Poor Hygiene Research Articles

Tuberculosis its Prevalence, Complications and Clinical Aspects among the Population of Northern Part of Bihar

Introduction: It is commonly known as death causing disease of reproductive age group people. It is one of the top five death causing disease. It effects upon every age group people. But dangerous impact of tuberculosis occurs on immunocompetent people. There are a number of complications occur only due to one disease that is tuberculosis. it effects almost all organs and impaired their vital functions. Even if we leave death, even after tuberculosis proved to be most dangerous disease. In this study our main aim to explore the aspects, complications and prevalence of genital tuberculosis. In this study we also explore the ancient technics as well as the modern technics and their methods to ruled out the disease and improvement of treatment from ancient time to modern time. Method: This study was carried out between January 22 to April 23. 342 subjects are selected by inclusion and exclusion method. Subjects are classified in to 3 groups according to their physical appearance clinical symptoms and family history. Further patients are again classified in to negative, positive and doubtful negative patients after conducting routine and special investigations. Results: After all pathological investigation we found that 45 (13.1%) subjects have found positive in which 5.8% were male and 7.2 % were female. Conclusion: Tuberculosis is present in different forms and should be ruled out in early stage to safe from tissue damages. But unfortunately, we haven’t any tools which can detect the disease in its early stage accurately. All the investigation has their own limitations and contamination errors. There are a number of patients in which some can easily identified by their clinical symptoms and related routine examination, some are asymptomatic and identified by advanced diagnostic tools where are some such patient are also found who were strong symptomatic but even not only routine but also advance investigations are fail to detect. In our study we found the root cause of the disease, which are high population density, economically lower standard, poor hygiene life style, compromise food habits, illiteracy, marriage in early stage, multiple marriage, multiple children, non- skilled medical practices are causing and enhancing the incident of tuberculosis.

Evaluation of oral and dental health parameters in children with special care needs

AIM. The aim of this study is to evaluate and raise awareness of the oral and dental health parameters in children aged 6 to 16 years with special care needs who are enrolled in special education institutions located in the central districts of Diyarbakir in Turkey. Specifically, the study examines the presence of caries, plaque, malocclusions, and molar-incisor hypomineralization.METHODS. A total of 368 children with special care needs participated in the study, with ages ranging from 6 to 16 years and an average age of 9.61 years. Of the participants, 196 have intellectual disabilities, 51 have Down syndrome, and 121 have autism spectrum disorder. The clinical findings of our study include the DMFT/dmft index, plaque index, occlusal relationships, and the presence of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH). The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS v21 software package.RESULTS. The mean DMFT/dmft value was found to be 5.64, and the mean plaque index value was 1.37. The occlusal relationships of the participants were as followed: 78.26% had Class I, 11.14% had Class II, and 10.6% had Class III. Additionally, 98.64% of the participants did not have molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), while 1.36% did have MIH.CONCLUSION. In our study, it was found that children with special care needs generally have poor oral hygiene, their parents/caregivers lack sufficient awareness, and the prevalence of caries and plaque index is high in the examined population.

Exploring the Link between Xerostomia and Oral Health in Mental Illness: Insights from Autism Spectrum Disorder, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia.

The relationship between mental disorders and oral health is complex, involving behavioral, biological, and psychosocial factors. This review aims to investigate the impact of mental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, on oral health outcomes. A comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted to analyze the oral health outcomes associated with each mental disorder. The focus was on examining dietary habits, oral hygiene behaviors, physiological changes, and medication side effects that contribute to oral health issues. The findings indicate that individuals with ASD often exhibit unique dietary habits and reduced oral hygiene capabilities due to sensory sensitivities, leading to a higher prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases. Depression and bipolar disorder are associated with physiological changes such as reduced saliva production and poor oral hygiene behaviors, increasing the risk of oral health problems. Medications used for these conditions exacerbate issues like xerostomia, further elevating the risk of dental diseases. Schizophrenia poses additional challenges, including cognitive impairments and medication side effects that hinder effective oral care, heightening susceptibility to oral diseases. This review highlights the specific oral health challenges associated with different mental disorders and emphasizes the need for tailored dental care strategies that integrate mental health considerations. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the unique oral health impacts of these disorders. However, the findings are limited by the scope of available cross-sectional data and the absence of longitudinal studies. Future research should focus on longitudinal and intervention-based studies to explore causal relationships and develop effective treatments.

