Hygiene Products Research Articles

The standard form under pressure? On the ecological reconfiguration of product presentation using the example of consumables

Abstract This article provides a framework for analyzing valorizations and justifications for ecologically sustainable everyday products. By drawing on theoretical arguments from the French neo pragmatist approach of economics of conventions, especially the idea of enrichment, we develop a typology of valorizations that distinguishes between analytic and narrative presentations. A qualitative empirical analysis of green alternatives to standard consumables, such as coffee, textiles or hygiene products, is used to help explain the strategies by which sustainable products are placed and marketed. We state that sustainable product presentations use a range of established forms of valorization that also affects the justification of their often-higher prices. We conclude that the standard form of consumables comes under pressure while capitalist actors appear to incorporate the growing ecologic critique with a set of ecologic enrichments.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyls used as cosmetic ingredients - Qualitative study of 765 cosmetic products

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) form a vast family comprising more than 4700 synthetic compounds. Their molecules contain a terminal functional group and a hydrophobic carbon tail (alkyl group) at which the hydrogen atoms are totally (in the case of perfluorinated compounds) or partially (in the case of polyfluorinated compounds) replaced by fluorine atoms. Due to the very specific properties of their structure, they have been used in a vast range of applications over the last 70 years. These substances are considered to be of concern for the environment. Their effects on human health are still poorly understood because studies are still too rare, but the cutaneous route could be a significant pathway of penetration.In this context, we made a qualitative study to assess the presence of PFAS in various cosmetics such as hygiene products, skin care products, make-up and perfumes.Among the 765 products studied, we found 11 different PFAS. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorodecalin, present in 25.9% and 22.2% of products containing it, respectively, were the most frequent.Although the presence of this type of ingredient seems to be limited in Europe, make-up appears to be the type of product most likely to contain PFAS.

A systematic review of the association between food insecurity and behaviours related to caries development in adults and children in high-income countries.

To synthesize and appraise the evidence regarding the relationship between food insecurity and behaviours associated with dental caries development in adults and children in high-income countries. A systematic review including observational studies assessing the association between food insecurity and selected dietary (free sugar consumption) and non-dietary factors (tooth brushing frequency; use of fluoridated toothpaste; dental visiting; oral hygiene aids; type of toothbrush used; interdental cleaning frequency and mouthwash use) related to dental caries development in adults and children in high-income countries. Studies specifically looking at food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic were excluded. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and Scopus from inception to 25 May 2023. Two authors screened the search results, extracted data and appraised the studies independently and in duplicate. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (with modifications for cross-sectional studies). Vote counting and harvest plots provided the basis for evidence synthesis. Searches identified 880 references, which led to the inclusion of 71 studies with a total of 526 860 participants. The majority were cross-sectional studies, conducted in the USA and reported free sugar consumption. Evidence for the association between food insecurity and free sugar intake from 4 cohort studies and 61 cross-sectional studies including 336 585 participants was equivocal, particularly in the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption post-hoc subgroup, where 20 out of 46 studies reported higher SSB consumption in food insecure individuals. There was consistent, but limited, evidence for reduced dental visiting in adults experiencing food insecurity compared to food secure adults from 3 cross-sectional studies including 52 173 participants. The relationship between food insecurity and dental visiting in children was less clear (3 cross-sectional studies, 138 102 participants). A single cross-sectional study of 3275 children reported an association between food insecurity and reported failure to toothbrush the previous day. This review did not identify clear associations between food insecurity and behaviours commonly implicated in the development of dental caries that would explain why individuals experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have dental caries than those who have food security. There was some evidence of decreased dental visiting in adults experiencing food insecurity. Common methodological weaknesses across the evidence base related to the selection of participants or control of potentially confounding variables. Consequently, the quality of evidence for all outcomes was downgraded to very low. More research is needed to explore access to oral hygiene products and household environments conducive to habitual oral self-care in food insecure populations.

Promotion of market-based sanitation in Ethiopia: a case study from Wolaita zone.

