Journal of Public Health Research
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres
<p><strong>The Journal of Public Health Research</strong> is an online Open Access, peer-reviewed scholarly journal in the field of public health science. The aim of the journal is to stimulate debate and dissemination of knowledge in the public health field in order to improve efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of public health interventions to improve health outcomes of populations. This aim can only be achieved by adopting a global and multidisciplinary approach.</p><p><strong>The Journal of Public Health Research </strong>publishes contributions from both the 'traditional' disciplines of public health, including hygiene, epidemiology, health education, environmental health, occupational health, health policy, hospital management, health economics, law and ethics as well as from the area of new health care fields including social science, communication science, eHealth and mHealth philosophy, health technology assessment, genetics research implications, population-mental health, gender and disparity issues, global and migration-related themes. In support of this approach, the Journal of Public Health Research strongly encourages the use of real multidisciplinary approaches and analyses in the manuscripts submitted to the journal. In addition to <em>Original research</em>, <em>Systematic Review,</em> <em>Meta-analysis</em>, <em>Meta-synthesis</em> and <em>Perspectives</em> and <em>Debate</em> articles, the Journal of Public Health Research publishes newsworthy <em>Brief</em> <em>Reports</em>, <em>Letters</em> and <em>Study Protocols</em> related to public health and public health management activities.</p><div style="display: none;"><a title="Luxury Blue Cruise in Turkey" href="http://guletindex.com/">Luxury Blue Cruise in Turkey</a> <a title="Kiralık Tekneler, Satılık Tekneler, Kiralık guletler" href="http://kaptan.us/">Kiralık Tekneler, Satılık Tekneler, Kiralık guletler</a> <a title="Yacht Charter Turkey, Yacht for Sale, Gulet" href="http://marenostrum.us/">Yacht Charter Turkey, Yacht for Sale, Gulet</a> <a title="Luxury Yacht Charter Turkey, Gulet and Motoryacht Charter" href="http://merkezyat.net/">Luxury Yacht Charter Turkey, Gulet and Motoryacht Charter</a> <a title="Gulet Charter in Turkey and Motoryacht Charter Turkey" href="http://centralyat.com/">Gulet Charter in Turkey and Motoryacht Charter Turkey</a> <a title="Yacht Charter Index" href="http://pegass.us/">Yacht Charter Index</a> <a title="Yacht painting and varnishing,antifouling, technical services" href="http://makrimarine.com/">Yacht painting and varnishing,antifouling, technical services</a> <a title="Crewed Yacht Charter Turkey, Gulet Cruise Turkey" href="http://acaciayachting.com/">Crewed Yacht Charter Turkey, Gulet Cruise Turkey</a> <a title="Yacht Index" href="http://yachtindex.net/">Yacht Index</a></div>PAGEPress Scientific Publications, Pavia, Italyen-USJournal of Public Health Research2279-9028PAGEPress has chosen to apply the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 License</a> (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published. <br /><br />An Open Access Publication is one that meets the following two conditions:<br /><br /> 1. The author(s) and copyright holder(s) grant(s) to all users a free, irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual right of access to, and a license to copy, use, distribute, transmit and display the work publicly and to make and distribute derivative works, in any digital medium for any responsible purpose, subject to proper attribution of authorship, as well as the right to make small numbers of printed copies for their personal use.<br /> 2. A complete version of the work and all supplemental materials, including a copy of the permission as stated above, in a suitable standard electronic format is deposited immediately upon initial publication in at least one online repository that is supported by an academic institution, scholarly society, government agency, or other well-established organization that seeks to enable open access, unrestricted distribution, interoperability, and long-term archiving.<br /><br />Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: 1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. 2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. 3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.Occurrence and control of genotoxins in drinking water: a monitoring proposal
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/769
Many studies have shown the presence of numerous organic genotoxins and carcinogens in drinking water. These toxic substances derive not only from pollution, but also from the disinfection treatments, particularly when water is obtained from surface sources and then chlorinated. Most of the chlorinated compounds in drinking water are nonvolatile and are difficult to characterize. Thus, it has been proposed to study such complex mixtures using short-term genotoxicity tests predictive of carcinogenic activity. Mutagenicity of water before and after disinfection has mainly been studied by the Salmonella/microsome (Ames test); in vitro genotoxicity tests have also been performed in yeasts and mammalian cells; in situ monitoring of genotoxins has also been performed using complete organisms such as aquatic animals or plants (in vivo). The combination of bioassay data together with results of chemical analyses would give us a more firm basis for the assessment of human health risks related to the consumption of drinking water. Tests with different genetic end-points complement each other with regard to sensitivity toward environmental genotoxins and are useful in detecting low genotoxicity levels which are expected in drinking water samples.Elisabetta CerettiMassimo MorettiIlaria ZerbiniMilena VillariniClaudia ZaniSilvano MonarcaDonatella Feretti
Copyright (c) 2016 Elisabetta Ceretti, Massimo Moretti, Ilaria Zerbini, Milena Villarini, Claudia Zani, Silvano Monarca, Donatella Feretti
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2016-12-212016-12-215310.4081/jphr.2016.769Are food labels effective as a means of health prevention?
