Storage Practices Research Articles

Amount, type and storage of medicines in households - A survey for medicine users.

With increasing medicine use, more medicines are being stored at home, yet the understanding of household medicines remains limited. This study aimed to assess the amount, type and storage practices of medicines in households. It also explored the reasons for unnecessary or expired medicines, as well as the factors associated with the presence of expired medicines in a household. The online survey was conducted among loyal customers of University Pharmacy in June 2023 (n = 5004). The data were analysed for frequencies and percentages, and binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between background factors and expired medicines in households. On average, one household had 13.9 active, 2.8 unnecessary and 2.2 expired medicine packs. Medicines were typically stored in the kitchen (67.0%) and in cabinets (58.7%), and 40% were to be stored safely. The main reasons for unnecessary or expired medicines were improved health (39.2%), medication changes (31.9%) and oversized packs (28.0%). Households returning medicines biennially (odds ratio (OR): 2.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.13-3.82) and those with many active medicines (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.79-2.54) had expired medicines more often. The study showed that households had many medicines, highlighting the need for better storage and optimized packaging to improve safety, reduce waste and enhance rational pharmacotherapy.

Association between community violence exposure and teen parental firearm ownership: data from a nationally representative study.

Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for U.S. adolescents. Given the prevalence of firearm ownership in the U.S., particularly among parental figures in homes with children and teens, and the relationship between firearm access and injury outcomes, it is vital to shed light on potential parental motivations for keeping firearms in their homes. The purpose of this analysis was to examine whether exposure to community violence is associated with parental firearm ownership. Data from the Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens Consortium's National Survey (6/24/2020-7/24/2020) was examined. The survey sample comprised parents/caregivers of high-school-age teens (age 14-18). The survey examined various measures, including firearm ownership, storage, community violence exposure, and sociodemographic characteristics. Stepwise logistic regression was used to examine the association between community violence exposure and parental firearm ownership. The study included 2,924 participants, with 45.1% identifying as male, 12.9% identifying as Hispanic, and 25.3% identifying as non-White. Among these participants, 43.1% reported firearm ownership, and 49.9% reported exposure to community violence. Regression models demonstrate that community violence exposure is associated with an increased likelihood of firearm ownership among parents/caregivers of high-school age teens (OR = 1.08, p < 0.05). Other significant predictors of firearm ownership among parents/caregivers included parent/caregiver age (OR = 0.99, p < 0.01), marital status (OR = 1.29, p < 0.05), and educational attainment (OR = 0.60, p < 0.001). The findings supported the hypothesis that community violence exposure was associated with an increased likelihood of parental firearm ownership, even after adjusting for potential confounders. These findings contribute to the existing literature by shedding light on the possible contributing factors for firearm ownership among parents/caregivers of teens. Public health interventions focused on raising awareness about the risks of firearm access in households with youths, providing counseling on locked storage practices, and offering resources for accessing secure firearm storage options, such as rapid access storage, may contribute to reducing firearm access among youth. Additionally, community-based initiatives focused on violence prevention and addressing the root causes of community violence can help create safer environments, thereby reducing the perceived need for accessible firearms in the home by parents and caregivers.

Rethinking and redesigning storage, packaging and distribution practices for food supply chain

PurposeThe study aims to add to the existing literature on food supply chains by specifically taking into the redesigning of the alignment of storage, packaging and distribution practices in the modern complex supply chain. The redesign of the food supply chain’s storage, distribution and packaging is a transformative endeavor ultimately aimed at enhancing efficiency, sustainability and reliability.Design/methodology/approachIn order to identify, classify and prioritize the main challenges, this study conducted an extensive analysis of the literature and experts’ opinions in the areas of academia, information technology and the food supply chain (FSC) using combined compromise solution method (CoCoSo) and complex proportional assessment (COPRAS).FindingsThe top three classes of key indicators revealed in this study are dynamic route optimization and on-demand delivery pods (RD4), implementation of active packaging with nanotechnology (RP3) and collaborative last-mile (RD2). The findings reveal that dynamic route optimization and on-demand delivery pods (RD4) and collaborative last-mile (RD2) are maintaining a balance between collaborative delivery networks through route optimization which is a very discussable theme in recent literature.Originality/valueThe research provides fresh insights into how perishable food shelf life parameters and the use of distribution networks within the short supply chain can be taken into consideration when redesigning the storage, packaging and distribution system for food supply chains.

