Absence Of Toilet Research Articles

Utilising GIS for studying urban entropy, population dynamics, and ventilation disparity: A case study of changing land use, land cover, and socially vulnerable hotspots in Hyderabad, India

Citywide ventilation studies are challenging because they involve complicated interactions between various variables, including anthropogenic variables, housing conditions, and socio-economic considerations. The present paper aims to clarify the complex interactions between these three vital variables and the restricted ventilation zones. The ventilation patterns from 1990 to 2020 are meticulously examined in the first half of this research. This study observed the expansion of built-up areas, which increased from 13.7% in 1990 to 51.8% in 2020. The remainder of the paper explores population dynamics in locations with poor ventilation. In severely ventilated areas, the population increased from 10.7% in 1990 to 16.6% in 2020. The percentage of severely ventilated areas increased from 0.7% in 1990 to 31.6% in 2020, highlighting the urgent need to address ventilation inequities in urban planning. The research uses Spearman correlation analysis, which shows that industrial areas have a substantial positive association with ventilation disparities among anthropogenic factors, indicating the effect of industrial zones on decreased ventilation. The absence of toilets is a powerful and substantial housing variable contributing to poor ventilation. Additionally, the existence of the Total Scheduled Caste population within the socio-economic variables exhibits a strong and significant association, indicating that social issues are intricately linked to ventilation disparities. This research provides critical insights that can inform urban planning and policy decisions to improve ventilation and living conditions in densely populated cities.

Influence of social factors on adoption of sanitation practices in rural areas: a mixed methods study in Nzaui, Kenya.

provision of adequate sanitation is among the common strategies of preventing sanitation-related diseases. However, provision of sanitation facilities may only be a sustainable solution if the population´s behavior changes and positive perception is embraced. This paper highlights the influence of social factors on adoption of sanitation practices. convergent mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data was gathered using structured questionnaires from 100 household heads selected using cluster and simple random techniques. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors that influenced adoption of sanitation practices. Qualitative data was gathered from a purposively selected focus group and analyzed thematically. many (57%) of the participants were males. The average age for participants was 39 years, standard deviation (SD)=0.20. From the multivariable regression analysis with adjusted odds, household heads being aged 18-33 years (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 0.62-3.02, p=0.015) and safety of latrines (OR 1.72, 95% CI: 0.70-5.15, p<0.001) was associated with increased open defecation chances; whereas being a female (OR 0.16 95% CI: 0.06-1.81, P=0.01), availability of open spaces near households (OR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05-1.13, p=0.30), and mason skills (OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13-1.65) were associated with reduced likelihood of open defecation practices. Further, being a female (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.18-3.16, p=0.043), having knowledge on safe sanitation (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.74-3.08, p=0.02), engaging skilled masons for toilet construction (OR 1.299, 95% CI: 1.01-8.95, p=0.005) and financial stability (OR 1.95, 95% CI: 0.98-23.40, P=0.032<0.001) were positively associated with adoption of improved toilets. the sanitation status in the study area was mainly poor due to the influence of multiple factors like gender, absence of toilets, knowledge on safe sanitation, poverty, mason skills and toilet location in relation to safety. The findings showed the need for innovative planning approaches based on the social aspects of communities for progress in sanitation standards in rural areas. Such approaches should adhere to the sanitation hardware versus software components of communities to promote active utilization of the available toilets, construction of improved toilets and reduction of open defecation.

Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infections among elementary school children and associated risk factors from Southern Ethiopia.

Intestinal parasitic infections are distributed virtually throughout the world, with high prevalence rates in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world as well as in Ethiopia. Children between age groups of 5-10 years are at the highest risk of infection. The intestinal nematode Ascaris lumbricoides infects approximately 25% of the world's population annually. Hence, this study was the first attempt to assess the prevalence and associated factors of A. lumbricoides infection among the school children from Offa district, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April, 2020 in three selected elementary school. Data were collected through questionnaires and stool samples examination. The overall prevalence of A. lumbricoides was noted as 41.4% and was the leading cause of intestinal parasitoids followed by Schistosoma mansoni (27.6%), Trichuris trichiura (18.1%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (4.1%). Children age group between 5 and 10 years found more susceptible to the infection. Eating habits like unwashed raw vegetables (P = 0.035), absence of toilets (P = 0.000), children who defecate in open field (P = 0.041), drinking unprotected water (P = 0.034), toilet without cover (P = 0.027), lack of hand washing before meal and after defecation (P = 0.000), (P = 0.048) were the key factors significantly associated with A. lumbricoides infection. The present study showed that A. lumbricoides was a major health problem among school children and requires annual de-worming to control morbidity associated with intestinal parasites.

