Public Health Awareness Research Articles

THE IMPACTS OF URBANIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ON LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE ASEAN-5 COUNTRIES

Abstract: Urbanization and economic growth are key players in molding the societal fabric of the ASEAN-5 nations, thus directly affecting life expectancy. Hence, this study utilizes the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) approach to investigate the impact of health expenditure, economic growth, urbanization, and CO2 emissions on life expectancy in the ASEAN-5 countries from 1995 to 2020. The findings indicate that increased health expenditure and economic growth positively contribute to enhanced life expectancy in the region, highlighting the importance of healthcare investments and sustained economic development. However, the observed negative impact of urbanization underscores potential health challenges associated with rapid urban development, necessitating strategic urban planning. Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize healthcare budgets, focusing on infrastructure and accessibility, while fostering economic initiatives for indirect health benefits. Mitigating potential health risks linked to urbanization requires investments in healthcare facilities, sanitation, and public health awareness programs. This study offers nuanced insights for policymakers in formulating effective strategies to balance economic development with public health priorities in the ASEAN-5 countries. Keyword: urbanization, economic growth, life expectancy, FMOLS

Associations between Recognition and Behaviors Regarding the Use, Washing and Management of Firefighting Protection Suits and Public Health Awareness of Occupational Exposure Risks among Firefighters

The firefighting protective suits (FPSs) of firefighters at fire scenes affect their health and safety. However, the association between firefighters’ health awareness of occupational exposure risks and the FPS use, washing and management remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between firefighters’ health awareness of occupational exposure risks and their recognition, behaviors regarding the use, washing and management of FPSs. This study design is a cross-sectional study and used a web-based survey of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s electronic survey system. The survey was conducted on metropolitan firefighters performing shift work in charge of fire and rescue work for 21 days from 1 to 22 April 2019, with 1097 (40.3%) respondents. Characteristics of FPS use, washing and management and the association between thoughts and behaviors thereof and health awareness of occupational exposure risks were evaluated. Data of 1097 firefighters were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Firefighters’ fire scene awareness rate of possible carcinogens was 94.4%. There was an association between public health thinking of occupational exposure risks and the correct use of an FPS for one’s own safety (AOR 1.97. 95% CI 1.02–3.80). However, no association was shown between correct FPS use (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 0.48–4.59), washing (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 0.93–6.68) and management (AOR 1.38, 95% CI 0.75–2.50) behaviors. This study analyzed the relationship between the use, washing and management of personal protective equipment called firefighting clothing and firefighters perceived occupational exposure risks. This study found an association between the health awareness of occupational exposure risks and recognition of the correct use of FPSs at fire scenes but not between using, washing and managing behaviors of FPSs. This study is the first to analyze the relationship between firefighting clothing and occupational health awareness level. The results confirm that future interventions are required to help firefighters practice desirable behaviors toward FPSs and provided evidenced data for preventing occupational diseases among firefighters. Therefore, this study can be used to develop a firefighter occupational health curriculum and establish health and safety plans from mid- to long-term perspectives for firefighters’ safety against occupational exposure risks.

Community empowerment in an effort towards quality health

Community empowerment in the context of health has become a significant focus of efforts to improve overall public health. Increasing public knowledge and health awareness is this empowerment's primary goal. Through various methods such as health education, active community participation, use of information technology, resource support, and continuous evaluation, empowerment efforts aim to create an environment where people are more aware of the importance of health and have sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions regarding their health. The results of this empowerment include improved healthy living behaviours, reduced health disparities, increased access to equitable health services, and the development of more independent and empowered communities. By strengthening community empowerment, it can be expected that overall public health will improve, and creating a society that is more health-conscious and able to contribute to maintaining health together can create an environment where people are more health-conscious, have enough knowledge to make good decisions regarding their health, and actively contribute to maintaining health together

A cost-effectiveness analysis of fluoride varnish application in preventing Root caries in elderly persons: a Markov simulation study

