Greater Fear Research Articles

The Impact of Counseling on the Anxiety Level of the Surrounding Community Due to Positive Indication of Residents of Covid-19

This pandemic period has multiple impacts on all aspects of life. Both economic, social, religious, and psychological. The psychological side is the great fear in the community as the virus spreads very quickly from the sick to the healthy. Changes in interpersonal relationships and in the economy are often followed by changes in politics, including the life of the nation and the state. Various everyday problems also need to be observed and solved with new approaches. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of counseling on the anxiety level of the surrounding community due to residents found to have positive COVID-19 infection. So that people can understand Covid-19 properly and don't experience anxiety even though there are local residents who are confirmed positive for Covid-19. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post test control group design. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of counseling in reducing anxiety levels in the surrounding community due to residents indicated as positive for Covid-19. Test results showed a significant difference in the treatment group before (pre-test) and after (post-test) counseling (p-value 0.000). The test results between the treatment group and the control group also showed a significant difference in the post-test (p-value of 0.000). Anxiety or stress during this pandemic leads to an increase in concern for one's own health and that of the family. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that information arriving in bewildering abundance will increase public anxiety. There is a need for participation and collaboration between health care facilities and health care workers and health cadres to provide accurate information so that people are properly informed and can reduce their fears so that they are able to take appropriate action. There is a significant effect of counseling to reduce the anxiety level of the surrounding community due to residents who tested positive for Covid-19.

Nursing and midwifery students’ knowledge and concerns about COVID-19: a descriptive-analytical study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed educational trends for all university students, including nursing and midwifery students (NMSs). In the future, these students will play critical roles in healthcare delivery systems. The purpose of the study was to examine knowledge, fear, and anxiety about COVID-19 among NMSs. A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study involved 600 NMSs were performed through an online survey from February to March 2021 in Iran University of Medical Sciences. Data gathering was done using a demographic questionnaire, the COVID-related Knowledge Questionnaire, The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale. Instruments were provided to students through WhatsApp, Telegram, or email. The study instruments were completely answered by 415 students. Their age was 24.63±4.97 years, on average. Most participants were female (62.2%) and single (76.9%). The mean scores of their knowledge, fear, and anxiety about COVID-19 were respectively 13.41±1.32 (in the possible range of 0–15), 21.93±6.78 (in the possible range of 7–35), and 19.82±12.77 (in the possible range of 0–54). NMSs have great knowledge, relatively great fear, and mild anxiety about COVID-19. Flexible educational programs, close monitoring of fear and anxiety, and effective need-based education are necessary for NMSs, particularly during pandemics.

Media exposure, risk perceptions, and fear: Americans’ behavioral responses to the Ebola public health crisis

We examined media exposure, psychological fear and worry, perceptions of risk, and health protective behaviors surrounding the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in a probability-based, representative, national sample of Americans (N = 3447). Structural equation models examined relationships between amount (hours/day) and content (e.g., graphic images of dead bodies) of media exposure and counts of self-reported health protective behaviors that participants performed or would perform if Ebola spread to their community. Ebola-related risk perceptions and fear and worry were potential mediators. Greater total hours and more graphic media exposure positively correlated with more fear and worry; greater total hours of media exposure also positively correlated with higher perceived risk. Higher risk perceptions were associated with more health protective behaviors performed and intended. Greater fear and worry were associated with more behaviors performed. Amount and content of media exposure exhibited indirect effects on behaviors performed; amount of media exposure had indirect effects on intentions. Media may help promote health protective behaviors during public health threats; the amount and content should be congruent with threat to minimize distress and maximize resources.

