Contaminação ambiental de uma agroindústria familiar de queijo colonial no sudoeste paranaense / Environmental contamination of a family colonial cheese agroindustry in the southwest of Parana

As falhas na higienização em um estabelecimento de alimentos podem refletir em problemas causando a contaminação ou deterioração do produto produzido. Esta pesquisa foi motivada por reclamações de consumidores informando que os queijos apresentaram fungos, mesmo estando dentro do prazo de validade e por solicitação do Serviço de Inspeção Municipal. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a contaminação ambiental em uma agroindústria da agricultura familiar produtora de queijo colonial no Sudoeste Paranaense. Foram realizadas a contagem para aeróbios mesófilos em equipamentos e superfícies que entram em contato com o alimento e análise microbiológica ambiental de bolores e leveduras na sala de secagem dos queijos. A coleta foi realizada com método de esfregaço de suabe estéril para aeróbios mesófilos e semeadas em placas de Petri com Ágar Padrão de Contagem. Para a coleta ambiental foram expostas placas de Petri com ágar Saboraund durante 15 minutos. Os resultados demonstraram ausência de contaminação nas superfícies, mas foram encontrados bolores e leveduras de forma acentuada na sala de secagem dos queijos, o que pode contribuir para a deterioração do produto, diminuindo sua validade. Para minimizar as perdas por contaminação é necessário que o processo de higienização dos ambientes seja realizado de forma eficiente.

Failures in hygiene in a food establishment can result in problems causing contamination or deterioration of the product produced. This research was motivated by complaints from consumers reporting that the cheeses had mold, even though they were within their expiration date and at the request of the Municipal Inspection Service. This research was to evaluate environmental contamination in an agroindustry in the family farm producing colonial cheese in Southwest Paraná. For the microbiological assessment of environmental contamination, counting for mesophilic aerobes was carried out on equipment and surfaces that come into contact with food and, environmental microbiological analysis of molds and yeast in the cheese drying room. The collection was carried out using the sterile swab smear for mesophilic aerobes and seeded in Petri dishes with Counting Standard Agar. For environmental collection, sheets of Petri with Saboraund agar for 15 minutes. The results demonstrated absence of contamination on surfaces. But the presence of molds and yeasts in the drying room cheeses, which can contribute to the deterioration of the product and thus reduce the validity. To minimize losses due to contamination, it is It is necessary that the process of cleaning and disinfecting environments is carried out efficiently.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices among residents of different slum settlements in a ward of Kolkata: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is the most basic need for mankind. Poor WASH practices are associated with various waterborne diseases, especially in developing countries such as India. The aim of the study was to assess WASH practices among residents of different slum settlements in a ward of Kolkata, identify the factors associated with WASH practice, and explore the barriers faced by the families and municipal staff in providing adequate WASH services to the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study, cross-sectional in design with a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach, was conducted in different slum settlements in a ward of Kolkata. Quantitative data were collected by face-to-face interview, spot observation, and measuring the living area, door, and window spaces. Key informant interviews were conducted with the medical officer, ward vector-control coordinator, and municipal waste handlers, in addition to in-depth interviews with respondents who had unsatisfactory WASH practices. SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti 22. RESULTS: The overall WASH practices were considered satisfactory in 58.8% of the households. Education of the respondents up to the secondary level, presence of overcrowding, and inadequate ventilation in the house had statistically significantly higher odds of unsatisfactory practice. Poor living conditions, difficulty in collecting and storing water, waterlogging, blocked sewage drains, common toilets for men and women, and lack of motivation were the primary obstacles identified by the residents. CONCLUSION: Unsatisfactory WASH practices were observed among a high proportion of the slum population. Community engagement and education regarding WASH in communities is strongly recommended along with improvement of infrastructure and capacity building.

AMP, ADP, and ATP Concentrations Differentially Affected by Meat Processing, Manufacturing, and Non-Meat Ingredients.

