Hygiene Facilities Research Articles

Evaluation of Abattoir Practices in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria

If used properly, abattoirs can help with disease management, ante- or postmortem investigation of animals and the meat, and can protect the population from most zoonotic illnesses that can develop after eating unsanitary, unsafe, or unwholesome meat or meat products. This underscores the need to examine and explore present abattoir practises in order to better understand the current situation of meat production in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria. Data was retrieved from three (3) government-approved abattoirs using self-administered structured questionnaires, personal interviews, and observations, and the data were computed descriptively using a statistical software for social scientists. Findings from the empirical observation and evidence indicated significant deficiencies in the essential hygiene facilities and services, with the lack of a veterinary laboratory for microbiological confirmation of suspected meat, and all the butchers reported no utilisation of protective gear during slaughtering activities. 66.7% of the abattoirs disposed of their solid waste by open dumping in the nearby bushes, while the wastewater was discharged into public drains. The study revealed that the abattoir practises in Ijebu Ode are unsatisfactory, with unsanitary practises and shortfalls in fundamental hygiene facilities and services, which are critical for producing healthy meat for public consumption. As a result, standardisation of facilities, including the closure of substandard ones, and educational training of abattoir workers were proposed as ways to improve hygiene facilities and practises.

Hand hygiene compliance and its associated factors among health care providers in primary hospitals of Waghimira Zone, Northeast Ethiopia: a mixed study design

IntroductionHand hygiene compliance is the problem of developing nations particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Despite a lot of efforts have been employed, healthcare-associated infections are the existing health care problems, leading to impaired quality of life, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with hand hygiene compliance among health care providers working at the primary hospitals of Waghimira Zone, Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsFacility-based cross-sectional study design supplemented with qualitative research method was employed at the primary hospitals of Waghimira Zone from March 02–15, 2020. Simple random sampling using lottery method was applied to select 253 study participants. The data were coded on pre-arranged coding sheet and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were displayed using tables and figures. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to test associations between the independent and the outcome variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify the independent predictors of hand-hygiene compliance at p-value < 0.05 and AOR with 95% confidence interval. Six Key Informant Interviews were conducted with purposively selected chief executive and clinical officers. Thematic content analysis was made and the findings were written sequentially with explanatory method.ResultsOne-fifth of the subjects (20.6%, 95% CI = 15.2, 24.9) had good hand hygiene compliance. Attended training on hand hygiene protocol (AOR = 3.18, 95% CI: 1.39, 7.28), accessible to adequate soap and water (AOR = 3.77, 95%CI: 1.52, 9.37), having alcohol for hand rub (AOR = 2.67, 95%CI: 1.18, 6.05) and having hand wash sink (AOR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.03, 5.14) were significantly associated with hand hygiene compliance which also supported by the qualitative findings.ConclusionsHand hygiene compliance among health care providers was low in the study area. Attended training on hand hygiene, accessibility to adequate soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, and having hand washing sink in working area were statistically significant. Hence, the primary hospitals should be equipped with adequate supply to all the basic hand hygiene facilities.

Hand Hygiene Auditing: Is It a Roadway to Improve Adherence to Hand Hygiene Among Hospital Personnel?

BackgroundOver the years, there has been an increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among patients in India. One of the main reasons is a lack of compliance with infection control guidelines, such as hand hygiene. So the present study was conducted to determine the compliance of hand hygiene among healthcare workers in a private tertiary care teaching hospital in South India.Materials and methodsThe prospective observational study was carried out between April 2017 and March 2020. Nineteen areas were directly observed for hand hygiene (HH) compliance. At each location, HH audit was conducted for one hour per day for five days per month. HH complete adherence rate (HHCAR) and HH partial adherence rate (HHPAR) were analyzed.ResultsNine hundred and twenty observation periods were completed during the entire study period. Overall, hand hygiene complete adherence rate was 29.9% (11,981/39,998); partial adherence rate was 45.3% (18,131/39,998) and the non-adherence rate was 24.7% (9886/39,998). A better adherence rate was seen among nurses (44.7%), followed by other staff (33.7%) and doctors (33.04%). Moment-specific adherence rates show almost equal adherence rates of 50.7%, 50.75%, and 50.1%, respectively, for moments 2, 3, and 4, and comparatively low for moments 1 and 5 (48.4% and 47.6%, respectively).ConclusionDespite adequate hand hygiene facilities, compliance remains low. Hand hygiene is a bundle care approach that needs to consider factors including healthcare staff, clinical, institutional, environmental, and behavioral changes. Multimodal interventions and multidisciplinary commitment are mandatory for sustained compliance.

