The Determinants of Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics among Working Age Population in Western Cambodia

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are among the most commonly sold drugs in the developing countries. The inappropriate use of antibiotics could result not only resistant bacterial strains but also adverse reactions and economic burden. This study aimed to describe the antibiotics use characteristics and identify factors associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics among working age population in western Cambodia. SUBJECT AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study. A sample of 344 subjects aged 18-59 years old was selected at random from 10 communes of three provinces in Western Cambodia. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect the data. The dependent variable was inappropriate use of antibiotics. The independent variable included average monthly family income, habitual use of medicine. A logistic regression was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: 23.84% of the sample used antibiotic during the past 3 months, of which 14.83% were inappropriate use. The multivariate analy- sis indicated factor associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics were: low family income (adj. OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.18 to 9.74; p=0.024) and habitual use of oral antibiotics when having a cold (adj. OR=6.44; 95% CI: 1.55 to 26.91; p=0.010). The protective factor was habit of using oral anti- biotics when having sorethroat (adj. OR=0.24; 95%CI: 0.08 to 0.78; p=0.018). CONCLUSION: Almost a quarter of the samples used antibiotics. Low income and inappropriate antibiotic administration in respiratory tract infection increase the risk of antibiotic misuse. Keywords: inappropriate use, antibiotics, income, habit, working age population

The Relationship between Exposure to Anti-Smoking Campaign, Knowledge, Family Support, and Smoking Habit, Among Male Workers in East Borneo, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Indonesia has the highest (46.16%) prevalence of smokers among the ASEAN countries. Some anti-smoking measures had been implemented. However, little was known for their effect. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking, and the relationship between exposure to anti-smoking campaign, knowledge, family support, and smoking habit, among male workers in East Borneo, Indonesia. SUBJECT AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Samarinda, East Borneo, Indonesia. A sample of 311 male workers was selected at random from 10 subdistrics in Samarinda. The dependent variable was smoking behavior. The independent variable included exposure the anti-smoking campaign, knowledge about the damaging effect of tobacco smoking, and family support. A structured questionnare was developed to collect the data. A logistic regresion was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The prevalence of smokers was 45.6% (95%CI=40.09 to 51.23). Un-exposure to anti-smoking campaign (OR=2.24, 95%CI= 1.10 to 4.68; p=0.032), lacking in knowledge of the health damaging effect of tobacco smoking such as mouth and throat cancers (OR=2.43; 95%CI=1.16 to 5.06; p=0.018), and weak family support (OR= 2.07; 95%CI=1.09 to 4.50; p=0.006), were all associated with an increased probability of smoking. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of the Indonesian male workers living in Samarinda were smokers. Un-exposure to anti-smoking campaign, lacking in knowledge of the health damaging effect of tobacco smoking such as mouth and throat cancers, and weak family support, were all associated with an increased probability of smoking. The government should increase the frequency of anti-smoking campaign and improve its access. Keywords: anti-smoking campaign, smoking behavior, male worker

Empirically Derived Equation from Simple Heat Index for Calculating Wet Bulb Globe Temperature: A Case Study of Thailand

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is a standard for assessing environmental heat stress, but the requirement of expensive instrument with specialized maintenance is limited its use. This study aims to develop the empirical equation to estimate the WBGT from Heat Index (HI) calculated from portable temperature and humidity recorder (THR), based on the data collected at seven sites covering all regions of Thailand. Comparative analysis shows that the HI values calculated from THR (HITHR) are consistent well with those measured from the thermal environmental monitor (HIQT36) as evidenced by a highly positive correlation between them (r=0.97; p<0.01; n=4,303). These results suggest high reliability of the portable THR and its acceptance to be used instead of the standard QT36 device. Based on a simple linear regression developed to estimate WBGT from the HITHR, it was found that the model accounts for at least 90% of the variance of the observed WBGT (dependent variable). In addition, validation of the model with the statistical methods shows relatively small errors of the estimated WBGT values in comparison to the observed values. With this evidence, the developed empirical regression equation can be used to estimate WBGT with high accuracy and confidence. Simple and easier to use for the practitioners who are involved in public health works at community level, a heat monitoring tool kit consisting of a THR, WBGT chart and recommended actions were further developed based on the results obtained. This tool kit is a low-cost and simple device which can be used by various community-level stakeholders to prevent and reduce heat injuries and deaths of risk groups, especially the elderly. This tool is necessary in light of anthropogenic-induced warming and Thailand’s aging society

