

The unsafe and indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture represents a major hazard to the environment and human health. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude and practices of Kuwaiti farmers regarding the safe use of pesticides. [...] Read more.

The unsafe and indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture represents a major hazard to the environment and human health. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude and practices of Kuwaiti farmers regarding the safe use of pesticides. A total of 250 farmers participated in this study through in-depth interviews and observations on-farm. The majority of the farmers acknowledged that pesticides were harmful to their health (71%) and the environment (65%). However, farmers’ level of knowledge of pesticide safety is insufficient. Over 70% of the farmers did not read or follow pesticide label instructions, and 58% did not use any personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling pesticides. Educated farmers were significantly more likely to use PPE compared with famers with limited formal education (χ² = 9.89, p < 0.05). Storage of pesticides within living areas was reported by 20% of farmers. When disposing of pesticide wastes, respondents adopted unsafe practices such as discarding, incinerating, or burying empty pesticide containers on-farm, or reusing the containers. Farmers also reported disposing leftover pesticide solution or old pesticide stocks on-farm or in the sewer. A significant number (82%) of the farmers reported at least one symptom of acute pesticide poisoning. Although farmers’ knowledge of pesticide hazards was high, the reported safety measures were poor. Comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the health and environmental risks of pesticides are needed, including pesticide safety training programs for farmers, stringent enforcement of pesticide laws, and promoting integrated pest management and non-synthetic methods of pest control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

8 pages, 306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of the Accumulation of Toxic and Essential Ultra-Trace Elements in Fruits of Sorbus domestica L.

by Michaela Zeiner^1,*

, Iva Juranović Cindrić², Boris Majić^2,3 and Gerhard Stingeder¹

¹ Division of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, BOKU, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria

² Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, Zagreb 10000, Croatia

³ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, Zagreb 10000, Croatia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040341 - 24 Mar 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4418

Abstract

In the present work, the accumulation of selected toxic and essential ultra-trace elements in fruits of service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) were determined depending on harvest time. Samples were collected from the same sampling area in two different years and within one [...] Read more.

In the present work, the accumulation of selected toxic and essential ultra-trace elements in fruits of service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) were determined depending on harvest time. Samples were collected from the same sampling area in two different years and within one year in September and October (maturity state). Harvesting the fruits in the same area excludes the influence of metals taken up via roots, thus the impact of airborne contamination by heavy metal translocation can be studied. All samples were dried and digested using an acidic microwave assisted digestion system prior to quantification by inductively coupled plasma—sector field mass spectrometry (ICP–SFMS). The elements chosen were Arsenic and Cadmium as well as Lithium, Molybdenum, and Selenium. The Arsenic content rose with maturity in mesocarp. Cadmium found in the mesocarp was unaffected by ripeness. For Selenium and Molybdenum, no statistically significant effect of ripeness could be found on their content in mesocarp. Lithium could not be detected in the majority of fruit samples. Differences between the metal concentrations based on the year of harvest were found for Arsenic, Molybdenum, and Selenium, depending on precipitation. The drier the season, the more Arsenic was accumulated. For Molybdenum and Selenium, the opposite effect was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals: Environmental and Human Health)

12 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Slum Upgrading and Health Equity

by Jason Corburn^*

and Alice Sverdlik

Department of City and Regional Planning & School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040342 - 24 Mar 2017

Cited by 87 | Viewed by 17289

Abstract

Informal settlement upgrading is widely recognized for enhancing shelter and promoting economic development, yet its potential to improve health equity is usually overlooked. Almost one in seven people on the planet are expected to reside in urban informal settlements, or slums, by 2030. [...] Read more.

Informal settlement upgrading is widely recognized for enhancing shelter and promoting economic development, yet its potential to improve health equity is usually overlooked. Almost one in seven people on the planet are expected to reside in urban informal settlements, or slums, by 2030. Slum upgrading is the process of delivering place-based environmental and social improvements to the urban poor, including land tenure, housing, infrastructure, employment, health services and political and social inclusion. The processes and products of slum upgrading can address multiple environmental determinants of health. This paper reviewed urban slum upgrading evaluations from cities across Asia, Africa and Latin America and found that few captured the multiple health benefits of upgrading. With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on improving well-being for billions of city-dwellers, slum upgrading should be viewed as a key strategy to promote health, equitable development and reduce climate change vulnerabilities. We conclude with suggestions for how slum upgrading might more explicitly capture its health benefits, such as through the use of health impact assessment (HIA) and adopting an urban health in all policies (HiAP) framework. Urban slum upgrading must be more explicitly designed, implemented and evaluated to capture its multiple global environmental health benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Place and Health Equity)

10 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unintentional Injuries and Violence among Adults in Northern Jordan: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study

by Manal M. Alzghoul^1,*, Mohammed K. Shakhatreh²

and Nihaya Al-sheyab³

¹ School of Nursing, Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B5E1, Canada

² Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan

³ Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040343 - 24 Mar 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4166

Abstract

Injuries (unintentional and intentional) are the main cause of death and disability worldwide, including Jordan. The main purpose of this hospital-based retrospective study was to identify characteristics, causes, and risk factors of unintentional injuries and violence among all adult patients who approached the [...] Read more.

Injuries (unintentional and intentional) are the main cause of death and disability worldwide, including Jordan. The main purpose of this hospital-based retrospective study was to identify characteristics, causes, and risk factors of unintentional injuries and violence among all adult patients who approached the Accidents and Emergency department because of injury in Northern Jordan. Data were collected retrospectively from four major hospitals from January 2008 to January 2013. A total of 2425 Jordanian individuals who accessed and were treated by the four hospitals were included in this study. The findings show that the majority of patients who approached the Accidents and Emergency departments in the four hospitals were males (n = 2044, 87.16%) versus females (n = 301, 12.8%). Violence was the most common reason of injury (70.66%), followed by road traffic crashes (23.21%). The most common anatomical locations of reported injuries were the head (38.74%), followed by abdomen/pelvis and lower back, among males and females (9.93%). Violence had a high significant effect on the site of injuries. Patients who had been injured to the head because of a stab wound or fighting were substantially over-involved in head injuries, with injury rates 3.88 and 7.51 times higher than those who had been injured to the head due to gunshot, respectively. Even patients who had been injured to the head because of assault show much higher involvement in injury risk than non-assault patients (Odds Ratio = 8.46). These findings highlight the need for a large national study to confirm the findings. It also draws attention to the importance of public awareness and to special injury prevention programs that not only focus on saving lives and lessening the number of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, but also to limit the social and economic burden of injury among adults in Northern Jordan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

10 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geographical Correlations between Indoor Radon Concentration and Risks of Lung Cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and Leukemia during 1999–2008 in Korea

by Mina Ha^1,*

, Seung-sik Hwang²

, Sungchan Kang², No-Wook Park³

, Byung-Uck Chang⁴ and Yongjae Kim⁴

¹ Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, 119 Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Chungnam 31116, Korea

² Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea

³ Department of Geoinformatic Engineering, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea

⁴ Department of Natural Radiation Safety, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, 62 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34142, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040344 - 24 Mar 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6045

Abstract

Indoor radon is the second most important risk factor for lung cancer and may also be a risk factor for hematopoietic cancers, particularly in children and adolescents. The present study measured indoor radon concentration nationwide at 5553 points during 1989–2009 and spatially interpolated [...] Read more.

Indoor radon is the second most important risk factor for lung cancer and may also be a risk factor for hematopoietic cancers, particularly in children and adolescents. The present study measured indoor radon concentration nationwide at 5553 points during 1989–2009 and spatially interpolated using lognormal kriging. The incidences of lung cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and leukemia, stratified by sex and five-year age groups in each of the 234 administrative regions in the country during 1999–2008, were obtained from the National Cancer Registry and used to calculate the standardized incidence ratios. After considering regional deprivation index values and smoking rates by sex in each region as confounding variables, the cancer risks were estimated based on Bayesian hierarchical modeling. We found that a 10 Bq/m³ increase in indoor radon concentration was associated with a 1% increase in the incidence of lung cancer in male and a 7% increase in NHL in female children and adolescents in Korea aged less than 20 years. Leukemia was not associated with indoor radon concentration. The increase in NHL risk among young women requires confirmation in future studies, and the radon control program should consider children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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11 pages, 1470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Evidence for Bacterial Determinants Influencing Obesity Development

by Raphael D. Isokpehi^1,*

, Shaneka S. Simmons^2,3, Matilda O. Johnson⁴ and Marinelle Payton³

¹ College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA

² Division of Arts and Sciences, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX 75765, USA

³ Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

⁴ Petrock College of Health Sciences, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040345 - 26 Mar 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6097

Abstract

Obesity is a major global public health problem requiring multifaceted interventional approaches including dietary interventions with probiotic bacteria. High-throughput genome sequencing of microbial communities in the mammalian gastrointestinal system continues to present diverse protein function information to understand the bacterial determinants that influence [...] Read more.

Obesity is a major global public health problem requiring multifaceted interventional approaches including dietary interventions with probiotic bacteria. High-throughput genome sequencing of microbial communities in the mammalian gastrointestinal system continues to present diverse protein function information to understand the bacterial determinants that influence obesity development. The goal of the research reported in this article was to identify biological processes in probiotic bacteria that could influence the mechanisms for the extraction of energy from diet in the human gastrointestinal system. Our research strategy of combining bioinformatics and visual analytics methods was based on the identification of operon gene arrangements in genomes of Lactobacillus species and Akkermansia muciniphila that include at least a gene for a universal stress protein. The two major findings from this research study are related to Lactobacillus plantarum and Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria species which are associated with weight-loss. The first finding is that Lactobacillus plantarum strains have a two-gene operon that encodes a universal stress protein for stress response and the membrane translocator protein (TSPO), known to function in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in humans. The second finding is the presence of a three-gene operon in Akkermansia muciniphila that includes a gene whose human mitochondrial homolog is associated with waist-hip ratio and fat distribution. From a public health perspective, elucidation of the bacterial determinants influencing obesity will help in educating the public on optimal probiotic use for anti-obesity effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eliminating Health Disparities through Multi-Trans-Disciplinary Approaches)

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12 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Harmful Use of Alcohol: A Shadow over Sub-Saharan Africa in Need of Workable Solutions

by Carina Ferreira-Borges^1,*

, Charles D.H. Parry^2,3

and Thomas F. Babor⁴

¹ Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal

² Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa

³ Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7602, South Africa

⁴ Department of Community Medicine and Health Care, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040346 - 27 Mar 2017

Cited by 115 | Viewed by 10957

Abstract

Alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable burden of disease in Africa are expected to rise in the near future, yet. increasing alcohol-related harm receives little attention from policymakers and from the population in general. Even where new legislation is proposed it is rarely enacted into [...] Read more.

Alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable burden of disease in Africa are expected to rise in the near future, yet. increasing alcohol-related harm receives little attention from policymakers and from the population in general. Even where new legislation is proposed it is rarely enacted into law. Being at the center of social and cultural activities in many countries, alcohol’s negative role in society and contribution to countries’ burden of disease are rarely questioned. After the momentum created by the adoption in 2010 of the WHO Global Strategy and the WHO Regional Strategy (for Africa) to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol, and the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, in 2013, little seems to have been done to address the increasing use of alcohol, its associated burden and the new challenges that derive from the growing influence of the alcohol industry in Africa. In this review, we argue that to have a positive impact on the health of African populations, action addressing specific features of alcohol policy in the continent is needed, namely focusing on particularities linked to alcohol availability, like unrecorded and illicit production, outlet licensing, the expansion of formal production, marketing initiatives and taxation policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alcohol and Health)

14 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Economic Cost of Suicide and Non-Fatal Suicide Behavior in the Australian Workforce and the Potential Impact of a Workplace Suicide Prevention Strategy

by Irina Kinchin^1,*

and Christopher M. Doran²

¹ Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Psychology and Public Health Department, Cairns Campus of the CQUniversity, CQUniversity Australia, Cairns 4870, Australia

² Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Psychology and Public Health Department, Brisbane Campus of the CQUniversity, CQUniversity Australia, Brisbane 4000, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040347 - 27 Mar 2017

Cited by 73 | Viewed by 9707

Abstract

Suicide and non-fatal suicide behavior (NFSB) are significant problems faced by most countries. The objective of this research is to quantify the economic cost of suicide and NFSB in the Australian workforce and to examine the potential impact of introducing a workplace suicide [...] Read more.

Suicide and non-fatal suicide behavior (NFSB) are significant problems faced by most countries. The objective of this research is to quantify the economic cost of suicide and NFSB in the Australian workforce and to examine the potential impact of introducing a workplace suicide prevention intervention to reduce this burden. The analysis used the best available suicide data, a well-established costing methodology, and a proven workplace intervention. In 2014, 903 workers died by suicide, 2303 workers harmed themselves resulting in full incapacity, and 11,242 workers harmed themselves resulting in a short absence from work. The present value of the economic cost of suicide and NFSB is estimated at $6.73 billion. Our analysis suggests the economic benefit of implementing a universal workplace strategy would considerably outweigh the cost of the strategy. For every one dollar invested, the benefits would be in excess of $1.50 ($1.11–$3.07), representing a positive economic investment. All variations of the key parameter hold the positive benefit-cost ratio. Rates of suicide and NFSB are far too high in Australia and elsewhere. More needs to be done to reduce this burden. Although workplace strategies are appropriate for those employed, these interventions must be used within a multifaceted approach that reflects the complex nature of self-harming behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Understanding Suicide Risk to Preventing Suicide)

17 pages, 1081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Mixed-Methods Examination of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Overweight and Obese South Asian Men Living in the United Kingdom

by Amir Emadian^* and Janice Thompson

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040348 - 27 Mar 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5400

Abstract

South Asian men living in the UK have higher rates of central obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) compared with their white British counterparts. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) are important risk factors for the development of T2DM. The purpose [...] Read more.

South Asian men living in the UK have higher rates of central obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) compared with their white British counterparts. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) are important risk factors for the development of T2DM. The purpose of this study was to objectively measure PA, ST, and to explore the factors influencing these behaviours in this high-risk population. A mixed-methods cross-sectional research design was employed, including the quantification of PA and ST using the self-report International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-long form and accelerometry in overweight and obese UK South Asian men (n = 54), followed by semi-structured interviews in a purposive sub-sample to explore the factors influencing PA and ST (n = 31). Accelerometer-derived moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and ST were 298.9 ± 186.6 min/week and 551.4 ± 95.0 min/day, respectively. IPAQ-derived MVPA was significantly lower than accelerometer-derived MVPA (p < 0.001). IPAQ-derived ST was significantly higher than accelerometer-derived ST (p < 0.001). Lack of time and family commitments were identified as the main barriers to being more physically active, with group exercise identified as an important facilitator to being more active. A cultural norm of focusing on promoting education over sport participation during childhood was identified as an important factor influencing long-term PA behaviours. Work commitments and predominantly sedentary jobs were identified as the main barriers to reducing ST. Healthcare professionals and researchers need to consider the socio-cultural factors which affect PA engagement in overweight and obese South Asian men living in the UK, to ensure that advice and future interventions are tailored to address the needs of this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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15 pages, 1270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Suicide Prevention in Dutch Regions by Creating Local Suicide Prevention Action Networks (SUPRANET): A Study Protocol

by Renske Gilissen^1,*, Derek De Beurs², Jan Mokkenstorm^1,3,4

, Saskia Mérelle⁵, Gé Donker², Sanne Terpstra¹, Carla Derijck⁶, The SUPRANET (Suicide Prevention Action Network) Research Group⁶ and Gerdien Franx⁶

¹ Department of Research, 113 Suicide Prevention, 1100 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands

² Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands

³ Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁴ Department of Research & Innovation, GGZ inGeest, 1070 BB Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁵ Public Health Service (GGD) Kennemerland, 2015 CK Haarlem, The Netherlands

⁶ Department of Implementation, 113 Suicide Prevention, 1100 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands, c.derijck@113.nl (C.D.)

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040349 - 28 Mar 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7471

Abstract

The European Alliance against Depression (EAAD) program is to be introduced in The Netherlands from 2017 onwards. This program to combat suicide consists of interventions on four levels: (1) increasing the awareness of suicide by local media campaigns; (2) training local gatekeepers, such [...] Read more.

The European Alliance against Depression (EAAD) program is to be introduced in The Netherlands from 2017 onwards. This program to combat suicide consists of interventions on four levels: (1) increasing the awareness of suicide by local media campaigns; (2) training local gatekeepers, such as teachers or police officers; (3) targeting high-risk persons in the community; and (4) training and support of professionals in primary care settings. The implementation starts in seven Dutch pilot regions. Each region is designated as a Suicide Prevention Action NETwork (SUPRANET). This paper describes the SUPRANET program components and the evaluation of its feasibility and impact. The findings will be used to facilitate the national implementation of EAAD in The Netherlands and to add new findings to the existing literature on EAAD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Understanding Suicide Risk to Preventing Suicide)

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16 pages, 939 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Brief Alcohol Interventions Adequately Embedded in UK Primary Care? A Qualitative Study Utilising Normalisation Process Theory

by Amy O’Donnell^*

and Eileen Kaner

Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040350 - 28 Mar 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5440

Abstract

Despite substantial evidence for their effectiveness, the adoption of alcohol screening and brief interventions (ASBI) in routine primary care remains inconsistent. Financial incentive schemes were introduced in England between 2008 and 2015 to encourage their delivery. We used Normalisation Process Theory-informed interviews to [...] Read more.

Despite substantial evidence for their effectiveness, the adoption of alcohol screening and brief interventions (ASBI) in routine primary care remains inconsistent. Financial incentive schemes were introduced in England between 2008 and 2015 to encourage their delivery. We used Normalisation Process Theory-informed interviews to understand the barriers and facilitators experienced by 14 general practitioners (GPs) as they implemented ASBI during this period. We found multiple factors shaped provision. GPs were broadly cognisant and supportive of preventative alcohol interventions (coherence) but this did not necessarily translate into personal investment in their delivery (cognitive participation). This lack of investment shaped how GPs operationalised such “work” in day-to-day practice (collective action), with ASBI mostly delegated to nurses, and GPs reverting to “business as usual” in their management and treatment of problem drinking (reflexive monitoring). We conclude there has been limited progress towards the goal of an effectively embedded preventative alcohol care pathway in English primary care. Future policy should consider screening strategies that prioritise patients with conditions with a recognised link with excessive alcohol consumption, and which promote more efficient identification of the most problematic drinkers. Improved GP training to build skills and awareness of evidence-based ASBI tools could also help embed best practice over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alcohol and Health)

19 pages, 1371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling the Relationship between Safety Climate and Safety Performance in a Developing Construction Industry: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study

by Hafiz Zahoor^1,2,*

, Albert P. C. Chan¹, Wahyudi P. Utama¹

, Ran Gao¹ and Irfan Zafar¹

¹ Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China

² Department of Construction Engineering and Management, National University of Sciences and Technology, Risalpur Campus, Risalpur 24080, Pakistan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040351 - 28 Mar 2017

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 7551

Abstract

This study attempts to validate a safety performance (SP) measurement model in the cross-cultural setting of a developing country. In addition, it highlights the variations in investigating the relationship between safety climate (SC) factors and SP indicators. The data were collected from forty [...] Read more.

This study attempts to validate a safety performance (SP) measurement model in the cross-cultural setting of a developing country. In addition, it highlights the variations in investigating the relationship between safety climate (SC) factors and SP indicators. The data were collected from forty under-construction multi-storey building projects in Pakistan. Based on the results of exploratory factor analysis, a SP measurement model was hypothesized. It was tested and validated by conducting confirmatory factor analysis on calibration and validation sub-samples respectively. The study confirmed the significant positive impact of SC on safety compliance and safety participation, and negative impact on number of self-reported accidents/injuries. However, number of near-misses could not be retained in the final SP model because it attained a lower standardized path coefficient value. Moreover, instead of safety participation, safety compliance established a stronger impact on SP. The study uncovered safety enforcement and promotion as a novel SC factor, whereas safety rules and work practices was identified as the most neglected factor. The study contributed to the body of knowledge by unveiling the deviations in existing dimensions of SC and SP. The refined model is expected to concisely measure the SP in the Pakistani construction industry, however, caution must be exercised while generalizing the study results to other developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effecting a Safe and Healthy Environment in Construction)

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15 pages, 900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pathways to Suicide in Australian Farmers: A Life Chart Analysis

by Lisa Kunde¹, Kairi Kõlves^1,*, Brian Kelly², Prasuna Reddy^3,4 and Diego De Leo¹

¹ Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia

² Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia

³ Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia

⁴ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London SE5 8AF, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040352 - 28 Mar 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 10069

Abstract

Farmers have been found to be at increased risk of suicide in Australia. The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behaviour suggests that the proximal factors leading to the suicidal desire or ideation include an individual’s experiences of both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Suicidal [...] Read more.

Farmers have been found to be at increased risk of suicide in Australia. The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behaviour suggests that the proximal factors leading to the suicidal desire or ideation include an individual’s experiences of both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Suicidal desire with acquired capability to engage in lethal self-injury is predictive of suicidal behaviour. This study investigates the pathways to suicide of 18 Australian male farmers in order to understand the suicidal process and antecedents to suicide in Australian male farmers. The psychological autopsy (PA) method was used to generate life charts. Two pathways with distinct suicidal processes were identified: acute situational (romantic relationship problems and financial concerns/pending retirement) and protracted (long-term psychiatric disorder). Long working hours, interpersonal conflicts, physical illnesses and pain, alcohol abuse, access to firearms, and exposure to drought were additional common factors identified. An understanding of the interrelatedness of diverse distal and proximal risk factors on suicidal pathways in the wider environmental context for male farmers is required when developing and implementing rural suicide prevention activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Understanding Suicide Risk to Preventing Suicide)

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17 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conceptions of Contraceptive Use in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Lessons for Programming

by Catherine Ndinda^1,2,*

, Tidings Ndhlovu^3,4 and Nene Ernest Khalema⁵

¹ Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0083, South Africa

² School of Social Sciences (Sociology), University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal Dalbridge 4041, South Africa

³ Department of Economics and International Business, Faculty of Business and Law, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK

⁴ Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, Midrand Johannesburg 1685, South Africa

⁵ School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal Dalbridge 4041, South Africa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040353 - 28 Mar 2017

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7158

Abstract

Community family planning programmes in South Africa arose from the controversial apartheid history of controlling the African population while encouraging the growth of European migrant population. Post-apartheid population policies shifted away from population control to aligning policies to the global agenda that placed [...] Read more.

Community family planning programmes in South Africa arose from the controversial apartheid history of controlling the African population while encouraging the growth of European migrant population. Post-apartheid population policies shifted away from population control to aligning policies to the global agenda that placed emphasis on the link between population and development. The focus on population and development polices in post-apartheid South Africa is on social equality, justice and peace rather than controlling sections of the population. Given the shift, this paper interrogates the conceptions of contraceptive use among rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal. Our primary objective is to understand the dynamics surrounding access to and use of family planning services in peri-urban and rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Using focus group data, the findings of the study suggest that different social categories interact with the family planning programmes differently. How teenagers and married women perceive the value of family planning differs. Gender differences regarding the use of condoms are also evident. The paper attempts to grapple with the non-use of condoms despite the knowledge that these prevent pregnancy and provide protection from sexually-transmitted diseases. The contribution of this paper lies in its identification of socio-cultural factors and the political economy underlying the different attitudes towards contraceptive use in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

13 pages, 681 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Urinary Concentrations of Insecticide and Herbicide Metabolites among Pregnant Women in Rural Ghana: A Pilot Study

by Blair J. Wylie^1,2,*, Kenneth A. Ae-Ngibise³, Ellen A. Boamah³, Mohammed Mujtaba³

, Carmen Messerlian², Russ Hauser², Brent Coull^2,4, Antonia M. Calafat⁵, Darby Jack⁶, Patrick L. Kinney⁶, Robin Whyatt⁶, Seth Owusu-Agyei³ and Kwaku P. Asante³

¹ Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA

² Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA

³ Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, P.O. Box 200, Brong Ahafo Region, Kintampo 00233, Ghana

⁴ Department of Statistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA

⁵ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA

⁶ Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040354 - 29 Mar 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4559

Abstract

Use of pesticides by households in rural Ghana is common for residential pest control, agricultural use, and for the reduction of vectors carrying disease. However, few data are available about exposure to pesticides among this population. Our objective was to quantify urinary concentrations [...] Read more.

