Armin Fereidouni; Maryam Ghanavati; Zahra Maleki; Bahareh Mahdood; Samira Safari; Fatemeh Zare; Leila Hashemi Zadehfard Hagheghe; Salman Barasteh; Camellia Torabizadeh
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a major threat to public health in the present century. In this situation, adherence to preventive behaviors seriously impacts the prevention of viral diseases. The present study aims to investigate adherence to public health preventive instructions ...
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a major threat to public health in the present century. In this situation, adherence to preventive behaviors seriously impacts the prevention of viral diseases. The present study aims to investigate adherence to public health preventive instructions in patients infected with COVID-19 before contracting the disease.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 to March 2021 in Fars province. 3242 patients infected with COVID-19 were selected via multistage sampling. Data were collected using a demographic information form and a researcher-made questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by Stata v. 14 using the chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The average age of participants was 38.45±13.07 years. 48.80% had a high rate, 47.90% had a moderate rate, and only 3.30% had a low compliance rate with COVID-19 preventive instructions. The patients’ main reason for not following preventive behaviors was having to be present in busy places (41.1%). There was a significant correlation between the participants’ age, gender, place of residence, occupation, education, history of underlying diseases (P≤0.001), marital status (P=0.041), and use of masks with a rate of adherence to preventive behaviors(P≤0.001). In the random forest, the job represents 36.75% compliance with COVID-19 preventive guidelines.Conclusion: Therefore, by raising public awareness, healthcare policymakers and administrators can enhance the public’s observance of the COVID-19 prevention instructions and consequently control the spread of the infection and improve public health during the current crisis caused by the pandemic.
Godswill J. Udom; Oluchi F. Obilor; Uduak P. Ise; Nkechi J. Onyeukwu; Anwanabasi E. Udoh; Ayodeji Aturamu; Omoniyi K. Yemitan
Abstract
Background: Heavy metal contaminations of herbal formulations have constituted a public health challenge in the sub-Saharan Africa region and even in some developed nations. The study aimed to evaluate the public health concerns of chronic exposure to a polyherbal drug suspected to contain heavy metals. ...
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Background: Heavy metal contaminations of herbal formulations have constituted a public health challenge in the sub-Saharan Africa region and even in some developed nations. The study aimed to evaluate the public health concerns of chronic exposure to a polyherbal drug suspected to contain heavy metals. Methods: This is an experimental study. Heavy metals were measured using Solaar-Thermo-Elemental Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Human health risk assessment was estimated by calculating the estimated daily intake, target, hazard quotient (THQ), health index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR) of exposure to the polyherbal drug. Results: The results showed the presence of metals in this order: Cd<Hg<As<Pb<Zn<Mn<Cu<Ni<Cr 1; HI for adolescents, adults, and geriatrics were >1. Ni and Cr had the highest cancer risk; total cancer risk was above the safe limit. Conclusion: Since herbal medicines/dietary supplements are not under compulsory regulation by international, national, and local health regulatory authorities, these products must be manufactured using the highest manufacturing standards to ensure their safety among the end-users. Our findings suggest the likelihood of significant non-carcinogenic adverse health effects among adolescents, adults, and the geriatric population due to exposure to a mix of toxic metals, necessitating utmost caution on its chronic use. If policy formulations and implementations regarding the safety of herbal medicines and associated products prior to their circulation are ensured, public health will be protected and significantly improved.