Given its presence in a wide spectrum of soils relevant to food process hygiene, the biological metabolite adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is used as a target for surface hygiene assessments in food processing facilities. Yet, ample evidence demonstrates that ATP is depleted into adenosine di- (ADP) and monophosphate (AMP) homologues resulting in a loss of sensitivity for ATP-based hygiene assays. Yet, there are few studies that denote the degree of these shifts under routine processing conditions such as those encountered during various meat processing steps that may likely alter redox potential and adenosine profiles (e.g., tissue/cellular disruption, application of reducing additives, fermentation, or thermal treatment steps). In this study, meat samples were collected from homogenized beef tissue treated with non-meat ingredients (sodium chloride, sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate, natural smoke condensate, and sodium acid pyrophosphate) during manufacture at pre-determined steps, and from retail meat products purchased from local markets. Concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP, and AXP (sum concentration of all homologues) in a lab setting and in situ meat processing venues were determined and compared. Greater differences in AXP were seen during manufacture, where ADP generally comprised ∼ 90% as a mole fraction of AXP across all treatments, with the exception of the final cook step where AMP predominated. ATP concentrations averaged 2 log values lower than ADP and AMP. Adenosine profiles in retail samples followed similar trends with minimal ATP concentrations with ADP predominant in uncooked samples and AMP predominant in cooked samples. Resultingly, meat processing steps during product manufacture will alter AXP-reliant test sensitivities which should be considered when such technologies are utilized for hygiene verification in meat processing.

The banana tree circle as a nature-based solution for sustainable greywater management: A new design model.

The banana tree circle (BTC) is a low-cost system for local greywater management, using a natural treatment and disposal process, providing additional resource recovery benefits. However, there are no standard design criteria for BTC that would allow for quality control of its efficiency and sustainability, and little is currently known about the full-scale performance of BTC. Based on the scoping literature review of 31 documents in the scientific database and eight documents from grey literature, a standard design model was proposed for the BTC technology based on the concept of water balance, greywater flows, rain, infiltration, and evapotranspiration. The first two steps of the BTC design were determining the areas required for infiltration and evapotranspiration. A cylindrical form trench, the soil percolation rate, and the hydraulic loading rate were considered for the infiltration area. The banana trees' evapotranspiration rate was taken into consideration for the evapotranspiration area. The proposed model was applied in a case study where we used a trench with 0.8 m depth and 1.5 m diameter. This study proposes a standard design criterion for the BTC based on environmental factors, and the scoping of the literature provides the basis for future studies to evaluate its environmental sustainability.

Selective degradation of endogenous organic metabolites in acidified fresh human urine using sulphate radical-based advanced oxidation.

The human urine metabolome is complex, containing a wide range of organic metabolites that affect treatment of urine collected in resource-oriented sanitation systems. In this study, an advanced oxidation process involving heat-activated peroxydisulphate was used to selectively oxidise organic metabolites in urine over urea and chloride. Initial experiments evaluated optimal conditions (peroxydisulphate dose, temperature, time, pH) for activation of peroxydisulphate in unconcentrated, non-hydrolysed synthetic urine and real urine acidified to pH 3.0. Subsequent experiments determined the fate of 268 endogenous organic metabolites (OMs) and removal of COD from unconcentrated and concentrated real urine (80-90% mass reduced by evaporation). The results revealed >90% activation of 60 mM peroxydisulphate in real unconcentrated urine heated to 90 °C for 1 h, resulting in 43% ΣOMs degradation, 22% COD removal and 56% total organic carbon removal, while >94% of total nitrogen and >97% of urea in real unconcentrated urine were recovered. The mechanism of urea degradation was identified to be chemical hydrolysis to ammonia, with the rate constant for this reaction determined to be 1.9 × 10-6 s-1 at pH 3.0 and 90 °C. Treating concentrated real urine resulted in similar removal of COD, ΣOMs degradation and total nitrogen loss as observed for unconcentrated urine, but with significantly higher chloride oxidation and chemical hydrolysis of urea. Targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that peroxydisulphate treatment degraded 157 organic metabolites in urine, of which 67 metabolites were degraded by >80%. The rate constant for the reaction of sulphate radicals with oxidisable endogenous organic metabolites in urine was estimated to exceed 108 M-1 s-1. These metabolites were preferentially oxidised over chloride and urea in acidified, non-hydrolysed urine treated with peroxydisulphate. Overall, the findings support the development of emerging urine recycling technologies, including alkaline/acid dehydration and reverse osmosis, where the presence of endogenous organic urine metabolites significantly influences treatment parameters such as energy demand and product purity.