Hospital dental care for patients with Niemann-Pick syndrome type B: a case report

The aim of this case report is to show the hospital dental approach to a patient with Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) type B. After her caregivers reported poor oral health, a 10-year-old girl was referred to a hospital. She was diagnosed with NPD type B 4 years ago, with involvement of the brain, nerves, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lungs. A dental physical examination revealed chronic carious lesions in ten teeth, as well as four residual roots and poor oral hygiene. We chose a surgical block treatment based on the altered complementary exams, dental demands, and the systemic compromise caused by NPD type B. All decayed elements were restored with glass ionomer cement, and residual roots were extracted. The patient had no clinical signs of infection or hemorrhage after 20 days of post-surgical follow-up. Although rare, the presence of patients with NPD type B in the dental routine can occur, necessitating the development of an individualized and multidisciplinary treatment plan.

A mathematical model of Cholera–Typhoid coinfection dynamics with a hygiene-driven contact rate

Waterborne infections such as Cholera and Typhoid remain a huge burden on the public health systems of poor countries in Africa and Asia. The highest disease burden is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. In most regions, the recent spike in cases of both infections is attributed to dilapidated infrastructure and poor hygiene. This paper examines the role of poor hygiene in the surge of both infections. We use a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations to model the movement of people between the different classes of infections, and we use a sigmoidal function to model the different levels of hygiene in a community. The findings demonstrate that managing hygiene, even if limited to the direct transmission route, can significantly reduce the prevalence of both infections. This paper presents some of the public health implications of these findings.

Bakteri Penyebab Gingivitis dan Sensitivitas Antibiotik Pada Pasien Diabetes Melitus

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva caused by plaque and poor oral hygiene, including in patients with long-term diabetes mellitus and uncontrolled blood glucose. Gingivitis is caused by various bacteria such as Streptococcus sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria meningitidis and also the Enterobacteriaceae family, Haemophilus influenzae and Actinomycetes. Management of infection with antibiotics, especially beta-lactam class. The study aimed to determine the characteristics of the research subjects, the type of bacteria, and their sensitivity to the bacteria that cause gingivitis in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. The research was a cross-sectional descriptive study at the internal medicine polyclinic at Arifin Achmad Hospital, Riau Province, and the Microbiology Laboratory of Medical Faculty, Universitas Riau. The research sample was a gingivitis plaque swab in DM patients who signed an informed consent. Samples were cultured, identified, and tested for antibiotic sensitivity. The results of the study obtained 34 samples with characteristics aged 33-67 years, most of them were women, high school education/equivalent, civil servants/army/police/retired. Most aerobic bacteria Klebsiella sp. The highest sensitivity to levofloxacin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and meropenem, the lowest sensitivity to amoxicillin, ceftazidim, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

Streptococcus pneumoniae as a Potential Cause of Pyogenic Parotitis in a Patient with Poor Oral Hygiene and Vitamin D Deficiency

Streptococcus pneumoniae as a Potential Cause of Pyogenic Parotitis in a Patient with Poor Oral Hygiene and Vitamin D Deficiency

Seasonal distribution and correlation between IL-10 and IL-13 gene polymorphism and their expression in scabies-infected patients.

Scabies is a significant concern in global health. It is more prevalent in individuals who have poor hygiene and live in crowded conditions, hence, it is seasonal distribution and immunological response in Erbil population is the aim of the present study. In the Erbil Dermatology Education Centre in Erbil, Iraq, 154 patients were recruited for the research between April 2022 and March 2023. If a patient has a suspicious skin lesion and itching for a minimum of one week, scabies may be considered. Blood samples were collected from each participant in the study to evaluate serum levels of IL-10 and IL-13, then the DNA was isolated to study the gene polymorphism for the mentioned cytokines. Results showed that female 60.3% were more infected than male 39.6%. The median age of participants was (10 - >51) years, among infested, adolescents aged 10-20 years displayed the highest rate (31.8%). The carriers of GA genotype of IL-10 were protective against the infection, OR:0.61. while the TT carriers of IL-13 were susceptible to scabies infection with OR:2.14. IL-10 GA genotype was more prevalent in male patients OR:2.14 whereas the AA genotype was most protective in females OR:0.32. the IL-13 CT genotype was protective for males with OR:0.52. Both of IL-10 and IL-13 serum levels were increased significantly with infection and highest levels were found in wild homozygous genotypes (GG and CC) and lowest ratio was found in mutant homozygous genotypes of IL-10 and IL-13 respectively. Point mutation in IL-10 GA was protective and wild TT genotype of IL-13 was susceptible to the scabies infection. Double mutation in IL-10 AA was protective to females and single mutation of IL-13 CT was protective to males.