Ethiopia increased the availability of latrines notably, but the sanitation facilities rarely meet hygienic standards. Therefore, the market-based sanitation (MBS) programme has been implemented across the country for nearly a decade to expand the market and boost the demand for hygienic sanitation products and services. While it does not seem that the MBS would bring any notable change in sanitation conditions so far, its implementation challenges are not adequately understood. To address this gap, this article delves into the grassroots-level implementation of MBS in the Wolaita zone. The study relies on qualitative data gathered through interviews with various stakeholders, examining both demand- and supply-side challenges. Some issues identified were external to MBS implementation, such as high inflation and an unstable political and security situation in Ethiopia. Additionally, the study reveals that more general deficiencies of the Ethiopian health extension program, including the stress and discouragement of local change agents (health extension workers, health development army members) due to workloads and low remuneration, have adversely impacted MBS delivery. The implementation of MBS has also not effectively addressed the affordability of hygienic sanitation products. On the supply side, economic constraints and organizational inefficiencies have hindered the development of the sanitation market, preventing it from reaching a critical mass. Our research suggests that MBS alone will not suffice to improve sanitation in Ethiopia.

Factors Associated with Exclusive Use of Hygienic Methods during Menstruation among Adolescent Girls (15–19 Years) in Urban India: Evidence from NFHS-5

BackgroundMenstrual hygiene is a critical public health concern for adolescent girls in urban India. However, there is a paucity of research on this subject, particularly on a national scale. To the best of our knowledge, this study diverges from previous research, as the majority of prior investigations in India have centered on rural locales, married individuals, and those aged between 15 and 24 years. Thus, this study aims to fill this gap by investigating the factors associated with the exclusive use of hygienic methods during menstruation among urban adolescent girls (15–19 years) in India. MethodA total of 25136 samples were included in this analysis from the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5). The Binary logistic regression model has been administered to determine the associated factors of the exclusive use of hygienic methods among adolescent girls. ResultsThe results of the multivariate model revealed significant positive associations between higher education levels and usage of menstrual hygiene management products (AOR: 1.860; 95 % CI: 1.418–2.439), (AOR: 2.110; 95 % CI: 1.553–2.867). Additionally, individuals in higher wealth quintiles were more likely to use MHM products, with the richest quintile showing the highest likelihood (AOR: 5.310; 95 % CI: 4.494–6.275). Attendance at cultural events such as cinema or theater was positively associated with MHM product utilization (AOR: 1.338; 95 % CI: 1.181–1.517).Conversely, Lack of access to sanitation facilities was inversely associated with MHM product utilization (AOR: 0.742; 95 % CI: 0.628–0.877). Muslim girls had lower odds than Hindus (AOR: 0.576; 95 % CI: 0.520–0.637). Substantial regional variations were evident, with the Western (AOR: 0.879; 95 % CI: 0.759–1.019), Eastern (AOR: 0.747; 95 % CI: 0.654–0.854), Central (AOR: 0.349; 95 % CI: 0.313–0.388), and North-eastern regions (AOR: 0.597; 95 % CI: 0.490–0.727) displaying diminished odds of MHM product usage relative to the southern region. General caste had higher odds compared to scheduled caste (AOR: 1.255, 95 % CI: 1.103–1.429), while other backward caste had lower odds (AOR: 0.858, 95 % CI: 0.771–0.955). ConclusionThese findings underscore the importance of addressing inequalities in access to menstrual hygiene products among urban adolescent girls in India. Targeted interventions and educational programs are essential to ensure equitable access and promote overall health and well-being.

IJCM_95A: To Assess the knowledge and practice regarding reproductive tract infection among female of reproductive age group in Raipur city Chhattisgarh