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/768
Chronic diseases related to unbalanced and unhealthy eating habits have definitely become one of the major issues of modern age, not only in western countries but also in those ones where rapid economic growth has increased global prosperity levels. In order to avoid medical systems to collapse under excessive costs, International and Public Organizations strongly support health policies that aim to make people shift towards wholesome dietary patterns, also encouraging the use of food-labels to choose healthier products. To evaluate the consumers’ knowledge and perception about food-labels a brief questionnaire was developed and shared on Facebook between January-March 2016. Most of the participants were young adults with higher education. They declared to do their shopping at least once a week, reading the foodlabels quite often. Despite owing limited knowledge in basic nutrition principles and food-labelling they were generally able to recognize healthier products looking over their nutritional fact tables. Anyway, on average, what they care the most about the products they purchase is the global quality level rather than the nutritional values. In order to induce the whole population to use food label as an effective self-protection tool, more efforts should be done to improve their knowledge on nutrition fundamentals and basics about food labelling, because that would make them able to take safer and more conscious choices as regards their own health.Gaia Claudia Viviana ViolaFrancesca BianchiElia CroceElisabetta Ceretti
Copyright (c) 2016 Gaia Claudia Viviana Viola, Francesca Bianchi, Elia Croce, Elisabetta Ceretti
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2016-12-212016-12-215310.4081/jphr.2016.768Participatory action research in the field of neonatal intensive care: developing an intervention to meet the fathers’ needs. A case study
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/744
<em>Background</em>: In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) health care professionals typically give most of their attention to the infants and the mothers while many fathers feel uncertain and have an unmet need for support and guidance. This paper describes and discusses participatory action research (PAR) as a method to improve NICUs’ service for fathers. Our goal is to develop a father-friendly NICU where both the needs of fathers and mothers are met using an approach based on PAR that involves fathers, mothers, interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, and managers. <br /><em>Design and methods:</em> This PAR process was carried out from August 2011 to July 2013 and included participant observations, semi-structured interviews, multi sequential interviews, workshops, focus groups, group discussion, and a seminar. The theoretical framework of validity described by Herr and Anderson’s three criteria; process-, democratic-, and catalytic validity were used to discuss this PAR. <br /><em>Results</em>: Twelve fathers, 11 mothers, 48 health professionals and managers participated in the PAR process. The collaboration ensured the engagement for viable and constructive local changes to be used in designing the concept of the father friendly NICU.<br /><em>Conclusions</em>: This paper contributed new knowledge of how PAR can be used to ensure that participants engaged in the field are involved in the entire process; consequently, this will ensure that the changes are feasible and sustainable.Betty NoergaardHelle JohannessenJesper Fenger-GronPoul-Erik KofoedJette Ammentorp
Copyright (c) 2016 Betty Noergaard, Helle Johannessen, Jesper Fenger-Gron, Poul-Erik Kofoed, Jette Ammentorp
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2016-12-212016-12-215310.4081/jphr.2016.744Intentional and unintentional medication non-adherence in hypertension: the role of health literacy, empowerment and medication beliefs
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/762
<em>Background</em>: Medication non-adherence is a major public health issue, creating obstacles to effective treatment of hypertension. Examining the underlying factors of deliberate and non-deliberate non-adherence is crucial to address this problem. Thus, the goal of the present study is to assess the socio-demographic, clinical and psychological determinants of intentional and unintentional non-adherence. <br /><em>Design and methods:</em> A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March, 2015 and April, 2016. The sample consisted of hypertension patients holding at least one medical prescription (N=109). Measurements assessed patients’ medication adherence, health literacy, empowerment, self-efficacy, medication beliefs, and patients’ acceptance of their doctor’s advice, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. <br /><em>Results</em>: Patients who occasionally engaged in either