BackgroundRoot caries are prevalent issues that affect dental health, particularly among elderly individuals with exposed root surfaces. Fluoride therapy has shown effectiveness in preventing root caries, but limited studies have addressed its cost-effectiveness in elderly persons population. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a fluoride treatment program for preventing root caries in elderly persons within the context of Chinese public healthcare.MethodsA Markov simulation model was adopted for the cost-effectiveness analysis in a hypothetical scenario from a healthcare system perspective. A 60-year-old subject with 23 teeth was simulated for 20 years. A 5% sodium fluoride varnish treatment was compared with no preventive intervention in terms of effectiveness and cost. Tooth years free of root caries were set as the effect. Transition probabilities were estimated from the data of a community-based cohort and published studies, and costs were based on documents published by the government. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated to evaluate cost-effectiveness. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of data uncertainty.ResultsFluoride treatment was more effective (with a difference of 10.20 root caries-free tooth years) but also more costly (with a difference of ¥1636.22). The ICER was ¥160.35 per root caries-free tooth year gained. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the risk ratio of root caries in the fluoride treatment group influenced the result most. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, fluoride treatment was cost-effective in 70.5% of the simulated cases.ConclusionsRegular 5% sodium fluoride varnish application was cost-effective for preventing root caries in the elderly persons in most scenarios with the consideration of data uncertainty, but to a limited extent. Improved public dental health awareness may reduce the incremental cost and make the intervention more cost-effective. Overall, the study shed light on the economic viability and impact of such preventive interventions, providing a scientific basis for dental care policies and healthcare resource allocation.

Leveraging a 7-Layer Long Short-Term Memory Model for Early Detection and Prevention of Diabetes in Oman: An Innovative Approach.

This study develops a 7-layer Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to enhance early diabetes detection in Oman, aligning with the theme of 'Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare'. The model focuses on addressing the increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, projected to impact 23.8% of Oman's population by 2050. It employs LSTM neural networks to manage factors contributing to this rise, including obesity and genetic predispositions, and aims to bridge the gap in public health awareness and prevention. The model's performance is evaluated through various metrics. It achieves an accuracy of 99.40%, specificity and sensitivity of 100% for positive cases, a recall of 99.34% for negative cases, an F1 score of 96.24%, and an AUC score of 94.51%. These metrics indicate the model's capability in diabetes detection. The implementation of this LSTM model in Oman's healthcare system is proposed to enhance early detection and prevention of diabetes. This approach reflects an application of AI in addressing a significant health concern, with potential implications for similar healthcare challenges relating to globally diagnostic capabilities, representing a significant leap forward in healthcare technology in Oman.

Acceptability of COVID-19 booster vaccine in malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Despite the high efficacy and safety demonstrated in clinical trials, COVID-19 booster vaccination rates in Malaysia remain below 50% among the general public. This study explores the factors influencing public acceptance of the COVID-19 booster vaccine among the Malaysian population. The questionnaire included variables on sociodemographics, knowledge, and the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs. Based on the Chi-squared test of contingencies, a t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis on 411 collected responses, the findings revealed that older participants, individuals of Chinese ethnicity, and those with higher education levels and incomes were more willing to accept booster vaccinations. The analysis further identified perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived barriers as significant predictors influencing booster vaccination acceptance rates. Healthcare policymakers may consider targeting interventions to diminish the obstacles associated with booster vaccinations. These intervention strategies include implementing health intervention programmes, such as public health awareness initiatives, to raise awareness of the risks and severity of COVID-19, ultimately encouraging higher uptake of booster vaccines.

Bacteriological analysis of suya meat sold in nkwo market of okija and the associated health implications

This research work was done to ascertain the bacterial load of Suya sold in Nkwo market of Okija town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. It was also done to reveal the health implication of the suya. Three samples of Suya were randomly collected from suya sellers within the market. The samples were analyzed microbiologically using spread plate technique. The bacterial isolates were identified. The isolates were identified as Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. The total bacterial count for the isolates were 2.5 x 10³, 4.3 x 104 and 5.4 x 10³ respectively. For the coliform count, 0.5 x103, 3.0 x 103 and 1.2 x 103 were identified. The presence of Staphylococcus is associated with cross contamination from meat handlers during processing, the presence of Escherichia coli is probably due to use of contaminated water during washing of raw meat while Klebsiella spp. is most likely transmitted from the hands of meat workers. This calls for improved production hygiene and public health awareness. Education and awareness campaign should be organized for the Suya seller on the proper hygienic practices to adopt during suya processing.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects of Cannabis Use by Route of Administration: A Systematic Review

Aim: Knowledge of the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of cannabis use by route of administration is unclear. This evidence is necessary to increase clinical and public health awareness given the recent trend in cannabis legalization, normalization, and surge in the availability and usage of various forms of cannabis products. Methods: Search was conducted in Web of Science, ProQuest, Psych INFO, Scopus, Embase, and Medline databases, and subsequently in the references of retrieved articles. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2023, that reported on cardiovascular and respiratory effects of cannabis use by route of administration were included. Studies with no report of the route of administration and combined use of other illicit substances were excluded. The review was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Of the 1873 articles retrieved, 42 met inclusion criteria encompassing six case reports, 21 reviews, and 15 empirical studies. Four administration routes were identified: smoking, vaping, oral ingestion, and dabbing. Smoking was the most common route of administration and was associated with both respiratory effects, such as bronchitis, dyspnea, and chronic obstructive lung disease, and cardiovascular effects including tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and myocardial infarction. Cannabis edibles were associated with minimal respiratory effects. Tachycardia was the most common cardiovascular effect and was associated with all routes of administration. Conclusion: Cannabis use does cause cardiovascular and respiratory effects, but the conclusion remains tentative of the cardiovascular and respiratory effects by route of administration due to methodological limitations of the studies.

