Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticide-Based Malaria Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review Introduction Malaria remains a major public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions, necessitating effective vector control strategies. This scoping review aims to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of pesticide-based malaria control in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed for studies published between 2004 and 2024, using a predefined search string based on the PEO framework. Inclusion criteria focused on studies addressing malaria control programmes and their effects on the environment and human health. Data extraction followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results 12 studies were included, most of which focused on indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). The review identified significant direct and indirect impacts. While effective in reducing malaria transmission, IRS and ITNs pose substantial risks. Direct health effects included acute poisoning and long-term neurodevelopmental issues linked to pesticide exposure, with residues detected in breast milk. Environmental impacts included soil and water contamination, biodiversity loss and ecological disruption. The overlap of pesticide use in malaria control and agriculture was found to exacerbate insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. Conclusions Pesticide-based malaria control, while crucial, carries significant unintended consequences for human health and the environment. The findings underscore the urgent need for Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategies that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, mitigate resistance, and ensure environmental sustainability and public health safety.

Gema Ekologi: Meneroka Interaksi Antara Persekitaran Hutan dan Vektor Malaria Pendahuluan Malaria kekal sebagai salah satu cabaran kesihatan awam yang penting di seluruh dunia, dengan kemajuan telah terbantut dalam kebelakangan ini. Memandangkan peningkatan kes malaria terutamanya di beberapa kawasan tropika, pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang hubungan ekologi yang mendasari penularan vektor malaria perlu diberikan fokus. Pendekatan pelbagai disiplin yang melibatkan ekologi, entomologi dan kesihatan awam adalah diperlukanuntuk memahami kaitan antara malaria dan habitat persekitaran. Ulasan ini bertujuan untuk mensintesis penyelidikan sedia ada tentang bagaimana ekosistem hutan mempengaruhi dinamik penularan malaria.MetodologiMenggunakan pangkalandata PubMed, Google Scholar dan Scopus, kajian literatur komprehensif telah dijalankan menggunakan kata kunci tertentu. Artikel yang berkaitan telah dinilai untuk aliran tematik. Secara keseluruhan, 42 artikel telah dipilih untuk naratif ini.Hasil Iklim mikro hutan mempengaruhi kecergasan, tingkah laku, corak aktiviti dan fisiologi organisma. Relung biologiberbeza yang disebabkanoleh suhu, kelembapan, pendedahan cahaya dan kerpasan boleh memberi kesan kepada populasi nyamuk. Ciri-ciri fiziko-biokimia badan air, termasuk suhu, pH, jumlah pepejal terlarut (TDS), kandungan nitrat, dan paras oksigen terlarut, mempunyai kesan yang ketara ke atas banyaknya larva nyamuk anopheline. Kelimpahan vektor mungkin dipengaruhi oleh kehadiran perumah dan pemangsa semulajadi. Interaksi rumit geografi, tumbuh-tumbuhan hutan, kepadatan vektor malaria, dan tingkah laku mempunyai pengaruh besar ke atas dinamik penularan malaria. Penebangan hutan mengubah landskap dan ekosistem serpihan, yang mempunyai kesan besar ke atas habitat larva vektor Plasmodium. Perubahan iklim menimbulkan ancaman besar kepada kelimpahan vektor malaria dan dinamik penghantaran.KesimpulanTerdapat banyak aspek kepada interaksi kompleks antara persekitaran hutan dan penyebaran malaria,memerlukan pengetahuan yang mendalam dan lebih banyak penyiasatan. Kerjasama antara ahli ekologi, entomologi dan pakar kesihatan awam adalah penting dalam menghasilkan model komprehensif yang meramalkan risiko malaria dengan tepat dalam persekitaran yang berubah-ubah

Introduction: The construction workers are performing manual tasks in harsh conditions. Various environmental risk factors could have significant influence on work fatigue. Methods: This review article discussed the environmental causal factors which involved in work fatigue development in the occupational health perspective, with the aim in enhancing the body of knowledge specifically in the construction industry so that mitigation measures and interventions can be formulated and implemented for fatigue prevention and productivity enhancement. Results: Data derived from a total of 11 relevant articles identified climatic heat, vibration and elevation change as the major risk factors that associated with work fatigue. The mechanism of the environmental factors’ influences on muscle, mental and visual fatigue were understood, pointedly the underlying physiological alteration. Additionally, appropriate preventive measures in accordance to the OSHA guides including work-break cycles, work management, cool-down arrangements with drinking water were discussed. The limitation of existing OSH requirements on work limits at heat exposure was recognized, including the lack of consideration on personal characteristics therefore might inaccurately estimate the personal heat tolerance time. Conclusions The proper understanding of the environmental stressors and its impact on workers production and safety performance may help construction organisations and regulatory body to develop strategies for workers protection and fatigue-related accidents prevention.

Introduction: Concerns about the quality of life (QoL) of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder have been raised by previous study. Policy decision-makers and healthcare professionals can be better informed about the environmental factors associated with parental QoL, which will enhance outcomes for both parents and children. The objective of this review is to perform a comprehensive review that assesses the environmental relevant factors associated with quality of life (QoL) of parents of ASD children (under 18 years old). Methods: To identify the environmental factors associated with parental QoL, a scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley original and enhanced framework. Three electronic database (PubMed, Scopus & WOS) and reference list checks were used in the search. Results: Social support, family support, residential condition, and access to services were all factors linked to the parental quality of life in this group. Conclusions The review highlighted environmental factors as one of the variables that have an association with parental QoL. The results of this analysis also highlighted potential areas of support that have implications on future policy and practices.

Introduction: Commuting accidents (CAs) caused significant detrimental impacts on the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (FRDM). Therefore, this study aims to identify factors of CA by mainly focusing on environmental factors Methodology: The qualitative data was obtained from FRDM accident investigation reports from five states (Kedah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Johor) between 2017-2021. The data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Four environmental factors that contribute to CA were identified. The factors were environmental conditions (rainfall, strong wind, light glare, and insufficient lighting), time (twilight and night time), road physical conditions (hilly road, curvy, steep, and narrow road, weak manhole cover, soft ground, wet and slippery road), and road environment (traffic congestion and sudden animal crossing) Conclusion These findings provide environment-related hazards input for risk assessment and management of CA in FRDM, as well as valuable information for future research. Therefore, it has the potential to improve road safety for firefighters, the general public, and animals

Internet Addiction (IA) is becoming increasingly recognized as a serious public health issue, particularly for children and adolescents. This review article discussed the complexity of IA diagnostic criteria and IA-related risk factors from a public health perspective with the intention of fostering a better understanding of IA in adolescents and children. The entire discussion pointed out how the epidemiological triad of disease framework helps to explain the IA associated factors among adolescents. This framework emphasises the agent (Internet characteristics and its content), host (e.g., self-personality, comorbidity, psychological status, inter- and intrapersonal relationship), and environment as extrinsic factors (i.e., physical pollution, socioeconomic status, availability, and accessibility of the Internet) that facilitate interaction between the agent and the host. Evaluation of all three components and their association with IA is essential as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how the issues arise, which can be useful in developing future effective public health measures for IA