Risk factors associated with dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of endoparasites in dog feces from public places, investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in soil, and identify potential risk factors associated with the dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland - the region near the EU border with Ukraine. In a one-year study, a total of 803 dog fecal samples and 148 soil samples from public places were examined for the presence of endoparasite developmental stages. In general, 43.59 % of dog excrements were positive. Six different species of intestinal parasites were detected: Toxocara canis (22.65 %), Trichuris vulpis (14.07 %), family Ancylostomatidae (10.09 %), Capillaria aerophilla (5.60 %), Ascaris spp. (1.49 %). Altogether, 52.03 % of soil samples were positive for at least one endoparasites species. The occurrence of parasitic eggs in the soil was as follows: Ascaris spp. (37.16 %), Toxocara spp. (29.05 %), Trichuris spp. (29.05 %) %), family Ancylostomatidae (2.03 %) and Toxascaris leonina (2.03 %). The occurrence of endoparasites between the towns and villages varied significantly. The distribution of endoparasites in dogs and soil was affected by the population density, the minority people living in the studied territory, the number of people living in poor hygienic conditions with limited access to drinking water and the usage of sewerage. Persisting endoparasitic contamination of the environment in East Slovak Lowland forms a reservoir with zoonotic potential representing public and environmental health problems.

[Evaluation of thermal environment and human thermal comfort in 8 types of public places from 2019 to 2021].

Objective: To evaluate the thermal environment of different types of public places and the thermal comfort of employees, so as to provide scientific basis for the establishment of microclimate standards and health supervision requirements. Methods: From June 2019 to December 2021, 50 public places (178 times) of 8 categories in Wuxi were selected, including hotels, swimming pools (gymnasiums), bathing places, shopping malls (supermarkets), barber shops, beauty shops, waiting rooms (bus station) and gyms. In summer and winter, microclimate indicators such as temperature and wind speed were measured in all kinds of places, combined with the work attire and physical activity of employees in the places. Fanger thermal comfort equation and center for the built environment (CBE) thermal comfort calculation tool were used to evaluate the predicted mean vote (PMV), predicted percent dissatisfied (PPD) and standard effective temperature (SET) according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 55-2020. The modification effects of seasonal and temperature control conditions on thermal comfort were analyzed. The consistency of GB 37488-2019 "Hygienic Indicators and Limits in Public Places" and ASHRAE 55-2020 evaluation results on thermal environment was compared. Results: The thermal sensation of hotel, barber shop staff and the gym front-desk staff were moderate, while the thermal sensation of swimming place lifeguard, bathing place cleaning staff and gym trainer were slightly warm in summer and winter. Waiting room (bus station) cleaning and working staff, shopping mall staff felt slightly warm in summer and moderate in winter. Service staff in bathing places felt slightly warm in winter, while staff in beauty salons felt slightly cool in winter. The thermal comfort compliance of hotel cleaning staff and shopping mall staff in summer was lower than that in winter (χ(2)=7.01, 7.22, P=0.008, 0.007). The thermal comfort compliance of shopping mall staff in the condition of air conditioning off was higher than that in the condition of air conditioning on (χ(2)=7.01, P=0.008). The SET values of front-desk staff in hotels with different health supervision levels were significantly different (F=3.30, P=0.024). The PPD value and SET value of the front-desk staff, and the PPD value of cleaning staff of hotels above three stars were lower than those of hotels below three stars (P<0.05). The thermal comfort compliance of front-desk staff and cleaning staff in hotels above three stars was higher than that in hotels below three stars (χ(2)=8.33, 8.09, P=0.016, 0.018). The consistency of the two criteria was highest among waiting room (bus station) staff (100.0%, 1/1) and lowest among gym front-desk staff (0%, 0/2) and waiting room (bus station) cleaning staff (0%, 0/1) . Conclusion: There are different degrees of thermal discomfort in different seasons, under the condition of air conditioning and health supervision, and the microclimate indicators can not fully reflect the thermal comfort of human body. The health supervision of microclimate should be strengthened, the applicability of health standard limit value should be evaluated in many aspects, and the thermal comfort of occupational group should be improved.

Living the everyday of dementia friendliness: Navigating care in public spaces.