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN DISEASE PREVENTION IN UGANDA: A CASE STUDY OF NBS TELEVISION

Scholars have extensively studied the effectiveness of different health communication strategies employed by television networks in disseminating disease prevention information. These strategies include health campaigns, public service announcements, and educational programming aimed at raising awareness about infectious diseases and promoting preventive behaviors. Understanding how audiences perceive and engage with health messages broadcasted by the media is crucial for evaluating the impact of disease prevention efforts. This study sought to evaluate the role of media in disease prevention in Uganda using NBS Television as a case study. A cross-sectional survey design was utilized to collect data from a sample of viewers who have been exposed to televised health messages. The total sample size was 85 respondents. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to the selected study participants. Quantitative data collected from the surveys were analyzed using statistical software such as MS Excel. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize demographic characteristics, audience exposure to health programming, and responses to survey items. The study found that respondents had varying knowledge about disease prevention measures, with gaps in understanding vaccination schedules, early warning signs, and nutrition’s role. However, they generally held positive attitudes towards disease prevention, believing in its importance for overall health and trusting health information from television programs. They expressed motivation to adopt preventive behaviors and confidence in their ability to maintain positive changes. The findings underscore the potential of televised health communication initiatives in shaping attitudes and behaviors related to disease prevention, emphasizing the role of television in promoting public health awareness. Keywords: Disease, NBS Television, Media, Information

Antimicrobial resistance as a global public health threat: the way forward

Increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to public health, as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic and other antimicrobial drugs, making the control of infections difficult or almost impossible. This condition arises when microorganisms evolve and develop adaptive mechanisms to withstand the effects of the drugs which are designed to kill them. The emergence and spread of these antimicrobial pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms continue to endanger and undermine efforts to treat common infections. As a result, an increase in morbidity and mortality due to bacterial and fungal infections has been observed with a ripple effect of economic hardship. The primary drivers of AMR include misuse and abuse in human, animal and the environment. To address this threat, it is important to have a good understanding of the cause, consequences, as well as the potential control strategies. Due to the cause and nature of AMR, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in combating the threat posed by this condition. Some of the strategies through which AMR can be combatted include public health awareness, proper antibiotic use, accurate diagnosis, and research into the development of newer antimicrobial agents and alternative treatments. Additionally, the use of improved surveillance and monitoring systems are important in tracking patterns of resistance and provide guide towards the development of effective intervention strategies. Hence, this review focused on bacterial and fungal resistance to increase awareness and the way forward on this growing threat to human existence

Abstract 1313: Racial disparities in colorectal cancer incidence across US ethnic groups: A comprehensive analysis

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent global cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Racial disparities in CRC within the United States pose a significant public health concern, affecting incidence, mortality rates, and screening rates. This study investigates the impact of racial disparities on CRC incidence across various US states, utilizing CRC data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Analysis with GraphPad Prism 5 software and Student's t-test reveals a consistent trend of higher CRC incidence in males compared to females, irrespective of ethnicity. Notably, the Black and American Indian ethnic groups demonstrate the highest CRC incidences among all races, especially in individuals aged 65 and above. Certain states, including Iowa and Mississippi for Black populations, and Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota for American Indian populations, exhibit significantly elevated CRC incidences compared to the national average. County-specific analysis in Alabama reveals varying CRC incidence rates across ethnic groups, with higher rates in specific counties, such as Clarke County for Black males. Limited reports for American Indian, Asian Pacific, and Hispanic ethnic groups indicate potential disparities in access to testing, awareness, and funding for CRC detection and prevention. This study concludes that Black and American Indian males and females experience a higher incidence of colorectal cancer, possibly influenced by genetic factors or other variables contributing to CRC development. The observed disparities are multifaceted, arising from a combination of social, economic, and healthcare system factors. Addressing these complexities is crucial for mitigating CRC disparities and promoting equitable healthcare access and outcomes. Additional research, including molecular screening studies, is essential to substantiate disparities in cancer-related health and enhance public health and cancer awareness within the community. Key Words: Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Health Care, Racial Disparities Citation Format: Anathbandhu Chaudhuri, Rosianna Gray. Racial disparities in colorectal cancer incidence across US ethnic groups: A comprehensive analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1313.

