Evaluating the indoor and outdoor environment: using a simple method

Housing is the conjunction of the dwelling, the home, the immediate environment and the community. Between 1960 and 1980, the urban population in developing countries more than doubled and is expected to reach 56% of the total population by the year 2025. In many cities, the development of squatter settlements and shanty towns had grown rapidly causing the destruction of green areas. The number of people living in urban slums and shanty towns is an indicator of conditions in the cities and the United Nations had estimated that about one-third of urban dwellers in developing countries live in such settlements. Poverty is highly prevalent among the residents of these areas. Outdoor environmental degradation, together with the social degradation affects the health of the urban population especially the poor causing a burden of ill-health, disability, poor indoor housing, and high maternal and infant mortality. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the indoor and outdoor environment using a simple method and to assess its reliability and validity. The scoring system, which was developed for the assessment of the indoor and outdoor environmental levels included 36 items [18 for the indoor and 18 for the outdoor] using a questionnaire. Results revealed that the proposed scoring system was able to reveal significance difference between served [water, electricity, and sewerage system were available] and unserved areas when using t-test, z-test, and chi-square testing. The proposed scoring system was reliable and valid especially in indoor assessment. Outdoor scores might need more modifications to improve its reliability

Assessment of knowledge and practices of health workers regarding surveillance activities of adverse events following immunization and the cold chain system in Alexandria

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of health workers dealing with immunization services about the appropriate management of cold chain system. Their knowledge and practices concerning the surveillance activities of adverse events following immunizations [AEFIs] were also evaluated. A cross sectional study was conducted in all health offices providing immunization services in Alexandria. The required data were collected through an observational checklist and two interviewing questionnaires. This study concluded that the knowledge of health workers regarding immunization and cold chain is still low. The knowledge and practices regarding AEFIs is also poor. Extensive health education and training are needed to ensure that everyone involved in cold chain is familiar with all its facets. The study recommended provision with equipments, such as electric generators, solar refrigerators and cold chain monitors, which are considered important components for the safe storage of vaccine and successful immunization program