Efficiency of renewable plastic material degradation using effective microorganisms in aerobic conditions

Studies were conducted to establish a simulated system based on the aerobic biodegradation of renewable plastic materials (cellulose, Poly lactic acid (PLA), and bio-base). The experiment consisted of carrying out biodegradation by using a reactor. The experiment was tested at 28 days under the following conditions: the control parameter of air flow was 60 mL/min, the humidity was 60-80%, and pH ranged from 7.5-8.5. The results indicated the analytical carbon dioxide (CO2) and weight loss. It was found that the effective microbes had been able to degrade the renewable materials, except for the bio-base. The EM had been able to degrade PLA and Cellulose at 4.51±0.50%and 40.53±2.15, while the weight loss of the PLA and Cellulose had been 5.24±0.85% and 42.65±3.55%. The EM had secreted cellulase enzymes to decompose the cellulose, and the enzymes had caused catalytic reactions, which, in turn, had degraded the cellulose. Because cellulose has organic carbon, the cellulose test showed high degradation. The EM had been able to degrade the cellulose because the EM consisted of aerobic and anaerobic microbes that had contributed to the degradation organic compounds. The result of the observations indicated that cellulose had torn after 28 days. However, the PLA had only slightly changed, while the bio-base had shown no change at all. Moreover, SEM observation showed that the PLA and the cellulose had been damaged. The EM were found to be growing on surface of two materials and were also growing inside of the materials. Meanwhile, no damage was found on the bio-base at all. The EM had been able to degrade the renewable materials. Cellulose is the material with the highest degradation. It is, therefore, possible that EM have the ability to degrade biodegradable plastics

Factors Associated with Chemical Pesticide use among Farmers in Eastern Part of Cambodia

BACKGROUND: Chemical pesticides are known to have adverse impact on human health. However, little is known about the magnitude and factors influencing chemical pesticide use in Cambodia. The study aimed to describe and determine factors influencing chemical pesticide use among farmers in the Eastern part of Cambodia. SUBJECT AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 287 farmers were selected by multistage random sampling proportional to size of the population from 8 communes in the Eastern part of Cambodia. The questionnaire was developed to measure variables under study. A multiple logistic regression was applied to estimate the factors influencing chemical pesticide use. RESULTS: 53.66% of the sample was female. Mean age= 41.01, and SD= 10.8 years old. The average monthly income was 460,000 Riel (112 US$). The illiteracy rate was 15.68%. All of these farmers planted rice, cassava and caisim. 72.13% of all farmers used chemical pesticide. 68.13% of 182 rice farmers used 2,4-D. 92.48% of 133 cassava farmers used glyphosate, and 54.89% used 2,4-D. 71.43% of 35 caisim farmers used fipronil, and 68.57% used malathion. Factors significantly associated with chemical pesticide use were illiteracy (OR= 2.60; 95% CI= 1.02 to 6.62; p= 0.045) and increase in farm size per m2 (OR= 2.12; 95% CI= 1.59 to 2.84; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Chemical pesticide use was very high in Cambodia. Some used prohibited chemical. Illiteracy and farm size affect chemical pesticide use among farmers in Cambodia. Keywords: chemical pesticide use, Cambodia, farme

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS AND WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN BEVERAGE FACTORY WORKERS, INDONESIA

