Environmental Health Insights最新文献

Valorisation of cashew apples (Anacardium occidentale L.) offers an opportunity to address food waste in Ghana, where approximately 90% of these edible fruits remain unutilised despite the country's position among global leaders in cashew production. This study examined the development of mycotoxins in cashew apple-wheat composite flour systems during ambient tropical storage (25°C ± 2°C, 65 ± 5% RH) over 14 days. Three composite flour formulations were prepared for subsequent bread production, with cashew apple flour substituting wheat flour at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w) levels. The storage stability of these pre-mixed flour blends was evaluated, as they represent the critical phase when processors store prepared formulations prior to baking. Monitoring of moisture content, fungal growth, and aflatoxin B1 levels was conducted using standardised AOAC and ISO methods. An increase in moisture was observed across all formulations, with the 5% substitution reaching a moisture content of 13.21% by day 14. Fungal populations increased exponentially (10²-10⁴ CFU/g) and showed a strong positive correlation with moisture content (r = .87, P < .001). Aflatoxin B1 was detected on day 7, rising to 8.7 μg/kg in the 5% formulation by day 14, exceeding European Union safety limits (2 μg/kg) for cereal-based products. However, higher cashew apple substitution (15%) demonstrated dose-dependent antimicrobial effects, resulting in significantly lower fungal counts (6.8 × 10³ CFU/g) and aflatoxin levels (4.1 μg/kg), likely due to naturally occurring phenolic compounds and other bioactive substances. While incorporating cashew apple flour offers considerable potential to reduce food waste and enhance nutrition, the current formulations pose unacceptable food safety risks under uncontrolled tropical storage conditions. For commercial viability, strict moisture control (⩽13%) and temperature regulation are essential to meet international food safety standards.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern, with resistant bacteria and genes spreading between humans, animals, and the environment. However, waterborne AMR in Enterobacteriaceae remains underexplored in developing countries such as Ethiopia. This study assessed the AMR profiles of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from 66 surface water samples collected from waste-receiving streams and the Gulf of Lake Tana. Bacteria were identified using standard microbiological methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The most frequent isolates were Providencia alcalifaciens, Citrobacter spp., and Enterobacter spp. Resistance to first-generation cephalosporins ranged from 10.9% to 45.8% in stream isolates compared with 1.7% to 25.6% in lake isolates, while ceftriaxone resistance was detected in 13.5% and 4.5% of isolates, respectively. Among species, 30% of Escherichia coli, 22% of Enterobacter cloacae, and 12% of P. alcalifaciens were resistant to ceftriaxone, whereas resistance to cefazolin reached 40%, 67%, and 44%, respectively. Stream isolates also showed higher resistance to ampicillin (63%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (29%) compared with lake isolates (50% and 12%). Overall, 44.8% of Enterobacteriaceae were multidrug-resistant. Significant differences in resistance were observed between stream and lake isolates for ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin-tazobactam, and cefazolin. The high prevalence of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins, highlights the environmental dimension of AMR and underscores the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance in Ethiopia and similar settings.

This study aims to examine solid waste generation, composition, and characteristics, thereby evaluating household resource recovery practices and the factors influencing these practices. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, including a household survey and detailed proximate and ultimate analyses of waste. Relevant data were collected from 820 systematically selected households through a structured survey, complemented by measurements of solid waste generation and composition using an adapted standard checklist for solid waste composition analysis. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression. The results indicate a solid waste generation rate of 0.653 kg per person per day in Jimma. The organic components accounted for 55.5%, recyclable products accounted for 23.97%, and reusable materials accounted for 11.02% of the total municipal solid waste, suggesting a 90.5% resource recovery potential. Despite huge resource potential, households' engagement in waste recovery practices is very low due to limited knowledge and tenure status, underscoring the need for targeted education and resource-oriented waste management strategies. Therefore, this study recommends targeted awareness campaigns, formalization of informal solid resource recovery sectors, household composting, and equitable infrastructure investments to align local waste management with sustainable urban development.

