by Begna F. Dugassa
Original Research
Background: Although biological agents cause pandemics, they require favorable social conditions to spread and cause ill health. Revisiting past epidemics helps to enhance our understanding of the interactions between biological agents and social conditions. Looking closely at the history of epidemics in Oromia is instrumental in understanding the ways the Ethiopian socio-political policies create favorable social conditions for biological agents to spread from place to place and cause enormous suffering. Objective: The primary objective of this paper is to take a close look at the socio-biological conditions in which epidemics spread, identify risky and protective social conditions and learn from the mistakes of past public health interventions and to build upon their strengths. The secondary objective is understanding the complex interactions between biological agents and social conditions and developing prevention strategies to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Methods: Using historical methods, in this paper, I closely looked at different pandemics and illuminated the social processes of the resurgence and transmission of infectious diseases. Conclusions: This longitudinal study reveals two major findings. First, although biological agents cause all pandemics, the social conditions of people either protects or exposes them to infections and reveal social inequality. Second, understanding the biology of disease-causing agents and social conditions for transmission are not adequate to control epidemics. It requires building the social, economic, political, and cultural capitals of Oromo people. Oromo people can strengthen those capitals if their rights to self-determination are respected. If the rights of people to decide on their own social, economic, political, and cultural rights are violated, their public health preparedness is curbed and makes them more vulnerable to pandemics. The struggle of people to guarantee themselves the right to decide on their social, economic, political, and cultural affairs should be seen as the means to build these essential capitals.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2020, 8(2), 67-76. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-8-2-5
Pub. Date: April 19, 2020
4192 Views835 Downloads
by Abdulaziz Mohsen Alsufyani
Review Article
The implementation of actions for health is only possible by adequate policy development. There is a need to review the nature and development of policy in health political science gaze. Therefore, the present study aims to conduct a review on theory and researches to develop adequate policies in health care system. It provides a comprehensive review about the important theories with empirical research evidences for promoting health. The review analysis shows that it is important to understand the theory and approach behind policy development to recognize the incremental nature of aspects involved in policy development. The health political science insights need to be embraced in the light of public health and promotion of health. The present study has provided deep understanding about the structuring and implementation of health policies in health care systems in the light of theory and research.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2020, 8(2), 61-66. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-8-2-4
Pub. Date: April 19, 2020
4808 Views561 Downloads
by Salah Mohamed El Sayed, Hamdi H. Almaramhy, Yasmeen Talal Aljehani, Ahmed M. Okashah, Mariam E. El-Anzi, Mansour Barakah AlHarbi, Rehab El-Tahlawi, Manal Mohamed Helmy, Moutassim Aboonq, Osama Hamouda and Osama Alhadramy
Protocol
With the continuously expanding terrible pandemic of COVID-19 infection, globally increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients and contacts progressively jump to heavy burdens beyond capabilities. Developing and poor countries may face humanity disasters in the next few days unless urgent measures are rapidly performed. Standard anti-COVID-19 treatment should inhibit COVID-19 replication, repair virus-induced tissue damage and enhance patients' immunity. Unfortunately, such criteria are still lacking in current treatments resulting in relatively high viral infectivity, morbidity and mortality. Based on previous prophetic medicine research experience and the literature, we introduce TaibUVID therapy as a novel medicinal nutrition formulation. TaibUVID stands for Taibah University anti-COVID-19 treatment as a novel evidence-based approach (using natural products) for treating COVID-19 patients. A single TaibUVID dose includes: 1 large spoonful of nigella sativa oil (or 2 gram nigella sativa seeds) mixed with 1 gram of grinded anthemis hyaline and 1 large spoonful of natural honey. This mixture is to be chewed in the mouth and swallowed orally for both COVID-19 contacts and patients. We adjusted dosing regimen and period of treatment into three clinical levels including contacts or prophylaxis, mild cases and severe case. We also introduce novel nigella sativa oil (or nigella sativa decoction) nebulization for local treatment of pneumonia or bronchopneumonia that is faced in severe COVID-19 cases. The wonderful report by Ulasli et al. (Ulasli et al. Mol Biol Rep. 2014;41:1703-11) deserves a lot of interest where nigella sativa and Anthemis hyalina (chamomile) were confirmed to inhibit corona virus replication maximally. In addition, nigella sativa enhances immunity, exerts tissue protective effects and effectively treats co-morbidities. Oral honey exerts potent antiviral effects, enhances immunity and exerts tissue protective effects. Our suggested TaibUVID is a promising evidence-based approach to rescue lives, decrease fatalities and put a rapid end to COVID-19 pandemic.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2020, 8(2), 54-60. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-8-2-3
