International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

24 pages, 3784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change and Health: A Study of the Attitudes of Future Science Teachers

by María Rocío Pérez-Mesa, Yair Alexander Porras-Contreras and Rosa Nidia Tuay-Sigua

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010007 - 24 Dec 2024

Living beings as open systems depend on climate and weather to survive. However, changes in the Earth’s climatology, which have become more frequent since the industrial period, have affected different territories of the planet, limiting access to ecosystem services and causing imbalances in [...] Read more.

Living beings as open systems depend on climate and weather to survive. However, changes in the Earth’s climatology, which have become more frequent since the industrial period, have affected different territories of the planet, limiting access to ecosystem services and causing imbalances in health and well-being. The first purpose of this study is to conduct a literature review on academic production regarding climate change and its impact on health, in the context of education, using international academic production condensed in the Web of Science (WOS) database over the last 10 years as a reference. The second purpose focuses on identifying the environmental attitudes of science teachers in initial training regarding aspects related to climate change. The study results show three categories emerging from the literature review: Climate Change and Health, Nature and Risks, and Environment and Energy. For the analysis of environmental attitudes, a survey was conducted with 51 pre-service teachers, consisting of 59 items distributed in five categories: (a) environment, (b) climate change, (c) health, (d) education, and (e) lifestyle. Although the results reveal a positive attitude towards all analyzed categories, it is important to advance effective mitigation and adaptation strategies from the teacher training processes themselves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

16 pages, 489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Under-Five Child Poverty and Income Inequality in South Africa: A Multidimensional Perspective at the Lowest Geographic Areas

by Jabulani Mathebula and Olufunke Alaba

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010006 (registering DOI) - 24 Dec 2024

Abstract

Under-five child poverty and income inequality are complex socio-economic phenomena that significantly impact the well-being of children worldwide. While there is a growing body of literature addressing child poverty in South Africa, our understanding of settlement discrepancies and factors influencing multidimensional under-five child [...] Read more.

Under-five child poverty and income inequality are complex socio-economic phenomena that significantly impact the well-being of children worldwide. While there is a growing body of literature addressing child poverty in South Africa, our understanding of settlement discrepancies and factors influencing multidimensional under-five child poverty and income in the country remains limited. This study assesses under-five-specific multidimensional poverty and the determinates of child poverty and inequality in the lowest geographical areas in South Africa. Alkire-Foster’s methodology was applied to construct and estimate the multidimensional poverty index for under-five children across settlement areas. The selected indicators were designed to reflect the unique deprivations and challenges faced by children in this age group. The results showed that there is a significant number of children who are deprived in indicators such as access to ECD (43%), hunger (20%), and education and employment at 69% and 65%, respectively. These are some key variables that require policy interventions to improve the development outcomes of children. The logistic regression results showed that 14 out of the 34 predictors were significant. Inequality was significant and positive at 1%. The findings suggest that more work still needs to be undertaken to improve the living conditions of children, especially in the former homelands, to achieve the goals set in the National Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals. In the past, non-whites were assigned a homeland according to their ethnicity or a place where national or ethnic identity has formed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Epidemiology and Global Health)

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19 pages, 2450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Possibility to Grasp the Older Drivers’ Conditions from the Triennial Nationwide Survey of Japan for Elderly Welfare

by Mengmeng He, Yasuhiro Yamanaka and Kazuya Takamatsu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010005 - 24 Dec 2024

Abstract

The percentage of older drivers is increasing worldwide. Older adults are driving for their daily lives, including drivers who should not drive, “must-watch drivers”, for health conditions, etc. The “Public Survey of Long-Term Care Prevention and Needs in Spheres of Daily Life (Needs [...] Read more.