Background: Cholera is a significant public health issue in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the specific factors contributing to outbreaks is crucial for designing effective control strategies, especially in prolonged outbreak situations. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of cholera outbreaks in the southeastern part of Oromia, Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted involving 10 districts across 4 zones of the Oromia region, Ethiopia. Cases were individuals with laboratory-confirmed Vibrio cholerae infection or those linked to a confirmed case, while controls were asymptomatic individuals without symptoms. The association between risk factors and cholera was studied using a logistic regression model. Variables with P-values less than .25 were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test assessed the goodness-of-fit of the final model. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated to determine independent determinants of cholera outbreaks.

Results: The study involved 1218 individuals, 424 (34.8%) being cases and 794 (65.2%) controls. The study found that household heads with no formal education [AOR: 3.65; 95% CI: 1.92-6.95] and primary education [AOR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.05-3.78], households that were farmer/housewives [AOR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.26-4.93], pastoralists [AOR: 4.20; 95% CI: 1.73-10.20], eating raw or uncooked food [AOR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.18-2.10], storing water every day [AOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.21-5.22], and a low information index [AOR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.25-2.56] increase the odds of being a case compared to their counterparts. Married respondents [AOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.34-0.62], good latrine utilization [AOR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.40-0.85], and very good latrine utilization [AOR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.26-0.61] are associated with lower odds of cholera infection. Therefore, targeted interventions, such as improving education, sanitation, and household-level food hygiene practice, would have a significant impact on the control and prevention of cholera in the setting.

Health inequalities remain a central challenge in public health and are often shaped by social and economic conditions. However, in many cases, geographic determinants are overlooked despite having a significant impact on population health. Some geographic determinants include altitude, climate, terrain, and environmental conditions. The altitude of residence can impact health in various ways; areas located at high altitudes face challenges such as living in zones with low oxygen levels and the effects of hypoxia. Climate has a direct effect on health; heatwaves can affect agricultural production, causing food shortages and nutritional problems. Similarly, geographic isolation, limited access to water, air pollution, and biodiversity loss contribute to region-specific health risks. This paper highlights the importance of incorporating geographic determinants into public health frameworks to inform the development of context-sensitive and equitable interventions. Recognizing the influence of geography is essential to reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for populations living in environmentally vulnerable areas.

Childhood stunting is a global public health concern that affects millions of children worldwide. This study assessed the association between household latrine access type and childhood stunting in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Northern Ghana. A cross-sectional study was carried out in health facilities in the study area. Data collection consisted of mother-child pairs with children aged 0 to 59 months. The outcome variable was stunting, while the main exposure variable was household sanitation facility type and other covariates. Bivariable and Multivariable analyses were used to determine factors associated with stunting. Key findings of the study included, 40.5% having access to improved toilet facilities, 16.4% using unimproved facilities, and 43.1% practicing open defecation. Prevalence of stunting was 28.5% (95% CI: 23.9-33.1). Children from households practicing open defecation had more than twice the odds of being stunted compared to those with access to improved sanitation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.21-4.02). Male sex, low birth weight, and lower maternal education also emerged as significant risk factors. Our findings highlight the need for integrated public health strategies that address poor sanitation, promote maternal education, and support the nutritional needs of vulnerable children to reduce stunting in similar settings.

Money passes through numerous hands daily, creating an ideal medium for the accumulation and transfer of pathogenic microorganisms. Despite this, a comprehensive synthesis of contamination levels on currency is lacking.

Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence and types of microbial contamination on money.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted for studies published up to December 2024. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated via a random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed via the I² statistic, and sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results: A total of 35 studies met the eligibility criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of microbial contamination on money was 12.8% (95% CI: 10.9-14.7). Subgroup analyses revealed pooled prevalence rates of 14.0% (95% CI: 11.1-16.8) for bacteria, 17.0% (95% CI: 12.1-21.8) for fungi, and 9.7% (95% CI: 6.8-12.7) for parasites. Klebsiella spp. 20.3% (95,% CI: 10.4-30.2) and Staphylococcus aureus 19.8% (95% CI: 12.7-26.8) were the predominant bacterial isolates, whereas Aspergillus niger 42.2% (95% CI: 29.1-55.3) was the most frequently identified fungal species, and Entamoeba histolytica was the most frequently identified parasites 18.9% (95% CI: 1.3-36.5). Contamination was greater for paper money 21.3% (95% CI: 13-29.6) than for coins 14.8% (95% CI: 4.3-25.3). Specifically, bacteria were more common on coins 26.4% (95% CI: 8.6-44.2) than on paper money 23.7% (95% CI: 9.5-37.8), whereas parasites were more common on paper money 18.1% (95% CI: 1.2-15.4) than on coins 2.1% (95%, CI: 1.2-3.0). The microbial load of the dirty notes was more 3.0% (95% CI: 2.3-4.1) and that of the newer notes was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.3-3.7).

