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Conceptual framework of multidisciplinary health-based systems approach for understanding the water-related infectious disease cycle.
Source publication
Even when initially successful, many interventions aimed at reducing the toll of water-related infectious disease have not been sustainable over longer periods of time. Here we review historical practices in water-related infectious disease research and propose an interdisciplinary public health oriented systems approach to research and interventio...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... proposed research framework acknowledges the dynamics of infectious dis- ease transmission and integrates the disciplin- ary approaches. Figure 2 depicts linkages of key processes within the water-related infec- tious disease cycle. The four key interrelated components that constitute the water-related infectious disease transmission cycle are repre- sented near the center of the figure: ...Context 2
... Figure 2, we highlight the interdisci- plinary teaming within a systems framework, specifically the five frames reviewed above (outer circles), designed to capture the com- plex dynamics and multiple temporal and spatial scales of water-related infectious disease problems. Rather than reducing the validity of traditional approaches, the proposed frame- work is intended to be integrative and prob- lem oriented, incorporating these and other relevant and helpful disciplines or techniques. ...Citations
... Improving water infrastructure could create a "win-win" scenario by 717 simultaneously addressing malaria control and enhancing other areas of health, such 718 as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), while supporting economic livelihoods 719 (World Health Organization, 2023). By providing reliable and safe alternative water 720 sources, communities would be less dependent on natural habitats that serve as 721 mosquito breeding grounds, allowing for more effective LSM strategies without Moreover, better water infrastructure can improve overall public health by reducing 724 waterborne diseases and providing essential resources for agriculture and livestock, 725 thus boosting local economies (Batterman et al., 2009). Integrating LSM efforts with 726 broader development initiatives focused on enhancing water infrastructure would not 727 only facilitate sustainable malaria control but also promote long-term community well-728 being and resilience (Whittaker and Smith, 2015;Hakizimana et al., 2022). ...
Introduction
Larval source management (LSM) can effectively suppress mosquito populations at source and provides an opportunity to address major challenges such as insecticide resistance that undermine primary interventions like insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). While mostly implemented in urban and arid settings, emerging research indicates its potential in some rural settings in east and southern Africa, where the main malaria vector, Anopheles funestus , prefers permanent and semi-permanent water bodies that support year-round transmission. Targeting these unique habitats could amplify effectiveness of LSM but requires careful considerations of local societal practices and expectations - particularly since mosquito breeding sites often also serve as community water resources. The aim of this study was therefore to explore how the societal uses of aquatic habitats by local communities in rural south-eastern Tanzania might influence LSM strategies, focusing on habitats frequented by An. funestus .
Methods
This study was conducted in three villages in the Ulanga and Malinyi districts of southeastern Tanzania using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through a cross-sectional surveillance of all aquatic habitats, while qualitative data were gathered via a combination of individual unstructured interviews, focus group discussions with various community groups and field observations of community practices and activities. Data analysis employed weaving and inferencing techniques to integrate findings from both quantitative and qualitative components, thereby developing a comprehensive understanding from the respondents’ perspectives.
Results
A survey of 931 aquatic habitats revealed that 73% contained mosquito larvae, with late instar An. funestus identified in 23% of these habitats. River streams segments were the most common habitat type, accounting for 41%, followed by ground pools at 4%; other types included pits, rice fields, ditches, and puddles. Community use was noted for 90% of these habitats, including 95% of those with An. funestus larvae, for activities such as domestic chores such as cooking, washing utensils, washing clothes and bathing, agriculture, livestock rearing, brickmaking, and fishing. Focus group discussions indicated community readiness to implement LSM, favoring larviciding and habitat manipulation over habitat removal. Community concerns regarding LSM centered on the safety of larvicides for animal and human health and their environmental impact. The discussions proved the need for LSM interventions to integrate seamlessly with daily activities; and for community education on LSM safety and efficacy.
Conclusion
This study offers valuable insights into community perspectives on LSM for malaria control in rural settings, emphasizing the dual role of aquatic habitats as both mosquito breeding sites and community water sources. This presents a set of unique challenges and opportunities – suggesting that LSM strategies must address both the biological aspects of mosquito control and the socio-economic realities of local communities. Notably, there was a marked preference for larviciding and habitat manipulation over habitat removal, with a strong emphasis on health and environmental safety. Overall, the study highlights the critical importance of educating communities, adopting culturally sensitive approaches to LSM, and aligning LSM strategies with the needs, perspectives, and daily lives of local communities.