Appraisal of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of the Populations on Cholera in Benin

Cholera is a disease that Benin has been fighting against for years but which continues to create economic losses for households. The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge of the population about this disease and to assess hygiene practices in order to identify the factors responsible for its sustainability. The data were collected through a survey of 720 households in the 12 departments of the country. These data were analyzed with SAS software and three groups of people were identified on the basis of hygiene measures. The majority of respondents know cholera. The main symptoms they mentioned were vomiting (84.83%) and diarrhea (81.04%). Diarrhea was more reported in group 3 (88.96%) than in groups 1 (86.58%) and 2 (83.19%). Low levels of hygiene were the main cause of this disease. In the absence of toilets, the interviewees pass stool in the bush and at the edge of water sources used in households. Some of them have bins (in particular group 1) for household waste but do not subscribe to refuse collection structures. Therefore, they throw garbage in sometimes unofficial landfills. Others, on the other hand, have not garbage cans (mainly group 2) and they empty garbage everywhere (street, gutters and bushes). In addition, hand washing is hardly ever done after using the toilet. Hygiene practices in some households are insufficient, which does not protect the population from cholera.

Environmental Sanitation Factors and human Behaviour Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Rural Communities of Cameroon

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections still constitute major public health threats in many areas in Cameroon. To improve control measures, epidemiological data from environmental and human aspects are necessary to draw concrete control strategies to better follow-up the population at risk.&#x0D; Aim of the Study: This study aimed to investigate environmental risk factors related to infections in the Lolodorf health district, a high risk area of south Cameroon.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 325 participants who gave their informed consent were recruited for the study. Stool samples were collected and examined microscopically in search of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts using the Kato Katz and concentration Formol-ether techniques. Questionnaires were filled by participants to evaluate the risk factors.&#x0D; Results: Overall, 117 (42.9%) among the 325 participants harbored at least one parasite species with 75 (27.5%) having single infections and 42 (15.4%) having multiple infections. Ascaris lumbricoides (11.0%), Trichuris trichiura (26.4%), Hookworms (12.5%), Entamoeba coli (10.6%) and Entamoeba histolytica / Entamoeba dispar (1,5%) were diagnosed. Females were more infected (48.7%; p=0.04) compared to males (35.2%). Infection rate varied significantly according to villages (p=0.001). Univariate analysis revealed the following: gender (48.7%; p= 0.04), agricultural activities (47.7%; p= 0.04) and absence of treatment (50.8%: p=0.02) to be risk factors correlated to infection. Other factors such as age (49.3%), family size (47.8%), absence of toilets (53.5%), irregular use of shoes (48.6%), not wearing shoes (60.0%), irregular hand washing before meals (48.4%) and eating raw food (45.5%) had high infestation rates though with no significance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that people who had never received any treatment had high risks of being infected (p=0.01; OR =0.17; 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.5).&#x0D; Conclusion: Improved sanitation, water supply and regular and extended deworming in the entire communities are fundamental issues in controlling intestinal parasitic infections.

A cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition in primary school children in the Tiko Health District, Cameroon.

