Original Article
Epidemiology
Abubakar Abdallah Kheir
Abstract
Background: The study sought to better understand the severity and causes of hypertension and obesity in Mvita Sub County, Mombasa County, with the overarching goal of determining the impact knowledge/awareness had on developing either or both illnesses.Methods: The research was carried out in all five ...
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Background: The study sought to better understand the severity and causes of hypertension and obesity in Mvita Sub County, Mombasa County, with the overarching goal of determining the impact knowledge/awareness had on developing either or both illnesses.Methods: The research was carried out in all five wards of Mvita Sub County in 2019: Majengo, Tononoka, Old Town, Tudor, and Shimanzi. Furthermore, the study included 110 respondents who were chosen using probability stratified selection and included both young and elderly people of both genders. The findings were then descriptively examined using mean and percentages.Results: Increased knowledge/awareness reduced the likelihood of contracting either or both conditions, whereas drug abuse, poor nutrition, and poverty were the leading causes of hypertension/obesity in Mvita Sub County. Stakeholders' insignificant roles, a lack of local farming/agricultural practices, poor parental involvement, poor public health practices, and a lack of school involvement in health programs were all factors.Conclusion: Inaction in the face of the highlighted findings could lead to a spike in obesity and hypertension. As a result, immediate public health intervention is required. This intervention should involve raising health awareness among Mvita Sub County residents through media channels like local radio stations, assisting the county government in combating drug abuse (especially tobacco and khat), and enhancing nutritional services like relying on local farming and closely monitoring patients' nutritional needs.
Original Article
Health Sciences
Masoud Lotfizadeh; Zahra Karimi; Marjan Sadat Seghayat; Fatemeh Fatahian
Abstract
Background: The aging process begins at the age of 60 and is accompanied by several biochemical, physiological, anatomical, and metabolic changes. Transitioning into old age has serious medical, psychological, and social consequences. Given the significance of mental health in old age, the goal of this ...
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Background: The aging process begins at the age of 60 and is accompanied by several biochemical, physiological, anatomical, and metabolic changes. Transitioning into old age has serious medical, psychological, and social consequences. Given the significance of mental health in old age, the goal of this study was to compare stress, anxiety, and depression levels among nursing home residents and non-residents.Methods: A census approach was used to choose 264 older persons for this cross-sectional study. Data was gathered using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaire.Results: The mean and standard deviation of the age of the elderly participants in the study were 69.64 ± 9.35, with 202 (76.5%) females and 62 (23.5%) males. The study's findings revealed that the mean and standard deviation of stress in old people who are maintained at home were (11.28 ± 8.85), anxiety (10.45 ± 8.16), and depression (9.09 ± 8.25). The mean and standard deviation of stress, anxiety, and depression in nursing home residents are (17.18 ± 8.08), (18.08 ± 9.63), and (15.57 ± 10.97, respectively. There was a significant difference in stress, anxiety, and depression levels between senior individuals living at home and those living in nursing facilities (P < 0.001).Conclusion: According to the study findings, elderly people living in nursing homes had higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than those living in their own homes. As a result, long-term measures for lowering mental health difficulties in the senior population are critical.
Original Article
Artificial Intelligence
Nagaraj B Kalburgi; Arati C Koregol; Swapna Shivasharan Gore; Hannahson Puladas; Kavya Sulakod; Kavita Patil
Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of processes designed to complete a certain goal. Some applications of Artificial Intelligence in Periodontics include the localization of soft hard deposits, illness diagnosis and prognosis, and prediction of success rates in dental implant surgery.Methods: ...
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Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of processes designed to complete a certain goal. Some applications of Artificial Intelligence in Periodontics include the localization of soft hard deposits, illness diagnosis and prognosis, and prediction of success rates in dental implant surgery.Methods: Given the scarcity of data on the perspectives of postgraduates and dental interns on AI, the current study was designed to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward AI among postgraduate students from the Department of Periodontics and dental interns from multiple centers. A cross-sectional survey using a self-designed questionnaire containing 26 closed-ended questions was distributed via Email and WhatsApp in Google forms to 139 postgraduate students from the Department of Periodontics and 127 dental interns from various dental colleges.Results: The questions were classified into four categories: demographic information, awareness, knowledge, and attitude. To examine the responses, the Chi-square test was used. 47.7% of the 266 respondents were dental interns, while 52.3% were postgraduate students. For dental interns and postgraduates, the average knowledge score was 7.93 and 13.04, respectively. Postgraduates' knowledge was highly significant (P < 0.01).Conclusion: It has been found that the postgraduate students were more aware and knowledgeable than the dental interns. As a result, incorporating AI into academic curricula is becoming increasingly important.
