Semi-rural Area Research Articles

Determination of Iodine Concentration in Commonly Consumed Salt and Its Potential Impact on Household Consumers: An Examination and Assessment of Consumed Salt

ABSTRACTIntroductionIodine deficiency disorder (IDD) can lead to health issues as it is necessary for metabolic functions. This study investigated the iodine content of commonly consumed salt and the potential impact on daily iodine requirements and IDDs.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was employed using multistage cluster sampling among 240 households, dividing them into eight clusters from four stratified areas. The sampled salts were analyzed using the World Health Organization's iodometric titration method.ResultsThe study revealed that most salt samples from the studied brands had an iodine content within the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) recommended range of 20–50 ppm, with two exceptions. The study found that most socioeconomic groups in cities, towns, and semirural areas meet their daily iodine requirements at over 100%. At the same time, many rural homes, regardless of income, fail to meet these requirements. However, the study found iodized salt in 97.9% of all surveyed households. Although 48.3% of unions, that is, rural respondents, was knowledgeable about the existence of iodized salt, 66.7% of respondents was not aware of the health benefits of iodized salt. Surprisingly, 63.3% of the town's household members and 61.7% of the rural population still consume raw salt. Additionally, 79.6% of individuals reported having no IDDs. However, only 44.2% of thyroid patients used iodine supplements.ConclusionAlthough salt usage and consumption practices are satisfactory, there are still a few concerns about the 100% iodization of branded and raw salts. As a result, many households need help to satisfy their daily iodine requirements.

Using School-Based Teleconsultation Services to Make Community Health Services Accessible in Semirural Settings of Pakistan: Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study.

In Pakistan's remote areas, quality health care and experienced professionals are scarce. Telehealth can bridge this gap by offering innovative services like teleconsultations. Schools can serve as effective platforms for introducing these services, significantly improving health service access in semirural communities. This study aims to explore the feasibility of introducing school-based teleconsultation services (TCS) to strengthen community health in a semirural area of Karachi, Pakistan. This study used a mixed methods design. A total of 393 students were enrolled for the quantitative component, while 35 parents, teachers, and community stakeholders participated in the qualitative arm (focused group discussion). Proportional computation for the quantitative data was done using SPSS (version 24; IBM Corp), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. A total of 1046 successful teleconsultations were provided for 393 students over 28 months. The demographic data showed that the mean age of the students availing TCS was 9.24 (SD 3.25) years, with the majority being males (59.3%, 233/393). Only 1.24% (13/1046) of cases required referrals. The qualitative analysis yielded three themes: (1) transformation of the health care experience, (2) escalating demands for teleconsultation, and (3) the psychological aspect of care. This study demonstrated the efficacy of integrating TCS in a semiurban school in Karachi to address health care accessibility gaps. Implementing TCS through the school platform improved the overall health status of school children while reducing school absences and financial burdens on families. The study highlighted TCS's cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and quality, with community support for 24/7 availability, expansion to adults, and a reimbursement model. School health nurse-led TCS offers a scalable solution to health care challenges, enhancing health outcomes for school-going children in Pakistan and globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where accessibility is a major issue.

Decolonising mathematics education: Teachers’ initial experiences of using ethnomathematical games in the intermediate phase

The African Agenda 2063 strives to attain the goals of peace and prosperity, and to do so, there must be a process of political liberation and decolonisation. In the South African context, decolonisation involves transforming the mathematics curriculum to one that is African by employing cultural approaches such as ethnomathematics. However, South African mathematics teachers still rely on Eurocentric methods for teaching mathematics. To decolonise mathematics in the Intermediate Phase, a project was initiated that utilised indigenous games for teaching mathematics. This paper aims to identify whether such efforts to decolonise mathematics education will be accepted or rejected by the mathematics teachers involved in this study. The paper is framed by the Critical Mathematics Pedagogy Theory. A qualitative case study approach was employed to collect data through a focus group interview with ten mathematics teachers who teach in rural and semi-rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings demonstrate that ethnomathematical games encourage mathematics learning, that teachers’ initial apprehensions gave way to enthusiasm, that learners were excited to play and learn, and that teachers found it effortless to integrate mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, factorisation, and quadrilaterals with the indigenous games of Morabaraba, Tshetershere, Diketo, and Kgati. Recommendations include that mathematics educational policies incorporate ethnomathematics as a policy directive and that teachers receive training in alternative cultural pedagogical practices for teaching mathematics, such as the use of ethnomathematics. Future research endeavours should focus on finding avenues to sustain ethnomathematics in the classroom.