... Promoting hygiene, improving sanitation, and guaranteeing access to clean water are the main objectives of prophylactic environmental health strategies. Insect breeding sites and proper waste management are important environmental controls that can help prevent the transmission of vectorand water-borne diseases (Batterman et al. 2009). Important components include: ...
In this chapter, we explore the far-reaching impacts of zoonotic diseases on human health, shedding light on their historical importance and the profound effects they exert on societies. The section emphasizes the s requirement for decisive interventions to prevent and manage the transmission of these diseases. We navigate the intricate interplay linking zoonotic diseases to the rapid dissemination of diseases, with specific reference to the current global impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Within this framework, the chapter underscores the pivotal role of prophylactic and metaphylactic approaches in directly addressing these diseases. These approaches encompass strategies such as One Health surveillance, vaccination, and antimicrobial stewardship. Importantly, the chapter reveals the significance of advancements in rapid diagnostics and genomic surveillance. These breakthroughs are deemed essential for tailoring metaphylactic interventions and implementing comprehensive containment strategies. The integrated One Health approach assumes a central position, urging collaboration among experts from diverse disciplines dedicated to human, animal, and environmental health. The narrative highlights the crucial role of public awareness, risk communication, and international collaboration in the collective endeavor to combat zoonotic diseases. Shifting the focus to prophylactic and metaphylactic strategies, the chapter provides an extensive overview. Vaccination emerges as a pivotal element in disease prevention, complemented by strategies such as antimicrobial prophylaxis, vector control, sanitation enhancements, biosafety, biosecurity measures, and early detection through surveillance and monitoring. Health education and public awareness initiatives take precedence, alongside targeted antimicrobial utilization and strategies for the management of wildlife and rodent populations, all contributing to the mitigation of the spread of zoonotic diseases. In conclusion, the chapter emphasizes the interconnected significance of zoonotic disease control. It advocates for evidence-based decision-making, risk-based approaches, and a collaborative front across diverse disciplines and sectors. The chapter underscores the imperative for strategic, proactive measures to eliminate these global health threats, providing a compelling directive in response to the ongoing challenges posed by zoonotic diseases.
... Facultative pathogens are free-living microorganisms that are characterized by their ability to persist, reproduce, and transmit to susceptible hosts directly from their natural habitats [1]. Many are the causative agents of significant world-wide public health burdens, and yet, given their environmental sourcing, cannot be eradicated [2,3]. Some members of the Vibrionaceae, a family of aquatic bacteria, rank among the best known of facultative pathogens, with broad niche breadths and a nearly pan-coastal distribution [4]. ...
V. vulnificus is one of the deadliest waterborne pathogens, yet little is known of the ecological and environmental forces that drive outbreaks. As a nationally notifiable disease, all cases of V. vulnificus diagnosed in the United States are reported to the state in which they occurred, as well as to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Given that the state of Florida is a 'hotspot' for V. vulnificus in the United States, we examined the prevalence and incidence of cases reported to the Florida Department of Health (2008-2020). Using a dataset comprised of 448 cases of disease caused by V. vulnificus infection, we identified meteorological variables that were associated with clinical cases and deaths. Combined with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we first utilized correlation analysis to examine the linear relationships between satellite meteorological measurements such as wind speed, air temperature, water temperature, and sea-level pressure. We then measured the correlation of those meteorological variables with coastal cases of V. vulnificus, including the outcome, survival, or death. We also constructed a series of logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between temporal and meteorological variables during months that V. vulnificus cases were reported versus months when V. vulnificus cases were not reported. We report that between 2008 and 2020, V. vulnificus cases generally increased over time, peaking in 2017. As water temperature and air temperature increased, so too did the likelihood that infection with V. vulnificus would lead to patient death. We also found that as mean wind speed and sea-level pressure decreased, the probability that a V. vulnificus case would be reported increased. In summary, we discuss the potential factors that may contribute to the observed correlations and speculate that meteorological variables may increase in their public health relevance in light of rising global temperatures.
... In this period of steadily growing populations, the need to develop living conditions may lead to certain prominent environmental problems, like ionizing radiation, and air and water pollution, which may cause high-risk health problems like chronic sickness and metal toxicity [1,2]. The government has introduced several environment-related projects and proficient health and safety programs to tackle illnesses, food manufacture, atmospheric pollution, and water security [3,4]. The mosquito-borne illness identified as the dengue virus (DV), spread by female Aedes mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, is one of the most prevalent and fatal viruses found anywhere in the world. ...