Use of pesticides by households in rural Ghana is common for residential pest control, agricultural use, and for the reduction of vectors carrying disease. However, few data are available about exposure to pesticides among this population. Our objective was to quantify urinary concentrations of metabolites of organophosphate (OP), pyrethroid, and select herbicides during pregnancy, and to explore exposure determinants. In 2014, 17 pregnant women from rural Ghana were surveyed about household pesticide use and provided weekly first morning urine voids during three visits (n = 51 samples). A total of 90.1% (46/51) of samples had detectable OP metabolites [geometric mean, GM (95% CI): 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol 0.54 µg/L (0.36–0.81), para-nitrophenol 0.71 µg/L (0.51–1.00)], 75.5% (37/49) had detectable pyrethroid metabolites [GM: 3-phenoxybenzoic acid 0.23 µg/L (0.17, 0.32)], and 70.5% (36/51) had detectable 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid levels, a herbicide [GM: 0.46 µg/L (0.29–0.73)]. Concentrations of para-nitrophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in Ghanaian pregnant women appear higher when compared to nonpregnant reproductive-aged women in a reference U.S. population. Larger studies are necessary to more fully explore predictors of exposure in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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11 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Incidence of Breast, Prostate, Testicular, and Thyroid Cancer in Italian Contaminated Sites with Presence of Substances with Endocrine Disrupting Properties

by Marta Benedetti^*

, Amerigo Zona

, Eleonora Beccaloni, Mario Carere and Pietro Comba

Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040355 - 29 Mar 2017

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5580

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of breast (females), prostate, testicular, and thyroid cancer in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs), served by cancer registries, where the presence of endocrine disruptors (EDs), reported to be linked to [...] Read more.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of breast (females), prostate, testicular, and thyroid cancer in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs), served by cancer registries, where the presence of endocrine disruptors (EDs), reported to be linked to these tumours, was documented. Evidence of carcinogenicity of EDs present in NPCSs was assessed based on evaluation by international scientific institutions and committees. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) were computed for each NPCS and cancer site between 1996 and 2005. Excess incidence of one or more cancer site studied was found in twelve out of fourteen NPCSs. Significantly increased SIRs were found for breast cancer in eight NPCSs, for prostate cancer in six, for thyroid cancer (both gender) in four, and for testicular cancer in two. Non-significantly increased SIRs were found in five NPCSs for testicular cancer and in two for thyroid cancer (males). In a small number of instances a significant deficit was reported, mainly for thyroid and prostate cancer. Although increased incidence of one or more cancer sites studied were found in several NPCSs, the ecological study design and the multifactorial aetiology of the considered tumours do not permit concluding causal links with environmental contamination. Regarding the observation of some excesses in SIRs, continuing epidemiological surveillance is warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

10 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Demand and Signing of General Practitioner Contract Service among the Urban Elderly: A Population-Based Analysis in Zhejiang Province, China

by Yanrong Zhao, Junfen Lin, Yinwei Qiu, Qing Yang, Xinyi Wang, Xiaopeng Shang and Xiaoping Xu^*

Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310051, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040356 - 29 Mar 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4293

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether the urban elderly in the Zhejiang Province of China signed contracts with their general practitioner (GP) based on their health service needs, and to further identify the determinants of their demand and signing decisions. A community-based cross-sectional [...] Read more.

This study aims to examine whether the urban elderly in the Zhejiang Province of China signed contracts with their general practitioner (GP) based on their health service needs, and to further identify the determinants of their demand and signing decisions. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 community health service (CHS) institutions in Zhejiang Province, China. The urban elderly over 60 years of age were enrolled when visiting the sampled CHS. Baseline characteristics were compared between participants using Chi-Square tests for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify determinants of the GP contract service demand and signing decisions, respectively. Among the 1440 urban elderly, 56.67% had signed contracts with their GP, and 55.35% had a demand of the GP contract service. The influencing factors of demand were a history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.33, 95% CI, 1.05–1.68); urban resident basic medical insurance (URBMI) vs. urban employee basic medical insurance (UEBMI) (OR = 1.96, 95% CI, 1.46–2.61); and middle-income vs. low-income (OR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.50–0.90 for RMB 1001–3000; OR = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.39–0.90 for RMB 3001–5000). Having a demand for the GP contract service was the strongest determinant of signing decisions (OR = 13.20, 95% CI, 10.09–17.27). Other factors also contributed to these decisions, including gender, caregiver, and income. The urban elderly who had signed contracts with GPs were mainly based on their health care needs. Elderly people with a history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, as well as those with URBMI, were found to have stronger needs of a GP contract service. It is believed that the high-income elderly should be given equal priority to those of low-income. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The International Healthcare Industry Supply in a Changing Global Demand)

10 pages, 737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heat Wave Vulnerability Mapping for India

by Gulrez Azhar^1,2,*, Shubhayu Saha³, Partha Ganguly^4,5, Dileep Mavalankar^4,5 and Jaime Madrigano¹

¹ The RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

² Pardee RAND Graduate School, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

³ Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

⁴ Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382042, India

⁵ Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi 110070, India

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040357 - 30 Mar 2017

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 15802

Abstract

Assessing geographic variability in heat wave vulnerability forms the basis for planning appropriate targeted adaptation strategies. Given several recent deadly heatwaves in India, heat is increasingly being recognized as a public health problem. However, to date there has not been a country-wide assessment [...] Read more.

Assessing geographic variability in heat wave vulnerability forms the basis for planning appropriate targeted adaptation strategies. Given several recent deadly heatwaves in India, heat is increasingly being recognized as a public health problem. However, to date there has not been a country-wide assessment of heat vulnerability in India. We evaluated demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental vulnerability factors and combined district level data from several sources including the most recent census, health reports, and satellite remote sensing data. We then applied principal component analysis (PCA) on 17 normalized variables for each of the 640 districts to create a composite Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) for India. Of the total 640 districts, our analysis identified 10 and 97 districts in the very high and high risk categories (> 2SD and 2-1SD HVI) respectively. Mapping showed that the districts with higher heat vulnerability are located in the central parts of the country. On examination, these are less urbanized and have low rates of literacy, access to water and sanitation, and presence of household amenities. Therefore, we concluded that creating and mapping a heat vulnerability index is a useful first step in protecting the public from the health burden of heat. Future work should incorporate heat exposure and health outcome data to validate the index, as well as examine sub-district levels of vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extreme Weather and Public Health)

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17 pages, 3135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiphysics and Thermal Response Models to Improve Accuracy of Local Temperature Estimation in Rat Cortex under Microwave Exposure

by Sachiko Kodera^1,*

, Jose Gomez-Tames¹, Akimasa Hirata¹

, Hiroshi Masuda², Takuji Arima³ and Soichi Watanabe⁴

¹ Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan

² Department of Environmental Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan

³ Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan

⁴ Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, Applied Electromagnetic Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040358 - 30 Mar 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4576

Abstract

The rapid development of wireless technology has led to widespread concerns regarding adverse human health effects caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields. Temperature elevation in biological bodies is an important factor that can adversely affect health. A thermophysiological model is desired to quantify [...] Read more.

The rapid development of wireless technology has led to widespread concerns regarding adverse human health effects caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields. Temperature elevation in biological bodies is an important factor that can adversely affect health. A thermophysiological model is desired to quantify microwave (MW) induced temperature elevations. In this study, parameters related to thermophysiological responses for MW exposures were estimated using an electromagnetic-thermodynamics simulation technique. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in which parameters related to regional cerebral blood flow in a rat model were extracted at a high degree of accuracy through experimental measurements for localized MW exposure at frequencies exceeding 6 GHz. The findings indicate that the improved modeling parameters yield computed results that match well with the measured quantities during and after exposure in rats. It is expected that the computational model will be helpful in estimating the temperature elevation in the rat brain at multiple observation points (that are difficult to measure simultaneously) and in explaining the physiological changes in the local cortex region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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20 pages, 9138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Associations between Types of Ambient PM_2.5 and Under-Five and Maternal Mortality in Africa

by Patrick Opiyo Owili¹

, Wei-Hung Lien²

, Miriam Adoyo Muga³ and Tang-Huang Lin^2,*

¹ International PhD Program in Environmental Science & Technology (UST), Institute of Environmental & Occupational Health, National Yang Ming University, Taipei City 112, Taiwan

² Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan

³ Institute of Community Health and Development, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kisumu 40100, Kenya

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040359 - 30 Mar 2017

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6765

Abstract

Exploring the effects of different types of PM_2.5 is necessary to reduce associated deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Hence we determined types of ambient PM_2.5 before exploring their effects on under-five and maternal mortality in Africa. The spectral [...] Read more.

Exploring the effects of different types of PM_2.5 is necessary to reduce associated deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Hence we determined types of ambient PM_2.5 before exploring their effects on under-five and maternal mortality in Africa. The spectral derivate of aerosol optical depth (AOD) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products from 2000 to 2015 were employed to determine the aerosol types before using Generalized Linear and Additive Mixed-Effect models with Poisson link function to explore the associations and penalized spline for dose-response relationships. Four types of PM_2.5 were identified in terms of mineral dust, anthropogenic pollutant, biomass burning and mixture aerosols. The results demonstrate that biomass PM_2.5 increased the rate of under-five mortality in Western and Central Africa, each by 2%, and maternal mortality in Central Africa by 19%. Anthropogenic PM_2.5 increased under-five and maternal deaths in Northern Africa by 5% and 10%, respectively, and maternal deaths by 4% in Eastern Africa. Dust PM_2.5 increased under-five deaths in Northern, Western, and Central Africa by 3%, 1%, and 10%, respectively. Mixture PM_2.5 only increased under-five deaths and maternal deaths in Western (incidence rate ratio = 1.01, p < 0.10) and Eastern Africa (incidence rate ratio = 1.06, p < 0.01), respectively. The findings indicate the types of ambient PM_2.5 are significantly associated with under-five and maternal mortality in Africa where the exposure level usually exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards. Appropriate policy actions on protective and control measures are therefore suggested and should be developed and implemented accordingly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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11 pages, 1972 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Severe Pneumonia Caused by Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Successfully Managed with Extracorporeal Life Support in a Comorbid Former Preterm Infant

by Genny Raffaeli¹

, Giacomo Cavallaro^1,*

, Lorenza Pugni¹, Ernesto Leva², Andrea Artoni³, Simona Neri⁴, Chiara Baracetti¹, Mauro Cotza⁵, Valerio Gentilino², Leonardo Terranova⁶, Susanna Esposito^6,7

and Fabio Mosca¹

¹ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via della Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy

² Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via della Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, Italy

³ Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pace 9, 20122 Milan, Italy

⁴ Pediatric Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via della Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy

⁵ ECMO Team, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy

⁶ Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via della Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy

⁷ Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Piazza Menghini 1, 06129 Perugia, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040360 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5669

Abstract

Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is a global health burden, leading to significant pediatric morbidity and mortality. Prematurity, young age and comorbidities are important risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. Preventive strategies, such as healthcare workers and household contacts vaccination as well as the [...] Read more.

Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is a global health burden, leading to significant pediatric morbidity and mortality. Prematurity, young age and comorbidities are important risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. Preventive strategies, such as healthcare workers and household contacts vaccination as well as the implementation of infection control practices during the epidemic season, are crucial to protect the most vulnerable populations. Early diagnosis, timely administration of antiviral drugs and supportive therapy are crucial to lead to a complete recovery. When conventional treatment fails, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may be employed. In neonates and young infants, this high-tech support is burdened by specific technical complexity. Despite the potential risks related to this aggressive approach, ECLS is a life-saving procedure in 65% of pediatric viral pneumonia and in 73% of sepsis cases. Here, we report the successful outcome of a 51-day formerly preterm infant, suffering from a surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), complicated with hospital-acquired pneumonia due to influenza A (H1N1) virus. She developed a severe respiratory failure, unresponsive to conventional therapy, and successfully treated with ECLS. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of ECLS in a formerly preterm infant, suffering from NEC complicated by influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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18 pages, 963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Promise and the Challenge of Technology-Facilitated Methods for Assessing Behavioral and Cognitive Markers of Risk for Suicide among U.S. Army National Guard Personnel

by Brian R. W. Baucom^1,*, Panayiotis Georgiou², Craig J. Bryan^1,3, Eric L. Garland⁴, Feea Leifker¹, Alexis May¹, Alexander Wong¹ and Shrikanth S. Narayanan²

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

² Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA

³ National Center for Veterans Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

⁴ Department of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040361 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5644

Abstract

Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death for Americans in 2015 and rates have been steadily climbing over the last 25 years. Rates are particularly high amongst U.S. military personnel. Suicide prevention efforts in the military are significantly hampered by the lack [...] Read more.

Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death for Americans in 2015 and rates have been steadily climbing over the last 25 years. Rates are particularly high amongst U.S. military personnel. Suicide prevention efforts in the military are significantly hampered by the lack of: (1) assessment tools for measuring baseline risk and (2) methods to detect periods of particularly heightened risk. Two specific barriers to assessing suicide risk in military personnel that call for innovation are: (1) the geographic dispersion of military personnel from healthcare settings, particularly amongst components like the Reserves; and (2) professional and social disincentives to acknowledging psychological distress. The primary aim of this paper is to describe recent technological developments that could contribute to risk assessment tools that are not subject to the limitations mentioned above. More specifically, Behavioral Signal Processing can be used to assess behaviors during interaction and conversation that likely indicate increased risk for suicide, and computer-administered, cognitive performance tasks can be used to assess activation of the suicidal mode. These novel methods can be used remotely and do not require direct disclosure or endorsement of psychological distress, solving two challenges to suicide risk assessment in military and other sensitive settings. We present an introduction to these technologies, describe how they can specifically be applied to assessing behavioral and cognitive risk for suicide, and close with recommendations for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Understanding Suicide Risk to Preventing Suicide)

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9 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proximity to Industrial Food Animal Production and Asthma Exacerbations in Pennsylvania, 2005–2012

by Sara G. Rasmussen¹, Joan A. Casey²

, Karen Bandeen-Roche³ and Brian S. Schwartz^1,4,5,*

¹ Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

² Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

³ Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

⁴ Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA 17822, USA

⁵ Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040362 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5220

Abstract

The research on industrial food animal production (IFAP) and asthma exacerbations in the United States has relied on small sample sizes and/or self-reported outcomes. We assessed associations of proximity to large-scale and densely stocked swine and dairy/veal IFAP with three types of asthma [...] Read more.

The research on industrial food animal production (IFAP) and asthma exacerbations in the United States has relied on small sample sizes and/or self-reported outcomes. We assessed associations of proximity to large-scale and densely stocked swine and dairy/veal IFAP with three types of asthma exacerbations: hospitalizations, emergency encounters, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) medication orders from Geisinger Clinic in Pennsylvania. We used a diagnosis code (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification code 493.x) and medication orders from electronic health records to identify these exacerbations among asthma patients (n = 35,269) from 2005–2012. We compared residential proximity to swine or dairy/veal IFAP (dichotomized as <3 miles (4.8 km) or ≥3 miles) among asthma patients with and without exacerbations and estimated odds ratios using multilevel logistic regression. In adjusted models, proximity to IFAP was associated (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) with OCS orders (1.11 (1.04–1.19)) and hospitalizations (1.29 (1.15–1.46)), but not emergency encounters (1.12 (0.91–1.37)). This study contributes to growing evidence that IFAP may impact health, in this case clinically-documented asthma exacerbations. No prior study has evaluated the association of IFAP and clinically-documented asthma exacerbations in the United States. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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21 pages, 336 KiB

Open AccessEssay

A Risk Assessment Matrix for Public Health Principles: The Case for E-Cigarettes

by Daniela Saitta¹, Azim Chowdhury², Giancarlo Antonio Ferro³, Federico Giuseppe Nalis⁴ and Riccardo Polosa^1,5,*

¹ Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Palermo 636, 95121 Catania, Italy

² Keller and Heckman LLP, 1001 G Street N.W., Suite 500W, Washington, DC 20001, USA

³ Department of Law, University of Catania, Via Gallo 24, 95124 Catania, Italy

⁴ School of Specialization in Occupational Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98122 Messina, Italy

⁵ Centre for Tobacco Cessation and Prevention, Teaching Hospital “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040363 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 13002

Abstract

Besides nicotine replacement therapies, a realistic alternative for smoking cessation or for smoking substitution may come from electronic cigarettes (ECs), whose popularity has been steadily growing. As for any emerging behaviour associated with exposure to inhalational agents, there is legitimate cause for concern [...] Read more.

Besides nicotine replacement therapies, a realistic alternative for smoking cessation or for smoking substitution may come from electronic cigarettes (ECs), whose popularity has been steadily growing. As for any emerging behaviour associated with exposure to inhalational agents, there is legitimate cause for concern and many health organizations and policy makers have pushed for restrictive policy measures ranging from complete bans to tight regulations of these products. Nonetheless, it is important to reframe these concerns in context of the well-known harm caused by cigarette smoking. In this article, we discuss key public health principles that should be considered when regulating ECs. These include the concept of tobacco harm reduction, importance of relative risk and risk continuum, renormalization of smoking, availability of low-risk product, proportionate taxation, and reassessment of the role of non-tobacco flavours. These public health principles may be systematically scrutinized using a risk assessment matrix that allows: (1) to determine the measure of certainty that a risk will occur; and (2) to estimate the impact of such a risk on public health. Consequently, the ultimate goal of responsible ECs regulation should be that of maximizing the favourable impact of these reduced-risk products whilst minimizing further any potential risks. Consumer perspectives, sound EC research, continuous post-marketing surveillance and reasonable safety and quality product standards should be at the very heart of future regulatory schemes that will address concerns while minimizing unintended consequences of ill-informed regulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-Cigarettes: Epidemiology, Policy and Public Health)

10 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individual and Store Characteristics Associated with Brand Choices in Select Food Category Redemptions among WIC Participants in Virginia

by Qi Zhang^1,*, Chuanyi Tang², Patrick W. McLaughlin³ and Leigh Diggs¹

¹ School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

² Department of Marketing, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

³ United States Department of Agriculture—Economic Research Service, Washington, DC 20024, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040364 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4569

Abstract

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) often allows participants to redeem food benefits for various brands at different costs. To aid the program’s food cost containment efforts, it is important to understand the individual and store characteristics associated [...] Read more.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) often allows participants to redeem food benefits for various brands at different costs. To aid the program’s food cost containment efforts, it is important to understand the individual and store characteristics associated with brand choices. This study used the WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) data for 239,062 Virginia WIC participants’ brand choices in infant fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) and whole grain bread in May 2014–February 2015, one of the first such data sets available in the U.S. for research purposes. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyze the choice of higher-priced brands over lower-priced brands. Minority participants were significantly more likely to redeem higher-priced brands of infant F&Vs, but more likely to choose lower-priced brands of bread. Participants shopping in urban stores or midsized stores (with 5–9 registers) were less likely to choose higher-priced brands compared to rural stores or large stores (with 9+ registers). Race/ethnicity and store characteristics may be significant factors in participants’ brand choices. The results can help develop interventions that encourage targeted participants to redeem lower-priced but equivalently healthy brands. This may not only help contain WIC program costs, but help participants manage their own non-WIC food expenses as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Environment, Diet, and Health)

11 pages, 624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Economic Position and Suicidal Ideation in Men

by Jane Pirkis^1,*, Dianne Currier², Peter Butterworth¹, Allison Milner¹, Anne Kavanagh¹, Holly Tibble¹

, Jo Robinson³ and Matthew J. Spittal¹

¹ Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia

² Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia

³ Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040365 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 8588

Abstract

People in low socio-economic positions are over-represented in suicide statistics and are at heightened risk for non-fatal suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Few studies have tried to tease out the relationship between individual-level and area-level socio-economic position, however. We used data from Ten to [...] Read more.

People in low socio-economic positions are over-represented in suicide statistics and are at heightened risk for non-fatal suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Few studies have tried to tease out the relationship between individual-level and area-level socio-economic position, however. We used data from Ten to Men (the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health) to investigate the relationship between individual-level and area-level socio-economic position and suicidal thinking in 12,090 men. We used a measure of unemployment/employment and occupational skill level as our individual-level indicator of socio-economic position. We used the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (a composite multidimensional construct created by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that combines information from a range of area-level variables, including the prevalence of unemployment and employment in low skilled occupations) as our area-level indicator. We assessed suicidal thinking using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We found that even after controlling for common predictors of suicidal thinking; low individual-level and area-level socio-economic position heightened risk. Individual-level socio-economic position appeared to exert the greater influence of the two; however. There is an onus on policy makers and planners from within and outside the mental health sector to take individual- and area-level socio-economic position into account when they are developing strategic initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Understanding Suicide Risk to Preventing Suicide)

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23 pages, 2058 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Proactive Approach for Safe Use of Antimicrobial Coatings in Healthcare Settings: Opinion of the COST Action Network AMiCI

by Merja Ahonen^1,*, Anne Kahru^2,3,*

, Angela Ivask²

, Kaja Kasemets², Siiri Kõljalg⁴, Paride Mantecca⁵

, Ivana Vinković Vrček⁶

, Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola¹ and Francy Crijns⁷

¹ Faculty of Technology, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 211, FI-26101 Rauma, Finland

² Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, Tallinn 12618, Estonia

³ Estonian Academy of Sciences, Kohtu 6, Tallinn 10130, Estonia

⁴ Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia

⁵ Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre POLARIS, University of Milano-Bicocca, 1 Piazza della Scienza, 20126 Milan, Italy

⁶ Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb 10000, Croatia

⁷ Department Bèta Sciences and Technology, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 550, 6400 AN Heerlen, The Netherlands

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040366 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 9559

Abstract

Infections and infectious diseases are considered a major challenge to human health in healthcare units worldwide. This opinion paper was initiated by EU COST Action network AMiCI (AntiMicrobial Coating Innovations) and focuses on scientific information essential for weighing the risks and benefits of [...] Read more.

Infections and infectious diseases are considered a major challenge to human health in healthcare units worldwide. This opinion paper was initiated by EU COST Action network AMiCI (AntiMicrobial Coating Innovations) and focuses on scientific information essential for weighing the risks and benefits of antimicrobial surfaces in healthcare settings. Particular attention is drawn on nanomaterial-based antimicrobial surfaces in frequently-touched areas in healthcare settings and the potential of these nano-enabled coatings to induce (eco)toxicological hazard and antimicrobial resistance. Possibilities to minimize those risks e.g., at the level of safe-by-design are demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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9 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about the Prevention of Mosquito Bites and Zika Virus Disease in Pregnant Women in Greece

by Varvara A. Mouchtouri¹

, Dimitrios Papagiannis¹

, Antonios Katsioulis¹, Georgios Rachiotis¹, Konstantinos Dafopoulos² and Christos Hadjichristodoulou^1,*

¹ Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41222, Greece

² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41222, Greece

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040367 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6848

Abstract

A survey among 573 pregnant women in Greece was conducted through self-completion of a questionnaire in July 2016. Traveling abroad the last six months was declared by 10.5% and 13.0% of pregnant women and their male sex partners, respectively, while 77.4% (441/570) had [...] Read more.

A survey among 573 pregnant women in Greece was conducted through self-completion of a questionnaire in July 2016. Traveling abroad the last six months was declared by 10.5% and 13.0% of pregnant women and their male sex partners, respectively, while 77.4% (441/570) had heard about Zika virus disease (ZVD). A lack of knowledge about sexual transmission of ZVD was identified in 63.3% of pregnant women, and 24.1% of responders did not know the risks to the fetus and baby. Approximately 73% of responders believed that the mosquito bites can affect their fetus and baby and 18% did not take measures to prevent mosquito bites routinely. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that traveling abroad the last six months by pregnant women correlated with correctly answering the question about the transmission of ZVD through bites of infected mosquitoes (Odds Ratio, OR = 10.47, 95% CI = 1.11–98.41). Traveling abroad with a male sex partner over the last six months correlated (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 0.99–4.23) with responding correctly to the four key questions about the transmission of ZVD through mosquito bites, the risk of microcephaly, and the risks of traveling to the affected countries. A score of ≥5 for the nine responses given to questions of knowledge and attitudes was associated with a Bachelor of Science degree (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.09–2.18), antenatal care at a public hospital (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.28–3.98), being a civil servant as occupation (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.10–3.48), and having gotten information about ZVD from the public health sector (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05–3.98). In conclusion, we found considerable knowledge gaps related to ZVD among Greek pregnant women. These study results are useful in targeting pregnant women for the prevention of potential Zika virus infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

12 pages, 2854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Salutary Influence of Forest Bathing on Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

by Genxiang Mao¹, Yongbao Cao¹, Bozhong Wang¹, Sanying Wang¹, Zhuomei Chen², Jirong Wang¹, Wenmin Xing¹, Xiaoxu Ren³, Xiaoling Lv¹, Jianhua Dong³, Shasha Chen¹, Xiuyuan Chen⁴, Guofu Wang^1,* and Jing Yan^1,*

¹ Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China

² Zhejiang Forestry Academy, Hangzhou 310023, China

³ Hangzhou Forestry Academy, Hangzhou 310022, China

⁴ Forestry Bureau of Pan’an County, Jinhua 322300, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040368 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 96 | Viewed by 12465

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that forest bathing would be beneficial for elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) as an adjunctive therapy. Two groups of participants with CHF were simultaneously sent to the forest or [...] Read more.

