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Gaza Strip is exposed to the danger of the novel coronavirus pandemic ‘nCOVID‐19’ spread, which exacerbates the crises severity on this besieged area since 2007. This study aims to identify the preventive actions during the action effectiveness implemented by the Central Emergency Committee and the Ministry of Health to reduce the coronavirus spread in Gaza Strip. The researchers have followed the descriptive and the analytical methodology of the purposive sample responses data from the preventive medicine workers, the security team, and the members of the Central Emergency Committee.The most important results of the study showed that targeted peoples have been reexamined several times to ensure that they are recovered from the disease with an average of 81.0%. The reliability and accuracy of the detection tests of the coronavirus disease were of an average of 79.33%. In addition, the results demonstrate the existence of a strong correlation between the preventive action taken by the Central Emergency Committee and the effectiveness of the procedures to prevent the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the study shows a statistical significance effect at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) regarding the prevention procedures from the coronavirus pandemic and the effectiveness of the procedures.

BackgroundDuring the first SARS-CoV-2 pandemic phase, the sudden closure of schools was one of the main measures to minimize the spread of the virus. In the second phase, several safety procedures were implemented to avoid school closure.To evaluate if the school is a safe place, students and staff of two school complexes of Rome were monitored to evaluate the efficacy of prevention measures inside the school buildings.MethodsOral secretions specimens were collected from 1262 subjects for a total of 3431 samples, collected over a 3 months period.Detection of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was performed by real-time PCR. Target genes were represented by E gene, RdRP/S gene and N gene.ResultsAmong the 3431 samples analyzed, just 16 sample resulted as positive or low positive: 1 sample in the first month, 12 samples in the second month and 3 in the third month.In each period of evaluation, all positive children attended different classes.ConclusionsEven if the school has the potential for spreading viruses, our preliminary results show the efficacy of the implementations undertaken in this setting to minimize virus diffusion.Our evidence suggests that school does not act as an amplifier for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and can be really considered a safe place for students.

Dropout in higher education attracts great attention due to serious effects on an individual and on society. This is an exploratory study aimed at: analysing drop­out measurement and tracking in the Serbian higher education, reviewing studies on dropout causes, and identifying available services and prevention measures. Various techniques are used to achieve these goals (statistics analysis, literature review, qualitative content analysis). Our results show that: 1. There are no accepted dropout definitions nor official statistics, but some rate estimate could be given; 2. Research is not systematic, but covers three major dropout factors (individual, socio-demographic, studying conditions); 3. Services are sporadic and not visible enough; 4. Legislation reveals state interest in promoting higher education, but implemented measures are not adequate enough. We see establishment of the Unified Education Information System as an important step in precise dropout measurement. There is a need for flexible studying routes and increased financial support orientated more towards vulnerable student groups. International studies highlight the importance of intensification of teacher-student and peer interaction built in modern student-centred teaching practice. At the end, we advocate creating a new educational policy by combining two major frameworks in this field and relying on inclusive research.

Background Cervical cancer remains the most common cancer of women worldwide. Its burden is more serious in developing countries. It is also the second common cancer deaths of women in Ethiopia followed by breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of precancerous cervical lesions among women in Ethiopia. Methods We systematically searched published and unpublished articles reported from 2010 to 2019 using a comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed and Google scholar for grey literature from August 1 to September 1, 2019. The methodological qualities of included studies were evaluated using Joanna Briggs Institute meta-analysis of Statistics Assessment. The pooled prevalence estimate was calculated using MedCalc software-version 19.0.7, and the pooled odd ratios for predictors was calculated using RevMan software version 5.3. Results The pooled prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions among women in Ethiopia was 13.4% (95% CI:10.63% 16.37%). Statistically significant heterogeneity between studies was detected (I2=83.1%, P 1, OR=2.5 (95% CI:3.70,4.76), being HIV positive women, OR=2.4 (95% CI:1.33,4.61) and women having history of STI, OR=2.0 (95% CI:1.02,3.87) had statistically significant association with precancerous cervical lesions among women in Ethiopia. Conclusion The pooled prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions among women in Ethiopia was high as compared to the 5-year worldwide cervical cancer prevalence. Women having more than one life time sexual partners, being HIV positive women and women having history of STI had a statistically significant association with precancerous cervical lesions.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease is a pandemic threat for humanity's healthcare system, social, economic, and psychological well-being for both developed and developing nations. In the case of developing nations such as the resource of Ethiopia, however, the key obstacle is to buy the vaccine and administer it to their people. In the study area, however, the degree of adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measure was not well-established. The aim of this study is to determine adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures in Hossana town.From 3 to 29 January 2021, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals living in the Hosanna town. We used a sample size of 384. The sample size was distributed to all eight kebeles in proportion to the size of the households contained in each kebele in the town of Hossana. Systematic sampling methods were used, and both descriptive and advanced analysis data were entered into Epi-data and exported to SPSS. Binary logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with adherence to preventive measures for COVID-19.A total of 377 were included in the study with the response rate of 98.2%. The percentage of the study participants that had good adherence with the COVID-19 preventive measures is 50.4%. 145 (38.5%) of all respondents had poor knowledge on COVID-19 preventive measures, and 40.3% had poor COVID-19 transmission methods knowledge. Age (AOR: 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.131-0.912]), educational status (AOR: 0.32; 95% CI [0.165-0.632]), marital status (AOR: 2; % CI [1.191-3.803]), family size (AOR: 2.4; % CI [1.322-4.366]), and COVID-19 complication (AOR: 0.49:95% CI [0.242-0.979]) were significantly associated with COVID-19 prevention measurement adherence in multivariate analysis.This study found that approximately half of the participants had poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Factors associated with COVID-19 preventive measures were age, educational status, marital status, family size, and heard about complication of COVID-19 were associated with preventive measures.