Review
Epidemiology
Ahmed Shouman; Hala Samir Abou-ElWafa; Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
Abstract
AbstractIntroduction: Due to their destructive consequences on organisational productivity, mental health issues in workers are the subject of the most research worldwide. Workers' mental illnesses are linked to a number of issues at work. Some mentally ill employees frequently display anger and violence ...
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AbstractIntroduction: Due to their destructive consequences on organisational productivity, mental health issues in workers are the subject of the most research worldwide. Workers' mental illnesses are linked to a number of issues at work. Some mentally ill employees frequently display anger and violence at work, which might result in physical assault. The mentally ill employees lose motivation and morale, and they not only become a stigma for the company but also for themselves. The purpose of this narrative review was to highlight the magnitude, risk factors, and prevention and control of mental health problems at the workplace which is significant social issue and has a negative impact on occupational wellbeing and productivity. Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, and Google using search terms “mental”, “health”, “work-related”, and “psychological” in different combinations. Results: People who face high job demands, limited job control, high effort-reward imbalance, or low organisational fairness are more likely to develop mental problems. Making a workplace safe and healthy requires recognising and fostering mental health. In creating a healthy work environment, one that won't cause or aggravate mental health issues and where employees with mental illness are adequately supported, managers and employees both have important roles to play. Conclusion: The creation and implementation of a workplace mental health strategy and programme would improve employee health, boost business productivity, and advance the general welfare of the community. The workplace is an ideal setting for educating people about and increasing their understanding of mental health issues.
Review
COVID-19
Naglaa K Idriss; Andrew Blann
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2 was the single most important epidemic in the previous century, with unparalleled international scientific, clinical, and political cooperation. One distinguishing trait is its heterologous presentation in terms of illnesses and death in many countries. In ...
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The COVID-19 pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2 was the single most important epidemic in the previous century, with unparalleled international scientific, clinical, and political cooperation. One distinguishing trait is its heterologous presentation in terms of illnesses and death in many countries. In this communication, we look at several of these characteristics in two countries: Egypt and the United Kingdom, which have quite different demographics and public health policies. We investigate alternative explanations for the far poorer outcome that happened in the United Kingdom, which had over ten times the number of deaths per million of the population as Egypt.
Original Article
Clinical Epidemiology
Cristiane Faria de Oliveira Scarponi; Marcos Paulo Gomes Mol; Dirceu Bartolomeu Greco
Abstract
Background: Brazilian therapeutic guidelines for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were created in 2011, however data on medical practice adherence is scarce.Methods: The application of these principles to patient records from the Central Laboratory of Minas Gerais was compared in this cross-sectional ...
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Background: Brazilian therapeutic guidelines for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were created in 2011, however data on medical practice adherence is scarce.Methods: The application of these principles to patient records from the Central Laboratory of Minas Gerais was compared in this cross-sectional study (January to June 2014).Results: 47 physicians from 33 localities assisted 90 HCV-infected patients. However, though 84.4% of naive treatment patients met the indication criteria to begin therapy, the therapeutic guidelines were only fully applied to two patients. In contrast, 12 individuals were treated, with seven of them receiving pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin (HCV-1 and three genotypes). Only two patients had therapeutic response monitoring (six months after the completion of therapy), and no retreatment was documented.Conclusion: Within the Public Health System, there was virtually little medical implementation of Brazilian therapeutic guidelines for HCV infection. These findings reinforce the notion that hepatitis C is still underdiagnosed and undertreated in Minas Gerais. There is a need to train clinicians to use the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for the Treatment of Viral Hepatitis C, with the goal of both timely treatment indication and laboratory follow-up of patients.
Original Article
Behavioral Health
Abubakar Abdallah Kheir
Abstract
Background: People with Disabilities in rural areas have been denied access to basic needs like their urban counterparts, such as health care, food, proper housing, and care, resulting in continuous inequality in access to services and a loss of dignity; this has harmed their mental health. The study's ...