Background: Reproductive tract infection (RTI) is a global health problem among women, especially in South East Asia Region (SEAR) countries. They may progress to serious complications and cause a high degree of morbidity during the sexually active period of life. More than a million women and infants die of the complications of RTI every year. RTI has become a silent epidemic that devastates women’s lives. Globally, three different types of RTI cause significant amounts of morbidity and mortality among women – sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomonas, and HIV infections); endogenous infections resulting from the overgrowth of organisms normally present in the reproductive tract (such as candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis); and iatrogenic infections related to medical procedures (such as menstrual regulation, abortion or IUD insertion). The presence of STI increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection by three to five times. Objectives: 1- To Assess the knowledge of female what is reproductive tract infection how it occur and spread among residents of Raipur City, Chhattisgarh. 2- To Assess the Factors associated with Knowledge among residents of Raipur City, Chhattisgarh. Methodology: This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted in Raipur City of Chhattisgarh state during the month October 23-January 2024. A pre-designed, self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Systematic Random sampling technique was adopted to select the 350 Study participants. Results: The majority of subjects were between the age of 15-34 year. Most of the subject were of lower middle class socioeconomic status. Additionally, 37.8% of participants were graduates, 59.4% were married and 70% were unemployed. 30.3% subjects had not heard about Reproductive tract infection. 50.6% subjects don’t know about symptoms of RTI, almost half 49.4% subject don’t have knowledge about effect of RTI on health and only 84% female believed that good personal hygiene prevent RTI. 45.1% subjects did not wash their private part after urination, 10.5% female did not wash their used cloth daily after each use. 63.9% female used feminine hygiene products to maintain personal hygiene, 10% female did not change their cloth daily, 33.1% women did not change their pad/ cloth within every 4–6-hour interval during menstruation. Conclusion: Educate women through camps about genital hygiene practices to reduce the risk of RTI. For increased usage of Sanitary pads, more number of sanitary vending machine should be installed in schools, colleges, and health facilities. Implement awareness programs, promoting regular check- ups and safe sex practices to mitigate the risk of RTI.

IJCM_382A: Awareness regarding use of menstrual cups among female college students in Mangalore

Background: Menstruation is a normal body function requiring proper menstrual hygiene products. There are many products available for management of mensuration among which one of the most undervalued products is the menstrual cup. Despite all of the many sustainable advantages it offers, the use of menstrual cup is limited to not even 10 percent of menstruating women Objective: 1. To assess the knowledge of usage of menstrual cups amongst female non-medical students. 2. To evaluate the willingness to use menstrual cups amongst female non-medical students Methodology: The study was conducted in non-health science colleges of Mangalore. The participants were undergraduate female students. Non-random convenient sampling was used and the study was conducted in March 2022. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was created using Google Forms. Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) approval and permission from college authorities was obtained prior to commencement of study. Results: Majority of students had heard about a menstrual cup (92.1%) but 87.7% of the participants used sanitary pads and only 4.6% used menstrual cups. After obtaining knowledge from the study, 45% of the participants agreed to use a menstrual cup if available and 46.9% would recommend it to their family and friends. Menstrual cup knowledge was found to be significantly correlated with study course (p=0.043) and current sanitary product use (p=0.001). Conclusion: The main concerns regarding menstrual cups among participants were limited knowledge, discomfort, and limited availability. Many participants had no idea about menstruation cups and it’s functioning and method to dispose of them.

The Relationship between Oral Health Preventive Management and Oral Health Belief of among Health College Students

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between oral health belief and oral health preventive management among health college students. The study also determined if oral disease recognition is related to oral health preventive management. Methods: A survey was of 385 health-related college students in Chungcheongnam-do was conducted to determine the relationship between oral health preventive management and oral health belief. t-teat, ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis were conducted. Results: Differences in oral health belief and the use of oral supplementary hygiene products were noted as 2.14 for “using” oral supplementary hygiene products and 2.43 for “not using” (p<0.01). The effect of oral health belief on oral hygiene product awareness was in the order of disability, importance, and benefit (p<0.01). Conclusions: To prevent oral diseases and manage oral health, regular oral examinations to assess for oral diseases and to provide continuous oral education, raise awareness of various oral hygiene products, increase the importance and benefits of oral health preventive management, and reduce disability through continuous feedback.

Features of Hygienic Care for Removable Prostheses Made of Thermoplasts

As a result of the study, 74 patients with a diagnosis of dentition defects were made partial removable lamellar dentures from various structural dental materials. To identify the awareness of patients about the peculiarities of hygienic care for the oral cavity when using removable dentures, a preliminary survey of all respondents was conducted. The results of this survey demonstrated a low level of patient awareness of the specifics of hygienic procedures for the care of dentures. More than half of the respondents (52.4 %) did not have sufficient information about the rules and features of hygienic oral care when using removable orthopedic structures. Only 31 % of respondents cleaned removable dentures twice a day, more than half, 60 % cleaned the denture once a day. According to the results of the survey, 76.5 % of respondents revealed violations of the rules of personal oral hygiene. Additional hygiene products for the care of removable dentures in the form of cleaning tablets are used by 5.6 % of patients, 83.1 % of patients did not use additional hygiene products.

