Issue 4 - Impact of air pollution on COVID-19 mortality and morbidity: An epidemiological and mechanistic review.

Air pollution is a major global environment and health concern. Recent studies have suggested an association between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality and morbidity. In this context, a close association between increased levels of air pollutants such as particulate matter ≤2.

Educating Nursing Students About Chronic Pain Management and Opioids: A Research Study.

Background: Healthcare professionals' knowledge of safe use of opioids for chronic pain management is critical in preventing opioid abuse and overdose. Undergraduate curricula of health professional schools, including undergraduate nursing programs, need to improve and adopt a comprehensive educational plan regarding this issue.

Method: This study implemented and assessed an educational module on undergraduate nursing students' knowledge and attitudes regarding prescription opioids.

Obesity during Adolescence and Feeding Practices during Infancy: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Breastfeeding is proposed to play a role in reducing the risk of obesity throughout life. Kuwait has an extremely high prevalence of childhood obesity (45% of adolescents are overweight/obese) and extremely low breastfeeding indicators, particularly exclusive breastfeeding. In fact, little is known about the association between breastfeeding and obesity from Kuwait and the broader Middle East.

Mothers' perceptions of their children's weight: opportunity for health promotion in Kuwait.

Background: Mothers' perceptions of their children's weight remain mostly unknown in oil-rich countries of the Middle East.

Aims: To compare maternal perceptions of their children's weight with actual body weight.

Methods: We used the Kuwait nutritional surveillance data for 5 consecutive years (2015-2019) (N = 5119), which were collected through face-to-face interviews with mothers of children aged 2-5 years attending vaccination centres.

Observations of Delayed Changes in Respiratory Function among Allergy Clinic Patients Exposed to Wildfire Smoke.

Wildfires have increased in frequency and magnitude and pose a significant public health challenge. The principal objective of this study was to assess the impact of wildfire smoke on respiratory peak flow performance of patients exposed to two different wildfire events. This longitudinal study utilized an observational approach and a cohort study design with a patient-level clinical dataset from a local outpatient allergy clinic ( = 842).

Cultural Factors, Migrant Status, and Vulnerability to Increasing Temperatures among Hispanic/Latino Farmworkers: A Systematic Review.

Highlights: Cultural factors and acculturative stressors affect the health and safety behaviors of Hispanic/Latino farmworkers. Cultural factors and stressors also increase their risk of heat-related illnesses (HRIs). Interventions targeting HRIs in this population should account for cultural factors.

Dental hygiene and public health students' perception of an online interprofessional education applied learning activity.

Purpose/objectives: To pilot an online interprofessional education (IPE) applied learning activity (ALA), to understand students' socialization and values towards IPE teams, and evaluate the IPE learning activity for future implementation.

Methods: A pre-and post-test design was used to assess interprofessional socialization and values utilizing the (ISVS-9A/9B) surveys before and after the IPE ALA among dental hygiene (DH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) students (n = 86). Three statements from the ISVS-9A/9B surveys were not included due to the nature of the activity.

The Role of Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index in Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

The benefits of breastfeeding are well established in the literature. Barriers related to breastfeeding, such as maternal obesity, are also cited in the literature. Worldwide obesity rates in women of reproductive age are rising at an alarming pace.

Occupational health practices among dental care professionals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial burden on dental care professionals. While dentistry is known as one of the most exposed and high-risk professions, dental care professionals are indeed at even greater risk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, occupational health practices, personal protective equipment usage, and mental stressors during COVID-19 pandemic among dental care professionals.

Racial disparities and treatment trends among young-onset colorectal cancer patients: An analysis of a hospital cancer registry.

Background: There is an increasing trend of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in individuals under the age of 50. The impact of age on the outcomes of CRC remains controversial. This study examined the characteristics and treatment trends of young-onset CRC by comparing patients < 50 years of age to those ≥50.

Vitamin D levels in relation to low back pain during adolescence.

This study aimed to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and low back pain (LBP) among adolescents while adjusting for potential confounders pertinent to this age group including the weight of school bags, BMI and physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 760 randomly selected adolescents in middle schools. Data on LBP and the risk factors for LBP were collected from parents by a self-administered questionnaire and from adolescents by face-to-face interview.

Needlestick injury prevention training among health care workers in the Caribbean.

The rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among health care workers that is caused by sharps injuries is higher in the Caribbean and Latin America than in other regions of the world. To respond to and reduce occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens while also strengthening capacities in the Caribbean, needlestick injury prevention training programs for health care workers were implemented, beginning in 2011. The programs included lectures, workshops, policy reviews, evaluations of safety devices, and workplace assessment.

Interprofessional education involving didactic TeamSTEPPS® and interactive healthcare simulation: A systematic review.

The didactic portion of TeamSTEPPS®, which focuses on teaching teamwork and communication, coupled with interactive simulation methods provides a unique interprofessional education (IPE) learning environment. Across the literature there are a wide variety of such programs described, but there is not a consensus on the most effective methodology. A systematic review was therefore undertaken to synthesize, critically appraise, and evaluate existing literature on IPE programs that utilize didactic TeamSTEPPS in conjunction with interactive healthcare simulation.

Big Data Knowledge in Global Health Education.

The ability to synthesize and analyze massive amounts of data is critical to the success of organizations, including those that involve global health. As countries become highly interconnected, increasing the risk for pandemics and outbreaks, the demand for big data is likely to increase. This requires a global health workforce that is trained in the effective use of big data.

Assessment of current occupational safety and health regulations and legislation in the Caribbean.

Neglecting occupational safety and health (OSH) can have adverse and even deadly consequences. While OSH is important in any nation, the issue is particularly concerning in developing countries, including ones in the Caribbean. The purpose of this study, which was carried out in 2012 and 2013, was to examine the reasons for an apparent fundamental lack of awareness of OSH in the Caribbean.

Occupational exposure and respiratory health problems among nutmeg production workers in Grenada, the Caribbean.

Background: The nutmeg industry is a major contributor to the Grenadian economy. However, workers in the industry face many environmental and occupational health risks.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate respiratory health problems and possible related occupational exposures among nutmeg production workers.

Determinants of Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase in Patients Infected with HIV.

Objectives: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence of elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to determine the relation between ALP and specific antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: A total of 2990 patients were included in this study. Data were collected from a major academic institution's HIV clinic using the most recent searchable values from patients' medical records.

Health Service Utilization and Poor Health Reporting in Asthma Patients.

Unlabelled: The management and treatment of adult asthma has been associated with utilization of health services.

Objectives: First, to investigate the likelihood of health service utilization, including primary care, emergency department, and hospital stays, among persons diagnosed with an asthma condition relative to those that do not have an asthma condition. Second, to examine the likelihood of poor physical health among asthma respondents relative to those that do not have an asthma condition.

United Airway Disease Among Crop Farmers.

Although there are observed relationships between agriculture and respiratory health problems, little attention has been given to relationship between lower and upper airway problems among farmers in the United States. The objective was to investigate the possible relationship between occupational risk factors and "united airway disease" among farmers in eastern North Carolina. Farmers and farm workers were selected from eastern North Carolina by using a cluster sampling method.