School Sanitation-Related Psychosocial Stressors among Nigerian Students.

Psychosocial stressors are indicative of challenges associated with the social and environmental conditions an individual is subjected to. In a bid to clearly understand the present gaps in school sanitation, this cross-sectional study aimed to identify the sanitation-related psychosocial stressors experienced by students in a Nigerian peri-urban community and their associated impacts. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 400 students from 10 schools. The students to toilet ratio were 1,521:0 and 1,510:0 for the public-school boys and girls, respectively, and 74:1 and 70:1 for the private-school boys and girls, respectively. Furthermore, public-school students had a significantly higher average stress level (P < 0.001, η2p = 0.071) and a significantly higher proportion of students experiencing school absenteeism (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-8.2), missed classes (P < 0.001; OR = 5.8; CI = 2.8-12.0), long urine/fecal retention time (P < 0.001; OR = 2.9; CI = 1.8-4.7), open defecation practice (P < 0.001; OR = 4.2; CI = 2.5-7.1), and open defecation-related anxiety (P < 0.001; OR = 3.6; CI = 2.0-6.5). Moreover, the inability to practice menstrual hygiene management was significantly associated with student-reported monthly school absence among girls (P < 0.001; OR = 4.5; CI = 2.2-9.4). Overall, over 50% of the respondents had reportedly been subjected to at least 14 of the 17 stressors outlined. The most prevalent stressors identified were concerns about disease contraction, toilet cleanliness, toilet phobia, privacy, and assault/injury during open defecation/urination. In conclusion, results show that the absence of functional sanitation facilities purportedly has a grievous effect on the mental, physical, social, and academic well-being of the students. This was clearly seen among public-school students. Subsequent sanitation interventions need to be targeted at ameliorating identified stressors.

Digital bathroom scales with open source software provide valid dynamic ground reaction force data for assessment and biofeedback.

BACKGROUND: Measuring dynamic vertical ground reaction force allows for assessment of important clinical and physical capacity factors such as weight bearing asymmetry, force distribution, and rate of force development. However, current technologies for accurately assessing ground reaction force are typically expensive. RESEARCH QUESTION: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of obtaining static and dynamic ground reaction force data from low-cost modified digital bathroom scales. METHODS: Four modified bathroom scales, two units each of two different brands, were examined. Repeated mechanical loading trials were performed with known loads ranging from 0.01 to 65 kg, with acquired data compared against the known loading to calculate accuracy, hysteresis, and non-linearity. Dynamic trials consisting of 5 times sit-to-stand and weight-shifting were performed by 32 adults. Absolute and relative agreement intraclass correlation coefficient, and Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were performed to determine validity and reliability for the mechanical tests. Bland-Altmann plots were created for each comparison. Mean absolute error (MAE) and unbiased cross-correlation were performed on the dynamic data, comparing the calibrated data to the known values from a Bertec force platform. RESULTS: Hysteresis and non-linearity were excellent (<0.2 % full-scale), and mechanical test results showed excellent reliability and validity. Cross-correlation results for the dynamic data were excellent, however MAE for the more rapid sit-to-stand task was higher than the slower weight-shifting test. This may have been due to the low default sampling rate for the lowest noise setting of the HX711 amplifier (10 Hz). SIGNIFICANCE: In summary, our results suggest that digital bathroom scales can be easily and inexpensively modified to obtain accurate vertical ground reaction force data, with sensitivity to detect changes of as little as 0.01 kg.

Stunting and associated factors among under-five children in Wukro town, Tigray region, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under-five children of Wukro town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017-2018. RESULT: Totally 394 under-five children were participated in this study with a response rate of 98.5%. A total of 222 (56.3%) of respondents were females and 106 (26.95%) were in the age group of 12-23 month. One hundred ninety-eight (50.3%) of the participants were between 2 and 3 in birth order and 194 (49.2%) had 4 to 5 house hold size. The overall prevalence of stunting was 194 (49.2%). Being female and presence of washing facilities nearby latrine were significantly associated with stunting. Under-five female children were 35.4% lower odds of stunting compared to male children (p = .041, OR = .644, and 95% CI (.422, .983)).

A Project to Increase Nurses' Comfort in Offering Bedpans to Women Laboring With Epidural Analgesia.