Quality of Life of Urolithiasis Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented global event that has caused significant fear and anxiety across all populations. To date, there have been no studies on how major health crises have affected the stone-related quality of life (QOL) of urolithiasis patients. In this multi-institutional study, we investigated the association between fear of COVID-19 and the QOL of urolithiasis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life (WISQOL) questionnaires. Materials and Methods: Patient-reported data collection occurred between April and October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic where many procedures (radiologic or surgical) and visits were either delayed or cancelled. The scores generated from patient-reported responses to questionnaires were correlated and then further subanalyzed dependent on categorical responses related to procedural delays or care and were analyzed via the Student's t-test. A single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to analyze varying QOL scores across the FCV-19S quartiles. Results: Four hundred respondents participated in this study. Overall mean total standardized FCV-19S and WISQOL scores (both transformed to min-max 0-100) were 34.3 and 70.3, respectively. A significant inverse correlation (r = -0.265, p < 0.0001) demonstrated that suggesting greater COVID-19 fear may result in lower stone-related QOL. A significant difference in fear and QOL scores was observed between the sexes, with women having more COVID-19 fear (35.8 vs 28.6, p < 0.01) and lower stone-related QOL (64.2 vs 75.2, p < 0.01). Quartile ANOVA analysis revealed significant mean difference in WISQOL scores across all FCV-19S score quartiles (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Using two validated questionnaires (FCV-19S and WISQOL) and correlating patient-reported responses, we found that greater fear for COVID-19 was associated with lower stone-related QOL in urolithiasis patients.

Changes in Relationship Quality in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Pandemic Stressors and Couple Communication

Little is known about how positive relationship quality (PRQ) and negative relationship quality (NRQ) changed in the context of romantic relationships during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults in relationships (N = 359) completed self-report measures between April and August of 2020. Participants experienced early increases in both PRQ and NRQ, followed by uniform decline in PRQ but a more variable trajectory of NRQ across couples. Higher NRQ was generally associated with greater pandemic impacts and greater fear of COVID (this latter association weakened over time). Supportive COVID-related communication was associated with higher PRQ and lower NRQ.

The promotion of functional expected teaching-related emotions through expressive writing

The aim of the present preregistered study was to examine whether expressive writing can help teacher students to develop functional expected teaching-related emotions. In a variation of James W. Pennebaker´s expressive writing paradigm, 129 teacher students were randomly assigned to write on three consecutive days either about the future teaching-related events that personally trigger the greatest fear and joy (treatment group: n = 67) or about a walk in a forest and a city park (control group: n = 62). In both groups, expected teaching-related positive emotions increased and expected teaching-related negative emotions decreased with increased writing sessions. After the writing sessions, the treatment group reported a stronger change in their view about their future professional life as a teacher, a more active personal involvement with their future professional life, and an increased motivation to use expressive writing in the future. These results demonstrate that expressive writing is a promising tool to promote teacher students’ expected teaching-related emotions.

Analysis of the Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Nursing Staff of the Intensive Care Units (ICU) in Spain.

(1) The public health emergency, caused by COVID-19, has resulted in strong physical and mental exhaustion in healthcare workers. This research has been designed with the aim to describe the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses working in intensive care units (ICU) and identify the related risk factors. (2) This is a cross-sectional study, in which a self-administered questionnaire was designed to cover the dimensions of interest associated with psychosocial factors during the pandemic and their factor risks. (3) A total of 456 nursing professionals participated, and 88.4% were women. Most of the professionals had a temporary contract (71.3%) and person at risk close to them (88.8%). Regarding psychosocial factors, there was a worsening in most of the associated variables, especially in sleep problems, anxiety, stress, and job performance. Female nurses were more prone to anxiety. Those under 30, as well as those with temporary contracts, were more unfocused. Professionals with a person at risk in their environment felt much more worried. The degree of exposure was associated with greater fear. (4) Those nurses who were female, younger, and with a temporary employment contract were shown to be more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic on their psychosocial health. Because of this, it is necessary to adopt effective strategies for the protection of nurses’ health, focusing on the specific risk factors identified.

