Showing papers in "International Journal of Public Health Science in 2012"

Prediction and Decision Making in Health Care using Data Mining

Abstract: Tendency for data mining application in healthcare today is great, because healthcare sector is rich with information, and data mining is becoming a necessity. Healthcare organizations produce and collect large volumes of information on daily basis. Use of information technologies allows automatization of processes for extraction of data that help to get interesting knowledge and regularities, which means the elimination of manual tasks and easier extraction of data directly from electronic records, transferring onto secure electronic system of medical records which will save lives and reduce the cost of the healthcare services, as well and early discovery of contagious diseases with the advanced collection of data. Data mining can enable healthcare organizations to predict trends in the patient conditions and their behaviors, which is accomplished by data analysis from different perspectives and discovering connections and relations from seemingly unrelated information. Raw data from healthcare organizations are voluminous and heterogeneous. They need to be collected and stored in the organized forms, and their integration enables forming of hospital information system. Healthcare data mining provides countless possibilities for hidden pattern investigation from these data sets. These patterns can be used by physicians to determine diagnoses, prognoses and treatments for patients in healthcare organizations.

Type of Birth, Depression and Anxiety as Determinates of Breastfeeding Attitude among Nursing Mothers

Abstract: This study examined Type of Birth, Depression and Anxiety as determinates of Breastfeeding attitude among Nursing Mothers in Edo and Kogi State Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) currently Breastfeeding mothers participated in the study. This comprises of a hundred and twenty breastfeeding mother drawn from the General Hospital Auchi Edo State and eighty drawn from Ajaokuta Steel Medical Centre Kogi State. A questionnaire was used in collecting data. The questionnaire consisted of four sections. The demographic variables, Breastfeeding attitude scale, Depression and Anxiety sub-scales. Results of the study revealed that mothers who had normal delivery reported positive attitude towards breastfeeding than mothers who gave birth through caesarian section (t=3.38, df 198 P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the reported attitude of mothers scoring high and low on the Zung depression inventory towards breastfeeding. Likewise there were no significant differences in the reported attitude of mothers scoring high or low towards breastfeeding. Results obtained also shows that there was an interaction effect between type of delivery and depression on breastfeeding attitude among nursing mothers. An interaction existed also between type of Delivery and anxiety; Depression and anxiety but surprisingly, type of delivery, depression and anxiety did not have an interaction effect on the prediction of breastfeeding attitude among nursing mothers. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that there is need for counseling and enlightenment campaign embarked upon by government, and non-governmental organization as well as all health professional concerned within Nigeria to eliminate this wrong attitude and belief about Caesarean section birth as well as campaign on the nutritional values of breastfeeding milk to children. The need for mothers who went through CS to be counseled on the need to believe in themselves as well as the benefit of breastfeeding to the child and mother is very important. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i2.1253

Effect of Public Librairies in the Attainment of Health Millennium Development Goals in Senegal

Abstract: This study surveys the roles of Public libraries in the attainment of health Millennium Development Goals in Senegal. It also identifies the health-information needs of the community and information services rendered by the libraries. The role of public libraries in the attainment of health-MDGs has been a daunting task for public libraries as a result of government negligence. The methodology adopted for the study is the survey design in which questionnaires was used for obtaining data. The target population was public library staff/users in Senegal. The result showed that public libraries have played significant role towards the attainment of health-MDGs and library users make significant demand for all categories of health information especially in the area of maternal and childcare. However, majority of the public libraries have no Internet services. The findings makes it imperative for all other relevant agencies to key into the health-MDGs especially in assisting the Public Libraries. The study will bring to the awareness of users, the roles public libraries plays in supporting local and international policies and the provision of information services for library users.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Caesarean Section

Abstract: Objective: To study the use of prophylactic antibiotics in caesarean section (CS). Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Western Regional Hospital of Nepal. Results: This study included a total of 188 eligible women undergoing CS. The result showed that 42.6 % of the women were of 20-24 yrs of age followed by 31.9 % of 25-29 yrs. The indications for CS included cephalopelvic disproportion (62.2 %), oligohydraminos (20.2 %), breech presentation (18.1 %) and fetal distress (10.1 %). Failed induction, multiple pregnancy, failure to progress, dystocia and preeclampsia/eclampsia were relatively rare indications. Elective and emergency CS was common between the age group 20-24 and 25-29 yrs whereas emergency CS was more common than elective in the age group below 20 yrs and above 39 yrs. In 99.5 % cases metronidazole, 50.5 % cases ciprofloxacin and 50.5 % cases gentamycin was used for prophylaxis. Of the total women 50 % of the women got 3 antibiotics for prophylaxis followed by 47.9 % of them who got 2 antibiotics for prophylaxis. The average length of hospital stay was found to be 6.71 days. Conclusion: The results obtained from the study revealed that CS was prevalent in Western region of Nepal. But there was no proper guideline for antibiotic prophylaxis for CS in the hospital. Therefore, there is need of a standard guideline to promote rational use of antibiotics for prophylaxis in CS. Key Words: Caesarean section, Antibiotic prophylaxis, Nepal DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i1.280