Assessing the utility of shellfish sanitation monitoring data for long-term estuarine water quality analysis.

Regular testing of coastal waters for fecal coliform bacteria by shellfish sanitation programs could provide data to fill large gaps in existing coastal water quality monitoring, but research is needed to understand the opportunities and limitations of using these data for inference of long-term trends. In this study, we analyzed spatiotemporal trends from multidecadal fecal coliform concentration observations collected by a shellfish sanitation program, and assessed the feasibility of using these monitoring data to infer long-term water quality dynamics. We evaluated trends in fecal coliform concentrations for a 20-year period (1999-2021) using data collected from spatially fixed sampling sites (n = 466) in North Carolina (USA). Findings indicated that shellfish sanitation data can be used for long-term water quality inference under relatively stationary management conditions, and that salinity trends can be used to investigate management-driven bias in fecal coliform observations collected in a particular area.

Examining toilet use and menstrual hygiene practices among beneficiary households of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India Mission) in rural areas of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India.

Background: Basic sanitation and waste management have always remained a central issue in India. The country launched its flagship sanitation program - Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) (Clean India Mission) in 2014 to abolish open defecation and achieve universal sanitation coverage. Objective: This study aimed to examine barriers to toilet use and women's menstrual hygiene practices in relation to the availability of toilets among rural residents. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design and multi-stage sampling method, 120 households were selected from rural villages of the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Structured questionnaires and direct observation methods were used for data collection. Results: All the houses had SBA latrines, yet 25% population defecated outside. About 40% households reportedly never cleaned their toilets. Most menstruating women (86.2%) preferred to change their menstrual pads/cloths in their bedroom instead of bathrooms. Incomplete construction was reported as the major reason for not using toilets. Large family size and low caste were found to be other predictors of non-use of toilets. Rural women did not use toilets for menstrual purposes as they do not consider these places as clean and safe. Conclusion: This study clearly suggests that constructing toilets without adequate behaviour change interventions would not solve the problem of hygiene and sanitation in India, particularly in rural areas. There must be adequate monitoring of SBA scheme and utilization of funds for toilet usage. Development and implementation of suitable behaviour change strategies for toilet use in rural areas are essential to achieve the goal of open defaecation-free India.

The process, outcomes and context of the sanitation change induced by the Swachh Bharat Mission in rural Jharkhand, India.

BACKGROUND: The Indian Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched in 2014 with the goal to make India open defecation (OD) free by October 2019. Although it is known that the ambitious goal was not achieved, the nature of the sanitation change brought about by the SBM in different parts of India is poorly understood. One reason is a dearth of case studies that would shed light on the performance of the SBM simultaneously across its different domains. This article provides an example of such study. Employing a Process, Outcomes, Context approach, the objective is to understand the process and outcomes of the SBM-induced sanitation change in a specific context of rural Jharkhand. METHODS: The study utilizes data collected through field research conducted in the rural areas of Ranchi district, Jharkhand, a state in east-central India. This data was obtained via repeated cross-sectional household surveys conducted at the beginning and at the end of the SBM, supplemented by key informant interviews with SBM stakeholders. FINDINGS: We identified political support of SBM implementation and its acceptance amongst the population. Female community workers became key agents of SBM implementation at local level. The SBM increased toilet coverage in the study area from 15% to 85% and lowered the OD rate from 93% to 26%. It substantially reduced structural inequalities in access to toilets, furthered social sanitation norms, improved some of the attitudes towards toilet use, but impacted less on hygiene and sanitation knowledge. The implementation mainly concentrated on the construction of subsidized toilets but less on improving public understanding of safe sanitation practices. CONCLUSIONS: Although the SBM reduced sanitation inequalities in access to toilets in the study area, the behaviour change component was underplayed, focusing more on spreading normative sanitation messages and less on public education. Sustainability of the observed sanitation change remains a key question for the future. This article calls for more systematic production of geographically situated knowledge on the performance of sanitation interventions.

Does WASH FIT improve water, sanitation, and hygiene and related health impacts in healthcare facilities? A systematic review.