The effect of fall prevention education on fear of falling in patients with scheduled total knee arthroplasty: a quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fall prevention education given to patients with scheduled total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on their fear of falling in the postoperative period. The study had a quasi-experimental design. The study sample included 70 patients. Data were gathered with a patient characteristics form and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) at face to face interviews. The intervention group was given a brochure and face-to-face education about fall prevention before surgery. Activities such as the first mobilization, assisted walking, climbing stairs, getting out of bed and sitting in bed after the surgery were demonstrated and performed. Patients were followed up to 16 weeks after surgery. The mean age of the control and intervention groups, respectively; 62.26 ± 6.38 and 59.46 ± 7.33. The fear of falling scores before the operation and in the postoperative 6th-8th weeks were high in the intervention group (40.17 ± 8.32 and 31.71 ± 7.83 respectively) and the control group (44.14 ± 8.86 and 40.91 ± 8.43 respectively). The fear of falling scores in the postoperative 14th-16th weeks were high in the control group (37.2 ± 9.03) and moderate in the intervention group (26.42 ± 5.59). The scores for FES-I in the 6th-8th weeks and 14th-16th weeks after surgery were very significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group(p < .001). The results of the study showed that the patients experienced a great fear of falling before and after surgery. It can be said that the education given reduces the fear of falling significantly and in the early period.

Conditions of employment, work and quality of life of men and women in informal jobs.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE Identify gender gaps in the employment conditions, work and quality of life of informal sellers in Vega Central of Chile.METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study with eighty workers, who answered modules of the Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Empleo, Trabajo y Salud (ENETS – National Survey of Employment, Work and Health Conditions) and the SF-36 Health Questionnaire for data collection. We performed a descriptive analysis to determine the characteristics of the population and the Chi-square test to study correlations between each of the variables with gender.RESULTS Of the sample, fifty (62.5%) are male and thirty (37.5%) are female. Both groups have similar conditions of employment, work and quality of life. However, women express greater fear than men do with respect to demanding better working conditions, as well as more discouragement and sadness during the workday and a worse perception of their state of health.CONCLUSIONS Strategies for the promotion and prevention of occupational health and social security should consider a gender perspective on working conditions and health indicators, allowing women to develop tools to demand fair conditions and promote employer obligations to care for the well-being of male and female workers.

Assessment of the perception of healthcare barriers and the impact of intravitreal injections on neovascular age-related macular degeneration

To evaluate the perception of barriers in healthcare and the impact of intravitreal injections in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).Cross-sectional study including 108 patients with nAMD in treatment with intravitreal injections. The patients answered a questionnaire with 26 questions (score from 1 to 5) divided in three sections: 1) the disease and its treatment with injections, 2) healthcare barriers and 3) new technologies.The mean age was 80.4 ± 7.0 years and visual acuity (VA) was 75.2 ± 12.4 letters. The main barriers in healthcare were long waiting times (72%), followed by other comorbidities (10%). Some 63% of patients have to wait between 3 and 5 h to attend their clinical visit. Significant anxiety due to the injections (2.8 ± 1.3) was observed, being present in 71% of the cases the day before. A great fear of blindness and losing independence was observed (4.4 ± 0.9 and 4.3 ± 1.1), with no differences in relation to VA, age or sex (p ≥ 0.135). Moreover, 28% of the patients reported that it was quite or very difficult for them to attend the clinical visit, with 69% of the total showing great interest in having a diagnostic device at home.The nAMD and its treatment represent a significant burden on patients, among whom there is a great fear of blindness and of losing their independence, the main barrier being the long waiting time for the clinical visit.

Percepción de riesgo a COVID-19 e indicadores de salud mental en trabajadores de un hospital peruano: estudio transversal analítico