Dementia friendly communities are a priority for international policymaking aimed at tackling the social exclusion of people living with dementia. However, what constitutes a dementia friendly community is not well defined nor understood. In this article, we explore what constitutes the enactment of care in a dementia friendly community, focusing on commercial, leisure public places. Through qualitative interviews with carers in the North East of England, we examine how elements of social and material environments shape meaningful everyday practices of care outside the home. Drawing from the literature on materialities of care, we examine three everyday activities: eating out, going to the cinema and shopping. Maintaining such activities in public is part of keeping on with normal family life, but they can also expose individuals to stigmatising judgements by outsiders. Despite this, a complex array of material things, people, places and immaterial qualities such as ambience can come together to make care possible. We suggest there is a need to promote a less rigid, more flexible ethos in these public places. Through a recognition of the relational materialities of care, public spaces could do more to become places where people living with dementia can continue to feel connected and included.

Impacts of the protective measures taken for the COVID-19 pandemic on water consumption and post meter leakages in public places.

Adequate, secure, and sustainable water supply gained utmost importance as an essential public service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this research study is to investigate impacts of the protective measures taken for the COVID-19 pandemic on water consumption and post meter leakages in public places. A total of 22 pilot study sites (PSS) representing schools, graveyards, parks, mosques, public toilets, a university building, and a sport facility were chosen to apply this study. The PSS were equipped with smart meters with different sizes that were capable of measuring the flow rates at short intervals of 15 min. The flow rates were continuously monitored at the PSS for more than 1 year before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 and 2020. Post meter leakages were determined based on the minimum night flow (MNF). The monitoring results showed a considerable decrease (42%) in the total flow rates at public places because of the lockdown measures, but excessive post meter leakages (72% of total flow rates) were also observed. Additionally, the decrease in flow rates adversely affected measuring accuracy of the meters and thereby increased the apparent water losses. Control of post meter leakages and selection of appropriate size of meters are important for efficient use of urban water. Water and energy savings besides reduction in greenhouse gas emissions are the main environmental benefits of leakage control. The use of smart technologies contributes to efficient and sustainable management of urban water demand, but raising public awareness for conservation of water is essential.

Measurement of contagion spatial spread probability in public places: A case study on COVID-19.

The scale and scope of the COVID-19 epidemic have highlighted the need for timely control of viral transmission. This paper proposed a new spatial probability model of epidemic infection using an improved Wasserstein distance algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation. This method identifies the public places in which COVID-19 spreads and grows easily. The Wasserstein Distance algorithm is used to calculate the distribution similarity between COVID-19 cases and the public places. Further, we used hypothesis tests and Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the spatial spread probability of COVID-19 in different public places. We used Snow's data to test the stability and accuracy of this measurement. This verification proved that our method is reliable and robust. We applied our method to the detailed geographic data of COVID-19 cases and public places in Wuhan. We found that, rather than financial service institutions and markets, public buildings such as restaurants and hospitals in Wuhan are 95 percent more likely to be the public places of COVID-19 spread.

Cold traps as reliable devices for quantitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 load in aerosols.

Spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a demanding challenge. This is of particular importance in schools and public areas of unavoidable access. New viral mutations may increase infectivity and require even better methods to identify areas of potential hazards. High-throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing and legal restrictions are not effective in order to get the current outbreak under control. The occurrence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with a higher transmissibility requires efficient strategies for early detection and surveillance. Until today, testing focuses on nasal or pharyngeal mucosa swabs, neglecting the origin of aerosolic transmission, thus failing to detect the spread by carriers of the virus. Therefore, in this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels were determined by quantitative real time PCR in aerosols collected by non-powered cold traps. SARS-CoV-2 spreading kinetics were recorded in indoor hotspots within a high-endemic area. These hotspots included a SARS-CoV-2 isolation unit, an outpatient endoscopy facility, a concert hall, and a shopping mall. For determination of viral presence aerosols were collected by cold traps positioned at different locations in the area of interest over a period of 4-6 h. Indoor SARS-CoV-2 hotspots were found in non-ventilated areas and in zones that are predisposed to a buoyancy (chimney) effect. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in those aerosols reached concentrations of 105 copies/mL, while extensive outdoor air ventilation reliably eliminated SARS-CoV-2 aerosol contamination. The method presented herein is effective for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 indoor hotspots and may help to characterize the spreading kinetics of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, it can be used for the surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Due to low costs and easy handling, the procedure might enable efficient algorithms for COVID-19 screening and prevention.

Use of electronic cigarettes in public and private settings in Barcelona (Spain).

