by Begna Dugassa, Fantahun Diba and Oli Bachie
Original Research
Background: Climate change in the Nile Basin region has caused complex ecological imbalances, i.e., increased diseases burdens, widened social inequalities, exacerbated environmental degradation, fostered competition on resources, and threatened to slash progress in population health. In addition, human rights violations (HRV) in Oromia resulted in further environmental degradation. In this paper, the term healthy social relations and respect for human rights are used interchangeably. Oromia is the primary water source for the Nile River; hence, any social problem and ecological imbalances in this region easily spill over an extended area. Objectives: This paper examines the relationships between climate change, HRV, and public health. It traces the mechanisms in which the interactions may multiply public health problems, raise awareness of the issues, advance cooperation between states to undertake applied research, foster environmental stewardship culture, and provide impactful policy directions. Methods: Using the "systemic thinking" framework, we captured tacit and scientific knowledge at the "upstream" level in Oromia, analyzed the complex relationships between climate change, HRV, and public health problems. Furthermore, we depicted the risks it poses in Oromia and Nile Basin's "downstream" countries. Findings: Climate change and HRV exacerbated environmental degradation, widened social problems, and inculpated drawbacks in public health status. The impacts of ecological disturbances in the Oromia region easily spill over to other Nile Basin countries. Environmental and social imbalances contribute to environmental degradation through increased soil erosion, deforestation, increased water evaporation, which may also cause decreased water flow to the tributary rivers of the Nile. Climate change could also alter the biochemistry and microbiology of the water and soil, creating favorable conditions for certain microorganisms and pathogens that may lower soil fertility, food production, aggravate water scarcity, and ultimately cause food insecurity and other scarcities. Conclusions: Climate change and HRV in Oromia aggravated environmental degradations and have implications for public health problems. Moreover, the social and ecological disturbances in Oromia easily spill over to other Nile Basin countries. Until we identify what is going on in Oromia and take appropriate actions to prevent, mitigate and manage the impacts of climate change, and advance human rights, public health problems will further multiply and threaten the security of people in Oromia and other regions within the Nile Basin.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(6), 257-269. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-6-5
Pub. Date: November 23, 2021
1999 Views13 Downloads
by Abdelmounaim Hadjira, Hicham Salhi and Fadoua El Hafa
Original Research
Background: Coronavirus disease has become a worldwide threat affecting almost every country in the world. The spread of the virus is likely to continue unabated. The aim of this study is to compare between Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, Fuzzy time series and Holt-Winters – No seasonal for forecasting the COVID-19 new cases in Algeria. Methods: Three different models to predict the number of Covid-19 new cases in Algeria were used. The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Algeria during the period from 24th February 2020 to 31th July 2021 was modeled according to ARIMA(4,1,2) model, Five based Fuzzy time series models including the Chen model, Heuristic Huareng model, Singh model, Abbasov-Manedova model and NFTS model, and Holt-Winters – No seasonal. Results: The predictive values were obtained from the 1st August 2021 to 31th December 2021. According to a set of criteria (ME, MAE, MSE, RMSE, U), we found that the FTNS model is the most accurate and best generating model for the values of the number of new cases of Covid-19. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study of three models of forecasting of Covid-19 new cases in Algeria. This study shows that ARIMA models with optimally selected covariates are useful tools for monitoring and predicting trends of COVID-19 cases in Algeria. Moreover, this forecast will help the Health authorities to be better prepared to fight the epidemic by engaging their healthcare facilities.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(6), 248-256. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-6-4
Pub. Date: November 19, 2021
2520 Views3 Downloads
by Izunna Somadina Okwelogu, Paschal C Amakiri, Gloria E Ahanonu, Odinakachukwu Ogechi Dimgba, Juliet Ogochukwu Ezeigwe, Chidera Gabriel Obi and Cherechi Nwabueze
Original Research
