Factors Associated with Atopic Dermatitis among Children Aged 6 to 14 Years in Alimosho Local Government, Lagos, Nigeria.

There has been a rise in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) globally, especially in low-and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. The condition has been linked to genetic predisposes, living conditions, and environmental factors. Environmental factors are considered a significant contributor to AD in low- and middle-income countries. This study determined the prevalence of AD in south-western Nigeria and identified risk factors in home and school environments that children aged 6 to 14 years are exposed to. A cross-sectional study was adopted, and the total sample size was 349. Four randomly selected health facilities were used for the study. A questionnaire was used to determine the risk factors in the population. Data analysis was performed using the latest version of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in this study is 25%. Atopic dermatitis was found to be common in females (27%). According to the univariate analysis, children who lived where trucks pass on the street almost daily had the highest cases of atopic dermatitis (28%). Children with rugs in their houses (26%) and those whose houses are surrounded by bushes (26%) had higher cases of atopic dermatitis. Children who played on school grass (26%), attended creche with rubber toys (28%), and attended school where wooden chairs (28%) and chalkboards (27%) are used had a higher number of AD. Bivariate analysis showed an association between AD with a mother's monthly income (p = 0.012) and eating potatoes (p = 0.005), fruits (p = 0.040), and cereal (p = 0.057). In the multivariate analysis, the consumption of fruits (p = 0.02), potatoes (p < 0.001), and cereal (p = 0.04) were identified as risk factors associated with AD. It is envisaged that the study will serve as a basis for possible research on evidence-based and primary prevention options. Hence, we recommend health education activities to empower communities to protect themselves against environmental risk factors that are preventable.

Knowledge, attitude and practices on notifiable diseases among environmental health practitioners in the City of Johannesburg: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Notifiable diseases, a public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, require mandatory reporting and play a significant role in disease prevention and control. Environmental health practitioners are responsible for reporting and investigating notifiable diseases. Aim: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices on notifiable diseases among environmental health practitioners within a metropolitan municipality. Setting: The study was conducted in the seven regions of the City of Johannesburg in Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was used. One hundred and thirty-five participants were randomly sampled. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using version 27 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. All ethical considerations such as permissions, ethical clearance and informed consent were observed throughout the study. Results: The majority of participants (n = 64; 47.4%) were aged between 30 and 39 years and had a BTech/Honours degree (n = 106; 78.5%). A total of 106 (78.5%) participants had received formal training, while 83.7% (n = 113) of the participants understood notifiable diseases. Years of experience had a significant negative correlation with the 'need to report notifiable diseases' (r = -0.193; p = 0.025). Conclusion: The results could facilitate a knowledge improvement programme that includes a structured training programme and standard operating procedures. The study results cannot be generalised to the whole country; hence, the recommendation of a national survey on similar phenomena should be considered. Contribution: The study findings could assist in improving the role of environmental health services in reporting and investigating notifiable diseases.

Risk Factors and Perceptions of E-Cigarette Use Among Selected Users in Johannesburg, South Africa.

There is little scientific knowledge about e-cigarette use in South Africa. This study aimed to describe the risk factors and perceptions of selected Johannesburg-based users of e-cigarettes. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenient sample of 188 participants, of which 160 were males and 28 females. The survey results showed that participants used e-cigarettes at home (n = 28/ 14.8%), work (n = 76/ 40.4%), tertiary institutions (n = 50/ 26.5%) and in their vehicles (n = 24/ 12.7%), while (n = 96/ 51%) used the product in the presence of children. 57 participants (30.3%) started using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation strategy, while 46 (24.4%) used it to manage smoking cravings. Most participants believed that e-cigarettes are addictive (n = 156/ 82.9%) and unhealthy (n = 139/ 73.9%). This study highlights the need and opportunity to improve public health action in the prevention and management of risks posed by e-cigarette products to users and non-users.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of environmental health practitioners conducting food-borne disease outbreak investigation at a local municipality in Gauteng province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Food-borne disease (FBD) outbreaks are a common occurrence that is either not investigated or poorly investigated. According to anecdote evidence, this is because of non-uniformity to environmental health practices in South Africa. AIM: This study aimed to determine and describe the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of environmental health practitioners (EHPs) when conducting outbreak investigations of FBD at a local municipality. SETTING: This study was conducted in three sub-districts of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), one of five municipalities in Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Continuous variables were compared using analysis of variances, and correlation was used to determine any association. RESULTS: Knowledge responses were scored out of 9. Open-ended questions were themed into five items (support, guidelines, resources, training and specialisation). Sixty-one (76.3%) participants were randomly selected to participate in the study. There were more female participants (55.7%) than male participants, and the mean age was 30.9 years. The participants' knowledge scores ranged from 1 to 9. There were 17 (27.9%) participants who have conducted FBD outbreak investigation. Twenty-six (42.6%) believed that they were properly trained to conduct FBD outbreak investigations. Age was associated with position (p = 0.000) and qualification (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that there are gaps and challenges in the knowledge, while the practices were not consistent amongst environmental health practitioners. However, the attitude of EHPs was positive with regard to their role in FBD outbreak investigations.

A study protocol to determine the association between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour in young males in conflict with the law.

BACKGROUND: Low-level lead exposure has harmful and persistent effects on behaviour. Recent studies have linked environmental lead exposure and the development of aggressive, violent and criminal behaviour. This protocol is designed to study an association between lifetime (bone) lead levels and violent criminal behaviour among young males in conflict with the law in Gauteng youth development centres. METHODS: This paper describes a study to determine a link between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour. Lifetime lead exposure will be measured using bone lead measurement, while blood lead levels will be observed for current exposure. Thereafter, criminal records of participants will be reviewed whereas violent behaviour and risk factors will be observed using a questionnaire. The study focused on young males in conflict with the law in three centres within Gauteng Provence, South Africa. After stratifying the centres, we randomly selected participants. The researcher shall adhere to ethical requirements throughout the study. Data will be analysed for descriptive and inferential analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). DISCUSSION: The study will provide a strong foundation for an improved understanding of the relationship between environmental contamination from lead exposure and aggression/violent criminal behaviour. Beyond the health sector, the study findings may be able to inform new approaches to crime prevention through environmental action with an emphasis on the role of non-health sectors.