Media Representation and Digital Engagement: Analyzing @IndonesianMedicalCenter's Impact on Public Health Communication

The development of information technology, especially social media, has changed the landscape of public health communication significantly. One platform that is increasingly popular in disseminating health information is Instagram, with various health accounts that actively present informative content. One prominent account is @IndonesianMedicalCenter (IMC), which has become a trusted source of health information for the Indonesian people. However, there has been no research that specifically examines the impact of these accounts on public health communication. This research aims to analyze the impact of the Instagram account @IndonesianMedicalCenter on public health communication. Through this analysis, it is hoped to better understand how media representation and digital engagement from these accounts influence people's health knowledge, attitudes and behavior The analytical tool used in this research is NVivo. This research uses a qualitative approach with content analysis techniques. Data is collected from posts published by the @IndonesianMedicalCenter account during a certain period. These posts are analyzed to identify the main themes presented, the communication style used, and the interactions between the account and its followers. The analysis results show that the Instagram account @IndonesianMedicalCenter actively disseminates health information that is accurate, relevant and easy to understand. The posts cover a variety of health topics, from disease prevention to promoting healthy lifestyles. Apart from that, this account also plays a role in building an online community that is active in discussing and exchanging information about health. Thus, the @IndonesianMedicalCenter account has a positive impact in increasing health literacy and public health awareness.

Exploring drivers of unsafe disposal of child stool in India using hierarchical regression model.

Disposal of children's stools is often neglected in Indian sanitation programs, putting them at higher risk of diseases transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Therefore, the current study aims to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the unsafe disposal of child stool in India and to estimate the geographical variation in unsafe disposal. The study used 78,074 births under two years from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019-21). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis with the chi-square test, and a four-level hierarchical logistic regression model were applied to accomplish the study objectives. Findings revealed a 61.3% prevalence of unsafe stool disposal nationwide, significantly varying between rural (45%) and urban (67%) areas. Multilevel logistic regression highlighted that mother's education, wealth quintile, and sanitation facility were significant predictors of unsafe disposal of child stools. Random intercept statistics revealed a substantial geographical unit-level variance in unsafe stool practice in India. The study emphasizes the widespread unsafe disposal of child stool among Indian mothers with young children below two years, and the study underscores a range of contributing factors, including education, media exposure, prosperity, water availability, and sanitation. It also accentuates the significance of the geographical variance in the unsafe disposal of child stool in India, particularly at the household level, followed by the community level. Hence, the findings underscore the importance of focused interventions, including targeted household-level poverty alleviation programs, initiatives to enhance sanitation and water facilities, and community-level public health awareness programs.

Triplica Counseling for Diabetic Patient with Co-Existent Hepatitis: Public Health Awareness Glance.

The Article Abstract is not available.

E-Wallets and Financial Behavior: Understanding User Preferences in Digital Transactions

The rapid technological advancements are reshaping global dynamics, notably in the financial sector. The evolution of Financial Technology (FinTech) is particularly striking, with e-wallets increasingly supplanting traditional cash and card transactions. This study aims to explore the pivotal factors influencing the behavioral intention of individuals to adopt e-wallets as their preferred financial technology. The investigation focuses on variables such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, privacy and security concerns, public health awareness, and feature diversity. By employing a descriptive approach, a survey of 250 respondents was conducted, and the data analyzed using SPSS software. This research holds substantial significance for both government and industry sectors. For governments, understanding these factors can aid in designing policies that promote digital payment adoption, contributing to a more efficient, transparent financial system and reduced cash management costs. In the industry sector, insights from this study can guide businesses in optimizing their payment solutions, enhancing customer experience, and staying competitive in an increasingly digital economy.

Predictive Modelling to Understand and Combat Smoking Using Machine Learning: A Review

Abstract: Smoking remains a worldwide public health issue, with significant personal consequences well-being and society as a whole. Traditional approaches to understanding and combatting smoking have their limitations, and in recent years, machine learning has become a viable instrument to tackle this problem. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of predictive modeling to understand and combat smoking using machine learning. We delve into the diverse data sources and preprocessing techniques, feature engineering approaches, and machine learning models employed in the context of smoking prediction. The review categorizes studies into smoking initiation and smoking cessation prediction, shedding light on the methodologies, results, and challenges in each domain. Furthermore, we explore the real-world applications of predictive modeling in smoking control, emphasizing their impact on public health policy and awareness campaigns. Ethical considerations and challenges related to bias, privacy, and model interpretability are also discussed. The paper concludes by suggesting future research directions and emphasizing the crucial role of machine learning in comprehensively addressing the smoking epidemic..