Análisis de una plataforma para apoyar en el diagnóstico del síndrome de ovario poliquístico

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition among women of reproductive age and its early diagnosis prevents long-term complications; however, this diagnosis presents difficulties due to the variability of symptoms, cultural taboos and the need for laboratory and imaging tests interpreted by specialists in Gynecology. On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have shown great potential to help in the early detection of different diseases. Currently, women in rural and semi-rural areas have little access to specialists and studies, so it is considered useful to have a health platform, which includes AI techniques, in mobile and web environments, that supports the detection of PCOS. This article shows the result of the systems analysis for the aforementioned platform, presenting the functional and non-functional requirements compiled with the help of health professionals in General Medicine and Gynecology.

Contesting Caste: Institutionalized Oppression and Circumventive Legal Resistance

Abstract Across the globe, people who mobilize to protect their rights in highly oppressive contexts may have to navigate government institutions that not only fail to implement protections but also engage in discriminatory practices. This article introduces the term “circumventive legal resistance” to describe practices of making legally grounded claims but facilitating relief through processes of expression and negotiation that are distinct from explicit mechanisms of legal enforcement. Based upon a study of twenty-seven rural, semi-rural, and urban areas across the north and north-west regions of India, this article documents how Dalit women—from the most marginalized groups at the base of the caste pyramid—mobilize to protect their rights in contexts where local institutions do not enforce laws prohibiting caste discrimination and instead perpetrate caste-based forced labor practices. In particular, I focus on a campaign to end manual scavenging—a form of caste-based forced labor that is one of the worst surviving symbols of untouchability. With local channels to legal relief largely foreclosed, Dalit women who leave manual scavenging engage in circumventive legal resistance: they draw on law to make claims but win relief through avenues distinct from those envisioned within the parameters of the law.

Fostering collective action for adolescent well-being: citizen science in a Colombian semi-rural area.

We present findings from the Our Voice in Barú project, examining adolescent engagement in citizen science to address environmental and social factors affecting well-being in a semi-rural Afro-descendant community in Latin America. The project aimed to identify barriers and enablers of well-being, informing adolescent-led actions for sustainable environmental changes relevant to adolescent health. Utilizing the Our Voice citizen science method, which involved technology-enabled walks, participatory cartography workshops and community meetings, we engaged adolescents and other community members. Complex systems framework was employed to analyze results and assess the promotion of collective action and local change. Local enablers of well-being included availability of quality sports and recreational venues as safe spaces, educational settings and cultural aspects, fostering safety, community pride, and personal growth. Conversely, barriers included environmental contamination, deteriorated sports venues and drug addiction, indicating the community's limited access to services and exposure to harmful substances. Adolescent citizen scientists, in partnership with the research team and relevant community decision-makers, successfully achieved changes aimed at identified barriers, including infrastructural enhancements like the repair of pumps to remove stagnant water, improvements in the quality and safety of recreational venues, and the implementation of community-led initiatives to address substance abuse and promote healthier behaviors. The Our Voice in Barú project empowered adolescents to advocate for change and promoted collective action to tackle barriers identified as significant to their well-being.

