UNASSIGNED: provision of adequate sanitation is among the common strategies of preventing sanitation-related diseases. However, provision of sanitation facilities may only be a sustainable solution if the population´s behavior changes and positive perception is embraced. This paper highlights the influence of social factors on adoption of sanitation practices.
UNASSIGNED: convergent mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data was gathered using structured questionnaires from 100 household heads selected using cluster and simple random techniques. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors that influenced adoption of sanitation practices. Qualitative data was gathered from a purposively selected focus group and analyzed thematically.
UNASSIGNED: many (57%) of the participants were males. The average age for participants was 39 years, standard deviation (SD)=0.20. From the multivariable regression analysis with adjusted odds, household heads being aged 18-33 years (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 0.62-3.02, p=0.015) and safety of latrines (OR 1.72, 95% CI: 0.70-5.15, p<0.001) was associated with increased open defecation chances; whereas being a female (OR 0.16 95% CI: 0.06-1.81, P=0.01), availability of open spaces near households (OR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05-1.13, p=0.30), and mason skills (OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13-1.65) were associated with reduced likelihood of open defecation practices. Further, being a female (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.18-3.16, p=0.043), having knowledge on safe sanitation (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.74-3.08, p=0.02), engaging skilled masons for toilet construction (OR 1.299, 95% CI: 1.01-8.95, p=0.005) and financial stability (OR 1.95, 95% CI: 0.98-23.40, P=0.032<0.001) were positively associated with adoption of improved toilets.
UNASSIGNED: the sanitation status in the study area was mainly poor due to the influence of multiple factors like gender, absence of toilets, knowledge on safe sanitation, poverty, mason skills and toilet location in relation to safety. The findings showed the need for innovative planning approaches based on the social aspects of communities for progress in sanitation standards in rural areas. Such approaches should adhere to the sanitation hardware versus software components of communities to promote active utilization of the available toilets, construction of improved toilets and reduction of open defecation.

The media has a significant contribution in spreading awareness by broadcasting various programs about prevalent diseases in the society along with the role of providing information, feeding news and educating a large mass. In this paper, the effect of media programs promoting precautionary measures and sanitation practices to control the bacterial infection in the community is modeled and analyzed considering the number of media programs as a dynamical variable. In the modeling phenomena, human population is partitioned into three classes; susceptible, infected and recovered. The disease is supposed to spread by direct contact of susceptible with infected individuals and indirectly by the ingestion of bacteria present in the environment. The growth in the media programs is considered proportional to the size of infected population and the impact of these programs on the indirect disease transmission rate and bacteria shedding rate by infected individuals is also considered. The feasibility of equilibria and their stability conditions are obtained. Model analysis reveals that broadcasting media programs and increasing its effectiveness shrink the size of infected class and control the spread of disease to a large extent.

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis is a neglected tropical disease, thriving in environments of poverty and disadvantage. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and intensity of four soil transmitted helminths (STH) among primary school children in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed between May 15th and June 2nd, 2014. Six of 20 primary schools were chosen, based on elevation, designated low elevation ecozone (LEE) or high elevation ecozone (HEE). A total of 340 children from standards one to four were recruited. Height and weight of each child was determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Stool samples were analyzed using the Kato-Katz, Wisconsin, and Baermann techniques to detect STH eggs and larvae. An interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic variables was used to capture information from the school\'s headmaster and a checklist was used to assess sanitation facilities.
RESULTS: STHs identified included Ascaris (presumably lumbricoides), Trichuris (presumably trichiura), hookworms (presumably Ancylostoma duodenale and/or Necator americanus), and Strongyloides (presumably stercoralis). The overall prevalence of STH infection was 29.0% in LEE and 34.0% in HEE. Prevalence was 34.3% and 28.2% in males versus females, respectively. Ascaris sp. were only identified in HEE, prevalence of Trichuris sp. and hookworms were significantly higher in HEE compared to LEE, and Strongyloides spp. prevalence was lower in HEE. Intensity of Trichuris sp. was significantly higher in HEE and lower for hookworms. We did not detect a significant relationship between BMI and helminth intensity; however, BMI was lower in lower elevations and in males vs. females. Sanitation practices are taught at the schools, but challenges were identified when implementing. Latrine facilities were available and latrine-cleaning routines were practiced; however, hand washing practices were challenging due to restricted water availability.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in prevalence in HEE and LEE exist, and STH infections are still very common among school children suggesting that anthelminthic intervention and education may be necessary in this region. Based on this outcome, the study area in the NCA would be classified as a medium risk area, where periodic treatment recommendations should be based on prevalence estimations in the different ecozones.
BACKGROUND: Ethics approval was obtained from the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS; Lake Zone Institutional Review Board MR/53/100/307)); the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB) at the University of Calgary in Canada (Study ID REB14-0127); the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) of Tanzania; and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTEC).

Background: Working conditions have a vital role to play in determining health and disability. So, the objective of this study was to assess the work conditions of small slaughterhouses in the Thi-Qar governorate in Iraq. Design and methods: This study is a cross-sectional field survey. A total of twenty-six (26) small slaughterhouses were included as a sample size from the Thi-Qar governorate. The data collection was done by observations of the authors using a questionnaire and specific questions were also directed to the slaughterhouse workers if needed. It was conducted between February and April 2018. The study was planned to demonstrate the current status of small slaughterhouses in terms of water supply facilities, quality of small slaughterhouses building, sanitation practices. Results: All of the small slaughterhouses had a water supply and all they had hot and cold water. Most of the small slaughterhouses had water tanks and put water pipes away from slaughter sites. The proportions ranged from 76.9 to 96.0 for the quality of small slaughterhouses building. With regard to fire safety measures, 96.2% of buildings are supplied with mobile fire extinguishing equipment according to safety and security requirements. Concerning rodent and insects\' control, sixteen (61.5%) of small slaughterhouses use insecticides and pesticides and only six (23.1%) of them use traps for rodents. Most of the small slaughterhouses\' windows (88.5%) were covered with a thin net to prevent the insects from entering. Conclusions: The finding of this study indicated that work conditions of small slaughterhouses were generally adequate in terms of water supply facilities, sanitation practices, ventilation, fire safety measures, and rodents and insects\' control.