Adherence to preventive measures is essential to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Two online surveys were conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 23 April to 8 June 2020, and from August 24th to September 8th, respectively. A total of 3268 (round 1) and 4160 (round 2) participants were included. In both surveys, there was a moderate level of adherence to regular handwashing (85% and 77%, respectively), wearing of facemasks (41.4% and 69%, respectively), and respecting physical distancing (58% and 43.4%, respectively). The second survey found that, working in private (OR = 2.31, CI: 1.66–3.22, p &lt, 0.001) and public organizations (OR = 1.61, CI: 1.04–2.49, p = 0.032) and being a healthcare worker (OR = 2.19, CI: 1.57–3.05, 0.001) significantly increased the odds for better adherence. However, a unit increase in age (OR = 0.99, CI: 0.98–0.99, 0.026), having attained lower education levels (OR = 0.60, CI: 0.46–0.78, 0.001), living in a room (OR = 0.36, CI: 0.15–0.89, p = 0.027), living in a studio (OR = 0.26, CI: 0.11–0.61, p = 0.002) and apartment (OR = 0.29, CI: 0.10–0.82, p = 0.019) significantly decreased the odds for better adherence. We recommend a multi-sectorial approach to monitor and respond to the pandemic threat. While physical distancing may be difficult in Africa, it should be possible to increase the use of facemasks.

Background: We aimed to conduct a retrospective analysis of the epidemiological changes and prevention effects for malaria in Weifang, Shandong Peninsula, China from 1957 to 2017. Methods: The malaria data from a web-based reporting system were analyzed to explore malaria epidemiological characteristics and prevention effects in Weifang. Results: Overall, 1, 704, 890 malaria cases were reported in Weifang from 1957 to 2017, of which two major malaria epidemics occurred in 1961 (827.28/10, 000) and 1971 (366.14/10, 000). Prior to 1997, all malaria patients (1, 704, 829) were infected with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). After 2007, the cases of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) showed an upward trend (76.8%). The reported cases after the 21st century were mainly imported cases, and the last indigenous case was a patient that infected with P. vivax in 2006. Overall, 36 imported cases were reported from 2010 to 2017, of which 88.9% were acquired in Africa. Except for one 32-year-old woman, the rest were male (97.2%), in which laborers and farmers represented the vast majority (66.6%). From 1987 to 2017, there were 1, 224, 474 cases of fever with blood tests, and the average blood test rate was 4.9%. From 1957 to 2017, a total of 1, 704, 890 malaria patients were treated, 96 cases were treated during resting phase from 1987 to 2017. Conclusion: Weifang should continue to strengthen the management of the migrant population, making blood tests for fever patients and patient treatment as important means of malaria control and monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus (Co V) is a type of virus that can cause interference with the respiratory tract. The development of COVID-19 is happening fast in the world, especially in Indonesia. In Medan, the highest number of COVID-19 cases was spread in the Medan Selayang sub-district. One of the steps taken by the government to reduce transmission of COVID-19 is by implementing prevention and social distancing behavior. Community behavior is influenced by various factors such as age, sex, physical nature, level of education, socioeconomic to culture. AIM: To find out the factors that influence the community behavior of Medan Selayang people in the effort to prevent COVID-19 METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 respondents. Data collection methods, in the form of primary data, are carried out by distributing and filling out questionnaires through the Google form media. RESULTS: from 102 respondents were found that 90.2% of respondents had good behavior in COVID-19 prevention efforts. In the multinomial logistic regression, found sig. (P) on the variables of gender, age, education level and employment status respectively of 0.360; .772; 0.860; and 0.878 (p value> 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, no significant relationship was found between sex, age, education level, and employment status on COVID-19 preventive behavior Keywords: COVID-19, Behavior, Prevention Measures