The Use of a Multimedia-Enabled, Serialized Worked-Example Artifact in an Online Environment for Secondary Education

High school students in rural and semi-rural areas are disadvantaged because their schools struggle to attract and retain instructors who are qualified to teach career and technology courses that ready students for the knowledge economy. The effects of the pandemic moved much knowledge-economy work online by adopting study-from-home (SFH) models; however, educational institutions have been slow to validate corresponding study-from-home instructional models. In response, the current study developed study-from-home instruction using a multimedia-enabled, serialized worked-example artifact to teach financial accounting and modeling for high school students. The study featured grounded theories that inform the design of SFH instruction and online facilitation for a yearlong study. The instruction aimed to promote the far transfer of domain-specific, career-development knowledge regarding financial accounting and modeling. To do so, authors conducted a quasi-experiment with 50 students from five public high schools in rural and semi-rural East Texas. The result shows that socially situated SFH instruction whose design follows the principles of cognitive load theory, situated learning, and cognitive apprenticeship promoted mastery-of-learning outcomes over the course of an academic year. Our findings indicate a promising new direction in the design of remote instruction that delivers complex content to small-screen mobile devices for high school students.

Prevalence of Smoking Among School Students in Iraq.

Background Developing communities like Iraq are critical to building a good community environment. Many complex patterns of behaviors like smoking among adolescents have been exacerbated rapidly in the current era which led to changes in the Iraqi community's perspectives and life expectancy. This study aims to find out the prevalence of smoking among secondary school students in Iraq and their perceived contributing factors. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used with a representative sample of Iraqi school students recruited through a multistage cluster randomization from the Nineveh Governorate's intermediate and secondary schools to ensure the representation of the general public strata. A total of 330 students were randomly selected from eight schools distributed all over Mosul city (the center of Nineveh Governorate) and its boundaries semi-rural areas. Data collection utilized a standardized, anonymous questionnaire based on the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) administered within classrooms with the researcher's presence. The questionnaire included questions related to sociodemographic characteristics of the students, smoking state, smoking types, frequency of smoking, relative smoking state, opinion on predisposing factors for initiation of smoking, and knowledge about hazards of smoking. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 to calculate frequency distribution with further logistic regression analysis was performed to identify statistically significant factors contributing to initiation of smoking among the student participants with p-value estimation of any compares considered significant below 0.05. Results Prevenance of all types of smoking was 24.5% from 330 students with 30% from 246 males and 7%from 84 females has been encountered. Hookah (Shisha) was the most prevalent type of smoking.About a third of the smoker sample reported smoking at least once daily. Peer pressure (OR=3.49, P< 0.001) or family smoking (OR=1.769, P=0.019) emerged as the strongest influence for initiation of smoking, besides stress (OR=2.23, P= 0.04) and personality traits like stammering and jealousy (OR=2.58, P= 0.013), (OR=2.22, P= 0.017, respectively) have also significant odds. Interestingly, media (movie star) influence played a significant role also. (OR=1.492, P= 0.045). Conclusion The prevalence of smoking among the study sample was 24.5 % out of 330 participating students. Significant influencing factors were found that raised the concern and necessitated the development of targeted interventions. Implementing evidence-based strategies, such as comprehensive school-based educational programs and smoke-free indoor air policies, can significantly improve public health outcomes.

Agri-voltaics near airport facilities. Reconciling the risk of solar glare with power generation

The installation of photovoltaic systems on cultivated land enables both agricultural and green energy production simultaneously. The result is an efficient and inclusive use of land that promotes the rural economy, enables the recovery and maintenance of land and prevents its abandonment when it is considered not profitable. This intent is facilitated in semi-rural areas where there is already the presence of infrastructure connected to the national power grid, but at the same time is limited by other human activities. Runway approach and air traffic control operations impose very stringent constraints on the possibility that photovoltaic panels, reflecting solar radiation, may glare airport operators.This article provides a methodology for verifying such phenomena (control function) and mitigating them by maximizing solar power generation (objective function). Through a case study located in central Italy, positioned near an airport, it was possible to investigate the design variables to protect the landing air routes and the airport control tower.In this case study, with an azimuth angle of 47° and tilt angle of 25°, and thanks to a 5 m high tree screen placed on the edge of the land on which the agri-voltaic installation stands, it is possible to secure airport operations by eliminating all forms of solar glare. At the same time, 21.9 GWh of photovoltaic energy is produced annually, while avoiding the release of 8,773 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Compared with the optimal, unconstrained case, photovoltaic panels arranged in this way decrease their annual energy production by only 6.8 %.