Introduction COVID-19 has caused great fear on health professionals and could affect their mental health, therefore it is important to determine the association between the perception of risk to COVID-19 and mental health in workers of a Peruvian hospital. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study, through virtual survey. The dependent variables were: depression, anxiety and stress; The independent variable was perception of risk to COVID-19 and the covariates: sociodemographic, family, work and clinical data. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were found with a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of 5%. Results There was no association between risk perception and depression (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.98 95% confidence interval: 0.89 to 1.08), anxiety (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.94 95% confidence interval: 0.89 to 1.00), stress (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.89 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 1.04). In the multivariate analysis, an association was found between depression with direct contact with the COVID-19 patient (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 3.70) and with having a comorbidity (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.56 95% confidence interval: 1.52 to 4.30); likewise, between anxiety with number of children (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.09 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.18), with direct contact with COVID-19 patient (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.67 95% confidence interval 1.46 to 4.85) and having comorbidity (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.00 95% confidence interval: 1.40 to 2.86); finally, between stress with direct contact with the COVID-19 patient (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.86, 95% confidence interval: 1.20 to 6.83). Conclusions No statistically significant association was found between risk perception and depression, anxiety, or stress. However, there was an association between depression, anxiety, and stress, each with direct contact with COVID-19 patients; between anxiety and depression, each with having comorbidities and, finally, anxiety with the number of children.

Effect of uniform time on the transmission of signals in rail open systems

Railroads and the Rail Traffic Control Systems installed on them in Poland have recently been undergoing rapid technological development (Brodzik, 2019). Modern transportation solutions are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (Paś and Rosiński, 2017). Development of modern railroad infrastructure means not only stations and modern rolling stock, but also safe and reliable train traffic control systems based on the latest telecommunication and IT technologies (Ciszewski et al., 2017). In the last century these technologies were still considered dangerous and were introduced with great fear. Today, computerized systems for controlling railway traffic on the track are becoming the norm. Systems are created as "overlays" for existing relay systems or autonomous systems are built based on microprocessor systems (Burdzik et al., 2017). Today it is hard to imagine a modern control room without computer equipment. The introduction of microprocessor technology to railroad traffic control devices took place at the turn of the century. However, the use of modern radio systems in rail transport is the moment when technology based on the appeared in the world LTE (Long-Term evolution) standard. The development of modern data transmission technologies is integrally connected with the mobility of its users. In the presented article the author has tried to determine the impact of transmission synchronization on the basic transmission parameters of LTE signal (Chrzan, 2021). The convenience of using rail communications for its users is the possibility of uninterrupted access to data transmission services along the entire route of the train. Therefore, the research presented in this article was focused on the use of the public radio communication network for passenger data transmission and data transmission for railroad needs. The article presents the influence of synchronisation of data transmission in open railway systems using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology. It presents a description of the physical phenomena associated with synchronisation, and presents the author's method for carrying out measurements on railway line No. 4. For this purpose, a diagnostic station was built and special software for data transmission encryption was prepared. The process of synchronisation of clocks with the use of uniform time was adopted as the basis. General measurement results and conclusions resulting from the use of open transmission in railway radiocommunication systems synchronised by the GPS system signal are presented.

Perception of risk to COVID-19 and mental health indicators in workers of a Peruvian hospital: An analytical cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 has caused great fear on health professionals and could affect their mental health, therefore it is important to determine the association between the perception of risk to COVID-19 and mental health in workers of a Peruvian hospital. Analytical cross-sectional study, through virtual survey. The dependent variables were: depression, anxiety and stress; The independent variable was perception of risk to COVID-19 and the covariates: sociodemographic, family, work and clinical data. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were found with a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of 5%. There was no association between risk perception and depression (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.98 95% confidence interval: 0.89 to 1.08), anxiety (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.94 95% confidence interval: 0.89 to 1.00), stress (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.89 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 1.04). In the multivariate analysis, an association was found between depression with direct contact with the COVID-19 patient (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 3.70) and with having a comorbidity (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.56 95% confidence interval: 1.52 to 4.30); likewise, between anxiety with number of children (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.09 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.18), with direct contact with COVID-19 patient (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.67 95% confidence interval 1.46 to 4.85) and having comorbidity (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.00 95% confidence interval: 1.40 to 2.86); finally, between stress with direct contact with the COVID-19 patient (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.86, 95% confidence interval: 1.20 to 6.83). No statistically significant association was found between risk perception and depression, anxiety, or stress. However, there was an association between depression, anxiety, and stress, each with direct contact with COVID-19 patients; between anxiety and depression, each with having comorbidities and, finally, anxiety with the number of children.