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of e-cigarette users who use them in selected indoor public and workplaces, and private venues in Barcelona (Spain) in 2015. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of a sample of e-cigarette users (≥ 18 years) from Barcelona (n = 600). We calculated the proportion of e-cigarette users who used the device in public and private settings (in the last 30 days). We fit multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sex and age to calculate the odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of e-cigarette use by socio-demographic factors, dual use and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. RESULTS: The highest proportion of e-cigarette users who used them in public places was found at restaurants or bars (69.4%) and nightclubs or pubs (55.4%). Also being current conventional tobacco smokers (dual users) was significantly associated with lower use of e-cigarettes in workplaces (OR = 0.61, 95%CI:0.41-0.91), restaurants (OR = 0.66, 95%CI:0.45-0.97) and nightclubs (OR = 0.56, 95%CI:0.37-0.86). Moreover, being a nicotine-containing e-cigarette user was associated with higher odds of using the device in workplaces (OR = 2.01, 95%CI:1.34-3.01), and lower odds of using it in nightclubs (OR = 0.56, 95%CI:0.39-0.82). 96.8% of the included e-cigarette users declared to use the device at home. Being a current tobacco smoker was associated with increased odds of using e-cigarettes at home (OR = 3.17, 95%CI:1.22-8.22). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use in private settings and in public settings where their use is not regulated by law is high. Therefore, the public health administration in Spain should consider expanding the prohibition of e-cigarette use to indoor public places and should take into account the possibility of exposure to aerosol from e-cigarettes.

[Situation of dissuading smoking and related factors of employees of public places].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the situation of dissuading smoking and related factors among the employees of public places. METHODS: By using a purposive sampling method, six national non-communicable disease control and prevention demonstrationareas, including Chongan, Rushan, Hanyang, Shouyang, Beibei and Huzhu District( County), were selected as the study sites from different geographic locations of eastern, central or western China, and urban or rural resident places. Staff from three public places such as medical care settings, government agencies and restaurants were interviewed through face to face. Information about demographics, situation of smoking and secondhand smoke, smoking dissuading, and smoking sings and smoking policies of the selected public places were collected. Totally 1629 qualified questionnaires were collected from staff of medical care settings( 1029), government agencies( 187) and restaurants( 413). RESULTS: Of all the participants, 9. 39% were current smokers, and 64. 97%reported exposed to secondhand smoke in the past 30 days. Among the 1629 participants, 75. 57% reported they would dissuade the smokers in their workplace, while 14. 30% and10. 13% of the participants indicated they would avoid the smokers or indifferent respectively. Univariate analysis showed that public place category, gender, age, education level, current smoking situation, smoking signs were statistically significantly associated with smoking dissuading( P < 0. 05), while geographic locations, place of residence, income level and knowledge score were not( P > 0. 05). Logistic regression analysis showed that compared to workers from medical care settings, workers from government agencies were less likely to dissuade( OR = 0. 212, 95% CI 0. 150 ~ 0. 301), while workers from restaurants more likely to dissuade( OR = 1. 842, 95% CI 1. 117-3. 038). Staff aged 35 years old or above more likely to dissuade( OR = 1. 474, 95% CI1. 142-1. 903). Workers of present smokers were less likely to dissuade than those of nonsmokers( OR = 0. 465, 95% CI 0. 309-0. 700). Workers of public places with smokefree policies more likely to dissuade than those from public places without( OR = 1. 649, 95% CI 1. 160-2. 344). CONCLUSION: Most of the staff of public places reported they would dissuade smokers. Workers of nonsmokers, aged 35 years old or above and those from public places with smoke-free policy were positive factors to smoking dissuading.

Smoke-free home and vehicle rules by tobacco use status among US adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of smoke-free home and vehicle rules by tobacco use. METHODS: Data came from the 2012-2013 National Adult Tobacco Survey, a telephone survey of adults aged ≥18. Respondents who reported smoking is 'never allowed' inside their home or any family vehicle were considered to have smoke-free home and vehicle rules, respectively. Prevalence and characteristics of smoke-free rules were assessed overall and by current tobacco use (combustible only, noncombustible only, combustible and noncombustible, no current tobacco use). Assessed characteristics included: sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, income, region, and sexual orientation. RESULTS: Nationally, 83.7% of adults (n=48,871) had smoke-free home rules and 78.1% (n=46,183) had smoke-free vehicle rules. By tobacco use, prevalence was highest among nonusers of tobacco (homes: 90.8%; vehicles: 88.9%) and lowest among combustible-only users (homes: 53.7%; vehicles: 34.2%). Prevalence of smoke-free home and vehicle rules was higher among males, adults with a graduate degree, and adults living in the West. CONCLUSIONS: Most adults have smoke-free home and vehicle rules, but differences exist by tobacco use. Opportunities exist to educate adults about the dangers of secondhand smoke and the benefits of smoke-free environments, particularly among combustible tobacco users.

