-
Effective and Health Ways of Minimizing Eruption of COVID-19
Eliphus Ndereba,
James Akuma
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, July 2020
Pages:
36-42
Received:
9 April 2020
Accepted:
3 May 2020
Published:
9 June 2020
Abstract: The phylogenetic analyses that have been done on the emergence and causative agents of the 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease have focused on the epidemiology and the identification of the specific causative agents linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome for Corona viruses (SARS-COV), the viral pathogen that causes SARS-COV-2 (Currently, COVID-19). The virus is associated mostly with bats’ genetic composition that’s detrimental to Human cells if in contact. Although there are readily established measures to curb the outbreak and transmission of the disease, there is much yet to be done especially in the affected African countries where most medics rely on the abroad research guidance. The world’s Medical attendants have been left with a dire need to establish the sufficiently effective and immediate measures and/ or guidelines on how to minimize the outbreak and widespread interspecies infections of SARS-COVs. Apart from the ways identified by the World Health Organization, there are several other strategies that the African countries can rely on to mitigate the outbreak of SARS-COV-2 which has always been diagnostically experienced as respiratory tract disorders: Pneumonia. Among the widely implemented measures in most nations are: quarantining the suspected victims and infected individuals, partial/total lockdowns, abolishment of (over) crowding, abolishment of bare handshakes, encouraging keeping of the social distance, use of gloves and masks, use of disinfectants on public resources and premises, using sanitizers for hand washing and banning air transport to prevent import or export of new COVID-19 infections.
Abstract: The phylogenetic analyses that have been done on the emergence and causative agents of the 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease have focused on the epidemiology and the identification of the specific causative agents linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome for Corona viruses (SARS-COV), the viral pathogen that causes SARS-COV-2 (Currently, COVID-19)....
Show More
-
Iodine Status of Pregnant Women in Bulgaria
Anna-Maria Borissovа,
Ludmila Ivanova,
Boyana Trifonova,
Lilia Dakovska,
Eugenia Mihailova,
Mircho Vukov
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, July 2020
Pages:
43-47
Received:
6 June 2020
Accepted:
29 June 2020
Published:
4 August 2020
Abstract: Universal iodization of salt on the whole territory in Bulgaria was introduced in 1994. The external evaluation of an International expert group conducted in 2005, placed the country among those who successfully overcame the problem of iodine deficiency. AIM of the present study is to update the data on iodine intake of pregnant women in Bulgaria, given that there have been no studies in the last 8 years. MATERIAL: A total number of 537 pregnant women were recruited in the study with an average age 30.49±5 y, distributed by gestational weeks and according to the intake of (vitamins and minerals preparations) preparations containing vitamins with minerals. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional, multicenter population-based in 10 regions of Bulgaria (a total of 84 settlements), without pre-selection and 98.3% of the examined pregnant women use Bulgarian iodized salt according to the data from the Questionnaire. METHOD: A spot morning urine samples were collected for determination of urinary iodine concentration. The frozen samples in a special container were transported to the accredited Limbach laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. The iodine in urine was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The statistical analysis was performed using standard SPSS 13.0 for Windows. RESULTS: The median urinary iodine concentration (mUIC) for the whole group of pregnant women (n-537) was 170 µg/L (95% CI 161.00 - 177.00). Normal iodine excretion is present in 39.3%, low – in 41.2% and over-optimal – in 19.6% of pregnant women. Significantly lower levels of iodine in urine were found in the third trimester of pregnancy compared to the first trimester (P < 0.012) and compared to the second trimester (P < 0.001). The median iodine concentration in pregnant women from the group supplemented with combined vitamins with minerals was significantly higher compared to the group without supplementation – 175 (95% CI 166.00 - 199.00) against 149 (95% CI 123.00 - 168.00), P < 0.021. CONCLUSION: During pregnancy, additional supplementation with combined vitamins with minerals containing iodine is required, regardless of the universal iodization of salt, introduced in Bulgaria for more than twenty-five years.
Abstract: Universal iodization of salt on the whole territory in Bulgaria was introduced in 1994. The external evaluation of an International expert group conducted in 2005, placed the country among those who successfully overcame the problem of iodine deficiency. AIM of the present study is to update the data on iodine intake of pregnant women in Bulgaria, ...
