Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Jan 2013
ReviewPublic health investigations required for protecting the population against novel coronaviruses.
ABSTRACT There have been many laboratory-based investigations since the emergence of the novel coronaviruses in the autumn of 2012, but most of the parameters required for establishing scientifically the control measures that will protect against them have yet to be determined. Equally, the global distribution of the viruses in their animal reservoir has yet to be established. The experience of investigating and controlling another novel coronavirus, SARS, in 2003 shows how national and local investigations can come together as an international coalition and successfully avert epidemics. A menu of studies that need to be undertaken, especially in the countries experiencing transmission, is presented here.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Dec 2012
Have neonatal mortality rates in the state of Qatar become static? A PEARL study analysis.
To ascertain the national neonatal mortality rate in Qatar during the first quarter of 2011 (1 January-31 March), we carried out a prospective pilot national epidemiologic study. Nationwide birth and neonatal mortality data were collected using predesigned, structured questionnaires. To analyse trends over the previous 4 years (2008-2011) we used neonatal mortality data for 2008-2010 from the database of the neonatal unit at the Women's Hospital, annual reports of Hamad Medical Corporation, and published neonatal mortality data for 2010 for comparative analysis. ⋯ The early neonatal mortality rate was 1.84/1000 and the late neonatal mortality rate was 2.44/1000 live births. Fifteen of the 21 neonatal deaths were in non-Qatari babies, reflecting the ethnic distribution in the population. Neonatal mortality rates in Qatar declined very little between 2008 and the first quarter of 2011.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Nov 2012
Upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid: an olfactometer study.
Excretion of carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid through exhalation and perspiration provides olfactory signals to mosquitoes which allow them to find and bite humans; however, mosquito species differ in this regard. This study investigated upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi, mysorensis form, an important malaria vector in Asia, to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid under laboratory conditions. ⋯ L-lactic acid alone did not produce a significant effect by itself, but addition of 6 microg/min of L-lactic acid to a range of 90 to 410 ppm carbon dioxide resulted in attraction. The results provide further support for the hypothesis that CO2 plays an important role in the host-seeking behaviour of zoophilic mosquitoes, and suggests that L-lactic acid might play a more critical role than CO2 in the attraction of An. stephensi.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Oct 2012
Workers' safety in the construction industry in the southern West Bank of Palestine.
There are few data about safety in the construction industry in Palestine. The main aim of the study was to assess worker's experiences and perceptions of safety at construction sites in Hebron and Bethlehem governorates of the West Bank. ⋯ Workers perceived that awareness and training were the most frequent factor affecting workers' safety, with the foreman position having the greatest impact on the workers' safety. Greater enforcement of the current Palestinian safety laws is needed.