Evidenced transformations: using data to demonstrate improvement in school-based access to water, sanitation and hygiene in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract The availability and access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools have been associated with enhanced learning and nutritional outcomes among children in India and elsewhere. However, there is limited documentation of successful scaled-up models to improve WASH facilities in schools. This paper describes an innovative ‘transformation campaign’ to strengthen WASH facilities in government-run elementary schools in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India. The campaign was launched in 2018 followed by an online monitoring portal using data-informed feedback and role modeling in 2020. A comprehensive baseline assessment was conducted in 114,790 government elementary schools in Uttar Pradesh, during which school focal persons ranked their schools' access to WASH services against the set benchmarks. Concurrently, high-ranking schools were established as ‘learning labs’ for neighboring schools and were provided with on-site capacity building opportunities. More than 150,000 teachers were systematically engaged through regular virtual training and automated calls that tracked progress, all parts of a centralized online portal. This champion-led transformation of school (CLTS) approach was adopted by the government to recognize best practices supported by students and teachers. Initiatives of teachers and village-elected representatives (Gram Pradhan), who were identified as ‘champions’, were recognized and disseminated to build an enabling environment that will sustain access and practices. As of July 2021, 65.8% of the assessed schools across 75 districts have improved their basic infrastructure through repairing/retrofitting defunct facilities and construction of new ones as per the gaps identified. They become ‘WASH compliant’ and leveraged around INR 45.71 billion of public financing from multiple sources in the last 3–4 years. Now, the state is rolling out a similar transformation campaign for 188,997 pre-school centers that will cover 5.6 million children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The implementation process, challenges and learnings of this campaign can be used to formulate strategies and design scaled-up interventions to improve WASH facilities in schools.

Local production of alcohol-based hand rub to optimize hand hygiene facility in healthcare settings during COVID-19

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) remains arguably the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ultimately improve the prospect of patient safety. Studies have shown that as many as 50%–70% of infections are transmitted through hands due to poor HH practices. HH with use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is preferred over handwashing with soap and water because of its wide microbial efficacy, time efficiency, and improved skin tolerance. It is also well known that ABHR can be used as an effective prevention measure during disease outbreaks. Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, health facilities in Sierra Leone have been challenged with HH infrastructural problems such as lack of sinks with constant running water. Before Sierra Leone recorded its first case of COVID-19 in March 2020, the consumption of ABHR in the health facilities was estimated to be 24,000 L per year, which doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for commercially available ABHR increased, leading to acute shortages. The estimated cost of the locally produced ABHR ~$2–3 per 500 mL, although it may cost up to $10 for 500 mL when buying imported ABHR products from the local market. Methods: All ingredients were procured locally, and ABHR production was based on WHO formula 1. The production was set for 12 months to cover the estimated annual consumption of ABHR, with periodic monitoring to ensure effective distribution and availability at the point of care. Analysis of assessment results in 12 hospitals from the pre-COVID-19 era (2019) to the COVID-19 era (2021) was performed based on the WHO IPC Assessment Framework (IPCAF) indicator. Results: With an average monthly production of 3,482 L, a total of 41,780 L ABHR was produced and packaged in branded 500-mL containers for distribution to healthcare facilities. This quantity exceeded the estimated demand for ABHR during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data show a considerable increase (from 25% to 44%) in the number of available and functioning HH stations with mainly locally produced ABHR. Results from the monitoring of 575 peripheral health units (PHUs) in 2021 also showed that &gt;67% of PHUs had HH facilities in all clinical areas and that the locally produced ABHR was used in 79% of these HH stations. Conclusions: Locally produced ABHR has shown to be a cost-effective and evidence-based intervention to optimize HH at the point of care. Therefore, localities are encouraged to undertake this realistic and sustainable approach to address issues of acute shortage of ABHR, especially during a global pandemic.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Access to and challenges in water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: A mixed-methods evaluation.

Inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) have an impact on the transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 pandemic. But, there is limited data on the status of WASH facilities in the healthcare settings of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess WASH facilities and related challenges in the HCFs of Northeastern Ethiopia during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2020. About 70 HCFs were selected using a simple random sampling technique. We used a mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative study. The quantitative data were collected by an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and observational checklist, whereas the qualitative data were collected using a key-informant interview from the head of HCFs, janitors, and WASH coordinator of the HCFs. The quantitative data were entered in EpiData version 4.6 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for data cleaning and analysis. The quantitative data on access to WASH facilities was reported using WHO ladder guidelines, which include no access, limited access, and basic access, whereas the qualitative data on challenges to WASH facilities were triangulated with the quantitative result. From the survey of 70 HCFs, three-fourths 53 (75.7%) were clinics, 12 (17.2%) were health centers, and 5 (7.1%) were hospitals. Most (88.6%) of the HCFs had basic access to water supply. The absence of a specific budget for WASH facilities, non-functional water pipes, the absence of water-quality monitoring systems, and frequent water interruptions were the major problems with water supply, which occurred primarily in clinics and health centers. Due to the absence of separate latrine designated for disabled people, none of the HCFs possessed basic sanitary facilities. Half (51.5%) of the HCFs had limited access to sanitation facilities. The major problems were the absence of separate latrines for healthcare workers and clients, as well as female and male staffs, an unbalanced number of functional latrines for the number of clients, non-functional latrines, poor cleanliness and misuse of the latrine. Less than a quarter of the HCFs 15 (21.4%) had basic access to handwashing facilities, while half 35 (50%) of the HCFs did not. The lack of functional handwashing facilities at expected sites and misuse of the facilities around the latrine, including theft of supplies by visitors, were the two most serious problems with hygiene facilities. Despite the fact that the majority of HCFs had basic access to water, there were problems in their sanitation and handwashing facilities. The lack of physical infrastructure, poor quality of facilities, lack of separate budget to maintain WASH facilities, and inappropriate utilization of WASH facilities were the main problems in HCFs. Further investigation should be done to assess the enabling factors and constraints for the provision, use, and maintenance of WASH infrastructure at HCFs.

Ten years on: a post-occupancy evaluation of classrooms for pupils with severe autism

PurposeThere is currently a lack of research describing the best way to design learning environments for increasing numbers of children with autism. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of classroom design on the learning and behaviour of pupils with severe autism. The research variables of interest were classroom layout; furniture, fittings and equipment (FFE); materials; colour scheme; wayfinding; lighting; acoustics; and security.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a post-occupancy evaluation of classrooms for pupils with severe autism aged 3–19 in a school ten years after its completion. Data collection included a visual assessment of the building and an online survey to educators and administrators asking how satisfied they were that the research variables benefited pupils with severe autism.FindingsKey findings were that zoned areas for different activities met students’ needs. Withdrawal rooms off the classroom, access to shared hygiene facilities and a secure outdoor area received high ratings. The main criticisms were the lack of robustness of FFE and the inability to control temperature. Results were collated into a table of recommendations for classroom design for severely autistic pupils.Originality/valueThe findings demonstrate classroom features that support the needs of pupils with severe autism, an area with limited prior research. Some findings support previous research and some adds new knowledge to our understanding of design for this population. The results provide empirical evidence for professionals involved in designing classrooms for pupils with severe autism.

Study on analysis of labour welfare measures and its impact on employee’s commitment towards textile industrial units sipcot in Chennai

During the growing time of technology, the organizations cannot increase their employee’s commitment by providing salaries on time. When the organization offer different welfare measures to their employees, there is an opportunity to increase the commitment of the employee. The aim of the study is to analyze labour welfare measure and its relationship with employee's commitment. A sample of 76 respondents (84.2% male and 15.8% female) from Jyothy Laboratories Limited were participated in the study and the census method was adopted in the collection of data from individual respondents. The findings of the research indicated that the labour welfare measure especially health insurance, housing facility, hygienic toilet facility, transport facility, rest and lunch room facility, compensation on death and recreational facilities creates a positive approach on employee’s commitment, while the other factors create variables creates a negative approach on employee’s commitment. The factors of labour welfare measures namely statutory welfare measure and non-statutory welfare measure are highly influenced by the employee’s commitment like affective and normative commitment. But in the case of continuance commitment, social security measure alone creates an impact, the remaining variable are not create any impact on continuance commitment.