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Background: People with Disabilities in rural areas have been denied access to basic needs like their urban counterparts, such as health care, food, proper housing, and care, resulting in continuous inequality in access to services and a loss of dignity; this has harmed their mental health. The study's overarching goal was to establish a link between an increase in disability cases and poverty levels in rural areas.Methods: The study was carried out in Chakama, Kilifi County, across 40 communities, and data was collected quantitatively with a total of 265 impaired interviewed on their disability status, among other criteria. The findings of the disabled in Chakama were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and pie charts. Snowball sampling was used to choose respondents from Wazee wa mtaa (locally known seniors within a neighborhood of ten households who are considered to know every member of the ten-household neighborhood) and interview disabled.Results: At least 77% of the disabled people interviewed had serious disabilities that prevented them from working. There is a link between increased poverty and the development of serious disabilities such as mobility and vision.Conclusion: Failure to respond to disability needs increases the likelihood of economic degradation and poverty, particularly in marginalized communities; there is a need for collective engagement of society and relevant bodies to ensure disabled have access to prerequisite needs, improve medical services in health facilities in rural areas, and build resilience among disabled to reduce reliance on family and aid.
Original Article
HIV/AIDS
Samuel Olorunfemi Adams; Haruna Umar Yahaya; Tanimu Mohammed
Abstract
Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had a negative impact on Sub-Saharan Africa's development and has contributed to discrimination against those on the margins of society or those who are at risk of contracting the virus due to their behaviors, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or social ...
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Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had a negative impact on Sub-Saharan Africa's development and has contributed to discrimination against those on the margins of society or those who are at risk of contracting the virus due to their behaviors, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or social characteristics. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this study is to examine the countries that could be considered in the same category and to investigate the concentration of diseases in relation to the socioeconomic status of Sub-Saharan African countries.Methods: HIV prevalence rates in Sub-Saharan African countries were studied using Cluster Analysis techniques. It was implemented using hierarchical (Agglomerative nesting) and partitioning methods (K-Means) in general. For cluster validation (a mechanism for evaluating the correctness of clustering), the relative type of validation was used.Results: HIV/AIDS prevalence increased steadily from 1990 (6.74) to 1995 (9.13), after which it began to fall to (2.60) in 2018. The analysis produced three clusters based on the 44 observations provided. After clustering, only Lesotho and Eswatini are in the third cluster. Over the course of the study, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Botswana had the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence. The rest of the world is classified as part of the first cluster.Conclusion: The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan African countries has had a far-reaching impact. Understanding the variables that have influenced the path of the HIV/AIDS scourge is therefore critical, both from a humanitarian and economic standpoint, because it is a significant step toward eradicating the virus.
Letter to Editor
Epidemiology
Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
Abstract
This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the ...
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This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed.
Original Article
Epidemiology
Adisu Naga Mamo; Desta Hiko Gamada; Gamachu Chemeda Feyisa; Kadir Mude Wabe
Abstract
Background: Malaria-related morbidity and mortality are 94% concentrated in Africa. Ethiopia is one of ten African countries affected by malaria, with 60% of the population living in malaria-risk areas. Recently, seasonal outbreaks have been reported in all regions, including previously malaria-free ...
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Background: Malaria-related morbidity and mortality are 94% concentrated in Africa. Ethiopia is one of ten African countries affected by malaria, with 60% of the population living in malaria-risk areas. Recently, seasonal outbreaks have been reported in all regions, including previously malaria-free areas. Nationally, the Nensebo district of the west Arsi zone is classified as having very low transmission. During the 21st WHO week of 2021, Melka Denbi kebele reported an unusually high number of malaria cases to this district. The purpose of this study was to look into the magnitude of the malaria outbreak and the factors that contributed to it. Methods: A descriptive study was followed by an unmatched case-control study on 86 cases and 172 controls who were chosen at random. Malaria cases were those who were confirmed positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and were line-listed at a health facility, while controls were those who lived nearby and were confirmed negative by RDT. At a p-value of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval, logistic regression was used to identify malaria contracting factors.Results: With a mean age of 22 (12.31SD), the overall attack rate was 20.2/1000. Plasmodium vivax (PV) 105 (52.8%) was the most common. Staying out at night (AOR=3.94; 95%CI: 2.18-7.37) and stagnant water/intermittent river within 1 km of the vicinity were risk factors. Screened houses were protective (AOR=0.49; 95%CI: 0.27-0.89), as was knowledge of malaria transmission (AOR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.28-0.93) and prevention and control methods (AOR=0.50; 95%CI: 0.27-0.93).Conclusion: The illness was caused primarily by PV species known for their relapsing characteristics. Risk factors included stagnant water near homes and sleeping outside at night. Malaria screening centers and increased public awareness reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Our recommendations included regular environmental monitoring, behavioral change communication, ensuring radical cure, and further research with a detailed entomological survey and climate variables.
