Prevalence of Infections Caused by Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Their Co-Infection in A Tertiary Care Centre, Delhi, India

Background: Hepatitis B and C are the most dominant causes of viral hepatitis, leading to both acute and chronic infections. This study was done to determine the magnitude of the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C and their co-infection.Subjects and Method: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, North DMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India from July 2023 to June 2024. All blood samples received from indoor and outdoor patients from all departments were tested by Monolisa HBsAg Ultra and anti-HCV(Ag-Ab Ultra V2) Monolisa by ELISA method. The variables studied were age, sex, in-patient/out-patient, and type of ward. The data was analyzed using the Chi-Square test and Mann-Whitney test.Results: Of a total of 20,000 blood samples received, 5,358(26.80%) samples were from inpatient department/IPD (2,210 female, 3,148 male) and 14642 (73.20%) and outpatient department/OPD (9,201 female, 5,441 male). 422 samples (2.11%) were positive for HBsAg (210 IPD -77 female, 133 male; 212 OPD - 121 female, 91 male) and 614 (3.07%) for anti-HCV (408 IPD - 135 female, 273 male; 206 OPD - 100 female, 106 male). Co-infection of Hepatitis B and C viruses was seen in 40 patients, 31 IPD (10 female, 21 male) and 9 OPD (1 female, 8 male). Maximum cases were seen from medicine wards among IPD patients of HBsAg positive, anti-HCV positive, and co-infection and in the age group 41-60 years in all three categories.Conclusion: Screening for HBV and HCV infection is compulsory so that preventive measures are implemented to improve public health

Investigating the Impact of Social Capital on Elderly Quality of Life in Surakarta: A Multilevel Analysis

Background: A good quality of life is the goal of every individual in life. This quality of life indicates that a person is healthy and prosperous, so that they can live a normal life in the community, especially for the elderly population. This study aims to analyze the variables of the influence of social capital on the quality of life of the elderly at the individual level and the posyandu level.Subjects and Method: This study is a study using a cross-sectional design conducted in 25 elderly posyandu in Surakarta from August to September 2024. The sample consisted of 200 elderly people who were selected by probability sampling. The independent variable in this study is social capital. The dependent variable is quality of life. Data collection was carried out by questionnaire. The analysis data uses multilevel analysis.Results: The results of the multilevel analysis that has been carried out in this study stated that the social capital and quality of life of the elderly (b=1.29; CI 95%= 1.12 to 1.47; p<0.001), directly influenced by age (b=0-1.16; CI 95%= -3.64 to 1.31; p= 0.035), gender (b=8.91; CI 95%= 7.21 to 10.62; p<0.001), education (b=10.27; CI 95% = 8.73 to 11.81; p<0.001).Conclusion: Social capital has a statistically significant positive influence on the quality of life of the elderly.

Poisson Probability Count Variable Model and An Eigen-Bayesian Semi Parametric Eigen Autocorrelation for Optimizing Mapping Fentanyl Mortality in Hillsborough County, Florida

Background: Currently, there is a lack of precision count variable models for mapping fentanyl fatalities. The primary objective of this article is to develop a predictive count variable model for mapping county level fentanyl related deaths using scalable zip code capture point census data.Subjects and Method: This ecological study focused on all zip codes within Hillsborough County, Florida. The target population included residents across these zip codes, with fentanyl related mortality data aggregated per area. Total population sampling was applied using secondary data from census and mortality records. The dependent variable was the count of fentanyl related deaths, while independent variables included sociodemographic indicators obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Variable measurements were based on standardized public data sources. Data were analyzed using a multicount Poisson regression model. As no overdispersion was detected (variance inflation factor <10), neither negative binomial regression nor stepwise regression was required. Spatial analysis and autocorrelation were conducted using ArcGIS, with the primary predictor further interpolated to identify geographic patterns.Results: Variable selection for the primary predictor was performed by observing the relationship between the standard error of each tested independent variable and its associated Z score. Given the identified relationship between fentanyl mortality and white populations, from the selection process, a spatial autocorrelation hot and cold spot analysis was conducted. This analysis identified zip codes with the highest and lowest predicted likelihood of fentanyl caused deaths (as opposed to deaths where fentanyl was merely present). The identified zip code locations were 33647 and 33810 for the hot spots.Conclusion: Count variable models and autocorrelation hot/cold spot mapping offer a methodological framework for future modeling efforts to predict locations of fentanyl mortality for preven-tative means

