Monitoring of changes in illicit drugs, alcohol, and nicotine consumption during Ramadan via wastewater analysis

Incidence and pattern of neurological emergencies in Ramadan

BACKGROUND

The impact of Ramadan fasting on various neurological emergencies remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to clarify the incidence and pattern of the different neurological emergencies in Ramadan compared to Shaaban.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, all adult patients attending the emergency room at two Egyptian centers with neurological emergencies during Shaaban and Ramadan were evaluated. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological assessments were made on an individual basis upon which the diagnosis of neurological disorder was made. IBM SPSS Version 25 was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Seventy-twenty patients were included, 382 during Shaaban and 338 during Ramadan. Among causes of delirium, the frequency of dehydration was significantly higher, and the frequency of illicit drug abuse was significantly lower during Ramadan compared to Shaaban (P = 0.004, 0.030, respectively). The incidence of ICH was significantly reduced during Ramadan compared to Shaaban (10.8% vs 19.7%, P = 0.031). The incidence of cardioembolic strokes significantly increased during Ramadan than Shaaban (40.5% vs 26.4%, P = 0.014), whereas the incidence of small vessel disease (SVD) significantly decreased during Ramadan than Shaaban (21.6% vs. 42.1%, P < 0.001). The incidence of a single seizure was significantly higher in Ramadan than in Shaaban (69.4% vs. 34.6%, P = 0.007). The incidence of functional neurological disorders was significantly reduced in Ramadan than in Shaaban (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of delirium caused by illicit drug abuse, ICH, SVD, and functional neurological disorders declined during Ramadan, while the incidence of delirium triggered by dehydration, cardioembolic strokes, and a single seizure increased during Ramadan.

Changes in sleep, physical activity, and health behaviors among Nigerian fasting adults in Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

There is limited data on sleep, physical activity, and health-related behaviors among the general public during Ramadan, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with sleep and physical activity changes among Nigerian Muslims during Ramadan fasting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nationwide web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Nigerians aged ≥18 years who performed diurnal fasting during Ramadan. The target sample size was obtained using Fisher's formula, and snowball sampling was employed. Adapted versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II were used to evaluate sleep and physical activity. Correlates of change in physical activity and sleep quality were assessed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and seventy individuals participated in the study. During Ramadan, 39.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 35.6%-42.6%) reported decreased physical activity, and 56.6% (95% CI; 53.0%-60.2%) stated having self-reported good sleep. The independent correlates of physical activity were female sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):0.5, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8), having very good sleep (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7), and obesity (aOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.7). In addition, factors associated with improved self-reported sleep quality were perceived good health state (aOR: 8.8, 95% CI: 1.1-72.4), sleeping 7-9 h per day (aOR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.6-10.3), and sleeping for over 9 h per day (aOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.1-14.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Although physical activity decreased by about a third, over half of the respondents lost weight and slept well during Ramadan. Strategies to include intermittent fasting in positive lifestyle changes could improve the health and well-being of the population.

Not a waste: Wastewater surveillance to enhance public health

Domestic wastewater, when collected and evaluated appropriately, can provide valuable health-related information for a community. As a relatively unbiased and non-invasive approach, wastewater surveillance may complement current practices towards mitigating risks and protecting population health. Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater programs are now widely implemented to monitor viral infection trends in sewersheds and inform public health decision-making. This review summarizes recent developments in wastewater-based epidemiology for detecting and monitoring communicable infectious diseases, dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, and illicit drug consumption. Wastewater surveillance, a quickly advancing Frontier in environmental science, is becoming a new tool to enhance public health, improve disease prevention, and respond to future epidemics and pandemics.