Environmental health practitioners: a key cadre in the control of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa

Morse, Tracy; Chidziwisano, Kondwani; Musoke, David; Beattie, Tara K.; Mudaly, Selva

doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003314

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Likewise in Malaysia, the media promoted the hashtag #stayhome, non-governmental organizations including prison inmates produced PPE for healthcare in hospitals, hosted fundraising events, and built provisional hospitals [37]. The government in Sub-Saharan Africa optimized the role of multidisciplinary nature on environmental health practitioners (EHP) to develop COVID-19-related interventions [38]. Swedish formed a policy describing a close partnership between the local government and the community according to the trust giving the responsibility to individuals and their families [39].…”

Section: Mitigation Preventing the Covid-19 Virus Transmissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategy for Safe Passenger Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Review to Recommendation

Rusdjijati

Subrata

Pambuko

et al. 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused a large-scale disruption to countries worldwide particularly in road traffic changes and people mobility. To respond to this, a titanic amount of published studies had investigated those concerns. However, a study describing mitigation efforts relating to this pandemic in the transportation sector is scarce. On the other hand, the lack of coordination between transportation authorities, public transport operators, and passengers triggers complex issues including the accumulation of passengers at bus stations that potentially increase virus transmission. For this reason, this article intends to investigate and establish strategies for safe passenger transport. The finding of the article presented four basic strategies as follows: First, a coordinated response among stakeholders and government is needed to develop comprehensive policies. Second, coordinated demand management is required to maintain a balance between government policies and citizen demands. Third, provide health education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to public transport crews. Fourth, protecting the passengers and maintaining trust in public transport services. Additionally, it is recommended to provide adequate infrastructure, perform regular check-ups (i.e. assessing body temperature before entering public transportation), provide up-to-date COVID-19 health alert, and implement health protocol. Also, when this pandemic is over, the use of fuel-based transportation needs to be reduced, especially for short trips. To optimize this strategy, the role of government and health authorities on the policy side is crucial. Also, a good response from public transport operators and passengers is the key to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic in the transportation area.

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Section: Mitigation Preventing the Covid-19 Virus Transmissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategy for Safe Passenger Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Review to Recommendation

Rusdjijati

Subrata

Pambuko

et al. 2022

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“…These skills help environmental medicine practitioners to apply this knowledge in a variety of circumstances and have an impact on public health and lifestyle [27]. For example, environmental health practitioners' in sub-Saharan Africa are considered among the main workforce with the necessary skills to support the transdisciplinary approach required to halt the further spread of SARS-CoV-2 [28], a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome which has taken e global hold.…”

Section: Importance and Development Of Specific Undergraduate Or Postgraduate Programs In The Field Of Environmental Medicine In The Casementioning

confidence: 99%

The Growing Relation between Environment and Public Health

Korançe

2021

SciMed. J.

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Introduction: Environmental health is deteriorating worldwide. Evidence shows that exposure to air, water and soil pollution has caused many deaths worldwide, a trend that is increasing day by day. Health consequences from exposure to environmental pollutants range from cancer, lung disease, heart disease and a series health problems which often lead to death. The majority of pollution related deaths happens mostly in low and middle-income countries. Environmental and pollution health related issues are not getting the attention they deserve in Albania. The main purpose of this article is to identify the relationship between environmental problems and public health consequences, by analysing public policies, case studies and instruments for measuring environmental health indicators. The article also presents suggestions regarding development of Environmental Medicine in Albania, and Public Health Tracking methods. Methods: Qualitative method is thoughtfully used in this article. Specifically, literature review methodology is used to identify environmental indicators that directly affect public health, adequate policies and instruments for the protection of public health, as well as environmental health at the international and national level. Qualitative method is used to reveal and evaluate the topic through multiple facets covering relevant contextual conditions. This method helps identifying the link between public and environment health indicators in a real-life situation, and to understand the relationship between these indicators in the Albanian context. Results and Discussion: Albania lacks a specific measurement system of Environmental Public Health Tracking, as well an established methodology for linking environmental and public health. Potential capacities for measuring environmental and health indicators are limited at the national level, thus, the public health policies do not clearly and fully integrate environmental health indicators for the protection of public health. Vocational training in health and environment is being practiced through various disciplines, but there is a need for specialized environmental medicine health professionals, with adequate competences in the field. Conclusions: The correlation between environment and public health is gaining attention nationally and globally. As in other countries, the need for Environmental Medicine professionals is growing also in Albania. Strong correlations between of environmental pollution indicators (air, water, land pollution) and public health indicators (such as infant and general mortality, morbidity rates, respiratory diseases, etc.) have increased in the last years. Use of instruments (such as EPHT), a fully integrated university curricula and a specific discipline of Environmental Medicine should be made a priority not only nationally, but also globally as environmental problems such as climate change do not recognize national borders. In order to manage the rising cases, states need to be resilient, and build appropriate research based policies and action plans to prevent the occurrence of environmental related public health consequences. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-3 Full Text: PDF

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“…To prevent exposure to environmental stressors and promote quality of life, environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are responsible for monitoring, identifying, and controlling environmental stressors (2,3). Thus, EHPs are regarded as the rst line of defence because they are on the preventative side rather than the curative (4,5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The EHSs rendered include water quality monitoring, food control, waste management, health surveillance of premises, surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases (excluding immunisations), vector control, environmental pollution control, disposal of the deceased and chemical safety (6). EH is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary profession (5) that requires EHPs to have the relevant skills and knowledge to render EHS (7). Furthermore, the challenges linked with rendering EHS have evolved, therefore, EHPs must be adequately trained and have appropriate decision-making skills that can improve the rendering of EHS while protecting public health (8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Willingness, Socio-Demographic Factors and Perceptions Influencing Specialization Among Environmental Health Practitioners in the Public Sector: A Case Study of South Africa

Mbazima,

Mbonane

2024

Preprint

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Background Environmental health is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary profession with a broad scope that offers opportunities for specialisation. The objective of this study was to determine the willingness, socio-demographic factors and perceptions influencing specialization among environmental health practitioners (EHPs) specialisation among in South Africa. Methods Using a purposive sampling strategy, a self-administered questionnaire was sent electronically to EHPs working in the public sector. Spearman correlation was used to determine the relationship between specialisation in environmental health (EH) and sociodemographic factors. Binary logistic regression was also used to determine the factors influencing specialisation among EHPs. Results One hundred and seventy-six EHPs, consisting of 109 females and 67 males, participated in the study. EHPs had a good understanding of specialisation, and 93% of them were willing to specialise in EH. Correlation analysis indicated that being a generalist demotivated EHPs (p = 0.01). A strong positive statistically significant difference (r = 0.23, p ˃ 0.01) was found between specialisation and education. Specialisation also had a positive statistically significant relationship with the position of EHPs (r = 0.03, p = 0.04), policy-making role (r = 0.11, p = 0.05), years in the current position (r = 0.07, p = 0.03) and having received specialised training (r = 0.18, p = 0.02). Education was the only socio-demographic factor that influenced specialisation in EH (p = 0.04, CI: 0.16–9.99). Conclusions The current scope of practice in EH is too broad and makes it difficult for EHPs to be productive and efficient. There is a need to improve the current approach to rendering EHSs in South Africa by introducing specialisation.

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Environmental health practitioners: a key cadre in the control of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

Strategy for Safe Passenger Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Review to Recommendation

Strategy for Safe Passenger Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Review to Recommendation

The Growing Relation between Environment and Public Health

Willingness, Socio-Demographic Factors and Perceptions Influencing Specialization Among Environmental Health Practitioners in the Public Sector: A Case Study of South Africa

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