Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jane Brandt Sorensen, Natasha Housseine, Nanna Maaloe, Ib Christian Bygbjerg, Britt Pinkowski Tersbol, Flemming Konradsen, Brenda Sequeira Dmello, Thomas van Den Akker, Jos van Roosmalen, Sangeeta Mookherji, Eunice Siaity, Haika Osaki, Rashid Saleh Khamis, Monica Lauridsen Kujabi, Thomas Wiswa John, Dan Wolf Meyrowitsch, Columba Mbekenga, Morten Skovdal, Hussein L. Kidanto
Summary: Effective and low-cost clinical interventions are essential in reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in low-resource settings. The pilot study in Zanzibar improved facility-based care by co-creating clinical practice guidelines and providing associated training. The study has now been scaled up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, allowing for exploration of the co-creation process and successful scale-up of the intervention. The research draws on social practice theory and utilizes ethnographic and participatory methodologies to explore childbirth care practices and develop knowledge for future interventions.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nanna Maaloe, Natasha Housseine, Jane Brandt Sorensen, Josephine Obel, Brenda Sequeira DMello, Monica Lauridsen Kujabi, Haika Osaki, Thomas Wiswa John, Rashid Saleh Khamis, Zainab Suleiman Said Muniro, Daniel Joseph Nkungu, Britt Pinkowski Tersbol, Flemming Konradsen, Sangeeta Mookherji, Columba Mbekenga, Tarek Meguid, Jos van Roosmalen, Ib Christian Bygbjerg, Thomas van den Akker, Andreas Kryger Jensen, Morten Skovdal, Hussein L. Kidanto, Dan Wolf Meyrowitsch
Summary: While the number of facility births is increasing in low-resource settings, the quality of care has not improved, resulting in high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity rates. Therefore, providing realistic and context-tailored clinical support is crucial to assist birth attendants in delivering evidence-based and respectful care. This study aims to modify, implement, and evaluate a multi-faceted intervention in high-volume maternity units in Tanzania, with the goal of improving childbirth care and survival rates.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Manjula Weerasinghe, Melissa Pearson, Nicholas Turner, Chris Metcalfe, David J. Gunnell, Suneth Agampodi, Keith Hawton, Thilini Agampodi, Matthew Miller, Shaluka Jayamanne, Simon Parker, Jayakody Arachchige Sumith, Ayanthi Karunarathne, Kalpani Dissanayaka, Sandamali Rajapaksha, Dilani Rodrigo, Dissanayake Abeysinghe, Chathuranga Piyasena, Rajaratnam Kanapathy, Sundaresan Thedchanamoorthy, Lizell Bustamante Madsen, Flemming Konradsen, Michael Eddleston
Summary: Pesticide self-poisoning is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people globally each year. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a gatekeeper training program for vendors in preventing pesticide self-poisoning in Sri Lanka. The program aims to identify high-risk individuals and restrict their access to pesticides.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ayubo Kampango, Emma F. Hocke, Helle Hansson, Peter Furu, Khamis A. Haji, Jean-Philippe David, Flemming Konradsen, Fatma Saleh, Christopher W. Weldon, Karin L. Schioler, Michael Alifrangis
Summary: The study found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in hotel compounds on Zanzibar Island were highly resistant to DDT, and possibly resistant to deltamethrin and propoxur, but this resistance was not linked to mutations in the studied genes. The presence of insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti in hotel compounds could act as sources of resistant mosquitoes. Further research is needed to determine the causes and prevent resistance from spreading.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Correction
Education & Educational Research
Lasse X. Jensen, Margaret Bearman, David Boud, Flemming Konradsen
Article
Microbiology
Subarna Sandhani Dey, Zenat Zebin Hossain, Humaira Akhter, Peter K. M. Jensen, Anowara Begum
Summary: The study suggests that the anadromous fish Hilsha plays a significant role in the transmission of Vibrio cholerae from freshwater aquatic environment to household kitchen environment. The presence of V. cholerae is found primarily in freshly caught Hilsha fish, with few detections in water samples and none in plankton samples. The isolated strains show toxin production, virulence genes, and biofilm formation capability.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephen Lawrence Grant, Sina Lange, Sara Almeida, Bilqis Hoque, Peter Kjaer Mackie Jensen
Summary: Cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh peak during the dry and post-monsoon periods, and changes in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) behavior during these periods contribute to the transmission of cholera. A mixed-method study was conducted in three populations in Bangladesh, assessing WASH-related variables during different seasons. The study found seasonal behavioral changes in all areas, including increased distance to water sources, decreased water quantity, and decreased handwashing with soap. Open defecation also increased during seasonal climate hazards. These findings highlight the importance of considering seasonal variations in WASH behaviors in cholera prevention and control strategies.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebeca Sultana, Nazmun Nahar, Stephen P. Luby, Sayeda Tasnuva Swarna, Emily S. Gurley, Charlotte Crim Tamason, Shifat Khan, Nadia Ali Rimi, Humayun Kabir, Md. Khaled Saifullah, Sushil Ranjan Howlader, Peter Kjaer Mackie Jensen
Summary: There is a lack of recent research on measuring water quantity for personal and domestic hygiene. This study aimed to measure water usage for hygiene purposes and identify the reasons and factors contributing to variations in water usage. The findings revealed that the participants used an average of 75 liters of water per person per day, with 39 liters used for personal hygiene. Gender, individual and social norms, beliefs, and weather conditions were found to influence personal hygiene practices, while water availability determined domestic hygiene.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sabera Saima, Jannatul Ferdous, Rebeca Sultana, Ridwan Bin Rashid, Sara Almeida, Anowara Begum, Peter Kjaer Mackie Jensen