IntroductionAnaemia and malnutrition are common health problems in developing countries with children being the most vulnerable. They have negative impacts on human performance, growth and development, in children, both as cause and consequences of disease. Although annual mass deworming and nutrition supplement strategies have been implemented in the Tiko Health District (THD), no study has been carried out to determine the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition. The aim of this study was therefore designed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition among primary school children aged 5-15 years in the Tiko Health District.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 randomly selected schools in the THD and a total of 400 school children were enrolled in the study. Body weight and height were measured using an electronic weighing scale and stadiometer respectively. Anthropometric indices: Height-for-Age Z scores (HAZ), Weight-for-Age Z scores (WAZ) and Body Mass Index-for-Age Z scores (BMIAZ) were analyzed and compared with WHO Growth Reference Standards using WHO Anthroplus software. Hemoglobin levels were determined using Urit-12 Haemoglobinometer and anaemia defined as Hemoglobin (Hb) < 11g/dl. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software.ResultsThe overall prevalence of malnutrition was 9.25%, prevalence of stunting 7.5% with 0.8% being severely stunted. The prevalence of wasting was 1% and underweight 0.7%. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 5%. Parents occupation and the absence of toilet were statistically associated with anaemia (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003). Age, floor type, absence of toilet and BMI were significantly associated with malnutrition (P = 0.00, P = 0.01, P = 0.02 and P = 0.003).ConclusionThis study revealed a low prevalence of malnutrition and anaemia which could be attributed to the deworming and nutrition supplement strategies which have been implemented.

Individual and household risk factors of severe acute malnutrition among under-five children in Mao, Chad: a matched case-control study

BackgroundSevere acute malnutrition (SAM) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Chad. The reasons behind persistently high prevalence of SAM in the Kanem region are still poorly understood, leaving national and international partners without clearly identified drivers to address. Current knowledge of SAM determinants in this context is largely based on very limited data. The aim of this study was thus to investigate individual and household-level risk factors for SAM among under-five children in Mao health district.MethodsA matched case-control study was conducted on 411 (137 cases and 274 controls) children aged 6–59 months with their caretakers from mid-February to August 2017. Data were collected by using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and through direct observations of household environment. Controls were matched to their cases on place of residence and on age (± 3 months). Data were double-entered, processed and analysed using Epi Info 7.2.0.1. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyse the association of independent variables with SAM. For multivariable analysis, two models were constructed to investigate risk factors for SAM, at individual and household level. A stepwise backwards elimination approach with a significance level of p = 0.05 was used to build the final models.ResultsAt the individual level, SAM was significantly associated with diarrhoea [AOR (95% CI) = 10.7 (4.2–27.3)], fever [AOR (95% CI) = 8.4 (3.1–22.8)], vomiting [AOR (95% CI) = 7.6 (3.0–19.7)], being stunted [AOR (95% CI) = 5.3 (1.7–16.3)], and type of complementary meal [AOR (95% CI) = 4.4 (1.0–19.6)]. At the household level, SAM was significantly associated with undernourished caretaker [AOR (95% CI) = 2.6 (1.2–5.5)], caretaker’s hand washing habits [AOR (95% CI) = 1.9 (1.2–3.1)], absence of toilet [AOR (95% CI) = 1.9 (1.1–3.6)], caretaker’s marriage status [AOR (95% CI) = 7.7 (2.0–30.1)], and low household food diversity [AOR (95% CI) = 1.8 (1.0–3.1)].ConclusionThe present study identified the need to address both treatment and prevention of infections in children through an integrated approach. Well-organized efforts to improve child feeding practices, household hygiene and sanitation conditions, women’s nutritional status, along with increasing household food diversity are likely to lead to improved nutritional status of children in this setting.

Intestinal Parasitosis and Their Associated Factors among People Living with HIV at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest-Ethiopia.

Most HIV clients die of AIDS related intestinal parasitic infections rather than due to the HIV infection itself. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal parasite and their associated factors among HIV/AIDS clients at the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Institution based cross sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling technique from March to May 2016. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Stool samples were collected and processed using direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelson staining techniques. Besides, blood samples were collected for CD4+ count estimation. Both descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used in data analysis. P-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. A total of 223 participants were enrolled in this study, and the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was found to be 29.1%. The most predominant intestinal parasite detected was cyst of Entamoeba histolytica (8.5%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (6.7%), Strongyloides sterocoralis (3.6%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (3.1%), whereas Schistosoma mansoni (0.9%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.9%) were the least detected. Absence of toilet (AOR= 19.4, CI: 6.46-58.3), improper hand washing before meal (AOR=11.23, 95% CI: 4.16-30.27 and CD4+ count < 200 cells/mm3 (AOR=33.31, 95% CI: 9.159-121.149) had significant association with prevalence of intestinal parasites. The study indicated that intestinal parasites are still a problem among HIV/AIDS patients in the study area. Thus, routine examination for intestinal parasites and interventions should be carried out for better management of clients.