Study of Oxidative Stress in Relation with Antioxidant Status in Chronic Bronchitis

Abstract: Lipid peroxide plays an important role in inflammatory lung diseases. Increased epithelial permeability produced by cigarette smoke is likely to be mediated though depletion of the Total Antioxidant Capacity .Oxidative stress has been recognized as a central feature of smoke induced chronic bronchitis. Imbalance between oxidants and Total Anioxidant Capacity is also an established fact in these patients. 60 patients with chronic bronchitis included in the study. Their base line clinical examination, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide, alpha tochopherol and Total Antioxidant Capacity were measured. 100 healthy non-smokers’ were served as controls. The mean malondialdehyde levels and nitric oxide in the patients at base line were higher than Controls (p<0.001). Plasma alpha-tocopherol and total antioxidant capacity were lower (p<0.001) in the patients compared to controls. The present study shows that initially the plasma lipid peroxide (MDA) levels were high and antioxidants. (alpha- tocopherol, total antioxidant capacity) were low in patients with chronic bronchitis. Our results suggest the presence of oxidative stress and decrease in total antioxidant capacity in chronic bronchitis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i1.523

Effects of the Occupational Physical Environmental Conditions and the Individual Characteristics of the Workers on Occupational Stress and Fatigue

Abstract: This research was conducted to study the effects of environmental factors i.e. heat stress, thermal comfort, and occupational noise and individual factors of the workers i.e. age, work duration (expressed in months), and nutrition status on occupational fatigue and stress. Occupational fatigue was measured using Reaction Timer L-77 Lakassidaya. Occupational stress was measured using questionnaire adapted from Wambrauw (2010). Heat stress and thermal comfort were measured using Questemp 34 Thermal Environment Meter and Lutron AM-4200 Anemometer. Occupational noise level was measured using Lutron SL-4022 Sound Level Meter. Nutrition status was measured using microtoise and body weight scale. Age and work duration was obtained using a personal profile form filled in by each worker. This research employed Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) consisted of direct and indirect effects of exogenous and endogenous variables on endogenous variables. Data analysis was conducted using AMOS 19 software. Data analysis showed that (1) different level of fatigue was indicated on workers working in different work shifts, (2) there was no direct effects of heat stress and thermal comfort on occupational fatigue, (3) there was a positive direct effect of occupational noise on workers stress but there was no indication that the stress itself has a direct effect on occupational fatigue, thus preventing the indirect effect of occupational noise on occupational fatigue, (4) there was no direct effect of the age of the workers on occupational fatigue, (5) there was a positive direct effect of the workers age on work duration, but the work duration itself did not exhibit any effect on occupational fatigue so therefore no indirect effect of workers age on occupational fatigue was found in this research, (6) and finally, there was a positive direct effect of nutrition status on occupational fatigue. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i2.1251

Relation between Mental Health Status and Psychosocial Stressors among Pregnant and Puerperium Women in Japan: From the Perspective of Working Status

Abstract: Mental health problems during pregnancy and postpartum periods are one of the alarming health issues among women in Japan. This study analyzed data on the Japanese version of the Kessler 6 (K6), specific psychosocial stressors, and working status of pregnant and puerperium women (n=1126) from respondents in the Comprehensive Survey of People’s Living Conditions (CSPLC) conducted in 2007 by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. Multiple logistic analyses showed the significant associations between mental health and psychosocial stressors: “family relationship,” “pregnancy and birth,” and “incomes/ family budgets/ debts”, regardless of “employed” or “unemployed”. After stratified by working status, whereas “one’s job” stressor had an association with mental health only for employed females, stressors for “one’s disease/long -term care” and “housework” had associations only for unemployed ones. For employed women, the primary factor for mental health was “family relationship” stressor. Although mental health status measured by K6 was not different between employed or unemployed female population, primary stressors related mental health was revealed to differ with working status. Especially, “family relationship” stressor was the highest risk factor of mental health in employed women. More importantly, the results provided evidence on the differences in associations between mental health and specific psychosocial stressors by working status. Psychosocial risk assessments and interventions on working status among pregnant and puerperium women should be imperative to pay attention for social politics. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i2.808