Knowledge, use and acceptability of menstrual cup: an explorative study among women health professionals in Kerala, India

Background: Globally, despite a long history of invention and safety measures, the menstrual cup is not a widely used method of menstrual management among women. As comprehensive evidence on the menstrual cup use is relatively limited in India, this study aimed to describe the knowledge, use, and acceptability of menstrual cup among women health professionals in Kerala, India. Methods: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among adult menstruating women health professionals. Information on knowledge of menstrual cups, pattern of use and acceptability of menstrual cups, and factors associated with the usage of menstrual cups were collected. Qualitative interviews were also conducted among current, discontinued and non-users of menstrual cup. Results: Of the 346 women studied, the majority (97%) of the participants were acquainted with menstrual cups. Ever use of a menstrual cup was reported by 34.7% of participants. Currently, women mainly used sanitary pads (73%), followed by the menstrual cup (26%) as the main menstrual hygiene product. The quantitative and qualitative analysis showed a high level of acceptability among users of menstrual cups and perceptible restraints among non-users. Environment safety and affordability were the most appealing factors for menstrual cup use. Conclusions: Nearly a fourth of health professionals in the study were currently using the menstrual cup. A high level of overall knowledge and acceptability among the users of the menstrual cup as seen in the study is likely to motivate and enhance better choice of menstrual products among women in general.

Absorbent hygiene products disposal behaviour in informal settlements: identifying determinants and underlying mechanisms in Durban, South Africa

BackgroundWithin South Africa, many low-income communities lack reliable waste management services. Within these contexts, absorbent hygiene product (AHP) waste, including nappies (diapers), are not recycled, and are often dumped, ending up in watercourses and polluting the local environment. The structural barriers to collection which have been well explored, however the behavioural determinants of safe disposal for AHPs remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to determine the psycho-social factors driving AHP disposal behaviour for caregivers, while identifying potential underlying mechanisms (such as mental health), which may be influencing disposal behaviour, with the intention of informing a future, contextually appropriate and sustainable, collection system.MethodsThe cross-sectional study was conducted within three low-income communities located within eThekwini Municipality (Durban), South Africa. The study included a pre-study and a quantitative survey of 452 caregivers, utilising the RANAS approach of behaviour change. The quantitative questionnaire was based on the RANAS model to measure psycho-social factors underlying sanitary disposal of AHPs. Mental health was assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Statistical analysis involved regressing psycho-social factors onto disposal behaviour and exploring their interaction with mental health through a moderation model.ResultsOur findings suggest that one third of caregivers do not dispose of nappies sanitarily, despite intent (86.9%). Regression analysis revealed ten psycho-social factors which significantly predict the desired behavioural outcome, the sanitary disposal of AHPs. Caregivers with poor mental health were less likely to dispose of AHP sanitarily, which reflects previous research linking poor mental health and the impairment of health-related daily activities, particularly within vulnerable groups. Specifically, several psycho-social factors underlying were moderated by poor mental health, the prevalence of sanitary disposal of AHPs depended on mental condition of caregiver.ConclusionsOur findings confirmed the link between poor mental health and unsanitary AHPs disposal. This is especially relevant because poor mental health is common within South Africa. Addressing mental health problems within these communities is an essential step to providing sustainable waste management services. The findings informed an intervention strategy to implement a future collection system for these communities, and similar low-income or informal contexts within South Africa.

Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of hygiene products for the care of facial prostheses

BACKGROUND: Because of the porous structure of the structural material used in the production of facial prostheses, without careful hygienic care, microbial biofilms may form on the material surface, its color and shape may change, and premature aging may occur. Means for the hygienic care of facial prostheses and research to confirm their clinical effectiveness are crucial in dentistry.
 AIM: To increase the effectiveness of the hygienic treatment of facial epitheses.
 METHODS: A single-center randomized study was conducted to assess the clinical effectiveness of hygiene products for the care of facial prostheses. This study involved patients with exenteration of the eye socket, previously prosthetic with adhesive fixation epitheses. The patients were divided into four groups and received different hygienic care methods. Furthermore, during the use of the prosthesis for 14 days and 1 and 3 months, the tissues of the prosthetic bed and hygienic condition of the prosthesis were evaluated, and the quality of life of patients was determined.
 RESULTS: According to the results of measuring the area of inflammation of tissues of the prosthetic bed of the eye socket at different terms, positive dynamics were found in the groups that used the proposed hygiene products.
 CONCLUSION: A strong positive correlation (r 0.9) of the average values of the quality of life index, area of inflammation, and hygiene index of the orbital epitheses in the study groups at the appropriate time indicates improved quality of life of patients who used the proposed hygiene products by reducing the amount of bacterial plaque on the surface of the epithesis and, in turn, reducing the area of inflammatory reactions and increasing comfort in wearing the prosthesis.