Epidemiology of Diarrhea among under-five Children in a Village in Sunderbans, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Background: Though various studies have been carried out on the problem of diarrheal disease in under-five children in various parts of India, no comprehensive study has so far been done on this problem in deltaic region of West Bengal, the Sunderbans. Objectives: A study was undertaken in a prototype village, in Sunderban area to assess the prevalence of diarrheal disease in under-five children and to assess various factors which influence its occurrence. Methods: Information was collected from all households from village Hogolduri, in Sunderban area, South 24 Parganas regarding socioeconomic characteristics, water source, and sanitation status of the population. Frequency of occurrence of Diarrhea during last three months in each child under-five years of age was recorded and maternal characteristics and child’s nutrition were also noted. Results: Among the 5264 people residing in 1231 households in Hogolduri village, majority of the people were Muslims (79%). Majority (80.7%) of the families belonged to below-poverty-line (BPL). Out of 486 children living in the village, from which all the data were available, diarrhea occurred during last three months in 45.68% of children. Important contributing factors for such morbidity of children were found to be absence of toilets in households, non-use of soap for hand washing after defecation and after child’s stool cleaning by mothers, absence of vaccination against measles and low nutritional status of children. Conclusions: Multiple factors are responsible for high incidence of diarrheal disease in children in a prototype village in Sunderban area .

Neglected Intestinal Parasites, Malnutrition and Associated Key Factors: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study among Indigenous Communities in Sarawak, Malaysia

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been recognized as one of the most significant causes of illness among disadvantaged communities. Many studies have been conducted on the prevalence of IPIs in Malaysia. However, these studies mostly focused on the indigenous groups in Peninsular Malaysia. The present study was conducted to provide the current baseline data on prevalence of IPIs, anaemia, malnutrition and associated risk factors among the indigenous communities in Sarawak, situation at northwest Borneo island of Malaysia. A cross sectional study was conducted among the longhouses communities. Stool samples were obtained and examined for the presence of IPIs using microscopy technique. Haemoglobin measurement was done using a portable haemoglobin analyzer. Malnutrition (i.e., stunting, underweight and wasting) was assessed using the WHO Anthro software. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. A total of 341participants took part in this study. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 57.5%. Multivariate analysis indicated that the absence of toilets (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1–2.7; p = 0.002) and close contact with animals (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.3–2.9; p = 0.027) as significant predictors for IPIs. The incidence of anaemia was 36.4%. The incidence of underweight, wasting and stunting were 22.2%, 5.6% and 35.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low level of parental education attainment (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2–3.0; p = 0.006) was identified as significant predictor for anaemia. The incidence of wasting was significantly associated with mild anaemia (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 0.9–1.7; p = 0.024). Low household income was identified as significant predictor for stunting (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 9.8–22.2; p = 0.001) and underweight (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 5.6–18.7; p = 0.037), respectively. Essentially, the present study highlighted that intestinal parasitic infections, anaemia and malnutrition are still prevalent among rural indigenous community in Sarawak. Improvement of socioeconomic status, periodic mass deworming, iron supplementation and health education program should be included in the control and prevention of public health strategies.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with Leptospira infection in an urban district of Cali, Colombia

Few studies have addressed Leptospira seroprevalence and risk factors in urban populations in Colombia. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence and factors associated with Leptospira infection in inhabitants of an urban district of Cali, Colombia. We collected sociodemographic and environmental data, as well as blood samples, from 353 subjects selected through a multistage cluster sampling design. We performed microagglutination test for the eight main Leptospira serogroups circulating in the region, considering a cut-off titer of ≥ 1:100. Most participants were female (226, 64.8%), with mean age 41.4 years, and 89 (32.6%) lived in low-low socioeconomic stratum (SES-1). Overall seroprevalence was 12.2% (95%CI: 10.3%-14.4%). Factors associated with Leptospira infection were SES 1, older age, single marital status, ethnic groups (Afro-Colombian and white/mestizo), school students, absence of toilet, barefoot walking, travel outside Cali in the previous month, and absence of skin and mucous-membrane lesions in the previous month. Our study suggests domestic and peridomiciliary transmission of Leptospira likely related to activities of daily living and inadequate environmental conditions. SES-1 is a major factor associated with Leptospira infection (adjusted OR = 4.08; 95%CI: 2.54-6.53; p < 0.001), suggesting that social and environmental conditions are key elements for endemicity of Leptospira infection in the study area. Epidemiological surveillance, improvement of environmental and sanitary conditions in various SES-1 areas, and community educational campaigns are recommended.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors among AdultPre-ART and ART Patients in Goncha Siso Enesie Woreda, East Gojjam,Northwest Ethiopia, 2014