Background and objectives: Spreading of SARS-CoV-2 infection from China to countries with a higher prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has generated concern among gastroenterologists and patients. The aim of this survey is to evaluate knowledge about clinical importance of COVID-19, disease management, prevention measures, and anxiety level during pandemic among patients with IBD. Material and methods: From 15th March to 15th April 2020, a questionnaire survey was administered to 200 patients with IBD by email or phone application. The questionnaire consisted of five sections: (1) anthropometric, demographic and clinical characteristics, (2) knowledge about clinical importance of COVID-19, (3) IBD management, (4) prevention measures, (5) anxiety level during pandemic. Results: One hundred forty two questionnaires were completed. Ninety-seven patients (68.3%) were males with a mean age of 46 years (SD 13, range 17&ndash, 76). Fifty-four individuals (38%) were affected by Crohn disease and 88 (62%) by Ulcerative Colitis. Most patients reported high knowledge about clinical importance of COVID-19 (80%), IBD management (72%), and prevention measures (97%). Sixty-two percent of them showed moderate-high level of anxiety. High education level was independently associated with high knowledge about clinical importance of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] 5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49&ndash, 16.6, p = 0.009) and older age (OR 1, 95%, CI 1.01&ndash, 1.1, p = 0.01), while the receipt of e-format educational material with low knowledge about clinical importance of COVID-19 (OR 3, 95%, CI 1.08&ndash, 9.3, p = 0.03). Displaying an active disease appeared to be independently associated with low knowledge of IBD management (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.4&ndash, 22.8, p = 0.01) and no variables other than an older age was independently associated with higher level of anxiety (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.009&ndash, 1.09, p = 0.01). Conclusions: High educational level and aging promote knowledge about clinical importance of COVID-19, while e-format educational material does not. Taken together with findings that an active disease status compromises knowledge of IBD management and the high level of anxiety related to increasing age, these data suggest the need of further supporting patient-oriented strategies in IBD during Covid-19 pandemic.

Background Due to the COVID‐19 outbreak, hygiene regulations have been intensified and hand sanitation has gained special attention. Objective To investigate the onset of hand eczema during the COVID‐19 pandemic in health care workers (HCWs) directly involved in intensive care of COVID‐19 patients and HCWs without direct contact. Hereby, we aim at increasing awareness with regard to occupational hand eczema and preventive measures that can be undertaken. Methods A survey was distributed amongst 114 HCWs at a single surgical site and at a COVID‐19 intensive care unit of the university hospital LMU Munich, Germany. Participants were questioned with regard to the daily frequency of hand hygiene prior to and during the pandemic. Participants self‐reported onset of hand eczema and associated symptoms. Results Our study revealed a significant increase of hand washing, disinfection and use of hand cream across all participants (P‐value

Background To investigate the risk factors and changes in serum inflammatory factors in puerperal infection, and propose clinical prevention measures. Methods A total of 240 subjects with suspected puerperal infection treated in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2017 were collected, among which puerperal infection was definitely diagnosed in 40 cases, and it was excluded in 40 cases. Levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were compared between the two groups, and the change trends of IL‐6 and hs‐CRP were recorded. Results Levels of IL‐6, hs‐CRP, and TNF‐α in puerperal infection group were higher than those in non‐infection group (P 25, placenta previa, placenta accreta, postpartum hemorrhage, premature rupture of membrane, gestational diabetes mellitus, and anemia during pregnancy were relevant and independent risk factors for puerperal infection. Puerperal infection occurred in uterine cavity, vagina, pelvic peritoneum, pelvic tissue, incision, urinary system, etc, and gram‐negative (G+) bacteria were dominated in pathogens. Conclusion The inflammatory response of patients with puerperal infection is significantly enhanced.