Methylated Biochemical Fulvic Acid-Derived Hydrogels with Improved Swelling Behavior and Water Retention Capacity.

Although humic acids (HAs) have been used to prepare absorbent hydrogels, their applications in many areas, such as agriculture, wastewater treatment and hygienic products, are not satisfactory due to their low solubility in organic solvents. In this work, biochemical fulvic acid (BFA), as a kind of HA, was initially methylated for preparation of the methylated BFA (M-BFA), which contributed to enhancing the solubility in organic solvents. Then, M-BFA reacted with N,N'-methylene diacrylamide (MBA) in the N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) solution, and the expected hydrogel (M-BFA/DMAA) was successfully obtained. XPS confirmed that there were more C=O and C-N groups in M-BFA/DMAA than in DMAA; thus, M-BFA/DMAA was able to offer more reactive sites for the water adsorption process than DMAA. The combined results of BET and SEM further demonstrated that M-BFA/DMAA possessed a larger BET surface area, a larger pore volume and a more porous structure, which were favorable for the transfer of water and accessibility of water to active sites, facilitating water adsorption and storage. In addition, the swelling ratio and water retention were investigated in deionized (DI) water at different conditions, including test times, temperatures and pHs. Amazingly, the swelling ratio of M-BFA/DMAA was 10% higher than that of DMAA with the water retention time from 100 to 1500 min. Although M-BFA/DMAA and DMAA had similar temperature sensitivities, the pH sensitivity of M-BFA/DMAA was 0.9 higher than that of DMAA. The results proved that M-BFA/DMAA delivered superior water retention when compared to the pristine DMAA. Therefore, the resultant materials are expected to be efficient absorbent materials that can be widely used in water-deficient regions.

Developing Bioactive Hydrogels with Peptides for Dental Application.

Dental caries is an avoidable and complex condition impacting billions of individuals worldwide, posing a specific concern among younger generations, despite the progress of oral hygiene products. This deterioration occurs due to the acid demineralization of tooth enamel, leading to the loss of minerals from the enamel subsurface. The remineralisation of early enamel carious lesions could prevent the cavitation of teeth. The enamel protein amelogenin constitutes 90% of the total enamel matrix protein and plays a key role in the bio mineralisation process. The aim of this study is to investigate the self-assembly microstructure and reticulation behaviour of a newly developed bioactive hydrogel with leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) intended for enamel remineralisation. SEM, AFM, UV-VIS, and FTIR analyses emphasize the ability of peptides to promote cell adhesion and the treatment of early carious lesions. In conclusion, short-chain peptides can be used in hydrogels for individual or professional use.

Occurrence of heavy metals in sanitary napkins from seven countries: Implication for risk management of female hygiene products

Chemicals in sanitary napkins are easy to enter women's bodies, as these products are in contact with the skin of vagina and vulva directly, which has strong absorption capacity. However, available information regarding the occurrence of metals in sanitary napkins and their potential hazards, remains very limited. This study measured the concentrations of As, Co, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cr in sanitary napkins collected from seven countries. Moderate levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr and lower levels of other metals were found, in comparison to the metal concentrations reported for other products previously. Metal concentrations differed by producer, price and fragrance. These metals were originated mainly from the introduction of raw materials and the use of chemical additives during the manufacturing process. Relative to other skin-contacted products, the sanitary napkin contributed more to women's total metal exposure, although the exposure was lower than that of dietary intake. The summed non-carcinogenic risks from six metals and the carcinogenic risks from Pb were acceptable. However, more research is required to investigate metals in sanitary napkins and the associated health risks to women, owing to the variability in the metal concentrations and the complexity of actual exposure.

A Qualitative Analysis of Urbanization and Menstrual Health Among Young Women.