Environmental Knowledge and Participation in Waste Banks: Promoting Plastic Waste Reduction in Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia

Background: Public awareness of environmental health in waste management is one of the causes of government problems in waste management, especially in tourist destination areas. The behavior of carrying shopping bags is one of the efforts to reduce the volume of non organic waste. The success of this behavior has many influencing factors, so the purpose of this study is to determine the factors associated with the behavior of carrying shopping bags in Borobudur District, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia.Subjects and Method: Cross sectional analytic survey research in the Borobudur District area of 374 respondents. The time of this research was in November 2023, with a random sampling technique, and the research instrument was a questionnaire. This study analyzes six independent variables , and participants in the waste bank, on the dependent variable. We used the regression test. Logistics in the final stage.Results: High knowledge of waste management (AOR= 2.43; 95% CI= 1.04 to 5.65; p= 0.040) and participate in a waste bank (AOR= 3.27, 95% CI 1.92 to 5.58; p= 0.001) increased plastic waste reduction behavior. This study showed that there was no relationship between education, gender, occupation, and participants in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (TPS3R) Waste Management Site program on the shopping bag carrying behavior. Conclusion: High knowledge of waste management and participate in a waste bank increase plastic waste reduction behavior

Stunting and Its Implications on Cognitive Ability and Language Development

Background: Stunting, a chronic nutritional disorder from prolonged inadequate intake, affects not only physical growth but also cognitive and language development. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and maternal education are important predictors of stunting risk. Guided by early childhood development theory, this study aims to analyze the implications of stunting on children's cognitive abilities and language development in Karanganyar Regency to inform effective intervention strategies.Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, from April to August 2024. A total of 112 children were selected through purposive sampling. The independent variables were stunting status, cognitive ability, mid-upper arm circumference, and maternal education, while the dependent variable was language development. Data were collected through standardized measurements and structured interviews. Logistic regression analysis was performed using Stata 13 to examine the associations between variables.Results: Bivariate analysis revealed that delayed language development was significantly associated with stunting (OR=19.05; p<0.001), poor cognitive ability (OR=18.63; p<0.001), MUAC <13 cm (OR=9.41; p<0.001), and low maternal education (OR=21.21; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that stunting (b=2.09; 95% CI=1.02 to 3.16; p<0.001) and poor cognitive ability (b=2.06; 95% CI=0.99 to 3.13; p<0.001) had direct effects on delayed language development.Conclusion: Stunting directly impairs children's cognitive ability and language development. Additionally, maternal education and mid-upper arm circumference have indirect effects on these outcomes through their influence on stunting. These findings highlight the need for integrated nutritional and educational interventions to promote optimal child development

Assessment of COVID-19 Deaths in Botswana using the SIRD Model for the Period 2020 to 2022

Background: There is need for a development of a robust model framework for COVID-19 to help researchers simulate several virus transmission scenarios, assist in predicting the disease route as well as assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures. COVID-19 data with four compartmental groups, that is susceptible group, the infected group, the recovered group, and the deceased group was required to enable setting up a mathematical compartmental model called Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Deceased (SIRD) for Botswana. This study aims to set up the SIRD model for COVID-19 in Botswana.Subjects and Method: The study took advantage of a retrospective cohort study carried out in Botswana specifically from a period ranging from 14th May 2020 to 3rd March 2022. The study population consisted of all persons who are susceptible to COVID-19 in Botswana and the sample size of this study was 2,397,240. Therefore, the variables of interest for this study were susceptible, infected, recovered as well as deceased persons. These were secondary data as reported by Botswana and recorded on the WHO website. Data for this study were analyzed using simulation methods specifically compartmental analysis.Results: COVID-19 will escalate at a very low transmission at an exponential growth rate of 0.11. The transmission of COVID-19 in Botswana will spread in the population and such spread may cause an epidemic (R0=1.13).Conclusion: The Ministry of Health and Wellness should ensure that there is slow relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in order to avoid the reappearance of COVID-19. The Ministry of Health and Wellness should also strictly insist on COVID-19 adherence protocols mainly during the winter season as well as holidays

Public Knowledge and Practices Toward Sun Exposure and Use of Sun Protection in Sibu Municipal Council Area, Sarawak, Malaysia