Show More
-
Occupational Health and Safety: Provision of Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for Mechanical Welding and Carpentry Workers in Mbala District of Zambia
Ebenezer Obi Daniel,
Moses Mutyoka,
Paul Olaiya Abiodun,
Israel Olukayode Popoola,
Kabir Yunusa Amari,
Ahmed Mamuda Bello,
Oluwole Victor Oluwalomola,
Christie Omolola Adams,
Olayinka Victor Ojo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, July 2020
Pages:
48-55
Received:
11 July 2020
Accepted:
30 July 2020
Published:
13 August 2020
Abstract: Small-scale enterprises and the informal sector such as mechanical, welding and carpentry workshops constitute the fastest growing economic sectors and represent the most realistic form of employment creation. These occupations are vulnerable and prone to concern themselves with survival rather than improving health and safety and as such health risks remain high in their workplaces. The objectives of this study was to assess the provision of PPEs to employees and level of enforcement of Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2010 with other regulations, guidelines and standard operational procedures in mechanical, welding and carpentry workshops in Mbala District of Northern province in the Republic of Zambia. A descriptive survey of 75 employees from small scale industries or workshops was conducted and data was collected using a questionnaire in line with key ILO thematic areas for workplaces. The results showed that the employees in these workshops were generally not complying with requirements for provision of PPEs with 28% of employees reported not being provided with PPEs. Emergency preparedness and prevention in the workplaces was also poor as none of the employees reported being trained or inducted in first aid management and 0% had first aid kit at their workshop as only 8% were inducted. It was also revealed that employees in Mechanical, Welding and Carpentry workshops in Mbala District of Zambia mostly are not complying with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2010 on general provisions including regulation 22 on provision and use of PPEs leading to dangerous and highly risky workplace environment. It was further revealed that all the employees from workshops interviewed have never been inspected or audited by Factory Inspectors from the Ministry of Labor and Social Services or from any other authorized bodies leading to lack of legal enforcement. The findings of this study can be used to update the health and safety conditions at different workplaces, achieving many socio-economic benefits for Zambia. Intervention plans like education, awareness, and regular medical checkups should be advocated which help in prevention and minimizing workplace exposures to occupational hazards. The identification and prevention of work-related health costs could result in substantial savings for the national health system, leading to the more sustainable social system. This study provides the baseline for elaborative studies in the future.
Abstract: Small-scale enterprises and the informal sector such as mechanical, welding and carpentry workshops constitute the fastest growing economic sectors and represent the most realistic form of employment creation. These occupations are vulnerable and prone to concern themselves with survival rather than improving health and safety and as such health ri...
Show More
-
Vitamin D Supplementation for Pregnant Women in Bulgaria
Anna-Maria Borissovа,
Boyana Trifonova,
Lilia Dakovska,
Eugenia Mihailova,
Mircho Vukov
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, July 2020
Pages:
56-60
Received:
30 June 2020
Accepted:
22 July 2020
Published:
18 August 2020
Abstract: The aim: of our study was to evaluate the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25 (OH) D] in pregnant Bulgarian women with and without vitamin D supplementation. Material and methods: We investigated 547 pregnant Bulgarian women, mean age 30±5 years, median 30 (18-47). All pregnant women filled in a specially designed standard questionnaire. The cohort consisted of 547 unselected pregnant women, 278/547 (50.82%) taking vitamins at the time of the investigation, as a monotherapy or in combination with other medications. We introduced four category level of vitamin D: Severe deficiency: < 10 ng / ml; Moderate deficiency: 10 - 20 ng / ml; Insufficiency: 20 - 30 ng / ml; Sufficiency: > 30 ng / ml. The peripheral levels of 25(OH)D were investigated using a standard Electro Chemyluminescence Immuno Assay (Competition principle) in a central laboratory on the day of the sampling. Results: For the whole group (547 pregnant women), the mean 25(OH)D level was 25.86±9.46 ng / ml; median 24.51 (7.96 - 70.00), corresponding to mild insufficiency. Sufficient vitamin D (≥ 30 ng / ml) had a significantly higher percentage of pregnant women supplemented with vitamin D compared to the non-supplementеd group - 87 (31.29%) versus 61 (22.68%), P < 0.05. At the same time, vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml) was significantly higher in pregnant women without supplementation with vitamin D - 86 (31.98%) versus those with supplementation - 61 (21.94%), P < 0.01. In conclusion: the levels of vitamin D among pregnant Bulgarian women are within the span of mild insufficiency, probably due to the intake of combined vitamin supplements by approximately half of the studied women during the pregnancy.
Abstract: The aim: of our study was to evaluate the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25 (OH) D] in pregnant Bulgarian women with and without vitamin D supplementation. Material and methods: We investigated 547 pregnant Bulgarian women, mean age 30±5 years, median 30 (18-47). All pregnant women filled in a specially designed standard questionnaire. The cohort ...
Show More
