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Spatiotemporal Analysis of Weather Effects on COVID-19 Pandemic Transmissions in Select US Counties
Zhenkun Tian,
Chuixiang Yi,
Yingying Fu,
Jacqueline Singer,
Qin Zhang
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
104-113
Received:
6 September 2020
Accepted:
29 September 2020
Published:
17 October 2020
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global crisis with enormous uncertainty. This study aims to explore what role weather plays in pandemic transmission. We hypothesize that weather conditions (temperature, wind speed, and precipitation) significantly influence the transmissibility of the disease and the number of infected people. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing weather variable in moving-average-windows that varied from 1 to 30 days, and daily new confirmed cases observed from 23 counties in the United States, during the period of January 22 to August 19, 2020. We found consistent results that the moving average temperature over 10 days (Tavg10), the moving average wind speed and the moving average amount of precipitation over 28 days (Wavg28, Pavg28) were the meteorological parameters most closely linked to the outbreak and growth of new cases of COVID-19 in the US. The correlation statistics differed regionally: (1) temperature is negatively correlated to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Northeastern US and positively in other areas; (2) wind speed is negatively correlated to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Southeastern US while positively in other areas; and (3) precipitation holds a positive correlation on the east coast of the US and a negative one on the west coast. Our results suggest that meteorological factors may play a significant role in COVID-19 pandemic transmission in the US and should be considered by policy makers and crisis administrators.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global crisis with enormous uncertainty. This study aims to explore what role weather plays in pandemic transmission. We hypothesize that weather conditions (temperature, wind speed, and precipitation) significantly influence the transmissibility of the disease and the number of infected people. We tested this hyp...
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Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem
Samwel Boaz Otieno,
Emmanuel Ngumbi,
Christine Odhiambo-Nyan’gaya,
Jagi Gakunju
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
114-118
Received:
21 July 2020
Accepted:
7 October 2020
Published:
9 November 2020
Abstract: Introduction: Study of Spatial distribution trends of potentially toxic trace (PTE) element pollution in Nature Reserves in Kenya soil has not been fully done. Pollution from potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) suspected to be widespread in many parts of Kenya including Nature reserves. This is concidered a threat to wild animals and human health. This therefore necessitates a study to understand the extent of spatial distribution of PTE of much economic and health importance. Methods: About forty soil samples were taken in AFEW nature reserve in Langata Ecosystem at, 25 centimeters deep using soil augur. The samples in Ziplocs were transported to the chemistry labs. at Kabete and analyzed to determine levels of Pb Hg, Co Cr Cu, Zn by Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (AES) Optima 8000, Perkin Elmer to determine various ions, the results are presented in mg/gm. Health Quotient (HQ), Health Index (HI) and Pollution Index was calculated from the results. Results: In the study, traces of Potential Toxic Elements (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu) were found in soil samples taken in varying quantities. Generally, there was higher levels near a stream in the reserve, Pb ranging from 0.9080mg/gm to 3.6927mg/gm; Hg varying from 1.8355mg/gm to 3.4781mg/gm. All others showed variation with higher levels in batches (B2) near the stream. No Zinc and Aluminum was detected in the samples. Health Index due to five PTEs was 0.859. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there are significant level Pb Hg, and Cobalt in various transects, but more near the stream traversing the reserve. HI is < 1 but should other PTEs in sample be included will likely be 1, meaning Health Hazard exists in the reserve to humans and animals. Pollution index was > 1 for Pb, Hg, and Co suggesting pollution by lead and Mercury in the Reserve.
Abstract: Introduction: Study of Spatial distribution trends of potentially toxic trace (PTE) element pollution in Nature Reserves in Kenya soil has not been fully done. Pollution from potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) suspected to be widespread in many parts of Kenya including Nature reserves. This is concidered a threat to wild animals and human heal...