An observational survey of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 Violation in Puducherry, South India.

BACKGROUND: One of the commonly abused drug substances in both rural and urban communities of the developing countries is tobacco. The slow poison is still present even though anti-tobacco laws has been implemented to eliminate this threat. OBJECTIVE: To measure the violation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 under sections 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 & 10 in Puducherry. METHODOLOGY: An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted over three months (June to August 2022) in 194 public places and 126 tobacco points-of-sale at Puducherry district. A multi-stage cluster sampling was employed. An observational checklist was used to record the violation of COTPA sections. The data were analyzed using SPSS-v16. RESULTS: Section 4 and 5 violations were 67% and 47% respectively, while other sections (7,8,9,10) were compliant with the law in >85% of the parameters observed exception being display of "Warning" in specified font and colour (10%). The COTPA compliance rate was quite low in the observed public places. "No smoking area" and "Smoking Here Is an Offense" signage was seldom displayed in most public places. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the law has been carefully drafted, it has been implemented to a limited extent. For guaranteeing adherence and rigorous implementation of the act's provisions, the concerned authorities shall perform timely and routine compliance assessments.

Hybrid YOLOv3 and ReID intelligent identification statistical model for people flow in public places.

The statistical model for automatic flow recognition is significant for public place management. However, the current model suffers from insufficient statistical accuracy and low lightweight. Therefore, in this study, the structure of the lightweight object detection model "You Only Live Once v3" is optimized, and the "Deep Simple Online Real-Time Tracking" algorithm with the "Person Re-Identification" module is designed, so as to construct a statistical model for people flow recognition. The results showed that the median PersonAP of the designed model was 94.2%, the total detection time was 216 ms, the Rank-1 and Rank-10 were 87.2% and 98.6%, respectively, and the maximum occupied memory of the whole test set was 2.57 MB, which was better than all comparison models. The results indicate that the intelligent identification statistical model for public crowd flow obtained through this design and training has higher statistical accuracy, less computational resource consumption, and faster computing speed. This has certain application space in the management and guidance of crowd flow in public places.

Operationalizing Street Harassment Using Survey Instruments: A Systematic Review of Measuring Harassment in Public Spaces Using Surveys.

Quantitative research has an omitted variable problem when it comes to measuring and modeling non-criminal threats in the urban environment. This systematic review identified questionnaires and surveys used to measure incidences of street harassment/harassment in public, to discuss how they operationalize street harassment/harassment in public, and to report the characteristics of those with the best evidence of reliability and validity. We searched five databases and included peer-reviewed articles published in English from 1994 to 2022 that measured street harassment using a survey instrument. Our search resulted in 54 included studies. Of these studies, 16 primarily focused on understanding street harassment. To design effective prevention strategies in response to street harassment, research must first effectively measure the prevalence of street harassment and the contexts in which street harassment occurs. Due to the inconsistencies in definition, our review identified prevalence rates were inconsistent. Incidents of street harassment provide a promising avenue for future research, although scholars must first seek to appropriately operationalize this concept in survey research. We provide suggestions for future research that seeks to use surveys to understand harassment in public places.