Original Article
Epidemiology
Farshad Kakian; Arman Jobeiri; Zahra Hashemizadeh; Babak Shirazi Yeganeh; Mohammad Motamedifar
Abstract
Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In terms of appropriate therapeutic options, antimicrobial drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is a major source of concern. The purpose of this study was to provide local information on ...
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Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In terms of appropriate therapeutic options, antimicrobial drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is a major source of concern. The purpose of this study was to provide local information on antibiotic resistance patterns in Faghihi Hospital located in Shiraz, Southwest Iran.Methods: The frequency and antibiogram patterns of blood culture bacterial isolates were studied from January 2018 to December 2019. For antibacterial susceptibility testing, the disk diffusion method was used, which met the standard criteria of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing 28th edition.Results: During the study period, 576 (9.7%) of the 5935 blood cultures tested positive. Gram positive bacteria made up 340 (59.1%) of the positive cultures, while gram negative bacteria made up 236 (40.9%). S. aureus was the most common isolate (26.2%), followed by S. epidermidis (15.1%) and E. coli (14.2%). Vancomycin was the most effective antibiotic against gram positive bacteria, but no antibiotic was available for gram negative bacteria. Amikacin was most effective against E. coli isolates, while Imipenem was most effective against P. aeruginosa isolates.Conclusion: Our findings suggest and emphasize the importance of observing resistance patterns that affect empirical therapy and infection control methods on a yearly basis by monitoring blood culture isolates and susceptibility patterns.
Review
Clinical Epidemiology
Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
Abstract
Background: Disease, illness, and sickness are all overlapping terms that are not entirely synonymous. Illness, disease, and sickness all characterize different aspects of morbidity and must be treated as distinct entities. Changes in one aspect may have no bearing on changes in another. Despite their ...
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Background: Disease, illness, and sickness are all overlapping terms that are not entirely synonymous. Illness, disease, and sickness all characterize different aspects of morbidity and must be treated as distinct entities. Changes in one aspect may have no bearing on changes in another. Despite their widespread use, these terms are used incorrectly and ambiguously, leading to confusion in the representation of medical knowledge. Medical personnel and epidemiologists misuse these terms, and there is little literature on the subject.Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were used to conduct a literature search. The search terms "definition," "disease," "illness," "sickness," "morbidity," "syndrome," "disorder," "predisease," and "co-morbidity" were used in various combinations. A manual search was conducted in public health, community medicine, and epidemiology textbooks. The review included the most recent and relevant literature.Results: This mini review summarizes the definition, limitations, overlap, and differences between disease, illness, and sickness, as well as other related terms.Conclusion: A measurable operational definition of disease, illness, sickness, and other related terms that is appropriate for epidemiologists and clinicians and applicable in both hospital and community settings is required.and community settings.
Original Article
COVID-19
Virendra Mane; Priya Prabhu; Poorva Bhalerao
Abstract
Background: The first wave of COVID-19 in India began to decline suddenly in September 2020 and appeared to be nearly over by the end of January 2021. At the time, no models or papers predicted or explained this decline. The authors hypothesized in their previous study that the cases decreased due to ...
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Background: The first wave of COVID-19 in India began to decline suddenly in September 2020 and appeared to be nearly over by the end of January 2021. At the time, no models or papers predicted or explained this decline. The authors hypothesized in their previous study that the cases decreased due to increased Relative Humidity during Monsoon and forecasted that another wave would begin with the dry season in February 2021 and would be contained by monsoon humidity. The current study was carried out to put the seasonality hypothesis to the test in 2021-22. The study also included findings about the effectiveness of policy control measures on case decline.Methods: Humidity cycles in India were studied to determine the most humid periods, which corresponded to changes in daily cases across the country, on a zone-by-zone basis, and in smaller regions. The enforcement date and subsequent case decline (if any) were observed for the effectiveness of policy control measures.Results: In low humidity periods, there was a clear relationship between relative humidity and case decline and case increase. Policy controls have been found to be effective in reducing and halting case increase, resulting in a subsequent decline.Conclusion: In India, COVID-19 increases during the dry season around February and decreases during the monsoon season. Policy controls (lockdowns) are an effective way to halt the virus's exponential spread. The findings may be useful in planning local control and prevention activities.
