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Fagbamila IO, Abdulkarim MA, Aworh MK, Uba B, Balogun MS, Nguku P, Gandi AY, Abdullahi I, Okolocha EC, Kwaga JKP, Waziri NE. Cholera outbreak in some communities in North-East Nigeria, 2019: an unmatched case-control study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:446. [PMID: 36882734 PMCID: PMC9993589 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15332-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholera, a diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, transmitted through fecal contamination of water or food remains an ever-present risk in many countries, especially where water supply, sanitation, food safety, and hygiene are inadequate. A cholera outbreak was reported in Bauchi State, North-eastern Nigeria. We investigated the outbreak to determine the extent and assess risk factors associated with the outbreak. METHODS We conducted a descriptive analysis of suspected cholera cases to determine the fatality rate (CFR), attack rate (AR), and trends/patterns of the outbreak. We also conducted a 1:2 unmatched case-control study to assess risk factors amongst 110 confirmed cases and 220 uninfected individuals (controls). We defined a suspected case as any person > 5 years with acute watery diarrhea with/without vomiting; a confirmed case as any suspected case in which there was laboratory isolation of Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139 from the stool while control was any uninfected individual with close contact (same household) with a confirmed case. Children under 5 were not included in the case definition however, samples from this age group were collected where such symptoms had occurred and line-listed separately. Data were collected with an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Epi-info and Microsoft excel for frequencies, proportions, bivariate and multivariate analysis at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS A total of 9725 cases were line-listed with a CFR of 0.3% in the state. Dass LGA had the highest CFR (14.3%) while Bauchi LGA recorded the highest AR of 1,830 cases per 100,000 persons. Factors significantly associated with cholera infection were attending social gatherings (aOR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.16-3.59) and drinking unsafe water (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.07-2.83). CONCLUSION Attending social gatherings and drinking unsafe water were risk factors for cholera infection. Public health actions included chlorination of wells and distribution of water guard (1% chlorine solution) bottles to households and public education on cholera prevention. We recommend the provision of safe drinking water by the government as well as improved sanitary and hygienic conditions for citizens of the state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idowu O Fagbamila
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | | | - Mabel K Aworh
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Belinda Uba
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Muhammad S Balogun
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Patrick Nguku
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Ajibji Y Gandi
- Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Abdullahi
- Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel C Okolocha
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Jacob K P Kwaga
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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Tarnas MC, Ching C, Lamb JB, Parker DM, Zaman MH. Analyzing Health of Forcibly Displaced Communities through an Integrated Ecological Lens. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:465-469. [PMID: 36746662 PMCID: PMC9978544 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Health care among forcibly displaced persons is frequently driven by siloed approaches. Aspects of the built environment, social factors, and the bidirectional relationship between the changing ecosystem and residents are often ignored in health policy design and implementation. While recognizing factors that create a preference for siloed approaches and appreciating the work of humanitarian agencies, we argue for a new data-driven and holistic approach to understand the health of the forcibly displaced. It should be rooted in the realities of the emergence of new diseases, dynamic demographics, and degrading environments around the displaced communities. Such an approach envisions refugee and internally displaced camps as dynamic, complex ecosystems that alter, and are altered by, spatial and temporal factors. At the root of this approach is the necessity to work across disciplines, to think holistically, to go beyond treating single ailments, and to develop ethical approaches that provide dignity to those who are forcibly displaced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia C. Tarnas
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Carly Ching
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joleah B. Lamb
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Muhammad H. Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Address correspondence to Muhammad Zaman, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Rm. 301, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail:
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Faruque ASG, Alam B, Nahar B, Parvin I, Barman AK, Khan SH, Hossain MN, Widiati Y, Hasan ASMM, Kim M, Worth M, Vandenent M, Ahmed T. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices and Outreach Services in Settlements for Rohingya Population in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, 2018-2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159635. [PMID: 35954994 PMCID: PMC9368108 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the existing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) policy and practice of the study population and strengthen the evidence base by documenting changes in the WASH policy and practice over 3 years of the Rohingya refugee humanitarian crisis, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional surveillance design was followed; the sampling of the study population included the Rohingya refugee population and neighborhood host nationals who required hospitalization soon after seeking care and enrolled into the diarrheal disease surveillance in diarrhea-treatment centers. Throughout the study period of 3 years, a total of 4550 hospitalized individuals constituted the study participants. (3) Results: Among the hospitalized Rohingya refugee population; the use of public tap water increased significantly from 38.5% in year 1 to 91% in year 3. The use of deep tube well water significantly changed from 31.3% to 8.2%, and the use of shallow tube well water reduced significantly from 25.8% to 0.4%. Households using water seal latrine were 13.3% in year 1 and increased significantly to 31.7% in year 3. ORS consumption at home changed significantly from 61.5% in the first year to 82.1% in third year. Multivariable analysis demonstrated patients' age groups at 5 to 14 years, and 15 years and more, drinking non-tube well water, soap use after using toilet, use of non-sanitary toilet facility, father's and mother's lack of schooling, and some and severe dehydration were significantly associated with the Rohingya refugee population enrolled into the diarrheal disease surveillance. (4) Conclusion: The findings indicate significant advances in WASH service delivery as well as outreach activities by aid agencies for the Rohingya refugee population living in settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- ASG Faruque
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
- Correspondence:
| | - Baharul Alam
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Baitun Nahar
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Irin Parvin
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Ashok Kumar Barman
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Soroar Hossain Khan
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - M Nasif Hossain
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Yulia Widiati
- UNICEF Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar Field Office, Cox’s Bazar 4700, Bangladesh
| | - ASM Mainul Hasan
- UNICEF Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar Field Office, Cox’s Bazar 4700, Bangladesh
| | - Minjoon Kim
- UNICEF Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Martin Worth
- UNICEF Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar Field Office, Cox’s Bazar 4700, Bangladesh
| | - Maya Vandenent
- UNICEF Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
- Office of Executive Director, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
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Refugee and Asylum Seeker Women's Experiences with Healthcare and Social Environment in Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116542. [PMID: 35682126 PMCID: PMC9180691 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The internal conflict in Rakhine State, Myanmar over the last few decades has forced Rohingyas to flee to other countries, including Malaysia. However, the non-recognition of the status of refugees in Malaysia keeps Rohingyas as "people without documents" and without adequate protection, access to healthcare services, education, and employment. Women among these groups face different challenges and are at risk of numerous physical and mental health issues. Thus, this research attempted to understand the experiences of Rohingya women in Malaysia, particularly in accessing public hospitals. Focus group discussions and key-informant interview techniques were used to collect data. The transcripts were then analysed using the thematic analysis method. The research found that Rohingya women experience numerous challenges despite being on safer ground in Malaysia. Their experiences of marriage and domestic violence, access to public hospitals, financial barriers to healthcare services, and the services provided by medical social workers in the country to refugees and asylum seekers are presented. Non-recognition of the status of refugees in the country is one of the primary barriers to the allocation and provision of resources for refugees and asylum seekers. Due to structural barriers, medical social workers are unable to provide their services to this population. This article provides recommendations for social workers in Malaysia on how to overcome these challenges and work more effectively with refugees and asylum seekers.
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