Far-UV-C irradiation promotes synergistic bactericidal action against adhered cells of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The contamination of indoor areas is a global health problem that can cause the dispersion of infectious diseases. In that sense, it is urgent to find new strategies applying a lower concentration of the traditional chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection. Ultraviolet radiation (UV), in particular far-UV-C (200-225 nm), has emerged as a successful, powerful, easy-to-apply, and inexpensive approach for bacterial eradication that still requires scientific assessment. This study investigated new strategies for disinfection based on far-UV-C (222 nm) combined with chlorine and mechanical cleaning, providing an innovative solution using low doses. The bactericidal activity of far-UV-C (222 nm) was tested at an intensity of irradiation from 78.4 µW/cm2 to 597.7 µW/cm2 (for 1 min) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis adhered on polystyrene microtiter plates. It was further tested in combination with mechanical cleaning (ultrasounds for 1 min) and free chlorine (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L for 5 min). The triple combination consisting of mechanical cleaning + free chlorine (0.5 mg/L) + far-UV-C (54 mJ/cm2) was tested against cells adhered to materials found in hospital settings and other public spaces: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel (SS), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Disinfection with far-UV-C (54 mJ/cm2) and free chlorine at 0.5 mg/L for 5 min allowed a total reduction of culturable E. coli cells and a logarithmic reduction of 2.98 ± 0.03 for S. epidermidis. The triple combination of far-UV-C, free chlorine, and mechanical cleaning resulted in a total reduction of culturable cells for both adhered bacteria. Bacterial adhesion to PVC, SS, and PEEK occurred at distinct extents and influenced the bactericidal activity of the triple combination, with logarithmic reductions of up to three. The overall results highlight that, based on culturability assessment, far-UV-C (54 mJ/cm2) with chlorine (0.5 mg/L; 5 min) and mechanical cleaning (1 min) as an efficient disinfection strategy using mild conditions. The combination of culturability and viability assessment of disinfection is recommended to detect regrowth events and increase the effectiveness in microbial growth control.

Using findings from a public opinion poll to build political support for tobacco control policy in Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of public support for tobacco control policies and to discuss how these findings could be used to influence the legislative process in the passing of tobacco control law in the country. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in Kenya between March and May 2007 on a random sample of 2021 (991 men and 1030 women) respondents aged 18 years and above. Interviews were done using a structured questionnaire by a research consultancy firm with long-standing experience in public polling. RESULTS: The majority of respondents supported tobacco control policies as proposed by WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. For example, 95% of the respondents supported smoking restrictions in all enclosed public places and workplaces, 94% supported visible health warnings on tobacco product packages, 83% supported a ban on advertisements of cigarettes and tobacco products and 69% supported a ban on sponsorship of events by tobacco companies. However, 60% perceived that there was very little commitment by legislators to tobacco control. CONCLUSIONS: There was overwhelming public support for tobacco control policies and a general view that government was not doing enough in implementing policies to protect the public from tobacco harm. This public opinion poll was used as an advocacy tool to generate support among legislators for national tobacco control law.

Survey of Residents' Satisfaction with the Environmental Sanitation of Key Public Places Under the Background of National Healthy City - China, 2021.

What is already known about this topic?: Sanitation of public places has been the focus of environmental sanitation construction in China for many years. It is critical to achieving the goal of building national healthy cities and counties. What is added by this report?: The results showed that in all types of areas, residents' satisfaction with the sanitation of railway stations and other places of transportation ranked first, and farmers' markets ranked last. What are the implications for public health practice?: This study provides a suitable reference for government decision-makers to effectively improve the sanitation situation of key public places and to further construct national healthy cities and counties.

Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests Occurring in Public Places: A National Population-Based Observational Study.

Sudden cardiac arrest, particularly out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), is a global public health concern. However, limited research exists on the epidemiology of OHCAs occurring in public places, trends and impact of bystander intervention, and influence of extraordinary circumstances. This study investigated the epidemiological factors, bystander characteristics, and outcomes of OHCAs that occurred in public places in South Korea from 2016 to 2021 and analyzed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A retrospective analysis was conducted using an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Surveillance database, including 33,206 cases of OHCA that occurred in public places. Cases with do-not-resuscitate orders or insufficient data were excluded. A steady increase in bystander-performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation over the years and a constant decrease in bystander automated external defibrillator (AED) use were observed. Survival-to-discharge rates for OHCAs remained relatively steady until a marginal decrease was observed during the pandemic (pandemic, 13.1%; pre-pandemic, 14.4%). Factors affecting survival included the presence of a shockable rhythm, witnessed arrest, cardiac arrest due to disease, use of bystander AED, and period relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings emphasize the critical role of bystanders in outcomes of OHCAs and inform public health strategies on better management of OHCAs in public places.

Male and Female Conceptualizations of Sexual Harassment in Tanzania: The Role of Consent, Male Power, and Social Norms.