OBJECTIVE: To improve nurses' comfort in helping laboring woman void on a bedpan after initiation of epidural analgesia, to increase the frequency of bedpan use in the labor and birth unit, and to decrease the use of continuous indwelling Foley catheters during the intrapartum period. DESIGN: Quality improvement project. SETTING: A single large, midwestern U.S. hospital (>3,000 births annually), where bedpans are infrequently used after epidural placement. PARTICIPANTS: Registered nurses on a labor and birth unit. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: A 20-minute educational presentation that included current urinary catheter evidence-based practice, preferential use of bedpans, and methods to help women void successfully was taught to all registered nurses in the author's labor unit. Nurses rated on a scale of 0 (not comfortable at all) to 10 (extremely comfortable) their comfort level at helping a woman with a bedpan. Primary data were collected through a convenience sample of anonymous surveys (n = 52) completed by registered nurses regarding their experience with bedpan and catheter use during labor and their comfort level helping women be successful with voiding. This was followed by a retrospective chart audit for women with term, singleton pregnancies who labored with epidural analgesia. RESULTS: Nurses' comfort levels increased from an average of 5.7 to 7.2 (p = .067). Postepidural bedpan use increased from 5.5% (n = 12) to 19% overall (n = 20; p < .001), with five women using bedpans exclusively. When assisted with bedpan use, 38% (n = 12) of women were able to void 34 of the 53 times it was offered (64%). Use of continuous indwelling Foley catheters decreased from 61.7% (n = 137) to 54.7% (n = 58), and use of intermittent catheterization increased from 30.6% (n = 68) to 37.7% (n = 40). CONCLUSION: When assisted by nurses educated in and comfortable with different voiding techniques, women may be able to avoid medically unnecessary use of urinary catheters during labor.

Safe Embrace: technological innovation for elderly safety in the use of toilets.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the development of a device to prevent falling for seniors when using the toilet. METHOD: we sought in literature and in the hospital market for a device to prevent falling, without success. Geriatric nurses, in partnership with the hospital engineering team, elaborated a prototype and, after several analysis, looked for a partner for its production. RESULTS: the device, named "Safe Embrace", installed and tested in an apartment of the Geriatric ward, was positively evaluated by the health team, patients and caregivers. CONCLUSION: for the benefit obtained and considering the safety and privacy during use, Safe Embrace was patented so that other institutions could use it.

Determination of Appropriate Service Delivery Level for Quantitative Attributes of Household Toilets in Rural Settlements of India from Users' Perspective.

Improvement of quality of sanitation services in rural settlements is an important development goal in developing countries including India and accordingly several strategies are adopted which promote the demand and use of household toilets through creating awareness and providing subsidies to poor people for construction of household toilets with service-level standards specified from experts' perspective. In many cases, users are unsatisfied with the quality of toilets constructed using subsidies and the same remain unused. Users' satisfaction depends on their perceptions of service quality of individual attributes and overall service quality of the household toilets, which is an important determinant of sustainability and sustained use of toilets. This study aims to assess and benchmark the appropriate service delivery level for quantitative attributes of rural household toilets based on user perception. The service quality is determined with the help of level of service (LOS) scales developed using successive interval scaling technique, the zone of tolerance (ZOT), and users satisfaction level (USL) which relates service delivery levels with user satisfaction directly. The study finds that the service quality of most of the attributes of household toilets constructed using subsidies is perceived as poor. The results also suggest that most of the users expect to have a toilet with the service level of attributes ranging between LOS A and LOS B.

Safe Embrace: technological innovation for elderly safety in the use of toilets / Abrazo Seguro: innovación tecnológica para seguridad de ancianos en el uso del baño / Abraço Seguro: inovação tecnológica para segurança de idosos no uso do sanitário

