Poor Hygiene Practices Research Articles

Predictive Risk Factor Analysis of Oral Submucous Fibrosis among Gond Tribes of Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder characterized by fibrotic changes in the oral mucosa. It is a significant public health concern, particularly among certain ethnic populations. The Gond tribes of Central India represent one such population, and the prevalence and risk factors associated with OSMF among them remain largely unexplored. This study aims to conduct a predictive risk factor analysis to identify the factors associated with OSMF among the Gond tribes and provide insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease within this specific population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Gond tribal population of Central India. A total of 800 participants were included in the study. Oral examinations were conducted by trained researchers to assess the presence of OSMF and other oral health conditions. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected, including age, gender, education level, occupation, and household income. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco and betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and oral hygiene practices were assessed through structured questionnaires. Dietary patterns and nutritional status were evaluated, and oral health-related factors such as dental caries, periodontal health, and other oral lesions were examined. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with OSMF among the Gond tribes. Results: The prevalence of OSMF among the Gond tribes was 12.5%. Demographic analysis revealed a balanced representation of genders, with a range of age groups included. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco and betel nut chewing were prevalent among the Gond tribes, with a significant proportion of participants reporting regular use of these substances. Poor oral hygiene practices and undernutrition were also identified as risk factors. Dietary patterns showed a high consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods and a relatively low intake of fruits and vegetables in addition to OSMF. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with OSMF among the Gond tribes of Central India. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing tobacco and betel nut chewing, poor oral hygiene practices, advanced age, low education level, and undernutrition within this population. Comprehensive oral health promotion programs, including tobacco cessation initiatives, oral hygiene education, nutritional interventions, and improved access to dental care, are crucial for reducing the prevalence of OSMF and improving oral health outcomes among the Gond tribes. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to further elucidate the causal relationships and long-term impact of these risk factors on the development and progression of OSMF within the Gond tribal population.

Factors Associated with Poor Food Hygiene Practice at the Koloboyi Small Market, in the Town of Mwene-Ditu in the DRC: Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Factors Associated with Poor Food Hygiene Practice at the Koloboyi Small Market, in the Town of Mwene-Ditu in the DRC: Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Oral Hygiene Knowledge and Practices among Rural and Urban Pregnant Women Attending Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Context: During pregnancy, poor oral hygiene practices and inadequate attention toward their oral health have an impact on the developing of the fetus and significant adverse pregnancy outcomes. Aims: The study aimed to assess the oral hygiene knowledge and practices among rural and urban pregnant women attending obstetrics and gynecology department in a tertiary care hospital of Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. Settings and Design: This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 400 samples were selected by convenience sampling technique. Subjects and Methods: A questionnaire containing 12 questions related to knowledge and practices pertaining to the oral health of pregnant women, along with sociodemographic data. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained from this questionnaire were collected and analyzed using the SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: A majority of respondents (74%) of urban areas had good oral hygiene status and of rural areas only (44.50%) had good oral hygiene. Awareness of the connection between pregnancy and oral health among the urban participants was 7.5%, whereas only 4.5% of rural participants were aware of the same. Oral hygiene practice was found to be relatively fair in urban participants compared to rural participants. Dental visits were seen to be higher in urban participants. Conclusion: This study revealed that the knowledge of pregnant women of the rural group about the association of oral hygiene knowledge and practices was poor. Oral hygiene knowledge and practices were significantly associated with education and socioeconomic status. Therefore, pregnant women need to be educated and made aware in both urban and rural areas of oral hygiene knowledge and practices toward oral health to improve adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Observational Studies on Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Practices of Elderly Buddhists in Kathmandu Valley