Characterization of artesian flow and heat transition in an ATES research wellbore using DTS monitoring and numerical modelling

Abstract. In the practice of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), the hydraulic connection to the wellbore of any other aquifers besides the planned thermal storage should be identified and prohibited in order to operate the ATES system in a sustainable way. The present study was aimed at locating an artesian aquifer other than the planned thermal storage in an ATES research wellbore (Berlin, Germany). Therefore, we analysed the wellbore temperature as monitored with a single fiber optic cable using the Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) technique in a series of artesian flow tests. The change in the wellbore temperature, the depth-dependent thermal gradients and the isotherms as derived from the DTS-monitored data helped positioning the artesian aquifer in the depth interval from 220 to 230 m. In addition, the transition from cooling to heating in the wellbore sections above the depth of 40 m was applied calculating the velocity of the artesian flow. A numerical model accounting for such artesian flow was built via matching the simulated volumetric flow rate to the wellhead measurements. The consistency of the simulated wellbore temperature with the DTS measurements validated this numerical model as well as the positioning of the artesian aquifer. These simulates extensively visualized the effect of the artesian flow on the near-wellbore temperature field.

Impact of cable lock distribution on firearm securement after emergent mental health evaluation: a randomized controlled trial.

Suicide-related presentations to pediatric emergency departments (PED) have increased in recent years. PED providers have the opportunity to reduce suicide risk by counseling on restricting access to lethal means. Supplementing lethal means counseling (LMC) with safety device distribution is effective in improving home safety practices. Data on PED-based LMC in high-risk patient populations is limited. The objective of this study was to determine if caregivers of children presenting to PED for mental health evaluation were more likely to secure all household firearms if given cable-style gun locks in addition to LMC. In this randomized controlled trial, caregivers completed a survey regarding storage practices of firearms and medication in the home. Participants were randomized to receive LMC (control) or LMC plus 2 cable-style gun locks (intervention). Follow-up survey was distributed 1 month after encounter. Primary outcome was proportion of households reporting all household firearms secured at follow-up. Secondary outcomes included: removal of lethal means from the home, purchase of additional safety devices, use of PED-provided locks (intervention only), and acceptability of PED-based LMC. Two hundred participants were enrolled and randomized. Comparable portions of study groups completed follow-up surveys. Control and intervention arms had similar proportions of households reporting all firearms secured at baseline (89.9% vs. 82.2%, p = 0.209) and follow-up (97.1% vs. 98.5%, p = 0.96), respectively. Other safety behaviors such as removal of firearms (17.6% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.732), removal of medication (19.1% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.361), and purchase of additional safety devices (66.2% vs. 61.8%, p = 0.721) were also alike between the two groups. Both groups held favorable views of PED-based counseling. Within the intervention group, 70% reported use of provided locks. Preference for a different style of securement device was the most cited reason among those not using PED-provided locks. PED-based LMC is a favorably-viewed, effective tool for improving home safety practices in families of high-risk children. Provision of cable-style gun locks did not improve rate of firearm securement compared LMC alone-likely due to high baseline rates of firearm securement and preference for different style of lock among non-utilizers. ID: NCT05568901 . gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ . Retrospectively registered October 6, 2022. First participant enrollment: June 28, 2021.