Oral Health Epidemiological Investigation in an Urban Homeless Population.

The purpose of this clinical epidemiological investigation was to examine the oral health conditions of homeless people in the city of Rome, Italy. A total of 157 homeless subjects were subjected to a first dental visit, during which anamnestic information was recorded in a digital medical record. A diagnosis of dental disorders was performed by assessing oral hygiene conditions, periodontal health, the presence of caries and/or root residues, and the presence of partial and/or total edentulousness. Caries and missing teeth were evaluated by the DMFT index. The first major criticality was represented by poor or absent oral hygiene. The examined sample showed a major percentage of high DMFT (63.0%); the most common clinical condition was the presence of numerous root residues. Regarding periodontal health, 73.2% of patients had gingivitis, 21.6% periodontitis, while 11 patients had periodontal pathologies with tooth mobility (7%). Finally, 8.9% of patients had one or two missing elements, 22.9% had partial edentulousness, and 8.9% of the sample had total edentulism. This analysis provides an important basis for strengthening health promotion and the importance of accessible and effective care for this population. It will therefore be necessary to continue to adopt a patient-centered approach geared towards addressing the demands that this population faces in maintaining their oral health.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Lassa virus infection in South-West and North-Central Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Understanding the level of exposure to Lassa virus (LASV) in at-risk communities allows for the administration of effective preventive interventions to mitigate epidemics of Lassa fever. We assessed the seroprevalence of LASV antibodies in rural and semiurban communities of two cosmopolitan cities in Nigeria with poorly understood Lassa epidemiology. A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten communities located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja, and Ikorodu Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos, from February 2nd to July 5th, 2022. Serum samples collected from participants were analyzed for IgG and IgM antibodies using a ReLASV® Pan-Lassa NP IgG/IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. A questionnaire administered to participants collected self-reported sociodemographic and LASV exposure information. Seroprevalence of LASV IgG/IgM was estimated overall, and by study site. Univariate and multivariate log-binomial models estimated unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for site-specific risk factors for LASV seropositivity. Grouped Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was used for variable selection for multivariate analysis. A total of 628 participants with serum samples were included in the study. Most participants were female (434, 69%), married (459, 73%), and had a median age of 38 years (interquartile range 28-50). The overall seroprevalence was 27% (171/628), with a prevalence of 33% (126/376) in Abuja and 18% (45/252) in Lagos. Based on site-specific grouped LASSO selection, enrollment in the dry season (vs. wet; aPR, 95% CI: 1.73, 1.33-2.24), reported inconsistent washing of fruits and vegetables (aPR, 95% CI: 1.45, 1.10-1.92), and a positive malaria rapid test (aPR, 95% CI: 1.48, 1.09-2.00) were independently associated with LASV seropositivity in Abuja, whereas, only a self-reported history of rhinorrhea (PR, 95% CI: 2.21, 1.31-3.72) was independently associated with Lassa seropositivity in Lagos. The LASV seroprevalence was comparable to that in other areas in Nigeria. Our findings corroborate those from other studies on the importance of limiting human exposure to rodents and focusing on behavioral factors such as poor hygiene practices to reduce exposure to LASV.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute viral gastroenteritis in 350 paediatric patients hospitalised between 2019 and 2022 in the Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute in Warsaw, Poland: a single-centre retrospective analysis

Introduction and objective: Acute gastroenteritis, a common childhood illness worldwide, manifests with symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It is highly contagious, with transmission occurring through contaminated water, food, or poor hygiene. Globally, 1.7 billion cases of diarrhoeal diseases are diagnosed annually, causing approximately 525,000 deaths among children under the age of five. Dehydration caused by diarrhoea is a primary cause of hospitalisation, particularly in developing countries. Aim: Analysis of the aetiology, frequency, and seasonal distribution of viral pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis in children hospitalised between 2019 and 2022 at the Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute in Warsaw, Poland. Materials and methods: Medical records of patients aged 0 to 18 diagnosed with rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus-induced acute gastroenteritis were analysed. The pathogens had been identified with reliable immunochromatographic tests. Exclusion criteria encompassed bacterial infections, dietary errors, and inflammatory conditions. Data examined included age, gender, aetiology of gastroenteritis, seasonality, duration of hospitalisation, and clinical symptoms (diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and dehydration). Laboratory results such as white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, electrolyte levels, and organ function markers were also evaluated. Results: Data from 350 children hospitalised between 2019 and 2022 were analysed. The highest number of hospitalisations occurred in 2019 and 2022, with fewer cases in 2020–2021, likely reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most patients were between 6 and 12 months old. Rotavirus infection commonly presented with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. Adenovirus and mixed infections were associated with slightly higher C-reactive protein levels, while rotavirus infections showed mildly elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels. Haematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and electrolyte levels were similar across all cases. Conclusions: Our analysis showed that rotavirus was the most frequent cause of acute viral diarrhoea in children, followed by norovirus and adenovirus, with mixed infections being the least common. The peak incidence occurred in autumn and winter, except in 2021, reflecting changes in the dynamics of infections related to the coronavirus pandemic. Biochemical findings were not sufficiently characteristic to infer the aetiology of the disease.