Malaria is a parasitic disease endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Nigeria accounts for about 51 million cases globally and 207000 deaths annually. Different control measures have been adopted to control malaria in the south Eastern region of Nigeria. These measures includes vector control, chemotherapy etc. The most recommended is vector control and it is achieved through the use of insecticide treated nets, pesticides etc. ITNs are effective vector control tools and positively reduces mosquito abundance and serves as barrier to contacts with human hosts but the set back with the ITN use is the difference between ownership and usage . Most people who own ITNs don’t use it. Diagnosis of malaria is vital in the control and treatment of malaria however, in the south eastern part of Nigeria, outcome of studies revealed gap in microscopy expertise and it has led to lots of false positive results. Chemotherapy using ACT is currently subdued due to counterfeit anti malaria drugs in the markets. There are emerging malaria control methods but they are yet to be adopted and applied in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Currently the malaria control methods adopted in Southeastern Nigeria are effective but may not adequately lead to malaria control. It is imperative to augment with emerging malaria control methods or optimize current methods to achieve the desired results.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(6), 244-247. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-6-3
Pub. Date: November 10, 2021
2072 Views2 Downloads
by Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan, Aziza Abozid, Abeer Elmghwry and Eman Moustafa Ibrahim
Original Research
Background: Compassion has also been defined as acknowledgment and engagement with one's own suffer and the suffering of others, together with a deep commitment to work towards alleviating and preventing that suffering. This definition highlights two psychological components of compassion that provide a direction for the therapy. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the correlation and predictors of nurses’ and patients’ opinions about compassion in Beni-Suef city. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in conducting the study. Setting: This research was conducted at Beni-Suef University Hospital, General Hospital, as well as Continuing/Long-term care and Home Health Care (HHC) services. Sample: 140 nurses being employed in the current health care facility for at least one year were eligible for inclusion in the study sample and all elderly (140) patients receiving care in the above-mentioned settings. Tools: Two tools have been used to gather data; 1) Structured questionnaire interview sheet included data related to socio-demographic characteristics for nurses and patients. 2) Compassionate Care Scale. Results: Statistically significant moderate positive correlations were identified among nurses’ scores of compassionate care attitude, practice, and confidence. Nurses’ scores of compassionate care confidence and practice had statistically significant weak positive correlations with their qualification, and negative correlations with their age and experience. The unmarried status of the nurse was the only statistically significant independent negative predictor of the compassionate care attitude score. A strong statistically significant negative correlation between patients’ scores of opinions about patient expectations and nurses’ attitude toward compassionate care (r=-0.900). Conclusion: The study findings concluded a strongest correlation between the scores of nurse competence and caring attributes. A strong statistically significant negative correlation between patients’ scores of opinions about patient expectations and nurses’ attitude toward compassionate care was found. Recommendations: Replication of this study on a large representative probability sample is highly recommended to achieve more generalization of the results for further research. The impact of such training interventions on elderly patients’ opinions about compassionate care should also be investigated.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(6), 234-243. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-6-2
Pub. Date: August 13, 2021
2384 Views1 Downloads
by Dilip R. Khairnar, Kiran R. Kharat, Sachin Markad and Mahadev A. Jadhav
Original Research
Tuberculosis, one of the major diseases has been known to cause 1.5 million deaths globally. Many quantitative studies have investigated risk factors associated with poor adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment. In the present study, we aimed to identify the relationship between socio-psychological factors and TB patients. The second objective of this study was to determine whether the association differs from treated and untreated persons. After being cured from the disease, patients share clothes or utensils with their family members. For a few patients psychological improvements were observed after some period of treatment whereas as in majority of patients psychological support by their family and friends was not received. This caused increase in emotional stress despite patients got cured off the TB infection. The important point noticed about the cured patients was augmented fighting spirit against this deadly disease. Recovered patients want to live more with the same joy and happiness after treatment.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2021, 9(6), 229-233. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-9-6-1
Pub. Date: August 12, 2021
2980 Views2 Downloads