The percentage of older drivers is increasing worldwide. Older adults are driving for their daily lives, including drivers who should not drive, “must-watch drivers”, for health conditions, etc. The “Public Survey of Long-Term Care Prevention and Needs in Spheres of Daily Life (Needs Survey)”, including the “Kihon Checklist (KCL)”, is a triennial nationwide survey conducted by welfare administrations in Japan. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the Needs Survey can capture situations (e.g., driving avoidance) of older drivers obtained by previous studies, many of which are one-time surveys. As for our methods, we administered a survey with a format of questions used in previous studies combined with KCL to all older adults in Tsurui Village, a rural community in Japan, obtained 393 responses, around half of them, and conducted a logistic regression analysis to estimate whether they were driving or not and a multiple regression analysis for the frequency of driving avoidance. The former analysis showed that KCL could detect must-watch drivers with relatively deteriorated health among not-so-old adults, adding to another one with relatively not-so-bad health among much older adults, and the latter analysis showed that the KCL scores could be an alternative to the self-rating of driving ability used in previous studies. In conclusion, KCL in the Needs Survey is recommended to be a valuable survey for regularly assessing the driving conditions of older drivers nationwide. Full article

19 pages, 1871 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Health Outcomes of Construction Workers Building Infrastructure for Mega-Sporting Events: A Systematic Review of the Literature

by Davide J. Testa, João P. Vale, Leonidas G. Ioannou, Petros C. Dinas, Tiago S. Mayor, Kristine H. Onarheim, Zahra R. Babar, Sally Hargreaves and Andreas D. Flouris

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010004 - 24 Dec 2024

Abstract

Background: Migrant construction workers involved in building infrastructure for mega-sporting events face elevated risks of illness and death. However, specific health outcomes for these workers have not been systematically reviewed, limiting opportunities to identify and address their challenges. Methods: This study systematically reviewed [...] Read more.

Background: Migrant construction workers involved in building infrastructure for mega-sporting events face elevated risks of illness and death. However, specific health outcomes for these workers have not been systematically reviewed, limiting opportunities to identify and address their challenges. Methods: This study systematically reviewed health outcomes among migrant construction workers involved in mega-sporting events. Results: 89 eligible studies involving 23,307 workers were identified. Of these, only 11 directly addressed specific health outcomes, including heat stress, occupational fatalities, and sexually transmitted infections. Notably, increased heat exposure during peak construction phases and the proximity of deadlines for mega-sporting events were correlated with elevated rates of occupational fatalities. Other key adverse factors impacting migrant construction workers’ health included an observed correlation between the timing of mega-sporting events and increased occupational fatalities, the involvement of labor recruiters, and shifting health and safety responsibilities among stakeholders (e.g., host states, event organizers, contractors, and recruitment agencies). Positive outcomes were observed when workers voluntarily engaged in non-mandatory safety activities, such as safety training programs and awareness meetings. Conclusions: There is a critical need for longitudinal and comparative studies to comprehensively examine the health of migrant workers throughout all stages of their journey, from pre-migration to return. This review underscores the urgency of prioritizing evidence-based policies that address unique health risks in this population, including mitigation of heat stress and enforcement of occupational safety standards, particularly amid construction spikes preceding mega-sporting events. Recommendations: Future research should prioritize understanding the unique health challenges faced by migrant workers to inform policy making, develop effective interventions, and implement best practices to improve their health and well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Health)

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9 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessEssay

The Use of Haloperidol as a Sedative During Childbirth: An Extreme Form of Obstetric Violence in Spain

by Ibone Olza, Oscar Quintela and Araceli García-Martínez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010003 - 24 Dec 2024

Abstract

Obstetric violence during pregnancy and childbirth is unfortunately a major problem throughout the world. Neuroleptanalgesia is a classic form of analgesia which consists in administering analgesics and neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, simultaneously. Haloperidol is still occasionally used during childbirth and, in most cases, [...] Read more.

