Public Health Commons^™

Vaccine Introduction In The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea., F Marks, B Nyambat, Zy Xu, V Von Kalckreuth, Paul E. Kilgore, Hj Seo, Y Du, Se Park, J Im, F Konings, Cg Meyer, Tf Wierzba

Paul E. Kilgore

The feasibility of mass vaccination campaigns for Japanese encephalitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b infections was explored in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea using pilot vaccination studies. The experiences from these initial studies were then used to support larger vaccination campaigns in children at risk of these infections. We discuss the challenges and requirements for the inclusion of additional vaccines into the existing expanded program on immunization in the country.

Community Health Worker Interventions For Latinos With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Tariana V. Little, Monica L. Wang, Eida M. Castro, Julio Jiménez, Milagros C. Rosal

Tariana V. Little

This systematic review aimed to synthesize glucose (HbA1c) outcomes of community health worker (CHW)-delivered interventions for Latinos with type 2 diabetes that were tested in randomized controlled trials and to summarize characteristics of the targeted populations and interventions, including the background, training, and supervision of the CHWs. Searches of PubMed and Google Scholar databases and references from selected articles identified 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, seven reported statistically significant improvements in HbA1c. Study participants were largely low-income, female, and Spanish-speaking and had uncontrolled diabetes. The CHWs led the interventions alone, in pairs, or as part of …

The Scientific Foundations Of The American Red Cross Cpr Training Standards, Richard N. Bradley

Richard N Bradley

The CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training and certification standards established by the ARC (American Red Cross) are based on a scientific review of the best available published literature. Minimal difference are present between the ARC and other national training organizations. These differences result from differing organizational opinions on the best way to implement standards from limited scientific evidence.

Could You Repeat That Please? Forty-Five Years Of Testing Pesticides On People, Barbara R. Leiterman Esq.

Barbara R. Leiterman Esq.

Little has been published in the literature about pesticide experiments conducted on human subjects. Yet there were at least twenty-two tests between 1967 and 2011 in which people were intentionally exposed to specific doses of pesticides. Almost all of these experiments violated scientific ethics and human rights. This article aims to describe those tests and their shortcomings, and explore the laws and regulations that incentivize such human experimentation. Ironically, as the public desire for pesticide safety increases, so does the industry’s motivation to test pesticides on people. Bringing these pesticide experiments to light, expanding the public discourse on the subject …

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic problems of our time. Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The fundamental goal of this thesis was to assess the effects of desertification in Yobe State, Nigeria. The present threat of desertification in the sahel has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive, soil has lost its nutrient/fertility, various infrastructure had given way because of windstorm from the neighbouring Niger Republic and sand dunes had taken over. The …

Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This research work looked in the used of Remote Sensing to improve Agricultural production in Kutigi, Niger State. The aim of the study is to use remote sensing to improve rice farming activities in Kutigi, Niger State. It is very important to identify such methods to improve Agricultural production because experts are always interested in new researches and findings to better the standard of living in any environment. In view of this, Remotely-sensed data could be used or employed to elevate most of these agricultural problems in Kutigi through the following objectives: Using Landsat imagery to assess the present landuse …

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …

Arc Sac Advisory Pulse Check For Cardiac Arrest, Sarah Clarke, Richard N. Bradley, Siobán Kennedy

Richard N Bradley

One good quality study (LOE 4) supports omitting a pulse check after defibrillation for patients in cardiac arrest.

One fair quality study (LOE 4) opposes the performance of simultaneous as opposed to sequential pulse and breathing check to determine cardiac arrest.

There is insufficient evidence to support a recommendation on the preferred method for the initial determination of cardiac arrest.

CPR courses should specifically teach the recognition of agonal breathing and the understanding that agonal breathing is not normal breathing and that it indicates the need for CPR.

Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd)

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study assessed land use/land cover changes and its effect on Agricultural land in Anyigba. The objectives were to identify and delineate different land use / land cover categories, assess the rate of change that occurred and examine the impact of land use/land cover change on food security using satellite remote sensing data collected at three different years (1987 Land sat TM, 2001 Land Sat TM and 2011 Land Sat ETM). The study utilized GIS software such as Idrisi Andes academic and ArcGIS 9.3. The study area covers approximately 31.8km2, and four major land use/cover classes were utilized (built up, …

Brazilian Longitudinal Study Of Adult Health (Elsa-Brasil): Objectives And Design., Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) aims to contribute relevant information with respect to the development and progression of clinical and subclinical chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In this report, the authors delineate the study's objectives, principal methodological features, and timeline. At baseline, ELSA-Brasil enrolled 15,105 civil servants from 5 universities and 1 research institute. The baseline examination (2008-2010) included detailed interviews, clinical and anthropometric examinations, an oral glucose tolerance test, overnight urine collection, a 12-lead resting electrocardiogram, measurement of carotid intima-media thickness, echocardiography, measurement of pulse wave velocity, hepatic ultrasonography, retinal fundus photography, and an …

Socio-Economic Effects Of Demolishing Squatter Settlements And Illegal Structures In Abuja Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Ishaku Iy Mallo Phd, Victor G. Obasanya

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Abuja the Federal Capital Territory and study area is located between latitudes 8o25’ and 9o25’ North of the Equator and longitudes 6o45’ and 7o45’ East of the Greenwich Meridian. The study was carried out in Abuja Phase 1, and it is aimed at highlighting various socioeconomic effects of demolition of illegal structures and informal or squatter settlements on the people within the study area. Data was collected through reconnaissance survey, personal interviews with respondents, and a well laid out questionnaire. The results indicate that the demolition exercise embarked upon by the authorities in the Federal Capital Territory was a response …

Rainfall Variability And Crop Zones Classification For The Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Shaibu M. Hassan Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study aims at analyzing agro-climatological parameters and establishing a link between some selected agro-climatological indices and sustainability of agricultural production in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Two sets of data, climatic and crop yield data were collected and subjected to various agro-climatological analyses. Agro-climatological analyses include the derivation of Onset, Cessation and Length of Rainy Season (LRS), Seasonality Index, Drought Index and Precipitation Periodicity Index. The statistical analyses include monthly and annual means, deviation from the mean, trend line. The result of moisture index in line with crops optimum moisture requirement was used to classify the Territory into agro-climatic …

A Reappraisal In São Paulo, Brazil (2008) Of "The Ecology Of Medical Care:" The "One Per Thousand's Rule"., Adriana Roncoletta, Gustavo D. Gusso, Isabela M. Bensenor, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

This paper reassessed in Brazil, the concept of "Medical ecology" i introduced in 1961 to describe the relationship and utilization of health care services by a given population. This was a cross-sectional telephone survey among a random sample of people enrolled in a private HMO. We interviewed a random sample of non-pregnant adults over age 18 using 10 questions about symptoms and health care use during the month prior to interview. The final sample consisted of 1,065 participants (mean age 68 years, 68% female). From this sample, 424 (39.8%) reported the presence of symptoms, 311 (29.2%) had a medical office …

Hypothyroidism In The Elderly, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

An overview adressing observational and randomized clinical trials about hypothyroidism in the elderly.

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Brazil: Priorities For Disease Management And Research, Bruce B. Duncan, Dora Chor, Estela M. Aquino, Isabela M. Bensenor, J.Geraldo Mill, M.Ines Schmidt, Paulo A. Lotufo, Alvaro Vigo, Sandhi M. Barreto

Paulo A Lotufo

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases are the main source of disease burden in Brazil. In 2011, the Brazilian Ministry of Health launched the Strategic Plan of Action for Management of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases focusing on population-based interventions to manage cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases mainly through fi ghting tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. Although a signifi cant number of scientifi c studies on chronic diseases and their risk factors have been undertaken in Brazil, few are of cohort design. In this context, the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a cohort …

Elsa-Brasil: Historico [In Portuguese], Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Vigilância Em Doença Cerebrovascular [Portuguese], Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

