Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion
Volume:9 Issue: 3, Summer 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a member of the Corona‑viridian family, is responsible for the emergence of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has developed into a worldwide pandemic since its initial detection in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, in early December 2019. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of physical distancing measures on the transmission of COVID-19. A scoping review was conducted, with a focus on English-language literature available on Pub Med and Web of Science up to May 2022. The findings of this study indicate a statistically significant correlation between physical distance and the transmission of COVID-19. Nevertheless, it should be noted that COVID-19 primarily spreads through contact routes and respiratory droplets, and many aspects of its transmissibility are still not fully understood. As such, the topic of airborne transmission of COVID-19 remains a subject of debate and controversy.

The management of the public water supply in Ilorin by the Kwara State Water Corporation has caused significant concern among the city's citizens. This study used consumer satisfaction as an index to evaluate Ilorin's public water supply.

A stratified random sample procedure was employed to distribute structured questionnaires to 400 inhabitants, who were asked to rate and provide their perceptions of five selected parameters known as satisfaction drivers. Descriptive statistics, including frequency tables, percentages, and charts, were used to analyze and present the data. Additionally, the consumer satisfaction index (CSI) models were utilized.

The overall CSI was calculated to be 3.24 points on a 5-point scale. The primary factors contributing to consumer satisfaction were supply quality (3.70 points), while supply frequency and duration had the least impact on satisfaction (2.66 points). These findings suggest that the public water supply services provided to the residents were insufficient. Furthermore, consumers were willing to pay an average of ₦4,423.78 per month for enhanced service delivery.

The study recommends that the water utility company make the required adjustments to its systems and processes while prioritizing consumer satisfaction. By doing so, the company can increase revenue generation and assure the sustainability of its services.

This study focused on the evaluation of the quality of borehole water in Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria, considering that groundwater serves as the primary source of potable water in the country. However, the vulnerability of groundwater to contamination raises concerns regarding its suitability for consumption.

Water samples were obtained from Okota, Ayo, Osi, Oke-Afa, Ajao, Oshi, and Iso-Aye Streets in Oshodi and assayed for the presence of heavy metals and microorganisms. The heavy metals analyzed in the samples included zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd). Additionally, the water samples were examined for the presence of bacteria, coliforms, and fungi as representative microorganisms. To evaluate the potential health risks associated with the heavy metals detected, non-carcinogenic risks were assessed. This involved determining parameters such as average daily dermal exposure (ADDE), average daily ingestion (ADI), and hazard quotient (HQ). Further, the carcinogenic risks (CR) of the heavy metals were determined.

The analysis of the water samples revealed that the levels of Pb and Mn, exceeded the recommended limits. However, ADI values for these heavy metals were found to be within permissible limits. The HQ of dermal exposure to Zn, Mn, and Pb during the dry season, as well as for Cr, Mn, Zn, and Pb during the wet season, were higher than recommended limits. The CR (dermal) of Pb and Cr during the wet season and Pb during the dry season were also above recommended limits. In terms of microorganisms, the presence of bacteria, coliforms, and fungi in the water samples was found to be within permissible limits.

Given the identified presence of heavy metals exceeding recommended limits and the potential health risks associated with dermal exposure and ingestion, it is evident that the water from the assessed boreholes in Oshodi poses health hazards to consumers. Therefore, it is imperative to implement decontamination measures to mitigate these risks and ensure the provision of safe and potable water to the community.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of salicylic acid and rice husk ash on Pb and Cd concentration in pinto bean plants grown in soil that was contaminated with both diesel oil and heavy metals.

The treatments in this study included the application of rice husk ash to soil at concentrations of 0 %, 4 %, and 8 % (W/W) as well as the foliar application of salicylic acid to pinto bean plants grown in soil contaminated with diesel oil, Cd, and Pb at concentrations of 0 %, 4 % and 8 % (W/W). After a growth period of 90 days, the pinto bean plant was harvested and the concentration of Pb and Cd in the plants was measured using Atomic absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the extent of diesel oil bio-degradation in the soil was determined.

The results indicate a significant reduction in the concentration of Cd and Pb in pinto bean plants (by 11.7 and 15.4 %, respectively) due to the application of rice husk ash (8 % (W/W)) in the soil. Furthermore, the bio-degradation of diesel oil in the soil was found to be significantly enhanced, while the activity of plant enzymes APX and POX was observed to be decreased.