Background: The prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites is expected to be high among Human Immune Deficiency Virus infected populations in developing countries. For many years, intestinal infections caused by opportunistic organisms have been represented as a major problem in immune compromised patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Methods: Institution based comparative cross sectional study design was conducted in Gendewoyn health center, Goncha Siso Enesie woreda from March to June 2014. A structured questionnaire was administered to all participants to obtain information on socio demographic characteristics and their source of drinking water. For the laboratory test using a direct saline, Dobell’s iodine separate wet mount, formal ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (Zn) method was applied. The minimum sample size for this quantitative study was 312. Binary and multiple logistic regressions were used to identify factors of intestinal parasite infection and odds ratios, 95% CI and p-value were computed to measure the presence and strength of associations. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in pre-ART and on-ART was 53.7% and 36.5%, respectively with significant decrease of intestinal parasite in the ART era (p<0.006). Majority of Cryptosporidium species infections were found in the pre-ART patients and significantly associated for lower CD4<500 cells/mm3. Absence of toilet (AOR=1.80; 95% CI=1.090-2.975), source of water (AOR=8.260; 95% CI=4.659-14.642), rural residence (AOR=2.292, 95% CI=1.386-3.788); CD4 counts (AOR=1.559; 95% CI=1.093-2.722) HAART status: pre ART patients (AOR=2.13, CI, 1.167-3.905) have significant association with prevalence of intestinal parasite infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The most prevalent parasite in the pre-ART subjects were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (15.7%) followed by Enteamoeba histolytica (14.8%) while on ART patients the most prevalent parasites were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (8.8%) and cyst of Enteamoeba histolytica (7.4%). The present study revealed the importance of examining pre-ART and on ART patients for intestinal parasite infections. This study reminded health professionals regarding the occurrence of these parasites in this population. Routine examination of stool samples for parasitic infections could significantly benefit pre-ART and on ART patients for early treatment.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites among children of farm workers in the southeastern Anatolian region of Turkey.

To determine the species, prevalence, and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites in farm workers' children in a representative sample in the southeastern Anatolian region of Turkey. A total of 333 farm workers' children, under the age of six years, were selected using the probability sampling method. Mean age of the children was 3.63 ± 0.5; 55.5% were female. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and laboratory analysis of faecal samples. The overall prevalence was 44.6% and the infected children had single, double, and triple parasitic infections at 72.3%, 23.0%, and 4.7%, respectively. The most common parasite was G. intestinalis (47.97%), followed by E. vermicularis (37.84%), T. saginata (27.03%), H. nana (12.16%), and A. lumbricoides (7.43%), respectively. Age, gender, illiteracy of the households, poverty, absence of toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens at the place of residence, lack of safe potable water, geophagia (soil eating habit), and being a child of a seasonal farmworker were the most significant factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection (P<0.05). G. intestinalis and E. vermicularis were found as the most common parasites that cause salivation, abdominal pain, and tiredness (P<0.05). The study revealed that health education programmes for farm workers and farmers should be improved to increase awareness about living and working conditions, in order to control intestinal parasites. However, early diagnosis and treatment services for intestinal parasites should be provided by primary health care staff in the national child screening programme in agricultural populations.

Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors in Teda Health Centre, Northwest Ethiopia.