The study Entitled “Observational studies on personal hygiene and sanitation practices of elderly Buddhists" was conducted in Kathmandu Valley. The main objective of this study was to analyze the personal hygiene and sanitation practices of elderly Buddhists. The study was based on descriptive design with qualitative and quantitative nature. Convenient sampling method was applied to collect the data and altogether 640 elderly Buddhists including of 320 male and 320 female were selected as a sample for study. Similarly, observation checklist with direct observation method was used for data collection. The three dimensions for hygiene and sanitation condition measurement such as satisfactory, good and poor were used. Out of total respondent, the most of the respondents (40.16%) were in age Group 60-64 years. The highest sex ratio (141.17) was found in 75-79 years age group and the lowest sex ratio (80.00) was found in 80 years and above age group. The mean age of male elders was 68 years and 67.36 years for female. Around 48% of elderly Buddhist had moderate condition of personal hygiene practices, nearly 40% respondents had satisfactory and around 12% elders had poor hygiene practices. Similarly, 39% elders had satisfactory sanitation practices, 42% respondents had moderate and 19% respondents had poor sanitation practices. As conclusion, most of the elders were practicing with moderate hygiene practices. The moderate condition negatively affects the health condition of Buddhists elders. Most of the elders were practicing with satisfactory sanitation practices the also affects the wellbeing of the Buddhists elders in Kathmandu Valley.

MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF IMPORTED FROZEN FISH FILLETS IN KOSOVAR MARKETS

Fish meat is a good source of nutritional value, but due to rapid and possible microbial contamination, it can pose a high risk to the health of consumers. In this study, 43 samples of imported fish frozen meat, which were collected in the markets of Prishtina, Kosovo, were analyzed. The microbiological parameters that are used are Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Vibrio cholerae. In the last three parameters, we have no detections in all samples. The exception is Escherichia coli, appearing in 85% of the analyzed samples with values <10 CFU/g.This contamination is likely from poor hygienic practices of the workers during the process of processing the fish fillet and presence of can cause severe foodborne disease.

University Health Risk Behaviour (UniHRB) Inventory (Sinhala): a tool to assess common health risk behaviours among undergraduates in Sri Lanka

Introduction: The degree of health risk behaviour (HRB) among undergraduates has not been researched extensively in Sri Lanka and there is no tool available to assess common HRBs in a university setting. Objectives: To develop, translate and validate a tool to measure common HRBs in Sinhalese second-year undergraduates in Sri Lanka Methods: The UniHRB-Inventory (Sinhala) was developed using a seven-step design process for tool development. An extensive literature review, nine key informant interviews (KII), and five focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out. A combination of deductive and inductive methods was used to define the domain and identify the questions to assess. Content and consensual validity was assessed using the modified Delphi process. A validation study was conducted among 666 second-year undergraduates at the University of Kelaniya selected using stratified-cluster sampling. Construct-validity of UniHRB-Inventory-Sinhala was assessed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (n=333), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (n=333), multi-trait scaling analysis and convergent validity assessment (n=80). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was assessed in a sub-sample (n=25). Results: There has been a deficit of choices for adapting an HRB tool for undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Violence and injuries, sexual risk behaviours, addictions to mobile phones and the internet are common among undergraduates. Students’ dismissive attitude towards violence and neglecting health behaviours, such as sleep deprivation and poor hygienic practice, were highlighted as important aspects of HRBs. The UniHRB-Inventory (Sinhala) with 70 items showed good face, content and consensual validity. A seven-factor model was identified through PCA, which was confirmed through CFA. UniHRB-Inventory domains and sensation seeking scale (SSS) total score showed correlations between 0.39-0.67. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.77 and test-retest reliability coefficients of seven domains ranging between 0.74-0.82 indicated high reliability. Conclusions & Recommendations: The newly developed UniHRB -Inventory (Sinhala) is a valid and reliable tool to assess common HRBs among undergraduates in Sri Lanka.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Porcine Cysticercosis in Boucle Du Mouhoun Region of Burkina Faso: A Cross-sectional Survey

