by Rotimi Felix Afolabi, Onoja Matthew Akpa and Peter Adewunmi Osanaiye
Original Research
Introduction: Identification of the most affected age is an important statistical contribution to monitoring nutritional problems among children. Previous studies have demonstrated that monitoring processes’ parameters (mean and variability) individually or simultaneously could provide some insights but no application has been related to monitoring proportion of wasting in under-5 children. The present study applied a nonparametric-based Lepage-type change-point (LCP) control chart to monitor the proportion of acute malnutrition in under-5 children in Nigeria. Methods: Data were extracted for 24,530 under-5 children with valid and complete information on date of birth, height and weight in the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation and proportion. The Shapiro-Wilk lamda was used to assess the normality of the distribution of wasting among under-5 while the LCP control chart was used for monitoring the distribution. Affter-signal diagnosis was conducted to ascertain what distributional data parameters have changed, at 5% level of significance. Results: Children were 23.8(±16.8) months old and mostly female (50.3%). Prevalence of wasting among under-5 was 18.4% and higher among children aged 0-55 months (24.9%). Normality test (Shapiro-Wilk: W= 0.9268; p=0.001463) suggested that the distribution of wasted children was non-normal. The LCP chart signalled a shift (abnormal rate) in the proportion of wasting at aged 24 month; while its estimated change-point was at age 21 month. After-signal diagnosis indicated the change may have occurred in both a location shift (p=0.002949) and a variability shift (p=0.03978) of the proportion of wasted children. Conclusion: Prevalence of wasting in the present analysis is not uniform across age groups and the LCP chart demonstrated prompt detection of shift (both in mean and variability) in the proportion of wasted under-5 children. The LCP chart could be used to monitor proportion of wasting among children to identify groups needing intervention.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2018, 5(6), 197-203. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-5-6-6
Pub. Date: January 04, 2018
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by Sifat E Sultana
Original Research
Though HIV prevalence has taken downward stream around the world, a gradual rise of HIV status has been detected among the women in Bangladesh. Women in Bangladesh usually face various challenges due to lack of unequal power relation and poor negotiable capacity with their counterparts during sex. This study intended to explore and document the psychological, social and sexual challenges faced by the women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHAs) in the context of Bangladesh and to identify the gaps in their HIV/AIDS related knowledge. A qualitative research approach including in-depth interview and case study has been applied to understand the nature of prevalent challenges. Interviews were conducted at Ashar Alo Society, a renowned NGO which works with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). Findings include women’s powerlessness for negotiation and lack of knowledge about the spread of HIV infection such as how to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Lack of accessibility and availability of HIV information and its prevention aggravate their situations and make their lives more challenging, vulnerable and complicated. Further research related to counterparts’ beliefs and perception on women’s sexual autonomy, nature of stigma and discrimination among women have been recommended. Finally, a meaningful engagement and participation of women in policy making has been proposed for assuaging the agonies of women in the long run.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2017, 5(6), 190-196. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-5-6-5
Pub. Date: December 29, 2017
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by Peter D. Hart
Original Research
Background: Physical inactivity (PIA) is a major risk factor linked to many chronic diseases as well as premature mortality. Waist circumference (WC) is a measure of abdominal obesity and is also associated with many health problems. The purpose of this study was to examine both PIA and WC as predictors of all-cause mortality in adults. Methods: Data for this research came from the 2001-02 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and linked mortality file. Only participants who were 18+ years of age and eligible for mortality linkage were used in the analysis. PIA status was determined from the answers to two questions that asked subjects if they participated in moderate and then vigorous physical activity. WC was assessed by a trained health professional. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the effects of PIA and WC on mortality while controlling for age, sex, race, and income. Results: Approximately 33% (SE=1.12) of adults were physically inactive at interview date with mean WC of 95.6 (SE=0.21) centimeters (cm). A total of 55,288 person-years of follow-up was observed with 965 deaths. In the unadjusted model, physically inactive adults were at greater risk of mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) =2.42, 95% CI: 2.006, 2.928) as compared to their more active counterparts. A 2% increase in mortality (HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.016, 1.025) was seen for each 1-cm increase in WC. The fully adjusted model showed a significant increase in mortality (HR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.130, 1.727) among those who were physically inactive independent of a 1% increase in mortality (HR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.002, 1.016) for each 1-cm increase in WC. Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that PIA and WC are independent predictors of mortality in adults. Health promotion programs should consider both physical activity as well as abdominal obesity in their programming objectives.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2017, 5(6), 184-189. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-5-6-4
