International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

Abstract: Errors in prescription in medical practice are a source of adverse events that can be prevented. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of prescription errors and predisposing factors in four units (medical out-patient, general out-patient, wards, accident and emergency) of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. Twelve error descriptors developed from literature review were used to review the 1866 prescription sheets randomly selected from the pharmacy points for the year 2006 while 10 in-depth intervi…

Abstract: Extant literature is full of studies on socio-economic inequalities in maternal and child health in India but studies on inequalities in risk of diseases are limited. We use data from India Human Development Survey (IHDS) conducted in 2004-05 to test two hypotheses: first, diabetes and high blood pressure are associated with affluence; and second, tuberculosis and mental illness are associated with poverty. We use rich-poor ratio, concentration curves, adjusted concentration indices, dominance test, and binary logi…

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify unplanned hospital re-admission risk factors in patients with respiratory tract diseases in Taiwan. This was a retrospective study. Study subjects were patients with primary diagnosis of respiratory tract diseases, which were defined by using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Eight hundred and seventy-six respiratory tract diseases patients were discharged from the hospital, and 14.78% (n = 64) of them were…

Abstract: Gastrointestinal parasites in dogs that inhabit in close proximity to humans have been shown to increase the risk of infection to humans, especially those living in rural areas. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth species found in partially owned/stray dogs and the potential impact these infection rates had on the surrounding communities in Wondo Genet, Southern Nations and Nationalities Region of Ethiopia. Coprological and postmortem examination and questionnaire survey…

Abstract: This study aimed to clarify whether or not low level of education may function as a risk factor for dementia among native Mexicans. A door-to-door survey study in an elderly illiterate native Mexican subpopulation of indigenous origin was performed in order to detect prevalence of dementia using both DSM-IV criteria and the Brookdale test. The total village population surveyed included 2226 inhabitants, of which 65 subjects were over 65 years. Dementia, according to DSM IV criteria, was diagnosed in 8 patients abov…

Abstract: This study was conducted from November 2009 to April 2010 with a purpose to assess the prevalence and economic significance of hydatid cyst in slaughtered sheep and goats at Modjo Modern Export Abattoir (MMEA), Ethiopia. The result of this study revealed that a total of 1115 small ruminants (348 sheep and 767 goats) were randomly sampled and examined after slaughter for the presence of hydatid cysts in the visceral organs (lungs, livers and hearts) and on muscles of the animals using the standard meat inspection pr…

Abstract: Subsoil water contamination with arsenic is a burning global health issue. People experiencing exposure to contaminated water by arsenic through out years can give rise to development of myriad clinical manifestations with a chief of arsenicosis which is the collective form of pigmentation and keratotic lesion of the skin. We surveyed over a population of above 500 people in West Bengal who are chronically exposed to arsenic at various doses through their drinking water through out years which revealed a discreet v…

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lacks public recognition despite its high prevalence. Given the absence of an awareness assessing disease-specific questionnaire, we developed the 10-item Athens COPD awareness questionnaire (10-ACAQ, with 4 demographic and 6 COPD-oriented questions) in an attempt to assess the level of public awareness on COPD in 2002. Then, a 6-year action plan (2003 to 2008) was designed to raise public awareness, which consisted of publishing relevant articles in newspapers/magazines…

Abstract: Immunization is one of the most powerful and cost effective weapons of modern medicine, and is a major tool being used to achieve the 4th Millennium Development Goals (MDG). This study was therefore aimed at assessing the impact of health education using the Community Level Nutrition Information System for Action (COLNISA) strategy on knowledge and practice of childhood immunization among mothers in Kware town, Sokoto State. This was a controlled community trial in two semi urban communities in Sokoto State, Nigeri…

Abstract: The study was conducted to assess the water and noise quality of the Tamale abattoir to evaluate their effects on the environment. The abattoir is located in Tamale, the regional capital of the Northern Region of Ghana. Data on noise quality was taken using the Integrated Noise Level Meter at five different locations. The results of maximum and minimum noise levels generated at the abattoir were 95.4 and 60.4 dB(A), respectively, which exceeded EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) standard of 70 and 60 dB(A), re…

Abstract: Nurses who are mostly shift workers were found to be at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was designed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors among female nurses working in a teaching hospital. A cross sectional study was conducted among 404 female nurses working in a teaching hospital in North-Eastern state of Malaysia. Data were collected using a proforma on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, physical activity and depression anxiety and stress…

Abstract: Childhood obesity is a serious non-communicable public health problem with negative physical, social, and mental health consequences. Factors contributing to childhood obesity are school nutrition, excessive snacks, fast food, lack of physical activity and family behavior. The objective of this study is to explore Fayoum preparatory of school students’ and teacher’s attitude concerning obesity and healthy nutritional behavior and investigating readiness of teachers to attain an active role in student’s nutritional…

Abstract: Stroke is a leading cause of physical disability worldwide. Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the most common cause of stroke in children. The aim is to determine the prevalence of stroke in children with SCA at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Retrospective studies of patients with SCA (6 months to 16years) with stroke, over a 5 year period were carried out. Data was extracted from the medical records of patients. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. A total of 256 medical records…

Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life with the introduction of adequate complementary foods thereafter. The association between the early introduction of complementary foods and negative health outcomes may be underestimated by inconsistencies in reported age-of-introduction of complementary foods. We aimed to determine the reproducibility of reported age-of-introduction of 10 selected complementary foods. Mothers of 6-12 mo old Guatemalan infants (50…

Abstract: Alcohol use is an important preventable risk factor for several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries that is related to lifestyle choices. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption and its correlates. A cross sectional study utilizing a WHO stepwise approach to surveillance of NCDs was conducted in Lusaka district, Zambia. Current alcohol consumption was defined as having consumed alcohol in the previous 30 days to the survey. Complex samples logistic regression was…