by Shakeel Mahmood
Original Research
As part of a larger study this study reviewed the current state of knowledge of female garment workers’ (FGWs) experiences and their personal understandings of their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experiences in Bangladesh. Relevant literature on FGWs health on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV within Bangladesh published between 1990 and 2020 was carried out through a critical review. Relevant information from the selected articles was extracted and presented to contribute to the existing literature in the form of new findings and also critically interpret existing findings. The themes and keywords were examined in the abstract and title of literature extracted using the aforementioned search engines. Major causes of HIV vulnerability of FGWs are gender inequality, multiple sex partners, drug abuse and rape violence. These poor FGWs are not informed about contraceptive methods, safe sex, menstruation and hygiene and HIV infection due to low literacy rate. Empowering FGWs through formal health education on HIV is essential, including prevention of work place violence (WPV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) related training. Community leaders, private sector involvement and business in HIV needs to be encouraged. Current, surveillance has been conducted on key population, therefore outcome of this study recommend a large-scale study on FGWs in urban areas of Bangladesh to guide policymakers and researchers on how to prevent HIV and improve FGWs' health.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(2), 81-89. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-2-6
Pub. Date: March 22, 2021
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by Youichi Yanagawa, Hiromichi Ohsaka and Kei Jitsuiki
Original Research
Background: The passage of typhoon Hagibis over Izunokuni City, where our hospital is located, resulted in the city essentially becoming an island due to flooding and landslides. Objectives: To examine the sources used to obtain information on typhoon Hagibis with respect to the storm itself, safety, and health issues and to present data resources that can be used for disaster emergency mitigation among health workers. Methods: The survey inquired about respondents’ age, sex, and occupation and asked the media to receive information about typhoon Hagibis and on damage induced by the typhoon in Izunokuni City. Results: The age of respondents ranged from 20 to 65 years old and the number of males was 97 and females 160. The number of clerks was 198, doctors 49, and nurses 10. The most frequently reported medium for obtaining information on the typhoon and damage induced by the typhoon in Izunokuni City were the television, followed by the internet (search engines like Yahoo or Google) and social networking services (SNSs). Conclusion: Television remains an important tool, but the internet and SNSs, have become similarly useful for obtaining information on disasters provided electric power is still available. One key point to consider in the future might be inter-connection through certain services between classic media and internet-based media for distributing information on disasters.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(2), 63-70. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-2-4
Pub. Date: February 26, 2021
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by Beatrice A. Owiti, Collins O. Asweto, Jesse A. Oyieke, Joash R. Aluoch and Charles O. Obonyo
Original Research
Background: With the increasing number of under-five diarrhea in Seme Sub-County; therefore, it is important to assess under-five caregivers’ knowledge and perception on diarrheal home management. Methodology: A community-based survey involving 394 caregivers was done. Multistage sampling technique was used to identify caregivers. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Logistic regression was used to determine the link between knowledge/perception and diarrheal home management. Results: About 79.9% knew the causes of diarrhea while only 11% recognized danger signs of dehydration. About 39.2% had good diarrheal management practice. Those who identified causes of diarrhea were more likely to give water (OR=3.7, p<0.05) and continue feeding (OR=1.4, p=0.04) during diarrhea. Those who recognized dehydration signs were more likely to give ORS (OR=4.67, p= 0.022), give water (OR=5.34, p=0.001), and continue feeding (OR=6.63, p =0.038). Those who perceived severe diarrhea were more likely to use ORS (OR=2.1, p=0.008) and give water (OR=4.2, p=0.048) during diarrheal episode. Conclusion: Causes of diarrhea were well known; however, few knew signs of dehydration. Knowing dehydration signs and perceiving diarrhea severity predict good diarrheal home management. It is important to educate caregivers on the signs of dehydration and diarrhea severity to enhance appropriate diarrheal home management.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(2), 57-62. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-2-3
Pub. Date: February 05, 2021
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by Josephine Etowa, Getachew Abrha, Egbe Etowa and Bishwajit Ghose
Original Research
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a threat of unprecedented scale for societies, business, and healthcare systems across the world. In Canada and the United States, the immigrants including the African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) community and those of Hispanic origin are facing the brunt of the pandemic and account for a disproportionately higher percentage of hospital admission and mortality from the virus. Needless to mention, these ACB community are also the most disadvantaged socioeconomic demographic strata in North America who share a not only a heightened risk of infection, but also the adverse health, social, and financial consequences that arise from the lockdown and similar adjustment policies. In Canada, the ACB community share a long-standing history of social marginalization and have shown to represent the population with highest prevalence of HIV and other infectious diseases, to which COVID-19 seems to be no exception. The situation is extraordinarily challenging and requires bold and comprehensive policy measure to remedy the short-term outcomes and building resilience for the caregiving of ACB population in the long-term. This can be achieved by conducting expert assessments regarding the current knowledge gaps and formulating evidence-based strategies and best-practice policies. The current paper presents the views of experts on social indicators, health disparity and infectious diseases in an effort to shed light on the current knowledge gaps in the COVID-care for the ACB population, and thereby propose some policies to address these gaps.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(2), 52-56. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-2-2
Pub. Date: February 05, 2021
2468 Views6 Downloads
by Ronit Aloni-Grinstein and Shahar Rotem
Commentary
Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is one of the major public health threats, with 700,000 annual deaths worldwide and an estimated 10 million per year by 2050. Efforts are made to establish antibiotic stewardship to minimize un-reversible AMR disasters. Yet, nowadays, when all medical and financial efforts are zoomed towards the COVID-19 pandemic, fundamental antibiotic and antiseptic stewardships are overlooked in favor of reducing the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2), illness and death. On the other hand, public health measures, including social distance, reduction in international traveling, increased hygiene, and wearing facial masks are all means that may contribute to the prevention of the spreading of AMR bacteria. Hence, the COVID-19 pandemic maybe a worldwide turning point regarding AMR, for better or worse.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(2), 48-51. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-2-1
Pub. Date: January 28, 2021
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