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Effects of School-based Smoking Prevention Education by Physician After Eight Years: A School Randomized Controlled Trial
Endo Masamitsu,
Iwaki Norio,
Fukuda Tamutsu,
Yoshida Kenji,
Nomura Hideki,
Kido Teruhiko,
Takahashi Yuko,
Ikeda Michiko,
Nakashima Motoko,
Morita Masato,
Douniwa Kenichi,
Kita Toshiyuki
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
119-127
Received:
12 November 2020
Accepted:
30 November 2020
Published:
8 December 2020
Abstract: Numerous studies have examined whether school-based smoking prevention education for minors reduces smoking rates, but consensus has not been established. Moreover, there are few reports about non-smoking classes offered by physicians with long-term results. Volunteer doctors have provided tobacco prevention classes in Kanazawa, Japan since 1998. The aim of this article is to assess whether the education by physicians was effective after eight years. A community area having 14 elementary schools was selected for this study. The study groups comprised randomized schools receiving the 45 minutes non-smoking education by physicians for 12-year-old sixth graders once a year and control schools with no intervention during three years from 2007 to 2009. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 4,014 (1,615 educated and 2,399 control) students. After eight years, a questionnaire survey on the smoking behaviors of 20-year-old young adults within the community was conducted and 1,634 (631 educated and 1,003 control) replies were collected. The smoking rates of the two groups were compared. At the eight-year follow-up, the smoking rates in the educated group significantly decreased compared to those in the control, especially among males. The school-based smoking prevention education by physicians was effective in reducing the smoking rates among 12-year-old students 8 years later.
Abstract: Numerous studies have examined whether school-based smoking prevention education for minors reduces smoking rates, but consensus has not been established. Moreover, there are few reports about non-smoking classes offered by physicians with long-term results. Volunteer doctors have provided tobacco prevention classes in Kanazawa, Japan since 1998. T...
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Readiness of Primary Health Care Diagnostic Laboratory Services to Support UHC Programme in Kenya: A Case Study of Three Counties
Mburu Samuel,
Mutuku Irene,
Kimani Kenny
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
128-142
Received:
3 December 2020
Accepted:
15 December 2020
Published:
22 December 2020
Abstract: Medical diagnostic laboratories have always played a significant role in determining clinical decisions. Given that laboratory diagnosis accounts for up to 70% of all medical decisions, reliable laboratory services is therefore critical to basic clinical care and universal healthcare coverage (UHC) programme. Apparently, a pilot UHC programme in four counties ahead of nationwide roll-out was being tested in Kenya from December 2018 to December 2019. Significantly, a reliable laboratory diagnostic service also support a sustainable functional referral system. However, in majority of low to middle income countries (LMICs) and through-out sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya, common infrastructural, technical and human resource deficiencies are endemic, consequently impacting on the coverage of services, quality, availability, affordability and accessibility of diagnostic tests as well as their ability to provide basic clinical care. For that reason, studies to determine the current status of laboratory diagnostic services, especially at the primary health care (PHC), coverage and their readiness to provide basic clinical care as well as in supporting UHC. The purpose of this pilot descriptive study was to investigate the status and readiness of laboratory diagnostic services in three counties in Kenya to support UHC at a resource-limited PHC setting. By use of structured, pretested questionnaires, general observations and key informant interviews, the study-specific information was obtained from participants. The data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package, interpreted, summarized and presented in tables and bar graphs. Based on the WHO-defined three categories of essential diagnostic list (EDL) for UHC at PHC, all the general basic tests were available in the sampled facilities. However, for the disease-specific and infectious diseases-specific tests there were major gaps in their availability. In addition to common infrastructural, technical, human resource deficiencies, only in 3% of the facilities, the more advanced, molecular-based disease-specific and infectious diseases-specific tests were available. This indicated low readiness to provide reliable basic clinical care and to support of UHC programme implementation at PHC level. Therefore, building of capacities of these services at PHC will have a direct impact not only in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases but also help in the successful up-scaling nationwide of the UHC programme, hence assisting in attainment of the ‘Big Four’ agenda of UHC, United Nations (UNs) sustainable development goals (SDG) number three (3) on ensuring health for all and promoting well-being for all ages, and the Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic blue print.
Abstract: Medical diagnostic laboratories have always played a significant role in determining clinical decisions. Given that laboratory diagnosis accounts for up to 70% of all medical decisions, reliable laboratory services is therefore critical to basic clinical care and universal healthcare coverage (UHC) programme. Apparently, a pilot UHC programme in fo...
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