Enhancing HIV positivity yield in southern Mozambique: The effect of a Ministry of Health training module in targeted provider-initiated testing and counselling.

In Mozambique, targeted provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) is recommended where universal PITC is not feasible, but its effectiveness depends on healthcare providers' training. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Ministry of Health training module in targeted PITC on the HIV positivity yield, and identify factors associated with a positive HIV test. We conducted a single-group pre-post study between November 2018 and November 2019 in the triage and emergency departments of four healthcare facilities in Manhiça District, a resource-constrained semi-rural area. It consisted of two two-month phases split by a one-week targeted PITC training module ("observation phases"). The HIV positivity yield of targeted PITC was estimated as the proportion of HIV-positive individuals among those recommended for HIV testing by the provider. Additionally, we extracted aggregated health information system data over the four months preceding and following the observation phases to compare yield in real-world conditions ("routine phases"). Logistic regression analysis from observation phase data was conducted to identify factors associated with a positive HIV test. Among the 7,102 participants in the pre- and post-training observation phases (58.5% and 41.5% respectively), 68% were women, and 96% were recruited at triage. In the routine phases with 33,261 individuals (45.8% pre, 54.2% post), 64% were women, and 84% were seen at triage. While HIV positivity yield between pre- and post-training observation phases was similar (10.9% (269/2470) and 11.1% (207/1865), respectively), we observed an increase in yield in the post-training routine phase for women in triage, rising from 4.8% (74/1553) to 7.3% (61/831) (Yield ratio = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.11-2.14). Age (25-49 years) (OR = 2.43; 95%CI: 1.37-4.33), working in industry/mining (OR = 4.94; 95%CI: 2.17-11.23), unawareness of partner's HIV status (OR = 2.50; 95%CI: 1.91-3.27), and visiting a healer (OR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.03-2.93) were factors associated with a positive HIV test. Including these factors in the targeted PITC algorithm could have increased new HIV diagnoses by 2.6%. In conclusion, providing refresher training and adapting the current targeted PITC algorithm through further research can help reach undiagnosed PLHIV, treat all, and ultimately eliminate HIV, especially in resource-limited rural areas.

Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Malaria Vaccine Acceptance for Under-Five Children in a Malaria-Endemic Region: A Community-Based Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Two novel vaccines against malaria are proposed as a complementary control tool to prevent and reduce Plasmodium falciparum related disease and death in under-five children from moderate to high malaria transmission regions. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has committed to eradicate malaria by 2030, and significant efforts have been deployed to strengthen control and elimination measures. We aimed to understand factors influencing the malaria vaccine acceptability among the general population in eastern DRC. We conducted a survey among adult Congolese in Bukavu in March 2022. The questionnaire was adapted from the Behavioral and Social Drivers of vaccine uptake (BeSD) framework and was administered online and physically. Multivariate logistic regressions were built, and estimates were represented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Out of 1612 adults (median age: 39 years, 46.15% female) surveyed, only 7.26% were aware of the malaria vaccine. However, 46.53% expressed willingness to vaccinate themselves, and 52.60% were open to vaccinating their under-five children. Adjusting for confounding factors, non-student/non-healthcare worker professions (aOR = 0.58, 95%CI [0.42-0.78]) and middle-income status (aOR = 1.87, 95%CI [1.25-2.80]) were significantly associated with self-vaccination acceptance. Age played a role in under-five child vaccination acceptability, with 25 to over 64 years showing increased acceptability compared to the 18-24 age group. Additionally, non-student/non-healthcare worker professions (aOR = 1.88, 95%CI [1.37-2.59]), medium education levels (aOR = 2.64, 95%CI [1.29-5.79]), and residing in semi-rural areas (aOR = 1.63, 95%CI [1.27-2.10]) were predictors of under-five child vaccination acceptance. The acceptability of the malaria vaccine for self and for under-five children was suboptimal for effective malaria control in this community in the DRC. Our study constitutes a call for the Expanded Program on Immunization to closely work with various stakeholders to strengthen risk communication for community engagement prior to and during the introduction of this novel and lifesaving tool, malaria vaccination.