The interaction between rice husk ash and salicylic acid The reduction in Pb and Cd concentration was significantly influenced by, while the bio-degradation of diesel oil in the soil increased.

The deteriorating food safety and security situation of many Iranian families, primarily due to economic challenges, has raised concerns. Education programs can solve these issues in a cost-efficient way. The current study aimed to determine the impact of an extensive education program focusing on food safety and nutrition among low-income women who are the heads of households covered by the welfare system in Zanjan City.

A total of 120 women who scored the highest levels of food insecurity were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended in six 1.5-h educational sessions focusing on improving diet quality, food security, food safety, and physical activity. Both groups filled out a researcher-designed and validated questionnaire at the beginning of the study and one month after the intervention.

The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in scores related to diet quality, food security, and physical activity. However, no significant difference was observed in the food safety score. In contrast, in the control group, there were no notable changes in the scores of the studied factors.

The findings indicate that a comprehensive food and nutrition education program can effectively enhance the nutritional habits and food security of low-income individuals.

Maintaining workers’ safety in the workplace can be achieved by promoting protective behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of protective behaviors in relation to the theoretical structures of the protection motivation theory.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 paint workers in Rafsanjan city. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude, protective behaviors, and theoretical structures. A structural equation model was employed to investigate the impact of motivational theory structures on protective intentions and behaviors.

The present study showed that, despite a relatively acceptable level of knowledge, the status of protective behavior in painting workers was not favorable. Correlation tests indicated that protective behaviors had a positive relationship with knowledge, self-efficacy, and response efficacy structures, while negatively and significantly related to the perceived cost structure. (p <0.05). Overall, the protection motivation theory structures had acceptable goodness of fit.

It is recommended that the structures of the protection motivation theory be utilized to persuade painting workers to comply with protective behaviors. Greater emphasis should be placed on creating a sense of threat caused by the lack of protective behavior in this group.

The environment is closely related to the interests of society, including health and hygiene, whose protection depends on public participation. It is only through support and involvement that effective outcomes can be achieved in environmental management. The purpose of this research was to identify the effective components and indicators of public participation in the protection of the urban environment.

The current research was of qualitative type in terms of data collection. First, purposeful sampling was used to select participants, and the interview process began with both theoretical and experimental experts. The interviews continued until a comprehensive understanding and description of the components and indicators were achieved and until theoretical saturation was reached. During the interviews, the information was carefully reviewed and categorized. Then, the identified items were reviewed, revised, and duplicates were excluded. Finally, the dimensions of the topic were determined, and a framework of components and indicators was presented.

The results of the study revealed three overarching themes, 13 organizing themes, and 71 basic themes that impact public participation in urban environmental protection. The components identified in the study included "influential factors", such as social trust, sense of social belonging, social responsibility, personality traits, context and the possibility of participation, motivation to participate, knowledge, and awareness. The study also identified "constraints", including sociocultural, structural-legal, economic, and executive constraints. Additionally, the study found that public participation in environmental protection was a key category that emerged from the findings.

Based on our findings, the identified themes can be incorporated into the development and assessment of collaborative programs and activities aimed at promoting sustainable development in the field of urban environment.

The combined use of plant-based and chemical coagulants, such as aluminium or iron salts can reduce the use of chemical coagulants while providing sufficient efficiency in removing suspended solids. This experimental research investigated the effect of Descurainia sophia seed extract (DSSE) in conjunction with the aluminium sulphate (alum) on turbidity removal efficiency.

D-Optimal design using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for experimental design to investigate the effects of operating factors on responses and the potential interactions between these factors.

The results showed that, when starting with an initial turbidity of 200 NTU, the maximum achieved turbidity removal efficiency of 91.45% (Run 1) was attained by using only alum at an optimized concentration of 59.5 mg/L and a pH 6. However, when the initial turbidity was 200 NTU, pH 7, and the alum concentration was reduced to 40 mg/L, and the DSSE/water ratio was increased to 16 mL/L, a turbidity removal efficiency of 93.45% (Run 35) was obtained.

DSSE can be used as a plant-based coagulant along with alum to reduce alum consumption and improve the coagulation and flocculation of suspended solids in water. By incorporating this extract, the removal of impurities and reduction of turbidity can be effectively promoted.