IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1139: Barriers to Nutrition Promotion in Private Secondary Schools in Kolkata, India: Perspectives of Parents and Teachers

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1139: Barriers to Nutrition Promotion in Private Secondary Schools in Kolkata, India: Perspectives of Parents and Teachers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061139

Authors: Neha Rathi Lynn Riddell Anthony Worsley

School-based nutrition promotion is critical to the development of healthy eating habits in adolescents. Unfortunately, most Indian secondary schools do not support healthy eating among adolescents. Therefore, this study was designed to understand the perspectives of teachers and parents regarding the potential barriers to nutrition promotion in Indian secondary schools. Thirty-two teachers and 280 parents from five private English-speaking secondary schools in Kolkata, India took part in a cross-sectional survey. The paper-based survey instrument included both quantitative and qualitative items which were derived from previously published evidence. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were conducted on the quantitative data. Qualitative data were evaluated by thematic data analysis underpinned by the template analysis technique. Five main barriers to nutrition promotion emerged from the study. These included the perceived strong preference for energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods among students; lack of government canteen guidelines; limited engagement of parents, teachers, and adolescents in canteen operations; the widespread display of eye-catching food advertisements; and poor knowledge among canteen personnel with regards to healthy food preparation. These findings about the potential barriers to nutrition promotion provide useful directions for healthy school food policy implementation. Successful implementation of healthy school food policies can inculcate lifelong healthy eating habits among adolescents.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1142: Validity of a Short Food Frequency Questionnaire Assessing Macronutrient and Fiber Intakes in Patients of Han Chinese Descent with Type 2 Diabetes

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1142: Validity of a Short Food Frequency Questionnaire Assessing Macronutrient and Fiber Intakes in Patients of Han Chinese Descent with Type 2 Diabetes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061142

Authors: Meng-Chuan Huang Kun-Der Lin Hung-Jiun Chen Yu-Ju Wu Chiao-I Chang Shyi-Jang Shin Hsin-Chia Hung Chien-Hung Lee Ya-Fang Huang Chih-Cheng Hsu

Few food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have been developed to assess diet in diabetes patients. This cross-sectional study examined the validity of a 45-item FFQ assessing the intake of macronutrients against three 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRs) in Taiwan, and compared vegetable and fruit intakes with carotenoid biomarkers. We recruited 126 adults with type 2 diabetes who completed the FFQ and three 24-HDRs administered by a registered dietitian. We measured plasma carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein) in 71 subjects. Partial Pearson correlation coefficients derived from the FFQs and three 24-HDRs and adjusted for energy were of 0.651, 0.587, 0.639 and 0.664 for protein, fat, carbohydrate and fiber, respectively. Cross-classification analysis revealed that 71.5–81% of the macronutrients and fiber were categorized into the same or adjacent quartiles by the FFQ and 24-HDRs. Bland–Altman plots revealed good agreement for energy/macronutrients/fiber across the range of intakes. Multiple linear regression of backward elimination revealed that tertile levels of dark- or light-colored vegetables obtained by the FFQ were significantly associated with plasma α-carotene and β-carotene, but not lutein. Fruit consumption did not correlate with carotenoid biomarkers. In conclusion, this short FFQ provided a valid assessment of macronutrients and fiber intake in type 2 diabetes patients. Vegetable consumption estimated by the FFQ corresponded to plasma α-carotene and β-carotene concentrations.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1140: Hunting, Sale, and Consumption of Bushmeat Killed by Lead-Based Ammunition in Benin

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1140: Hunting, Sale, and Consumption of Bushmeat Killed by Lead-Based Ammunition in Benin

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061140

Authors: Shukrullah Ahmadi Suzanne Maman Roméo Zoumenou Achille Massougbodji Michel Cot Philippe Glorennec Florence Bodeau-Livinec

Human consumption of animal meat killed by lead ammunition has been reported as a risk factor for elevated blood lead levels. However, little is known about how meat killed by lead ammunition is hunted, prepared, sold, and consumed. We explored the process from hunting to consumption within communities in Benin from the perspective of preventive measures. We conducted 38 semi-structured interviews with hunters (n = 9) and sellers (n = 8) of bushmeat and families (n = 21) as consumers of bushmeat killed by lead ammunition. Data were transcribed, translated, and coded for analysis. We conducted content analysis to identify and describe key themes and processes from hunting to consumption. Many hunters (n = 7/9) used lead-based ammunition. After the meat is hunted, market sellers often buy it directly from the hunters. Amongst the hunters and sellers, few (n = 4/17) acknowledged removing the meat impacted by lead shot prior to sale. Many families (n = 15/21) mentioned consumption of the hunted bushmeat. The meat is cooked before sharing with children. Many families (n = 19/21) mentioned they look for the remains of the lead shot or remove the meat impacted by the shot. The finding suggests that hunting, sale, and consumption of bushmeat killed by lead ammunition are well-known practices in Allada, Benin. The bushmeat often hunted illegally with lead shot is sold in the markets and eventually consumed by families who attempt to clean the meat impacted by the lead shot before cooking it.

