Improving the Health of Migrant Workers: A Community Health Nursing Advocacy Project

Background: Migrant workers play a critical role in Canada’s economic structure. Yet, they face insurmountable challenges as they strive to make a living in Canada; one of the most significant issues experienced by migrant workers in Canada pertains to adequate access to health care. A community health nursing course completed during Fall 2020 term afforded five students the opportunity to explore the inequities migrant workers face and the necessary reforms needed to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of migrant workers who come to Canada to work, regardless of their status. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to share knowledge with other health care professionals in the hopes of fostering community collaboration and formulating approaches to mitigate the exploitation faced by migrant workers in Canada. Implications: The persistent marginalization and exploitation encountered by migrant workers makes them extremely vulnerable to inequality and injustice. Strategies that nurses can employ to mitigate the marginalization and exploitation of migrant workers in Canada are discussed. Conclusion: Migrant workers deserve adequate access to health care. Nurses can advocate for migrant workers through collaboration with community agencies to build an engaging social responsibility strategy.  &nbsp

Predictive Health Analysis in Industry 5.0: A Scientometric and Systematic Review of Motion Capture in Construction

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the rise of Industry 4.0 has prompted industries to pursue innovative improvements in their processes. As we advance towards Industry 5.0, which focuses more on collaboration between humans and intelligent systems, there is a growing requirement for better sensing technologies for healthcare and safety purposes. Consequently, Motion Capture (MoCap) systems have emerged as critical enablers in this technological evolution by providing unmatched precision and versatility in various workplaces, including construction. As the construction workplace requires physically demanding tasks, leading to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and health issues, the study explores the increasing relevance of MoCap systems within the concept of Industry 4.0 and 5.0. Despite the growing significance, there needs to be more comprehensive research, a scientometric review that quantitatively assesses the role of MoCap systems in construction. Our study combines bibliometric, scientometric, and systematic review approaches to address this gap, analyzing articles sourced from the Scopus database. A total of 52 papers were carefully selected from a pool of 962 papers for a quantitative study using a scientometric approach and a qualitative, indepth examination. Results showed that MoCap systems are employed to improve worker health and safety and reduce occupational hazards.The in-depth study also finds the most tested construction tasks are masonry, lifting, training, and climbing, with a clear preference for markerless systems

Exploring the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Use of Unprescribed Drugs among Adults of a Selected City of Somaliland

Background: The emergence and spread of resistance related to the irrational use of antibiotics is a major global public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards use of unprescribed drugs among adults in a selected city of Somaliland. Methods: This study used cross-sectional survey and data was collected through semi-structured questionnaire. A purposive sampling of 400 individuals was obtained; Slovene’s Formula was used to calculate the sample size & Data was analysed by using SSPS v.20 and Ms Excel. Results: It is found that 64.3% of the respondents used any form of medicine without a medical practitioner's prescription. It is found that there is a significant association between respondent's level of knowledge and practice of unprescribed drug use. Conclusion: The conclusion is that it is important to formulate policies and strategies for drug distribution and sales aimed for controlling the public use of unprescribed drugs

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic presented a ‘double-edged sword’ for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive the pandemic and its impact on their well-being and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.AimThis study explored older adults’ perceived risks regarding COVID-19, its impact on their psychosocial well-being, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges in Nigeria.MethodsA phenomenological and exploratory research design was used. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 16 older adults and 4 social workers in Onitsha metropolis, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe findings revealed that the COVID-19 restrictive measures negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of older adults, where social isolation, lack of support, the inability to engage in wellbeing activities, and emotional trauma collectively contributed to a significant decline in their mental and emotional health. Additionally, widespread misconceptions about the origin of COVID-19 led to reluctance in adopting preventive measures. While social workers provided some awareness and counselling sessions, their involvement was limited. Social workers were not recognized as part of the frontline response team, and their efforts were primarily constrained by governmental and institutional neglect.ConclusionThe findings highlight the need for policy initiatives to enhance social workers involvement in strengthening the psychosocial resilience of older adults and addressing misconceptions during public health emergencies. Comprehensive strategies are essential for safeguarding the psychosocial well-being of older adults in future pandemics or similar crises

Erratum to: Methods for evaluating medical tests and biomarkers

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41512-016-0001-y.]

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Tobacco Consumption Among Students of a Selected Private University in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco consumption has a significant association with several health problems. Among the eight leading causes of morbidity and mortality, tobacco consumption is the major risk factor for six causes. This study aimed to find out the prevalence and the factors associated with tobacco consumption among the students at a private university. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Daffodil International University from January to May 2017, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 384 students participated in this study. The findings showed that 184 (48.4%) of the students of a private university were smoking any form of tobacco. Age, place of residence, knowledge of the consequences of tobacco consumption, health problems that the respondents were suffering, an affair of love, the frequency of library had a significant association with tobacco consumption. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Identifying associated risk factors is important to develop a prevention program and mitigate the epidemic situation of tobacco consumption among the students