Patient Education and Decision Support for Long-Acting Injectable HIV Antiretroviral Therapy: Protocol for Tool Development and Pilot Testing with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Medical Case Management Programs in New York.

Long-acting injectable (LAI) HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) presents a major opportunity to facilitate and sustain HIV viral suppression, thus improving health and survival among people living with HIV and reducing the risk of onward transmission. However, realizing the public health potential of LAI ART requires reaching patients who face barriers to daily oral ART adherence and thus can clinically benefit from alternative treatment modalities. Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A medical case management (MCM) programs provide an array of services to address barriers to HIV care and treatment among economically and socially marginalized people living with HIV. These programs have demonstrated effectiveness in improving engagement along the continuum of care, but findings of limited program impact on durable viral suppression highlight the need to further innovate and hone strategies to support long-term ART adherence. This study aims to adapt and expand Ryan White MCM service strategies to integrate LAI ART regimen options, with the larger goal of improving health outcomes in the populations that could most benefit from alternatives to daily oral ART regimens. In 3 phases of work involving patient and provider participants, this study uses role-specific focus groups to elicit perceptions of LAI versus daily oral ART; discrete choice experiment (DCE) surveys to quantify preferences for different ART delivery options and related supports; and a nonrandomized trial to assess the implementation and utility of newly developed tools at 6 partnering Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A MCM programs based in urban, suburban, and semirural areas of New York. Findings from the focus groups and DCEs, as well as feedback from advisory board meetings, informed the design and selection of the tools: a patient-facing, 2-page fact sheet, including frequently asked questions and a side-by-side comparison of LAI with daily oral ART; a patient-facing informational video available on YouTube (Google Inc); and a patient-provider decision aid. Implementation outcomes, measured through provider interviews, surveys, and service reporting, will guide further specification of strategies to integrate LAI ART options into MCM program workflows. The study was funded in late April 2021 and received approval from the institutional review board in May 2021 under protocol 20-096. Focus groups were conducted in late 2021 (n=21), DCEs ran from June 2022 to January 2023 (n=378), and tools for piloting were developed by May 2023. The trial (May 2023 through January 2024) has enrolled >200 patients. This study is designed to provide evidence regarding the acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and utility of a package of patient-oriented tools for comparing and deciding between LAI ART and daily oral ART options. Study strengths include formative work to guide tool development, a mixed methods approach, and the testing of tools in real-world safety-net service settings. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05833542; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05833542. DERR1-10.2196/56892.

Duration and Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers in Urban and Semi-Rural Areas of Libreville and Lambaréné in Gabon

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months of age has an unparalleled benefit on a child's growth and development. This survey aimed to assess the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Libreville and Lambaréné. Method: This is a prospective study, including mother-child pairs of infants taken to vaccination centers in Libreville (urban area) and Lambaréné (semi-rural area). The data collected included sociodemographic aspects of families, the children's characteristics, and the duration of EBF in months. Result: We included 552 mother-child pairs, 58% of whom were recruited (n = 320) in Libreville. The average age of mothers was 26.5 ± 6.4 years, while fathers were 33.3 ± 7.8 years. The mean age of children was 4.2 ± 3.1 months. Male participants were accounted for 52.2% (n = 288), while females 47.8% (n = 264). The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the whole was 0.9 months. Six-month EBF was generally performed at 9.2% (n = 51, 95% CI = 7.1%-11.9%). The factors influencing the EBF were father’s level of education (all classes combined) (p = 0.025), marital status (p = 0.011), and residential area (OR = 3.40, p &lt;0.001) Conclusion: The duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the two studied is lower than the WHO recommendations. The associated factors found are areas of work to be explored to encourage this important practice for our infants.