Original Article
COVID-19
Sarah Cuschieri; Elizabeth Grech
Abstract
Background: Medical research dynamics are complex, and stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic make them even more so.Aims: The purpose of this article was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical students' willingness to become doctors and their goals. It also investigated how COVID-19 affects ...
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Background: Medical research dynamics are complex, and stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic make them even more so.Aims: The purpose of this article was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical students' willingness to become doctors and their goals. It also investigated how COVID-19 affects students' mental health and well-being.Methods: A literature-based anonymous online survey was created to assess students' future career goals, willingness to become doctors, and various aspects of their mental health. There was descriptive and univariate regression analysis.Results: Males enrolled in medical school at a higher rate than females. After the pandemic, a minority of students changed their initial specialty choice, but there was no statistical significance in their willingness to become a doctor (p =0.45). Only students who had long COVID-19 symptoms showed significant variation in their sleep patterns (p =0.01). Female students had significantly higher anxiety levels than male students, with 11.21% (CI95%:6.34 - 18.74) experiencing severe anxiety.Conclusion: Enrolling in medical school is a deeply personal decision that should not be taken lightly. Workplace conditions should be improved in order to attract the next generation of health-care providers. It is thus recommended that medical schools consider establishing a pre-entry course to inform and expose potential medical students to the working lives of doctors. All medical schools must ensure that mental and psychological support is easily accessible and non-stigmatizing.
Original Article
COVID-19
Joseph Oyepata Simeon; Joseph Opeyemi Tosin
Abstract
Retracted article
Background and Objective: Scientists and world leaders are still trying to understand COVID-19 and its potential global consequences. While there have been some successes, there are still many that remain unknown. This study provides an update report on the virological and immunological ...
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Retracted article
Background and Objective: Scientists and world leaders are still trying to understand COVID-19 and its potential global consequences. While there have been some successes, there are still many that remain unknown. This study provides an update report on the virological and immunological distribution and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world from January 28th to February 3rd, 2022..Material and Method: The United Nations geoscheme was used to obtain data from 196 countries and regions around the world. The results were compiled and compared to the values obtained for the United States.Results: When available data was compared to that of the United States, the American continent had a higher mortality comparison factor than infection cases, whereas the European continents had a higher infectious comparison value than mortality value. With the exception of South Africa and Botswana, the African continents appear unconcerned about the value of mortality and infectivity.Conclusion: The new wave and virus variant have caused a resurgence in its global impact. There is a need to understand how Africa has survived all variants of the virus despite having few medical resources.
Original Article
Epidemiology
Nezal Azh; Seyyedeh Zahra Hajiasghari
Abstract
Introduction: Hospitals may have an adverse effect on the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of Green Hospital to reduce these complications while also improving the environment. The purpose of this study was to assess how many hospitals in Qazvin met Green Hospital ...
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Introduction: Hospitals may have an adverse effect on the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of Green Hospital to reduce these complications while also improving the environment. The purpose of this study was to assess how many hospitals in Qazvin met Green Hospital standards.Methods: This descriptive-observational study was carried out in all of the hospitals in Qazvin that were included in the study via the census sampling method. The standard green hospital questionnaire was used to collect data, which was completed with environmental experts through interviews and document observation. This questionnaire has 96 questions and is divided into eight dimensions: environmental, energy, hazardous materials, water, sewage, greenhouse gas emissions, external water consumption, material, and environmentally friendly purchasing management. Each question is graded on a three-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 2.Results: This study included nine hospitals. Six were teaching/public (5 teaching hospitals and 1 Social Security Hospital), and three were public. The average ratio of active beds to approved beds was 90%, with private hospitals reaching more than 100% (131%). The mean achievement rates for the first through eighth dimensions were 70.08, 74.07, 74.07, 60.88, 40.87, 27.77, and 31.48, respectively. The overall mean score for meeting Green Hospital standards was 57.46%.Conclusions: Although hospitals achieved higher achievement rates in some dimensions, overall results showed low achievement rates. As a result, their managers and employees must learn how to prevent environmental degradation.