The diffusion of the COVID-19 pandemic has generated numerous interventions aimed at reducing the contagion by means of specific prevention measures, also characterized by stricter occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures at the workplace. To better understand how this novel working context has impacted on farmers’ safety behavior and attitude, a safety climate assessment was carried out by means of the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50), which was augmented to include specific items related to the modifications of working conditions due to COVID-19. This allowed us to analyze changes in safety climate perceptions, pointing out worker-manager discrepancies in safety behavior and attitude. Additionally, the COVID-19 questionnaire contributed to analyzing the effects of the specific OHS measures due to the pandemic from the workers’ standpoint. Results showed that concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic have augmented the attention paid to OHS, demonstrating a correlation between the safety climate dimensions and the OHS measures due to COVID-19. Besides, farmers’ risk-taking behavior and attitude appeared still critical, highlighting the need for more specific and contextual interventions in terms of safety information and training. Overall, this study aims to expand knowledge on shared safety awareness and perceptions in the COVID-19 period.

Surgical treatment can decrease the pain burden of patients, as well as improve their quality of life and social satisfaction. However, postoperative infection and other complications may harm patients and may even cause surgical failure and death. This review describes the definition, classification, and status of surgical site infection (SSI). In addition, this review provides an analysis of the relevant risk factors that result in SSI, and proposes the corresponding preventative and control measures for each different risk factor.

Aim. To conduct a review of international studies and guidelines on the implementation of population-based preventive measures aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, and identify measures recommended by the World Health Organization, which have the potential for use in the Russian Federation.Material and methods. We used the following databases: PubMed, Science Citation Index, Scopus, The Campbell Collaboration Library of Systematic Reviews. The review includes systematic and non-systematic studies of measures related to alcohol consumption. The effectiveness of the identified measures was assessed according to the following criteria: behavioral changes (consumption/sales/level); incidence changes; mortality changes.Results. According to international practice of population-based prevention, effective measures that can be implemented in the Russian Federation include reducing the blood alcohol concentration legal driving limit, increasing the minimum legal drinking age, a complete ban on alcohol advertising, and a further increase in excise taxes.Conclusion. In the Russian Federation, significant progress has been achieved in implementing alcohol restriction measures, which has led to a reduction in its consumption and related consequences. Despite this, levels of alcohol consumption remain high and the potential for introducing population-based measures to reduce it has not been exhausted.

Current cancer treatments, along with more effective prevention measures, are producing increased cancer survival globally;(1) becoming – in many cases – a chronic disease.(2) Care of patients and families, living with a chronic disease, like cancer, constitutes one of the principal challenges for most health systems because they represent a heavy burden in terms of morbidity and mortality and carry a high percentage of the public expenditure in health.(3) Above all, the impact of cancer entails suffering and represents an important limitation in the quality of life, productivity, and functional state of the sick individuals and those living with them, that is, their family. More so, with evidence of the progressive increase of the number of older people with cancer, who are more prone to having comorbidities and other problems associated with their age, like dementia, depression, cerebrovascular accident, and diabetes.(4)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which, when progressing, develops as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has been known worldwide for over 30 years. It is one of the greatest epidemics that mankind has ever encountered. The number of HIV infections also increases in Latvia each year, as evidenced by official data from the Center for Disease Prevention and Control. In turn, information on infection with AIDS mechanisms, prevention measures is readily available in the mass media, medical institutions, etc. It also determined the purpose of the study - is the public well informed about HIV infection and its preventive measures?

BACKGROUND: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a widespread public health problem and a violation of human rights rooted in gender and power inequities. Refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants living in European asylum reception facilities (EARF) are especially vulnerable to SGBV. To contribute to closing the gap on systematic and accurate evidence on SGBV, we aim to explore reported cases of SGBV, causes and preventable measures described by residents and professionals from EARF. METHODS: We developed a cross-sectional study using the Senperforto project database. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents (refugees, asylum-seekers and unaccompanied minors) and professionals (service and health care providers) at EARF, in 7 European countries. We used IBM® SPSS software to analyze our data. Further, statistical tests - Chi-square Test and Fisher's exact test (5% significance level) were conducted. RESULTS: In total 562 respondents: 375 residents (R) and 187 professionals (P) participated in the study. The majority of respondents were male (56.9%), aged 19 to 39 years (67.3%). Respondents described 698 cases of SGBV (R 328, P 370), comprising 1110 acts of multi-types of violence. Respondents from Malta (160) and Belgium (143) reported the highest number of SGBV cases. The main reported causes were frustration and stress (R 23.6%, P 37.6%, p 0.008) and differences related with cultural background (R 19.3%, P 20.3%, p 0.884). Respondents assumed that these acts of violence could be prevented by SGBV prevention interventions (R 31.5%, P 24.7%, p 0.293); improving living conditions (R 21.7%, P 15.3%, p 0.232); and promoting communication (R 16.1%, P 28.2%, p 0.042). The majority of R were not aware of existing preventable measures in the asylum facility or host country. While the majority of P were aware of existing preventable measures in the asylum facility or country. Proposed SGBV prevention strategies in EARF included SGBV sensitization and awareness, improving living conditions and improving communication between R and P. CONCLUSION: In the EARF context, SGBV is characterized by multi-types of violence acts, yet R and P believe that prevention is possible. Our results call for urgent integrative prevention strategies that are in line with country-level and international regulations. publishersversion published