‘They didn’t look at me with good eyes' – experiences of the socioeconomic impact of tuberculosis and support needs among adults in a semi-rural area in Mozambique: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis is recognised as a disease of the economically disadvantaged people due to its association with financial vulnerability. Mozambique still faces the challenge of the high burden of TB and associated costs. We aimed to understand the social and economic impacts of TB and the need for social support among people with TB in Mozambique. We conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach focusing on the lived experiences and perceptions of people with TB. A total of 52 semi-structured one-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted and data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were drawn from the analysis: (i) TB has a social and economic impact that requires adaptation and resourcefulness amongst those affected; (ii) People with TB have different preferences and needs for social support, and (iii) People with TB have different knowledge of, and experiences with, formal social support. TB affects family and community relationships mainly due to impacts on the household’s finances. People with TB in Mozambique are not entitled to any form of social support, and they need to rely on help from family and the community which is often insufficient. Further investigation is needed on how social support schemes can be developed in Mozambique.

Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies among Elderly Headed Households in Selected Semi-rural Areas in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies among Elderly Headed Households in Selected Semi-rural Areas in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Malaria Prevalence in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Children Living in Rural, Semi-Urban and Urban Areas in Eastern Gabon

BackgroundMalaria remains a major public health issue in the world despite a decline in the disease burden. However, though symptomatic malaria is diagnosed and treated, asymptomatic infections remain poorly known and support transmission. This study assessed the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium spp. infections in three areas in Gabon to monitor and evaluate the impact of malaria.Methods and ResultsA cross-sectional study was conducted in three areas of Gabon. Febrile and afebrile children aged 6 months to 15 years were included in this study. Malaria prevalence was determined by microscopy of and using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Plasmodium spp. species were identified by PCR according to the Snounou method. The data were recorded in Excel, and the statistical analyses were performed using the software R version R 64 × 3.5.0. A total of 2381(333 asymptomatic and 107 symptomatic) children were included. The overall prevalence of malaria was 40% (952/2381), with the majority (77% symptomatic and 98% asymptomatic) of infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum. A high prevalence of malaria was found in infected children in rural and semi-rural areas. In these two areas, a higher prevalence of Plasmodium malariae was observed in asymptomatic. Furthermore, mixed infections were more prevalent in asymptomatic children than in symptomatic.ConclusionThis study showed that the prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection varied according to the regions. The main species was Plasmodium falciparum, but in asymptomatic children the prevalence of Plasmodium malariae was high in rural areas. To help fight malaria more effectively asymptomatic infections should be taken into account and treated.

Filarial nematodes in domestic dogs and mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from semi-rural areas in Central Chile.

Climate change, competent vectors, and reservoir animals are the main factors for developing vector-borne zoonotic diseases. These diseases encompass a significant and widespread category of pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths) transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods, including ticks, fleas, lice, triatomines, mosquitoes, sandflies, and blackflies. In Chile, several studies have explored the role of dogs as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens; however, there is a lack of research investigating the presence of pathogens in arthropods. Specifically, within the order Diptera, limited knowledge exists regarding their roles as carriers of pathogens. This study aimed to examine the presence of zoonotic filarial nematodes in mosquitoes and dogs within a previously unstudied semi-rural area of Central Chile. Two hundred samples of dog blood and seven hundred and twenty-four mosquitoes were collected during 2021-2022 and studied for filarial nematodes by PCR. The prevalence of microfilaremic dogs detected by Knott's test was 7.5%, with Acanthocheilonema reconditum being the only species identified. Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus was the most abundant mosquito species collected, and 15 out of 65 pools were positive for filarial nematodes. Among these pools, 13 tested positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum, and two tested positive for Setaria equina through PCR. Additionally, five Culex pipiens specimens were positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Despite the absence of zoonotic filarial species, these findings underscore the significance of monitoring pathogens in mosquitoes and animal hosts and continued research into the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, particularly in unexplored regions.