Introduction: Environmental health services (e.g., water, sanitation, hygiene, cleaning, waste management) in healthcare facilities are important to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems, but coverage gaps remain. The World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund developed WASH FIT, a quality improvement tool, to help assess and improve environmental health services. Fifty-three countries have adopted it. However, there is little evidence of its effectiveness. This systematic review evaluates whether WASH FIT improves environmental health services or associated health outcomes and impacts. Methods: We conducted database searches to identify relevant studies and extracted data on study design, healthcare facility characteristics, and inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts associated with WASH FIT. We summarized the findings using a logic model framework and narrative synthesis. Results: We included 31 studies in the review. Most inputs and activities were described qualitatively. Twenty-three studies reported quantitative outputs, primary WASH FIT indicator scores, and personnel trained on WASH FIT. Nine studies reported longitudinal data demonstrating changes in these outputs throughout WASH FIT implementation. Six studies reported quantitative outcomes measurements; the remainder described outcomes qualitatively or not at all. Common outcomes included allocated funding for environmental health services, community engagement, and government collaboration, changes in knowledge, attitudes, or practices among healthcare staff, patients, or community members, and policy changes. No studies directly measured impacts or evaluated WASH FIT against a rigorous control group. Conclusions: Available evidence is insufficient to evaluate WASH FIT's effects on outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Further effort is needed to comprehensively identify the inputs and activities required to implement WASH FIT and to draw specific links between changes in outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Short-term opportunities exist to improve evidence by more comprehensive reporting of WASH FIT assessments and exploiting data on health impacts within health management information systems. In the long term, we recommend experimental studies. This evidence is important to ensure that funding invested for WASH FIT implementation is used cost-effectively and that opportunities to adapt and refine WASH FIT are fully realized as it continues to grow in use and influence.

Navigating Taxpayers Attitude: Exploring Support for Urban Sanitation Surcharge in Kumasi.

Background: Urban sanitation challenges persist in Ghana, prompting Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to explore innovative funding mechanisms such as surcharges to fund sanitation services. This study assesses property owners' attitudes toward the imposition of sanitation surcharge for pro-poor sanitation improvement in the Kumasi Metropolis. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 property owners in the Kumasi metropolis. Structured questionnaires were utilized to solicit information from respondents using multi-stage sampling techniques. Results: Findings indicated that 36.1% of respondents were willing to pay the sanitation surcharge, while 63.9% opposed its implementation in the Metropolis. Property ownership and support for a sanitation surcharge were associated with higher odds of willingness to pay. Participants paying property rates had decreased odds of supporting the sanitation surcharge. Factors associated with pro-poor spending support included age (61-80 years) [AOR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.60-3.82] and willingness to pay sanitation surcharge [AOR = 11.07, 95%CI = 6.63-18.49]. Protective factors against supporting pro-poor spending included residing in medium-class communities [AOR = 0.25, 95%CI = 0.08-0.81], perceiving improvement in sanitation status [AOR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.21-0.81) and having a home toilet facility (OR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.36-0.95). Conclusion: The study revealed a nuanced landscape where concerns about fund utilization, perceived tax burdens, and trust in local institutions significantly shape public sentiment. To enhance public acceptance and participation, policymakers should prioritize transparent communication to build trust and convey the effective utilization of funds from the sanitation surcharge.

The estimation of infiltration and inflow in a sewage network by combining continuous monitoring of hydrological parameters, flow and temperature with stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen.

The failure of sewage network systems can lead to the introduction of external water, impacting the capacity, performance, and environmental sustainability of urban infrastructures. This study examined methods for identifying and quantifying external water in a sewage system in cold climate conditions through the analysis of stable isotope of oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δ2H) from samples, and continuous temperature monitoring, followed by the simulation of the network's hydraulics and temperature profile. The assessment was conducted during periods of low and high groundwater levels, specifically during dry weather flow. In comparison, the yearly trends of infiltration and inflow rates were assessed utilizing the moving minimum method. Using δ18O as a tracer, daily infiltration rates of 5.8 % and 35 % were estimated for periods of low and high groundwater levels, respectively. Using the outputs of the thermodynamic model, temperature was used as a tracer and the daily infiltration rates were found to be 1.5 % and 21.9 % for the same periods. The infiltration and inflow rate for the year in question was estimated to be 23 % using the moving minimum method. The findings of this study demonstrate the temporal variability of infiltration in networks and highlight the need for, as well as the potential of, a multi-faceted approach and continuous monitoring for the accurate estimation of external water before sewage network renovations are carried out.