Pub. Date: April 06, 2020
25638 Views6801 Downloads8 Likes
by Nabaraj Adhikari, Shahad Uddin, Krishna Prasad Sapakota and Saraswati Adhikari
Review Article
Background: Adolescents can experience various sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges. It is crucial to make sure that adolescents use SRH related services and information to protect themselves from any complications such as early and unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and psycho-sexual problems. Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore SRH needs and SRH service utilization by adolescents in Nepal; factors influencing utilization of SRH services; and to provide recommendations for the optimal improvement and use of existing SRH services. Study Method: This is a descriptive study which is based on a review of the literature according to the “WHO framework for understanding adolescent help-seeking behavior and use of social supports”, which was adapted in to this paper. Findings: In Nepal adolescents are concerned about sexual development and reproductive health. However, current health programs are not completely addressing these issues. Limited knowledge, social and cultural associations with SRH services, health staff competencies to address adolescent SRH, and friendliness of health facility staff influence health seeking and SRH service utilization by adolescents in Nepal. Conclusion: Despite all of the efforts from the government and non-governmental sectors, utilization of SRH services by adolescents in Nepal is low because of various factors that are often interrelated. There is a need to further improve the adolescent friendliness of services, promote these (free) services, and to increase use of SRH services in Nepal.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2020, 8(2), 47-53. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-8-2-2
Pub. Date: April 02, 2020
4428 Views767 Downloads
by Irikefe P. Obiebi, Nnamdi S. Moeteke, Godson U. Eze and Ibiyemi J. Umuago
Original Research
The prevalence of hypertension and its complications are increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is largely undiagnosed. Among the public health implications of the consequent morbidity and mortality are the effects of its toll on health workers; reports of sudden death among this crucial group have not been infrequent. Maintaining their health is imperative in the light of massive brain drain in the sector. There is limited information on the risk-factors among these professionals. The goal of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and correlates of hypertension among health workers with a view to guiding health promotion intervention in the sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the various cadres of health workers, using stratified sampling, in a tertiary health facility in South-South Nigeria. A pretested questionnaire was used, and measurements of blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were taken using standardised equipment and procedures. SSPSS version 22 was used for analysis. Hypotheses were tested with chi-square and student t-test (level of significance set at less than 0.05). Magnitude of associations was determined by odds ratios. The prevalence of hypertension was 36.2%. Being overweight/obese was associated with hypertension, OR 2.13 (CI 1.20 - 3.80), as were increasing age, obesity, and lack of exercise, though the last factor was not statistically significant. Although almost three-quarters of hypertensive subjects had a family history of hypertension, there was no significant association. The high prevalence of hypertension in this study indicates a need for health promotion strategies among this group. The prominence of a few of the known risk factors of hypertension among the health workers would suggest areas of policy thrust by the Nigerian health system Managers. Interventions could be more efficient by targeting fitness and weight loss while paying closer attention to health workers as they age.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2020, 8(2), 41-46. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-8-2-1
Pub. Date: March 01, 2020
5373 Views1222 Downloads
by Ahmed Hashem El-Monshed, Azza Mohamed Fathy and Azhar A. Mohamed Shehata
Original Research
Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common chronic disorders which influence millions of children worldwide.It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has a great impact on children in a critical period of development, the treatment of which extends over years. Aim: This study examined the association between sleep habits and quality of lifein children with ADHD. Methods: By using a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on one hundred sixteen of children with ADHD attending the child psychiatric outpatient clinic of Mansoura University Hospitals. Three tools were usedfor data collection:A structured questionnaire of the socio demographic and clinical features, the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM). Results: The total mean (±SD) of sleep habits was 64.77 ± 18.43. The studied children rated themselves significantly better than their parents in all domains of PedsQLTM (P < 0.0001) and there were statistical significant associations between CSHQ score and PedsQLTM score (P≤0.001). Conclusion and recommendation: Sleep disorders are significantly associated with poor physical and psychosocial quality of life. It is possible that such sleep interventions in children with ADHD can enhance their quality of life.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2020, 8(2), 41-46. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-8-2-1
Pub. Date: February 20, 2020
5373 Views1304 Downloads