Persistent plastics, with an estimated lifetime for degradation of hundreds of years in marine conditions, can break up into micro- and nanoplastics over shorter timescales, thus facilitating their uptake by marine biota throughout the food chain. These polymers may contain chemical additives and contaminants, including some known endocrine disruptors that may be harmful at extremely low concentrations for marine biota, thus posing potential risks to marine ecosystems, biodiversity and food availability. Although there is still need to carry out focused scientific research to fill the knowledge gaps about the impacts of plastic litter in the marine environment (Wagner et al. in Environ Sci Eur 26:9, 2014), the food chain and human health, existing scientific evidence and concerns are already sufficient to support actions by the scientific, industry, policy and civil society communities to curb the ongoing flow of plastics and the toxic chemicals they contain into the marine environment. Without immediate strong preventive measures, the environmental impacts and the economic costs are set only to become worse, even in the short term. Continued increases in plastic production and consumption, combined with wasteful uses, inefficient waste collection infrastructures and insufficient waste management facilities, especially in developing countries, mean that even achieving already established objectives for reductions in marine litter remains a huge challenge, and one unlikely to be met without a fundamental rethink of the ways in which we consume plastics. This document was prepared by a working group of Regional Centres of the Stockholm and Basel Conventions and related colleagues intended to be a background document for discussion in the 2017 Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Basel Convention on hazardous wastes and the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The COP finally approved that the issue of plastic waste could be dealt by its Regional Centres and consistently report their activities on the matter to next COP’s meetings.

The article deals with characteristics and problems of world natural hazards insurance market. Special attention in this article is paid to activity of direct and indirect participants of the market: policy holders, insurance intermediaries, insurers, reinsurers, companies of construction industry and real estate, banks and other financial institutions, investors, rating agencies, Government. The article underlines the importance of adequate natural hazard risks assessment. The article describes factors that influence demand and supply aspects on the market. The supply is constrained by insurer’s and reinsurer’s capacity and the willingness of investors to finance natural hazard insurance market. Low interest of potential policy holders to buy natural hazard insurance is explained mainly by practice of post-disaster government relief programs. As insurance component increases in natural disaster compensation schemes, moral hazard decreases, but adverse selection goes up.

Background With increases in globalization, cultural remedies from Chinese, Ayurvedic, Arab and other traditions have become more available to international consumers, offering unfamiliar “Natural Health Products” (NHP), used as alternative medicine or supplementary medicine. Contamination with toxic ingredients including lead, mercury, arsenic, and other toxic elements has been documented in several of these products from various parts of the globe, particularly from some parts of Asia and the Orient. Findings We have been following this development in the last 6 years and have analyzed n = 20 such products (60 analyses) from patients with intoxication symptoms in a pilot study, showing alarming high concentrations of mercury and/or lead (the first one in “therapeutic” doses). 82 % of the studied NHP contained lead concentrations above the EU limit for dietary supplements. 62 % of the samples exceeded the limit values for mercury. Elevated blood lead and mercury levels in patients along with clinical intoxication symptoms corroborate the causal assumption of intoxication (s). We present one detailed clinical case report of severe lead and mercury intoxications and give an overview about blood concentration related symptoms and signs of n = 41 case reports of mercury intoxications of the German monitoring BfR-DocCenter. Conclusions For NHP there is evidence on a distinct toxicological risk with alarming low awareness for a possible intoxication which prevents potentially life-saving diagnostic steps in affected cases. In many cases patients do not communicate the events to their physicians or the local health authority so that case reports (e.g. the BfR-DocCentre) are missing. Thus, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and to initiate more suitable monitory systems (e.g. National Monitoring of Poisonings) and control practice protecting the public.

