American Journal of Public Health Research

This is a concise overview in a table format for the current membership-based Public Health Associations in USA. These Associations served several functions in the interests of practitioners and the people. Publishing periodicals and arranging conferences were possible because of the support of these societies. However, there is always a potential for improving the educational activities of these Associations. Researches are needed to investigate how these associations can serve the professionals and the community at the best level.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 180-181. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-9
Pub. Date: July 29, 2015

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Food Prohibition among the Urhobo Nation: Ethical Consideration

by Anyanwu E. B., Abedi Harrison O. and Edafiadhe E. W.

Original Research

The practice of food prohibition or food taboo has existed among the various local indigenous sects of the world for several generations. Such practices are usually attached to some myths or beliefs among the practicing population. The myths or beliefs are passed from generation to generation by means of stories, folklores, legends and even religious practices. The Urhobo people are found in the Southern part of Nigeria and they are found in a region that is surrounded by an evergreen forest. The people enjoy a lot of unique delicacies such as “Ukhodo” (yam and unripe plantain dish), starch meals, banga soup (from palm kernel), and oghwevwri soup (made with dried or smoked fish, bush meat, unique spices and oil palm). But then, the people practice some food prohibition with various reason attached to these acts that have various health implications for the local population.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 174-179. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-8
Pub. Date: July 27, 2015

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Association of Cost and Quality of Diets with Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases: A Review

by Kanika Agarwal, Ravinder Chadha and Nikhil Tandon

Review Article

This review aims to examine evidence on whether dietary costs explain variations in diet quality; and that diet cost is an indicia of risk of non communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes etc. A thorough review of scientific literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar on diet cost and diet quality was undertaken. Research shows that the energy dense-nutrient poor diets are cheaper and have a lower diet quality compared to nutrition rich diets. One reason behind this may be that since energy dense foods are dry and have a stable shelf life and give more energy per unit cost while foods with lower energy density like fruits and vegetables are perishable. Education is shown to be related to high diet quality in some studies. Few studies have shown that the diet cost and body mass index as well as waist circumference are inversely related; however no association was seen between diet cost and risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 167-173. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-7
Pub. Date: July 15, 2015

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Prevalence of Malaria and Typhoid Fever Co-Infection: Knowledge, Attitude and Management Practices among Residents of Obuda-Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

by Okore Oghale O’woma, Ubiaru Prince. Chigozirim. and Nwaogwugwu Uzoamaka Gloria

Original Research

A study of prevalence, knowledge, attitude and management practices of malaria and typhoid fever co-infection was carried out among residents of Obuda-Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, between July and September, 2014. Venepuncture technique was used for collection of the blood samples. A total of 245 persons comprising 120 males and 125 females were examined. Field stained thick and thin blood films were used to detect malaria parasites in the samples. Typhoid fever was diagnosed from each blood sample using Widal test kit. Out of the 245 persons sampled, 95(38.78%) tested positive for malaria, 105 (42.86%) tested positive for typhoid fever, 45(37.50%) were co-infected with malaria and typhoid fever among the males and 55(44.00%) were co-infected with malaria and typhoid fever among the females. Co-infection of malaria and typhoid fever was highest in the age group of 61-75 years, 4(100%) among the males and highest in the age group of 16-30 years, 15(83.33%) among the females. On the perception of the possible causes of malaria and typhoid fever, 24 respondents reported excessive fried oil as the cause while 17 respondents stated excessive intake of alcohol. On the perception of the sign and symptoms associated with malaria and typhoid fever, 77 respondents stated loss of appetite, 67 respondents stated fatigue and 70 respondents stated headache. On the practices available for protection against malaria and typhoid fever, 54 respondents reported routine treatments with drugs, 21 respondents stated good sanitary measures while 33 respondents reported access to safe food and water. There is need for massive health education campaign to educate the residents of Obuda-Aba to correct the wrong perception they have about malaria and typhoid fever for effective treatment and control of the diseases.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 162-166. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-6
Pub. Date: July 13, 2015

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Longstanding Unrecognized Wooden Foreign Bodies in Oro-facial Region, Report of three Cases

by Sanadi Sajid Ahmed, Sabina Abid, Yasser Al-Thobaiti, S. D. Baliga and Mohammed Fayyaz

Case Report

Retention of foreign bodies in maxillofacial region following trauma are not uncommon. Various retained foreign bodies reported; are tooth fragments, root canal filling material, burs, sewing needles, broken tips of probes and elevators, wooden tooth picks, piece of glass, blades of grass, a tooth brush bristle, fish bone, hair, piece of straw or grass, portion of fingernail, spike of wheat, thorn and chicken pinfeather, surgical gauze. Some times these foreign bodies get infected and spontaneously come out through draining sinus. But very rarely it is possible that some might remain in the soft tissue and go unnoticed, causing persistent pus discharge, trismus, granuloma and osteomyelitis. This article describes three cases of retained wooden foreign bodies in cheek, parotid gland and tongue with their diagnosis and management.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 157-161. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-5
Pub. Date: July 10, 2015

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Original Article: Socio-demographic Determinants of Sexual Risk Behavior among Senior Secondary Schools Students in a Military Barracks in Nigeria

by Chinomnso C Nnebue, Uzoh C Chimah, Taiwo O Lawoyin, Amobi L Ilika and Chukwuma B Duru

