Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science

Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude, and Health Practices Among Public School Teachers in the Philippines

2025-06-30T12:34:47+00:00

Background: Public school teachers play a critical role in the success of education systems, particularly in developing countries. Despite their importance, the health and well-being of these educators are often neglected. This study sought to evaluate elementary school teachers' nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and health practices in a developing country.

Method: A survey research design was employed to gather data from elementary school teachers. The survey assessed their nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, and related health practices.

Results: The findings indicated a high level of agreement among the participants regarding their nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and health practices. Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant relationships among these three variables. Furthermore, socioeconomic characteristics were significantly associated with teachers’ nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviors.

Conclusion: Enhancing nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and health practices of public-school teachers is vital for improving their overall well-being and, by extension, the quality of education. Continued research and sustained intervention are necessary to promote a holistic approach to teacher health, contributing to the broader advancement of education in developing countries.

Determinants of Childbirth Choice in Rural Senegal: Mixed-Methods Analysis Using Data from the Niakhar Demographic Surveillance System

2025-06-30T12:40:48+00:00

Background: Faced with high rates of home births and maternal mortality, the Senegalese government has made enormous efforts to improve the provision of care. However, the use of health facilities for home births remains a challenge.

Materials and methods: The study used a mixed-methods approach. Data from women who gave birth in the Niakhar observatory area between 1983 and 2020 were used, and chi-square tests and qualitative analyses were performed.

Results: The results show that all variables are significant at the 0.5% level. Women giving birth at home were those who were married, griottes, poor, uneducated, aged 35-49, had given birth more than four times and had had fewer than two antenatal consultations. Qualitative results showed that physical condition, lack of understanding, privacy concerns of older women and economic barriers all contributed to the increase in the phenomenon.

Conclusion: In rural areas, health problems are complex and require a more integrated approach. Determinants can run counter to the public policies put in place. It is therefore essential, when developing health policies, to integrate measures adapted to the type of population.

Impact of Industrial Pollutants on the Well-being of Residents in Obajana Cement Factory Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

2025-06-30T12:44:23+00:00

Background: While industrial construction supports societal growth, the Obajana cement factory in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria, has caused significant environmental issues due to toxin release. This study assessed the impact of industrial pollution on the physical and mental well-being of people living near the Obajana cement industry.

Methods: This study used a descriptive survey. The target population consisted of 5,085 locals living near the Obajana Cement Factory in Kogi State, Nigeria. Four hundred and twenty (420) heads of household were chosen using a multi-stage sample approach.

Results: The findings revealed that pollutants from cement mills severely harm the community’s health.

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of government action in enforcing environmental laws. Health agencies in Kogi State should launch awareness campaigns on the importance of regular medical checkups to reduce health risks. Meanwhile, relevant agencies must ensure factory compliance, and residents and workers must use personal protective equipment.

Health Risks of Waste Disposal in Water: Scientific Data Versus Households’ Perception in Ba-Phalaborwa Limpopo, South Africa

2025-06-30T12:49:42+00:00

Background: There has been abundant evidence and knowledge in the literature on the health risks of waste disposal in water. Yet, households’ perception of health risks is often regarded as erroneous and inferior, while scientific data, specifically water quality data, is viewed as superior and accurate.

Methods: Three hundred and eighty-four questionnaires were administered in four villages and analyzed using SPSS version 29.0 and Excel. Water samples were collected from the Ga-Selati River during the dry and wet seasons. Water quality assessment and MiniSASS were used to compare water quality indicators with the perceived health risks.

Results: The results show that variations exist between households’ perception of health risks and the scientific data from the laboratory, ascertained water quality indicators. Some perception statements match with laboratory data in relation to Temperature, pH, and Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Turbidity, Nitrates, Phosphorus and Bioindicators.

Conclusion: Our study highlights the need for a dialogue between households and researchers to develop new strategies to prevent the risks associated with waste disposal in water.

Exploring the Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence in the Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania

2025-06-30T12:54:16+00:00

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global health issue and a form of gender-based violence with far-reaching consequences. Estimates indicate that 39% of married women in Tanzania have experienced spousal violence. This study investigated the factors that contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Dar es Salaam region.

Methods: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design and questionnaires to survey 280 ever-married men and women who had experienced violence during data collection. Participants were randomly selected from social welfare departments, and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the key determinants of IPV.

Results: The study identified several key determinants that significantly influenced IPV, including economic dependence (p=0.009), cohabitation (p=0.020), having multiple sexual partners (p=0.050), parental influence (p=0.032), unplanned pregnancies (p=0.042), low property ownership (p=0.006), and alcohol abuse(p=0.024).

Conclusion: Traditional gender roles enforce rigid expectations for men and women and create power imbalances that perpetuate IPV. This study calls for proactive interventions by the local government and stakeholders, such as religious leaders, to reduce IPV. These include promoting economic empowerment, gender equality, and providing accessible support services for survivors.