Abstract: The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that forest bathing would be beneficial for elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) as an adjunctive therapy. Two groups of participants with CHF were simultaneously sent to the forest or an urban control area for a four-day trip, respectively. Subjects exposed to the forest site showed a significant reduction of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in comparison to that of the city group and their own baseline levels. The values for the cardiovascular disease related pathological factors, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), and constituents of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including renin, angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II (ANGII), and ANGII receptor type 1 or 2 (AT1 or AT2) in subjects exposed to the forest environment were lower than those in the urban control group. Obviously, a decreased level of inflammatory cytokines and improved antioxidant function was observed in the forest group rather than in the city group. The assessment of the profile of mood states (POMS) indicated that the negative emotional mood state was alleviated after forest bathing. As anticipated, a better air quality in the forest site was observed according to the detection of PM_2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 μm) and negative ions. These results provided direct evidence that forest bathing has a beneficial effect on CHF patients, and thus may pave the way for potential development of forest bathing as an effective adjunctive therapy on cardiovascular disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscapes and Human Health)

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9 pages, 1219 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Time Trend and Demographic and Geographic Disparities in Childhood Obesity Prevalence in China—Evidence from Twenty Years of Longitudinal Data

by Peng Jia¹

, Hong Xue², Ji Zhang³ and Youfa Wang^2,4,*

¹ Department of Earth Observation Science, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede 7500, The Netherlands

² Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, Systems-Oriented Global Childhood Obesity Intervention Program, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA

³ National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100000, China

⁴ Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040369 - 31 Mar 2017

Cited by 78 | Viewed by 11060

Abstract

Childhood overweight and obesity (ow/ob) has become a serious threat to many countries, including China. However, limited evidence was obtained from longitudinal data in China. This study examined the secular trends and geographic variation in the prevalence of ow/ob and obesity only, and [...] Read more.

Childhood overweight and obesity (ow/ob) has become a serious threat to many countries, including China. However, limited evidence was obtained from longitudinal data in China. This study examined the secular trends and geographic variation in the prevalence of ow/ob and obesity only, and age, gender, and urban-rural disparities among school-aged children across China. Data from children aged 6–17 surveyed in China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 1991 (n = 2712) to 2011 (n = 1054) were used. Overweight and obesity were defined based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) recommended Asian age-sex-specific BMI cut-off-points. We found that: (1) childhood ow/ob and obesity prevalence increased from 11.7% to 25.2% and from 2.8% to 10.1% during 1991–2011, respectively; (2) children aged 6–12 experienced a 1.3 and 1.6 times increase in ow/ob and obesity prevalence than children aged 13–17, respectively; (3) the urban-rural gap in ow/ob prevalence widened; (4) ow/ob prevalence in boys was higher and increased faster than in girls, especially in an urban setting; and (5) geographic variation was observed with faster increases in more economically developed east, central and northeast regions than in the less developed west. The findings added more nuances to the picture of temporal changes in ow/ob prevalence among Chinese children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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12 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health of the Elderly Migration Population in China: Benefit from Individual and Local Socioeconomic Status?

by Qing Wang

School of Business, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Dagong Road, Panjin 124221, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040370 - 1 Apr 2017

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5936

Abstract

The study aims to estimate the relationship between the individual/local socioeconomic status and the health of internal elderly migrants in China. A multilevel logistic model was used to estimate this association. The estimations were undertaken for 11,111 migrants aged over 60 years, using [...] Read more.

The study aims to estimate the relationship between the individual/local socioeconomic status and the health of internal elderly migrants in China. A multilevel logistic model was used to estimate this association. The estimations were undertaken for 11,111 migrants aged over 60 years, using nationally representative data: the 2015 Migrant Dynamics Monitoring Survey (MDMS), which was carried out in China. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported. Both the household income per capita and the area-level average wage were positively associated with migrants’ self-reported health; however, public service supply was not significantly related to their health. In addition, given the household income, migrants living in communities with a higher average wage were more likely to report poor health. Migrants’ health benefited from individual socioeconomic status, but not from the local socioeconomic status, which the migrants cannot enjoy. This study highlights the importance of multilevel and non-discriminatory policies between migrants and local residents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Refugee Health)

14 pages, 885 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hand Hygiene Intervention Strategies to Reduce Diarrhoea and Respiratory Infections among Schoolchildren in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

by Balwani Chingatichifwe Mbakaya¹, Paul H. Lee²

and Regina L. T. Lee^2,*

¹ School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, China

² World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, SAR, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040371 - 1 Apr 2017

Cited by 82 | Viewed by 18870

Abstract

Effective and appropriate hand-washing practice for schoolchildren is important in preventing infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, which is the second most common cause of death among school-age children in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the review was to identify hand hygiene intervention strategies [...] Read more.

Effective and appropriate hand-washing practice for schoolchildren is important in preventing infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, which is the second most common cause of death among school-age children in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the review was to identify hand hygiene intervention strategies to reduce infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory tract infections among schoolchildren aged 6–12 years in developing countries. Published research articles were searched from databases covering a period from as far back as the creation of the databases to November 2015. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCT/CRCT) from developing countries met the inclusion criteria. The Jadad Scale for appraising RCT/CRCT studies revealed methodological challenges in most studies, such that 75% (6/8) were rated as low-quality articles. The review found that hand hygiene can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea and respiratory conditions. Three hand hygiene intervention strategies utilized were training, funding and policy, with training and funding implemented more commonly than policy. These strategies were not only used in isolation but also in combination, and they qualified as multi-level interventions. Factors that influenced hand washing were contextual, psychosocial and technological. Findings can inform school health workers in categorizing and prioritizing activities into viable strategies when implementing multi-level hand-washing interventions. This review also adds to the existing evidence that multi-level hand-washing interventions can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and school absenteeism. Further evidence-based studies are needed with improved methodological rigour in developing countries, to inform policy in this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Research, Management and Response)

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15 pages, 761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Structural Changes in Polish Rural Areas Fostering Leisure-Time Physical Activity?

by Elżbieta Biernat^1,*

, Piotr Bartkiewicz² and Sonia Buchholtz²

¹ Collegium of World Economy, Warsaw School of Economics, al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warszawa, Poland

² Collegium of Economic Analysis, Warsaw School of Economics, al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warszawa, Poland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040372 - 1 Apr 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5010

Abstract

Background: In this study, we analyze the determinants of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) of farmers and non-farmers living in rural areas. Methods: We use statistical analysis to describe urban and rural populations, as well as econometric techniques (Heckman regressions and propensity score matching) [...] Read more.

Background: In this study, we analyze the determinants of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) of farmers and non-farmers living in rural areas. Methods: We use statistical analysis to describe urban and rural populations, as well as econometric techniques (Heckman regressions and propensity score matching) to assess the role of rural lifestyle in physical activity. Results: World Health Organization (WHO) pro-health PA (physical activity) recommendations are not met by 66% of farmers and 49% of other dwellers in rural areas. Approximately two thirds of them are completely inactive. Farmers enjoy vigorous PA (VPA), cycling and recreational walking less than their non-farming counterparts and are 46% less likely to be active than them; however the difference disappears when they take up an activity. The amount of PA is negatively correlated with age, but tends to increase for older people compared to those in middle age. Women are 6%–7% less active than men, yet the odds of being active at all are higher for women than for men. Household size is negatively correlated with LTPA. Conclusion: Considering the structural changes, rural area dwellers, especially farmers, require public intervention aimed at increasing their awareness of the advantages of LTPA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of Physical Activity on Chronic Disease Prevention and Population Health)

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16 pages, 1616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Requalification of a Brazilian Trichoderma Collection and Screening of Its Capability to Decolourise Real Textile Effluent

by Dianny Silva Lisboa¹, Cledir Santos^2,*

, Renan N. Barbosa¹, Oliane Magalhães¹, Laura M. Paiva¹, Keila A. Moreira³, Nelson Lima⁴

and Cristina M. Souza-Motta¹

¹ Department of Mycology, Centre of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE 50740-600, Brazil

² Department of Chemical Sciences and Natural Resources, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medio Ambiente (CIBAMA), Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811-230, Chile

³ Academic Unity of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE 55292-270, Brazil

⁴ CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, Micoteca da Universidade do Minho, University of Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040373 - 1 Apr 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5155

Abstract

Water contamination with large amounts of industrial textile coloured effluents is an environmental concern. For the treatment of textile effluents, white-rot fungi have received extensive attention due to their powerful capability to produce oxidative (e.g., ligninolytic) enzymes. In addition, other groups of fungi, [...] Read more.

Water contamination with large amounts of industrial textile coloured effluents is an environmental concern. For the treatment of textile effluents, white-rot fungi have received extensive attention due to their powerful capability to produce oxidative (e.g., ligninolytic) enzymes. In addition, other groups of fungi, such as species of Aspergillus and Trichoderma, have also been used for textile effluents treatment. The main aim of the present study was to requalify a Brazilian Trichoderma culture collection of 51 Trichoderma strains, isolated from different sources in Brazil and preserved in the oldest Latin-American Fungal Service Culture Collection, The Micoteca URM WDCM 804 (Recife, Brazil). Fungal isolates were re-identified through a polyphasic approach including macro- and micro-morphology and molecular biology, and screened for their capability to decolourise real effluents collected directly from storage tanks of a textile manufacture. Trichoderma atroviride URM 4950 presented the best performance on the dye decolourisation in real textile effluent and can be considered in a scale-up process at industrial level. Overall, the potential of Trichoderma strains in decolourising real textile dye present in textile effluent and the production of the oxidative enzymes Lac, LiP and MnP was demonstrated. Fungal strains are available in the collection e-catalogue to be further explored from the biotechnological point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Policy Focused Approach to Public Health and Air, Water and/or Soil Pollution)

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10 pages, 2051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pollutants’ Release, Redistribution and Remediation of Black Smelly River Sediment Based on Re-Suspension and Deep Aeration of Sediment

by Lin Zhu^*

, Xun Li

, Chen Zhang and Zengqiang Duan^*

State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040374 - 1 Apr 2017

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6058

Abstract

Heavily polluted sediment is becoming an important part of water pollution, and this situation is particularly acute in developing countries. Sediment has gradually changed from being the pollution adsorbent to the release source and has influenced the water environment and public health. In [...] Read more.

Heavily polluted sediment is becoming an important part of water pollution, and this situation is particularly acute in developing countries. Sediment has gradually changed from being the pollution adsorbent to the release source and has influenced the water environment and public health. In this study, we evaluated the pollutant distribution in sediment in a heavily polluted river and agitated the sediment in a heavily polluted river to re-suspend it and re-release pollutants. We found that the levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH₄⁺-N, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in overlying water were significantly increased 60 min after agitation. The distribution of the pollutants in the sediment present high concentrations of pollutants congregated on top of the sediment after re-settling, and their distribution decreased with depth. Before agitation, the pollutants were randomly distributed throughout the sediment. Secondly, deep sediment aeration equipment (a micro-porous air diffuser) was installed during the process of sedimentation to study the remediation of the sediment by continuous aeration. The results revealed that deep sediment aeration after re-suspension significantly promoted the degradation of the pollutants both in overlying water and sediment, which also reduced the thickness of the sediment from 0.9 m to 0.6 m. Therefore, sediment aeration after suspension was efficient, and is a promising method for sediment remediation applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Policy Focused Approach to Public Health and Air, Water and/or Soil Pollution)

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12 pages, 2491 KiB

Open AccessReview

Leptin Receptor Gene Polymorphism and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Lei Wu^1,* and Dali Sun²

¹ Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Geriatrics, Chinese People‘s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China

² Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77072, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040375 - 3 Apr 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5040

Abstract

Objective: Few studies have assessed the association between leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphism and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of the few epidemiological studies on this topic, the results are still controversial. Methods: PubMed and Embase were screened for studies from their [...] Read more.

Objective: Few studies have assessed the association between leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphism and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of the few epidemiological studies on this topic, the results are still controversial. Methods: PubMed and Embase were screened for studies from their inception to 9 October 2016. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the effect size for studies that reported the association under allelic, homozygous, and dominant models. Pre-specified characteristics were conducted in the subgroup analysis. Heterogeneity between subgroups was evaluated by meta-regression analysis. Results: Seven eligible studies involving 44,133 participants were included in our meta-analysis. Borderline significant association was observed between the LEPR gene polymorphism (rs1137101, rs1137100, rs6700896, and rs8179183) and the increased risk of CVD with considerable heterogeneity under the allelic model, and the overall pooled OR (95% CI) was 1.10 (0.99, 1.22). The LEPR gene variant rs6700896, 109G allele, and 109GG genotype were significantly associated with the increased risk of CVD. Furthermore, stratified group analysis revealed that the association was more pronounced for stroke. Race-differences might also cause the considerable heterogeneity and non-significant association. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between LEPR gene variants and CVD risk. Some LEPR gene variants were significantly associated with the increased risk of CVD. However, the present study is limited in its small number of included studies, considerable heterogeneity, and observational study design. Further research is still warranted to confirm the magnitude of the association. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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16 pages, 1228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Prevalence of Hypertension Accompanied by High Homocysteine and its Risk Factors in a Rural Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast China

by Ye Chang, Yuan Li, Xiaofan Guo, Yintao Chen, Dongxue Dai and Yingxian Sun^*

Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040376 - 3 Apr 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4786

Abstract

Previous studies found that hypertension and high homocysteine (HHcy) exhibited a synergistic effect on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension accompanied by HHcy and its risk factors in the rural areas of northeast China. This [...] Read more.

Previous studies found that hypertension and high homocysteine (HHcy) exhibited a synergistic effect on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension accompanied by HHcy and its risk factors in the rural areas of northeast China. This study was conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method, and included 6529 subjects with complete data. Demographic characteristics were obtained from a questionnaire. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured, and serum indices were analyzed. Hypertension accompanied by HHcy was defined as hypertension plus HHcy [homocysteine (Hcy) > 10 µmol/L]. The mean concentration of Hcy was 17.29 μmol/L in the general population. The prevalence of hypertension accompanied by HHcy was so high that it reached 45.1% of our study population and accounted for 86.8% of the total participants with hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the modifiable risk factors of hypertension accompanied by HHcy included obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and inactive physical activities. We found that the mean level of Hcy, and the prevalences of HHcy and hypertension accompanied by HHcy were very high among the rural population of northeast China. Obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and inactive physical activities were modifiable risk factors of hypertension accompanied by HHcy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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15 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Why Do People Exercise in Natural Environments? Norwegian Adults’ Motives for Nature-, Gym-, and Sports-Based Exercise

by Giovanna Calogiuri^1,* and Lewis R. Elliott^2,3

¹ Department of Dental Care and Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamarveien 112, Elverum 2411, Norway

² European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK

³ Psychology Applied to Health (PAtH), College House, University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter, Devon EX1 2LU, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040377 - 4 Apr 2017

Cited by 76 | Viewed by 12921

Abstract

Exercise in natural environments (“green exercise”) confers numerous health benefits, but little is known about why people engage in green exercise. This study examined the importance of nature experiences as a motive for physical activity and the motivational profile of people who engage [...] Read more.

Exercise in natural environments (“green exercise”) confers numerous health benefits, but little is known about why people engage in green exercise. This study examined the importance of nature experiences as a motive for physical activity and the motivational profile of people who engage in green exercise compared to gym- and sports-based exercise. Physical activity motives and typical times spent in different domains of physical activity were reported by 2168 Norwegian adults in a survey. Experiencing nature was generally rated as the second-most important physical activity motive, exceeded only by convenience motives, and it was especially important for older adults and those who engage in greater amounts of instrumental physical activity. Green exercisers reported stronger motives concerning convenience and experiencing nature, whereas gym- or sports-based exercisers reported stronger motives for physical health and sociability. The motives associated with different leisure-time exercise domains may assist in understanding optimal promotion of green exercise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

13 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Urbanization, Social and Spatial Disparities Help to Understand the Rise of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Bobo-Dioulasso? A Study in a Secondary City of Burkina Faso, West Africa

by Augustin Nawidimbasba Zeba^1,*, Marceline Téné Yaméogo², Somnoma Jean-Baptiste Tougouma², Daouda Kassié^3,4 and Florence Fournet^1,4

¹ Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, 01 BP 545 Bobo Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso

² Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sorou Sanou, Université Polytechnique de Bobo-Dioulasso, 01 BP 676 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso

³ LADYSS, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense, 92000 Nanterre, France

⁴ UMR Mivegec (UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 34394 Montpellier, France

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040378 - 4 Apr 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5360

Abstract

Background: Unplanned urbanization plays a key role in chronic disease growth. This population-based cross-sectional study assessed the occurrence of cardiometabolic risk factors in Bobo-Dioulasso and their association with urbanization conditions. Methods: Through spatial sampling, four Bobo-Dioulasso sub-spaces were selected for a [...] Read more.

Background: Unplanned urbanization plays a key role in chronic disease growth. This population-based cross-sectional study assessed the occurrence of cardiometabolic risk factors in Bobo-Dioulasso and their association with urbanization conditions. Methods: Through spatial sampling, four Bobo-Dioulasso sub-spaces were selected for a population survey to measure the adult health status. Yéguéré, Dogona, Tounouma and Secteur 25 had very different urbanization conditions (position within the city; time of creation and healthcare structure access). The sample size was estimated at 1000 households (250 for each sub-space) in which one adult (35 to 59-year-old) was randomly selected. Finally, 860 adults were surveyed. Anthropometric, socioeconomic and clinical data were collected. Arterial blood pressure was measured and blood samples were collected to assess glycemia. Results: Weight, body mass index and waist circumference (mean values) and serum glycemia (83.4 mg/dL ± 4.62 mmol/L) were significantly higher in Tounouma, Dogona, and Secteur 25 than in Yéguéré; the poorest and most rural-like sub-space (p = 0.001). Overall, 43.2%, 40.5%, 5.3% and 60.9% of participants had overweight, hypertension, hyperglycemia and one or more cardiometabolic risk markers, respectively. Conclusions: Bobo-Dioulasso is unprepared to face this public health issue and urgent responses are needed to reduce the health risks associated with unplanned urbanization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Place and Health Equity)

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18 pages, 659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How to Tackle Key Challenges in the Promotion of Physical Activity among Older Adults (65+): The AEQUIPA Network Approach

by Sarah Forberger^1,*, Karin Bammann²

, Jürgen Bauer³, Susanne Boll⁴, Gabriele Bolte^5,6

, Tilman Brand¹, Andreas Hein⁷

, Frauke Koppelin⁸

, Sonia Lippke⁹

, Jochen Meyer¹⁰, Claudia R. Pischke¹, Claudia Voelcker-Rehage¹¹ and Hajo Zeeb^1,6

¹ Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, 28359 Bremen, Germany

² Working Group Epidemiology of Demographic Change, Institute for Public Health und Nursing Research (IPP), Faculty for Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany

³ Geriatrisches Zentrum, Universität Heidelberg, Agaplesion Bethanien-Krankenhaus, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany

⁴ Media Informatics and Multimedia Systems, Department of Computing Science, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany

⁵ Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany

⁶ Research Focus Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany

⁷ Department of Health Services Research, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany

⁸ Section Technology and Health for Humans, Jade University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany

⁹ Department of Psychology and Methods, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany

¹⁰ OFFIS—Institute for Information Technology, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany

¹¹ Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040379 - 4 Apr 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 9976

Abstract

The paper introduces the theoretical framework and methods/instruments used by the Physical Activity and Health Equity: Primary Prevention for Healthy Ageing (AEQUIPA) prevention research network as an interdisciplinary approach to tackle key challenges in the promotion of physical activity among older people (65+). [...] Read more.

The paper introduces the theoretical framework and methods/instruments used by the Physical Activity and Health Equity: Primary Prevention for Healthy Ageing (AEQUIPA) prevention research network as an interdisciplinary approach to tackle key challenges in the promotion of physical activity among older people (65+). Drawing on the social-ecological model, the AEQUIPA network developed an interdisciplinary methodological design including quantitative/qualitative studies and systematic reviews, while combining expertise from diverse fields: public health, psychology, urban planning, sports sciences, health technology and geriatrics. AEQUIPA tackles key challenges when promoting physical activity (PA) in older adults: tailoring of interventions, fostering community readiness and participation, strengthening intersectoral collaboration, using new technological devices and evaluating intervention generated inequalities. AEQUIPA aims to strengthen the evidence base for age-specific preventive PA interventions and to yield new insights into the explanatory power of individual and contextual factors. Currently, the empirical work is still underway. First experiences indicate that thenetwork has achieved a strong regional linkage with communities, local stakeholders and individuals. However, involving inactive persons and individuals from minority groups remained challenging. A review of existing PA intervention studies among the elderly revealed the potential to assess equity effects. The results will add to the theoretical and methodological discussion on evidence-based age-specific PA interventions and will contribute to the discussion about European and national health targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of Physical Activity on Chronic Disease Prevention and Population Health)

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18 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the “Eat Better Feel Better” Cooking Programme to Tackle Barriers to Healthy Eating

by Ada L. Garcia^1,*

, Rebecca Reardon¹, Elizabeth Hammond², Alison Parrett¹ and Anne Gebbie-Diben²

¹ Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences University of Glasgow, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK

² Public Health Directorate, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040380 - 4 Apr 2017

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 9466

Abstract

We evaluated a 6-week community-based cooking programme, “Eat Better Feel Better”, aimed at tackling barriers to cooking and healthy eating using a single-group repeated measures design. 117 participants enrolled, 62 completed baseline and post-intervention questionnaires, and 17 completed these and a 3–4 months [...] Read more.

We evaluated a 6-week community-based cooking programme, “Eat Better Feel Better”, aimed at tackling barriers to cooking and healthy eating using a single-group repeated measures design. 117 participants enrolled, 62 completed baseline and post-intervention questionnaires, and 17 completed these and a 3–4 months follow-up questionnaire. Most participants were female, >45 years, and socioeconomically deprived. Confidence constructs changed positively from baseline to post-intervention (medians, scale 1 “not confident” to 7 “very confident”): “cooking using raw ingredients” (4, 6 p < 0.003), “following simple recipe” (5, 6 p = 0.003), “planning meals before shopping” (4, 5 p = <0.001), “shopping on a budget (4, 5 p = 0.044), “shopping healthier food” (4, 5 p = 0.007), “cooking new foods” (3, 5 p < 0.001), “cooking healthier foods” (4, 5 p = 0.001), “storing foods safely” (5, 6 p = 0.002); “using leftovers” (4, 5 p = 0.002), “cooking raw chicken” (5, 6 p = 0.021), and “reading food labels” (4, 5 p < 0.001). “Microwaving ready-meals” decreased 46% to 39% (p = 0.132). “Preparing meals from scratch” increased 48% to 59% (p = 0.071). Knowledge about correct portion sizes increased 47% to 74% (p = 0.002). Spending on ready-meals/week decreased. Follow-up telephone interviewees (n = 42) reported developing healthier eating patterns, spending less money/wasting less food, and preparing more meals/snacks from raw ingredients. The programme had positive effects on participants’ cooking skills confidence, helped manage time, and reduced barriers of cost, waste, and knowledge.) Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

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11 pages, 584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epidemiology of Burns in Rural Bangladesh: An Update

by Siran He¹, Olakunle Alonge^1,*, Priyanka Agrawal¹

, Shumona Sharmin², Irteja Islam²

, Saidur Rahman Mashreky³

and Shams El Arifeen²

¹ Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

² International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

³ Center for Injury Prevention and Research, House # B-162, Road # 23, New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040381 - 5 Apr 2017

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 8718

Abstract

Each year, approximately 265,000 deaths occur due to burns on a global scale. In Bangladesh, around 173,000 children under 18 sustain a burn injury. Since most epidemiological studies on burn injuries in low and middle-income countries are based on small-scale surveys or hospital [...] Read more.