Livelihood, WASH related hardships and needs assessment of climate migrants: evidence from urban slums in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, being the world's most climate-vulnerable country, is affected by plenty of climate-related hazards every year, mostly along its south-western coast. As a consequence, many people relocated from these regions' worst-affected neighborhoods to Khulna city, and began to live as slum dwellers. They faced a variety of issues in these informal settlements, particularly regarding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and livelihood options, but no research has been conducted in Bangladesh. With an emphasis on WASH services and livelihood prospects, this study therefore aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges/hardships and needs of climate migrants living in urban slums in both general and COVID-19 contexts. Qualitative methods were applied to collect data from the climate migrants of slums in five wards (3, 12, 17, 21, and 30) of the Khulna City Corporation. Nine focus group discussions and four key informant interviews were conducted to collect the data from primary (community people) and secondary (local government and non-government and community-based organizations officials) stakeholders. The thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that climate migrants experienced significant water scarcity, insufficient drainage systems, a lack of toilets, tube wells, and bathing facilities, inadequate hygiene management, a lack of core skills required for urban jobs, low payment, and an income shortage. Similarly, sustainable drinking water sources, sanitary toilets with WASH blocks, personal hygiene materials and awareness building, skill development for diverse livelihood opportunities, and income-generating capacity development were their top priorities. Overall, the findings of this study provided a holistic overview of the challenges/hardships and needs of climate migrants in urban slums regarding WASH services and livelihood opportunities. The authorities should intervene and develop policy initiatives to alleviate the hardships and meet the needs of climate migrants.

Readiness of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities (WASH) as an Effort to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission in Elementary Schools at Ngaliyan District, Semarang City

Introduction: Ngaliyan sub-district on Semarang city has the highest cases of Covid-19 (212 cases) in July 2021. High proportion of them occurred on elementary school-aged children aged 7-12 years. Among other levels of education, this group also has the lowest levels of sanitation. This study aimed to determine the readiness of WASH facilities as an effort to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in elementary schools at Ngaliyan Sub-District, Semarang City.Methods : This study was a descriptive observational study. Data collection techniques were carried out by observation, on 36 elementary schools in Ngaliyan District (total sampling method). Readiness of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities (WASH) in each school were observed using checklist. Data were classified and compared to the requirements.Results: The results of this study indicate that 100% of primary schools in Ngaliyan sub-district have the readiness of WASH facilities. Of the 36 primary schools, 97% of schools met the requirements for clean water, 64% for the toilet conditions, 14% for the waste disposal and 100% of the waste water disposal system and 67% for the hand washing facilities.Conclusion: In general, WASH facilities in the elementary schools in Ngaliyan Sub district was ready for the transmission of COVID-19 prevention, but some improvements should be done, especially for the waste disposal, toilet conditions and hand washing facilities.

Climate Risks and Truncated Opportunities: How Do Environmental Challenges Intersect with Economic and Social Disadvantages for Rohingya Adolescents in Bangladesh?

Integration of environmental, economic, and social approaches to development is crucial to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Global evidence reflects that this integration is often imbalanced, with development policies and programs in many low- and middle-income countries placing greater emphasis on economic needs than environmental vulnerabilities. Drawing on qualitative research undertaken in mid-2021, this article explores how limited integration of environmental, economic, and social aspects has affected the development of Rohingya refugee adolescents who were forcibly displaced from Myanmar to the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. Cox’s Bazar is one of the most climate-vulnerable areas in Bangladesh and is subject to extreme rainfall, landslides, and flash floods. The article highlights the ways in which Rohingya adolescents are highly vulnerable to both the direct and indirect consequences of these environmental conditions due to poverty, and inadequate housing infrastructure and water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. It discusses the ways in which these environmental challenges intersect with socioeconomic disadvantage, especially limited education, skills development, and livelihood opportunities for young people, which are in turn compounded by limited voice and agency, and a dearth of security and protection measures. For some Rohingya adolescent girls and boys, the findings suggests that these multi-dimensional vulnerabilities place them at risk of exploitation by traffickers, smugglers, extremist groups, and criminals. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of explicitly integrating environmental aspects into policy and programs that support Rohingya adolescents to develop their full capabilities, and encouraging their meaningful participation in policy dialogues and accountability processes.

Influence of Maternal Exposure to Mass Media on Growth Stunting Among Children Under Five: Mediation Analysis Through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program.

BackgroundThe issue of malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of Congo is severe. Meanwhile, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the rates of growth stunting among children.ObjectiveWe aimed to explore the association between maternal exposure to mass media and stunting in children through water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviors.MethodsMediation analysis was conducted using data from the 2018 Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys.ResultsMothers’ exposures to television and the internet in the Democratic Republic of Congo significantly decreases the risk of stunting in children by 5% and 10%, respectively, mediated by household water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and practices.ConclusionsThese findings could inform interventions and policies to reduce the rate of stunting rate children by promoting water, sanitation, and hygiene through mass media, especially through the internet and television.

Schools preparedness for menstrual hygiene management: a descriptive cross-sectional study in the West Gonja Municipality, Savannah Region of Ghana

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate schools’ preparedness for menstrual hygiene management in the West Gonja Municipality of Ghana.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods approach.SettingJunior high schools in the...

