Assessment of Safe Drinking Water Handling Practices in Households of Northern India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Waterborne diseases are the most common form of infectious disease, spreading from contaminated water, especially in a developed country. These diseases are a major concern for the environment and public health. The living conditions in developing countries like India affect the water-handling practices, which make the population vulnerable to waterborne diseases. The inability to access safe drinking water also adds to this. Water safety for a community relies on water collection, treatment, storage, and handling in the household setting. Therefore, the burden of waterborne disease can be reduced by treating point-of-use drinking water, including improving handling and transport. Objectives The aim was to assess the safe drinking water handling practices in households. The objectives were to assess the safe drinking water-handling practices, namely, treatment, storage, lid status of the storage vessel, and water drawing technique, and to estimate the sources of safe drinking water. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Etawah district on a total of 312 eldest female family members actively working in the kitchen. Descriptive analysis and Chi-Square test were applied to the collected data and a p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval (CI) was taken as statistically significant. Results Overall, 135 (85.9%) households in urban areas relied on public supply. However, in rural areas mostly 130 (83%) households depended on private supply. In water-handling practices, 276 (88.4%) used some method to purify drinking water, a total of 209 (67%) households kept the lid of the storage container covered, and 249 (79.8%) households drew water either by pouring or scooping with a long handle. Conclusion The study concluded that both private and public sources were used for drinking water. Regarding water-handling practices, most households drank purified water, kept their containers covered, and drew water either by scooping or pouring from storage containers. Those who drank purified water mostly belonged to nuclear families and had private sources of drinking water.

Enhancing microbiome research in sub-Saharan Africa

While there are lighthouse examples of microbiome research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a significant proportion of local researchers face several challenges. Here, we highlight prevailing issues limiting microbiome research in SSA and suggest potential technological, societal, and research-based solutions. We emphasize the need for considerable investment in infrastructures, training, and appropriate funding to democratize modern technologies with a view to providing useful data to improve human health.

NextGEM: Next-Generation Integrated Sensing and Analytical System for Monitoring and Assessing Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Health

The evolution of emerging technologies that use Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) has increased the interest of the scientific community and society regarding the possible adverse effects on human health and the environment. This article provides NextGEM's vision to assure safety for EU citizens when employing existing and future EMF-based telecommunication technologies. This is accomplished by generating relevant knowledge that ascertains appropriate prevention and control/actuation actions regarding RF-EMF exposure in residential, public, and occupational settings. Fulfilling this vision, NextGEM commits to the need for a healthy living and working environment under safe RF-EMF exposure conditions that can be trusted by people and be in line with the regulations and laws developed by public authorities. NextGEM provides a framework for generating health-relevant scientific knowledge and data on new scenarios of exposure to RF-EMF in multiple frequency bands and developing and validating tools for evidence-based risk assessment. Finally, NextGEM's Innovation and Knowledge Hub (NIKH) will offer a standardized way for European regulatory authorities and the scientific community to store and assess project outcomes and provide access to findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data.

A protocol for tracking outcomes post intensive care

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients are more likely to survive intensive care than ever before due to advances in treatment. However, a proportion subsequently experiences post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) incurring substantial personal, social, and economic costs. PICS is a debilitating set of physical, psychological, and cognitive sequelae but the size and characteristics of the affected population have been difficult to describe, impeding progress in intensive care rehabilitation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this protocol is to describe recovery after admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and the predictors, correlates, and patient-reported outcomes for those experiencing PICS. The study will support the development of screening, diagnostic, and outcome measures to improve post-ICU recovery.

DESIGN

A prospective, multi-site observational study in three ICUs in Brisbane, Australia. Following consent, data will be collected from clinical records and using validated self-report instruments from 300 patients, followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months post ICU discharge.

METHODS

TOPIC is a prospective, multi-site observational study using self-report and clinical data on risk factors, including comorbidities, and outcomes. Data will be collected with consent from hospital records and participants 6 weeks and 6months post ICU discharge.

RESULTS

The main outcome measures will be self-reported physical, cognitive, and psychological function 6 weeks and 6 months post-ICU discharge.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This protocol provides a methodological framework to measure recovery and understand PICS. Data analysis will describe characteristics associated with recovery and PICS. The subsequent prediction and screening tools developed then aim to improve the effectiveness of post-ICU prevention and rehabilitation through more targeted screening and prediction and found a program of research developing a more tailored approach to PICS.

A review of microbes and chemical contaminants in dairy products in sub-Saharan Africa

Animal milk types in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are processed into varieties of products using different traditional methods and are widely consumed by households to support nutritional intake and diet. Dairy products contain several microorganisms, their metabolites, and other chemical compounds, some with health benefits and many others considered as potential health hazards. Consumption of contaminated milk products could have serious health implications for consumers. To access the safety of milk products across SSA, studies in the region investigating the occurrences of pathogens as well as chemical compounds such as heat stable toxins and veterinary drug residues in animal milk and its products were reviewed. This is done with a holistic view in light of the emerging exposome paradigm for improving food safety and consumer health in the region. Herein, we showed that several published studies in SSA applied conventional and/or less sensitive methods in detecting microbial species and chemical contaminants. This has serious implications in food safety because the correct identity of a microbial species and accurate screening for chemical contaminants is crucial for predicting the potential human health effects that undermine the benefits from consumption of these foods. Furthermore, we highlighted gaps in determining the extent of viral and parasitic contamination of milk products across SSA as well as investigating multiple classes of chemical contaminants. Consequently, robust studies should be conducted in this regard. Also, efforts such as development cooperation projects should be initiated by all stakeholders including scientists, regulatory agencies, and policy makers to improve the dairy product chain in SSA in view of safeguarding consumer health.

Environmental Health Burdens and Socioeconomic Status in Rhode Island: Using Geographic Information Systems to Examine Health Disparities in Medical School

Race and class are major predictors of health outcomes in the United States. Health disparities among racial and low-income minorities often have environmental etiologies. Using Rhode Island as a case study, we geocoded and visualized several environmental determinants of health via Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the entire state and conducted a geospatial analysis to determine whether or not patterns existed along racial and class lines. The variables that we geocoded include elementary schools, fast food restaurants, Superfund sites, and community parks. From a census tract level, we then analyzed the racial and income makeup of each geocoded site. We discovered that, on average, the worst-performing elementary schools, fast food restaurants, and Superfund sites in Rhode Island were clustered in neighborhoods with a larger black population and lower household income. Conversely, community parks and the best elementary schools in Rhode Island tended to be located near neighborhoods with a larger White population and higher household income. Our results provide additional evidence for the pervasiveness of the unequal distribution of environmental health burdens between low-income, minority communities and affluent, predominantly White communities. This summer experiential student project demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating GIS as a practical tool for learning health disparities material at a U.S. medical school. Our study also highlights the value of digital technology and citizen science in helping the public recognize and understand the various environmental factors that perpetuate health disparities.