Social media engagement against fear of restrictions and surveillance: The mediating role of privacy management

The impact of state restriction and surveillance on social media engagement has been widely investigated in communication studies. However, these studies tend not to capture the moment when these restrictions are implemented and citizens experience a high level of uncertainty. Addressing the implementation of a national security law (NSL) in Hong Kong, we used two-wave panel data to understand political engagement on Facebook before and shortly after the law was enacted. We find a serial mediation path in which pan-democratic and localist users (those who tend to oppose the government) showed greater fear of the law; this encouraged more active privacy management which was related to a higher level of engagement after the enactment of NSL, implying that these users responded strategically through restricting the visibility of their engagement. This mediation path is moderated by the level of political disagreement users encountered on Facebook. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Characteristics of prostate cancer survivors exposed to ADT and enrolled in a fall prevention exercise trial: Comparison of men with confirmed fall history to men with fall risk factors.

81 Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer may result in accelerated aging that increases the risk for falls. Falls are higher in men with a history of ADT use, even if treatment is discontinued, compared to men never on ADT. Less is known, however, about the specific patient characteristics that might be associated with falls. Methods: We analyzed data from prostate cancer survivors with a history of ADT and who had enrolled in an ongoing NIH-funded fall prevention exercise trial (NCT03741335). To be eligible for the trial, men were 1) currently or previously treated with ADT and 2) reported a fall in the previous 6 months or had evidence of fall risk. Fall risk was assessed through slow times on a 5 time sit-to-stand test (5XSTS; sec) or timed up and go walk test (TUG; sec). For this analysis we compared men with a positive fall history to men with no recent falls but evidence of fall risk. We compared age, ADT history (past vs current), body mass index (BMI), self-report comorbidities from the Charlson Comorbidity Index, physical function and disability from the LLFDI, pain from the BPI, anxiety from PROMIS, depressive symptoms from the CES-D, fear of falling and activity restrictions from the SAFFE, and physical activity from CHAMPS, as well as objective measures of strength and mobility using 5XSTS and TUG. Results: A total of 171 cases (mean age 73.1 +/- 7.1 years of age) were available for analysis, with 58 men (34%) reporting a fall in the 6 months prior to enrollment. Of reported falls, 11% were injurious falls, with 4% requiring medical attention. Injuries included fractures (n = 4), head injury (n = 2), joint injury (n = 3), and bruises/scrapes (n = 8). Fallers reported significantly lower levels of physical functioning (p &lt; 0.001), greater levels of disability (p &lt; 0.01), greater fear of falling (p &lt; 0.001), more activity restrictions due to falls worry (p &lt; 0.02) and slower TUG times (p &lt; 0.03), than men who had not recently fallen. There were no significant differences between men with established fall history and men with fall risk only on age, ADT history, comorbidities, BMI, pain, anxiety, depressive symptoms, physical activity, or 5XSTS (p for all &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: Among our preliminary sample of men with a history of ADT use and enrolled in an ongoing fall prevention trial, men with an established fall history functioned less independently, were more worried about falls and apt to restrict their activities accordingly, and had poorer mobility than men who hadn’t recently fallen. From our cross-sectional design we cannot determine whether poorer functioning and mobility and greater fear of falling were antecedents or consequences of a recent fall. Regardless, interventions designed to prevent falls in men exposed to ADT are critical to prevent potential injurious falls and to keep men functioning independently.

COVID-19 information overload: Intolerance of uncertainty moderates the relationship between frequency of internet searching and fear of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented levels of uncertainty for people around the world. Research suggests that internet searching resulting in contradictory information can lead to increased levels of distress, particularly for people who have a high intolerance of uncertainty (IU). In the present correlational study, U.S. undergraduate students (N = 317) indicated their IU, the frequency with which they search for COVID-19 related information online, their overall health anxiety, their fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19), and engagement in prevention behaviors. Consistent with previous research, individual differences in IU moderated the relationship between internet searches and FCV-19 such that for people high in IU, more internet searching was associated with greater fear. In turn, we also found that greater FCV-19 predicted more social-distancing behaviors. These findings are important in both future mental health and public health initiatives.