Environmental Influences Cause Stress on the Use of Computer

Abstract: Working with a computer over a period long enough to be done. Computer is the best medium currently in appearance and in the way of working, because the computer can assist in completing the work in a more rapid, efficient and very easy to use. With the convenience offered by the computer, almost all the work can be done with computer. Computers are a necessity in supporting work and communication tool that is quite reliable. The computer is useful in life, but can also cause problems on users, the computer can issue radiation that affects the condition of the user as well as ignorance in using computers can cause Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Besides, the use of computers can lead to stress as a result of incomprehension in determining the condition of the environment on room. To be able to know the stress resulting from the use of computer, conducted research with a sample of 30 people at Udayana University Computer Science students with a design the same subject. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 13.00 and differences in the data before and after the redesigned (improvement), that do use the test independent sample t-test (t test group), at the level of significance of 5%. After a redesigned (improvement) on the environmental temperature is obtained decrease in the standard cold temperatures of Indonesia work of 28.00 C to 25.83 C, occupational stress decreased from 86% to 42%, and improve learning outcomes from 59.6% to 98.1%.. Thus It can be concluded that due to improvements made agains environmentally ergonomic standards can reduce the stress of work. Keywords: Computers; Stress.

A study to compare Major Adverse Cardiac Event in patient undergoing PCI with Drug Eluting Stents Vs Bare Metal Stents

Abstract: This study compared Major Adverse Cardiac Event in patient with Acute Coronary Syndromes undergoing PCI with Drug Eluting Stents Vs Bare Metal Stents. A retrospective, observational study was carried out in an inpatient setting of the private tertiary care hospital. Patients with >18 years, diagnosed for Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), required intervention in coronary artery with implantation of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) or Bare Metal Stents (BMS) were recruited in the study. The data had been collected from file or database of the hospital. All subjects were followed for major adverse cardiac event. Result. A total of 202 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled into DES group (N=101) and BMS group (N=101). All patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months & 12 months for Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE). Clinical outcomes during 12 months were compared between DES group & BMS group. There was no significant difference in baseline parameters including demographic, risk factors of ACS, diagnosis, angiographic parameters between both groups. Overall MACE rates were reported non-significantly high in BMS group patients (14.85%) compare to DES group patients (8.91%) (P=0.458). However, DES group had lower rates of death (0.99% vs 1.98%, P=0.57), rate of MI (3.96% vs 4.95% P=0.73), rate of revascularization (1.98% vs 3.96% p=0.42) & rate of sub acute thrombosis (1.98% vs 3.96% P=0.42) and higher rate of bleeding (1.98% vs 0.99% p=0.57) compare to cohort-II. Conclusion. The use of DES in the setting of Acute Coronary Syndrome is associated with lower Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE) rate compared to BMS without compromising the overall safety over the course of one-year follow-up. The long-term safety of drug-eluting stents needs to be ascertained in large, randomized trials. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i2.1252

Aftermath of ICT Literacy on Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among HIV/AIDS Patients

Abstract: The role of ICT in the prevention and mitigation efforts for HIV/AIDS cannot be over emphasized. The greatest advantage of ICTs is that they can reach out to remotest areas. So through the innovative use of ICTs youths and even adults can have access to HIV/AIDS programmes that can meet their needs. The paper focuses on the aftermath of ICT literacy on malaria parasite among HIV/AIDS patients. Therefore, to achieve positive results in the fight against HIV/AIDS ICTs should be taken on board. HIV/AIDS information should be found everywhere i.e. radio, cell phone, TV and internet. ICTs make HIV/AIDS information easily accessible, confidential and user friendly. The study has shown the possibility of co-infection of HIV positive or negative patients with malaria and HBsAg. This phenomenon could increase the severity of HIV infection and facilitate the progression of HIV to AIDS. The practices of universal screening of blood should be implemented to improve the safety of blood supply so as to reduce the risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). More malaria enlightenment programmes by the Local Community, the government and nongovernmental organization should be implemented. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v1i1.539