Summary: The prevalence of diarrheagenic pathogens in water sources was assessed using PCR, and reliance on WHO guidelines for water quality assessment was examined. Results showed that while 48% of public domain source water and 21% of personal domain point-of-drinking water were classified as low-risk based on E. coli detection, PCR detected pathogens in a significant portion of these samples. This highlights the need to consider the presence of other pathogens in drinking water assessment.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Peter Kjaer Mackie Jensen, Zenat Zebin Hossain, Rebeca Sultana, Jannatul Ferdous, Sara Almeida, Anowara Begum
Summary: The water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector has been providing latrines and clean water to beneficiaries in low and middle-income countries for many years, but there is still a lack of evidence on the health impact. This paper investigates this issue and suggests assessing WASH interventions in the personal domain of consumption to better measure pathogen exposure and improve interventions.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Lisa Schoelin, K. S. Kylie Lee, Leslie London, Melissa Pearson, Fredrick Otieno, Manjula Weerasinghe, Flemming Konradsen, Michael Eddleston, Jane Brandt Sorensen
Summary: This article investigates the role of alcohol in pesticide self-harm and suicide. The study finds that alcohol plays an important role in pesticide self-harm and suicide, but there is limited research in this area.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Psychiatry
Lisa Scholin, K. S. Kylie Lee, Leslie London, Melissa Pearson, Fredrick Otieno, Manjula Weerasinghe, Flemming Konradsen, Michael Eddleston, Jane Brandt Sorensen
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
May C. van Schalkwyk, Jeff Collin, Michael Eddleston, Mark Petticrew, Melissa Pearson, Lisa Scholin, Nason Maani, Flemming Konradsen, David Gunnell, Duleeka Knipe
Summary: Suicide is preventable, but effective strategies are lacking in many settings. The influence of commercial actors on suicide prevention has been overlooked. Shifting focus to the underlying causes and understanding the impact of commercial determinants on suicide can bring transformative potential. A proposed framework aims to guide research and address the inequitable distribution of commercial determinants of suicide.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jane Brandt Sorensen, K. S. Kylie Lee, Andrew Dawson, Angela Dawson, Lalith Senarathna, P. H. G. Janaka Pushpakumara, Thilini Rajapakse, Flemming Konradsen, Nick Glozier, Katherine M. Conigrave, Prabash Siriwardhana, David Hansen, Alexandra Buhl, Chamill Priyadhasana, Kamal Senawirathna, Malith Herath, Sudesh Mantillake, Priyantha Fonseka, Melissa Pearson
Summary: Risky alcohol use is a major global and Sri Lankan public health concern. This study introduces a complex community-based intervention utilizing arts-based research to reduce alcohol consumption and evaluates its scalability. The intervention design incorporates behavior change theories and targets individuals and communities through multifaceted arts-based interventions. Modifications were made to the study due to COVID-19 and the financial crisis, with ethical approval obtained. Findings will be disseminated through various channels.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Racchana Ramamurthy, Julia Bleser, Flemming Konradsen, Solomon Kibret, Jeff Opperman, Liangzhi You, Kees Sloff, Matthew McCartney, Eric M. Fevre, Eline Boelee
Summary: Dams have been constructed for various purposes, but inadequate planning has led to negative impacts on ecosystems and communities. The public health impact of dams is often neglected, and the principles and guidelines set by organizations like the World Commission on Dams are not consistently followed. A One Health perspective can improve the consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants in dam development.
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM HEALTH & MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dewan Muhammad Shoaib, Tanvir Ahmed, Kazy Farhat Tabassum, Mehedi Hasan, Fazle Sharior, Mahbubur Rahman, Makfie Farah, Md Azizur Rahman, Alauddin Ahmed, James B. Tidwell, Mahbub-Ul Alam
Summary: An intervention was implemented in Bangladesh during COVID-19 to reduce occupational health risks for waste and sanitation workers. The intervention involved training and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE). The study found that the intervention improved workers' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding PPE usage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andreas Kortenkamp, Olwenn Martin, Eleni Iacovidou, Martin Scholze
Summary: The European Food Safety Authority's downward revision of the Health-based Guidance Value for bisphenol A (BPA) has led to disagreements with other regulatory agencies, particularly the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The differing views between EFSA and BfR are driven by their respective selection of endpoints and study evaluation systems, as well as their acceptance or refusal of immunotoxic effects as a basis for establishing a Health-based Guidance Value.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shizhen He, Bjorn Lundberg, Jenny Hallberg, Susanna Klevebro, Goran Pershagen, Kristina Eneroth, Erik Melen, Matteo Bottai, Olena Gruzieva
Summary: Early life air pollution exposure and abnormal inflammation-related protein profiles may interact synergistically towards lower lung function in infants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paulien Cleys, Emilie Hardy, Yu Ait Bamai, Giulia Poma, Adam Cseresznye, Govindan Malarvannan, Paul T. J. Scheepers, Susana Viegas, Simo P. Porras, Tiina Santonen, Lode Godderis, Jelle Verdonck, Katrien Poels, Carla Martins, Maria Joao Silva, Henriqueta Louro, Inese Martinsone, Lasma Akulova, An van Nieuwenhuyse, Martien Graumans, Selma Mahiout, Radu Corneliu Duca, Adrian Covaci
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to phthalates and alternative plasticizers. The results showed that e-waste workers had higher urinary concentrations of phthalates and metabolites compared to non-occupationally exposed controls. However, no significant differences were found between pre-and post-shift concentrations in the e-waste workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karolina Bralewska
Summary: This review study examines the concentrations of various air pollutants in fire stations, identifies the limitations and strengths of existing research, identifies research gaps and challenges, and suggests potential solutions for reducing firefighter exposure to air pollution at fire stations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)