Pub. Date: December 20, 2017
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by Charles Joseph Haddad, Judella Haddad-Lacle, Lori Bilello and Charles Michael Haddad
Original Research
On July 17, 1984 President Ronald Reagan signed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act creating a nationwide minimum drinking age to 21 years of age. All 50 states rose their alcohol purchase age to 21 by mid 1988. There are some federal exceptions to the minimum age of 21 for underage consumption of alcohol including exceptions for religious or medical reasons. Under age drinking remains a pervasive problem on the US college campuses. Under age drinking has been related to poor academic performance, motor vehicle crashes, risky sexual behaviors, sex violence and alcohol related health problems including future alcohol dependency. Laws vary from state to state on the use of fake identification (Fake ID`s) and the potential penalties if caught with a Fake ID`s. We conducted a study at three large state universities in Florida to evaluate the use of False Identification (Fake ID) to subterfuge the underage drinking laws. 688 of these surveys were used for the analysis since 128 respondents did not met the age criteria of being 18 or older but under age 21. Of the 688 respondents, 273 (33.5%) had a fake ID and the vast majority of these students used fake IDs to purchase alcohol (83.1%) and/or enter a bar to drink alcohol (85.9%). Despite national and state efforts to decrease underage drinking, there is still a high percentage of college students who participate in underage drinking. In our study almost 40% of underage students have fake ID`s.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2017, 5(6), 181-183. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-5-6-3
Pub. Date: December 16, 2017
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by Cortés Ascencio Sandra Yazmín, Jesús Carlos Ruvalcaba Ledezma, Avila Domínguez Rosangela, Torres Guevara Rosa Silvana, Calderón Rodríguez Nelly Patricia, Pérez Torres Lucia Vanessa, Barragán López Norma, Cobián Díaz Mariela Lizbeth and Reynoso Vázquez Josefina
Review Article
The low impact of promising and promoted in Mexican territory, national policy requires responsibility between citizens and government truly committed, both for the common good, the needs of both parties should merge not under requirements of a few, or political interests, the poor design strategies established only in theory, not correspond to the operational part that requires our population, this derivative of planning on the desktop without knowing the socio-environmental context. Aim: Promote the dissemination of the theory of co-responsibility and intercultural public health, educational strategies. Methodology:Systematic review and critical analysis that seeks to analyze the state of the art regarding co-responsibility, education and multiculturalism. Results: The approach to vulnerable communities, to detect the real needs of these, also this analysis reflects how people live and act according to their culture and conditions that warrant an exercise of co-responsibility where they look positively change the cultural influence from the development and implementation of the theory of responsibility in public health, considering valuable multiculturalism in designing strategies designed according to the real needs of the community, this individually and / or collectively and even nationally. Conclusion.The theory of co-responsibility and intercultural applied to the socio-environmental context and real needs set is a necessity, it must be a commitment to community and authorities to achieve the common good, if a change is generated in attention then the quality of health services is doomed to failure.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2017, 5(6), 174-180. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-5-6-2
Pub. Date: December 07, 2017
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by Salame Castro AG, López Martínez TC, Sánchez Martínez DV, Reynoso Vázquez J and Ruvalcaba Ledezma JC
Review Article
The WHO identifies noise, an undesired sound, as an environmental problem for humans. Sound is a change of air pressure entering the ear canal and then transmitted to the eardrum, which, in turn, will produce movement of the middle ear bones. The latter amplify the sound reaching the nervous system, where the generated impulses become auditory signal in the brain. Noise is an inarticulate and bothering auditory sensation for the ear that causes health alterations. Measured in decibels (dB), it is legislated at labor and environmental levels. This article explores the application of these legislations, together with a critical analysis. It is essential to take appropriate actions to limit and control exposure to noise, regardless of whether it be on environmental or labor grounds, through the appropriate support of a scientific evaluation.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2017, 5(6), 170-173. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-5-6-1
Pub. Date: December 07, 2017
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