Hygienic practice during complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-24 months in Borecha Woreda, southwestern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Complementary feeding is a critical transitional phase in the life of an infant, and complementary foods should be prepared, stored, and fed hygienically, with clean hands, dishes, and utensils to prevent diseases. However, the prevalence and risk factors associated with hygienic complementary feeding practice have not been well addressed in Ethiopia, especially in the study area. This study aimed to assess hygienic practices and associated factors during complementary feeding among mothers with children aged 6-24 months in Borecha Woreda, Buno Bedele Zone, southwestern Ethiopia, in 2022. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage sampling technique. The study was conducted on 536 mothers of children aged 6-24 months in Borecha Woreda from 1 March to 1 April 2022. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were coded, cleaned, edited, and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 20.0 for further analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Moreover, crude (for bivariate) and adjusted (multivariable) odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to assess the association between independent factors and outcome variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 536 respondents, 350 (65.3%) exhibited poor hygienic practices during complementary feeding. The risk of poor hygienic practices was about two times higher among women over 30 than those under 25 (AOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.11-2.90). Mothers whose husbands had primary education or higher had a 50% reduced risk (AOR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.31-0.83) of poor hygienic care practices during complementary feeding compared to their counterparts. The odds of poor hygiene practice among mothers with poor knowledge of hygienic care were 2.71 times higher than those with good knowledge (AOR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.60-4.61). The prevalence of poor hygienic practices during the preparation and handling of complementary foods among mothers in Borecha Woreda is high compared to other studies. Therefore, improving hygiene practices during complementary food preparation requires the involvement and responsibility of policymakers, the community, and families.

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG FEMALE NURSING STUDENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objectives: Menstruation, though a normal physiological process in the females of reproductive age group, is surrounded by various misconceptions and social taboos. Inadequate knowledge and unhygienic menstrual practices can adversely affect female health. Poor menstrual hygiene practice has been negatively associated with infection of the reproductive and genitor-urinary tract, cervical cancer, absenteeism from school, or drop-out, poor academic performance, lower self-esteem, and poor quality of life. We conducted this study to evaluate the knowledge and practices regarding menstruation in female nursing students in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over for three months on female B.Sc nursing students in the first year to the fourth year through face-to-face interview at the department of Pharmacology in a tertiary care hospital. Data regarding socio-demographic profile, knowledge of obstetric and gynaecological factors, perception of menstruation, and hygienic practice of the participants during their menstruation were collected. Results: Responses from 165 participants were analyzed. The mean (± SD) age of the students was 19.64 (± 1.09) years. Most of their parents had education up to a diploma and above (47.27% among mothers and 70.9% among fathers). The majority of the participants used to experience dysmenorrhea (52.72%) and had pre-menarcheal ideas about menstruation (78.18%). Mother was the most common source of information (54.54%) followed by teachers (16.96%) and media (13.33%). The majority knew the source (89.09%) and cause (100%) of menstrual bleeding. A considerable portion (45.45%) thought menstruation as the sign of conception. The majority (96.36%) used commercially made sanitary pads, and used to dispose of the used sanitary pads in the dustbin (98.19%) by wrapping them with paper (98.19%). Conclusion: Present study found an encouraging picture regarding knowledge and hygienic practices during menstruation among the participants. Education about menstrual hygiene needs to be imparted at the grass root level. In this regard Anganwadi and health care workers, teachers and media can play a major role. All mothers need to be taught about the importance of hygienic practices during menstruation, convey correct information to their daughters, and should be encouraged to break the age-old myths and taboos associated with menstruation.