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a neglected tropical zoonosis with economic and public health importance. Cysticercosis is widely present in low-income countries with extensive pig breeding systems and poor human hygiene practices. In Burkina Faso, a study on porcine cysticercosis has been done only in Boulkiemde province. There is a lack of serological data on this disease in other areas, such as Balés province in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of porcine cysticercosis in Boucle du Mouhoun, Burkina Faso. A total of 373 serum samples were collected from local breed pigs that were randomly selected from four villages in the mentioned region. Data were also collected using a structured questionnaire to determine explanatory factors for the infection. Serum samples were tested using an antigen ELISA test to detect circulating antigens of Tænia solium. The prevalence of the disease was 54.9% (95% CI = 49.8-59.9). Following univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, pigs originating from Kombia were found to be a protective factor (OR=0.54, 95% CI = 0.33-0.89). Male pigs were more likely to be infected than females (OR= 1.7, 95% CI = 1.09-2.64). The prevalence and factors associated with Taenia solium cysticercosis were identified and according to these data, porcine cysticercosis had a high prevalence in this area. Therefore, it is important to implement control actions focusing on disease control and public health for people infected with Taenia solium.

BACTERIOLOGICAL AND MYCOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MIXED VEGETABLE SALADS

Salads are considered healthy food but poor hygienic practices may destroy the quality of salads. The poor quality salads may cause health issues if consumed. A study was carried out to monitor microbiological quality of salads. Samples (n=90) were collected from road side venders, fast food outlets and family restaurants (30/each type), in different localities in Lahore. Samples were processed to determine aerobic bacterial, coliform and fungal counts. The highest mean bacterial count (9.64±2.43), coliform (9.57±2.79) and fungal counts (2.51±2.62) were observed in salads from road side venders. According to the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) 73.33 percent of salad samples by bacterial, 98 from coliform and 26.67 by fungal counts were found unacceptable for human consumption. Among isolated bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiells, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Aeromonas and Bacillus. The predominant fungal species in salads were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. A. fumigatus is an obligate pathogen and Aflatoxin (B1 and B2) produced by A. flavus cause of mycotoxicosis. It was concluded that the salads from road side venders are source of bacteria and fungi having potential for toxins production.

PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOGRAM OF Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus AND Shigella Species ISOLATED FROM RETAILED MEAT (BEEF AND CHICKEN) SOLD IN IHIALA TOWN, NIGERIA

The prevalence of some pathogenic bacteria in retailed meats is becoming a major challenge to human health. The main factor contributing to the contamination of retailed meats, especially in Africa, is poor hygienic practices amongst meat vendors. Poor personal hygiene amongst food handlers coupled with the improper handling of meat could result in its contamination. This study reviewed the prevalence and antibiogram of Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella species isolated from retailed meats sold in Ihiala town. 50 raw meat samples (25 beef and 25 chicken) were used, they were homogenized in a buffer and inoculated in two selective media (SSA and MSA). The bacterial isolates were further identified after various biochemical tests. It was observed that Staphylococcus aureus occurred more (45.3%) in the samples used, also the beef samples were seen to contain more microorganisms than the chicken samples. After the Antibiotics susceptibility test, it was discovered that Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella species and Salmonella species were resistant to some antibiotics. It is therefore expedient that meat vendors take caution when handling meats, so as to prevent meats from being contaminated with these drug resistant bacteria, thereby preventing health challenges.

Hygienic practice during complementary food preparation and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-24 months in Debark town, northwest Ethiopia, 2021: An overlooked opportunity in the nutrition and health sectors.