Each year, approximately 265,000 deaths occur due to burns on a global scale. In Bangladesh, around 173,000 children under 18 sustain a burn injury. Since most epidemiological studies on burn injuries in low and middle-income countries are based on small-scale surveys or hospital records, this study aims to derive burn mortality and morbidity measures and risk factors at a population level in Bangladesh. A household survey was conducted in seven rural sub-districts of Bangladesh in 2013 to assess injury outcomes. Burn injuries were one of the external causes of injury. Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors were described using descriptive as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 2 deaths and 528 injuries per 100,000 populations. Females had a higher burn rate. More than 50% of injuries were seen in adults 25 to 64 years of age. Most injuries occurred in the kitchen while preparing food. 88% of all burns occurred due to flame. Children 1 to 4 years of age were four times more likely to sustain burn injuries as compared to infants. Age-targeted interventions, awareness of first aid protocols, and improvement of acute care management would be potential leads to curb death and disability due to burn injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection A Million Person Household Survey: Understanding the Burden of Injuries in Bangladesh)

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10 pages, 560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Health Risk Assessment of Electronic Cigarettes and Conventional Cigarettes

by Jinsong Chen¹, Chris Bullen^1,*

and Kim Dirks²

¹ National Institute for Health Innovation, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

² School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040382 - 5 Apr 2017

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 21318

Abstract

Background: Although some studies have identified hazardous substances in electronic cigarette (EC) liquids and emissions, there is limited information about the health risks of using ECs. Methods: In this study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health risk assessment model and [...] Read more.

Background: Although some studies have identified hazardous substances in electronic cigarette (EC) liquids and emissions, there is limited information about the health risks of using ECs. Methods: In this study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health risk assessment model and findings of a literature review were used to determine and profile hazards. Focus was put on the toxicants reported in the literature on conventional cigarette (CC) smoke that most strongly associated with adverse health effects. To evaluate their health risks, dose-response relationships and standard-use conditions were used to estimate average hazard exposures and to calculate the overall health risks of ECs and CCs, benchmarked against international guideline levels for each hazard. Results: Four hazards (acrolein, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol and cadmium) reported in EC emissions and seven hazards (acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, cadmium, CO, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN)) reported in CC emissions had maximum exposure levels higher than the guideline levels. Two hazards (acrolein, propylene glycol) in EC emissions and five hazards (acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, cadmium, NNN) in CC emissions had average exposure levels higher than the guideline levels. Conclusions: Based on the conditions of use, ECs should be a safer nicotine-delivery product than CCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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12 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Television Viewing and Its Association with Sedentary Behaviors, Self-Rated Health and Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Peru

by Bimala Sharma^1,2, Rosemary Cosme Chavez^1,2, Ae Suk Jeong³ and Eun Woo Nam^1,2,*

¹ Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea

² Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea

³ Department of Nursing, Cheongju University, Cheongju City 28503, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040383 - 5 Apr 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6056

Abstract

The study assessed television viewing >2 h a day and its association with sedentary behaviors, self-rated health, and academic performance among secondary school adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected students in Lima in 2015. We measured self-reported responses of students [...] Read more.

The study assessed television viewing >2 h a day and its association with sedentary behaviors, self-rated health, and academic performance among secondary school adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected students in Lima in 2015. We measured self-reported responses of students using a standard questionnaire, and conducted in-depth interviews with 10 parents and 10 teachers. Chi-square test, correlation and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed among 1234 students, and thematic analysis technique was used for qualitative information. A total of 23.1% adolescents reported watching television >2 h a day. Qualitative findings also show that adolescents spend most of their leisure time watching television, playing video games or using the Internet. Television viewing had a significant positive correlation with video game use in males and older adolescents, with Internet use in both sexes, and a negative correlation with self-rated health and academic performance in females. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that television viewing >2 h a day, independent of physical activity was associated with video games use >2 h a day, Internet use >2 h a day, poor/fair self-rated health and poor self-reported academic performance. Television viewing time and sex had a significant interaction effect on both video game use >2 h a day and Internet use >2 h a day. Reducing television viewing time may be an effective strategy for improving health and academic performance in adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

12 pages, 1373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building Health Promotion into the Job of Home Care Aides: Transformation of the Workplace Health Environment

by Naoko Muramatsu^1,*, Lijuan Yin¹ and Ting-Ti Lin²

¹ School of Public Health and Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

² College of Nursing and Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040384 - 5 Apr 2017

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7448

Abstract

Home care aides (HCAs), predominantly women, constitute one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. HCAs work in clients’ homes that lack typical workplace resources and benefits. This mixed-methods study examined how HCAs’ work environment was transformed by a pilot workplace [...] Read more.

Home care aides (HCAs), predominantly women, constitute one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. HCAs work in clients’ homes that lack typical workplace resources and benefits. This mixed-methods study examined how HCAs’ work environment was transformed by a pilot workplace health promotion program that targeted clients as well as workers. The intervention started with training HCAs to deliver a gentle physical activity program to their older clients in a Medicaid-funded home care program. Older HCAs aged 50+ reported increased time doing the types of physical activity that they delivered to their clients (stretching or strengthening exercise) (p = 0.027). Almost all (98%) HCAs were satisfied with the program. These quantitative results were corroborated by qualitative data from open-ended survey questions and focus groups. HCAs described how they exercised with clients and how the psychosocial work environment changed with the program. Building physical activity into HCAs’ job is feasible and can effectively promote HCAs’ health, especially among older HCAs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health and the Work Environment)

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10 pages, 1182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Ambient Air Temperature Affect Diabetes Mortality in Tropical Cities?

by Xerxes T. Seposo^1,*

, Tran Ngoc Dang^1,2 and Yasushi Honda³

¹ Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba City 305-8577, Japan

² Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam

³ Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba City 305-8577, Japan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040385 - 5 Apr 2017

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6447

Abstract

Diabetes is well-known as one of the many chronic diseases that affect different age groups. Currently, most studies that evaluated the effects of temperature on diabetes mortality focused on temperate and subtropical settings, but no study has been conducted to assess the relationship [...] Read more.

Diabetes is well-known as one of the many chronic diseases that affect different age groups. Currently, most studies that evaluated the effects of temperature on diabetes mortality focused on temperate and subtropical settings, but no study has been conducted to assess the relationship in a tropical setting. We conducted the first multi-city study carried out in tropical cities, which evaluated the temperature–diabetes relationship. We collected daily diabetes mortality (ICD E10–E14) of four Philippine cities from 2006 to 2011. Same period meteorological data were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We used a generalized additive model coupled with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) in determining the relative risks. Results showed that both low and high temperatures pose greater risks among diabetics. Likewise, the study was able to observe the: (1) high risk brought about by low temperature, aside from the largely observed high risks by high temperature; and (2) protective effects in low temperature percentile. These results provide significant policy implications with strategies related to diabetes risk groups in relation to health service and care strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extreme Weather and Public Health)

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13 pages, 1082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibiotic Resistance in an Indian Rural Community: A ‘One-Health’ Observational Study on Commensal Coliform from Humans, Animals, and Water

by Manju Raj Purohit^1,2,*, Salesh Chandran^1,3, Harshada Shah³, Vishal Diwan^1,4,5, Ashok J. Tamhankar^1,6

and Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg¹

¹ Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health—Health Systems and Policy (HSP): Medicines Focusing Antibiotics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden

² Department of Pathology, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain 456006, India

³ Department of Microbiology, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain 456006, India

⁴ International Centre for Health Research, Ujjain Charitable Trust Hospital and Research Centre, Ujjain 456006, India

⁵ Department of Public Health and Environment, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain 456006, India

⁶ Indian Initiative for Management of Antibiotic Resistance, Department of Environmental Medicine, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain 456006, India

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040386 - 6 Apr 2017

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 12344

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an escalating grim menace to global public health. Our aim is to phenotype and genotype antibiotic-resistant commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) from humans, animals, and water from the same community with a ‘one-health’ approach. The samples were collected from a [...] Read more.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an escalating grim menace to global public health. Our aim is to phenotype and genotype antibiotic-resistant commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) from humans, animals, and water from the same community with a ‘one-health’ approach. The samples were collected from a village belonging to demographic surveillance site of Ruxmaniben Deepchand (R.D.) Gardi Medical College Ujjain, Central India. Commensal coliforms from stool samples from children aged 1–3 years and their environment (animals, drinking water from children's households, common source- and waste-water) were studied for antibiotic susceptibility and plasmid-encoded resistance genes. E. coli isolates from human (n = 127), animal (n = 21), waste- (n = 12), source- (n = 10), and household drinking water (n = 122) carried 70%, 29%, 41%, 30%, and 30% multi-drug resistance, respectively. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers were 57% in human and 23% in environmental isolates. Co-resistance was frequent in penicillin, cephalosporin, and quinolone. Antibiotic-resistance genes bla_CTX-M-9 and qnrS were most frequent. Group D-type isolates with resistance genes were mainly from humans and wastewater. Colistin resistance, or the mcr-1 gene, was not detected. The frequency of resistance, co-resistance, and resistant genes are high and similar in coliforms from humans and their environment. This emphasizes the need to mitigate antibiotic resistance with a ‘one-health’ approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment)

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16 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Relative Association of Multi-Level Supportive Environments on Poor Health among Older Adults

by Nelda Mier^1,*, Marcia G. Ory², Samuel D. Towne² and Matthew Lee Smith^2,3

¹ Department of Public Health Studies, Texas A&M School of Public Health, McAllen Campus, McAllen, TX 78503, USA

² Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, Texas A&M School of Public Health, College Station, TX 77843, USA

³ Institute of Gerontology, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040387 - 6 Apr 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5741

Abstract

Background: The aging of the United States population poses significant challenges to American healthcare and informal caregiving systems. Additional research is needed to understand how health promotion programs and policies based on a socio-ecological perspective impact the health and well-being of older [...] Read more.

Background: The aging of the United States population poses significant challenges to American healthcare and informal caregiving systems. Additional research is needed to understand how health promotion programs and policies based on a socio-ecological perspective impact the health and well-being of older persons. The purpose of this study was to investigate personal characteristics and supportive environments associated with poor health among older individuals aged 65 and over. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design and was guided by a conceptual framework developed by the authors to depict the relationship between personal characteristics and environments associated with poor health status. Environment types included in this study were family, home, financial, neighborhood, and healthcare. The sample was comprised of 1319 adults aged 65 years and older residing in Central Texas. From a random selection of households, participants were administered a mail-based survey created by a community collaborative effort. Descriptive statistics and three binary logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations with poor health status (i.e., physical, mental, and combined physical/mental). Results: Two personal characteristics (number of chronic conditions and educational level) were consistently related (p < 0.05) to health outcomes. Supportive family, home, financial, neighborhood, and health care environmental factors were shown to be related (p < 0.05) to various aspects of physical or mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Multidimensional factors including personal characteristics and protective environments are related to health status among older individuals. The unique roles of each environment can help inform public health interventions to create and enhance support for older adults to engage in healthful activities and improve their physical and mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Health Promotion)

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15 pages, 305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Level Toxic Metal Exposure in Healthy Weaning-Age Infants: Association with Growth, Dietary Intake, and Iron Deficiency

by Jungil Choi¹, Ju Young Chang^2,3,*, Jeana Hong⁴, Sue Shin^5,6, Jeong Su Park⁵

and Sohee Oh⁷

¹ Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea

² Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea

³ Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea

⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon 24289, Korea

⁵ Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea

⁶ Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea

⁷ Department of Medical Statistics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040388 - 6 Apr 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6121

Abstract

Even low levels of toxic metal exposure (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in infancy might be harmful to children’s development. This study investigated toxic metal exposure on healthy weaning-age infants and its relationship with growth, diet, and iron/anemia status. The weight, height, head [...] Read more.

Even low levels of toxic metal exposure (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in infancy might be harmful to children’s development. This study investigated toxic metal exposure on healthy weaning-age infants and its relationship with growth, diet, and iron/anemia status. The weight, height, head circumference, whole blood levels of four toxic metals, hemoglobin, and serum ferritin of healthy infants was measured. Among 210 infants with a median age of 11.4 months (interquartile range: 10.5–12.0), the median levels of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were 1.2 μg/L, 0.05 μg/L, 0.8 μg/L, and 0.83 μg/dL, respectively. In adjusted linear regression models, post-birth weight gain (Pb) and current head circumference (As, Pb) were negatively associated with toxic metal levels. In multiple linear regression or logistic regression analysis, the duration of breastfeeding (all four metals), perceived adequacy of rice-based food intake (As), regular fish intake (As, Hg), and iron deficiency with/without anemia (Cd, Pb) were associated with increased toxic metal levels. Although levels of toxic metals may not usually be high in this population, individual exposure risk may need to be assessed after considering the type of feeding or intake of complementary foods and the iron/anemia status while evaluating growth status during late infancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

28 pages, 719 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Literature Topics Related to Current Concepts, Methods, Tools, and Applications for Cumulative Risk Assessment (2007–2016)

by Mary A. Fox¹

, L. Elizabeth Brewer² and Lawrence Martin^3,*

¹ Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

² Office of the Science Advisor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Washington, DC 20004, USA

³ Office of the Science Advisor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040389 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 8510

Abstract

Cumulative risk assessments (CRAs) address combined risks from exposures to multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors and may focus on vulnerable communities or populations. Significant contributions have been made to the development of concepts, methods, and applications for CRA over the past decade. Work [...] Read more.

Cumulative risk assessments (CRAs) address combined risks from exposures to multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors and may focus on vulnerable communities or populations. Significant contributions have been made to the development of concepts, methods, and applications for CRA over the past decade. Work in both human health and ecological cumulative risk has advanced in two different contexts. The first context is the effects of chemical mixtures that share common modes of action, or that cause common adverse outcomes. In this context two primary models are used for predicting mixture effects, dose addition or response addition. The second context is evaluating the combined effects of chemical and nonchemical (e.g., radiation, biological, nutritional, economic, psychological, habitat alteration, land-use change, global climate change, and natural disasters) stressors. CRA can be adapted to address risk in many contexts, and this adaptability is reflected in the range in disciplinary perspectives in the published literature. This article presents the results of a literature search and discusses a range of selected work with the intention to give a broad overview of relevant topics and provide a starting point for researchers interested in CRA applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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12 pages, 657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regretting Ever Starting to Smoke: Results from a 2014 National Survey

by Pratibha Nayak^1,*, Terry F. Pechacek^1,2, Paul Slovic³ and Michael P. Eriksen^1,2

¹ Georgia State University’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA

² Division of Health Management & Policy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

³ Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040390 - 6 Apr 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7541

Abstract

Background: The majority of smokers regret ever starting to smoke, yet the vast majority continue to smoke despite the fact that smoking kills nearly 50% of lifetime users. This study examined the relationships between regret and smoker characteristics, quit history, risk perceptions, [...] Read more.

Background: The majority of smokers regret ever starting to smoke, yet the vast majority continue to smoke despite the fact that smoking kills nearly 50% of lifetime users. This study examined the relationships between regret and smoker characteristics, quit history, risk perceptions, experiential thinking, and beliefs and intentions at time of smoking initiation. Methods: Data from the 2014 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey, a nationally representative survey of United States adults, were analyzed to provide the latest prevalence estimates of regret and potential predictors. Relationships among predictor variables and regret were analyzed using correlations, t-tests, and multinomial logistic regression. Results: The majority of smokers (71.5%) regretted starting to smoke. Being older and non-Hispanic white were significant predictors of regret. Smokers having a high intention to quit, having made quit attempts in the past year, worrying about getting lung cancer, believing smoking every day can be risky for your health, perceiving a risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer during one’s lifetime, and considering themselves addicted to cigarettes were significant predictors of regret for smoking initiation. Conclusions: This study provides updated prevalence data on regret using a national sample, and confirms that regret is associated with perceived risk. The findings from this study can be used to inform smoking intervention programs and support the inclusion of smoker regret in cost–benefit analyses of the economic impact of tobacco regulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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12 pages, 312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Indices of Body Composition and Abnormal Metabolic Phenotype in Normal-Weight Chinese Adults

by Lili Xia¹, Fen Dong²

, Haiying Gong³, Guodong Xu², Ke Wang⁴, Fen Liu¹, Li Pan⁵, Ling Zhang¹, Yuxiang Yan¹, Herbert Gaisano⁶, Yan He^1,* and Guangliang Shan^5,*

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10, Xitoutiao, You’anmen Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing 100069, China

² China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Cherry Garden East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China

³ Department of Chronic Disease, Beijing Fangshan District Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Yuehua North Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102446, China

⁴ Birth Defects Monitoring Center, West China Second University Hospital, People South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China

⁵ Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 3, Dongdan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005, China

⁶ Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040391 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4459

Abstract

We aimed to determine the association of indices of body composition with abnormal metabolic phenotype, and to examine whether the strength of association was differentially distributed in different age groups in normal-weight Chinese adults. A total of 3015 normal-weight adults from a survey [...] Read more.

We aimed to determine the association of indices of body composition with abnormal metabolic phenotype, and to examine whether the strength of association was differentially distributed in different age groups in normal-weight Chinese adults. A total of 3015 normal-weight adults from a survey of Chinese people encompassing health and basic physiological parameters was included in this cross-sectional study. We investigated the association of body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and conventional body indices with metabolically unhealthy normal-weight (MUHNW) adults, divided by age groups and gender. Associations were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. We found abnormal metabolism in lean Chinese adults to be associated with higher adiposity indices (body mass index, BMI), waist circumference, and percentage body fat), lower skeletal muscle %, and body water %. Body composition was differentially distributed in age groups within the metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW)/MUHNW groups. The impact of factors related to MUHNW shows a decreasing trend with advancing age in females and disparities of factors (BMI, body fat %, skeletal muscle %, and body water %) associated with the MUHNW phenotype in the elderly was noticed. Those factors remained unchanged in males throughout the age range, while the association of BMI, body fat %, skeletal muscle %, and body water % to MUHNW attenuated and grip strength emerged as a protective factor in elderly females. These results suggest that increased adiposity and decreased skeletal muscle mass are associated with unfavorable metabolic traits in normal-weight Chinese adults, and that MUHNW is independent of BMI, while increased waist circumference appears to be indicative of an abnormal metabolic phenotype in elderly females. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

9 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disparities in HIV Clinical Outcomes among a Cohort of HIV-Infected Persons Receiving Care—Mississippi

by Ali Dehghani Firouzabadi^1,*, Tiffany C. McDonald¹, Tametria R. Samms¹, Reza Sirous² and Kendra Johnson¹

¹ Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of STD/HIV, 570 E. Woodrow Wilson, Osborne 200, Jackson, MS 39216, USA

² University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040392 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4515

Abstract

Increasing patients’ cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count and achieving viral suppression are the ultimate goals of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment, yet disparities in these HIV clinical outcomes exist among subpopulations of HIV-infected persons. We aimed to assess potential [...] Read more.

Increasing patients’ cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count and achieving viral suppression are the ultimate goals of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment, yet disparities in these HIV clinical outcomes exist among subpopulations of HIV-infected persons. We aimed to assess potential disparities in viral suppression and normal CD4 count among HIV-infected persons receiving care in Mississippi using Mississippi Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) data from 2009 to 2014 (N = 1233) in this study. Outcome variables in this study were suppressed, recent and durable viral load, and normal CD4 count. Patients’ characteristics in this study were race, gender, age, annual income, education, insurance, and length of diagnosis. Descriptive statistics, Chi square tests, and logistic regression analyses were conducted using the SAS 9.4 Proc Survey procedure. Our findings indicate that those aged 50 years or older were more likely to have suppressed recent viral load (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.4) and durable viral loads (aOR = 2.9), compared to those aged 18–24 years. In addition, women were more likely to have a normal CD4 count than men (aOR = 1.4). In conclusion, we found that age and gender disparities in HIV clinical outcomes may be used to develop and implement multifaceted interventions to improve health equity among all HIV-infected patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eliminating Health Disparities through Multi-Trans-Disciplinary Approaches)

13 pages, 672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Course Trajectories of Later-Life Cognitive Functions: Does Social Engagement in Old Age Matter?

by Sojung Park^1,*, Eunsun Kwon² and Hyunjoo Lee³

¹ George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA

² Center for Social Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea

³ Department of Social Work, Daegu University, 201 Deagudae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38453, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040393 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6616

Abstract

This study identified differential patterns of later-life cognitive function trajectories and examined to what extent life course factors and social engagement are associated with group trajectories. Data came from seven waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1998–2010; n = 7374; Observations [...] Read more.

This study identified differential patterns of later-life cognitive function trajectories and examined to what extent life course factors and social engagement are associated with group trajectories. Data came from seven waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1998–2010; n = 7374; Observations = 41,051). Latent class growth analysis identified cognitive function trajectory groups, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with group trajectories. Five heterogeneous trajectories were identified: stable high, stable moderate, stable low, high-to-moderate, and moderate-to-low. Findings suggest that, after adjusting for life course factors, individuals who became volunteers were more likely to belong to one of the two least vulnerable trajectories, stable high or high-to-moderate. Our findings suggest that, despite the cumulative life course factors evident in cognitive decline, social engagement in old age may serve as a potential protective resource. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Health Promotion)

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13 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban–Rural Variations in Quality-of-Life in Breast Cancer Survivors Prescribed Endocrine Therapy

by Caitriona Cahir^1,*

, Audrey Alforque Thomas²

, Stephan U. Dombrowski³, Kathleen Bennett¹ and Linda Sharp⁴

¹ Division of Population Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland

² Office of Planning & Analysis, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

³ Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK

⁴ Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040394 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5503

Abstract

The number of breast cancer survivors has increased as a result of rising incidence and increased survival. Research has revealed significant urban–rural variation in clinical aspects of breast cancer but evidence in the area of survivorship is limited. We aimed to investigate whether [...] Read more.

The number of breast cancer survivors has increased as a result of rising incidence and increased survival. Research has revealed significant urban–rural variation in clinical aspects of breast cancer but evidence in the area of survivorship is limited. We aimed to investigate whether quality of life (QoL) and treatment-related symptoms vary between urban and rural breast cancer survivors prescribed endocrine therapy. Women with a diagnosis of stages I–III breast cancer prescribed endocrine therapy were identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland and invited to complete a postal survey (N = 1606; response rate = 66%). A composite measure of urban–rural classification was created using settlement size, population density and proximity to treatment hospital. QoL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) and an endocrine subscale. The association between urban–rural residence/status and QoL and endocrine symptoms was assessed using linear regression with adjustment for socio-demographic and clinical covariates. In multivariable analysis, rural survivors had a statistically significant higher overall QoL (β = 3.81, standard error (SE) 1.30, p < 0.01), emotional QoL (β = 0.70, SE 0.21, p < 0.01) and experienced a lower symptom burden (β = 1.76, SE 0.65, p < 0.01) than urban survivors. QoL in breast cancer survivors is not simply about proximity and access to healthcare services but may include individual and community level psychosocial factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geographical Variation in Breast Cancer Outcomes)

10 pages, 979 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening for Cd-Safe Cultivars of Chinese Cabbage and a Preliminary Study on the Mechanisms of Cd Accumulation

by Jingjie Wang^†, Nan Yu^†, Guangmao Mu, Kamran I. Shinwari

, Zhenguo Shen and Luqing Zheng^*

¹ College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040395 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5815

Abstract

With the rapid progress of industrialization, the effects of environmental contamination on plant toxicity, and subsequently on human health, is a growing concern. For example, the heavy metal pollution of soil such as that caused by cadmium (Cd) is a serious threat. Therefore, [...] Read more.

With the rapid progress of industrialization, the effects of environmental contamination on plant toxicity, and subsequently on human health, is a growing concern. For example, the heavy metal pollution of soil such as that caused by cadmium (Cd) is a serious threat. Therefore, screening for pollution-safe edible plants is an essential approach for growing plants under heavy metal-contaminated soils. In the current study, 35 Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis L.) cultivars were selected with the aim of screening for Cd-safe cultivars (CSCs), analyzing their safety, and exploring the mechanism of Cd accumulation. Our field-culture experiments revealed that the Cd content in the edible parts of the cultivars were varied and were determined to possibly be CSCs. Hydroponics experiments were used to simulate six different degrees of soil contamination (high and low Cd concentrations) on possible CSCs. The results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) in Cd concentration in the cultivars, and verified the safety of these possible CSCs. The analyses of the transport coefficient and expression levels showed that the differences in Cd accumulation among the Chinese cabbage cultivars were related to the expression of genes involved in absorption and transport rather than a root-to-shoot translocation limitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals: Environmental and Human Health)

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23 pages, 6866 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Fire Occurrence at the City Scale: A Comparison between Geographically Weighted Regression and Global Linear Regression

by Chao Song¹, Mei-Po Kwan^2,3

and Jiping Zhu^1,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

² Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 255 Computing Applications Building, MC-150, 605 E Springfield Ave., Champaign, IL 61820, USA

³ Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80125, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040396 - 8 Apr 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6611

Abstract

An increasing number of fires are occurring with the rapid development of cities, resulting in increased risk for human beings and the environment. This study compares geographically weighted regression-based models, including geographically weighted regression (GWR) and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR), which [...] Read more.