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor devices accommodate immense capability for several applications in monitoring and detecting the progress of a disease. SPR sensors are a vital subset of chemical sensors that offer exceptional sensitivity and cost-effectiveness. Silver-barium titanate (BaTiO 3)-cerium oxide (CeO 2) multi-layered nanostructure integrated SPR sensor has been designed for the early diagnosis of dengue virus. The thickness of the multilayer structure has been optimized. The optimized structure consists of one layer of Ag, one layer of BaTiO 3 , and 28 layers of CeO 2. The numerical study conducted here monitors the resonance angle. The observation indicated that the functional molecule on the SPR led to a shift in the SPR angle towards a higher incident angle, which signifies the alteration in the refractive index proportionate to the number of attached molecules. The sensitivity, FWHM, DA, and FoM has been computed and obtained as 203.22 deg/ RIU, 3.28 deg, 0.54 deg −1 , and 73.13 RIU −1 respectively. The output results demonstrated that the SPR could potentially be a useful tool for detecting dengue viruses with promising results.
... Epidemiological investigations of waterbased infectious pathogens may help track trends in risk of transmission at the community level (Batterman et al., 2009;Daughton, 2020). Estimates of the amount of SARS-CoV2 virus RNA copies from wastewater in Australia, for example, have been published and used to estimate the number of persons infected with COVID-19 in these water locations. ...
In this review, we describe the known mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance which was increasing in this era, due to the misuse of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, or genetic and phenotypic mechanisms. The special concerns addressed by designated researchers in their study and WHO in their observations and reports, regarding the types or strains of bacteria with antimicrobial resistances, were described. In addition, the predicted mechanisms that promote the development and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance, such as bacterial biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, genetic mutations, free DNA which contains antimicrobial resistance genes, and plasmids transfer through transformation or conjugation from bacterial cell to cell were well described. In addition, we also tried to describe the use of Z. officinale. The antimicrobial capabilities of this herbal plant are attributed to its capacity to create many secondary metabolites with rather complicated structures that have antibacterial and antioxidant characteristics. Z. officinale had been used for many kinds of disease treatment traditionally. And along the way, the advance techniques of research in chemistry and biology fields had found out the composition and bioactive compounds. The common online databases such as PubMed, Semantic Scholar, Crossref, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) were utilized in this review to conduct literature searches. According to the recent progress of antimicrobial cases observed, the efforts to strengthen the surveillance, and general health systems, tightened the antimicrobial medicine distribution rules, and education for the public are indeed needed.
... Despite the achievements that have been recorded with increased access to potable water, millions of people suffer various health-related preventable diseases [24] due to the consumption of contaminated water [25,126] . The nature and impact of water-related infectious diseases are mediated by both ecologic and socioeconomic processes [27] . ...
A study on the quality of the water consumed and on the determinants of the prevalence of typhoid fever was
carried out in two health zones (Kadutu and Miti-Murhesa) of the province of south Kivu from June to
September 2021.The study aimed at contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge that can be used in
the control of water-borne disease crisis such as typhoid fever in rural areas of the DRCongo. The study carried
out was of the analytical cross-sectional type with primary data collected from field using a semi-structured
questionnaire. Water samples were collected and analyzed for bacteriological and physicochemical quality
using standard procedures. The generalized linear model (GLM) with Gaussian identity model and or with a
logarithmic link function, was applied to investigate socio-economic and environmental factors likely
influencing the knowledge of respondents about the causes and health consequences of the current prevalence of
typhoid fever in the health zones of Kadutu and Miti-Murhesa.
The results indicated that the greater majority of the respondents did not perceive the water they drink as
possible source of diseases. In rural health zones, sanitary condition was generally poor, refuse disposal and
toilet system still primitive. Most households from rural health zone do not treat the water they drink as they were using open and unprotected toilet systems, which Included open pit toilet, bush method, or use of lake/river
banks. Urban communities with that had better social and economic facilities were less exposed to risks of
typhoid fever, particularly during early rains of the rainy season.