intentional or unintentional non-adherence reported to have lower adherence selfefficacy, higher medication concern beliefs, lower meaningfulness scores and were less likely to accept the doctor’s treatment recommendations. Patients who occasionally engaged in unintentional nonadherence were younger and had experienced more side effects compared to completely adherent patients. Adherence self-efficacy was a mediator of the effect of health literacy on patients’ medication adherence and acceptance of the doctor’s advice was a covariate. <br /><em>Conclusions</em>: Regarding the research implications, health literacy and adherence self-efficacy should be assessed simultaneously when investigating the factors of non-adherence. Regarding the practical implications, adherence could be increased if physicians i) doublecheck whether their patients accept the treatment advice given and ii) if they address patients’ concerns about medications. These steps could be especially important for patients characterized with lower self-efficacy, as they are more likely to engage in occasional nonadherence.Lilla NáfrádiElisa GalimbertiKent NakamotoPeter J. Schulz
Copyright (c) 2016 Lilla Náfrádi, Elisa Galimberti, Kent Nakamoto, Peter J. Schulz
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2016-12-212016-12-215310.4081/jphr.2016.762Prevalence of diabetes in the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/733
Over the past two decades a number of severe acute respiratory infection outbreaks such as the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have emerged and presented a considerable global public health threat. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that diabetic subjects are more susceptible to these conditions. However, the prevalence of diabetes in H1N1 and MERS-CoV has not been systematically described. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published reports documenting the prevalence of diabetes in H1N1 and MERS-CoV and compare its frequency in the two viral conditions. Meta-analysis for the proportions of subjects with diabetes was carried out in 29 studies for H1N1 (n=92,948) and 9 for MERS-CoV (n=308). Average age of H1N1 patients (36.2±6.0 years) was significantly younger than that of subjects with MERS-CoV (54.3±7.4 years, P<0.05). Compared to MERS-CoV patients, subjects with H1N1 exhibited 3-fold lower frequency of cardiovascular diseases and 2- and 4-fold higher prevalence of obesity and immunosuppression, respectively. The overall prevalence of diabetes in H1N1 was 14.6% (95% CI: 12.3- 17.0%; P<0.001), a 3.6-fold lower than in MERS-CoV (54.4%; 95% CI: 29.4-79.5; P<0.001). The prevalence of diabetes among H1N1 cases from Asia and North America was ~two-fold higher than those from South America and Europe. The prevalence of diabetes in MERS-CoV cases is higher than in H1N1. Regional comparisons suggest that an etiologic role of diabetes in MERS-CoV may exist distinctive from that in H1N1.Alaa BadawiSeung Gwan Ryoo
Copyright (c) 2016 Alaa Badawi, Seung Gwan Ryoo
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2016-12-212016-12-215310.4081/jphr.2016.733Monitoring polypharmacy in healthcare systems through a multi-setting survey: should we put more attention on long term care facilities?
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/745
<em>Background</em>. Polypharmacy is a main issue of patient safety in all healthcare settings (<em>i.e.</em> increase adverse drug reactions and incidence of drug-drug interactions, etc.). The main object of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy and the appropriateness of drugs prescriptions in the regional health system (RHS) of Friuli Venezia-Giulia Region, Italy. <br /><em>Design and methods</em>. We carried out a point prevalence study in May 2014; 1582 patients ≥65 years were included from: 14 acute hospitals, 46 Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) and 42 general practitioners’ (GPs) clinics. Data analysis included the evaluation of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) taking Beers criteria as a reference. <br /><em>Results</em>. Patients in therapy with 10 drugs or more were 13.5%: 15.2% in hospitals, 9.7% in GPs’ clinics and 15.6% in LTCFs. According to Beers criteria we identified 1152 PIPs that involved globally almost half of patients (46.0%): 41.9% in hospitals, 59.6% in LTCFs and 37.0% in GP’s clinics. The 53.9% of patients received at least one mainly kidney excreted drug; for these patients the evaluation of serum creatinine was overall present in the 87.7% (747/852): 96.4% in hospital ones, 87.5% in GPs’ clinics and 77.8% in LTCFs. LTCFs residents were significantly (P<0.05) more exposed to PIPs and less monitored for the renal function. <br /><em>Conclusions</em>. A reliable estimation of the phenomenon in all the main healthcare settings is a necessary prerequisite to set tailored policies for facing polypharmacy within a RHS; the results showed the necessity to put a special attention on LTCFs.Luca ArnoldoGiovanni CattaniPiergiorgio CojuttiFederico PeaSilvio Brusaferro
