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Showing posts from May, 2024

FOOD SAFETY

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INTRODUCTION Ensuring the well-being of communities and populations hinges on public health safety, a multifaceted approach encompassing measures to prevent disease transmission, foster healthy lifestyles, and cultivate secure environments for individuals to flourish. This article delves into the significance of public health safety, examining its diverse components, the hurdles it encounters, and the strategies deployed to uphold public health. Importance of Public Health Safety: Public health safety stands as a linchpin in upholding the holistic health and welfare of communities. Through the implementation of measures to thwart infectious diseases, it alleviates strain on healthcare systems and preserves lives. Vital initiatives like vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and swift interventions during outbreaks are pivotal in mitigating the impact of communicable diseases. Additionally, public health safety encompasses the promotion of healthy behaviors such as sound nutrition,...

HIV/AIDS

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  INTRODUCTION Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food. It can also spread from a mother to her baby. Signs and symptoms The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. The disease spreads more easily in the first few months after a person is infected, but many are unaware of their status until the later stages. In the first few weeks after being infected people may not experience symptoms. Others may have an influenza-like illness including: fever headache rash sore throat. The infection progressively weakens th...

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

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Introduction: Occupational health and safety encompass various specialized fields and aim to ensure the highest levels of physical, mental, and social well-being among workers, prevent health issues stemming from work conditions, safeguard workers from health risks, provide suitable work environments, and tailor work to human needs. Poor working conditions have a detrimental impact on worker health and safety, spanning beyond factories to encompass indoor and outdoor workplaces, such as agricultural settings or mines, affecting workers, their families, and the community at large. Significance of Occupational Health and Safety: Given that most individuals spend a significant portion of their day at work, safe and healthy work environments are paramount. However, many workers globally face numerous health hazards, including exposure to dust, gases, noise, vibration, and extreme temperatures. Regrettably, some employers neglect their duty to protect workers' health and safety, leading...

Anxiety disorder

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  INTRODUCTION Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Mild levels of anxiety can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders. They affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. However, anxiety disorders are treatable with a number of psychotherapeutic treatments. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives. Anxiety refers to anticipation of a future concern and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance behavior. Fear is an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more associated with a fight or flight reaction – either staying to fight or leaving to escape danger. TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDER Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily...

Cancer

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INTRODUCTION Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.  Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply (through a process called cell division) to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue. Tumors can be cancerous or not cancerous (benign).  Differences between Cancer Cells and Normal Cell Cancer cells differ from normal cells in many ways. For instance, cancer cells: grow in the absence of signals telling them to grow. Normal cells only grow when they receive such signals.  ignore signals that normally tell cells to stop dividing or to die (a process known, programmed cel...

Public health and safety

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INTRODUCTION Public health safety is an essential aspect of maintaining the wellbeing of communities and populations. It encompasses a wide range of measures and practices aimed at preventing disease transmission, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating safe environments for individuals to thrive. This article discusses about the significance of public health safety, exploring its various components, the challenges it faces, and the strategies employed to safeguard the health of the public. Importance of public health safety Public health safety plays a critical role in safeguarding the overall health and well-being of communities. By implementing measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, it reduces the burden on healthcare systems and saves lives. Vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and timely interventions during outbreaks are vital in curtailing the impact of communicable diseases. Public health safety also encompasses promoting healthy behaviors such as prop...

Teenage drug addiction

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INTRODUCTION Teenage brain is in the process of maturing. In general, it is more focused to rewards and taking risk than the adult brain. At the same time teenagers push parents for greater freedom as teens begin to explore their personality. That can be a challenging tightrope for parents. Teens who experiment with drugs and other substances put their health and safety at risk. The teen brain is particularly vulnerable to being rewired by substances that overload the reward circuits in the brain.  1. Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed.  This includes norms, behavior and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time.  2. Gender influences people’s experience of and access to healthcare. The way that health services are organized and provided can either limit or enable a person...

Child health and development

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INTRODUCTION Child development can be defined as the process by which a child changes over time. It covers the whole period from conception to an individual becoming a fully functioning adult. It’s a journey from total dependence to full independence. Child development incorporates, physical growth as well as intellectual, language, emotional and social development. Whilst these aspects are often considered separately, in reality each influence all of the others. 1] MILESTONES Whilst each child develops at their own pace, a number of typical age-related milestones have been identified. Considerable variation around when these milestones are reached is normal. For example, a child will usually start taking their first steps at around 12 to 13 months. The milestone is, therefore, set at around 12 months, but some children don’t walk until 18 months. This represents normal variation. However, a child not walking by 2 years old would need to be followed up. 2] PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Starting...

Adolescent Health

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INTRODUCTION Survival chances for adolescents and young adults vary greatly across the world. In 2021, the probability of dying among those aged 10-24 years was highest in sub-Saharan Africa and lowest in Europe and Northern America. The average global probability of a 10-year-old dying before age 24 was about 6 times higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in North America and Europe. Within the age group 10–24 years, mortality rates are lowest among adolescents aged 10–14, and highest among young adults aged 20–24 years. Females generally have lower mortality rates for these ages than males. Main health issues Many unintentional injuries such as road traffic and drowning are the leading cause of death and disability among adolescents. Road traffic accidents In 2019, 115000 (10–19 years) died as a result of road traffic accidents .  Many of those who died were vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists or users of motorized two-wheelers. Drowning Drowning is also among ...