An increasing number of fires are occurring with the rapid development of cities, resulting in increased risk for human beings and the environment. This study compares geographically weighted regression-based models, including geographically weighted regression (GWR) and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR), which integrates spatial and temporal effects and global linear regression models (LM) for modeling fire risk at the city scale. The results show that the road density and the spatial distribution of enterprises have the strongest influences on fire risk, which implies that we should focus on areas where roads and enterprises are densely clustered. In addition, locations with a large number of enterprises have fewer fire ignition records, probably because of strict management and prevention measures. A changing number of significant variables across space indicate that heterogeneity mainly exists in the northern and eastern rural and suburban areas of Hefei city, where human-related facilities or road construction are only clustered in the city sub-centers. GTWR can capture small changes in the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the variables while GWR and LM cannot. An approach that integrates space and time enables us to better understand the dynamic changes in fire risk. Thus governments can use the results to manage fire safety at the city scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Health, Risk Analysis and Environmental Hazards)

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18 pages, 509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards a Long-Term Strategy for Voluntary-Based Internal Radiation Contamination Monitoring: A Population-Level Analysis of Monitoring Prevalence and Factors Associated with Monitoring Participation Behavior in Fukushima, Japan

by Shuhei Nomura^1,2,*, Masaharu Tsubokura³

, Akihiko Ozaki⁴, Michio Murakami^5,6, Susan Hodgson⁷

, Marta Blangiardo⁷, Yoshitaka Nishikawa⁸, Tomohiro Morita⁹ and Tomoyoshi Oikawa³

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK

² Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

³ Department of Radiation Protection, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, 2-54-6 Takami-cho, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima 975-0033, Japan

⁴ Department of Surgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, 2-54-6 Takami-cho, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima 975-0033, Japan

⁵ Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Fukushima 960-1295

⁶ Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan

⁷ MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK

⁸ Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan

⁹ Department of Radiation Protection, Soma Central Hospital, 3-5-18 Okinouchi, Soma, Fukushima 976-0016, Japan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040397 - 9 Apr 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7948

Abstract

Following Japan’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident, we assessed voluntary-based monitoring behavior in Minamisoma City—located 10–40 km from the Fukushima nuclear plant—to inform future monitoring strategies. The monitoring in Minamisoma included occasional free of charge internal-radiation-exposure measurements. Out of around 70,000 individuals residing in [...] Read more.

Following Japan’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident, we assessed voluntary-based monitoring behavior in Minamisoma City—located 10–40 km from the Fukushima nuclear plant—to inform future monitoring strategies. The monitoring in Minamisoma included occasional free of charge internal-radiation-exposure measurements. Out of around 70,000 individuals residing in the city before the incident, a total of 45,788 residents (female: 52.1%) aged ≥21 were evaluated. The monitoring prevalence in 2011–2012 was only 30.2%, and this decreased to 17.9% in 2013–2014. Regression analyses were performed to estimate factors associated with the monitoring prevalence and participation behavior. The results show that, in comparison with the age cohort of 21–30 years, the cohort of 71–80 and ≥81 years demonstrated significantly lower monitoring prevalence; female residents had higher monitoring prevalence than male residents; those who were living in evacuation zones at the time of the incident had higher monitoring prevalence than those who lived outside any of the evacuation zones; for those living outside Fukushima and neighboring Prefectures post-incident monitoring prevalence decreased significantly in 2013–2014. Our findings inform the discussion on the concepts of radiation risk perception and accessibility to monitoring and societal decision-making regarding the maintenance of the monitoring program with low monitoring prevalence. We also stress the possibility that the monitoring can work both to check that internal contamination levels are within acceptable limits, and as a risk communication tool, alleviating individuals’ concern and anxiety over radiation contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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13 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessReview

Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait (ATSB) For Control of Mosquitoes and Its Impact on Non-Target Organisms: A Review

by Jodi M. Fiorenzano^1,2,*, Philip G. Koehler¹ and Rui-De Xue²

¹ Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive Gainesville, FL 32608, USA

² Anastasia Mosquito Control District, 120 EOC Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32092, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040398 - 10 Apr 2017

Cited by 112 | Viewed by 11335

Abstract

Mosquito abatement programs contend with mosquito-borne diseases, insecticidal resistance, and environmental impacts to non-target organisms. However, chemical resources are limited to a few chemical classes with similar modes of action, which has led to insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. To develop a new [...] Read more.

Mosquito abatement programs contend with mosquito-borne diseases, insecticidal resistance, and environmental impacts to non-target organisms. However, chemical resources are limited to a few chemical classes with similar modes of action, which has led to insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. To develop a new tool for mosquito abatement programs that control mosquitoes while combating the issues of insecticidal resistance, and has low impacts of non-target organisms, novel methods of mosquito control, such as attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs), are being developed. Whereas insect baiting to dissuade a behavior, or induce mortality, is not a novel concept, as it was first introduced in writings from 77 AD, mosquito baiting through toxic sugar baits (TSBs) had been quickly developing over the last 60 years. This review addresses the current body of research of ATSB by providing an overview of active ingredients (toxins) include in TSBs, attractants combined in ATSB, lethal effects on mosquito adults and larvae, impact on non-target insects, and prospects for the use of ATSB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito Control Innovations into The 21st Century)

10 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vitamin D Deficiency among Adults with History of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Korea Based on a Nationwide Survey

by Mi Hyun Joo^1,2, Mi Ah Han^1,*

, Sun Mi Park¹ and Hwan Ho Shin^1,2

¹ Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea

² Department of Health Science, Graduate School, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040399 - 10 Apr 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3679

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among individuals who have a history of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Korea. Using the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we selected 805 individuals with a history of TB diagnosis and 16,049 controls [...] Read more.

We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among individuals who have a history of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Korea. Using the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we selected 805 individuals with a history of TB diagnosis and 16,049 controls without a history of TB. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D level less than 20 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency was revealed in 71.7% of the individuals with a history of TB diagnosis and in 72.1% of the controls. Vitamin D deficiency was more likely in women than in men, in people who engaged in other jobs or were unemployed than in people who engaged in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery jobs, and in people who walked 3–5 days per week than in people who walked 6–7 days per week. Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in the TB group. Regular examination and strategies to increase vitamin D levels in individuals with a history of TB are needed, as vitamin D is associated with TB conditions and bone disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

15 pages, 4393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sodium p-Aminosalicylic Acid Reverses Sub-Chronic Manganese-Induced Impairments of Spatial Learning and Memory Abilities in Rats, but Fails to Restore γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels

by Shao-Jun Li^1,†, Chao-Yan Ou^1,2,†, Sheng-Nan He^1,†, Xiao-Wei Huang^1,†, Hai-Lan Luo¹, Hao-Yang Meng¹, Guo-Dong Lu^1,3,4, Yue-Ming Jiang^1,*, Tanara Vieira Peres⁵

, Yi-Ni Luo¹ and Xiang-Fa Deng⁶

¹ Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China

² Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China

³ Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China

⁴ Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, China

⁵ Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Forchheimer, 209, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA

⁶ Department of Anatomy, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China

^† Shao-Jun Li, Chao-Yan Ou, Sheng-Nan He and Xiao-Wei Huang contributed equally to this article.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040400 - 10 Apr 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5164

Abstract

Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure is not only a health risk for occupational workers, but also for the general population. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) has been successfully used in the treatment of manganism, but the involved molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. The [...] Read more.

Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure is not only a health risk for occupational workers, but also for the general population. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) has been successfully used in the treatment of manganism, but the involved molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PAS-Na on sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced impairments of spatial learning and memory, and determine the possible involvements of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in vivo. Sprague-Dawley male rats received daily intraperitoneal injections MnCl₂ (as 6.55 mg/kg Mn body weight, five days per week for 12 weeks), followed by daily subcutaneous injections of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg PAS-Na for an additional six weeks. Mn exposure significantly impaired spatial learning and memory ability, as noted in the Morris water maze test, and the following PAS-Na treatment successfully restored these adverse effects to levels indistinguishable from controls. Unexpectedly, PAS-Na failed to recover the Mn-induced decrease in the overall GABA levels, although PAS-Na treatment reversed Mn-induced alterations in the enzyme activities directly responsible for the synthesis and degradation of GABA (glutamate decarboxylase and GABA-transaminase, respectively). Moreover, Mn exposure caused an increase of GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) and decrease of GABA A receptor (GABA_A) in transcriptional levels, which could be reverted by the highest dose of 300 mg/kg PAS-Na treatment. In conclusion, the GABA metabolism was interrupted by sub-chronic Mn exposure. However, the PAS-Na treatment mediated protection from sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced neurotoxicity, which may not be dependent on the GABA metabolism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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11 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender-Specific Impact of Cadmium Exposure on Bone Metabolism in Older People Living in a Cadmium-Polluted Area in Thailand

by Muneko Nishijo^1,2,*, Kowit Nambunmee³, Dhitiwass Suvagandha⁴, Witaya Swaddiwudhipong⁵, Werawan Ruangyuttikarn⁶ and Yoshikazu Nishino^1,2

¹ Department of Public Health, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan

² Health Evaluation Center, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan

³ School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

⁴ Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

⁵ Mae Sot General Hospital, Mae Sot District, Tak Province 63110, Thailand

⁶ Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040401 - 10 Apr 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3918

Abstract

To elucidate the influence of cadmium exposure on bone metabolism, associations between urinary/blood cadmium and bone resorption/formation markers were investigated in older cadmium exposed men and women. Increased urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), a bone resorption marker, was found to [...] Read more.

To elucidate the influence of cadmium exposure on bone metabolism, associations between urinary/blood cadmium and bone resorption/formation markers were investigated in older cadmium exposed men and women. Increased urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), a bone resorption marker, was found to be associated with increased levels of parathyroid hormone, fractional excretion of calcium, and urinary/blood cadmium after adjusting for confounding factors in men. In women, urinary NTx was significantly associated with only urinary cadmium and a strong relationship with increased fractional excretion of calcium. Risk for bone metabolic disorders, indicated by high urinary NTx, significantly increased in men with blood cadmium ≥ 10 μg/L or urinary cadmium ≥ 10 μg/g creatinine. Increased osteocalcin level was significantly associated with increased blood cadmium in men. In conclusion, cadmium exposure appeared to have an influence on bone remodeling both bone resorption and formation in this population of older Thai men, and blood cadmium was more closely associated with bone metabolism than urinary cadmium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

11 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Occupational Stress, 5-HT2A Receptor Polymorphisms and Mental Health in Petroleum Workers in the Xinjiang Arid Desert: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Ting Jiang¹, Hua Ge¹, Jian Sun², Rong Li¹, Rui Han³ and Jiwen Liu^1,*

¹ Department of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China

² The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China

³ The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832008, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040402 - 10 Apr 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5097

Abstract

At present, there is growing interest in research examining the relationship between occupational stress and mental health. Owing to the socioeconomic impact of occupational stress and the unique environment of petroleum workers in Xinjiang, a cross-sectional study was carried out between April and [...] Read more.

At present, there is growing interest in research examining the relationship between occupational stress and mental health. Owing to the socioeconomic impact of occupational stress and the unique environment of petroleum workers in Xinjiang, a cross-sectional study was carried out between April and December 2015 to investigate the relationship between occupational stress, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR2A) genotype, and mental health. A total of 1485 workers were selected. The Symptom Checklist 90 was used to assess nine classes of psychological symptoms. Work-related stressors were evaluated using the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised Edition. Levels of 5-HTR2A (the Tl02C and A-1438G single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5-HTR2A gene) were measured by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The findings of the present study revealed a high prevalence rate of mental health problems (40.29%) in petroleum workers stationed in the arid desert, and suggested a strong correlation between occupational stress and mental health. The TC and CC genotype of Tl02C were found to be protective factors against mental health problems (odds ratio (OR) = 0.455, 95% confidence interval (CI): = 0.269–0.771, odds ratio (OR) = 0.340, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.162–0.716). AG and GG genotype of A-1438G [odds ratio (OR) 1 = 2.729, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.433–5.195; odds ratio (OR) 2 = 2.480, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.221–5.037] were revealed as risk factors. These data provide evidence that occupational stress and 5-HTR2A gene polymorphism contributes to the incidence of mental health problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

19 pages, 338 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

The Life Course Implications of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food for Children in Low-Income Countries

by Alessandra N. Bazzano^1,2,*

, Kaitlin S. Potts¹, Lydia A. Bazzano³ and John B. Mason¹

¹ Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

² Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

³ Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040403 - 11 Apr 2017

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 8171

Abstract

The development of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for the treatment of uncomplicated cases of severe acute malnutrition in young children from 6 months to 5 years old has greatly improved survival through the ability to treat large numbers of malnourished children in the [...] Read more.

The development of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for the treatment of uncomplicated cases of severe acute malnutrition in young children from 6 months to 5 years old has greatly improved survival through the ability to treat large numbers of malnourished children in the community setting rather than at health facilities during emergencies. This success has led to a surge in demand for RUTF in low income countries that are frequently food insecure due to environmental factors such as cyclical drought. Worldwide production capacity for the supply of RUTF has increased dramatically through the expansion and development of new manufacturing facilities in both low and high income countries, and new business ventures dedicated to ready-to-use foods have emerged not only for emergencies, but increasingly, for supplementing caloric intake of pregnant women and young children not experiencing acute undernutrition. Due to the lack of evidence on the long term health impact these products may have, in the midst of global nutrition transitions toward obesity and metabolic dysfunction, the increased use of manufactured, commercial products for treatment and prevention of undernutrition is of great concern. Using a framework built on the life course health development perspective, the current research presents several drawbacks and limitations of RUTF for nutrition of mothers and young children, especially in non-emergency situations. Recommendations follow for potential strategies to limit the use of these products to the treatment of acute undernutrition only, study the longer term health impacts of RUTF, prevent conflict of interests arising for social enterprises, and where possible, ensure that whole foods are supported for life-long health and nutrition, as well as environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Influences on Maternal and Child Health)

10 pages, 678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geospatial Analysis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Associated Community Characteristics in the United States

by Lia Scott^1,*

, Lee R. Mobley^1,2 and Dora Il’yasova¹

¹ School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA

² Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040404 - 11 Apr 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5402

Abstract

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, almost always diagnosed at late stage where mortality outcomes and morbidity burdens are known to be worse. Missed by mammography screening, IBC progresses rapidly and reaches late stage by the [...] Read more.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, almost always diagnosed at late stage where mortality outcomes and morbidity burdens are known to be worse. Missed by mammography screening, IBC progresses rapidly and reaches late stage by the time of diagnosis. With an unknown etiology and poor prognosis, it is crucial to evaluate the distribution of the disease in the population as well as identify area social and economic contextual risk factors that may be contributing to the observed patterns of IBC incidence. In this study, we identified spatial clustering of county-based IBC rates among US females and examined the underlying community characteristics associated with the clusters. IBC accounted for ~1.25% of all primary breast cancers diagnoses in 2004–2012 and was defined by the Collaborative Stage (CS) Extension code 710 and 730. Global and local spatial clusters of IBC rates were identified and mapped. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare median differences in key contextual variables between areas with high and low spatial clusters of IBC rates. High clusters are counties and their neighbors that all exhibit above average rates, clustered together in a fashion that would be extremely unlikely to be observed by chance, and conversely for low clusters. There was statistically significant evidence of spatial clustering into high and low rate clusters. The average rate in the high rate clusters (n = 46) was approximately 12 times the average rate in low rate clusters (n = 126), and 2.2 times the national average across all counties. Significant differences were found in the medians of the underlying race, poverty, and urbanicity variables when comparing the low cluster counties with the high cluster counties (p < 0.05). Cluster analysis confirms that IBC rates differ geographically and may be influenced by social and economic environmental factors. Particular attention may need to be paid to race, urbanicity and poverty when considering risk factors for IBC and when developing interventions and alternative prevention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geographical Variation in Breast Cancer Outcomes)

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3 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Remote Sensing, Crowd Sensing, and Geospatial Technologies for Public Health: An Editorial

by Jamal Jokar Arsanjani

Geoinformatics Research Group, Department of Planning, Aalborg University Copenhagen, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040405 - 11 Apr 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3183

Abstract

Remote sensing, as well as the recent advancements of crowd sensing, along with novel and recent geospatial technologies, have great potential to explore and understand the relationships between our surroundings—in particular our urban and rural environments and natural spaces—and public health through environmental [...] Read more.

Remote sensing, as well as the recent advancements of crowd sensing, along with novel and recent geospatial technologies, have great potential to explore and understand the relationships between our surroundings—in particular our urban and rural environments and natural spaces—and public health through environmental factors [1,2].[...] Full article

15 pages, 721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Patterns and Trends in the Spatial Availability of Alcohol Using Low-Level Geographic Data: A Case Study in England 2003–2013

by Colin Angus^1,*

, John Holmes¹

, Ravi Maheswaran¹

, Mark A. Green^1,2, Petra Meier¹

and Alan Brennan¹

¹ School of Health and Related Research, Regent Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK

² School of Environmental Sciences, Jane Herdman Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GP, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040406 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 10926

Abstract

Much literature examines the relationship between the spatial availability of alcohol and alcohol-related harm. This study aims to address an important gap in this evidence by using detailed outlet data to examine recent temporal trends in the sociodemographic distribution of spatial availability for [...] Read more.

Much literature examines the relationship between the spatial availability of alcohol and alcohol-related harm. This study aims to address an important gap in this evidence by using detailed outlet data to examine recent temporal trends in the sociodemographic distribution of spatial availability for different types of alcohol outlet in England. Descriptive analysis of measures of alcohol outlet density and proximity using extremely high resolution market research data stratified by outlet type and quintiles of area-level deprivation from 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013 was undertaken and hierarchical linear growth models fitted to explore the significance of socioeconomic differences. We find that overall availability of alcohol changed very little from 2003 to 2013 (density +1.6%), but this conceals conflicting trends by outlet type and area-level deprivation. Mean on-trade density has decreased substantially (−2.2 outlets within 1 km (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR) −3–0), although access to restaurants has increased (+1.0 outlets (IQR 0–1)), while off-trade access has risen substantially (+2.4 outlets (IQR 0–3)). Availability is highest in the most deprived areas (p < 0.0001) although these areas have also seen the greatest falls in on-trade outlet availability (p < 0.0001). This study underlines the importance of using detailed, low-level geographic data to understand patterns and trends in the spatial availability of alcohol. There are significant variations in these trends by outlet type and deprivation level which may have important implications for health inequalities and public health policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alcohol and Health)

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12 pages, 3887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Lead and Children’s Blood Lead Disparities in Pre- and Post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans (USA)

by Howard W. Mielke^1,*

, Christopher R. Gonzales¹ and Eric T. Powell²

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

² Lead Lab, Inc., New Orleans, LA 70119, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040407 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6505

Abstract

This study appraises New Orleans soil lead and children’s lead exposure before and ten years after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. Introduction: Early childhood exposure to lead is associated with lifelong and multiple health, learning, and behavioral disorders. Lead exposure is an [...] Read more.

This study appraises New Orleans soil lead and children’s lead exposure before and ten years after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. Introduction: Early childhood exposure to lead is associated with lifelong and multiple health, learning, and behavioral disorders. Lead exposure is an important factor hindering the long-term resilience and sustainability of communities. Lead exposure disproportionately affects low socioeconomic status of communities. No safe lead exposure is known and the common intervention is not effective. An essential responsibility of health practitioners is to develop an effective primary intervention. Methods: Pre- and post-Hurricane soil lead and children’s blood lead data were matched by census tract communities. Soil lead and blood lead data were described, mapped, blood lead graphed as a function of soil lead, and Multi-Response Permutation Procedures statistics established disparities. Results: Simultaneous decreases occurred in soil lead accompanied by an especially large decline in children’s blood lead 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. Exposure disparities still exist between children living in the interior and outer areas of the city. Conclusions: At the scale of a city, this study demonstrates that decreasing soil lead effectively reduces children’s blood lead. Primary prevention of lead exposure can be accomplished by reducing soil lead in the urban environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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9 pages, 273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Health Status and Health Service Utilization of the Elderly of a Remote and Poor Village in a Mountainous Area in Jinzhai, Anhui

by Chaoqun Hu^†, Wenya Yu^†, Yipeng Lv^†, Haiping Chen, Qiangyu Deng and Lulu Zhang^*

¹ Institute of Health Management, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040408 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4401

Abstract

Background: Despite the rapid development of China’s economy, a number of poor areas in China continue to exist. The health status of the elderly in the poor areas is a matter of concern. This study aims to explore the status of the [...] Read more.

Background: Despite the rapid development of China’s economy, a number of poor areas in China continue to exist. The health status of the elderly in the poor areas is a matter of concern. This study aims to explore the status of the elderly in terms of their health status, health service needs, and utilization among rural residents of a remote and poor village in a mountainous area in Jinzhai, Anhui. Furthermore, this study aims to explore the differences between the nation rural area average level and the remote and poor village in the mountainous area in terms of health status and health service utilization. Methods: Cluster sampling was used to obtain the sample. A total of 110 elderly people were selected from the village, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with questionnaires by trained investigators to collect data. Results: All items except vision, language disability, and self-care disability were found to be higher than the national average level. In terms of mental health, Zishu Village has a ratio of 44.1% for the symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is higher than the average for the national rural areas. The two-week prevalence rate, prevalence of chronic diseases, and non-hospitalization rate of those who need hospitalization (%) in Zishu Village was 62.7%, 88.2%, and 47.6% respectively, which was higher than the rural values of the National Survey (2008). Most of the outpatient visits were to the village clinics, while the hospitalizations were mainly to county hospitals. The two-week visiting rate was 24.1%, which was lower than 2008. The hospitalization rate in Zishu Village was 10.8%, which is similar to the level of 2008. Conclusions: The health level and the utilization of health services of the people in Zishu Village, Jinzhai, are generally lower than the national average. Financial difficulties continue to remain the major factor affecting the utilization of hospitalization services of this remote and poor village in Jinzhai, Anhui. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

6 pages, 256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Gender Effects in the Relationship between Perceived Immune Functioning and Autistic Traits

by Marlou Mackus¹, Deborah De Kruijff¹, Leila S. Otten¹

, Aletta D. Kraneveld^1,2

, Johan Garssen^1,3

and Joris C. Verster^1,2,4,*

¹ Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands

² Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands

³ Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands

⁴ Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne 3122, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040409 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4159

Abstract

Altered immune functioning has been demonstrated in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study explores the relationship between perceived immune functioning and experiencing ASD traits in healthy young adults. N = 410 students from Utrecht University completed a survey on immune [...] Read more.

Altered immune functioning has been demonstrated in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study explores the relationship between perceived immune functioning and experiencing ASD traits in healthy young adults. N = 410 students from Utrecht University completed a survey on immune functioning and autistic traits. In addition to a 1-item perceived immune functioning rating, the Immune Function Questionnaire (IFQ) was completed to assess perceived immune functioning. The Dutch translation of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was completed to examine variation in autistic traits, including the domains “social insights and behavior”, “difficulties with change”, “communication”, “phantasy and imagination”, and “detail orientation”. The 1-item perceived immune functioning score did not significantly correlate with the total AQ score. However, a significant negative correlation was found between perceived immune functioning and the AQ subscale “difficulties with change” (r = −0.119, p = 0.019). In women, 1-item perceived immune functioning correlated significantly with the AQ subscales “difficulties with change” (r = −0.149, p = 0.029) and “communication” (r = −0.145, p = 0.032). In men, none of the AQ subscales significantly correlated with 1-item perceived immune functioning. In conclusion, a modest relationship between perceived immune functioning and several autistic traits was found. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

8 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Motorcycle Use with Risk of Overweight in Taiwanese Urban Adults

by Chien-Yu Lin¹, Yung Liao^2,*

and Jong-Hwan Park^3,*

¹ Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, National Taiwan University, 17, Xuzhou Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan

² Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Heping East Road Section 1, Taipei 106, Taiwan

³ Institute of Convergence Bio-Health, Dong-A University, 32, Daeshingongwon-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan 49201, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040410 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3893

Abstract

Sedentary transport is known to adversely affect health. Few studies have focused on motorcycle use. This study examines the association of motorcycle use with overweight in urban adults in Taiwan. Cross-sectional data from 1069 Taiwanese adults aged 20–64 years in three urban cities [...] Read more.