Obstetric violence during pregnancy and childbirth is unfortunately a major problem throughout the world. Neuroleptanalgesia is a classic form of analgesia which consists in administering analgesics and neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, simultaneously. Haloperidol is still occasionally used during childbirth and, in most cases, without informed consent in Spain. It is used with the excuse of being an antiemetic, but the reality is that it is a form of obstetric violence called chemical submission. The combination of haloperidol with opioids leads to a potentiation of the sedative effects of both drugs, which may lead to multiplied risks for both mother and baby. At present, the use of haloperidol during childbirth is a practice exclusive to Spain. In fact, the association El Parto es Nuestro (Birth Is Ours) launched an awareness campaign in February 2021 aimed at eradicating the use of haloperidol during childbirth without informed consent. The present essay aims to bring awareness about the ongoing practice of using haloperidol. It is of great importance to eradicate this practice that is so harmful to mothers and their babies, as well as educate health personnel regarding this situation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)

16 pages, 2068 KiB

Open AccessReview

Digital Health Interventions for Adolescents with Long-Term Health Conditions in South Africa: A Scoping Review

by Talitha Crowley, Lwandile Tokwe, Leonie Weyers, Rukshana Francis and Charné Petinger

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010002 - 24 Dec 2024

Abstract

Adolescents with long-term health conditions may benefit from digital health interventions (DHIs) to support self-management. The study aimed to map the current research on DHIs for adolescents with long-term conditions in South Africa, focusing on the types of interventions, targeted chronic conditions, and [...] Read more.

Adolescents with long-term health conditions may benefit from digital health interventions (DHIs) to support self-management. The study aimed to map the current research on DHIs for adolescents with long-term conditions in South Africa, focusing on the types of interventions, targeted chronic conditions, and reported outcomes. The scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Searches were conducted in electronic databases such as EBSCOHost (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate, and APA PSycArticles), Wiley Online Library, and PubMed for articles published between 2014 and 2024. Studies that (1) involved adolescents with a long-term health condition (aged 15–24) residing in South Africa, (2) reported on the use of digital health technology, and (3) provided empirical evidence were included. Nine studies were included in the analysis, focusing primarily on HIV, depression/anxiety, and diabetes. Most interventions utilized WhatsApp, SMS, or social media to provide peer or healthcare worker support. Process outcomes like acceptability and feasibility dominated, with limited data on effectiveness. DHIs show potential for supporting adolescent health but cover a limited number of long-term health conditions and face barriers to effective implementation. Affordable, context-specific solutions co-designed with adolescents are crucial to enhance engagement and ensure scalability in the South African context. Registration: The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Health in South Africa)

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24 pages, 1273 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Scoping Review of the Current Knowledge of the Social Determinants of Health and Infectious Diseases (Specifically COVID-19, Tuberculosis, and H1N1 Influenza) in Canadian Arctic Indigenous Communities

by Fariba Kolahdooz, Se Lim Jang, Sarah Deck, David Ilkiw, Gertrude Omoro, Arja Rautio, Sami Pirkola, Helle Moeller, Gary Ferguson, Birgitta Evengård, Lianne Mantla-Look, Debbie DeLancey, André Corriveau, Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox, Adrian Wagg, Cindy Roache, Katherine Rittenbach, Henry J. Conter, Ryan Falk and Sangita Sharma

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010001 - 24 Dec 2024

Abstract

Social determinants of health (SDHs) and the impact of colonization can make Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities susceptible to infectious diseases, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This scoping review followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and studied what is known about selected [...] Read more.

Social determinants of health (SDHs) and the impact of colonization can make Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities susceptible to infectious diseases, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This scoping review followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and studied what is known about selected pandemics (COVID-19, tuberculosis, and H1N1 influenza) and SDHs (healthcare accessibility, food insecurity, mental health, cultural continuity, housing, community infrastructure, and socioeconomic status (SES)) for Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities. Original studies published in English and French up to October 2024 were located in databases (PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL), AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, and through reference tracking. We included 118 studies: 6 relating to COVID-19, 5 to influenza, 5 to TB, 27 to food insecurity, 26 to healthcare access, 22 to mental health, 9 to SES, 8 to housing, 7 to cultural continuity, and 3 to community infrastructure. SDHs affecting Indigenous individuals include food insecurity, limited healthcare access, mental health challenges, low SES, suboptimal housing, and limited cultural continuity. These findings are relevant to other Arctic regions. It is crucial to understand how SDHs impact the health of Arctic communities and to utilize this information to inform policy and practice decisions for pandemic prevention, management, and treatment. Many SDHs pose challenges for preventing and managing infectious diseases. Full article

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, Volume 22, Issue 1 (January 2025) – 7 articles

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