Overcoming Challenges in Scented Geranium Cultivation, Processing, and Marketing: Study from Northern Karnataka, India

Medicinal and aromatic crops play a pivotal role in the socio-cultural, economic, spiritual and health dimensions of India's rural population and have become an integral part of our culture and rituals. Karnataka is a major repository of aromatic and medicinal treasures of the country. The demand for aromatic plants in India surpasses the available supply, prompting the widespread commercial cultivation of major aromatic crops in various regions. Among these, scented geranium emerges as a vital perennial aromatic, cultivated for its leaves imbued with a captivating rose fragrance. The aromatic oil of scented geranium is increasingly replacing traditional rose oil and identified as one of the top 20 essential oils traded globally. The present study aims to identify challenges in cultivation, processing and marketing aspects of scented geranium in Northern Karnataka. Considering the area and concentration of scented geranium in the state, Belagavi district is purposively selected for the study. Primary data was collected through personnel interview of randomly selected geranium growers. The major challenges faced by the farmers in the production, processing and marketing aspects of scented geranium were analysed and prioritized through Garett ranking technique. Analysis of the data revealed that in production, high cost of planting material, lack of high yielding varieties and high wage rates, high cost of inputs and sensitivity of crop to heavy rains were identified as top five constraints. Whereas, in processing, significant hurdles were high working capital requirement, high capital investment in installation distillation unit and insufficient knowledge on operation of distillation units, low oil recovery and lack of efficient processing equipment. In marketing aspects, high price fluctuation, lack of marketing information and lack of competition in the market, non-existence of local market and lack of adequate demand in nearby area were identified as major challenges in the study area. Educating farmers in nursery management and implementing mechanization techniques, particularly for harvesting, are crucial for enhancing productivity and profitability. Additionally, training on proper storage and transportation practices is essential to maintain the quality of volatile essential oils. This comprehensive strategy promotes sustainable and economically viable cultivation of scented geraniums in the region.

Practices of Maize Handling and Nixtamalization to Reduce Fungal Toxin Exposure in Rural Guatemala

Fungal toxins in local food supplies are a critical environmental health risk to communities globally. To better characterize hypothesized toxin control points among households, we conducted household surveys across four departments (first administrative division) in Guatemala. Data gathered included maize harvesting, processing, storage, and traditional nixtamalization practices. In total, n=33 households participated in the survey and were from 4 unique departments, 17 unique municipalities, and represented 4 different languages. The results suggested that the majority of households consumed a combination of personally cultivated and purchased maize. There was significant variation in how this maize was stored, in regards to pre-processing (kernel vs whole cob), as well as storage system type. For nixtamalization, the largest differences in practices (e.g., cooking time) were based on household size while the majority of households reported practices that aligned with previously reported best practices. Lastly, all reported maize-based food products produced by households utilized the nixtamalization process except one. Current maize handling and nixtamalization practices reported by a majority of households aligned with best practices, however, with locally tailored and culturally sensitive guidance disseminated by key stakeholders, the prevalence of best practice use among households can be improved. Further community-based research on traditional farming and nixtamalization practices can improve these recommendations.

Pregnant women’s lifestyles and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals: a machine learning approach

Women have ubiquitous exposure to various endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in personal care products, food packaging, and processing. Pregnancy is a phase of increased vulnerability to environmental stressors. Therefore, we aimed to identify questionnaire based variables of pregnant women’s lifestyle factors affecting the prenatal concentrations of EDCs: bis-phenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), parabens, and phthalates. We also aimed to explore the association between these lifestyle factors and EDC exposure in pregnant women in South Korea. This study is a part of Korean CHildren’s ENvironmental health Study (Ko-CHENS). The following lifestyle factors: usage of personal care products, eating habits, cooking practices, food storage practices, and chemical exposure were evaluated through questionnaire. We examined prenatal EDCs: phenols (BPA), TCS, parabens (MEP, ETP, and PRP), and phthalates (MEHHP, MEOHP, MECPP, MBZP, MCOP, MCPP, MCNP, and MNBP). The random forest and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression machine learning models were used to predict the important lifestyle factors affecting the prenatal EDC concentrations in pregnant women. Next, we calculated the lifestyle score and evaluated its association with prenatal EDCs, respectively. Our results show that pregnant women who used makeup [β: 1.01, 95% C.I.: 0.01,2.00] >6 times/week had a significant increase in early-pregnancy (EP) ΣParaben exposure. Using perfume up to 3 times/month was significantly associated with EP TCS exposure (β: 0.05, 95% C.I.: 0.01,0.23). While, using perfume >6 times/week was significantly associated to late-pregnancy (LP) ΣParaben exposure, and consuming cup noodles significantly increased LP ΣDEHP exposure. Linear model analysis showed that the lifestyle score significantly increased the EP (β: 0.24, 95% C.I.: 0.07,0.40) and LP (β:0.10, 95% C.I.: 0.01,0.20) ΣParaben exposure. Therefore, pregnant women’s lifestyle factors, such as using makeup and perfume and eating habits (e.g., cup noodle consumption), were associated with prenatal EDC exposure.