Sedentary transport is known to adversely affect health. Few studies have focused on motorcycle use. This study examines the association of motorcycle use with overweight in urban adults in Taiwan. Cross-sectional data from 1069 Taiwanese adults aged 20–64 years in three urban cities were collected in 2015. Data on self-reported body mass index, time spent in motorcycle use, lifestyle behavioral factors, and sociodemographic variables were obtained. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were applied. In Model 1, adults who spent more time using a motorcycle (third quartile, odds ratio (OR) = 1.17; fourth quartile, OR = 1.60) were more likely to be overweight compared with the first quartile. In Model 2, after adjusting for the covariates, only the fourth quartile of motorcycle use (OR = 1.50) was associated with a higher risk of overweight. Higher time spent in motorcycle use is related to higher risk of being overweight, even after adjustment for potential demographic and behavioral confounders. Intervention and behavioral change strategies targeting motorcycle use should be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of Physical Activity on Chronic Disease Prevention and Population Health)

16 pages, 1000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of a Culturally-Tailored Smoking Cessation Intervention for Arab-American Men

by Linda G. Haddad^1,*, Ahmad M. Al-Bashaireh¹, Anastasiya V. Ferrell¹ and Roula Ghadban²

¹ College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA

² School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23824, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040411 - 13 Apr 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7275

Abstract

To date, no smoking cessation programs are available for Arab American (ARA) men, who are a vulnerable population with high rates of smoking. Thus, the primary aim of this one group pre-test/post-test study was to assess the effectiveness of Sehatack—a culturally and [...] Read more.

To date, no smoking cessation programs are available for Arab American (ARA) men, who are a vulnerable population with high rates of smoking. Thus, the primary aim of this one group pre-test/post-test study was to assess the effectiveness of Sehatack—a culturally and linguistically tailored smoking cessation program for ARA men. The study sample was 79 ARA men with a mean age of 43 years who smoked between 5 and 40 cigarettes (mean = 19.75, SD = 9.1) per day (98.7%). All of the participants reported more interest in smoking cessation post-intervention and many of the participants in the baseline (38.5%) and post-intervention phases (47.7%) wanted to quit smoking ”very much”. For daily smokers who completed the smoking cessation program, the median number of cigarettes smoked daily was significantly lower than those in the post-intervention phase (Z = −6.915, p < 0.001). Results of this preliminary study indicate that: (a) Sehatack may be a promising way for ARA men to quit smoking, and (b) culturally relevant smoking cessation counselors can be trained to recruit and retain ARA smokers in an intensive group smoking cessation program. Strengths of this study were community engagement and rapport between three faith organizations and the University of Florida College of Nursing. However, a larger trial is needed to address study limitations and to confirm benefits in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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11 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smoke-Free Laws and Hazardous Drinking: A Cross-Sectional Study among U.S. Adults

by Nan Jiang^1,2,*

, Mariaelena Gonzalez³, Pamela M. Ling², Kelly C. Young-Wolff⁴ and Stanton A. Glantz²

¹ Department of Population Health, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA

² Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

³ School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA

⁴ Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040412 - 13 Apr 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4675

Abstract

Tobacco and alcohol use are strongly associated. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship of smoke-free law coverage and smoke-free bar law coverage with hazardous drinking behaviors among a representative sample of U.S. adult drinkers (n = 17,057). We merged 2009 National Health [...] Read more.

Tobacco and alcohol use are strongly associated. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship of smoke-free law coverage and smoke-free bar law coverage with hazardous drinking behaviors among a representative sample of U.S. adult drinkers (n = 17,057). We merged 2009 National Health Interview Survey data, American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation U.S. Tobacco Control Laws Database, and Census Population Estimates. Hazardous drinking outcomes included heavy drinking (>14 drinks/week for men; >7 drinks/week for women) and binge drinking (≥5 drinks on one or more days during past year). Chi-square tests compared hazardous drinking by sociodemographic factors. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine if smoke-free law and bar law coverages were associated with hazardous drinking, controlling for sociodemographics and smoking status. Subset analyses were conducted among drinkers who also smoked (n = 4074) to assess the association between law coverages and hazardous drinking. Among all drinkers, smoke-free law coverage was not associated with heavy drinking (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99–1.50) or binge drinking (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.93–1.26). Smoke-free bar law coverage was also found to be unrelated to hazardous drinking. Similar results were found among those drinkers who smoked. Findings suggest that smoke-free laws and bar laws are not associated with elevated risk for alcohol-related health issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

15 pages, 2616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lead Exposure Assessment among Pregnant Women, Newborns, and Children: Case Study from Karachi, Pakistan

by Zafar Fatmi¹, Ambreen Sahito¹, Akihiko Ikegami²

, Atsuko Mizuno³, Xiaoyi Cui², Nathan Mise²

, Mai Takagi⁴, Yayoi Kobayashi⁴

and Fujio Kayama^2,*

¹ Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan

² Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan

³ Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan

⁴ Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0053, Japan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040413 - 13 Apr 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7210

Abstract

Lead (Pb) in petrol has been banned in developed countries. Despite the control of Pb in petrol since 2001, high levels were reported in the blood of pregnant women and children in Pakistan. However, the identification of sources of Pb has been elusive [...] Read more.

Lead (Pb) in petrol has been banned in developed countries. Despite the control of Pb in petrol since 2001, high levels were reported in the blood of pregnant women and children in Pakistan. However, the identification of sources of Pb has been elusive due to its pervasiveness. In this study, we assessed the lead intake of pregnant women and one- to three-year-old children from food, water, house dust, respirable dust, and soil. In addition, we completed the fingerprinting of the Pb isotopic ratios (LIR) of petrol and secondary sources (food, house-dust, respirable dust, soil, surma (eye cosmetics)) of exposure within the blood of pregnant women, newborns, and children. Eight families, with high (~50 μg/dL), medium (~20 μg/dL), and low blood levels (~10 μg/dL), were selected from 60 families. The main sources of exposure to lead for children were food and house-dust, and those for pregnant women were soil, respirable dust, and food. LIR was determined by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) with a two sigma uncertainty of ±0.03%. The LIR of mothers and newborns was similar. In contrast, surma, and to a larger extent petrol, exhibited a negligible contribution to both the child’s and mother’s blood Pb. Household wet-mopping could be effective in reducing Pb exposure. This intake assessment could be replicated for other developing countries to identify sources of lead and the burden of lead exposure in the population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Influences on Maternal and Child Health)

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13 pages, 586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

U.S. Trends of ED Visits for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries: Implications for Clinical Trials

by Cheng Chen^1,2, Junxin Shi^1,2, Rachel M. Stanley^1,3,4, Eric A. Sribnick^1,5, Jonathan I. Groner^1,2,6

and Henry Xiang^1,2,3,*

¹ Center for Pediatric Trauma Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA

² Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA

³ Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 370 West 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

⁴ Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 370 West 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

⁵ Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 370 West 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

⁶ Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040414 - 13 Apr 2017

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5754

Abstract

Our goal in this paper was to use the 2006–2013 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) database to describe trends of annual patient number, patient demographics and hospital characteristics of pediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBI) treated in U.S. emergency departments (EDs); and to use [...] Read more.

Our goal in this paper was to use the 2006–2013 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) database to describe trends of annual patient number, patient demographics and hospital characteristics of pediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBI) treated in U.S. emergency departments (EDs); and to use the same database to estimate the available sample sizes for various clinical trials of pediatric TBI cases. National estimates of patient demographics and hospital characteristics were calculated for pediatric TBI. Simulation analyses assessed the potential number of pediatric TBI cases from randomly selected hospitals for inclusion in future clinical trials under different scenarios. Between 2006 and 2013, the NEDS database estimated that of the 215,204,932 children who visited the ED, 6,089,930 (2.83%) had a TBI diagnosis. During the study period in the US EDs, pediatric TBI patients increased by 34.1%. Simulation analyses suggest that hospital EDs with annual TBI ED visits >1000, Levels I and II Trauma Centers, pediatric hospitals, and teaching hospitals will likely provide ample cases for pediatric TBI studies. However, recruiting severe pediatric TBI cases for clinical trials from a limited number of hospital EDs will be challenging due to small sample sizes. Pediatric TBI-related ED visits in the U.S. increased by over 30% from 2006 to 2013. Including unspecified head injury cases with ICD-9-CM code 959.01 would significantly change the national estimates and demographic patterns of pediatric TBI cases. Future clinical trials of children with TBI should conduct a careful feasibility assessment to estimate their sample size and study power in selected study sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Injury Prevention 2017)

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10 pages, 403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lunch Salad Bars in New Orleans’ Middle and High Schools: Student Intake of Fruit and Vegetables

by Carolyn C. Johnson^1,*

, Leann Myers², Adrienne R. Mundorf³, Keelia O’Malley¹

, Lori Andersen Spruance⁴ and Diane M. Harris⁵

¹ Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

² Department of Global Biostatistics and Informatics, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

³ Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA

⁴ Department of Health Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA

⁵ Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040415 - 13 Apr 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6437

Abstract

The school lunch salad bar (SB) is a recommended food environmental strategy to increase access to, and consumption of fruit and vegetables (F/V). In a study to examine use of school lunch SBs, middle and high school students provided data via the Automated [...] Read more.

The school lunch salad bar (SB) is a recommended food environmental strategy to increase access to, and consumption of fruit and vegetables (F/V). In a study to examine use of school lunch SBs, middle and high school students provided data via the Automated Self-Administered 24-h dietary recall (24HDR) tool for kids (ASA24-Kids-2012), a web-based data collection platform. Kilocalories were computed, food groups were assigned and F/V sources were obtained. Students (n = 718) from 12 schools with SBs and nine schools without SBs were approximately 87% African American, over 64% female and most were 7th and 8th graders. SB school students had higher median energy consumption at lunch but a higher percent of non-SB students reported eating fruit at lunch compared to SB students. Most students reporting eating F/V at lunch obtained F/V from the cafeteria main line; only 19.6% reported eating F/V exclusively from the SB. In SB schools median intake of cups F/V was higher among students using the SB (0.92) compared to those not using the SB (0.53). Results of this study are mixed, but encouraging. Additional factors, e.g., nutrition education, marketing, and kinds of foods offered on the SB need to be examined for potential influence on SB use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Influences on Maternal and Child Health)

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13 pages, 2560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Risk Factor Analysis of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Associated with Under-Five Morbidity in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region of China

by Chengdong Xu

State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciencesand Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040416 - 13 Apr 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5513

Abstract

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children under the age of five is a major public health issue in China. Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei is the largest urban agglomeration in northern China. The present study aimed to analyze the epidemiological features of HFMD, reveal spatial [...] Read more.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children under the age of five is a major public health issue in China. Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei is the largest urban agglomeration in northern China. The present study aimed to analyze the epidemiological features of HFMD, reveal spatial clusters, and detect risk factors in this region. Reports of HFMD cases in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013 were collected from 211 counties or municipal districts. First, the epidemiological features were explored, and then SaTScan analysis was carried out to detect spatial clusters of HFMD. Finally, GeoDetector and spatial paneled model were used to identify potential risk factors among the socioeconomic and meteorological variables. There were a total of 90,527 HFMD cases in the year 2013. The highest rate was in individuals aged one year, with an incidence of 24.76/10³. Boys (55,168) outnumbered girls (35,359). Temporally, the incidence rose rapidly from April, peaking in June (4.08/10³). Temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were positively associated with the incidence rate, while precipitation and sunshine hours had a negative association. The explanatory powers of these factors were 57%, 13%, 2%, 21% and 12%, respectively. Spatially, the highest-risk regions were located in Beijing and neighboring areas, with a relative risk (RR) value of 3.04. The proportion of primary industry was negatively associated with HFMD transmission, with an explanatory power of 32%. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, proportion of tertiary industry, and population density were positively associated with disease incidence, with explanatory powers of 22%, 17% and 15%, respectively. These findings may be helpful in the risk assessment of HFMD transmission and for implementing effective interventions to reduce the burden of this disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Modelling for Public Health Research)

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14 pages, 557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

One-Year Results of a Synthetic Intervention Model for the Primary Prevention of T2D among Elderly Individuals with Prediabetes in Rural China

by Zhao Hu^1,†, Lulu Qin^1,2,† and Huilan Xu^1,*

¹ Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China

² Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040417 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5736

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a synthetic intervention model aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes and controlling plasma glucose, body weight and waist circumference in elderly individuals with prediabetes in rural China. Methods: We randomly [...] Read more.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a synthetic intervention model aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes and controlling plasma glucose, body weight and waist circumference in elderly individuals with prediabetes in rural China. Methods: We randomly assigned 434 (180 men and 254 women; mean age, 69 years; mean body mass index, 23.6 kg/m²) with prediabetes to either the intervention group or the control group. Each participant in the intervention group received synthetic intervention for 1 year. Results: The incidence of diabetes was 4.2% in the intervention group, versus 19.7% in the control group at the end of 1 year (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the intervention group experienced a great decrease in fasting glucose (−3.9 vs. 2.2 mg/dL, p < 0.001), body weight (−3.2 vs. 1.7 kg, p < 0.001), waist circumference (−2.4 vs. 1.0 cm, p < 0001), total cholesterol (−9.1 vs. −4.6 mg/dL. p = 0.014) and HbA1c (−1.0 vs. 0.1 mg %, p = 0.002) at the end of 1 year. Conclusions: The incidence of diabetes of the control group was higher than that of the intervention group. Besides, the synthetic intervention contributes to weight loss and glucose decrease, and may be effective in reducing the risk of diabetes among elderly individuals with prediabetes in rural China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of Physical Activity on Chronic Disease Prevention and Population Health)

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11 pages, 1365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Biogenic Amines and Mycotoxins in Alfalfa and Red Clover Fodder Depending on Additives

by Jiri Skladanka¹, Vojtech Adam¹, Ondrej Zitka¹, Veronika Mlejnkova¹, Libor Kalhotka¹, Pavel Horky¹, Klara Konecna², Lucia Hodulikova¹, Daniela Knotova², Marie Balabanova¹, Petr Slama^1,* and Petr Skarpa¹

¹ Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic

² Research Institute for Fodder Crops, Ltd. Troubsko, Zahradni 1, 66441 Troubsko, Czech Republic

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040418 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5510

Abstract

In the production of fermented feed, each crop can be contaminated with a variety of microorganisms that may produce natural pollutants. Biogenic amines, mycotoxins, and undesirable organic acids can decrease health feed safety. The aim of this study was to compare the counts [...] Read more.

In the production of fermented feed, each crop can be contaminated with a variety of microorganisms that may produce natural pollutants. Biogenic amines, mycotoxins, and undesirable organic acids can decrease health feed safety. The aim of this study was to compare the counts of microorganisms, levels of biogenic amines, and the mycotoxins in forage legumes, and also to compare the occurrence of microorganisms and levels of mycotoxins in green fodder and subsequently produced silage and the influence of additives on the content of natural harmful substances in silage. The experimental plot was located in Troubsko and Vatín, in the Czech Republic. Two varieties of Medicago sativa and one variety of Trifolium pratense were compared. Green fodder and subsequently produced silage reaching up to 23% of dry matter were evaluated and prepared using a bio-enzymatic additive and a chemical additive. Green fodder of Medicago sativa was more contaminated by Enterococci than Trifolium pratense fodder. The obvious difference was determined by the quality of silage leachate. The silage prepared from Medicago sativa fodder was more contaminated with butyric acid. Fungi were present in higher counts in the anaerobic environment of green fodder and contaminated it with zearalenone and deoxynivalenol. Lower counts of fungi were found in silage, although the zearalenone content did not change. Lower content of deoxynivalenol was detected in silage, compared with green fodder. Silages treated with a chemical additive were found not to contain butyric acid. Lower ethanol content was determined, and the tendency to reduce the risk of biogenic amines occurrence was evident. The additives proved to have no influence on the content of mycotoxins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in the Agri-Food Chain)

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12 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construct Validity of an Obesity Risk Screening Tool in Two Age Groups

by Karissa L. Peyer^1,* and Greg J. Welk²

¹ Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 518 Oak Street, Metro 105 Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA

² Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, 257 Forker Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040419 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4159

Abstract

Home environment influences child health, but the impact varies as children move into adolescence. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screening tool has been used to evaluate home environments, but studies have not compared the utility of the tool in different age [...] Read more.

Home environment influences child health, but the impact varies as children move into adolescence. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screening tool has been used to evaluate home environments, but studies have not compared the utility of the tool in different age groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the FNPA tool in first and tenth grade samples. Parents of first grade (n = 250) and tenth grade (n = 99) students completed the FNPA and results were linked to body mass index (BMI) data. FNPA scores were examined by gender, income, race, and school-level socioeconomic status (SES). Correlations examined associations between FNPA scores and several BMI indicators. Logistic and linear regression analyses evaluated the construct validity of the FNPA in both groups. Mean FNPA score differed by age group, by SES in both age groups, and by race in the first grade sample only. Correlations between FNPA score and BMI indicators were higher in the first grade sample, but SES was significantly associated with BMI only in tenth graders. The FNPA has stronger utility in younger children, while school SES is a stronger predictor of adolescent weight status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

10 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Occupational Health and Food Safety Risks Associated with the Traditional Slaughter and Consumption of Goats in Gauteng, South Africa

by Daniel N. Qekwana^1,*, Cheryl M. E. McCrindle², James W. Oguttu³

and Delia Grace⁴

¹ Section Veterinary Public Health, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa

² School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

³ Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of South Africa, Christiaan de Wet Rd. & Pioneer Avenue, Florida Park, Roodepoort 1710, Gauteng, South Africa

⁴ ILRI-Kenya, Nairobi 00100, Kenya

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040420 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5120

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the occupational health and food safety risks associated with the traditional slaughter of goats and the consumption of such meat in Tshwane, South Africa. Methods: A convenience sample of 105 respondents agreed to be interviewed using structured questionnaires. Results: [...] Read more.

Background: This study assessed the occupational health and food safety risks associated with the traditional slaughter of goats and the consumption of such meat in Tshwane, South Africa. Methods: A convenience sample of 105 respondents agreed to be interviewed using structured questionnaires. Results: A high proportion (62.64%) of practitioners admitted to not wearing protective clothing during slaughter. Slaughtering was mainly carried out by males (99%) with experience (62.2%). Forty-four percent of practitioners only changed the clothes they wore while slaughtering when they got home. During the actual slaughter, up to seven people may be involved. The majority (58.9%) of slaughters occurred early in the morning and none of the goats were stunned first. In 77.5% of cases, the health status of the persons who performed the slaughtering was not known. The majority (57.3%) of the slaughters were performed on a corrugated iron roof sheet (zinc plate). In 83.3% of the cases, the carcass was hung up to facilitate bleeding, flaying, and evisceration. Meat inspection was not practiced by any of the respondents. Throughout the slaughter process, the majority used the same knife (84.3) and 84.7% only cleaned the knife when it became soiled. A total of 52.0% of the respondents processed the carcass and cooked the meat immediately. The majority (80.0%) consumed the meat within 30 min of cooking. Conclusions: Men are at a higher risk of occupational health hazards associated with traditional slaughter, which can be transferred to their households. Unhygienic methods of processing and the lack of any form of post-mortem examination increase the risk of food-borne illness following the consumption of such meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

8 pages, 943 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Temporary Black Henna Tattoos and Sensitization to para-Phenylenediamine (PPD): Two Paediatric Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

by Elisa Panfili, Susanna Esposito^*

and Giuseppe Di Cara

Pediatric Clinic, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040421 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 10609

Abstract

Background: The use of temporary henna tattoos has increased dramatically in recent years, especially in children and adolescents. To obtain a darker colour and prolong the life of the tattoo, red henna, a plant-derived substance, is typically added to para-phenylenediamine (PPD). [...] Read more.

Background: The use of temporary henna tattoos has increased dramatically in recent years, especially in children and adolescents. To obtain a darker colour and prolong the life of the tattoo, red henna, a plant-derived substance, is typically added to para-phenylenediamine (PPD). The mixture is called temporary black henna tattoo (TBHT). Because of its molecular characteristics, PPD can induce skin sensitization that may cause various clinical manifestations with successive exposures, among which the most common is allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). This report describes two paediatric cases of PPD sensitization and ACD after the exposure to TBHT and summarizes the literature on this emerging clinical problem. Case Presentation: We describe two cases of childhood-onset ACD that occurred 2 and 10 days, respectively, after the application of a TBHT during the summer holidays. Patch tests showed an evident positive response to 1% PPD in both cases. Sensitization to PPD occurred in the first case because a previous henna tattoo did not result in overt symptoms; in the second case, the reaction occurred after the same tattoo was retouched. In both cases, hypopigmentation persisted and both the patients and their families were advised to avoid further contact with PPD-containing materials and substances that could lead to cross-reactions. Conclusions: Sensitization to PPD is a growing phenomenon in children. The most common cause appears to be exposure to TBHT in which PPD might be present at unknown or high concentrations. Once sensitization occurs, patients may experience severe clinical symptoms which can present with a persistent hypopigmentation when they are re-exposed to substances that contain or cross-react with PPD. Given the widespread use of PPD, TBHT could adversely affect the daily life of paediatric patients; thus, for this reason, this practice as a fashion accessory must be discouraged. In addition, it is extremely important to provide scientific information on the risks of TBHT to consumers, especially to adolescents and to the parents of younger children to prevent PPD sensitization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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15 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross-Sectional Study on Selected Correlates of High risk Sexual Behavior in Polish Migrants Resident in the United Kingdom

by Maria Ganczak^1,*, Grażyna Czubińska², Marcin Korzeń³

and Zbigniew Szych⁴

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Management, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland

² Department of Applied Psychology, Polish University Abroad, London W6 0RF, UK

³ Department of Methods of Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland

⁴ Department of Computer Science and Education Quality Research, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040422 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4929

Abstract

Objective: To assess the correlates of the high risk sexual behaviors of Polish migrants in the United Kingdom (UK) after 2004, and to compare such behaviors before/after immigration. Methods: In 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted through the use of a [...] Read more.

Objective: To assess the correlates of the high risk sexual behaviors of Polish migrants in the United Kingdom (UK) after 2004, and to compare such behaviors before/after immigration. Methods: In 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted through the use of a Computer-assisted web interviewing surveying technique with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Among 408 respondents (56.9% women), with a median age of 32 years, significantly more admitted to having unprotected sexual contact with a casual partner while in the UK (p < 0.0001) than while in Poland; more were engaged in sex after the use of recreational drugs and alcohol (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001 respectively). Being a male was associated with greater odds of unprotected sex, sex after the use of alcohol, and having multiple partners. Being single and having only been a resident for a short time in the UK, presenting a lower self-esteem, were predictors of unprotected sex. A total of 19.6% of the respondents admitted to having been tested while in Poland, a lower (p < 0.0001) frequency than while in the UK (49.5%); this referred to both genders; 1.2% (95% CI: 0.79–2.83%) reported that they were HIV positive. Conclusions: Migration can create a vulnerability to STIs, especially for single male migrants with low self-esteem, staying in the UK for less than two years. The results point to strengthening strategies which help reduce high risk sexual behavior among Polish migrants, and to introduce interventions to promote an awareness of HIV sero-status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Refugee Health)

11 pages, 1348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ambient Air Pollution and Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Beijing, China

by Ruixue Xia¹

, Guopeng Zhou²

, Tong Zhu³, Xueying Li² and Guangfa Wang^1,*

¹ Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, Peking University, 8 Xishiku Rd., Beijing 100034, China

² Department of Hospital Information, First Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, Peking University, 8 Xishiku Rd., Beijing 100034, China

³ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering and Centre for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040423 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 6674

Abstract

Air pollutants are associated with cardiovascular death; however, there is limited evidence of the effects of different pollutants on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in Beijing, China. We aimed to investigate the associations of OHCAs with the air pollutants PM_2.5–10 (coarse particulate matter), [...] Read more.