Infrastructural and public health awareness gaps for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer: A literature review.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the sixth most common cancer in women. This literature review and thematic analysis presents gaps in Health Literacy including public knowledge on symptoms, risk, and screening for OC. We have identified a strong variation in national and international Healthcare Infrastructure, and access to specialized care, and treatment guidelines; all inequalities that have a direct impact on patient prognosis and survival. Promoting health behaviors such as self-efficacy, signposting, and regular surveying have the potential to improve health literacy and patient outcomes. Furthermore, increased funding, access to high-volume centers, and homogenization of treatment guidelines may reduce inequalities and improve prognosis.

UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS IN DIGITAL HEALTH COMMUNICATION

The increasing utilization of social media has revolutionized health communication, providing a rapid platform for the dissemination of information and public health advocacy. This study explores the impact of social media in enhancing public health advocacy and increasing public health awareness. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative content analysis, the research findings indicate that: (1) Visually appealing materials, such as infographics and brief videos, are most effective in capturing attention and fostering user engagement for health advocacy purposes. (2) The study also reveals that key elements contributing to the success of health-related social media campaigns include: (a) the power of engaging storytelling, (b) fostering community engagement, and (c) the strategic application of hashtags for wider reach. (3) Leveraging sentiment analysis, we observed a significant positive correlation between the level of positive engagement on social media and the increase in public health awareness.

PENENTUAN STRATEGI PEMASARAN HASIL TEMBAKAU DI TENGAH NAIKNYA TARIF CUKAI DAN PEREDARAN ROKOK ILEGAL

The tobacco products industry in Indonesia is facing two big challenges: increasing excise rates and the circulation of illegal cigarettes. An increase in excise rates increases cigarette prices and can reduce demand. On the other hand, illegal cigarettes offer cheaper prices and are competitors to legal products. CV Gagak Hitam is a cigarette company that was founded in 2004 and is still running the tobacco products industry in the form of hand-rolled kretek cigarettes (SKT) and machine-made kretek cigarettes (SKM) amidst rising excise rates and the circulation of illegal cigarettes. This research focuses on determining marketing strategies for tobacco products at CV. Black Crow uses SWOT analysis. The analysis results show that CV. Black Crow has several strengths, such as a strong brand, wide distribution network, and consumer loyalty. However, CV Gagak Hitam also has several weaknesses, such as high prices and a negative image of tobacco products related to health. Opportunities that can be utilized by CV. Black Crow is increasing public awareness of health and the development of digital technology. The threats facing this industry are increasing excise rates, the circulation of illegal cigarettes, and increasingly stringent government regulations. Marketing strategies that can be implemented by CV. Gagak Hitam in the midst of this situation is developing innovative products at competitive prices, strengthening brand image and increasing consumer awareness, utilizing digital technology to reach consumers and increase marketing efficiency, as well as working with the government to overcome the circulation of illegal cigarettes. Keywords: tobacco products; excise rates; illegal cigarettes; marketing strategy swot analysis.

WEBSITE SISTEM PAKAR DIAGNOSA PENYAKIT KULIT DENGAN FORWARD CHAINING (STUDI KASUS : PUSKESMAS TANGGULANGIN)

A website-based expert system for diagnosing skin diseases using the Forward Chaining method and the Laravel Framework at the Tanggulangin Health Center. The main focus of research is to improve accessibility, accuracy of diagnosis, and public awareness of skin health. Quantitative approaches and exploratory design are applied through literature studies, interviews, surveys, system design, trials, evaluations, and improvements. The system development process involves collecting data from observations, interviews, and medical data to devise relational rules, tables of disease types, symptoms, and decision trees. The use of the Laravel Framework is the main foundation of system design, including user interface (UI) design, database structure, Forward Chaining inference logic, and diagnostic needs. System trials are conducted with test scenarios to evaluate the system's ability to diagnose various skin disease conditions. Data analysis is carried out quantitatively, especially on test results, to assess system reliability. The results of this study provide an empirical basis for recommendations for further development. Hopefully, this system can make a positive contribution in the process of diagnosing skin diseases at the Tanggulangin Health Center and increase overall public skin health awareness. This system is able to provide a diagnosis of skin diseases based on the symptoms inputted by the user. The evaluation carried out provides a positive picture regarding the effectiveness and satisfaction of users.