Internationale Zeitschrift für öffentliche Gesundheit und Sicherheit

This study aimed to observe cardiotoxicity induced by three kinds of addictive drugs (i.e., methamphetamine (METH), ketamine (KT), and methadone) in zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to various doses of METH, KT, and methadone solutions. The qualitative and quantitative cardiotoxicities were recorded at 24 h and 48 h posttreatment using specific endpoints, i.e., heart rate, heart malformation, pericardial edema, and circulation abnormalities. Results showed that METH at 500 mg/L dose induced a heart rate decline and pericardial edema at 24 h posttreatment, whereas a 1,000 mg/L dose induced significant cardiac malfunctions (i.e., heart rate, pericardial edema, and circulation decrease/absence) at 12 h and 24 h posttreatment compared with the control group. The heart rate of zebrafish embryos treated with KT at 500 mg/L dose decreased compared with the control groups at 24 h posttreatment, whereas a minimum dose of 1,000 mg/L induced significant cardiac malfunctions (i.e., heart rate, pericardial edema, and circulation decrease/absence) at 12 h and 24 h posttreatment. All of the zebrafish embryos treated with methadone at a minimum dose of 500 mg/L died, whereas methadone at 200 mg/L and 300 mg/L dose induced significant cardiac malfunctions (i.e., heart rate, pericardial edema, and circulation decrease/absence) at 12 h and 24 h posttreatment. The results confirm the potential cardiotoxicity of the three kinds of addictive drugs (i.e., METH, KT, and methadone), particularly of methadone. Therefore, more attention must be focused on the risk of clinical application of methadone.

Introduction: The problem of the onset of accidental skin lesions after surgery is actually underestimated and yet quite unknown, especially in the pediatric setting. Skin involvement after surgery may be related to chemical, electrical, thermal or mechanical causes. The purpose of this report is to increase awareness among professionals about the postoperative skin lesions, to discuss their possible causes and to provide recommendations regarding these avoidable adverse events. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study from June 01, 2015 to December 31, 2015. All detected lesions were investigated by using a monitoring form developed for this purpose. Results: A total of 3614 surgical procedures were performed. Fifteen lesions were detected after surgery, 10 erythematous and 5 II-degree lesion. Eleven patients were male and 4 were female (average age 5.3 years). The incidence was 0.41%. At univariate and multivariate analysis lying on the right-side position during surgery and urologic procedures were significantly associated with skin lesions. Discussions: The analysis of our series did not allow us to identify an unequivocal etiology but only several hypotheses about the main cause related to the onset of the skin lesion. The skin lesions were generally superficial and transient. The figures in our series were not conclusive enough to consider the position on the operating table and the urologic surgery as independent factors for the onset of skin lesions. Conclusions: A more accurate understanding of the problem and some strategies for adequate prevention turn out to be mandatory for the sake of the patient's safety.

Malnutrition is associated with a lot of morbidity and more than one-third deaths in children under 5 years globally. A majority of those who suffer from the brunt of malnutrition are in developing countries. Of note Kenya is one of the countries with the greatest burden of malnutrition associated with rapid nutrition, economic and social transitions. However, there is a paucity of data on malnutrition and the factors related to it in children in rural settings. This study therefore examined the prevalence and predictors of malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Trans-Mara East sub-county in Narok county. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using multivariate logistic regression. Of the 350 children enrolled in this study, 31%, 22% and 8% of the children were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. Besides, 9% and 4% of the children suffered from overweight and obesity respectively. The key determinants for stunting were number of children in the household (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 1.86; 95%CI: 1.01-3.43), mother being a house wife (aOR: 3.63; 95%CI: 1.08-12.24), and being poor (aOR: 3.33; 95%CI: 1.44-7.68). For obesity, the predictors were child age with 12-23 months (Crude Odds Ratio: 2; 95%CI: 0.175-22.8); 24-35 months (odds ratio of 2.22; 95%CI: 0.22-22.3), child gender with males more likely to be obese relative to females (OR: 3.27; 95%CI: 0.856-12.5). This study indicates that there is double burden of malnutrition in rural settings characterized by high prevalence of under nutrition and low prevalence of over nutrition. The results of this study will be useful for the Ministry of Health and other developmental partners targeting child nutrition in formulating context-specific interventions that are optimized according to the level of food insecurity within different settings.

Background: In Ethiopia, only 50% of pregnant women use the available services to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. It is unknown why 50% of pregnant women fail to use these services risking deterioration of their own health and increasing the chance that their babies will be infected with HIV. Objectives: The study aimed to identify whether pregnant women’s satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the following aspects influenced their utilization of these services: health facilities’ infrastructure, accessibility and affordability of services, and interactions with nurses/midwives. Methods: Three trained research assistants conducted individual structured interviews with 384 women (out of a population of 796 women) who used prevention of vertical transmission of HIV services in Addis Ababa from May to November 2013. Results: Most women were satisfied with the health facilities’ infrastructure, accessibility and affordability and with their interactions with nurses/midwives. However, the waiting times at the facilities were long and medicines were sometimes unavailable. Some nurses/midwives used unfamiliar words and ignored patients’ questions. No major source of patients’ dissatisfaction with the services was identified. Recommendations: These services might be utilized by more pregnant women if they were free of charge, waiting times at clinics and pharmacies could be reduced, medicines were always available, and nurses/midwives avoided using unfamiliar words and answered all patients’ questions. Conclusion: No definite source of dissatisfaction with the service was identified that could have prevented women from using the service. However, if the identified shortcomings are addressed, the service could be improved and more pregnant women might use it in future.