Environmental health: catching up with the developed world

Environmental health is the ecological balance that must exist between man and his environment in order to ensure his well being. This paper describes the range of environmental hazards (physical, biological, chemical and social) and discusses the differences in level and quality of environmental health programmes between developed and developing countries. The hazards are the same in both realms; the difference is in the level of advocacy and, thus, the demand for implementation of sound environmental health policies and practices. Issues which developing countries need to address to improve environmental health management are outlined.(AU)

Factors associated with the ingestion of harmful substances by children registered at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and at the University Hospital of the West Indies in 1990

Accidental ingestion of harmful substances in children continues to be a problem. This problem can significantly increase the rate of morbidity among this young population. This study was aimed at examining the factors relating to the ingestion of harmful substances. The study addressed issues such as the socio-economic status of the child, and the environment in which the child finds himself. The study included children who were registered at the Bustamante hospital for Children in 1990, aged 0 - 5 years whose primary diagnosis was related to the ingestion of harmful substances. The findings revealed that kerosene oil was the substance most often ingested, and children in the 1 - 2 age group were the most frequently affected. Improper handling and storage of the potentially harmful substance contributed to the ingestion of these substances. (AU)

Ingestion of harmful substances among children presenting at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in 1988: an epidemiological survey

The need for consistent adherence to proper storage practices for harmful substances in the home is critical to the preservation of the health and well-being of young children under 10 years old throughout the world. Despite the vast number of studies carried out on ingestion of harmful substances among children and the many recommendations made to reduce the incidence, it continues to be a major issue with a high incidence among those in the lower socio-economic groups. This study which was carried out in the Kingston Metropolis, examines the nature of the substances ingested by children along with the socio-economic and environmental factors associated with the incidence of ingestion of harmful substances among them. The study was restricted to those children who ingested harmful substances and were presented for treatment at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in 1988. It reveals that the vast majority of the children in the lower income groups aged 0-4 years are the most susceptible to accidental ingestion of harmful substances arising from poor storage practices in the home (AU)