BACKGROUND: Mine workers in South Africa face challenges relating to poor health and safety, including fatigue risks, and poor socioeconomic and living conditions. Fatigue results in impaired mental and physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess contributors to fatigue of mine workers in South Africa. METHODS: Data collection took place at four gold mines and one platinum mine in South Africa. A total of 21 focus groups were held with individuals in management, union representatives, and mine workers, and 564 questionnaires were completed by mine workers to gather information about fatigue and potential contributors to fatigue at these mines. RESULTS: Qualitatively (through focus groups), fatigue was attributed to extended working hours, harsh working conditions, high workloads, production pressure, and resource constraints, along with aspects relating to demographic and socioeconomic factors, living conditions, lifestyle, health, and wellness. Greater fatigue was significantly associated with younger age, indebtedness, a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, less sleep, increased alcohol use, poor self-reported health, more sick leave, higher stress, and lower job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The aim of the study was achieved; numerous work-, sociodemographic-, lifestyle-, and wellness-related factors were linked to fatigue in the participating mine workers. Contributors to fatigue should be addressed to improve health, safety, and sustainability in the industry.
Data Collection ; Environment and Public Health ; Fatigue ; Focus Groups ; Job Satisfaction ; Life Style ; Miners ; Mining ; Platinum ; Sick Leave ; Social Conditions ; Socioeconomic Factors ; South Africa

The majority of South Korean females use sanitary pads, which contain various organic solvents which could be excreted before and during their menstruation. However, they are not provided with findings from studies about the health effects of sanitary pads. Therefore, this study aims to establish a list of potential health hazards of sanitary pads and address the need for further extensive research by pointing out the limitations of the previous literature. A systematic review was adopted to conduct quantitative and qualitative reviews based on the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses). Studies from electronic databases such as PubMed, RISS, and Google Scholar were retrieved for the final analyses. In accordance with our findings, we proposed a set of limitations of the previous studies. A systematic review revealed that there were effects of sanitary pads on vaginal or vulvar skin, endometriosis, and vaginal microflora. The review also revealed that organic solvents, which sanitary pads are composed of, bring potential harmful effects on pregnancy, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, and neurological development. Social environments such as hygiene use or puberty education also turned out to affect female health. It was inferred that a lack of non-occupational and domestic studies reflecting the distinguishing features of sanitary pads with a reliable sample size remains as an important limitation. This study suggests that organic solvents in sanitary pads may increase some health risks bringing reproductive, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and neurological effects. Due to a lack of studies, a more extensive study can contribute to the public health of South Korean females.
Adolescent ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Education ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Menstrual Hygiene Products ; Menstruation ; Pregnancy ; Puberty ; Public Health ; Sample Size ; Skin ; Social Environment ; Solvents

The Healthy Cities program is being actively pursued worldwide under the leadership of the World Health Organization as an effort to improve urban health through changes in the physical and social environment. As the core of the Healthy Cities program, governance establishes and implements diverse health plans and healthy public policies through political support, intersectoral cooperation, community participation, and multilevel networks. With the development of Healthy Cities programs, governance has evolved in the direction of autonomy, equity, and integration. These governance orientations should be continuously reflected in Healthy Cities strategies in order to successfully improve citizens' health.
Consumer Participation ; Leadership ; Public Policy ; Social Environment ; Urban Health ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES: This was a comparative study between Australia and Korea that investigated whether and to what extent factors related to self-rated good health (SRGH) differ by gender among age groups. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data that were collected in nationally representative, cross-sectional, and population-based surveys. We analyzed Australian and Korean participants > 20 years of age using 2011 data from the Australian National Nutritional Physical Activity Survey (n = 9,276) and the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (n = 5,915). Analyses were based on multiple logistic regression after controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Factors associated with SRGH and the extent of their influence differed by gender among age groups within each nation. Australian SRGH was associated with more factors than Korean SRGH, except in participants > 65 years old. Many differences among adults aged 20–44 years were observed, particularly with regard to the influence of socioeconomic factors. Living with a spouse only influenced SRGH in men 20–44 years old in both countries, negatively for Korean men and positively for Australian men. In this same age group, SRGH was positively influenced by employment and attainment of a higher education level in Australian men but not among Korean men; among women, income, but not education, affected SRGH in Korea, whereas in Australia, women were more influenced by education than by income. Lack of chronic disease had a strong influence on SRGH in both countries and was influential in all Australians and Koreans except those ≥ 65 years old. CONCLUSION: Broad features of society should be considered when discussing health and differences in associated factors and their influences. For focused public health interventions of population groups, it is also necessary to consider gender and age groups within social environments.
Adult ; Australia* ; Chronic Disease ; Education ; Employment ; Female* ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male* ; Motor Activity ; Population Groups ; Public Health ; Social Environment ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Spouses

The aim of this research was to assess the influence of social-demographic, psychological, health beliefs, and social environmental factors on the substance use in each gender group. Greater knowledge concerning these issues may help public health and medical policy-makers design more effective means for preventing substance abuse. Logistic regression analyses of the 2005 Korean Institute of Criminology Survey were conducted for exploring gender-specific factors in the sample of 1,332 male and 131 female prisoners. Prevalence for substance abuse was 49.5% of men and 50.1% of women. For both men and women, social environment factor such as drug use by family and friends was associated with substance abuse (odds ratio [OR], 2.738 for men; OR, 5.072 for women; P<0.01). Perceived severity (OR, 0.816 for men; OR, 0.839 for women; P<0.01) and perceived vulnerability (OR, 1.149 for men; OR, 1.215 for women; P<0.01) were also factors contributing to substance abuse. Among women, depression and impulsive behavior increased the risk of substance use. Men, on the other hand, age, no religion, and smoking were the risk factors of substance use. We find support for the current argument that there are differences in contributing factors in each gender group in regards to the risk of substance abuse. Our findings suggest that there is a need to develop appropriate health communication and policy intervention strategies for substance abuse prevention and treatment for gender specified groups at greater risk.
Criminology ; Depression ; Female ; Friends ; Hand ; Health Communication ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Prisoners ; Prisons ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Environment ; Substance-Related Disorders