Explanatory Factors for Low Access to Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation in Schools in Kinshasa, DR Congo

2025-06-30T12:58:55+00:00

Background: Kinshasa’s urban and peri-urban areas have limited access to water, hygiene, and sanitation. SDG 6 calls for universal and equitable access to WASH by 2030. This situation predisposes pupils to the risk of infection and a drop in their educational performance.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2024 to Dec. 2024 in the educational provinces of Mont-Amba, Lukunga, and Tshangu, with 149 schools selected using 3-stage probability sampling. The data were analyzed using STATA V17.

Results: This study showed that 32% of the schools had a budget for WASH and a hygiene committee. Ninety percent implemented hygiene and sanitation promotion strategies and policies. Only 5.47% of the schools received WASH intervention. 54% of the schools had a water point, with 73% in urban areas and 23% in peri-urban areas (P =0.000). The study also showed that 96.88% of schools had latrines.

Conclusion: This study focused on identifying the factors that explain low access to WASH services. Only the status of schools and the lack of a budget explained the low access rate to WASH.

The Role of Stakeholders and Technological Innovations in Enhancing Waste Governance and Service Delivery

2025-06-30T13:04:31+00:00

This study explored the role of stakeholder collaboration, including communities, scavengers, planning authorities, and other actors, in enhancing urban solid waste governance in rapidly growing cities. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from community members, CBOs, local government officials, and private waste managers through surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary sources. The findings reveal that collaboration improves policy implementation, resource mobilization, and accountability, whereas community participation fosters compliance and sustainable practices. Challenges, such as low public awareness, weak regulatory enforcement, and inadequate infrastructure, hinder progress. Technological innovations like GIS mapping and mobile waste management apps show potential for improving waste collection and reducing illegal dumping, though their adoption remains limited by cost and capacity constraints. Statistical analysis confirms that collaboration, participation, and innovation significantly enhance waste governance, with their combined application having the greatest impact. The study recommends capacity building, stronger enforcement, greater community awareness, and the adoption of affordable technologies, emphasizing the importance of partnerships among local authorities, private sectors, and CBOs to achieve sustainable waste management.

Malawi’s Health System Resilience in Managing Climate- Induced Cholera Outbreaks

2025-06-30T13:08:44+00:00

Malawi’s health system faces major challenges in managing cholera outbreaks, worsened by climate-induced extreme weather events (EWEs) like tropical cyclone-related floods (TCRFs). These disasters amplify existing vulnerabilities, including poor infrastructure and limited resources. The March 2022 outbreak, the most severe in two decades, impacted all 29 districts, with a case fatality rate three times the anticipated threshold of 1%. This paper examines Malawi’s health system’s resilience using a structured literature review approach guided by the WHO Operational Framework for Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems. Through secondary data analysis, case studies, and comparative assessments, it identifies key structural and operational weaknesses. It also explores the role of intersectoral collaboration and community engagement, highlighting initiatives like the Tipewe Cholera Campaign. Drawing on international best practices, the study presents evidence-based recommendations to strengthen governance, health infrastructure, workforce distribution, financing, early warning systems, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure. These measures aim to build a climate-resilient health system capable of effectively managing future outbreaks.

Health Seeking Behaviour of Young Adults in Accra, Ghana

2025-06-30T13:11:48+00:00

Background: Health-seeking behavior encompasses individuals’ actions when facing health issues and can be influenced by various factors, such as socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, and healthcare accessibility. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for improving health outcomes and ensuring effective healthcare utilization.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data on healthcare-seeking behaviors of young adults in Accra. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 330 participants using both convenience and simple random sampling.

Results: Majority of respondents reported their health status as good. However, despite generally positive self-assessments, 48.5% of respondents reported being ill in the past three months, with about 50% diagnosing themselves. Using binary logistic regression, the study found that higher social status increased the likelihood of reported illness (OR = 2.47, p = 0.001), whereas self-employment significantly reduced illness risk (OR = 0.27, p = 0.008).

Conclusion: Barriers identified with regard to seeking healthcare included lack of education, time constraints, and distance. Raising awareness of the importance of timely healthcare seeking and improving access to healthcare services across communities in Accra may help address these challenges.

Factors Hindering Quality of Antenatal Care Among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Healthcare in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

2025-06-30T13:15:56+00:00

Background: Quality antenatal care is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in both developing and developed countries. This study aimed to identify factors hindering the quality of antenatal care among pregnant women attending primary healthcare facilities in Ede South, Osun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, and data were collected using questionnaires. We used Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression for data analysis.

Results: Factors that significantly hindered the quality of antenatal care included healthcare workers not rendering services promptly (p=0.001; AOR=2.87; CI=1.55-5.3), lack of modern equipment (p=0.00; AOR=4.23; CI=2.13-7.75), and healthcare workers lacking sufficient skills (p=0.01; AOR=2.4; CI=1.23-4.68). No significant association was found between socio-demographic variables and perceived quality of antenatal care.

Conclusion: Pregnant women perceive good-quality antenatal care at primary healthcare centers. However, factors such as delayed services, outdated equipment, and inadequate healthcare workers’ skills significantly hinder the quality of care. Addressing these factors could improve the quality of antenatal care services in primary healthcare facilities in Ede South, Osun State, Nigeria.