Oral Literature Documented to Preserve Jordan’s National Heritage in Jerash

The goal of this research is to look into how well documented oral literature is in Jerash province, Jordan. Bridging worlds posed two major questions: what traditions, narratives, and family activities reflect cultural values and historical changes across generations in Jerash, and how rituals and material practices in families might indicate the dynamic interaction between cultural continuity and change. A personal interview was intended to be administered to a representative sample of elders in Jerash city, with the population of concern (PoC) representing the 50+ age range (=16.8%). Given the enormity of the undertaking, a significantly smaller sample of PoC—mostly dwelling in both urban and semi-rural areas—was chosen (N. 73). Based on the two questions, the interview consisted of ten inquiries. The oral literature of Jerash was discovered to be in need of documentation and efficient classification; there were too many stories to tell and write down. The study aims to improve understanding of Jordanian oral literature in small places such as Jerash, emphasizing its importance in preserving cultural legacy against societal change. The Ministry of Tourism and the Antiquity Sites in Jerash city could be collaborated with for fruitfull partnerships to promote Jordanian culture.

Knowledge assessment about sexually transmitted diseases among high-school pupils in their final year in a French semi-rural area in 2020

Contexte. L’incidence des infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) augmente depuis les années 2000, notamment chez les jeunes, malgré les campagnes de prévention. Les adolescents sont une population à risque et une cible prioritaire à la prévention des IST. Objectif. Évaluer les connaissances des lycéens en terminale concernant les IST. Méthode. Enquête transversale réalisée début 2020 auprès d’élèves de classes de terminale de trois lycées publics d’un département semi-rural (généraux et technologiques, professionnels), par un auto-questionnaire anonyme. À partir de ces questionnaires, des scores de connaissances ont été établis. Résultats. Cent-trente-cinq élèves ont participé. Le score de connaissances global était de 56,4 %. Le score de connaissances des filles était plus élevé que celui des garçons (p &lt; 0,01), de même que celui des lycéens de filière générale en comparaison à celui des lycéens de filière professionnelle (p &lt; 0,01). Les connaissances les moins élevées concernaient les symptômes des IST, les conséquences à long terme notamment l’infertilité tubaire, le dépistage après prise de risque et les traitements. Conclusion. Les adolescents ont des connaissances moyennes voire faibles concernant les IST. L’information délivrée par les professionnels de santé doit être renforcée. L’accès au dépistage individuel dans les centres et auprès des professionnels de santé doit être facilité. Le médecin généraliste pourrait avoir une place à prendre dans la prévention des IST et doit profiter de chaque consultation pour aborder cette thématique avec les adolescents.

Prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycemia and hypertension among middle-aged adults in Vietnam: A community-based study

BackgroundThe information on prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycemia, and hypertension among the adult in Vietnam is limited. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of undiagnosed intermediate hyperglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension and some associated factors among adults aged ≥40 years living in Ba Vi district in Hanoi, Vietnam. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1814 adults aged ≥40 years nine communes in Ba Vi district, a semi rural area, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Lists of the adults aged ≥40 years living in nine communes, who reported undiagnosed for hypertension, and diabetes, were made. From the lists, the participants were randomly selected based on the selection criteria. Participants were people who reported they are free of hypertension, diabetes, prediabetes at the day of data collection. Participants were collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, blood pressure measurement, and 3 ml fasting venous blood samples by certified phlebotomists. The main study outcomes variables were intermediate hyperglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. ResultsPrevalence of undiagnosed intermediate hyperglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension among the participants were 47.8 %, 8.2 %, and 40.0 %, respectively. Higher prevalence of undiagnosed intermediate hyperglycemia (53.3 % vs 46.2 %), hyperglycemia (13.5 % vs 7.9 %), and high blood pressure (52.8 % vs 33.9 %) were found among males compared with females. ConclusionHigh prevalence of undiagnosed intermediate hyperglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension were found in the middle-aged adults in Vietnam. Improving the individual's awareness and early screening for diabetes, and hypertension in adults for timely management are necessary.