Sexual harassment is pervasive worldwide, yet there is a lack of clarity on its conceptualization in many settings, especially in low-income countries. Context-specific conceptualization of sexual harassment is vital to develop effective measurement tools, estimate its magnitude, and the design of interventions to address it. We explored how different population groups in Mwanza, Tanzania, understood, conceptualized, and experienced sexual harassment. This study employed a qualitative research design involving 74 in-depth interviews and 13 focus group discussions with participants from educational, workplace, and public settings in Mwanza, Tanzania. Participants were adolescent girls and boys, adult women and men. We explored individual-level perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment, and community norms and expectations around sexual harassment. We analyzed the data using a thematic approach. Participants' perceptions of sexual harassment emphasized the critical role of consent, the expression of male power, and social norms with regard to sexual harassment. Sexual harassment was understood to be a result of men being in positions of power and in charge of material resources, school grades, or employment opportunities. These in turn enabled them to take advantage of girls and women. Social norms around male and female interactions, courtship and seduction, expressions of sexual interest were crucial in delineating what was and what was not considered sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a fluid concept, and its definition is highly dependent on contextual factors. Consent underpins the conceptualization of sexual harassment and is a fundamental feature in the definition and measurement of sexual harassment in Tanzania. Consent is largely determined by sexual norms around male and female interactions and gendered power. There is a need for consensus in schools, workplaces, and communities about what constitutes sexual harassment in order to measure and address it appropriately.

Compliance with smoke-free policies at indoor and outdoor public places: an observational study in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: In 2002, the Government of Pakistan implemented a national law governing the use of tobacco products. The law included smoke-free policies banning smoking in all public places, and required no-smoking signage to be displayed at all such venues. Compliance with smoke-free policies is imperative, as it protects the health of nonsmokers. Almost two decades later, efforts to assess compliance with smoke-free policies in Karachi have been lacking, with only one study conducted in 2016. AIMS: To investigate smoke-free compliance across public places in Karachi, the most populous city in Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the east and south districts of Karachi between October and December 2019. Data pertaining to evidence of smoking (observed smoking, cigarette butt litter, and display of ashtrays/ similar instruments), the presence of designated smoking areas/rooms (DSAs/DSRs), and the display and location of no-smoking signage were collected via direct observations. Results are reported using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Observations were conducted at 1704 indoor and outdoor public venues. Among the sample, 972 (57%) were compliant with the composite indicator assessing evidence of smoking. DSAs were observed at 104 (6%) places and DSRs at 16 (1%) places. No-smoking signage was displayed at the main entrance of 104 (6%) places and inside 174 (10%) places. CONCLUSION: Compliance with smoke-free policies is lacking in Karachi. Enhanced efforts by enforcement agencies and venue managers are needed to establish 100% smoke-free public places across Karachi.

Prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in public places.

Public places favor the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to dense population, large personal mobility, and higher contact opportunities. In order to protect the health of general public in operating public places during COVID-19 pandemic, this study proposed general precautions and control strategies from perspective of operation management, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, and personal protection. In addition, with regard of risk level, specific precautions and control strategies were proposed for living service places, outdoor places, and confined places. The comprehensive application of above recommendations could effectively interrupt the spread of COVID-19, and protect the health of general public in public places. This study proposed general and specific precautions and control strategies in public places during COVID-19, and suggested further improvement of pandemic response.

Long-term monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage samples from specific public places and STPs to track COVID-19 spread and identify potential hotspots.

Coronavirus pandemic started in March 2020 and since then has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be used as an epidemiological surveillance tool to track SARS-CoV-2 dissemination and provide warning of COVID-19 outbreaks. Considering that there are public places that could be potential hotspots of infected people that may reflect the local epidemiological situation, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR for approximately 16 months in sewage samples from five public places located in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil: the sewage treatment plant of Confins International Airport (AIR), the main interstate bus terminal (BUS), an upscale shopping centre (SHC1), a popular shopping centre (SHC2) and a university institute (UNI). The results were compared to those of the influent sewage of the two main sewage treatment plants of Belo Horizonte (STP1 and STP2). Viral monitoring in the STPs proved to be an useful regional surveillance tool, reflecting the trends of COVID-19 cases. However, the viral concentrations in the samples from the selected public places were generally much lower than those of the municipal STPs, which may be due to the behaviour of the non-infected or asymptomatic people, who are likely to visit these places relatively more than the symptomatic infected ones. Among these places, the AIR samples presented the highest viral concentrations and concentration peaks were observed previously to local outbreaks. Therefore, airport sewage monitoring can provide an indication of the regional epidemiological situation. For the other places, particularly the UNI, the results suggested a greater potential to detect the infection and trace cases especially among employees and regular attendees. Taken together, the results indicate that for a regular and permanent sentinel sewage surveillance the sewage from STPs, AIR and UNI could be monitored.