Objective. To assess the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors in Teda Health Centre, Northwest Ethiopia. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Teda Health Centre from February to April, 2011. Stool samples were collected from 410 study participants and analysed by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Furthermore, sociodemographic data were collected by using standardized questionnaire. Result. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in this study was 62.3%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite (23.2%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (12.4%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (4.6%), Schistosoma mansoni (8.9%), hookworm (6.6%), Hymenolepis nana (1.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.4%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.2%). Absence of toilet and hand washing after toilet was shown to be associated with intestinal parasitic infection (P < 0.05 for both). Furthermore, swimming and less shoe wearing habits showed a significant prevalence of S. mansoni and hookworm infections, respectively. Conclusion. The present study showed high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the study area. Absence of toilet and hand washing after toilet was found to be associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Therefore, there is a need for integrated control programme to have a lasting impact on transmission of intestinal parasitic infection.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among HIV/AIDS patients with pre-ART and on-ART attending dessie hospital ART clinic, Northeast Ethiopia

BackgroundIntestinal parasites are a major concern in most developing countries where HIV/AIDS case are concentrate and almost 80% of AIDS patients die of AIDS-related infections. In the absence of ART, HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries unfortunately continue to suffer from the consequences of opportunistic parasites. But this prevalence has dramatically decreased in countries where antiretroviral agents are widely available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite and risk factor among pre- ART and on ART adult HIV/ AIDS patients attending ART clinic in Dessie hospital.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among pre-ART and on ART adult HIV/AIDS patients of Dessie Hospital. A total of 272 (136 from each group) study subjects were selected by using systematic random sampling. Stool sample was collected and processed using direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration technique and modified Ziehl-Neelson staining techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on Sociodemographic & associated risk factors. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS 16 software and logistic regressions were applied to assess any association between explanatory factors and outcome variables.ResultsThe overall prevalence of IP in pre-ART and on-ART was 39% and 17.6%, respectively with significant decrease of intestinal parasite in the ART era (p < 0.001). All Cryptosporidium spps infections were found in the pre-ART patients and significantly associated for lower CD4 <200cells/mm3. Absence of toilet (AOR = 7.57; 95% CI = 1.3,44.22), source of water (AOR = 6.03; 95% CI = 1.14,31.98), living condition (AOR = 13.29, 95% CI = 5.14, 34.35); WHO stage (AOR = 6.06; 95% CI = 2.49,14.74) and ART status (AOR = 7.55; 95% CI = 3.24,17.59) have significant association with prevalence of intestinal parasite.ConclusionThe overall prevalence of IP was differ by ART status and opportunistic parasite like cryptosporidium spps were found in low CD4 counts in ART naive patients. This study identified some environmental and some clinical finding as determinant factor for IP infections. Therefore, public health measures and adherence to ART should be strengthened to improve the quality of life of these patients.

Extent of Escherichia coli Contamination of Cagayan de Oro River and Factors Causing Contamination: A Translational Research in Southern Philippines

The study determined the extent of fecal contamination of Cagayan de Oro River stretching along the nine (9) river barangays. Sampling sites covered the upstream, midstream, and downstream areas. The Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique (MTFT) was used to identify the presence of total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli in the water samples. The average coliform values obtained from all the sampling sites exceeded the acceptable values (1000 fecal coliform organisms/100ml) set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Temporal variability is a critical differentiating factor in the concentrations of total coliform across sampling areas. The spread of coliform was similar in the three sections of the river. The anthropogenic factors that contribute to E. coli and coliform contamination include the absence of toilets in 61.2% of the respondents; presence of 29.2% of toilets draining into the river; 34% of respondents having domestic animals with manure going to the river; and presence of the same contaminants in the tributaries of the river. There is evidence that the University based translational research is effective in greater utilization of research findings: in increasing community awareness; enriching content for instruction; enhancing pedagogy of biodiversity education, generating local legislation on river conservation; and, promoting biodiversity research in higher education. Keywords : Fecal contamination, E. coli , river quality, human and animal wastes, translational research