Field epidemiology involves the implementation of quick and targeted public health interventions with the aid of epidemiological methods. In this article, we share our practical experiences in outbreak management and in safeguarding the population against novel diseases. Given that cities represent the financial nexuses of the global economy, global health security necessitates the safeguard of cities against epidemic diseases. Singapore's public health landscape has undergone a systemic and irreversible shift with global connectivity, rapid urbanization, ecological change, increased affluence, as well as shifting demographic patterns over the past two decades. Concomitantly, the threat of epidemics, ranging from severe acute respiratory syndrome and influenza A (H1N1) to the resurgence of vector-borne diseases as well as the rise of modern lifestyle-related outbreaks, have worsened difficulties in safeguarding public health amidst much elusiveness and unpredictability. One critical factor that has helped the country overcome these innate and man-made public health vulnerabilities is the development of a resilient field epidemiology service, which includes our enhancement of surveillance and response capacities for outbreak management, and investment in public health leadership. We offer herein the Singapore story as a case study in meeting the challenges of disease control in our modern built environment.
Disease Outbreaks/*prevention & control ; Ecology ; Environment ; Humans ; Life Style ; Pandemics/prevention & control ; Public Health Administration ; *Public Health Practice ; Singapore/epidemiology ; World Health

INTRODUCTION. Discussions on road safety are both timely and relevant. From its sixth place place in 1995, death from road accidents rose to fourth in 2004, and is expected to become the second leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. lt is notable that road accidents specifically motorcycle accidents are increasingly more common among developing countries such as the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES. Because of this growing public concern, this cross-sectional descriptive study aims to determine the profile of motorcycle accidents in Metro Manila, the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries resulting from such accidents, and to propose recommendations for its prevention.

METHODS. Charts and clinical records of road accident victims from three major institutions namely, the Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center and East Avenue Medical Center were selected. The profile of these patients and the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries were gathered.

RESULTS. Males were found to be more involved in these accidents with an average age in the range of 21 to 35 years. The most common time of fatal vehicular accidents was at 9 p.m. while nonfatal injuries occurred most commonly around 4 a.m. Motorcycles rank as the leading cause of injuries to motorists, both fatal and nonfatal. There was a 16.3% increase in the incidence of motorcycle-related musculoskeletal injuries from 2007 to 2008. The lower extremity was involved in half of cases with the rest occurring in the spine and upper extremity. The most commonly involved segment was the tibia (25%), followed by the femur (20%) and the forearm (12.5%).

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS. It is apparent that the increase in vehicular crash causing fatal accidents is due to an increased number of motorcycles and cars, and these commonly involve the pedestrian and drivers. It is understandable that in order to improve road safety, education should be enhanced among motorists and students alike as a form of prevention, and primary trauma centers should be determined to facilitate identifying which centers can adequately manage these injured motorists.

Human ; Animal ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Accidents ; Environment And Public Health ; Public Health

Objectives. This study aimed to describe baseline and follow-up prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, nutritional status and school performance of school-age children in Cebu City. By measuring these parameters, it also aimed to monitor the progress of a local government unit-led, school-based, schoolteacher-assisted deworming initiative. Methods. Grade three and grade four pupils from two selected school districts in Cebu City were chosen as participants. Kato-Katz technique was used to assess helminth infections. All positive slides and 10% of all negative slides were re-examined blindly by a reference microscopist for quality control. Secondary anthropometric and school performance data were also obtained from the Department of Education. Results. Baseline results showed cumulative prevalence and prevalence of heavy intensity infection of 73.1% and 44.3%, respectively, which were significantly lower during follow-up at 56.5% (p < 0.0001) and 26.5% (p < 0.0001), respectively. School performance improved in District B, with an 8.8% increase in mean percentage score from baseline to follow-up. There was no marked difference between baseline and follow-up proportions of pupils with below normal weight-for-age and height-for-age. Conclusions. The positive results merit continuation of the school-based STH control initiative in Cebu City. Improvements in water supply and sanitation, promotion of good hygiene and health education are important in minimizing risks of infection and re-infection.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Child ; INTESTINAL HELMINTHIASIS ; ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH ; PUBLIC HEALTH ; SANITATION ; SANITARY ENGINEERING ; WATER SUPPLY

The ULTRA tragedy occurred on February 4, 2006 when the ABS-CBN popular noontime gameshow "Wowowee" was slated to hold its first anniversary presentation with large monetary prizes, including houses and lots, jeepneys, taxicabs, and tricycles up for grabs. In a stampede which occurred at the start of the show with an audience of 30,000, seventy-one people died and 800 were injured with trauma to the head, chest and the abdomen. The WHO analysis is presented together with the analysis of the author, and recommendations were formulated.

Human ; Male ; Female ; World Health Organization ; Abdominal Cavity ; Abdomen ; Thorax ; Head ; Disasters ; Environment And Public Health

In order to achieve the target of industrialization and modernization, beside to increase the awareness of education and training, it is necessary to understand the role of technology in human development, in particular the health of working people. Taking care to the health of working people is extremely necessary as one side is to maintain a healthy working force and other side it is responsibility of society to compensate for the contribution of working people. A network of labor medical organized from central to workshops has been greatly contributing to taking care and protecting health of working people. It is necessary and practical to combine closely and enhance the roles of government offices and occupational science associates
Occupational Diseases ; Environment ; Public Health ; Industry ; Social Change