Farmers&amp;apos; Perceptions and Practices in Managing Vegetable Pests and Pesticide Use in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: In the Case of the Koga Irrigation System

This experiment was carried out to assessment of farmers’ perceptions, knowledge, and current management practices on the major pests among vegetable growers in the Koga irrigation system, Ethiopia. Understanding the farmers’ awareness and pest management is essential for designing a research agenda, and awareness creation. The survey was carried out from November 2020 to March 2021 in Koga irrigation, with a total of 63 vegetable growers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used. Almost all farmers in the study area overwhelmingly depend on pesticides to control the pests on their vegetable crops. Profenofos, Dimethoate, and Lambda-cyhalothrin were dominantly and commonly used insecticides in the study area with different trade names for more than two vegetables. There are two common and widely used fungicides named Metalaxyl-M 68 %WG and Mancozeb regarding disease control. The farmers used wrong application techniques, inappropriate spraying, wrong storage practices, and protective measure of pesticides. This wrong perception and practice could be associated with their limited knowledge about pesticides and related activities. Hence, it is recommended that government or non-governmental organizations should focus to improve the misuse and misperception of farmers in pesticide use, including personal and environmental protection through education and community intervention.

Household Solid Waste Management and Environmental Impacts in the Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Given the current rate of urbanization, municipalities in most Nigerian cities have struggled with the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste. This is due to waste generation, both residential and commercial, occurring in a dispersed manner across homes, buildings, streets, parks, and even vacant spaces within communities. This manuscript aims to evaluate the state of municipal solid waste management in Ibadan, household solid waste storage practices, and the locations of solid waste storage containers (skip points) in relation to accessibility and health risks to the community, in accordance with Nigerian National Solid Waste Management Standards and other pertinent international standards. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 21 micro and small firms and 250 homes in each of the three local government areas of the metropolis, with descriptive statistics used to interpret the data. According to the study results, inadequate Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) service delivery in the Ibadan metropolitan area can be attributed to several issues, including a lack of institutional coordination among urban planners. The study’s conclusions indicate that the state of MSWM in the sampled areas is either inadequate or has poor spatial coverage and container utilization. Lastly, the study primarily suggests that these measures can reduce problems associated with MSWM by encouraging public-private partnerships, fostering effective institutional coordination with urban planner consultants in MSWM and skip-point location, and motivating the community to adopt integrated sustainable Solid Waste Management (SWM) strategies.

Freezing time, freezing in time: reconfiguring freezing practices for reducing meat waste and energy consumption

Considering that many fresh food items require domestic cold storage, understanding the role of appliances such as freezers is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions relating to domestic food waste and energy use. Using a social practices approach, this article reports on a study of cold storage and food waste practices, particularly freezing relating to meat, in 20 Australian households. Householders were interviewed twice, over winter and summer, 2022–2023. We studied intersecting practices of eating, shopping, cooking and cold storage, and their connection to larger social phenomena such as cold supply chains to gain insights into how and why meat was wasted. Although we set out to study household practices, we found that retailer practices of pricing specials and bulk buying must also be considered. Retailer practices combined with ambiguity in consumer understandings of date labels, shelf life and freezing times mean that domestic cold storage has become a normalised extension of the cold supply chain of food, especially for meat. We argue that understandings such as convenience and thriftiness, in conjunction with retailer expectations of domestic cold storage, may lead to the ratcheting up of household freezer use for food storage. We illustrate through our findings that this may potentially increase energy consumption and accelerate food waste, which becomes particularly problematic for carbon-intensive foods such as red meat. In innovatively reimagining domestic cold storage as an extension of industrial and retailer cold supply chains, we explore what kind of capabilities may be required for an equitable and low waste cold supply chain that reduces reliance on household freezers.