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the development of a device to prevent falling for seniors when using the toilet. Method: we sought in literature and in the hospital market for a device to prevent falling, without success. Geriatric nurses, in partnership with the hospital engineering team, elaborated a prototype and, after several analysis, looked for a partner for its production. Results: the device, named "Safe Embrace", installed and tested in an apartment of the Geriatric ward, was positively evaluated by the health team, patients and caregivers. Conclusion: for the benefit obtained and considering the safety and privacy during use, Safe Embrace was patented so that other institutions could use it.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir la elaboración del dispositivo de prevención de caídas para ancianos durante el uso del baño. Método: se buscó en la literatura y mercado del área hospitalaria un dispositivo para prevenir caída, sin éxito. Las enfermeras de la geriatría, en asociación con el equipo de ingeniería del hospital, elaboraron un prototipo y, tras varios análisis, buscaron un socio para su producción. Resultados: el dispositivo, denominado "Abrazo Seguro", instalado en un apartamento de la geriatría para la prueba, fue evaluado positivamente por el equipo de salud, pacientes y cuidadores. Conclusión: por el beneficio obtenido, y considerando la seguridad y privacidad durante el uso, el Abrazo Seguro fue patentado para que otras instituciones lo disfruten.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever a elaboração do dispositivo de prevenção de quedas para idosos durante o uso do sanitário. Método: buscou-se na literatura e mercado da área hospitalar um dispositivo para prevenir queda, sem sucesso. Enfermeiras da geriatria, em parceria com a equipe de engenharia do hospital, elaboraram um protótipo e, após várias análises, procuraram um parceiro para sua produção. Resultados: o dispositivo, nominado "Abraço Seguro", instalado em um apartamento da geriatria para teste, foi avaliado positivamente pela equipe de saúde, pacientes e cuidadores. Conclusão: pelo benefício obtido e considerando a segurança e privacidade durante o uso, o Abraço Seguro foi patenteado para que outras instituições desfrutassem dele.

Contexto escolar e hábitos miccionais: estudo transversal com escolares do distrito federal / Contexto escolar y hábitos miccionales: estudio transversal con escolares del distrito federal / School setting and voiding habits: a cross-sectional study among school-aged children from the federal district

RESUMO Estudo transversal realizado em oito escolas públicas e particulares do Riacho Fundo,(Distrito Federal),com escolares deseis a 12 anos, com o objetivo de avaliar a frequência de ida e permissão para uso do toalete na escola, sob a perspectiva do escolar, assim como mensurar a taxa de ocorrência e o impacto da experiência de ter tido alguma vez na vida um evento de perda urinária no contexto escolar. A coleta de dados incluiu entrevista por meio de perguntas-chave desenvolvidas pelas pesquisadoras. A análise dos dados incluiu técnicas básicas de análise exploratória de dados como,frequência absoluta e relativa, calculadas no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Das 86 crianças participantes da pesquisa, 73% (n=63) relataram irtodos os dias ao toalete escolar, ao passo que as que afirmam não utilizar o toalete apontaram como justificativas a falta de vontade, a falta de papel higiênico nos toaletes e a falta de privacidade ou problema com as portas. Quanto à permissão para o uso do toalete, 66% (n=57) afirmaram poder ir sempre que tivessem vontade. A experiência de perda urinária na escola foi relatada por17 (20%) crianças e apresentou impacto altamente negativo sob a perspectiva do escolar.

RESUMEN Se realizó un estudio transversal en 8 escuelas públicas y privadas del Riacho Fundo (Distrito Federal) con escolares de 6 a 12 años que tuvo como objetivo evaluar la frecuencia de idas y permiso al baño en la escuela bajo la perspectiva del escolar, así como medir la tasa de ocurrencia y el impacto de la experiencia de haber tenido alguna vez en la vida pérdida urinaria en el contexto escolar. La recolección de datos incluyó entrevistas con preguntas claves desarrolladas por los investigadores. El análisis de datos incluyó las técnicas básicas de análisis exploratorio de datos como la frecuencia absoluta y relativa, calculada utilizando el programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. De los 86 niños participantes, el 73% (n = 63) informaron ir todos los días al baño de la escuela, las justificaciones para no ir fueron falta de voluntad, la falta de papel higiénico y la falta privacidad o problemas con las puertas. En referencia al uso del baño, el 66% (n = 57) dijo que podían ir cuando tuviesen necesidad. La experiencia de pérdida urinaria en la escuela fue reportada por 17 (20%) niños y presentó un impacto muy negativo desde la perspectiva del escolar.

ABSTRACT This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 8 public and private schools of Riacho Fundo (Federal District), with children between 6 and 12 years old, that aimed to evaluate their frequency of going to the school restroom and permission to use it from the children's perspective, as well as to measure the rate of occurrence and impact of the experience of having had some once in a lifetime urinary leakage in the school setting. Data collection included interviews with key questions developed by the researchers. Data analysis included basic techniques of exploratory data analysis such as absolute and relative frequencies calculated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. Out of 86 participating children, 73% (n = 63) reported going every day to the school restroom while those reporting not going pointed out reasons as they did not need to, lack of toilet paper, and lack of privacy or problems with the stalls' doors. Regarding permission to use the restroom, 66% (n = 57) stated being allowed to go whenever they needed. The experience of urinary incontinence at school was reported by 17 (20%) children and presented as a highly negative impact from their perspective.