Assessing the functionality of a water-vending kiosk network with high-frequency instrumentation in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Access to safe, reliable, and equitable water services in urban settings of low- and middle-income countries remains a critical challenge toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.1, but progress has either slowed or stagnated in recent years. A pilot water kiosk network funded by the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation was implemented by the Sierra Leone Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit into the intermittent piped water distribution network of Freetown, Sierra Leone, as a private-public partnership to improve water service provision for households without reliable piped water connections and to reduce non-revenue water. This study employs the use of high-frequency instrumentation to monitor, model, and assess the functionality of this water kiosk network over 2,947 kiosk-days. Functionality was defined via functionality levels on a daily basis through monitored stored water levels and modeled water withdrawals. The functionality levels across the kiosk network were found to be 34% operational, 30% offline, and 35% empty. Statistically significant (p<0.001) determinants of functionality were found for several predictors across the defined thresholds. Finally, modeling of water supply, water demand and withdrawal capacity, and water storage was conducted to further explain findings and provide additionally externally relevant support for kiosk operations.

Promotion of market-based sanitation in Ethiopia: a case study from Wolaita zone.

Ethiopia increased the availability of latrines notably, but the sanitation facilities rarely meet hygienic standards. Therefore, the market-based sanitation (MBS) programme has been implemented across the country for nearly a decade to expand the market and boost the demand for hygienic sanitation products and services. While it does not seem that the MBS would bring any notable change in sanitation conditions so far, its implementation challenges are not adequately understood. To address this gap, this article delves into the grassroots-level implementation of MBS in the Wolaita zone. The study relies on qualitative data gathered through interviews with various stakeholders, examining both demand- and supply-side challenges. Some issues identified were external to MBS implementation, such as high inflation and an unstable political and security situation in Ethiopia. Additionally, the study reveals that more general deficiencies of the Ethiopian health extension program, including the stress and discouragement of local change agents (health extension workers, health development army members) due to workloads and low remuneration, have adversely impacted MBS delivery. The implementation of MBS has also not effectively addressed the affordability of hygienic sanitation products. On the supply side, economic constraints and organizational inefficiencies have hindered the development of the sanitation market, preventing it from reaching a critical mass. Our research suggests that MBS alone will not suffice to improve sanitation in Ethiopia.

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention on Hand Hygiene and Well-Being in Primary Health Care Centers and Schools Lacking Functional Water Supply in Protracted Conflict Settings: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene is crucial in health care centers and schools to avoid disease transmission. Currently, little is known about hand hygiene in such facilities in protracted conflict settings. OBJECTIVE: This protocol aims to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent hand hygiene intervention on handwashing behavior, underlying behavioral factors, and the well-being of health care workers and students. Moreover, we report our methodology and statistical analysis plan transparently. METHODS: This is a cluster randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms taking place in 4 countries for 1 year. In Burkina Faso and Mali, we worked in 24 primary health care centers per country, whereas in Nigeria and Palestine, we focused on 26 primary schools per country. Facilities were eligible if they were not connected to a functioning water source but were deemed accessible to the implementation partners. Moreover, health care centers were eligible if they had a maternity ward and ≥5 employees, and schools if they had ≤7000 students studying in grades 5 to 7. We used covariate-constrained randomization to assign intervention facilities that received a hardware, management and monitoring support, and behavior change. Control facilities will receive the same or improved intervention after endline data collection. To evaluate the intervention, at baseline and endline, we used a self-reported survey, structured handwashing observations, and hand-rinse samples. At follow-up, hand-rinse samples were dropped. Starting from the intervention implementation, we collected longitudinal data on hygiene-related health conditions and absenteeism. We also collected qualitative data with focus group discussions and interviews. Data were analyzed descriptively and with random effect regression models with the random effect at a cluster level. The primary outcome for health centers is the handwashing rate, defined as the number of times health care workers performed good handwashing practice with soap or alcohol-based handrub at one of the World Health Organization 5 moments for hand hygiene, divided by the number of moments for hand hygiene that presented themselves during the patient interaction within an hour of observation. For schools, the primary outcome is the number of students who washed their hands before eating. RESULTS: The baseline data collection across all countries lasted from February to June 2023. We collected data from 135 and 174 health care workers in Burkina Faso and Mali, respectively. In Nigeria, we collected data from 1300 students and in Palestine from 1127 students. The endline data collection began in February 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies investigating hand hygiene in primary health care centers and schools in protracted conflict settings. With our strong study design, we expect to support local policy makers and humanitarian organizations in developing sustainable agendas for hygiene promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05946980 (Burkina Faso and Mali); https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05946980 and NCT05964478 (Nigeria and Palestine); https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05964478. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52959.