Effect of Electromagnetic-Radiofrequency Devices on Male Infertility at Urban Private Infertility Clinics in East Java

Background: As technology becomes increasingly integrated into urban lifestyles, the use of mobile phones, laptops/computers, and WiFi has surged, reshaping habits and routines. However, this reliance on devices raises concerns about potential health impacts, including male infertility rates. This study explores how lifestyle factors, particularly mobile phone usage and exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and radio frequencies (RF), influence male infertility. Methods: Conducted in Surabaya, Indonesia, this study analyzed sperm analysis data from 260 husbands attending private infertility clinics. Data spanning 2018 to 2023 were collected, with interviews conducted to assess EMR-RF exposure. Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test evaluated differences in sperm analysis results between groups exposed to EMR-RF and controls. Results: A notable prevalence of EMR-RF exposure was observed among men aged 31-40, particularly those working indoors. Significant associations were found between EMR-RF exposure and sperm analysis results, with key factors such as mobile phone usage duration, storage practices, and WiFi exposure showing statistically significant correlations (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of EMR-RF exposure on male fertility, particularly concerning mobile phone use and WiFi exposure. These findings underscore the importance of further research and potential interventions to mitigate the health risks associated with EMR-RF exposure in urban populations.

Induced Resistance in Fruit and Vegetable Enhancing Host Defence to Curve Post-harvest Diseases

Induced resistance (IR) is an emerging, environmentally friendly strategy to manage post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables by enhancing the plant’s innate immune system. This approach leverages the plant's natural defense mechanisms, including the activation of defense-related enzymes like chitinases, glucanases, and peroxidases, accumulation of secondary metabolites such as phytoalexins and phenolics, and the strengthening of cell walls to prevent pathogen invasion. Additionally, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a crucial role in both signaling and direct pathogen inhibition. Despite its potential, the effectiveness of IR varies across different crops and pathogens, and its success is heavily influenced by environmental factors, such as humidity, temperature, and light. There are also concerns regarding possible trade-offs, such as reduced yield or changes in fruit quality due to the diversion of energy towards defense responses. However, the integration of IR with other disease management strategies, including the use of biological control agents and conventional fungicides, has shown promising results in reducing post-harvest losses. Case studies in fruits like apples, tomatoes, and citrus, as well as vegetables like potatoes and peppers, demonstrate the practical applications of IR in commercial agriculture. Advances in genetic engineering are opening new pathways for enhancing IR by manipulating key genes involved in defense pathways, while new formulations and precision agriculture technologies offer greater control and efficiency in IR applications. These innovations, along with optimized post-harvest handling and storage practices, hold the potential to make IR a more reliable and sustainable solution for managing post-harvest diseases. However, ongoing research is necessary to address the variability in effectiveness and to explore long-term sustainability, especially as pathogens evolve and environmental conditions change. Induced resistance, when integrated with a comprehensive disease management approach, offers a significant step forward in reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security globally.

Environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and hazards of chemicals in e-cigarette e-liquids: short-listing chemicals for risk assessments

Background/MethodsIncreased use and sales of e-cigarettes raises concerns about the potential environmental impacts throughout their life-cycle. However, few available research studies focus on the environmental impacts and ecotoxicity of e-cigarettes....