Although during the past few years the scopes of shadow economy in Lithuania have slightly decreased, different forms of this phenomenon, in particular digital shadow activities, still generate a significant part of the overall value added. As no constant estimations of the scope of digital shadow economy have been made in Lithuania, alleviation of this problem is based on consequence fighting rather than reason elimination. Digital shadow economy poses a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies concerning its investigation and prevention. Hence, it is purposeful to research both theoretical and practical aspects of digital shadow economy prevention in order to identify the measures that could be used for the efficient reduction of the scope of this phenomenon. The aim of this research is to identify the measures of digital shadow economy prevention and compare the attitudes of governmental institutions and consumers towards the efficiency of these measures. The results of the empirical research showed that both consumers and experts agree that the level of tax morale has to be raised not only by using the measures of self-education but also by introducing long-term educational programmes; second, public authorities should ensure business friendly environment, actively implement the principles of justice and officially acknowledge and announce the concept of digital shadow economy; finally, for more efficient detection of the cases of digital shadow activities, it is necessary to reinforce current labour resources that should be specially trained to be able to disclose revenue hiding and tax evasion schemes, employed in e-trade.

The harmful effects of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of

Appropriate street- or shelter-based interventions for targeted populations are most effective., Homelessness is an increasing public health problem. Because of poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare systems, homeless persons are exposed to many communicable infections. We summarize the intervention measures reported to be efficient for the control and the prevention of common transmissible infections among homeless populations. Evidence suggests that appropriate street- or shelter-based interventions for targeted populations are the most efficient methods. Depending on the populations targeted, these interventions may include education, free condom distribution, syringe and needle prescription programs, chest radiography screening for tuberculosis, directly observed therapy for tuberculosis treatment, improvement of personal clothing and bedding hygiene, and widespread use of ivermectin for scabies and body louse infestation. Systematic vaccination against hepatitis B virus, hepatitis A virus, influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and diphtheria is strongly recommended. National public health programs specific to homeless populations are required.

Nursing has been identified as a wet-work occupation, with a high prevalence of occupational irritant contact dermatitis. Reduction of exposure to skin irritants contributes to the prevention of occupational skin disease in nurses. The role of the use of soap and water, hand alcohol and gloves in prevention programmes is discussed. 2 additional measures for reducing exposure to skin irritants are postulated: use of hand alcohol instead of soap and water in disinfection procedures when the hands are not visibly dirty; use of gloves in wet activities such as patient washing to prevent the hands from becoming wet and visibly dirty. We investigated the effectiveness of these recommendations in a model. Mean daily wet-work exposure during nursing work was modelled: regular model. We also modelled exposure to skin irritants in combination with the implementation of these recommendations: prevention model. The hands of healthy volunteers were exposed to the regular or the prevention model over 3 weeks for 5 days a week. The change in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) on the back of the hands was measured after 3 weeks of exposure to these wet-work simulations. An increase in TEWL occurred with the regular model, while mean TEWL decreased in the prevention model. Skin irritation from occlusion by gloves appeared to be more pronounced in the regular model compared to the prevention model. The results of this study justify the conclusion that in nursing work, hand alcohol is the preferred disinfectant. Although the prevention model implies increased occlusive exposure, this has no additional irritant effect, probably because of the absence of soap exposure. Record 16 of 20 - MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Citations Dec Wk 4

The large-span continuous rigid frame bridge is a kind of common structural form in long-span bridges of our country, but one of the main diseases of these bridges is the excessive deflection in the mid-span, which seriously affects the safety of the structure. This paper makes a comprehensive analysis for the causes of the excessive deflection, and lists the commonly-used control measures in engineering. Simultaneously, new improvement measures and the comparative analysis of before-and-after improvements are put forward on this basis. However, these measures can be used to inhibit deflection in a certain extent, but cannot avoid the occur- rence of deflection completely.

The boiler “Four Tubes” in a boiler occupies a very important position, according to incomplete statistics of a thermal power plant accident occurrence of unplanned outage, the boiler “Four Tubes” leakage caused by unplanned outage times 60%. Seriously study the boiler “Four Tubes” leakage causes and corresponding preventive measures that are put forward have some practical engineering significance.

The main reason of the collapsible diseases of masonry structure in the loess regions is the foundation soil soaked by water. Based on the survey of the collapsible disease of masonry structure in the loess regions, by analyzing the reasons for the occurrence of collapsible disease, the paper proposed the measures for preventing the collapsible disease of masonry structure in design, construction and use stage, and the treatment measures if the collapsible disease occurred according to the characteristics of loess and the masonry structure. Thus a reference for the prevention and treatment of the collapsible disease of masonry structure in the loess regions is provided.