This qualitative study, grounded in theory, employed inductive coding for analysis, focusing on menstrual health among urban women aged 10-25. The research aims to explore the menstrual health status, practices, and beliefs of participants. The research delves into the impact of recent government initiatives on menstrual health and assesses the role of urbanization in shaping evolving menstrual health practices among young girls. Employing in-depth qualitative methods such as interviews and focus group discussions, the study seeks a comprehensive understanding of participants' experiences and perceptions related to menstrual health. The dynamics of women's menstrual experiences are significantly influenced by urbanization, heightened exposure to social media, evolving lifestyles, and government initiatives like the distribution of menstrual products in schools and the enhancement of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in government institutions. Positive shifts have been observed, including reduced restrictions on menstruating individuals, enhanced access to affordable hygiene products, and improved disposal facilitated by municipal garbage collection services. However, notable gaps persist in basic knowledge about menstruation, hygienic practices, effective interpersonal communication with schoolteachers or community health care workers, and compliance with government programs promoting weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and biannual Albendazole intake, calling for substantial improvement.

Development and analysis of a herbal bath bomb for its antifungal properties

Fungal skin infections are a prevalent health issue that requires investigation into safe and efficient alternative remedies. Herbal components are a good option for cosmetics formulations because they have historically shown antifungal capabilities. Building on this idea, the research seeks to create a novel antifungal herbal bath bomb by utilizing the medicinal properties of plants.The aim of this project is to develop evaluate a herbal bath bomb, with an emphasis on its antifungal qualities. The main goal is to create a bath bomb with carefully chosen herbal elements that have been suggested to have antifungal properties.The study employed a systematic approach to construct the herbal bath bomb, including a variety of herbal ingredients recognized for their antifungal properties. Precise measurement and blending were necessary during the material preparation process to ensure optimal efficacy. The effectiveness of the herbal bath bomb against common fungus strains was evaluated in the lab along with antifungal testing.The results reveal promising antifungal properties of the developed herbal bath bomb, as evidenced by its efficacy against common fungal strains. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential of herbal-based hygiene products for combating fungal skin conditions. The findings support the conclusion that the formulated bath bomb holds promise as a natural and effective solution, paving the way for further exploration and development in the realm of herbal skincare products.

Exclusive customer discounts on oral hygiene products

Exclusive customer discounts on oral hygiene products

PROBIOTICS APPLICATION FOR POTENTIAL FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS

The aim of the present research was to develop probiotic delivery systems intended for short-term application in feminine hygiene products. For this, freeze-dried and fresh probiotics (Lactobacillus paragasseri K7), encapsulated into hydroxy-β-cyclodextrins, with and without inulin used as a prebiotic, were at first electrospun onto inert polypropylene carrier fabrics, in order to establish the optimal spinning conditions and confirm the successful formation of fibers. The characteristics of the functionalized materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In order to evaluate the functionality of the probiotic delivery systems, in the subsequent stage of the research, the optimum electrospinning formulation was deposited, under the defined optimal conditions, on a different carrier material, namely, a cellulose-based cotton stripe, to get a preliminary demonstration of the suitability of the developed material for its intended application as a feminine hygiene product. For this, the antioxidant properties of the materials and the probiotic release were observed. Experimental results confirmed that the material (cellulose-based cotton stripe/deposited nanofiber) possessed antioxidant properties and released probiotics within 4 hours, being in agreement with the recommended use of such products. This preliminary research underscores the potential usability and applicability of the developed material for tampon use, considering its anti-inflammatory property and beneficial effects in maintaining healthy vaginal microbiota.

Insufficient Answer During the Public Health Emergency: A Lesson from the Persistence of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Communities

ABSTRACT Cohort study in deprived communities to investigate the persistence of food insecurity (FI) during the COVID-19 was conducted. Sample were derived from a list of mobile phone numbers provided by community leaders and local nonprofit organizations. Temporal trends and prevalence ratios of FI persistence, categorized as “never,” “occasional FI,” “consistent FI,” were calculated. A total of 302 households completed three assessments, the majority nonwhite women. During the follow-up, families covered by social assistance increased; however, their income decreased (p < 0.05). 33% were “consistent,” and 46% “occasional” FI. Permanent difficulties accessing gas canisters, hygiene products, and hand sanitizers were observed.