Transportation, storage and injection practices of insulin among patients with diabetes mellitus attending a medical clinic at a tertiary care centre in Sri Lanka

Background: Failure to maintain the cold chain during the transportation and storage of insulin and incorrect techniques of insulin injection lead to fluctuations of glycaemic control and complications among patients with diabetes mellitus. Objective: The study assessed transportation, storage, and injection practices of insulin among diabetic patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 consecutive diabetic patients on regular insulin attending a follow-up medical clinic at National Hospital, Colombo. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on patients’ socio-demographic factors, insulin transportation methods, storage, and injection practices. Results: All the study participants (age 59 SD±11.5; males 44.5%; females 55.5%) were on premixed insulin while 15% (n=30) used additional soluble insulin. The majority (56%) failed to maintain the cold chain during transportation while 1.5% (n=3) stored insulin in the freezer compartment. Only 33.5% (n=67) had glucometers at home to monitor their glucose levels and 27% failed to comply with the recommended dosage. Only 52.5% (n=105) adhered to the correct timing recommended. The majority (95.5%; n=191) practiced rotation of the injection site and 32% (n=64) rolled the vial between palms before injection. A minority (24.5%) failed to clean the injection site while 63.5% (n=127) practiced pinching of the skin fold before injection. All 6 steps of insulin injection were correctly practiced by 6.5% (n=13) denoting significant lapses in their knowledge and technique. Conclusion: A significant number of insulin users follow incorrect transportation and injection practices. Interventions are required to improve them

Residential wood heat in the US: Results of a survey investigating user behavior and operation of wood heating appliances

Wood is used as a source of primary and secondary heat by millions of people in the US, but many wood stoves emit levels of particulate matter that negatively impact human health and the environment. Modern wood stoves are designed to pass emissions testing required by regulatory bodies and manufacturers may be hindered in their ability to design for the variability of real-world use. User behavior can strongly impact wood heater emissions, and learning about how they are used in real life could inform the future design of cleaner-burning wood heaters. In this study a survey was performed to investigate the habits, needs, and challenges surrounding residential wood heating in the US. Common user characteristics and behaviors are investigated in categories covering heating technology, fuel use and preference, user behavior, and operation. The data collected from 210 completed survey responses can be used to support and refute anecdotal understandings of wood stove use. Results from this study cover wood heater ages and the presence or lack of catalysts. Fuel provenance, type, seasoning, and storage practices are discussed, along with the ways that respondents learned how to use their stoves and their operational practices including reloading, cold start behavior, and use of air controls. The information presented in this paper can be used to inform industry and regulatory groups as to how people use their wood heaters and highlights areas for potential future research.

Firearm screening and intervention beliefs and practices among U.S. Air Force (USAF) mental health providers and behavioral health technicians.

We examined beliefs and practices regarding firearm assessment and lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) among U.S. Air Force (USAF) mental health providers (MHPs) and behavioral health technicians (BHTs). Data were collected from 204 USAF MHPs (74.0%; n = 151) and BHTs (26.0%; n = 53) via an anonymous, voluntary survey. A modest proportion indicated they strongly/extremely believe that firearm ownership (42.2%) and storage practices (58.3%) are related to suicide risk. A minority indicated they "strongly"/"extremely" believe that LMSC will yield changes in storage practices (30.9%) and decreases in suicide risk (29.9%). Across patient scenarios, most indicated that "most of the time"/"always" they assess for firearm access (74.5%-99.5%) and provide LMSC (57.8%-95.6%). About half (52.5%) reported having distributed cable locks. Most (59.3%) indicated they are somewhat interested/very interested in receiving additional training on LMSC. MHPs, compared with BHTs, were significantly more likely to report believing a link between firearm ownership and storage practices and suicide risk, believing LMSC is effective at reducing suicide risk, providing LMSC to female patients and patients with current suicidal ideation, and having distributed cable locks. Findings suggest that there is not widespread agreement among USAF MHPs and BHTs that personal firearm ownership and nonsecure storage practices are associated with elevated suicide risk, and there were low levels of confidence in the effectiveness of LMSC. Yet, most USAF MHPs and BHTs reported they integrate firearm access assessment and LMSC as part of their routine clinical care, particularly for patients with identified suicide risk. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A 10-year (2014-2023) review of complementary food development in sub-Saharan Africa and the impact on child health.