A Reappraisal Of Stroke Mortality Trends In Brazil (1979 To 2009), Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Background: Brazil has the highest cerebrovascular death rate in the Western Hemisphere. We investigated temporal trends according to gender and stroke subtypes. Methods: We analysed mortality rates between 1979 and 2009 for different stroke subtypes. Data were stratified by sex and age (35–74 y). The annual percent change (APC) and significant changes in the trends were identified with joinpoint Poisson regression. The average annual percent change (AAPC) for 2005-09 was presented because that period had the best quality of information. Results: After excluding deaths due to stroke sequels, for men, the APCs (95% confidence intervals) were: 1979-84: 0.7 (-0.8 to …

Assessment Of Organic And Inorganic Phosphorus In Soils Derived From Cretaceous Sediments And Basement Complex Soils Of Guinea Savannah Of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, Sunday I. Amhakhian, H H. Isitekhale, Charles I. Oyewole

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

A pot experiment was carried out using 20 surface soils (0-15cm depth) in 2008 to assess soil organic phosphorus and some fraction of inorganic phosphorus in other to know their availability in the soils of the studied area and also work have not been done in this areas in respect to organic and in-organic phosphorus. The experiment was conducted using 20 soils 10 from each geological formation (Cretaceous sediments and Basement complex soils), respectively. The mean organic phosphorus of 63.51 mgkg 1 soil was obtained for Cretaceous sediment soils and 158.54 mgkg 1 soil for the basement complex soils respectively. …

Development Of Functional Indices Of Facility Occurrence Towards The Distribution Of Social Services In Lagos Island Nigeria., Augustus O. Atubi

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Proper coordination of transport and public facilities provision is vital to any balanced regional development strategy. The central aim of this study, therefore, is to find out what the relationship is between access to the transport network and the provision of functional indices of facility occurrence towards the distribution of social services in Lagos Island, Nigeria. In particular it seeks to find out areas that have below or above average level of facility occurrences relative to the level of accessibility. However, a pair wise correlation matrix of the eleven (11) variables employed in the index construction was carried out. The …

Neighborhood Disparities In Stroke And Myocardial Infarction Mortality: A Gis And Spatial Scan Statistics Approach, Agricola Odoi

Agricola Odoi

Background: Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) are serious public health burdens in the US. These burdens vary by geographic location with the highest mortality risks reported in the southeastern US. While these disparities have been investigated at state and county levels, little is known regarding disparities in risk at lower levels of geography, such as neighborhoods. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate spatial patterns of stroke and MI mortality risks in the East Tennessee Appalachian Region so as to identify neighborhoods with the highest risks. Methods: Stroke and MI mortality data for the period 1999-2007, obtained free …

Urban Climate And Challenges Of Tropical Cities, B E. Omogbai

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study examines the nature of urban climate, features and the challenges on the developing tropical cities in the 21st century. It argues that the use of principles of urban climate would help in providing comfortable living conditions and problem immune working environments for the inhabitants of tropical cities. The findings reveal that owing to poor environmental planning, inadequate geotechnical landscape surveys prior to the development of urban infrastructures, and non-adherence to the principles of urban climate, challenges of landscape degradation, excessive flooding of the built infrastructures, heat-island effects, and collapse of buildings have emerged. Suggested measures to avert these …

Detecting Changes In Landuse/Cover Of Umuahia, South-Eastern Nigeria Using Remote Sensing And Gis Techniques, Fanan Ujoh, Olarewaju Oluseyi Ifatimehin, Adams Ndalai Baba

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Since 1991 when it became the capital city of Abia State, Umuahia has undergone tremendous transformation in its land use and land cover due to rapid urbanization. The main materials employed for this study are a land use map (1991) and Landsat ETM+satellite image (2007) of the study area. These, combined with field survey/checks, were brought into a GIS environment using ILWIS 3.2 Academic image classification software to map the land use/land cover and to estimate the rate of urban expansion and loss of rural land at the peri-urban fringes of Umuahia between 1991 and 2007. The study revealed significant …

Gender Participation In The Management Of Tricycle Transport For Youth Empowerment And Sustainable Development In Kano State, Nigeria, Nuratu Muhammed