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1141: Addendum: Geier, D.A.; et al. A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association between Infant Hepatitis B Vaccine Exposure in Boys and the Risk of Adverse Effects as Measured by Receipt of Special Education Services. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 123

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1141: Addendum: Geier, D.A.; et al. A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association between Infant Hepatitis B Vaccine Exposure in Boys and the Risk of Adverse Effects as Measured by Receipt of Special Education Services. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 123

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061141

Authors: David Geier Janet Kern Kristin Homme Mark Geier

The authors would like to update the “Conflicts of Interest” section of their previous paper [1] as follows:[...]

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1143: Awareness and Work-Related Factors Associated with Scrub Typhus: A Case-Control Study from South Korea

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1143: Awareness and Work-Related Factors Associated with Scrub Typhus: A Case-Control Study from South Korea

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061143

Authors: Dong-Seob Kim Dilaram Acharya Kwan Lee Seok-Ju Yoo Ji-Hyuk Park Hyun-Sul Lim

This study aimed to examine the awareness and the work-related factors associated with scrub typhus to provide data essential for evidence-based preventive strategies. A community-based case control study was carried out in the rural areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Confirmed cases of scrub typhus (n = 57) were based on laboratory tests performed by the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), 114 matched neighborhood controls, age (±6 years), gender and area of residence in the Gyeongsangbuk-do of South Korea. These cases were contracted over the 12-month period of January to December 2015. Overall, 61.4% cases and 79.8% of the control group had heard about scrub typhus. Cases were less aware about the fact that mites are mainly found in the bushes and that long sleeves and full-length pants and boots helped prevent scrub typhus. However, more were aware of the eschar lesion as a characteristic sign of scrub typhus. Work related risk factors such as having a wetland or puddles of water surrounding the house, dry field farming and working in the livestock industry were significantly associated with the scrub typhus. Health promotion strategies, such as creating general awareness, personal protection methods and improving personal hygiene and environmental sanitation in collaboration with relevant sectors, are recommended to reduce the burden of scrub typhus. Further intervention studies on awareness and behavioral and environmental modifications are required to investigate the effectiveness of such interventions.

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Respirator use and its impact on particulate matter exposure in aluminum manufacturing facilities

Objectives As part of a large epidemiologic study of particulate health effect, this study aimed to report respirator use among total particulate matter (TPM) samples collected in a major aluminum manufacturing company from 1966‒2013 and evaluate the impact of respirator-use adjustment on exposure estimation. Methods Descriptive analyses were performed to evaluate respirator use across facilities and by facility type and job. Protection factors were applied to TPM measurements for recorded respirator use. Estimated TPM exposure for each job ‒ before and after respirator-use adjustment ‒ were compared to assess the impact of adjustment on exposure estimation. Results Respirator use was noted for 37% of 12 402 full-shift personal TPM samples. Measured TPM concentration ranged from less than detectable to 8220 mg/m3, with arithmetic mean, median and standard deviation being 10.6, 0.87 and 130 mg/m³, respectively. Respirators were used more often in smelting facilities (52% of TPM measurements) than in fabricating (17%) or refinery facilities (28%) (Pby Liu S, Noth E, Eisen E, Cullen MR, Hammond K. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3738

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IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1133: A Comparison of Mental Health Care Systems in Northern and Southern Europe: A Service Mapping Study

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 1133: A Comparison of Mental Health Care Systems in Northern and Southern Europe: A Service Mapping Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15061133

Authors: Minna Sadeniemi Nerea Almeda Jose A. Salinas-Pérez Mencía R. Gutiérrez-Colosía Carlos García-Alonso Taina Ala-Nikkola Grigori Joffe Sami Pirkola Kristian Wahlbeck Jordi Cid Luis Salvador-Carulla

Mental health services (MHS) have gone through vast changes during the last decades, shifting from hospital to community-based care. Developing the optimal balance and use of resources requires standard comparisons of mental health care systems across countries. This study aimed to compare the structure, personnel resource allocation, and the productivity of the MHS in two benchmark health districts in a Nordic welfare state and a southern European, family-centered country. The study is part of the REFINEMENT (Research on Financing Systems’ Effect on the Quality of Mental Health Care) project. The study areas were the Helsinki and Uusimaa region in Finland and the Girona region in Spain. The MHS were mapped by using the DESDE-LTC (Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories for Long Term Care) tool. There were 6.7 times more personnel resources in the MHS in Helsinki and Uusimaa than in Girona. The resource allocation was more residential-service-oriented in Helsinki and Uusimaa. The difference in mental health personnel resources is not explained by the respective differences in the need for MHS among the population. It is important to make a standard comparison of the MHS for supporting policymaking and to ensure equal access to care across European countries.

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