There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the sites (health zone) as to the level of knowledge of the
type of water consumed and its influence on the prevalence of typhoid fever. There was significant (P<0.05)
variability in the values of the physico-chemical properties of the water consumed in the surveyed health zones,
although values were in conformity with WHO standards for the Africa for potable water. Germs isolated in the
water samples indicated bacterial pollution of water consumed by the public in the two health zones. The
causative germ of typhoid fever was found being influenced by the sources where the samples were collected. In
the Kadutu health zone, the level of knowledge of respondents of the determinants of the prevalence of the
typhoid fever was positively influenced by the age (GLM : Z= 3.33, P<0.001), negatively influenced by the
type of health zone where the respondent lived (GLM : Z= -4.94, P<0.001), the respondent’s neighborhood of
residence environment (GLM : Z= -3.78, P<0.001), the sex (GLM : Z= -3.53, P<0.001), the level of study
(GLM : Z= -3.69, P<0.05), and to the fact that the respondent does or not wash the containers (GLM : Z= -4.45,
P<0.001).. In the Miti-Murhesa health zone, the perception of the factors that determine the prevalence of
typhoid fever was reported for being influenced negatively by whether or not to consume the food prepared a
day before (GLM : Z= -4.32, P<0.05), and positively influenced by the civil status (GLM : Z= 2.11, P<0.05), the
type of water consumed (GLM : Z= 2.82, P<0.001), the type of treatment applied to the drinking water (GLM :
Z= 3.20, P<0.001). Overall, the result showed that the proposed water by the national water corporation
company (REGIDESO) for human consumption was in the process of degradation. The results showed that the
mean values recorded for physico-chemical parameters among the domestic water sources were within stipulated
limits of WHO for safe drinking water, but not within REGIDESO standards. Due to the levels of microbes in
the water, the water quality used by the population can be regarded as of poor quality. Thus, important measures
should be taken by the health authorities to slow down the current process on order to reduce the future
emergency and burden of the of water-borne diseases in rural and urban areas of South-Kivu, eastern DRCongo.
... Facultative pathogens are free-living microorganisms that are characterized by their ability to persist, reproduce, and transmit to susceptible hosts directly from their natural habitats [1]. Many are the causative agents of significant worldwide public health burdens, and yet, given their environmental sourcing, cannot be eradicated [2,3]. Some members of the Vibrionaceae, a family of aquatic bacteria, rank among the best known of facultative pathogens, with broad niche breadths and a nearly pan-coastal distribution [4]. ...
Vibrio vulnificus remains one of the deadliest waterborne pathogens, yet little is known of the ecology that drive outbreaks. As a nationally notifiable disease, all cases of Vibrio vulnificus diagnosed in the United States are reported to the state in which they occurred, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Given that the state of Florida is a 'hotspot' for Vibrio vulnificus in the United States, we examined the prevalence and incidence of cases reported to the Florida Department of Health (2008-2020). Using a dataset comprised of 448 cases of disease caused by Vibrio vulnificus infection, we identified environmental variables that were associated with clinical cases and deaths. Combined with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we developed statistical models to examine the relationship between meteorological measurements such as wind speed, air temperature, water temperature, and sea-level pressure. We then examined the association of those meteorological variables with coastal cases of Vibrio vulnificus, including the outcome, survival, or death. Between 2008 and 2020, Vibrio vulnificus cases generally increased over time, peaking in 2017. Not surprisingly, there appears to be a strong correlation between water temperature and air temperature in Florida. However, as water temperature and air temperature increased, so too did the likelihood that an infection with Vibrio vulnificus would lead to patient death. Interestingly, we also found that as mean wind speed and sea-level pressure decreased, the probability that a Vibrio vulnificus case would be reported increased. Given these results, we discuss the potential factors that may contribute to the observed correlations. We further speculate that the meteorological variables we measured may increase in importance as they relate to the incidence of Vibrio vulnificus in light of rising global temperatures.
... The study of the health risk linked to diarrheal diseases requires an interdisciplinary analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods. However, these approaches are still rare as already pointed out by Batterman et al. [130]. ...
In 2017, diarrheal diseases were responsible for 606 024 deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. This situation is due to domestic and recreational use of polluted surface waters, deficits in hygiene, access to healthcare and drinking water, and to weak environmental and health monitoring infrastructures. Escherichia coli ( E . coli ) is an indicator for the enteric pathogens that cause many diarrheal diseases. The links between E . coli , diarrheal diseases and environmental parameters have not received much attention in West Africa, and few studies have assessed health risks by taking into account hazards and socio-health vulnerabilities. This case study, carried out in Burkina Faso (Bagre Reservoir), aims at filling this knowledge gap by analyzing the environmental variables that play a role in the dynamics of E . coli , cases of diarrhea, and by identifying initial vulnerability criteria. A particular focus is given to satellite-derived parameters to assess whether remote sensing can provide a useful tool to assess the health hazard. Samples of surface water were routinely collected to measure E . coli , enterococci and suspended particulate matter (SPM) at a monitoring point (Kapore) during one year. In addition, satellite data were used to estimate precipitation, water level, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and SPM. Monthly epidemiological data for cases of diarrhea from three health centers were also collected and compared with microbiological and environmental data. Finally, semi-structured interviews were carried out to document the use of water resources, contact with elements of the hydrographic network, health behavior and condition, and water and health policy and prevention, in order to identify the initial vulnerability criteria. A positive correlation between E . coli and enterococci in surface waters was found indicating that E . coli is an acceptable indicator of fecal contamination in this region. E . coli and diarrheal diseases were strongly correlated with monsoonal precipitation, in situ SPM, and Near Infra-Red (NIR) band between March and November. Partial least squares regression showed that E . coli concentration was strongly associated with precipitation, Sentinel-2 reflectance in the NIR and SPM, and that the cases of diarrhea were strongly associated with precipitation, NIR, E . coli , SPM, and to a lesser extent with NDVI. Moreover, E . coli dynamics were reproduced using satellite data alone, particularly from February to mid-December (R ² = 0.60) as were cases of diarrhea throughout the year (R ² = 0.76). This implies that satellite data could provide an important contribution to water quality monitoring. Finally, the vulnerability of the population was found to increase during the rainy season due to reduced accessibility to healthcare and drinking water sources and increased use of water of poor quality. During this period, surface water is used because it is close to habitations, easy to use and free from monetary or political constraints. This vulnerability is aggravated by marginality and particularly affects the Fulani, whose concessions are often close to surface water (river, lake) and far from health centers.