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

The research examined gender participation in the management of tricycle for youth empowerment and sustainable development in Kano state, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select samples of drivers(150), passengers (150) and owners/managers the female tricycle owners fell under this category and they numbered(65).All together a total of 365 samples were selected for the study. Data obtained from the primary data was analyzed using simple statistical techniques and chi square test to ascertain whether there was any significant differences in some of the variables tested. The results of the analysis revealed that the main difference was found in …

Environmental Problems Of Industrialization And Sustainable Development In Nigeria - A Review, Adejoh Iyaji

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of the quest for industrialization on the environment in Nigeria; others include, the identification of the objectives of sustainable development as well as making recommendations that will lead to the much needed sustainable environment both for the present generation and generations yet unborn. The researcher relied principally on secondary sources of data for this paper which is theoretical in approach. Findings revealed the emergence of a host of environmental problems such as air pollution, deforestation, desertification, solid and hazardous waste problems in the wake of the quest for industrialization. …

Prevalence Of Thyroid Disorders Among Older People: Results From The São Paulo Ageing & Health Study, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

This study aimed to estimate prevalence of thyroid disorders in the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study, an epidemiological study addressing several health-adverse outcomes among elderly people living in a poor area of São Paulo, Brazil. All participants answered a questionnaire and had a blood sample collected to assess levels of tireotropic hormone and free-thyroxine. Among 1,373 people (60.8% women), prevalence rates (95% confidence interval) for thyroid dysfunction (%) were: overt hyperthyroidism, 0.7% (0.2-1.1) [women: 0.8% (0.2-1.5); men: 0.4% (0.01-0.9)]; overt hypothyroidism, 5.7% (4.5-6.9) [women: 5.9% (4.3-7.5); men: 5.4% (3.5-7.3)]; subclinical hyperthyroidism, 2.4% (1.6-3.2) [women: 2.8% (1.6-3.9); men: 1.9% (0.7-3.0)]; …

Adaptive Responses To Flooding Incidents In Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Habiba I. Jimoh, Kayode A. Iroye

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Incidents of floods which are mainly caused by changes in landuse is fast becoming a city life experience in Ilorin as in most urban centres in Nigeria causing untold hardships and sometimes loss of lives. This extreme hydro-meteorological event is also being exacerbated by climate change which thus calls for adaptive response by residents towards reducing its risks, hence this study. Data used were generated from direct field measurements and questionnaire administration. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were used in analyzing the data. Results obtained indicate that most respondents use a wide range of non-structural adaptive response to flood. The …

An Assessment Of Socio-Economic Impact Of Waste Scavenging As A Means Of Poverty Alleviation In Gwagwalada, Abuja., John Yakubu Magaji, Samuel Panse Dakyes

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Waste scavengers are usually perceived as being among the poor, and scavenging is considered a marginal activity. They tend to have low incomes, but can obtained decent earning when they are not exploited by middlemen. This study was conducted in Gwagwalada town with the aim of assessing the socio-economic impact of scavenging on the people. A structured questionnaire was constructed to capture the demographic characteristics of the scavengers, their experiences, types of items scavenged, the economic gains and the challenges being faced. The target pollution is waste scavengers and a random sampling technique was adopted in selecting the respondents for …

Pufa And Vitamin D And Type 2 Diabetes Inflammatory Markers, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

A Stepwise Approach To Stroke Surveillance In Brazil: The Emma (Estudo De Mortalidade E Morbidade Do Acidente Vascular Cerebral) Study, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Background: Stroke mortality rates in Brazil are the highest in the Americas. Deaths from cerebrovascular disease surpass coronary heart disease. Aim: To verify stroke mortality rates and morbidity in an area of Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, using the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Stroke Surveillance. Methods: We used the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Stroke Surveillance structure of stroke surveillance. The hospital-based data comprised fatal and nonfatal stroke (Step 1). We gathered stroke-related mortality data in the community using World Health Organization questionnaires (Step 2). The questionnaire determining stroke prevalence was activated door to door in a family-healthprogramme neighbourhood …