Background: Understanding the risks and benefits of sun exposure promotes overall health and well-being by encouraging safe sun practices. The study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of sun protection in the public towards the harmful effects of prolonged sun exposure.Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia among 302 respondents, from October to November 2023. The respondents were recruited by a convenience sampling method. Research team members interviewed the respondents by using questionnaires with the study variables were age, gender, ethnicity, education and occupations of respondence, knowledge, practice and the reasons to use sunscreen protection. The data were analyzed descriptively using frequency tables and inferential statistics with p-value.Results: More than half of the participants (56%) had average knowledge about the harmful effects of prolonged sun exposure, and 83.1% had moderate levels of sun protection practice. Most participants wore long-sleeved clothing for sun protection and practice for physical appearance, sense of vulnerability or fear, and peer pressure. The statistical results showed no significant difference in practice between different age groups, ethnic groups, education levels, or occupations, and a significant difference was found between genders.Conclusion: Targeted interventions are needed to improve sun protection practices and reduce skin damage and cancer

Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Violence on the Risk of Depression in Young Adult Women

Background: Depression due to dating violence is a serious problem that affects the mental health of many women, especially young adults. Dating violence, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, can interfere with psychological well-being and result in long-term consequences, one of which is depression. This study aims to analyze the relationship between experiences of dating violence and depression in victims, focusing on women aged 16 to 25 years.Subjects and Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Surakarta from October to December 2024. The study sample consisted of 200 female young adults in Surakarta City, selected through random sampling. The dependent variable was depression., Independent variables were physical violence, emotional violence, and sexual violence. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using path analysis on Stata 13.Results: The risk of depression was directly influenced by emotional violence (b=0.49; 95%CI=0.39 to 0.60; p<0.001) and sexual violence (b=0.21; 95%CI=0.09 to 0.32; p<0.001). Meanwhile, the indirect influence was physical violence (b=0.28; 95%CI=0.15 to 0.41; p<0.001) and sexual violence (b=0.25; 95%CI=0.11 to 0.37; p<0.001).Conclusion: Emotional violence and sexual violence directly affect the risk of depression. The indirect influence of the risk of depression is physical violence and sexual violence

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in River Sanitation: Perspectives from Riverside-Dwelling Communities in Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines

Background: Rivers are crucial to ecosystems, providing water for drinking, agriculture, and recreation, but urbanization and industrial activities have severely degraded their quality. This study aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of riverside-dwelling residents regarding river sanitation, with the goal of identifying key factors influencing their understanding and behaviors related to water quality and environmental health.Subjects and Method: Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 120 randomly selected samples from households within 200 meters of the riverbanks situated in Barangay Basalem, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay. Data were collected over the period from June 2022 to April 2023 using validity- and reliability-tested questionnaires and analyzed through Pearson correlation coefficients. The dependent variable in the study was the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents, while the independent variables were the respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to water sanitation.Results: Results showed high levels of knowledge but varied attitudes and practices. Respondents understood the risks of contaminated water but held contradictory beliefs about sanitation practices. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between age and both attitudes (p= 0.049) and practices (p= 0.049) related to river sanitation, highlighting generational differences in river sanitation behaviors.Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and improved educational programs to address knowledge gaps and promote effective sanitation practices, ultimately aiming to protect both public health and river ecosystems

Factors Associated with Dyslipidemia among Workers: A Path Analysis

Background: The results of the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey show that 39.5% of the Indonesian population aged ≥ 15 years old have abnormal total cholesterol levels. Dyslipidemia or plasma lipid abnormalities play a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis on the walls of blood vessels which is the cause of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. The purpose of the study was to analyze the factors that affect dyslipidemia in workers.Subjects and Method: This study uses an analytical observational design using a cross-sectional approach. The study was conducted at the Yogyakarta Labkesmas Center in October 2024 with a total of 150 worker study subjects. The sampling technique is non-probability sampling, namely total sampling. The independent variables in this study were BMI, glucose levels, stress, and depression while the dependent variables were total cholesterol levels. Data collection was carried out using secondary data and questionnaires, the data was analyzed by path analysis.Results: Each increase of one mg/dL of glucose level (b = 0.24; CI 95%= 0.09 to 0.39; p = 0.002) and one unit of depression (b = 0.16; CI 95%= 0.01 to 0.31; p= 0.043) will be followed by an increase in total cholesterol levels. Any increase in BMI through a mediator of glucose levels and stress through a mediator of depression will be followed by an increase in total cholesterol levels.Conclusion: Total cholesterol levels increase with increased glucose levels and depression levels. Total cholesterol levels are indirectly affected by BMI through glucose level mediators and stress levels through depression mediators.