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND BURDEN OF MORBIDITY: A COMMUNITY-BASED CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY IN A RURAL BLOCK OF WEST BENGAL

Objective: Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations in developing and industrialized countries. Most agricultural workers in developing countries have poor housing conditions and an inadequate diet and are exposed to both general and occupational diseases. The study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of occupational morbidity and its associated risk factors among agricultural workers in a rural Block of West Bengal. Methods: The study was conducted among agriculture workers of Habra Block-I of the state of West Bengal. Multistage random sampling method was followed to select a total of 302 individuals who were distributed among the four villages according to the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) method. Results: The majority of workers (58.6%) were suffering from nutritional pallor/anemia and dental carries/dental stains were 45.4%. Among other morbidities, 42% of workers were suffering from respiratory morbidity, 26.8% of workers were suffering from cardiovascular diseases, and 26.5% were suffering from hypertension. Duration of work (more than 8 h/day) was significantly associated with morbidity also other covariates such as age, sex, type of family, smoking status, and alcohol consumption had significant effects on morbidity among agriculture workers in both bivariate and multivariable linear regression. Conclusion: This research revealed not only the high prevalence of morbidities among the study population but also the occurrence of a large population with modifiable risk factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, high load and long duration of work, poor personal hygiene, and non-use of personal protection equipment; the latter, if taken care, will reduce the morbidities of the agriculture workers.

Assessment of bacterial diversity in hand rinse, stored and drinking water in low-income neighbourhoods of Ibule-Soro, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The microbiological quality of hand rinse, stored and drinking water in selected households in Ibule-Soro, Nigeria was assessed for six months. Culture-based, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and molecular methods were used to identify culturable and non-culturable bacterial species in the water samples. The results revealed that bacteria in the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were predominant in the water samples. The order Sphingomonadales had the highest read count of 5,065 with 30.60%. The highest mean bacterial loads include Klebsiella (3.60 log10 cfu/100 mL) in hand rinse water, E. coli (3.62 log10 cfu/100 mL) in stored water and Enterobacter (2.60 log10 cfu/100 mL) in the drinking water. While E. coli had the highest percentage frequency of occurrence of 19.9% in drinking water, Klebsiella had the highest percentage frequency of occurrence of 29 and 23.6% in hand rinse and stored water, respectively. The findings of this study provided a more comprehensive understanding of the microbiome of household hand rinse, stored and drinking water. The high load of enteric bacteria in the hand rinse water suggests poor hand hygiene practices. Stored and drinking water must be treated before consumption to protect residents from potential risks of gastrointestinal illnesses.

Genetic relatedness of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes isolated from children under five years of age and food animals in Kisumu County, Kenya

Background: Diarrheal disease remains one of the leading causes of deaths in children below five years of age. The risk factors associated with diarrhea include poor hygiene practices such as open defecation and consumption of contaminated water and food. However, exposure of domestic animal is equally a potential risk factor for diarrhea disease in children. Methodology: We characterized animal-related exposures in a subset of households (n=73) by collecting faecal samples from 150 children with diarrhoea and 100 food animals (30 cattle, 30 chicken, 25 goats and 15 pigs). Escherichia coli was isolated from the faecal samples and biochemically confirmed using conventional microbiological techniques. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of each E. coli isolate was extracted and amplified by multiplex PCR to identify three diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes. The amplified products were sequenced, and genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined through phylogenetic analysis. Results: We isolated and identified a total of 32 (12.8%) diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) from the 250 faecal samples, 26 (17.3%) of which were from the 150 children with diarrhea while 6 (6.0%) were from the 100 food animals (OR=3.285, 95% CI=1.299-8.305, p=0.011). Three DEC pathotypes were confirmed by PCR in 16 DEC strains, with 9 enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), 2 enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), 2 enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), 1 EAEC/ETEC, 1 EAEC/EPEC and 1 ETEC/EPEC mixed strains. The phylogenetic analysis showed that 6 DEC isolates had genetic similarity ranging between 31% to 90%. Isolates S04 originating from animal and S02 from a child with diarrhoea of the same household were closely related, with 55% similarity. Moreover, isolate S05 from animal origin and S06 of diarrheic child origin were closely related, with similarity degree as high as 82% even though they were not paired. Twenty four of the 26 (92.3%) DEC isolates from diarrhoeic children showed multidrug resistance (MDR) pattern to antibiotics but none of the 6 isolates from food animals was multi-drug resistant. Conclusion: The high degree of genetic relationship between DEC isolate S04 and S02 from animal and human origin indicated the high potency of zoonotic transmission. Further studies investigating animal husbandry practices and zoonotic transmission of DEC are needed.