Conclusion: Money is consistently contaminated with potentially pathogenic microbes. Although direct transmission has not been definitively proven, the frequent presence of clinically significant microorganisms on money poses a credible public health risk.

Prescribed burning, the intentional application of fire to landscapes, is a crucial tool for land management. It aids in forest rejuvenation and controls nuisance species. This study explores the perceptions of 19 rural leaders in the Ozark Mountains regarding private landowners' access to information and their involvement in decision-making about prescribed fires in the region. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Interviews with rural leaders highlighted 3 main themes: structured efforts for community-based land management, capacity building partnerships, and smoke management safety. Our study's findings underscore the transformative potential of prescribed burn associations' structured efforts for community-based land management in bridging gaps between policy, and practice. Our study also reveals how collaborative networks enhance resource-sharing, and decision-making autonomy, thereby expanding prescribed burn access for Missouri's private landowners. Finally, persistent challenges, such as smoke management resource gaps, highlight the need for targeted investments in education and technology. While this research focuses on Mark Twain National Forest in south-central Missouri, its implications extend to other regions of the United States struggling with fragmented landownership and climate-driven wildfire risks, offering insights for scalable prescribed burn strategies.

This study investigates the organizational and behavioral barriers influencing occupational safety and health (OSH) outcomes in industrial zones, drawing on Bureaucratic Organization Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The primary objective is to identify key structural, cultural, and psychological factors that undermine safety performance. A quantitative research design was adopted, utilizing survey data from 486 employees in industrial clusters across Vietnam. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0 through a 2-stage analytical process involving Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, followed by Structural Equation Modeling. The results reveal that formalistic safety procedures, lack of operational empowerment, poor interdepartmental coordination, complex incident reporting, unsafe group norms, productivity-over-safety culture, low perceived behavioral control, and lack of safety motivation all negatively impact OSH outcomes. These findings underscore the need for participatory safety management, simplified reporting systems, and empowerment-focused interventions. The study provides both theoretical contributions and practical recommendations for developing more resilient and employee-centered OSH strategies in industrial contexts.

Heavy metal pollution in freshwater ecosystems threatens food safety and public health, particularly in industrializing regions. This study evaluated the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in edible tissues of Cyprinus carpio from Ethiopia's Koka Reservoir, assessing potential health risks for communities dependent on this fish as a dietary staple. Water, algae, and fish samples were collected from 2 sites influenced by river inflow and tannery effluents. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed alongside bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), estimated weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotients (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR). Although water quality parameters (pH: 8.57-8.62; dissolved oxygen: 3.60-6.30 mg/L) complied with guidelines, heavy metals in fish tissues exceeded safe levels: Pb (<0.034-3.29 mg/kg), Cd (<0.001-0.36 mg/kg), Fe (1.55-74.98 mg/kg), and Zn (0.18-135.32 mg/kg). Elevated BAFs for Zn (756.00) and Cr (110.00) indicated significant bioaccumulation and potential biomagnification. While THQ values were <1 (suggesting minimal non-carcinogenic risk), CR for Cr⁶⁺ and Pb²⁺ exceeded safety thresholds, signaling long-term carcinogenic hazards. These findings demonstrate that water quality monitoring alone is insufficient to safeguard food safety, as metals accumulate disproportionately in aquatic biota. Thus, the study recommends stricter controls on industrial effluents, sustainable agricultural practices, systematic biomonitoring, and community education to mitigate dietary heavy metals exposure, contributing to SDGs on health, food security, and sustainable resource management.