Hygienic practices during complementary food preparation are suboptimal in developing countries, in Ethiopia in particular. Hygienic complementary food preparation is crucial to prevent childhood communicable diseases like diarrhea and associated malnutrition among children aged 6-24 months. However, in Ethiopia, there is a paucity of evidence on the practice of hygiene during complementary food preparation. Thus, this study is aimed to assess the hygienic practice of complementary food preparation and associated factors among women having children aged 6-24 months in Debark town, northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 mothers with 6-24 months of age children from December 1 to January 30, 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Epi-data version 4.6 and SPSS version 23 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regressions (Bivariable and multivariable) were performed to identify statistically significant variables. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was used to declare statistically significant variables on the basis of p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model. The study revealed that 44.9% (95% CI (40.2, 49.4%)) of the mothers having children aged 6-24 months had good practice of complementary food preparation. Maternal age of 25-29 years[AOR:3.23, 95% CI: (1.555-9.031)], husband's attained secondary school and above (AOR:2.65, 95% CI (1.211-5.783)], using modern stove for cooking [AOR:3.33,95% CI (1.404-7.874)], having a separate kitchen[AOR: 8.59, 95%Cl: (2.084-35.376], and having a three bowl dishwashing system(AOR: 8.45, 95% CL: (4.444-16.053)) were significantly associated with good hygiene practice of complementary food preparation. The findings have indicated that the majority of the mothers had poor hygienic practices of complementary food preparation. Mother's age, husband's educational status, type of stove used for cooking, having a separate kitchen, having a three bowl dishwashing system were factors that significantly influenced the hygiene practice of mothers during complementary food preparation. Therefore, training and counseling mothers and caregivers on complementary food processing and preparation is important and such endeavors which inform the development and implementation of complementary food hygiene interventions in urban communities are recommended.

Improper food handling and its associated characteristic factors among domestic food handlers in rural areas of Anhui Province in China

Improper domestic food handling in rural areas of China is an important public health issue leading to foodborne illness. However, the underlying factors responsible for poor domestic food hygiene practices have not been comprehensively studied. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Anhui Province, China between 2015 - 2016, using a questionnaire to collect data from 819 respondents, selected using multistage cluster random sampling techniques. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then used to assess the demographic factors associated with improper food handling. Results showed that 525 (64.1%) of respondents used improper food handling techniques. The factors associated with improper food handling included gender, age, education, income, and occupation. Males (vs. females), adults aged ≥ 50 years (vs. those aged 18 - 30 years), individuals with primary school education or lower (vs. individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher), individuals with annual incomes of &lt; 4,387 USD (vs. income ≥ 13,161 USD), and workers (vs. other occupation groups) were more likely to report inappropriate food handling practices in rural areas. The results obtained from the present work may provide the basis for training in domestic food safety hygiene/handling practices in rural areas of China in order to reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses.

Menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent schoolgirls in the rural area of Bangladesh

&lt;div align="center"&gt;Adolescence is a time of tremendous opportunity. However, inadequate menstrual hygiene habits are related to lower academic achievement and enrollment at school, with possible effects on longer-term socio-economic status and impaired overall quality of life. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 adolescent schoolgirls in Bangladesh between July 2019 and February 2020 with the aim of examining menstrual hygiene practices. Data indicated that the mean age of menarche in 422 adolescents was 12.71±0.97. According to the data, 47% had well and 53% had poor hygiene practices. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the educational status of respondents’ mothers at the secondary level [AOR=2.023, 95% CI: 1.159-3.532], fathers at the graduate and above level [AOR=3.150, 95% CI: 0.883-11.238], high level of household income [AOR=2.580, 95% CI: 1.480-4.495], and knowledge about the complication of poor hygiene practice among girls [AOR=2.286, 95% CI: 1.160-4.504] were significantly associated with the level of hygiene practices. Poor menstrual hygiene practice was found among more than half of girls. Attitude toward safe menstrual materials should initiate to improve good hygiene practices. Awareness campaigns for parents and teachers to assist their children would be a vital strategy to ensure good hygiene practices&lt;/div&gt;

The ‘Bloody Problem’ of Women and Children in India

This article explores the persistent challenge of anaemia in India, focusing on its impact on women and children. Anaemia, a ‘silent killer’, remains a major public health concern, with India harbouring nearly half of the world’s anaemic women. In response, the government has implemented various programmes, but the prevalence of anaemia continues to rise, especially among women and children. The article discusses the Anaemia Control Programme’s evolution, current strategies, and challenges in reducing anaemia prevalence. The article highlights the importance of nutritional outlook in tackling anaemia, emphasizing the need for food fortification, as evidenced by successful interventions. However, geographical, and socio-economic factors significantly influence anaemia prevalence, with tribal and marginalised communities facing higher risks due to inequitable gender norms, inadequate access to healthcare, and poor sanitation and hygiene practices. The study suggests a multi-faceted approach to combat anaemia, including targeted interventions for women and children, improved antenatal care services, and comprehensive awareness campaigns. Addressing anaemia requires synergistic efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers and communities to create a healthier and iron-sufficient India.