Air pollutants are associated with cardiovascular death; however, there is limited evidence of the effects of different pollutants on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in Beijing, China. We aimed to investigate the associations of OHCAs with the air pollutants PM_2.5–10 (coarse particulate matter), PM_2.5 (particles ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃) between 2013 and 2015 using a time-stratified case-crossover study design. We obtained health data from the nationwide emergency medical service database; 4720 OHCA cases of cardiac origin were identified. After adjusting for relative humidity and temperature, the highest odds ratios of OHCA for a 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 were observed at Lag Day 1 (1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.10), with strong associations with advanced age (aged ≥70 years) (1.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.13) and stroke history (1.11; 95% CI: 1.06–1.16). PM_2.5–10 and NO₂ also showed significant associations with OHCAs, whereas SO₂, CO, and O₃ had no effects. After simultaneously adjusting for NO₂ and SO₂ in a multi-pollutant model, PM_2.5 remained significant. The effects of PM_2.5 in the single-pollutant models for cases with hypertension, respiratory disorders, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease were higher than those for cases without these complications; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The results support that elevated PM_2.5 exposure contributes to triggering OHCA, especially in those who are advanced in age and have a history of stroke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Policy Focused Approach to Public Health and Air, Water and/or Soil Pollution)

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19 pages, 850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Work Characteristics Associated with Physical Functioning in Women

by Aimee J. Palumbo^1,*

, Anneclaire J. De Roos², Carolyn Cannuscio³, Lucy Robinson¹, Jana Mossey¹, Julie Weitlauf^4,5, Lorena Garcia⁶, Robert Wallace⁷ and Yvonne Michael¹

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

² Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

³ Section on Public Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania PA 19104, USA

⁴ Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA

⁵ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

⁶ Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA

⁷ Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040424 - 15 Apr 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5848

Abstract

Women make up almost half of the labor force with older women becoming a growing segment of the population. Work characteristics influence physical functioning and women are at particular risk for physical limitations. However, little research has explored the effects of work characteristics [...] Read more.

Women make up almost half of the labor force with older women becoming a growing segment of the population. Work characteristics influence physical functioning and women are at particular risk for physical limitations. However, little research has explored the effects of work characteristics on women’s physical functioning. U.S. women between the ages of 50 and 79 were enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study between 1993 and 1998. Women provided job titles and years worked at their three longest-held jobs (n = 79,147). Jobs were linked to characteristics in the Occupational Information Network. Three categories of job characteristics related to substantive complexity, physical demand, and social collaboration emerged. The association between job characteristics and physical limitations in later life, measured using a SF-36 Physical Functioning score <25th percentile, was examined using modified Poisson regression. After controlling for confounding variables, high physical demand was positively associated with physical limitations (RR = 1.09 CI: 1.06–1.12) and substantively complex work was negatively associated (RR = 0.94, CI: 0.91–0.96). Jobs requiring complex problem solving, active learning, and critical thinking were associated with better physical functioning. Employers should explore opportunities to reduce strain from physically demanding jobs and incorporate substantively complex tasks into women’s work to improve long-term health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Health and the Work Environment)

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21 pages, 6299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gaseous Elemental Mercury and Total and Leached Mercury in Building Materials from the Former Hg-Mining Area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Central Italy)

by Orlando Vaselli^1,2,*, Barbara Nisi³, Daniele Rappuoli⁴, Jacopo Cabassi²

and Franco Tassi^1,2

¹ Department of Earth Sciences, Via G. La Pira, 4-50121 Florence, Italy

² CNR—Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. La Pira, 4–50121 Florence, Italy

³ CNR—Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via Moruzzi, 1–56124 Pisa, Italy

⁴ Unione dei Comuni Amiata-Val D’Orcia, Via del Colombaio, 98-53023 Gallina, Castiglion d’Orcia, Siena, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040425 - 15 Apr 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6451

Abstract

Mercury has a strong environmental impact since both its organic and inorganic forms are toxic, and it represents a pollutant of global concern. Liquid Hg is highly volatile and can be released during natural and anthropogenic processes in the hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. [...] Read more.

Mercury has a strong environmental impact since both its organic and inorganic forms are toxic, and it represents a pollutant of global concern. Liquid Hg is highly volatile and can be released during natural and anthropogenic processes in the hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. In this study, the distribution of Gaseous Elemental Mercury (GEM) and the total and leached mercury concentrations on paint, plaster, roof tiles, concrete, metals, dust and wood structures were determined in the main buildings and structures of the former Hg-mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Siena, Central Italy). The mining complex (divided into seven units) covers a surface of about 65 ha and contains mining structures and managers’ and workers’ buildings. Nine surveys of GEM measurements were carried out from July 2011 to August 2015 for the buildings and structures located in Units 2, 3 and 6, the latter being the area where liquid mercury was produced. Measurements were also performed in February, April, July, September and December 2016 in the edifices and mining structures of Unit 6. GEM concentrations showed a strong variability in time and space mostly depending on ambient temperature and the operational activities that were carried out in each building. The Unit 2 surveys carried out in the hotter period (from June to September) showed GEM concentrations up to 27,500 ng·m⁻³, while in Unit 6, they were on average much higher, and occasionally, they saturated the GEM measurement device (>50,000 ng·m⁻³). Concentrations of total (in mg·kg⁻¹) and leached (in μg·L⁻¹) mercury measured in different building materials (up to 46,580 mg·kg⁻¹ and 4470 mg·L⁻¹, respectively) were highly variable, being related to the edifice or mining structure from which they were collected. The results obtained in this study are of relevant interest for operational cleanings to be carried out during reclamation activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mercury and Health: Current Perspectives and Future Directions)

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12 pages, 2198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Manuel B. Huber^1,*

, Julia Felix¹, Martin Vogelmann² and Reiner Leidl^1,3

¹ German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute for Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Postfach 1129, Neuherberg 85758, Germany

² Wort & Bild Verlag Konradshöhe GmbH & Co. KG, Baierbrunn 82065, Germany

³ Munich Center of Health Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Ludwigstr. 28 RG, Munich 80539, Germany

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040426 - 16 Apr 2017

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 7788

Abstract

The EQ-5D-5L is a widely used generic instrument to measure health-related quality of life. This study evaluates health perception in a representative sample of the general German population from 2015. To compare results over time, a component analysis technique was used that separates [...] Read more.

The EQ-5D-5L is a widely used generic instrument to measure health-related quality of life. This study evaluates health perception in a representative sample of the general German population from 2015. To compare results over time, a component analysis technique was used that separates changes in the description and valuation of health states. The whole sample and also subgroups, stratified by sociodemographic parameters as well as disease affliction, were analyzed. In total, 2040 questionnaires (48.4% male, mean age 47.3 year) were included. The dimension with the lowest number of reported problems was self-care (93.0% without problems), and the dimension with the highest proportion of impairment was pain/discomfort (71.2% without problems). Some 64.3% of the study population were identified as problem-free. The visual analog scale (VAS) mean for all participants was 85.1. Low education was connected with significantly lower VAS scores, but the effect was small. Depression, heart disease, and diabetes had a strong significant negative effect on reported VAS means. Results were slightly better than those in a similar 2012 survey; the most important driver was the increase in the share of the study population that reported to be problem-free. In international comparisons, health perception of the general German population is relatively high and, compared with previous German studies, fairly stable over recent years. Elderly and sick people continue to report significant reductions in perceived health states. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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10 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Advanced Stage at Presentation Remains a Major Factor Contributing to Breast Cancer Survival Disparity between Public and Private Hospitals in a Middle-Income Country

by Yek-Ching Kong¹, Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy², Shridevi Subramaniam¹, Nanthini Bhoo-Pathy², Nur Aishah Taib³, Suniza Jamaris³, Kiran Kaur³, Mee-Hoong See³, Gwo-Fuang Ho⁴ and Cheng-Har Yip^5,*

¹ National Clinical Research Centre, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur 50586, Malaysia

² Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

³ Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia

⁴ Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia

⁵ Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040427 - 16 Apr 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5155

Abstract

Background: Survival disparities in cancer are known to occur between public and private hospitals. We compared breast cancer presentation, treatment and survival between a public academic hospital and a private hospital in a middle-income country. Methods: The demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment and overall [...] Read more.

Background: Survival disparities in cancer are known to occur between public and private hospitals. We compared breast cancer presentation, treatment and survival between a public academic hospital and a private hospital in a middle-income country. Methods: The demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment and overall survival (OS) of 2767 patients with invasive breast carcinoma diagnosed between 2001 and 2011 in the public hospital were compared with 1199 patients from the private hospital. Results: Compared to patients in the private hospital, patients from the public hospital were older at presentation, and had more advanced cancer stages. They were also more likely to receive mastectomy and chemotherapy but less radiotherapy. The five-year OS in public patients was significantly lower than in private patients (71.6% vs. 86.8%). This difference was largely attributed to discrepancies in stage at diagnosis and, although to a much smaller extent, to demographic differences and treatment disparities. Even following adjustment for these factors, patients in the public hospital remained at increased risk of mortality compared to their counterparts in the private hospital (Hazard Ratio: 1.59; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.36–1.85). Conclusion: Late stage at diagnosis appears to be a major contributing factor explaining the breast cancer survival disparity between public and private patients in this middle-income setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geographical Variation in Breast Cancer Outcomes)

10 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of PM_2.5 from Asian Dust Storms on Emergency Room Visits for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases

by Ssu-Ting Liu¹

, Chu-Yung Liao², Cheng-Yu Kuo³ and Hsien-Wen Kuo^1,4,*

¹ Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, 155 Li-Nong 2nd Street, Taipei 114, Taiwan

² Department of Early Childhood Educare, College of Health, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua 510, Taiwan

³ College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

⁴ School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040428 - 16 Apr 2017

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 5419

Abstract

A case-crossover study examined how PM_2.5 from Asian Dust Storms (ADS) affects the number of emergency room (ER) admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and respiratory diseases (RDs). Our data indicated that PM_2.5 concentration from ADS was highly correlated with ER visits [...] Read more.

A case-crossover study examined how PM_2.5 from Asian Dust Storms (ADS) affects the number of emergency room (ER) admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and respiratory diseases (RDs). Our data indicated that PM_2.5 concentration from ADS was highly correlated with ER visits for CVDs and RDs. The odds ratios (OR) increased by 2.92 (95% CI: 1.22–5.08) and 1.86 (95% CI: 1.30–2.91) per 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 levels, for CVDs and RDs, respectively. A 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 from ADSs was significantly associated with an increase in ER visits for CVDs among those 65 years of age and older (an increase of 2.77 in OR) and for females (an increase of 3.09 in OR). In contrast, PM_2.5 levels had a significant impact on RD ER visits among those under 65 years of age (OR = 1.77). The risk of ER visits for CVDs increased on the day when the ADS occurred in Taiwan and the day after (lag 0 and lag 1); the corresponding risk increase for RDs only increased on the fifth day after the ADS (lag 5). In Taiwan’s late winter and spring, the severity of ER visits for CVDs and RDs increases. Environmental protection agencies should employ an early warning system for ADS to reduce high-risk groups’ exposure to PM_2.5. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

12 pages, 516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Risk Assessment of Indoor Air Quality, Socioeconomic and House Characteristics on Respiratory Health among Women and Children of Tirupur, South India

by Krassi Rumchev^*, Yun Zhao and Jeffery Spickett

School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6148, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040429 - 17 Apr 2017

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 7423

Abstract

Background: Indoor air pollution is still considered as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and especially in developing countries, including India. This study aims to assess social, housing, and indoor environmental factors associated with respiratory health among mothers and [...] Read more.

Background: Indoor air pollution is still considered as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and especially in developing countries, including India. This study aims to assess social, housing, and indoor environmental factors associated with respiratory health among mothers and children. Methods: The study was conducted in the city of Tirupur, South India. We quantitatively assessed the indoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and carbon monoxide in relation to respiratory health among women and children. Information on health status, household characteristics and socioeconomic factors was collected using a modified standardised questionnaire. Results: This study demonstrates the significant health impact of housing and socioeconomic characteristics on the burden of respiratory illness among women and children in urban South India. Increased respiratory symptoms were recorded among women and children from low income households, and those who allowed smoking inside. The mean PM_2.5 concentration measured in this study was 3.8 mg/m³ which exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) 24 h guideline value of 0.025 mg/m³. Conclusions: This study is the first to our knowledge carried out in urban South India and the findings can be used for future intervention studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impact Assessment (HIA))

13 pages, 2956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Moss to Assess Airborne Heavy Metal Pollution in Taizhou, China

by Xiaoli Zhou^†, Qin Chen^†, Chang Liu and Yanming Fang^*

¹ Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this study.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040430 - 17 Apr 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 6530

Abstract

Bryophytes act as bioindicators and bioaccumulators of metal deposition in the environment. To understand the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in Taizhou, East China, samples of moss ( [...] Read more.

Bryophytes act as bioindicators and bioaccumulators of metal deposition in the environment. To understand the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in Taizhou, East China, samples of moss (Haplocladium microphyllum) were collected from 60 sites selected by a systematic sampling method during the summer of 2012, and the concentrations of these heavy metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The results suggested that the concentrations of these metals varied moderately among different sites, indicating a similar contamination level for each element throughout the monitoring region. The mean values under investigation were higher than those from neighboring cities, such as Wuxi, Xuzhou, and Nanjing, and much higher than those in Europe based on a 2010 survey. Significant (p < 0.01) correlations were identified among some of the heavy metals, suggesting that these originated from identical sources. There was no statistically significant correlation between Hg and all the other elements. Spatial distribution maps of the elements over the sampled territory were created using Arc-GIS 9.0. The potential ecological risk index indicated that the air was heavily polluted by Cd and Hg, and that there was a considerable potential ecological risk from all the heavy metals studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals: Environmental and Human Health)

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15 pages, 1283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Demographic and Environmental Factors Associated with Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Jayeun Kim¹ and Ho Kim^1,2,*

¹ Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea

² Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040431 - 17 Apr 2017

Cited by 76 | Viewed by 12939

Abstract

Relevant demographic and environmental conditions need to be understood before tailoring policies to improve mental health. Using community health survey data from 25 communities in Seoul, 2013, cross-sectional associations between mental health and community level environments were assessed. Mental health outcomes (self-rated stress [...] Read more.

Relevant demographic and environmental conditions need to be understood before tailoring policies to improve mental health. Using community health survey data from 25 communities in Seoul, 2013, cross-sectional associations between mental health and community level environments were assessed. Mental health outcomes (self-rated stress levels (SRS) and depressive symptoms (DS)) were analyzed. Community environmental factors included green space, green facilities, and annual PM₁₀ level (AnnPM₁₀); socio-demographic factors included sex, age, education, labor market participation, comorbidity, sleep hours, physical activity, smoking, and drinking. A total of 23,139 people with the following characteristics participated: men (44.2%); age groups 19−39 (36.0%), 40−59 (39.4%), 60−74 (19.2%), and 75+ (5.4%). Women had higher odds ratios (OR) for SRS [OR 1.22, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.27] and DS [OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.42–1.71]. Regular physical activity predicted SRS [OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84–0.95] and DS [OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.88–1.10]; current smoking and drinking were adversely associated with both SRS and DS. Higher accessibility to green space (Q4) was inversely associated with DS [OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81−0.97] compared to lower accessibility (Q1). AnnPM₁₀, annual levels for particles of aerodynamic diameter <10 µm (PM₁₀), among communities was associated with poorer SRS [OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04] by 10 μg/m³ increases. Therefore, both demographic and environmental factors should be considered to understand mental health conditions among the general population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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10 pages, 528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Blood Lead Levels and Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase in Pregnant Women

by Osmel La-Llave-León¹, Edna M. Méndez-Hernández¹, Francisco X. Castellanos-Juárez¹, Eloísa Esquivel-Rodríguez², Fernando Vázquez-Alaniz³

, Ada Sandoval-Carrillo¹, Gonzalo García-Vargas⁴, Jaime Duarte-Sustaita⁴

, Jorge L. Candelas-Rangel⁴ and José M. Salas-Pacheco^1,*

¹ Institute of Scientific Research, Juarez University of the State of Durango, AV. Universidad y Fanny Anitua s/n. Col. Centro, C. P. 34000 Durango, Mexico

² Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Cuauhtemoc, 223 North, Col. Centro, C. P. 34000 Durango, Mexico

³ General Hospital 450, Health Services, C. P. 34000 Durango, Mexico

⁴ Faculty of Health Sciences, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Gomez Palacio la Salle 1 y Sixto Ugalde, s/n, Col. Revolucion, C. P. 35050 Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040432 - 18 Apr 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5811

Abstract

Blood lead levels (BLLs) and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity are considered biomarkers of lead exposure and lead toxicity, respectively. The present study was designed to investigate the association between BLLs and ALAD activity in pregnant women from Durango, Mexico. A total of [...] Read more.

Blood lead levels (BLLs) and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity are considered biomarkers of lead exposure and lead toxicity, respectively. The present study was designed to investigate the association between BLLs and ALAD activity in pregnant women from Durango, Mexico. A total of 633 pregnant women aged 13–43 years participated in this study. Blood lead was measured by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. ALAD activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Mean blood lead was 2.09 ± 2.34 µg/dL; and 26 women (4.1%) crossed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended level of 5 µg/dL. ALAD activity was significantly lower in women with levels of lead ≥5 µg/dL compared to those with BLLs < 5 µg/dL (p = 0.002). To reduce the influence of extreme values on the statistical analysis, BLLs were analyzed by quartiles. A significant negative correlation between blood lead and ALAD activity was observed in the fourth quartile of BLLs (r = −0.113; p < 0.01). Among women with blood lead concentrations ≥2.2 µg/dL ALAD activity was negatively correlated with BLLs (r = −0.413; p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that inhibition of ALAD in pregnant women may occur at levels of lead in blood above 2.2 µg/dL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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1 pages, 222 KiB

Open AccessErratum

Erratum: Wong, L.P., et al. The Self-Regulation Model of Illness: Comparison between Zika and Dengue and Its Application to Predict Mosquito Prevention Behaviours in Malaysia, a Dengue-Endemic Country Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 1210

by Li Ping Wong^1,2,*

, Haridah Alias¹, Nasrin Aghamohammadi^1,3, I-Ching Sam⁴ and Sazaly Abu Bakar^4,5

¹ Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

² Julius Centre University of Malaya (JCUM), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

³ Centre for Occupational & Environmental Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

⁴ Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

⁵ Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Educational Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040433 - 19 Apr 2017

Viewed by 3427

Abstract

n/a Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

14 pages, 462 KiB

Open AccessReview

How Sensors Might Help Define the External Exposome

by Miranda Loh^1,*, Dimosthenis Sarigiannis², Alberto Gotti², Spyros Karakitsios², Anjoeka Pronk³, Eelco Kuijpers³, Isabella Annesi-Maesano^4,5, Nour Baiz⁴, Joana Madureira⁵, Eduardo Oliveira Fernandes⁵, Michael Jerrett⁶ and John W. Cherrie^1,7

¹ Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK

² Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

³ TNO, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk, Postbus 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands

⁴ Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department (EPAR), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Medical School Saint-Antoine, F75012 Paris, France

⁵ INEGI, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

⁶ UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 56-070B CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA

⁷ Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040434 - 18 Apr 2017

Cited by 78 | Viewed by 7491

Abstract

The advent of the exposome concept, the advancement of mobile technology, sensors, and the “internet of things” bring exciting opportunities to exposure science. Smartphone apps, wireless devices, the downsizing of monitoring technologies, along with lower costs for such equipment makes it possible for [...] Read more.

The advent of the exposome concept, the advancement of mobile technology, sensors, and the “internet of things” bring exciting opportunities to exposure science. Smartphone apps, wireless devices, the downsizing of monitoring technologies, along with lower costs for such equipment makes it possible for various aspects of exposure to be measured more easily and frequently. We discuss possibilities and lay out several criteria for using smart technologies for external exposome studies. Smart technologies are evolving quickly, and while they provide great promise for advancing exposure science, many are still in developmental stages and their use in epidemiology and risk studies must be carefully considered. The most useable technologies for exposure studies at this time relate to gathering exposure-factor data, such as location and activities. Development of some environmental sensors (e.g., for some air pollutants, noise, UV) is moving towards making the use of these more reliable and accessible to research studies. The possibility of accessing such an unprecedented amount of personal data also comes with various limitations and challenges, which are discussed. The advantage of improving the collection of long term exposure factor data is that this can be combined with more “traditional” measurement data to model exposures to numerous environmental factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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18 pages, 781 KiB

Open AccessReview

Economic Burden of Obesity: A Systematic Literature Review

by Maximilian Tremmel^1,*, Ulf-G. Gerdtham^2,3,4, Peter M. Nilsson⁵ and Sanjib Saha^2,3

¹ Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, 81377 Bavaria, Germany

² Health Economics Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 22381 Lund, Sweden

³ Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University/Region Skåne, Skåne University Hospital, S-22241 Lund, Skåne, Sweden

⁴ Department of Economics, Lund University, S-22363 Lund, Skåne, Sweden

⁵ Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, S-20502 Malmö, Skåne, Sweden

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040435 - 19 Apr 2017

Cited by 873 | Viewed by 59141

Abstract

Background: The rising prevalence of obesity represents an important public health issue. An assessment of its costs may be useful in providing recommendations for policy and decision makers. This systematic review aimed to assess the economic burden of obesity and to identify, [...] Read more.

Background: The rising prevalence of obesity represents an important public health issue. An assessment of its costs may be useful in providing recommendations for policy and decision makers. This systematic review aimed to assess the economic burden of obesity and to identify, measure and describe the different obesity-related diseases included in the selected studies. Methods: A systematic literature search of studies in the English language was carried out in Medline (PubMed) and Web of Science databases to select cost-of-illness studies calculating the cost of obesity in a study population aged ≥18 years with obesity, as defined by a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m², for the whole selected country. The time frame for the analysis was January 2011 to September 2016. Results: The included twenty three studies reported a substantial economic burden of obesity in both developed and developing countries. There was considerable heterogeneity in methodological approaches, target populations, study time frames, and perspectives. This prevents an informative comparison between most of the studies. Specifically, there was great variety in the included obesity-related diseases and complications among the studies. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for public health measures to prevent obesity in order to save societal resources. Moreover, international consensus is required on standardized methods to calculate the cost of obesity to improve homogeneity and comparability. This aspect should also be considered when including obesity-related diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Economics)

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18 pages, 428 KiB

Open AccessReview

Non-Responsive Feeding Practices, Unhealthy Eating Behaviors, and Risk of Child Overweight and Obesity in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

by Ana Cristina Lindsay^1,2,*, Somporn Sitthisongkram³, Mary L. Greaney⁴, Sherrie F. Wallington⁵ and Praewrapee Ruengdej⁶

¹ Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts—Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA

² Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02125, USA

³ Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts—Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA

⁴ Health Studies and Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA

⁵ Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA

⁶ Boromarajonani Nursing College Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040436 - 19 Apr 2017

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 10386

Abstract

Childhood obesity is increasing dramatically in many Southeast Asian countries, and becoming a significant public health concern. This review summarizes the evidence on associations between parental feeding practices, child eating behaviors, and the risk of overweight and obesity in Southeast Asian children 2–12 [...] Read more.

Childhood obesity is increasing dramatically in many Southeast Asian countries, and becoming a significant public health concern. This review summarizes the evidence on associations between parental feeding practices, child eating behaviors, and the risk of overweight and obesity in Southeast Asian children 2–12 years old. We systematically searched five electronic academic/research (PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest Nursing, Medline, and CINAHL) databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for peer-reviewed studies published in English between January 2000 and December 2016. Fourteen observational studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Reviewed studies were examined separately for preschool- and school-aged children and revealed that non-responsive parental feeding practices and unhealthy child eating behaviors were associated with a risk of child overweight and obesity in several Southeast Asian countries. Nonetheless, due to the small number of identified studies (n = 14) and because only about half of the Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia) were represented (5/11) in the examined studies, additional research is needed to further understand the factors associated with childhood obesity among children in Southeast Asia to develop interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of Southeast Asian countries and designed to address practices and behaviors that may promote childhood obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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9 pages, 428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Serum Selenium Concentrations and Levels of Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Cytokines—Interleukin-6 and Growth Differentiation Factor-15, in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

by Andrzej Prystupa¹

, Paweł Kiciński²

, Dorota Luchowska-Kocot^3,†, Anna Błażewicz^4,†, Jarosław Niedziałek⁵, Grzegorz Mizerski², Mariusz Jojczuk⁶, Andrzej Ochal⁶, Jarosław J. Sak^7,*

and Wojciech Załuska⁸

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16, 20-081 Lublin, Poland

² Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 11, 20-081 Lublin, Poland

³ Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a (Collegium Pharmaceuticum), 20-093 Lublin, Poland

⁴ Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a (Collegium Pharmaceuticum), 20-093 Lublin, Poland

⁵ Individual Medical Practice, Lublin, Ludwika Hirszfelda 5/11, 20-092 Lublin, Poland

⁶ Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16, 20-081 Lublin, Poland

⁷ Department of Ethics and Human Philosophy, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 4/6 (Collegium Maximum), 20-059 Lublin, Poland

⁸ Department of Nephrology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040437 - 21 Apr 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6084

Abstract

According to some authors, serum selenium levels are strongly associated with the severity of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the concentration of selenium and pro-inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines—interleukin-6 (IL-6) and growth differentiation [...] Read more.