A comparative assessment of biomethane potential of fresh fecal matter and fecal sludge and its correlation with malodor.

Comprehensive and proper management of fecal sludge (FS) is an ongoing concern in many nations. Decentralized fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs) are effective in this regard; however, many have experienced strong public opposition based partly on suspicion of malodor. Fecal sludge and freshly generated fecal matter (FM) samples from various FSTPs were collected, characterized, and investigated for biomethane potential. The homogenized samples were anaerobically digested for 28 days. Digestion successfully reduced total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and threshold odor number values of 97,350-97,420 mg/l, 43,230-43,260 mg/l, and 130-150 for FM, to 49,500-49,650 mg/l, 23,760-23,850 mg/l, and 3338, respectively, for FS samples. The comprehensive gas yield from Bhongir, Boduppal, and Shadnagar FS samples was 40, 55, and 31 ml, respectively. In contrast, cumulative gas generation from the FM was 26,361 ml. Digestion of FS samples also reduced concentrations of volatile solids and coliforms by 66-72% and 99%, respectively. Characterization of gas samples revealed methane and carbon dioxide concentrations as 56% and 22% for FM, and 0.4% and 61% for FS samples, respectively. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia gas were absent in FS samples, dispelling common societal misconceptions of FSTPs being associated with malodor.

Seroprevalence and Shifting Endemicities of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Two Different Geographical Areas in the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION: Infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV) is often asymptomatic in young children, but most adolescents and adults will have symptoms ranging from nausea and tiredness to acute liver failure and even death. The risk of severe disease is higher in older adults and people with pre-existing liver disease. Immunization is recommended in regions with low HAV endemicity levels, i.e., where people get infected later in life. In the Philippines, recent epidemiologic data on HAV infection are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess age-specific seroprevalence and evaluate risk factors associated with HAV seropositivity. METHODS: People from two geographic areas (urban and rural) were recruited/enrolled and stratified by age group. HAV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were measured with a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Sociodemographic parameters, hepatitis medical history, disease knowledge, hygiene measures and sanitation were assessed via a purpose-made questionnaire. Age at midpoint of population immunity (AMPI) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine factors that were statistically significantly associated (p < 0.05) with HAV seropositivity. RESULTS: Overall, 1242 participants were included in the analysis; 250/602 (41.5%) participants from urban regions and 283/640 (44.2%) participants from rural regions tested positive for HAV IgG antibodies. AMPI was 35 and 37 years for the rural and urban region, respectively. Higher education was associated with lower HAV seropositivity prevalence ratios, while not living in the same region for the last 5 years, regularly consuming street food and lack of handwashing after defecation were associated with a higher likelihood of HAV seropositivity. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that HAV endemicity is low in the Philippines. Factors associated with HAV seropositivity were traveling, consuming street food and lack of basic hygienic gestures. Immunization might be an option to protect vulnerable populations against severe hepatitis A disease.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted via the fecal-oral route through consumption of contaminated food or water or by close contact with an infected person. In children, HAV is usually of no concern, but in adults and people with existing liver disease, HAV infection can lead to severe symptoms and even death. In areas where most people get hepatitis during childhood (high endemicity), vaccination is not required, since people acquire life-long immunity after infection. In regions with low and intermediate HAV endemicity, people may remain at risk of infection later in life and vaccination could be considered to prevent severe HAV disease and its associated complications. In the Philippines, the current endemicity level is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the endemicity level in the Philippines and to determine risk factors for HAV infection. We measured the proportion of people (by age group) who had previously been infected with HAV. Results showed that by age of 5 years < 20% of the study population was infected by HAV. By the age of 37 years in the urban population and 35 years in the rural population, 50% of people tested positive for HAV antibodies, indicating previous infection. This means that the Philippines has low HAV endemicity. Risk factors for HAV seropositivity were traveling, regularly eating street food and not washing hands after defecation. Vaccination against HAV might be of benefit in the Philippines, especially early in life to prevent most severe outcomes in adulthood.