Shelf-life prediction of pot-honey subjected to thermal treatments based on quality attributes at accelerated storage conditions

Pot-honey is a highly valuable product obtained by stingless bees that commonly predominate in tropical habitats and constitutes an interesting alternative to the typical production and commercialization of Apis mellifera honey. Although the production in most places is purely artisanal, the prospect of growth in the commercialization of this type of honey is promising. However, there are still problems of handling and conservation, fundamentally linked to poor hygienic practices that lead to the proliferation of microorganisms. Since the water content in pot-honey is typically higher than reported for A. mellifera honey, it is more susceptible to degradation if treatments aimed at sanitizing the product are not carried out. In this sense, pasteurization is presented as an accessible alternative for beekeepers, but it does not guarantee the elimination of spores, which represent a risk to the health of consumers. In this study, tyndallization was tested as a method to sanitize pot-honey, based on heating/cooling cycles that promote spore germination, facilitating their elimination. The results found show treatment at 80 °C for 15 min promoted an increase in HMF levels and a decrease in diastase activity, although between the limits defined in regulations set for A. mellifera . The shelf-life study showed that free acidity limited the storage time, overpassing an acceptable value after 200 days at 23 °C. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated optimum conditions for honey processing through the elimination of the microbiological load it contains. Tyndallization is presented as a viable and accessible alternative for meliponiculturists to improve food hygiene and preserve it for a reasonable time under typical honey storage conditions. The information obtained will allow establishing the bases for adequate control of honey from T. angustula bees in the different stages of the distribution chain. • Pot-honey is a food commonly eaten raw despite its microbiological risk. • Pasteurization was not an effective treatment for spore inactivation in pot-honey. • Tyndallization of pot-honey promoted the germination and elimination of spores. • HMF increased but its value was lower than the maximum established in the regulations for A. mellifera . • It is shown a standardized procedure for pot-honey sanitation, that could be scaled and applied in food industry.

Factors Influencing Biofilm Formation by Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium, E. cloacae, E. hormaechei, Pantoea spp., and Bacillus spp. Isolated from Human Milk Determined by PCA Analysis.

Bacteria enter milk during poor hygiene practices and can form a biofilm on surfaces that come into contact with human milk. The presence of a biofilm increases the risk of infections among newborns as bacteria protected by biofilm are resistant to washing and disinfection processes. The formation of the biofilm depends on the microbial species, environmental conditions, and the specific materials colonized. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of factors such as temperature, incubation time, and initial cell concentration on biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria isolated from human milk on model hydrophobic polystyrene surfaces. Model studies confirm that pathogenic bacteria appearing in human milk as a result of cross-contamination tend to form a biofilm. The majority of isolates formed biofilm at both 25 and 37 °C after 12 h at 1 × 103 CFU/mL inoculum count. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) showed that at lower temperatures, biofilm formation by bacterial isolates was the main determinant of biofilm formation, other factors were less important; however, at 37 °C, time was a factor in biofilm formation. The model research performed underlines the importance of maintaining the proper hygiene of rooms, surfaces, and devices for expressing, storing, and preparing mothers' milk and powdered infant formula (PIF) in facilities responsible for feeding newborns and premature babies.

Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy farms and personnel in selected towns of West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the foodborne disease-causing bacterial pathogens. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected towns of the West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia from December 2020 to April 2021. The objectives of the study were to estimate the occurrence and load of S. aureus in raw cows' milk, the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the S. aureus isolates, and assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the farmers on factors of antimicrobial resistance. A total of 311 samples from raw cows' milk (212), milkers' hands (44), and milking buckets (55) swabs were collected and tested. The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the factors of milk contamination with S. aureus and antimicrobial resistance. The Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for data analyses. The result indicated that 16.72% (52/311) (95% CI: 12.75-21.34%) of the samples were positive for S. aureus. The occurrence of S. aureus was 22.73%, 16.51%, and 12.73% in milkers' hand swabs, cow milk, and milking bucket swabs, respectively. The mean count of S. aureus from raw cows' milk was 4.3± 1.45 log10 CFU/ml. About 88% of S aureus isolates were resistant to ampicillin while 82.9% and 70.7% of the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime respectively. The majority of the S. aureus isolates (61%) showed multi-drug resistance. The odds of S. aureus isolation from the milk of cows were significantly high in older cows (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 5.54; p = 0.001), in late lactation stages (AOR: 3.6; p = 0.012), and in farms where house cleaning was done twice per week (AOR: 8.7; p = 0.001). A high percentage of farmers had insufficient knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about the factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance. In conclusion, the poor milk hygienic practices, high rate of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and inadequate KAP of farmers about factors of AMR suggest potential public health risks thus requiring training and surveillance programs.

Menstrual Hygiene Practice among Adolescent Girls in the Public Schools of Mahalaxmi Municipality in Lalitpur District

Introduction: Sustainable maintenance of good menstrual hygiene practice is crucial for sound reproductive health, education, dignity, and empowerment of adolescent girls. Menstrual hygiene is less addressed in Nepalese context. So this study aimed to assess the menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in the public schools of Mahalaxmi Municipality in Lalitpur district.&#x0D; Methods: A cross sectional study was adopted among 190 respondents of grades 8, 9 and 10 from three public schools of Mahalaxmi Municipality in Lalitpur District. Sample was selected by using simple random technique through lottery method. Data were collected using pre-tested self-administered semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS version 16 for window. Bivariables and multivariable logistic analysis were computed to identify factors associated with good menstrual hygiene practice.&#x0D; Results: The mean age (±SD) of the study participants and menarche were 15.04 ±1.10 years and 12.86 ±0.96 years. About 43.7% used sanitary pad to absorb their menstrual bleeding, 65.8% disposed the used absorbent in dustbin, 41.1% took daily bath and 40% changed their absorbent three or more times during menstruation. Overall, 62.1% of them had good level of menstrual hygiene practices. Good menstrual hygiene practice was significantly associated with increase in age (AOR: 1.186, 95% CI: 0.540-2.603) living in nuclear family (AOR: 1.664, 95% CI: 0.884-3.281) up in grade (AOR: 2.688, 95% CI: 1.216-5.940) having regular menstruation one year and more(AOR:1.763, 95% CI: 0.838-3.711) and availability of water inside the toilet (AOR:1.226, 95% CI: 0.533-2.820).&#x0D; Conclusion: Considerable percentages of adolescent girls in the public schools have poor menstrual hygiene practice. Therefore, provision of appropriate school health programs and basic sustainable sanitation is needed to enhance menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls.

Microbial Contamination of Soft Contact Lenses Among Medical School Students in Southern Iraq.

Contamination of CLs and accessories risks potentially devastating microbial keratitis. We aimed to explore the rate of microbial contamination and predisposing factors among a group of asymptomatic young medical students. The study included 115 healthy female medical students with a mean age of 21.64 ± 2.02 years between January and November 2021. Information about CL use, wear and care was gathered. Each participant's CL and case were swabbed for microbiological identification. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to look for associations with a range of factors. Overall, 91 participants (79.13%) had at least one contaminated sample (lens and/or case). The rates of contamination of CL and their cases were 66% and 76.5%, respectively. Higher contamination rates were caused by gram-negative bacteria (60% of the contaminated samples) with P. aeruginosa being the most common contaminant both for CL and cases, whereas S. epidermidis and S. aureus were the most common contaminants for the CL and cases, respectively, regarding gram-positive contamination. Multivariable analysis showed younger age as a significant predictor of pseudomonas contamination of the lenses and cases (OR: 12.302, 6.555 for CL & cases, respectively; P = 0.001 for both). Older age was a significant predictor of K. pneumoniae contamination (OR: 4.154, P = 0.007). Pseudomonas contamination of both lenses and cases was predicted by the type of solution used (OR: 10.8 and 13.5, P = 0.001 and 0.003 for bottled and distilled water vs commercially available solutions for CL; OR: 4.5 and 5.8, P = 0.045 and 0.004, respectively, for cases). Pseudomonas case contamination was associated with low frequency of solution change. Microbial contamination rate of soft CL and their cases is high among young medical students in comparison to previously reported rates and was predisposed by several poor hygienic practices and wearing regimens.