I Am Not All the Way Here

I Am Not All the Way Here

Psychometric properties of The COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions in patients with pre-existing medical conditions.

Fear of COVID-19 can have adverse mental health consequences in vulnerable patients with pre-existing conditions. We aimed to validate The COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions in Lithuania and to evaluate fears of COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing conditions. Between October and December, 2020, 371 respondents with pre-existing conditions completed an online survey including the 10-item COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions (COVID-19 fears), Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8; depressive symptoms), Generalised Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7; anxiety symptoms) and Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R; posttraumatic stress symptoms). The majority of participants were women (84%) and from 41 to 60years old (46%). The most common pre-existing conditions were respiratory diseases (33%) and diabetes (22%). Mean total score on the COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire was 24.89±8.79. Exploratory factor analysis yielded one-factor solution with the Cronbach's coefficient alpha of 0.913. The highest rated COVID-19 fears were infection of close people, inability to receive treatment for COVID-19 and pre-existing condition and fear of severe complications because of the pre-existing condition. There was moderate to strong correlation of the 10-item COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions score with scores on the PHQ-8 (r=0.371), GAD-7 (r=0.358) and IES-R (r=0.553; all p<0.001). Test-retest reliability was adequate. The 10-item COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions has good psychometric properties in patients with pre-existing conditions and greater fear is associated with worse mental health. Consideration of COVID-19 fears is important for optimised care of patients with pre-existing during the pandemic.

Parent Reports of Children’s Fright Reactions to News of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a National U.S. Sample

ABSTRACT Between April 17 and 29, 2020, we conducted a nationwide online survey of parents of children between the ages of 3 and 17 years (N = 1560). A majority of children were reported to be negatively emotionally affected (frightened, disturbed, or upset) by news coverage of COVID-19. Every stress symptom asked about (including nervousness, crying, and sleep problems) was dramatically more prevalent among children frightened than not frightened by the coverage. Open-ended questions illustrated the emotional depths of some responses. Developmental differences occurred in elements of coverage seen to influence fright. Most parents of frightened children tried to help their child cope, but their choices of strategies were only partially consistent with developmental expectations. Children with digital devices in their bedroom showed greater fear; more hours of COVID news were transmitted in homes with frightened than unfrightened children; and the relationship between media access and children’s fear intensity and stress symptoms remained after controlling for parents’ own fear and parents’ closeness with people diagnosed with COVID. Parents are encouraged to monitor children’s exposure to media-conveyed catastrophes, to be mindful of potential age differences in child responses, and to be available to help children cope.

Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Some Market Garden Crops in Santa, North West Cameroon

The increased use of pesticides in crop production, especially in Santa, has left consumers with great fear and uncertainty regarding the fate of residues after consumption in the human body. This study was aimed at performing a multi-residue analysis of crop samples to detect and quantify pesticide residues present, and thus determine their level of contamination. Twelve (12) crop samples (4 samples each of Solanum tuberosum (Irish potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Capsicum annum (sweet pepper) and Apium graveolens (celery)), were randomly collected from four villages in Santa. The samples were analyzed using the QuEChERS Buffered AOAC 2007.01 method. The results showed the presence of pesticide residues in 58.3% of the samples. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos insecticides were detected, though cypermethrin was found in traces. After quantification, the concentration of chlorpyrifos was determined to be far above the CODEX Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in 28.6% of the samples. Samples with this high concentration of chlorpyrifos were: tomato from Pinyin and Baligham (2.0 and 1.8 μg/g respectively), whereas the Codex MRLs for tomato is 1.0 μg/g. This study raised concerns on the contamination of some garden crops by pesticide residues and calls for the assessment of the health situation of consumers and the analysis of pesticide residues in drinking water resources in this area.