On intimate care in men: A review

Even though intimate hygiene plays an essential role in the prevention of various genital diseases, there are currently few studies on this topic. There is a wide range of diseases that affect the male genital organs. There is a wide range of diseases that affect the male genital organs. Inflammation of the glans penis (balanitis) occurs in 3–11% of males during their lifetime; one of its leading causes is poor hygiene. However, many non-venereal dermatoses occur in this anatomical region. Most often, patients complain of itching, as well as pain, burning, and various rashes. The most common reason for seeking medical attention is irritant contact dermatitis. Various allergens cause more acute reactions in the anogenital region due to the structural features of the skin of the genitals. Components of detergents and hygiene products, accessories for sexual practices, medications, and contraceptives can become provoking factors of genital allergic dermatitis. Among the dermatoses affecting the male genitalia, lichen planus should be noted, which occurs in males twice as often as in females, and the oral mucosa is often involved in the inflammatory process. Lichen sclerosus can also occur on the skin of the penis, leading to phimosis, a decrease in quality of sexual life, and often requiring circumcision. Psoriasis also can affect the anogenital area. Rashes may be isolated, but other anatomical areas are also involved in most cases. Psoriatic lesions of the genitals are visually different from typical elements in other areas of the skin. Minimizing discomfort due to these diseases is possible by using specialized care products. The skin of the genitals in men has specific features that are important to consider when developing the composition of the products.

Epidemiology and Clinical Challenges in Early Diagnosis of Penis Cancer in Developing Countries

Penile cancer, though rare globally, has a higher incidence in several developing countries due to factors such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, poor hygiene, and certain cultural practices. This study aimed to improve early detection and treatment of penile cancer in developing countries, reduce the burden of disease, and develop strategies for raising education and awareness in these regions. The research method used was descriptive with a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out using documentation techniques, and analysis was conducted using triangulation. The research has significant implications for public health policy and medical education in developing countries. The findings emphasize the importance of creating culturally sensitive health campaigns and improving access to early diagnostic tools, which could ultimately lead to earlier detection and improved patient outcomes.

The Relationship of Individual Characteristics and Farm Biosecurity Implementation with The Incident of Contact Dermatitis

Poultry workers risk contracting diseases due to physical or biological exposure. One such disease is contact dermatitis. This study aims to analyze the individual and the application of livestock biosecurity that can be associated with cases of contact dermatitis in cage workers. This study a descriptive-quantitative that uses a cross-sectional approach. The research was conducted at PT. X in June 2022. The sample of this study was 43 people who were taken through simple random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The results were then tested using Chi-Square and Odds Ratio (OR) with a Confidence Level of 95%. The study showed that two variables were associated with contact dermatitis, namely cage ventilation (OR= 5.45; 95% CI: 1.21 - 24.43; P=0,020) and frequency of hand washing (OR= 2.70; 95% CI: 2.57 - 282.99; P=0,001). Meanwhile, variables that were not significantly related were age (P=0.306), gender (P=0.206), length of work (p=0.698), floor (P=1.000), and PPE usage (P=0.245). Poor environmental quality and personal hygiene practices could affect contact dermatitis in workers. Therefore, efforts are needed, such as occupational safety and health education for workers, routine health checks, and environmental inspections at PT. X.

Microbiological quality of vegan alternatives to dairy and meat products in England during 2022-3.

Plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products have become increasingly popular in the UK. Despite a public perception that they have a relatively low microbiological risk, outbreaks of illness have been linked with these foods. This study aimed to assess the microbiological safety and quality of vegan alternatives to dairy and meat products available in England. Samples were collected between September 2022 and March 2023 from retail, production, and catering premises, and tested for a range of bacterial pathogens and hygiene indicators using standard procedures. A total of 937 samples were tested, of which 92% were of a satisfactory microbiological quality, 3% were borderline, and 5% were unsatisfactory. Those interpreted as unsatisfactory were due to elevated counts of Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli (indicators of poor hygiene) rather than pathogenic microorganisms. Listeria monocytogenes was present in five samples of tofu, all from the same producer (all at counts of<100 CFU g-1), while other Listeria species were detected at counts of<20 CFU g-1 in two burgers and two 'vegan chicken' products. The majority of samples did not have pH and water activity values that would significantly contribute to preventing microbial growth: 62.4% had pH>5.0 and 82.4% had Aw>0.94. The majority of vegan products examined were of a satisfactory quality, but results demonstrate that microbiological control must be maintained using appropriate processing and storage temperatures, and application of a safe length of shelf life.