Optimizing sweet potato production: insights into the interplay of plant sanitation, virus influence, and cooking techniques for enhanced crop quality and food security.

This study investigates the impact of sweet potato plant sanitation on the yield and external and internal quality root storage exploring the nutritional content affected by various cooking methods (raw, boiled, and oven-cooked). The presence of viruses, and concretely of the sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV), in sweet potato propagation material is shown to significantly reduce yield and modify storage root quality. Notably, the research reveals a substantial improvement in crop yield and external quality, reinforcing the efficacy of plant sanitation methods, specifically apical meristem culture, in preserving the overall productivity of sweet potato crops. Furthermore, the investigation identifies a noteworthy decrease in starch content, suggesting a dynamic interaction between plant sanitation and starch metabolism in response to viral diseases. The study also delves into the alteration of mineral absorption patterns, shedding light on how plant sanitation influences the uptake of essential minerals in sweet potato storage roots. While the health status of the plants only slightly affected magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) accumulation, indicating a potential resilience of mineral balance under virus-infected conditions. Moreover, the research identifies significant modifications in antioxidant levels, emphasizing the role of plant sanitation in enhancing the nutritional quality of sweet potatoes. Heat-treated storage roots, subjected to various cooking methods such as boiling and oven-cooking, exhibit notable differences in internal quality parameters. These differences include increased concentrations of total soluble solids (SS) and heightened levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The observed increase in antioxidant capacity underscores the potential health-promoting benefits associated with plant sanitation practices. Overall, the study underscores the critical importance of plant sanitation in enhancing sweet potato production sustainability, contributing to food security, and supporting local agricultural economies. The results emphasize the need for further research to optimize plant sanitation methods and promote their widespread adoption globally, providing valuable insights into the complex relationships in food quality.

Assessment of Safe Drinking Water Handling Practices in Households of Northern India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Waterborne diseases are the most common form of infectious disease, spreading from contaminated water, especially in a developed country. These diseases are a major concern for the environment and public health. The living conditions in developing countries like India affect the water-handling practices, which make the population vulnerable to waterborne diseases. The inability to access safe drinking water also adds to this. Water safety for a community relies on water collection, treatment, storage, and handling in the household setting. Therefore, the burden of waterborne disease can be reduced by treating point-of-use drinking water, including improving handling and transport. Objectives The aim was to assess the safe drinking water handling practices in households. The objectives were to assess the safe drinking water-handling practices, namely, treatment, storage, lid status of the storage vessel, and water drawing technique, and to estimate the sources of safe drinking water. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Etawah district on a total of 312 eldest female family members actively working in the kitchen. Descriptive analysis and Chi-Square test were applied to the collected data and a p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval (CI) was taken as statistically significant. Results Overall, 135 (85.9%) households in urban areas relied on public supply. However, in rural areas mostly 130 (83%) households depended on private supply. In water-handling practices, 276 (88.4%) used some method to purify drinking water, a total of 209 (67%) households kept the lid of the storage container covered, and 249 (79.8%) households drew water either by pouring or scooping with a long handle. Conclusion The study concluded that both private and public sources were used for drinking water. Regarding water-handling practices, most households drank purified water, kept their containers covered, and drew water either by scooping or pouring from storage containers. Those who drank purified water mostly belonged to nuclear families and had private sources of drinking water.

Interventional Study of Nonpharmaceutical Measures to Prevent COVID-19 Aboard Cruise Ships.

Cruise ships carrying COVID-19-vaccinated populations applied near-identical nonpharmaceutical measures during July-November 2021; passenger masking was not applied on 2 ships. Infection risk for masked passengers was 14.58 times lower than for unmasked passengers and 19.61 times lower than in the community. Unmasked passengers' risk was slightly lower than community risk.