Embodiment, Elimination, and the Role of Toilets in Struggles for Social Justice

Embodiment, Elimination, and the Role of Toilets in Struggles for Social Justice Judith Plaskow …at the end of the row one free toilet: oozes from under its crooked door,: while a row of weary women carrying packages and babies: wait and wait and wait to do: what only the dead find unnecessary. Marge Piercy, “To the Pay Toilet” Revaluing the body, and especially the female body, has been central to the feminist project. One need only think of the significance and success of Our Bodies Ourselves and its sequels to appreciate the extent to which reclaiming women’s colonized body space has played a vital role in feminist theory and activism. In religious studies, feminists have written extensively about disparagement of the body and sexuality and identification of women with the body in Western thought. From Rosemary Radford Ruether’s explorations of dualism in classical and Christian culture written in the early 1970s to Margaret Farley’s Just Love published in 2006, historians, ethicists, theologians, and others have both critiqued influential canonical texts and attempted to formulate alternative, appreciative, and non‐dualistic understandings of sexuality and human embodiment. It is interesting, therefore, that in forty years of feminist theorizing about the body, elimination as a fundamental aspect of body experience has been largely ignored. Foucault may be right that for the last three centuries, “sex has become something to say, and to say exhaustively,” but excretion seems to be consigned to the shadows.1 In the words of Norman O. Brown, “Repression weighs more heavily on anality than genitality.”2 In this essay, I seek to remedy the neglect of elimination by outlining a new project on embodiment, elimination, and the role of toilets in struggles for social justice. The project has two strands that are deeply interconnected. The first looks at the ways in which access to toilets is a prerequisite for full public participation and citizenship. The distribution, quality, and structure of public toilets are both symbols and concrete representations of a larger system of social hierarchies. Almost all the social justice movements of the last century in the United States have included struggles for adequate toilet facilities as an at least implicit part of their agendas: the civil rights movement, feminism, disability rights, and rights for transgender persons. In addition, an absence of toilets is a major problem for homeless persons and is a pressing health issue in the two‐thirds world. How does looking at toilets help us to map power relations in our society and globally? What local battles have been fought over toilet equity? The second strand of the project involves reflecting on elimination as an aspect of human embodiment. Why the relative silence around this issue even among scholars who have written extensively about the body? What does our need for excretion say about us as embodied persons? How have attitudes and practices around excretion changed over time? What would it mean for feminists to reclaim excretion in the way we have reclaimed sexuality? What would sanitary facilities look like in a world in which people were both comfortable with this aspect of embodiment and committed to enabling a maximum number of persons to participate fully in public life? The topic of toilets is intriguing partly because it provides a vehicle for exploring many intersecting issues: bathroom design and distribution can perpetuate a wide range of social inequalities, and bathroom activism has the potential to bring together very diverse interest groups.3 In this paper, I will focus on some feminist issues surrounding bathrooms in the Western cultural context as an instance of the broader problem of toilets and social justice. Sometimes the absence of women’s lavatories so clearly reflects the exclusion of women from public power and public space that it leaves one almost dumbfounded. There was no restroom for women senators near the Senate floor, for example, until 1992, when the number of women in the Senate went from two to seven. Before then, Barbara Mikulski and Nancy Kassebaum either had to go up a floor to their offices or use the public restrooms downstairs. Women in the House of Representatives have a posh restroom. Unlike the men’s room...

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites in Cuban children

To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and their risk factors in children in urban and rural settings in two Cuban municipalities. A total of 1320 Cuban schoolchildren aged 4-14 were tested by stool examination for intestinal parasite infections and evaluated by parental questionnaire for a number of common environmental, sanitary, socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors. Multivariate regression was applied to examine the relationship between the respective parasite infections and the risk factors. Prevalences of intestinal parasite infections were 58% in Fomento and 45% in San Juan y Martínez; for helminth infections, these were 18% and 24% and for protozoa infections, 50% and 29%, respectively. Helminth infections were associated with high parental education (maternal: OR 0.68, CI 0.50-0.93; paternal: OR 0.71, CI 0.52-0.96), absence of toilet (OR 1.57, CI 1.12-2.19), consumption of water from a well or river (OR 0.56, CI 0.41-0.77) and eating unpeeled/unwashed fruit (OR 1.37, CI 1.01-1.87); protozoa infections were only associated with high maternal education (OR 0.72, CI 0.57-0.91). Paediatric intestinal parasite infections are still prevalent in certain areas in Cuba and associated with a number of common environmental, socioeconomic and sanitary risk factors.