Patient Perception About Hygienic Measures in Physical Therapy Practice A Step Towards Health and Safety Before the Pandemic

There is an immense potential of transmission for infection during physical therapy treatment. To reduce this, infection hygiene measures should be taken by therapists. The best way to measure the level of satisfaction about hygiene is by knowing the patient’s perception.&#x0D; Objective:&#x0D; This study aimed to find out the patient’s perception about hygienic measures in physical therapy practice which is a step towards health and safety.&#x0D; Material and methods:&#x0D; A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among outdoor patients treated by physiotherapy in clinics and hospitals of Lahore. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect data after informed consent from patients. A validated self-structured questionnaire was used. This study was completed in 3 months after approval of the synopsis. The study population was selected according to the inclusion criteria.&#x0D; Results:&#x0D; Data was collected from 378 patients. Patients were from 13 different private and government clinics and hospitals in Lahore. The mean ages of the participants were 40.91 years. Before the pandemic, 70.3% of physiotherapists were not wearing face masks during treatment. Results showed that the majority was satisfied (49.2%) but 39.7% were having average satisfaction and only 9% were unsatisfied with the treatment regarding physical therapist's hygiene. Only 6.9% marked hygienic measures of physiotherapists as worse.&#x0D; Conclusion:&#x0D; The results before the coronavirus pandemic clearly showed that the overall perceptions of patients treated in physiotherapy departments in clinics and hospitals of Lahore was good about hygienic measures but the basic facilities of hygiene were inadequate and there is an absolute need for improvement. Patients need to be made aware of their rights so that they can demand better hygiene from the physiotherapist and staff of the healthcare facilities so that actions are taken to promote patient’s safety and decrease hospital-acquired infections.

Evaluation of Hand Hygiene Facilities and Compliance of Healthcare Workers at The University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo

Hand Hygiene (HH) is the leading measure for preventing the spread of pathogens and reducing health care associated infections, health care providers’ adherence to recommended practices remains suboptimal in most settings, and maintaining its standards is difficult to sustain. However, Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain the most common adverse event in healthcare, resulting in a significant burden on patients, their families, and health care systems. This study examines evaluation of hand hygiene facilities and compliance of health care workers at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was made up of 324 participants. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. Self-administered questionnaire and observational checklists were used as tools for data collection. The reliability value of the questionnaire eliciting responses on self-reported compliance to hand hygiene technique techniques ranges from 0.703 to 0.764. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Inferential statistics of Chi Square was used test the hypothesis generated at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that none of the wards met the standard for hand hygiene facilities set by the WHO. 83.3% of the units had no poster or written policy on HH; 87% did not have alcohol-based hand rubs; 100% had at least one handwash sink; 100% had flowing tap water all day; and 100% had no hand drying facilities. Assessment of self-reported hand hygiene compliance showed that 86.42% of the respondents have good compliance to hand washing technique guideline with a mean score is 23.72 of 27 (87.85%) and 90.1% of the respondents have good compliance to hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rub technique with a mean score is 19.68 of 21 (93.71%). A total of 1,016 hand hygiene opportunities were observed during the three-week period with an overall compliance rate of 29.9%. The compliance rate among nurses (31.2%) is higher than among doctors (21.8%). In recorded hand hygiene actions, hand washing is used slightly more frequently than alcohol-based hand rubs. The use of gloves is a major reason for missed opportunities in hand hygiene, responsible for 39.3% of missed opportunities.The study concluded that the availability of hand hygiene facilities and HCWs compliance at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo is poor. The study also confirmed that while the self-reported hand hygiene compliance is high, the observed compliance with hand hygiene techniques is low. Specific measures such as improved facilities, training and monitoring are needed to improve HH compliance.

Effects of Menstrual Health and Hygiene on School Absenteeism and Drop-Out among Adolescent Girls in Rural Gambia.