According to some authors, serum selenium levels are strongly associated with the severity of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the concentration of selenium and pro-inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines—interleukin-6 (IL-6) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The parameters studied were determined in the serum of 99 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis divided based on the severity of disease according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh criteria. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the serum selenium concentration was statistically lower, whereas serum IL-6 and GDF-15 concentrations were higher than those in the control group. Moreover, the concentration of selenium negatively correlated with the levels of GDF-15 and IL-6. The above results may indicate a role of selenium deficiency in the pathogenesis and progression of alcoholic liver disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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17 pages, 322 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Little Bug with a Big Bite: Impact of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestations on Forest Ecosystems in the Eastern USA and Potential Control Strategies

by Amanda Letheren¹, Stephanie Hill¹, Jeanmarie Salie¹, James Parkman^2,* and Jiangang Chen^1,*

¹ Department of Public Health, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA

² Lindsay Young Beneficial Insects Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040438 - 19 Apr 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5834

Abstract

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand, HWA) remains the single greatest threat to the health and sustainability of hemlock in the eastern USA. The loss of hemlock trees leads to further negative impacts on the diversity and stability of ecosystems in the [...] Read more.

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand, HWA) remains the single greatest threat to the health and sustainability of hemlock in the eastern USA. The loss of hemlock trees leads to further negative impacts on the diversity and stability of ecosystems in the eastern part of North America. It is, therefore, urgent to develop effective control measures to reduce HWA populations and promote overall hemlock health. Currently available individual and integrated approaches should continue to be evaluated in the laboratory and in the field along with the development of other new and innovative methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

14 pages, 2565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effects of Airborne Particulate Matter on Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSCs): Cellular, Molecular and Systems Biological Approaches

by Muhammad Abu-Elmagd^1,*,†, Mansour A. Alghamdi^2,†, Magdy Shamy², Mamdouh I. Khoder², Max Costa³, Mourad Assidi¹

, Roaa Kadam¹, Haneen Alsehli¹, Mamdooh Gari¹, Peter Natesan Pushparaj^1,*, Gauthaman Kalamegam^1,*,† and Mohammed H. Al-Qahtani¹

¹ Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

² Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80208, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

³ New York University School of Medicine, Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York, NY 10987, USA

^† These authors contributed equally to this paper.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040440 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5789

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) contains heavy metals that affect various cellular functions and gene expression associated with a range of acute and chronic diseases in humans. However, the specific effects they exert on the stem cells remain unclear. Here, we report the effects of [...] Read more.

Particulate matter (PM) contains heavy metals that affect various cellular functions and gene expression associated with a range of acute and chronic diseases in humans. However, the specific effects they exert on the stem cells remain unclear. Here, we report the effects of PM collected from the city of Jeddah on proliferation, cell death, related gene expression and systems of biological analysis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanisms. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were tested in vitro at various concentrations (15 to 300 µg/mL) and durations (24 to 72 h). PMs induced cellular stress including membrane damage, shrinkage and death. Lower concentrations of PM_2.5 increased proliferation of BM-MSCs, while higher concentrations served to decrease it. PM₁₀ decreased BM-MSCs proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis showed that PM contains high levels of heavy metals. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and hierarchical clustering analyses demonstrated that heavy metals were associated with signaling pathways involving cell stress/death, cancer and chronic diseases. qRT-PCR results showed differential expression of the apoptosis genes (BCL2, BAX); inflammation associated genes (TNF-α and IL-6) and the cell cycle regulation gene (p53). We conclude that PM causes inflammation and cell death, and thereby predisposes to chronic debilitating diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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12 pages, 2836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene Conditions and Health Outcomes among Two Settlement Types in Rural Far North Cameroon

by Tyler J. Gorham¹, Joshua Yoo², Rebecca Garabed², Arabi Mouhaman³ and Jiyoung Lee^1,4,*

¹ Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

² Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

³ Department of Environmental Sciences, The Higher Institute of the Sahel, University of Maroua, Maroua BP 46, Far North Region, Cameroon

⁴ Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040441 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 8454

Abstract

The Far North region in Cameroon has been more heavily impacted by cholera than any other region over the past decade, but very little has been done to study the drivers of waterborne diseases in the region. We investigated the relationship between water, [...] Read more.

The Far North region in Cameroon has been more heavily impacted by cholera than any other region over the past decade, but very little has been done to study the drivers of waterborne diseases in the region. We investigated the relationship between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) parameters, microbial and antibiotic resistance (AR) contamination levels in drinking water, and health outcomes using health survey and molecular analysis during June and July of 2014 in two settlement types (agro-pastoralist villages and transhumant pastoralist camps). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine fecal contamination sources, enteric pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes. Ruminant-associated fecal contamination was widespread in both settlement types (81.2%), with human-associated contamination detected in 21.7% of the samples. Salmonella spp. (59.4%) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (stx1 44.9% and stx2 31.9%) were detected across all samples. Tetracycline resistance was found only in village samples. A significant difference in diarrheal incidence within the past 28 days among young children was found between camps (31.3%) and villages (0.0%). Our findings suggest that water contamination may play an important role in contributing to gastrointestinal illness, supporting the need for future research and public health intervention to reduce gastrointestinal illness in the area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Aquatic Microbial and Chemical Contaminants of Concern and Their Impact on Human Health)

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28 pages, 1240 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Review: Costing and Financing of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools

by Shannon M. McGinnis¹, Thomas McKeon², Richa Desai², Akudo Ejelonu², Stanley Laskowski² and Heather M. Murphy^1,*

¹ College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA

² Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040442 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 11546

Abstract

Despite the success of recent efforts to increase access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) globally, approximately one-third of schools around the world still lack adequate WASH services. A lack of WASH in schools can lead to the spread of preventable disease [...] Read more.

Despite the success of recent efforts to increase access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) globally, approximately one-third of schools around the world still lack adequate WASH services. A lack of WASH in schools can lead to the spread of preventable disease and increase school absences, especially among women. Inadequate financing and budgeting has been named as a key barrier for integrating successful and sustainable WASH programs into school settings. For this reason, the purpose of this review is to describe the current knowledge around the costs of WASH components as well as financing models that could be applied to WASH in schools. Results show a lack of information around WASH costing, particularly around software elements as well as a lack of data overall for WASH in school settings as compared to community WASH. This review also identifies several key considerations when designing WASH budgets or selecting financing mechanisms. Findings may be used to advise future WASH in school programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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13 pages, 881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acceptable Risk Analysis for Abrupt Environmental Pollution Accidents in Zhangjiakou City, China

by Xi Du¹, Zhijiao Zhang^1,2, Lei Dong¹, Jing Liu¹, Alistair G. L. Borthwick^3,4

and Renzhi Liu^1,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

² Institute of Environmental & Damages Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Guangzhou 510045, China

³ School of Engineering, The King’s Buildings, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK

⁴ St Edmund Hall, Queen’s Lane, Oxford OX1 4AR, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040443 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5795

Abstract

Abrupt environmental pollution accidents cause considerable damage worldwide to the ecological environment, human health, and property. The concept of acceptable risk aims to answer whether or not a given environmental pollution risk exceeds a societally determined criterion. This paper presents a case study [...] Read more.

Abrupt environmental pollution accidents cause considerable damage worldwide to the ecological environment, human health, and property. The concept of acceptable risk aims to answer whether or not a given environmental pollution risk exceeds a societally determined criterion. This paper presents a case study on acceptable environmental pollution risk conducted through a questionnaire survey carried out between August and October 2014 in five representative districts and two counties of Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China. Here, environmental risk primarily arises from accidental water pollution, accidental air pollution, and tailings dam failure. Based on 870 valid questionnaires, demographic and regional differences in public attitudes towards abrupt environmental pollution risks were analyzed, and risk acceptance impact factors determined. The results showed females, people between 21–40 years of age, people with higher levels of education, public servants, and people with higher income had lower risk tolerance. People with lower perceived risk, low-level risk knowledge, high-level familiarity and satisfaction with environmental management, and without experience of environmental accidents had higher risk tolerance. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that public satisfaction with environmental management was the most significant factor in risk acceptance, followed by perceived risk of abrupt air pollution, occupation, perceived risk of tailings dam failure, and sex. These findings should be helpful to local decision-makers concerned with environmental risk management (e.g., selecting target groups for effective risk communication) in the context of abrupt environmental accidents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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22 pages, 3545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Cost of Arbovirus Disease Prevention in Europe: Area-Wide Integrated Control of Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus, in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy

by Massimo Canali^1,*

, Stefano Rivas-Morales¹, Philippe Beutels² and Claudio Venturelli³

¹ Department of Agricultural and Food Science, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy

² Centre for Health Economics Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium

³ Department of Public Health, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale della Romagna-Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040444 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8456

Abstract

Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) has become the most invasive mosquito species worldwide, in addition to being a well-known vector of diseases, with a proven capacity for the transmission of chikungunya and dengue viruses in Europe as well as the Zika virus in Africa [...] Read more.

Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) has become the most invasive mosquito species worldwide, in addition to being a well-known vector of diseases, with a proven capacity for the transmission of chikungunya and dengue viruses in Europe as well as the Zika virus in Africa and in laboratory settings. This research quantifies the cost that needs to be provided by public-health systems for area-wide prevention of arboviruses in Europe. This cost has been calculated by evaluating the expenditure of the plan for Aedes albopictus control set up in the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) after a chikungunya outbreak occurred in 2007. This plan involves more than 280 municipalities with a total of 4.2 million inhabitants. Public expenditure for plan implementation in 2008–2011 was examined through simple descriptive statistics. Annual expenditure was calculated to be approximately €1.3 per inhabitant, with a declining trend (from a total of €7.6 million to €5.3 million) and a significant variability at the municipality level. The preventative measures in the plan included antilarval treatments (about 75% of total expenditure), education for citizens and in schools, entomological surveillance, and emergency actions for suspected viremias. Ecological factors and the relevance of tourism showed a correlation with the territorial variability in expenditure. The median cost of one antilarval treatment in public areas was approximately €0.12 per inhabitant. Organizational aspects were also analyzed to identify possible improvements in resource use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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11 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Hyposalivation on Quality of Life (QoL) and Oral Health in the Aging Population of Al Madinah Al Munawarrah

by Mohammad S. Ahmad¹, Ahmed Bhayat², Muhammad Sohail Zafar^3,4

and Khalid H. Al-Samadani^3,*

¹ Dental Public Heath, Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarrah 41311, Saudi Arabia

² Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa

³ Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarrah 41311, Saudi Arabia

⁴ Department of Dental Materials, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040445 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6121

Abstract

Hyposalivation (HS) affects aging individuals by causing pain and discomfort in the oral cavity. The aim here was to determine the impact of hyposalivation and the saliva pH on the quality of life and caries status of geriatrics population. A total of 138 [...] Read more.

Hyposalivation (HS) affects aging individuals by causing pain and discomfort in the oral cavity. The aim here was to determine the impact of hyposalivation and the saliva pH on the quality of life and caries status of geriatrics population. A total of 138 male outpatients attending the Taibah University College of Dentistry (TUCoD) dental clinic were included in the study. The saliva flow, pH, Quality of Life (QoL), and caries status were recorded. The QoL was measured using the Arabic version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and the caries status was recorded using the Decayed, Missed, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The mean age was 67.5 years and 64% were classified as having hyposalivation. The older respondents tended to have a lower saliva flow and pH compared to their younger counterparts. There was a significant inverse association (p = 0.02) between the caries status and mean saliva flow rate. There was also a significant (p < 0.001) positive correlation between caries and the OHIP-14 scores (Spearman’s ρ = 0.293). The prevalence of hyposalivation was relatively high and there was an inverse relationship between the age, the saliva flow, and pH. Those with more caries reported significantly poor QoL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Economics)

12 pages, 2969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prospective Analysis of the Influence of Sport and Educational Factors on the Prevalence and Initiation of Smoking in Older Adolescents from Croatia

by Natasa Zenic¹

, Djivo Ban^1,2, Sanja Jurisic³, Mladen Cubela³, Jelena Rodek¹, Ljerka Ostojic^1,3,4, Mario Jelicic¹, Antonino Bianco⁵

and Damir Sekulic^1,6,*

¹ Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia

² University of Dubrovnik, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

³ Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

⁴ Academy of Medical Sciences, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

⁵ Sport and Exercise Research Unit, SPPF Department, University of Palermo, 90144 Palermo, Italy

⁶ University Department of Health Care Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040446 - 20 Apr 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5280

Abstract

The prevalence of smoking among Croatian adolescents is alarmingly high, but no previous study has prospectively examined the sport- and academic-factors associated with smoking and smoking initiation. This study aimed to prospectively examine the associations between scholastic (educational) achievement and sport factors and [...] Read more.

The prevalence of smoking among Croatian adolescents is alarmingly high, but no previous study has prospectively examined the sport- and academic-factors associated with smoking and smoking initiation. This study aimed to prospectively examine the associations between scholastic (educational) achievement and sport factors and smoking in 16- to 18-year-old adolescents. This two-year prospective cohort study included 644 adolescents who were 16 years of age at baseline (46% females). Baseline testing was implemented at the beginning of the 3rd year of high school (September 2014) when participants were 16 years old. Follow-up testing was completed at the end of the fourth year of high school, which occurred 20 months later. The evaluated predictor variables were educational-achievement- and sport-related-factors. The outcome variables were (i) smoking at baseline; (ii) smoking at follow-up; and (iii) smoking initiation over the course of the study. We assessed the associations between predictors and outcomes using logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and conflict with parents. The educational variables were consistently associated with smoking, with lower grade-point-average (Baseline: odd ratio (OR): 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.61–2.55; Follow-up: 1.59, 1.31–1.94), more frequent absence from school (Baseline: OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.19–1.69; Follow-up: 1.30, 1.08–1.58), and lower behavioral grades (Baseline: OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.10–2.89; Follow-up: 1.57, 1.03–2.41) in children who smoke. Adolescents who reported quitting sports were at greater odds of being smokers (Baseline: 2.07, 1.31–3.32; Follow-up: 1.66, 1.09–2.56). Sport competitive achievement at baseline was protective against smoking initiation during following two-year period (0.45, 0.21–0.91). While the influence of the educational variables on smoking initiation has been found to be established earlier; sport achievement was identified as a significant protective factor against initiating smoking in older adolescents. Results should be used in development of an anti-smoking preventive campaign in older adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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17 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Smoke-Free Rules in Homes among Socially-Disadvantaged Populations in Poland

by Katarzyna Milcarz^1,*

, Leokadia Bak-Romaniszyn² and Dorota Kaleta¹

¹ Department of Tobacco Control, Preventive Medicine Department, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland

² Department of Nutrition in Digestive Tract Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040447 - 21 Apr 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4728

Abstract

This study aims to examine the prevalence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in homes among socially-disadvantaged populations in Poland, along with the prevalence and correlates of voluntary implementation of smoke-free home rules. Data concerning 1617 respondents from a cross-sectional study completed [...] Read more.

This study aims to examine the prevalence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in homes among socially-disadvantaged populations in Poland, along with the prevalence and correlates of voluntary implementation of smoke-free home rules. Data concerning 1617 respondents from a cross-sectional study completed in the Piotrkowski District were used, which was part of the “Reducing Social Inequalities in Health” program. Overall, 19.4% of the respondents declared exposure to ETS at home. In the non-smokers group, 15.5%, including 6.6% males and 18.3% females, were exposed to ETS in their place of residence (p < 0.0001). Complete smoke-free rules were adopted by 22.1% of the study participants. Two factors, smoker status and lack of ETS-associated health risk awareness, were found to be significantly associated with no adoption of total smoking bans at home. Socially-disadvantaged non-smokers, especially females from rural areas in Poland, still constitute a large population exposed to ETS in their homes—a challenge from the perspective of public health. Focused efforts are required to address social norms around exposing others to ETS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

12 pages, 442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Who Is Using Outdoor Fitness Equipment and How? The Case of Xihu Park

by Hsueh-wen Chow^1,*, Andrew J. Mowen² and Guan-lin Wu¹

¹ Graduate Institute of Physical Education, Health and Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan

² Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040448 - 21 Apr 2017

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 8946

Abstract

Outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) placed in public parks has the potential to encourage physical activity. However, little is known about OFE users and use patterns. This study employed onsite and video observations of OFE usage to describe user characteristics and patterns in Xihu [...] Read more.

Outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) placed in public parks has the potential to encourage physical activity. However, little is known about OFE users and use patterns. This study employed onsite and video observations of OFE usage to describe user characteristics and patterns in Xihu Park. Results indicate that OFE in this park attracted considerable use, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. During these peak-hour observations, approximately 12 users per hour used the OFE, with the majority being females and seniors. The triple arm stretch and air walker were the most popular stations. However, most OFE users interacted with less than three of the available six OFE stations. Furthermore, users spent an average of less than nine minutes on all OFE stations combined. While OFE equipment was well-used in this urban park, it appears users did not interact with OFE at rates to produce a sufficient bout or level of physical activity during their park visit. Further investigations of OFE are encouraged to determine their health impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

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11 pages, 865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Temperature and Hospital Admissions for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Korea

by Suji Lee^1,*

and Matthias Guth²

¹ Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea

² School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Arcisstraße 21, 80333 Munich, Germany

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040449 - 21 Apr 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5287

Abstract

The relationship between temperature and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is less studied than that between temperature and myocardial infarction or other cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the association between daily temperature and risk of SAH by analyzing the hospital admission records of 111,316 SAH [...] Read more.

The relationship between temperature and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is less studied than that between temperature and myocardial infarction or other cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the association between daily temperature and risk of SAH by analyzing the hospital admission records of 111,316 SAH patients from 2004 to 2012 in Korea. A Poisson regression model was used to examine the association between temperature and daily SAH hospital admissions. To analyze data and identify vulnerable groups, we used the following subgroups: sex, age, insurance type, area (rural or urban), and different climate zones. We confirmed a markedly higher SAH risk only for people of low socioeconomic status in both hot and cold temperatures; the relative risk (RR) in the Medicaid group was significantly increased and ranged from 1.04 to 1.11 for cold temperatures and 1.10 to 1.11 for hot temperatures. For the National Health Insurance group, the RR was increased to 1.02 for the maximum temperature only. The increased risk for SAH was highest in the temperate zone. An increase above the heat threshold temperature and a decrease below the cold threshold temperature were correlated with an increased risk of SAH in susceptible populations and were associated with different lag effects and RRs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Human Health)

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14 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A National Study of Social Media, Television, Radio, and Internet Usage of Adults by Sexual Orientation and Smoking Status: Implications for Campaign Design

by Andrew B. Seidenberg^1,*, Catherine L. Jo¹, Kurt M. Ribisl^1,2, Joseph G. L. Lee^1,3

, Francisco O. Buchting⁴, Yoonsang Kim⁵ and Sherry L. Emery⁵

¹ Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

² Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

³ Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA

⁴ Horizons Foundation, San Francisco, CA 96766, USA

⁵ Health Media Collaboratory, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040450 - 21 Apr 2017

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 9226

Abstract

Background: Smoking rates among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people significantly exceed that of heterosexuals. Media interventions are an important part of tobacco control efforts, but limited information is available on LGB people’s media use. Methods: A nationally representative sample of [...] Read more.

Background: Smoking rates among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people significantly exceed that of heterosexuals. Media interventions are an important part of tobacco control efforts, but limited information is available on LGB people’s media use. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 12,900 U.S. adults completed an online questionnaire assessing media use, smoking status, and demographic information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess relationships between media use with sexual orientation and smoking status. Results: A total of 590 (4.6%) respondents identified as LGB, of which 29% were smokers. Regardless of sexual orientation and smoking status, the Internet was the most popular media channel used, followed by television and radio. LGB respondents had significantly greater odds of having accounts on social media websites, accessing Facebook daily, and being a frequent Internet user, compared to heterosexual respondents. Similar media use was found between smokers and non-smokers, but smokers had greater odds of being frequent television viewers and frequent Internet users, compared to non-smokers. Conclusions: Compared to heterosexuals, LGB respondents reported greater use of the Internet, especially social media. Media campaigns targeting LGB populations can maximize reach by utilizing social media alongside traditional media channels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Behavior and Public Health)

19 pages, 1937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Job Strain and Casual Blood Pressure Distribution: Looking beyond the Adjusted Mean and Taking Gender, Age, and Use of Antihypertensives into Account. Results from ELSA-Brasil

by Leidjaira Lopes Juvanhol¹

, Enirtes Caetano Prates Melo¹, Marilia Sá Carvalho²

, Dóra Chor¹, José Geraldo Mill³ and Rosane Härter Griep^4,*

¹ National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

² Scientific Computing Program, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

³ Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Avenida Marechal Campos, 1468, Maruípe, 29042-755 Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil

⁴ Laboratory of Health and Environment Education, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040451 - 22 Apr 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5804

Abstract

Methodological issues are pointed to as the main sources of inconsistencies in studies about the association between job strain and blood pressure (BP)/hypertension. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between job strain and the whole BP distribution, as well as potential differences [...] Read more.

Methodological issues are pointed to as the main sources of inconsistencies in studies about the association between job strain and blood pressure (BP)/hypertension. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between job strain and the whole BP distribution, as well as potential differences by gender, age, and use of antihypertensives. Additionally, we addressed issues relating to the operationalization of the exposure and outcome variables that influence the study of their inter-relations. We evaluated the baseline date of 12,038 participants enrolled in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) (2008–2010), a multicenter cohort study of 35–74-year-old civil servants. Job strain was assessed by the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. The distribution of casual BP by categories of job strain was compared by a combination of exploratory techniques. Participants were classified into three subgroups (normotensives, medicated hypertensives, and unmedicated hypertensives), and analyses were stratified by gender and age. The relationship between job strain and casual BP varied along the whole outcome distribution. Hypertensive participants had greater differences in casual BP by job strain category, especially medicated hypertensives. Differences in casual BP were also greater for systolic than for diastolic BP and for older participants. No differences were encountered by gender. The exclusion of participants susceptible to misclassification for the exposure and outcome variables increased the differences observed between the categories of low and high job strain. In conclusion, the relationship between job strain and casual BP varied along the whole outcome distribution and by use of antihypertensive drugs, age, and BP parameter evaluated. Misclassification for exposure and outcome variables should be considered in analyses of this topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Health)

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24 pages, 1479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Breast Cancer Screening Programmes across the WHO European Region: Differences among Countries Based on National Income Level

by Emma Altobelli^1,2,*, Leonardo Rapacchietta¹, Paolo Matteo Angeletti¹, Luca Barbante¹, Filippo Valerio Profeta³ and Roberto Fagnano⁴

¹ Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

² Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, .Local Health Unit 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy

³ Department of Community Health, Local Health Unit 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy

⁴ Local Health Unit 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(4), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040452 - 23 Apr 2017

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 10080

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumour affecting women all over the world. In low- and middle-income countries, where its incidence is expected to rise further, BC seems set to become a public health emergency. The aim of the present study is [...] Read more.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumour affecting women all over the world. In low- and middle-income countries, where its incidence is expected to rise further, BC seems set to become a public health emergency. The aim of the present study is to provide a systematic review of current BC screening programmes in WHO European Region to identify possible patterns. Multiple correspondence analysis was performed to evaluate the association among: measures of occurrence; GNI level; type of BC screening programme; organization of public information and awareness campaigns regarding primary prevention of modifiable risk factors; type of BC screening services; year of screening institution; screening coverage and data quality. A key difference between High Income (HI) and Low and Middle Income (LMI) States, emerging from the present data, is that in the former screening programmes are well organized, with approved screening centres, the presence of mobile units to increase coverage, the offer of screening tests free of charge; the fairly high quality of occurrence data based on high-quality sources, and the adoption of accurate methods to estimate incidence and mortality. In conclusion, the governments of LMI countries should allocate sufficient resources to increase screening participation and they should improve the accuracy of incidence and mortality rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geographical Variation in Breast Cancer Outcomes)

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