International Journal of Public Health and Safety

Background: Globally, poor occupational health and safety results in 271 million work related injuries, 2 million work-related deaths, and 160 million work-related diseases per year. The risk of having work-related injury is 10 to 20 times higher in developing countries including Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, according to labor proclamation No.377/2003, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Ethiopia is the organ charged with the responsibility to inspect labor administration, labor conditions, occupational safety and health. However, information regarding the present status of occupational injuries among small scale industries is lacking.

Objective: To assess prevalence of occupational injury and factors associated with it among small scale industries workers in Arba Minch town, 2016. Methods Facility based cross sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2016. 412 small scale industries workers were include using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected by face to face interview and supplemented by observational study. Bivariate logistic regression was used to identify candidate variables and Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of occupational injuries and to control confounders. In multivariable analysis p value of less than 0.05 was used to declare significance.

Results: The annual and two weeks prevalence of occupational injuries were 808 and 206 per 1000 exposed workers respectively. Statistically significant independent predictors of occupational injuries were numbers of workers in the industries (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.35), health and safety training (AOR: 6.4, 95% CI: 2.89, 14.15), alcohol drinking (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.19, 4.49), khat chewing (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.13, 4.83), and none-use of personal protective equipment (AOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.47, 5.10).

Conclusion and Recommendation: occupational injuries among small scale industries workers in Arbaminch town were high compared to other studies. Age of the workers, numbers of workers in industries, health and safety training, alcohol drinking, khat chewing, and non-use of personal protective equipment were significant and independent predictors for occupational injury. Some of significant factors assessed were assumed to be preventable with provisions of safety equipment and behavioral change communications programs on life style factors.

Palm oil is an active ingredient in diets in many families in Nigeria. Palm oil production is majorly carried out by smallholder processors that use local equipment for processing. This study evaluated the microbial quality of palm oil sold in Amassoma, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Triplicate samples of palm oil were purchased from six palm oil retailers in Amassoma. Microbiological techniques were applied in the analysis. Results revealed that the total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi ranged from 0.68-14.40 × 104 cfu/ml and 1.23-12.60 × 102 cfu/ml, respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi population in most of the locations. The microbial isolates that were identified included Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus species (bacteria), and Aspergillus niger, Aspergililus flavus, Rhizopus, Mucor and Penicillium species (fungi). The similarity interaction between the various locations with respect to microbial diversity (bacteria and fungi) ranged from 50.00-92.31%. The microbial interactions of the samples from the different locations were above the similarity critical level of significance=50%. The mean microbial density were within the limits for palm oil used as food, while the diversity of microbial species in the palm oil samples exceeded the specified limit by Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC). As such, there is the need for improved handling processes of palm oil by both processors and retailers/marketers.

This study evaluated the level of some selected heavy metals in liver and muscle of cow meat sold in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Replicate samples of liver and muscles were purchased from Etegwe Junction market in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The samples were dry-ashed, digested and analyzed using flame atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. Results showed mean manganese, copper, chromium, zinc and iron were 2.62 ± 0.23 mg/kg, 140.15 ± 18.15 mg/kg, <0.001 mg/kg, 53.42 ± 2.29 mg/kg and 654.65 ± 22.54 mg/kg respectively (liver) and 0.87 ± 0.10 mg/kg, 1.27 ± 0.40 mg/kg, <0.001 mg/kg, 38.07 ± 1.55 mg/kg and 43.82 ± 0.47 mg/kg respectively (muscle). Statistically, there was significant variations (P<0.05) among the heavy metals concentration in liver and muscle. Copper, iron and zinc concentration were above recommended level for beef as specified by World Health Organization. The implications of possible source of heavy metals in meat are from the food sources, vegetation and drinking water was discussed.

Pregnancy is one of the most anticipated periods in the life of most women. Many of them, planning a child, try to make conception come, as soon as possible. But sometimes there are serious problems with fertility. Percent of women aged 15-44 with impaired fecundity in the USA is 12.1%. Infertility in a married couple is usually diagnosed if pregnancy does not occur within a year of regular sexual activity without the use of contraception. To identify the causes of infertility, both partners should be examined, since problems can be in men, women, and even in both (combined infertility). If pregnancy has not occurred even once, then talk about primary infertility. Secondary infertility is diagnosed if a woman has already experienced a pregnancy earlier (whatever it ends). There is absolute infertility due to defects in the reproductive system (surgical removal of organs and glands or congenital mal development) and relative, the causes of which can be eliminated by the forces of modern medicine.

Ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent tracers are a powerful training tool when used as a simulant for infectious agents. Their use is well established to teach healthcare staff effective hand hygiene and safe removal of contaminated gloves. This paper reviews the more recent use of similar techniques to create scenarios in healthcare where exposure to infectious body fluids and potential for cross-contamination occur, e.g. clean-up following Norovirustriggered projectile vomiting, or exposure to infective body fluids when examining symptomatic patients with high consequence infectious disease. Examples are described to demonstrate the value of these techniques in ensuring safety from cross-infection in healthcare

Background: Physiotherapy is a profession with the holistic approach to maximize the movement and functional ability throughout the life span. Physiotherapy degree programme was commenced in Sri Lanka in 2006. Selecting an appropriate career is vital for an individual. The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors which influenced the selection of physiotherapy as a career among 1st-year undergraduate.
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted among first-year physiotherapy undergraduates in three universities before their university orientation programme, with the permission from the institution and written consent from the participants. The pre-tested questionnaire was used in the data collection. Data were analysed with SPSS 16 using appropriate descriptive statistics.
Results: 58 undergraduates from first-year physiotherapy programme participated in this study. 42 female and 16 male were responded to the questionnaire. 43% and 17% of participants enter to the physiotherapy programme in their Advance level third and first attempt respectively. Participants indicated working health related field, personal interest, Z-score, foreign employment opportunity, future scope for their career development are the reason for selecting physiotherapy as their career. None of them marked parents influence as a reason. Internet, friends, school teachers, parents and University prospects were the main source of information where they get to know about physiotherapy. There was a slight difference in impact of these factors among state and non-state responded.
89.6% participants stated that they have chosen physiotherapy profession since working in health related field was their main concern. 88% of them had dreamed of working in health field from their childhood. 89.7% participants consider that physiotherapy profession has a good reputation in society. 94.8% of respondent indicated that this career would develop their career pathway. 86.2% of participants consider this field as growing field in Sri Lanka.
Conclusion: One of the main factors to choose physiotherapy as their career is to work in health related field. Majority of the female choose physiotherapy as their career. The Internet is the main source of information by which they get to know about physiotherapy. Majority of them consider that this field would develop their career pathway.

Kidney disease in Nigeria affects 20% of the population, according to a number of studies on the subject. Several factors, including lack of access to quality healthcare, self-medication, poverty, political corruption, inadequate funding and sub-standard healthcare facilities contribute to the inability of a solid majority of patients to manage the illness. In consequence, renal failure has contributed to a rising mortality rate. This study aims to investigate several aspects of the problem among patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). The study will particularly examine healthcare access issues influenced by economic status. The study will be conducted in Southeastern Nigeria. A blend of descriptive, document review, analytical and statistical methodologies will be used to collect and analyze the data.

A collaborative voluntary intervention between a local government authority and a higher education institution, in three takeaway outlets in a low income northern English community is examined. The intervention aimed to increase the availability, promotion and ultimately sale of healthier products in the takeaway outlets. The collaboration between stakeholders led to the successful use of semi-structured interviews and nutrient content determination to increase the sale of healthier products at all three participating takeaway outlets. The research has uncovered the potential of diligent collaborations between stakeholders for the implementation and success of health promotion interventions