Poor knowledge and management of menstruation impacts girls’ school attendance and academic performance. This paper aims to explore how menstrual hygiene management practices and related factors influence school absenteeism and drop-out among primary and secondary school girls in rural Gambia. Mixed-method studies were conducted among students and key informants from 19 schools from July 2015–December 2017. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, cross-sectional surveys, menstrual diaries, and school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facility observations were used. Key findings from the interviews were that menstrual pain, cultural beliefs, fear of peers knowing menstrual status, and poor school WASH facilities led to school absenteeism, however, they had no impact on school drop-out. Of the 561 girls surveyed, 27% reported missing at least one school day per month due to menses. Missing school during the most recent menstrual period was strongly associated with menstrual pain (extreme pain adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 16.8 (95% CI: 7.29–38.74)), as was having at least one symptom suggestive of urinary tract infection (AOR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.16–2.52)) or reproductive tract infection (AOR = 1.99 (95% CI: 1.34–2.94)). Clean toilets (AOR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.26–75)), being happy using school latrines while menstruating (AOR = 0.59 (95% CI: 0.37–0.93)), and soap availability (AOR = 0.46 (95% CI: 0.3–0.73)) were associated with reduced odds of school absenteeism. This study suggests menstrual pain, school WASH facilities, urogenital infections, and cultural beliefs affected school attendance among menstruating girls in rural Gambia.

Parents' hopes for early childhood education during the covid-19 pandemic: a case study in gunungsari sub-district, west lombok regency, west nusa tenggara, Indonesia

The purpose of this study was to find out the parents' hopes for early childhood education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Gunungsari Subdistrict, by using a descriptive qualitative method. The objects were all parents who have children in early childhood education in Gunungsari Sub-district. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires and documentation. Furthermore, the data was analyzed by using the Miles and Huberman flow model. The results showed that distance/online learning was able to improve the quality of learning, specifically in the field of self-proficiency during COVID-19, because it provides guidance and supervision during the learning process, even though distance/online learning cost more. Many parents hope school learning will resume as usual with the consideration that schools need to implement health protocols by limiting the number of children in class, providing hygiene and health facilities, and collaborating with the closest health center regarding health facilities.

The Burden of Typhoid Fever in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Perspective.

While typhoid fever has largely been eliminated in high-income regions which have developed modern water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, it remains a significant public health burden resulting in morbidity and mortality among millions of individuals in resource-constrained settings. Prevention and control efforts are needed that integrate several high-impact interventions targeting facilities and infrastructure, including those addressing improvements in sanitation, access to safe water, and planned urbanization, together with parallel efforts directed at effective strategies for use of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCV). The use of TCVs is a critical tool with the potential of having a rapid impact on typhoid fever disease burden; their introduction will also serve as an important strategy to combat evolving antimicrobial resistance to currently available typhoid fever treatments. Well-designed epidemiological surveillance studies play a critical role in establishing the need for, and monitoring the impact of, typhoid fever control and prevention strategies implemented by public health authorities. Here, we present a perspective based on a narrative review of the impact of typhoid fever on morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and discuss ongoing surveillance activities and the role of vaccination in prevention and control efforts.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dengan Pembuatan Ekoenzim Berbasis Rumah Tangga di Desa Lajut

Waste is a big problem that we often encounter in everyday life, one of which is in the village of Lajut District Praya Central Lombok Regency. Lack of public awareness and unavailability of hygiene facilities and infrastructure, such as laystall (TPS), waste cans and waste transport trucks in Lajut Village is a significant problem to be solved. This community empowerment activity aims to increase the understanding of the community in Lajut Village, especially housewives about the use of household-based fruit and vegetable waste into ecoenzyme. Ecoenzyme is the result of processing fruit, flower or vegetable waste that undergoes fermentation process with the help of sugar (molasses). Socialization is carried out by direct counseling and mentoring methods to the participant community. Community empowerment program with the manufacture of household-based ecoenzyme is declared on target because of the active role and response of the community in the process of making ecoenzyme. Thus in the future it is expected that waste in Lajut Village can be reduced by processing waste produced by the community into something useful, one of which is ecoenzyme.

The Functions of Urban Open Space in Terms of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Women’s Child Care

The purpose of this study was to analyze the COVID-19 stress levels of women parenting young children, the characteristics and perceptions of urban open space use, and how the social and emotional functions of open spaces perform differently in a pandemic situation. A survey was conducted focusing on female users of an open space in Gyeongsan. For the analysis, frequency analysis, chi-square test, and t-test were performed on 247 people using IBM SPSS Statistics program. The study results are summarized as follows. First, women with young children visited the open space as a place for the children’s play and to relieve their parenting stress. However, they thought negatively about the space being crowded owing to concerns about infection. Second, women with young children were also aware of the importance of hand washing facilities for hygiene. Third, the children’s mothers had very high COVID-19 stress, and thought that a decent open space is an important criterion for housing choice in the future. Fourth, women with children evaluated the open space as a fun, enjoyable place and highly valued the existence of the place. Thus, the social and emotional function of the space was working more meaningfully.