Original Research

Context: Social, economic and political factors are rapidly changing the ways that young people must prepare for adult life. These changes have enormous implications also for their sexual health and behaviors. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with sexual risk behaviors among senior secondary schools students in Ojo military barracks, Lagos. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 400 senior secondary schools students in Ojo military barracks, Lagos, selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested, self- administered semi- structured questionnaires and analysed using statistical package for social sciences version 17. Chi-square test was used to identify statistically significant associations between sexual behavior and socio-demographic variables. Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of ever had sex, adjusted for thirteen design effects. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Respondents from the boys single- sex school 44(55.7%) were most likely to engage in sexual intercourse (p= 0.000). Those from polygamous settings 101(42.8%) were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse (p= 0.034). Low socio- economic background for both parents and doing income earning jobs were associated with sexual intercourse (p= 0.008; p= 0.021; p= 0.000). Living with single parent is a very strong predictor of ever had sex (p=0.000). Conclusions: Sexual risk behavior was found to be associated with increasing age, living with one parent, polygamy, low educational cum socio-economic statuses. We recommend formal comprehensive sex education programs for the students and improved conditions of service for the military personnel.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 148-156. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-4
Pub. Date: July 09, 2015

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Evaluation of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) Using the Rasch Model

by Peter D. Hart, Minsoo Kang, Norman L. Weatherby, Yun Soo Lee and Tom M. Brinthaupt

Original Research

Introduction. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an outcome variable of growing importance in chronic disease research. Many intervention-type studies seek to show improvements in HRQOL based on treatment effects. As interest grows in using HRQOL as an outcome measure, the need to investigate the measurement properties of HRQOL assessments increases in importance. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SF-36 for proper measurement functioning using the Rasch model. Methods. A total of 634 participants completed the SF-36 HRQOL assessment. The Rasch partial credit model was used to analyze the two dominant HRQOL domains (physical and mental) of the assessment Results. Majority of the total criteria used for optimal category functioning were met for the physical health domain and all of the total criteria were met for the mental health domain. Both convergent and construct validity evidence provided substantial confirmation for the use of the Rasch physical and mental health person scores as measures of HRQOL. Conclusion. Results of this study showed that the SF-36 met stringent modern measurement criteria using the Rasch model.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 136-147. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-3
Pub. Date: July 09, 2015

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Surviving the First Day in Nigeria: Risk Factors and Protectors

by Tukur Dahiru

Original Research

Background: Deaths occurring within the first twenty-four hours of life constitutes a large proportion of child mortality; about 36% of all neonatal deaths took place within the first twenty-fours of delivery globally. Nigeria contributes around 9% of the global first-day mortality. Objectives: To determine the levels and determinants of first-day mortality using the 2013 Nigeria DHS data. Methods: This study utilized the 2013 Nigeria DHS which is a cross-sectional involving a nationally representative sample of 38, 948 women aged 15-49 years. First-day mortality rates were estimated for all births within the past five year prior to the survey and disaggregated by background characteristics and Cox proportional hazard models were generated to assess the relationship between some background characteristics and first-day mortality. Analysis was conducted using Stata v13. Results: The first-day mortality rate was found to be 19 per 1000 live births which was found to be higher among younger aged women, overweight women, babies in Southern part of Nigeria, rural residents, male babies and those babies delivered in health facilities among others. Factors that significantly predict first-day mortality are maternal age of more than 35 years (HR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.01-1.24), residing in Northern Nigeria (HR=1.18, 95%CI: 1.10-1.26), living in rural areas (HR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.22-1.40) and increasing maternal education (HR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.10-1.32). Utilization of at least four ANC visits (HR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.80-0.93) and having postnatal care within 24hours (HR=094, 95%CI: 0.89-0.99) are all associated with decreased hazard of first-day mortality. Conclusion: First-day mortality rate in Nigeria is high; provision and expansion of both antenatal and postnatal care services particularly in rural areas and northern part of Nigeria will potential contribute in the reduction of first-day mortality.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 128-135. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-2
Pub. Date: July 02, 2015

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Determinants of Intention to Use Post Partum Family Planning among Women Attending Immunization Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

by Ajibola Idowu, Samson Ayo Deji, Olumuyiwa Ogunlaja and Samuel Olalere Olajide

Original Research

Background The period immediately after childbirth offer a window of opportunity for counseling and adoption of family planning. Little is currently known about intention of women particularly in Nigeria to adopt PPFP and factors associated with such intentions. Nevertheless, this information is vital to the design of strategies to increase the uptake of PPFP. Objectives: The study assessed the factors associated with the intention of women in south-west Nigeria to use post partum family planning (PPFP). Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out between September to November, 2014. Systematic sampling technique was employed to recruit 444 women attending immunization clinic of Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection and data analysis was done using SPSS version 17. Chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis while binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Result: Most (65.0%) of the respondents had intentions to use PPFP. Intention to use PPFP was significantly associated with respondents’ social class (AOR; 2.67, 95% C.I; 1.11-6.42), their age (AOR; 0.43, 95% CI; 0.20 – 0.91), their level of awareness about PPFP (AOR; 0.15, 95% C.I; 0.08-0.28) and their prior use of any family planning method (AOR; 4.48, 95%C.I; 2.61-7.69). Conclusion: Most women in the south western part of Nigeria had intention to adopt post partum family planning, thus family planning policies should be focused on women in their extended postpartum periods. To be very effective, such efforts should particularly target women in middle socio-economic class who are less than 30 years of age and those who had ever used any family planning method.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(4), 122-127. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-4-1
Pub. Date: June 25, 2015

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