Copyright (c) 2016 Luca Arnoldo, Giovanni Cattani, Piergiorgio Cojutti, Federico Pea, Silvio Brusaferro
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2016-12-092016-12-095310.4081/jphr.2016.745The economic cost of implementing maternal and neonatal death review in a district of Bangladesh
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/729
<em>Introduction</em>: Maternal and neonatal death review (MNDR) introduced in Bangladesh and initially piloted in a district during 2010. MNDR is able to capture each of the maternal, neonatal deaths and stillbirths from the community and government facilities (hospitals). This study aimed to estimate the cost required to implement MNDR in a district of Bangladesh during 2010-2012. <br /><em>Materials and methods:</em> MNDR was implemented in Thakurgaon district in 2010 and later gradually extended until 2015. MNDR implementation framework, guidelines, tools and manual were developed at the national level with national level stakeholders including government health and family planning staff at different cadre for piloting at Thakurgaon. Programme implementation costs were calculated by year of costing and costing as per component of MNDR in 2013. The purchasing power parity conversion rate was 1 $INT = 24.46 BDT, as of 31st Dec 2012. <br /><em>Results:</em> Overall programme implementation costs required to run MNDR were 109,02,754 BDT (445,738 $INT $INT) in the first year (2010). In the following years cost reduced to 8,208,995 BDT (335,609 $INT, during 2011) and 6,622,166 BDT (270,735 $INT, during 2012). The average cost per activity required was 3070 BDT in 2010, 1887 BDT and 2207 BDT required in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Each death notification cost 4.09 $INT, verbal autopsy cost 8.18 $INT, and social autopsy cost 16.35 $INT. Facility death notification cost 2.04 $INT and facility death review meetings cost 20.44 $INT. One death saved by MNDR costs 53,654 BDT (2193 $INT).<br /><em>Conclusions</em>: Programmatic implementation cost of conducting MPDR give an idea on how much cost will be required to run a death review system for a low income country settings using government health system.Animesh BiswasAbdul HalimFazlur RahmanCharli ErikssonKoustuv Dalal
Copyright (c) 2016 Animesh Biswas, Abdul Halim, Fazlur Rahman, Charli Eriksson, Koustuv Dalal
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2016-12-092016-12-095310.4081/jphr.2016.729The human microbiome: a public health approach
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/764
n.a.Csaba VargaIstván Kiss
Copyright (c) 2016 Csaba Varga, István Kiss
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2016-12-092016-12-095310.4081/jphr.2016.764Burden of fire injuries in Finland: lost productivity and benefits
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/705
<em>Background</em>: The aim of this study was to assess the economic burden of fire-related injury from two perspectives: post-injury social security compensations and also productivity losses due to the lost productive time from a societal perspective induced by the injury. <br /><em>Design and methods</em>: A cohort of 1503 inpatients who sustained firerelated injury during the period 2001–2005 was retrospectively followed up for 5-10 years until the end of 2010, using linkages between several administrative registers. The study process was started in 2015 and finalized on March 2016. <br /><em>Results</em>: Annual productivity loss was on average EUR 5.72 million, giving a total for the five-year study period of EUR 28.6 million, with a mean value of EUR 19,070 per person. Mean/median disability time for those who received benefits was 572/63 days, ranging from 3 days to 36.5 years. Total average cost of benefits to the injured annually during the study period was EUR 1.03 million. This equates to EUR 3430 per patient for the whole cohort or EUR 14,860 for those who received benefits. <br /><em>Conclusions</em>: The burden of fire-related injuries in terms of payment transfers and lost productivity due to periods of disability as indirect costs is high; in a population of 5.4 million, the annual loss exceeded EUR 5.7 million. The results could be used in planning preventive measures and therefore yield savingsKari HaikonenPirjo M. Lillsunde
Copyright (c) 2016 Kari Haikonen, Pirjo M. Lillsunde
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2016-09-272016-09-275310.4081/jphr.2016.705Public obligation and individual freedom: how to fill the gap? The case of vaccinations
http://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/732
Not availableGiovanni Boniolo
Copyright (c) 2016 Giovanni Boniolo
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2016-09-272016-09-275310.4081/jphr.2016.732