Complementary foods (CFs) commonly consumed by infants and young children (IYC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are processed using either single or multi-grain ingredients through simple technologies such as fermentation, malting and roasting. Interestingly, CFs (e.g., ogi, kunu, and dabo) are prepared and fed to infants alongside breastmilk until they are completely weaned up to the infant's second birthday. The grains used for preparing CFs can be contaminated with bacterial and chemical contaminants as a result of poor harvesting, handling or storage practices. The stage at which IYC are introduced to CFs is of utmost importance as it aids in addressing malnutrition and improving their overall health and well-being. Complementary feeding practices across SSA are influenced by socio-economic, cultural and geographical factors such that improper introduction can result in dire health consequences including immune suppression, severe foodborne diseases, poor child growth and development, and sometimes death from malnutrition. Malnutrition often occurs from inadequacies of nutrient intakes and assimilation which affect the ability to maintain normal body functions such as growth, learning abilities, resistance to and recovery from diseases. In SSA, IYC malnutrition still poses an enormous concern, therefore indicating the need for intervention strategies such as the promotion of indigenous crops and elevating traditional knowledge and technologies for formulating CFs. This paper clearly highlights the diversity of CFs in SSA, ingredients utilized, processing techniques, contamination by bacteria and chemicals, and demonstrates the consequences of consuming contaminated CFs, and their influence on IYC health as well as approaches to ensuring safety and scaling up indigenous CFs.

Insuring masculinity: negotiating reproductive vulnerability and control through sperm storage

ABSTRACT Cryopreservation of sperm dates to the 1950s. Today, private sperm banks and fertility clinics cryopreserve sperm for private customers for all kinds of reasons. Little is known, however, of why individual men cryopreserve their sperm. The invisibility of the existing practices of sperm storage is mirrored in the ethnographic literature. Based on qualitative interviews with 30 men, this article analyzes how talking about sperm storage invokes imaginaries of masculinity shaped by reproductive vulnerability and control. Drawing on critical men and masculinity studies and feminist science and technology studies, we show that well-known imaginaries of masculinity and sexuality are reproduced, yet they are also reconfigured and displaced in surprising ways. When men talk about their sperm storage, they draw on imaginaries of masculinity that exceed future reproduction and control. To these men, sperm storage becomes a techno-scientific insurance that helps them manage their reproductive vulnerabilities.

Gun Ownership for Safety/Protection and Unsecure Firearm Storage Practices: Suicide Risk and Prevention among U.S. Army Servicemembers

Introduction: 2021 had the highest number firearm suicide deaths in U.S. history, with veterans representing 62.4% of firearm suicide deaths. The study objective is to understand motivations for firearm ownership, storage practices, history of mental health disorders and suicide risk in servicemembers, as reported by family members. Methods. Data were obtained from a case-control psychological autopsy study of 135 suicide decedents in the U.S. Army compared to a probability sample of 255 living controls, who are also service members weighted to be representative of the Army. Next-of-kin and Army supervisor informants participated in structured interviews and assessed reasons for firearm ownership, and storage practices. The military medical record provided mental health history of suicide decedents. A subsample of 123 personal firearm owners (n = 31 cases and n = 92 living controls) addressed the study objectives. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were constructed to examine predictors of unsecured firearm storage practices. Results: Family members reported safety/protection as the main reason for suicide decedents’ firearm ownership, which was significantly associated with unsecure firearm storage practices (OR = 3.8, 95% CI, 1.65, 8.75, x2 = 9.88, p = 0.0017). Ownership for safety/protection and lifetime history of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) from the military medical record (OR = 3.65, 95% CI, 1.48 – 9.02, x2 = 7.89 p = 0.0050) predicted unsecure storage. Conclusions: Ownership for safety/protection and the presence of clinically significant anxiety predicted unsecure firearm storage practices. Future research examining motivations for gun ownership for safety/protection, anxiety, and unsecure storage practices may help target interventions to prevent suicide.