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the major causes of illness among working age group. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify prevalence of MSDs, the influences of between ergonomic riskson (MSDs) among beverage factory workers, Indonesia. This cross sectional study systematic randomly selected 309 samples from all 3 sectors of a beverage factory proportional to size of the population to response to a structured questionnaire, standardized Nordic questionnaire and physical assessment by physiotherapists. The relationships between ergonomic risk factors and MSDs when controlled covariates were assessed using multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of MSDsusing standardized Nordic questionnaire was 71.84% during the last 7 daysand58.90% for the past 12months.The prevalence of MSDs diagnosed by physiotherapist was 56.31%. The multivariate analysis identified that when control other covariatesHigh ergonomic risks on the left of shoulders were significantly increased MSDs during past 12 months (AdjOR:3.54-95%CI:1.49 to 8.37) and MSDs diagnosed by physical assessment (AdjOR:2.91-95%CI:1.30 to 6.52). High ergonomic risks on the neck lead to the increasing of MSDs during the last 7 days (AdjOR:2.15-95%CI:1.27 to 3.65), past 12 months (AdjOR:5.31-95%CI:2.53 to 11.11) and also MSDs diagnosed by physical assessment (AdjOR:4.35-95%CI:2.11 to 8.96) with all of them. Smoking and education also had influences on MSDs. Ergonomic risks had impacts on MSDs both in long and short terms with the super imposed of smoking and socioeconomic status. Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), Ergonomic risks, smoking, socioeconomic

Groundwater Quality Index for Water Supply Production

Groundwater quality index for water supply production, GWQI, was employed as a simple mathematical tool to integrate the complex groundwater quality data into a numerical score. It would guide to select an appropriate water supply treatment process. It was thus necessary to develop such GWQI, which was the main objective of this study. We started searching for significant indicators by requesting 35 Thai experts to consider the importance of 32 water quality parameters through questionnaire based on the Delphi technique. These parameters were aggregated into 10 key parameters, reflecting the appropriate groundwater quality through the process of weighing factors. The most appropriate parameters were estimated from ten such parameters. By reduction of the ten parameters one by one, it was found that the GWQI(6i) was in high agreement with GWQI(10i) (Kappa coefficient = 0.765: 95%CI 0.700 to 0.828). The GWQI (6i) scores were confirmed by Ramesh´s tool with a high correlation (r = 0.768, 95% CI = 0.529 to 0.894, p-value = 0.001). Therefore, the GWQI(6i) could be used as the appropriate tool for groundwater quality assessment. Implementation of GWQI(6i) would save budget and time for analysis, and could provide a rapid water quality determination for the urgent situation

Evaluation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emission Decrease Through Waste Composting

The organic waste disposal under anaerobic conditions emits Methane, which causes increased global warming. This study attempts to find the emission factor in windrow waste composting systems from two sizes of gathered organic waste piles. Designed to compare two groups of composting piles, one pile consisted of 500 kilograms of waste originating from local authorities while the other amounted to 250 kilograms of waste collected from households. With six piles of each type, aeration was done by manual turning and emissions were sampled in closed flux chambers and analyzed by gas chromatographs. A control experiment, modeling landfill sites, was set up in a one x one x one meter hole. Results from the experiment showed that emission ratios from the 500 kg was 1.3613 x 10-3 g CO2-eq kg-1 wet waste, and 1.3427 x 10-3 g CO2-eq kg-1 wet waste from the 250 kg experiment. The 500 kg experiment decreased emissions by 0.059185 g CO2-eq kg-1 wet waste and the 250 kg experiment, emissions decreased by 0.059206 g CO2-eq kg-1 wet waste when compared to the control group. In summary, pile size has no effect on emission ratios. Statistical testing found no significance difference between emissions from the 500 kg compared with the 250 kg. This study tells us that massive landfill or waste composting is difference effect.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTVolume-5, Issue-4, Sep-Nov 2016, Page: 44-55</p