Maternal mental health and child nutritional status in an urban slum in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study.

Poor mental health may diminish a mother's capacity to adequately care for her child, resulting in a negative impact on the child's nutrition. This study aims to determine the association between maternal mental health and child nutritional status in a poor urban population in Bangladesh. We carried out a cross-sectional study among 264 mother-child pairs in an urban slum area of Bangladesh. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) was used to assess maternal mental health. An SRQ-20 score ≥7 was considered a common mental disorder (CMD). Anthropometric measurements were performed to assess nutritional status of the children. The prevalence of maternal CMD was 46.2%. Maternal CMD was associated with poorer child feeding practice (p<0.001), poorer hygiene practice (p<0.001), poorer preventive care service use (p = 0.016), and suffering from diarrheal diseases (p = 0.049). The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight in children was 44.3%, 18.2% and 33.7%, respectively. A poorer child feeding practice was associated with wasting (p = 0.004) and underweight (p<0.001) but not with stunting. Poorer hygiene practices and suffering from diarrheal diseases were associated with stunting and underweight, but not with wasting. In multivariable analysis, maternal CMD was associated with child wasting (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.15-4.43). The association between maternal CMD and child underweight found in the bivariate analysis was attenuated and no longer statistically significant after multivariable analysis (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 0.94-3.33). No statistically significant association was observed between maternal CMD and stunting in this study (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.84-2.54). Maternal mental health affects nutritional status of the children where child feeding practice, hygiene practice and preventive care use might play a role. Interventions to address maternal mental health in child nutrition programs might improve child nutritional status.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices Among Households in Perambalur District: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Sanitation, cleanliness, and access to clean water are essential for maintaining human health and well-being. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices are linked to diseases that lead to poor health outcomes, such as pneumonia and diarrhea, trachoma, infestations of soil-transmitted helminths, respiratory tract infections, and pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate household WASH practices in the rural and urban field practice areas of the Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, Perambalur, India, and identify the factors that influence them. Methodology We conducted a five-month cross-sectional survey with 278 households in the rural and urban field practice areas of a tertiary care center in Perambalur district. We gathered data using the core questions developed by the World Health Organization-United Nations Children's Fund (WHO-UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), which is affiliated with UN-Water. Data analysts used a Pearson chi-square test to assess the relationship between WASH practices and several independent covariates, and we regarded P < 0.05 to be statistically significant. Results Amongthe 278 households, 118 respondents were from rural areas and 160 (57.7%) from urban areas. For drinking water, 31.4% of rural households used tube wells or boreholes, while 56.8% of those used public taps. In metropolitan areas, 25.6% of people used bottled water and 54.4% used water from tanker trucks. In terms of sanitation, 25.2% of households lacked a toilet and 72.7% used the flush/pour flush technique. Water, sanitation, and hygiene practices have been found to be associated with a population's socioeconomic status and place of residence. The Pearson chi-square test revealed that the rural population has 99.1% more improved drinking water sources than the urban population, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion In rural areas, nearly 92% of households used improved sources of drinking water compared to only 55% of households in urban areas. On the other hand, just 47.5% of households in the rural area had improved sanitationcompared to 95% of households in the urban area. Therefore, the Indian government should take steps to enhance urban drinking water quality and rural sanitation infrastructure.