... Likewise the results on sanitation situation found that 94.2% of the households were using unimproved form of toilets, of which 78.5% were using traditional pit latrines and 15.7% open defecation. It has been observed by (Batterman et al., 2009) that insanitary water related diseases such as diarrhoea was one of the major cause of illness and death in Africa. (Schriewer et al., 2015) showed that in most cases faecal contaminations and poor cleanness of sanitation facilities and environmental surroundings become more severe during flooding. ...
Climate change scenario shows that areas with bimodal rainfall pattern and major river basins including the Rufiji basin are anticipated to receive an increase of rainfall intensity by 5% to 45%, with a decrease of raining seasons. This incident is expected to upsurge the frequency and magnitude of extreme flood events and cause serious devastations to vulnerable communities. This paper examined the progression of factors causing community vulnerability to flood disasters as basis for developing appropriate flood risk reduction strategies. Data collection methods involved household survey, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, remote sensing and hydrological analysis. The household survey and hydrological data were analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Science and Trend Analysis software. Data from focus group discussion and interviews were triangulated with community during participatory discussions. Results showed high degree of community vulnerability to flood impacts extending from geographical, social, economic, political and environmental factors. The catchment delineation model showed that the community is geographically located in flood hazardous areas because the river networks flow into the study area. Also, severity of flood impacts was locally related by the recent influx of cattle in the area which has contributed to land degradation, increased runoff and siltation of the Rufiji river. Furthermore, lack of access to social services such as education, health, water and sanitation facilities were found to largely reduce socioeconomic abilities while illuminating underlying vulnerabilities of study communities to flood impacts. The findings suggested combining underlying and immediate factors in reducing future community vulnerability to flood disasters.
... Public health outcomes stemming from flood events are typically acute and severe, particularly in developing or tropical regions, potentially including death and injury, contaminated drinking water, endemic and infectious diseases, and community disruption and displacement. Although the impacts of floods on public health have been investigated (Ahern et al., 2005;Alderman et al., 2012;Batterman et al., 2009;Du et al., 2010;Tapsell et al., 2002), integrated management of flood and health risks is technically and institutionally limited. ...
Floods are the most common and damaging natural disaster in Bangladesh, and the effects of floods on public health have increased significantly in recent decades, particularly among lower socioeconomic populations. Assessments of social vulnerability on flood-induced health outcomes typically focus on local to regional scales; a notable gap remains in comprehensive, large-scale assessments that may foster disaster management practices. In this study, socioeconomic, health, and coping capacity vulnerability and composite social-health vulnerability are assessed using both equal-weight and principal-component approaches using 26 indicators across Bangladesh. Results indicate that vulnerable zones exist in the northwest riverine areas, northeast floodplains, and southwest region, potentially affecting 42 million people (26 % of the total population). Subsequently, the vulnerability measures are linked to flood forecast and satellite inundation information to evaluate their potential for predicting actual flood impact indices (distress, damage, disruption, and health) based on the immense August 2017 flood event. Overall, the forecast-based equally weighted vulnerability measures perform best. Specifically, socioeconomic and coping capacity vulnerability measures strongly align with the distress, disruption, and health impact records observed. Additionally, the forecast-based composite social-health vulnerability index also correlates well with the impact indices, illustrating its utility in identifying predominantly vulnerable regions. These findings suggest the benefits and practicality of this approach to assess both thematic and comprehensive spatial vulnerabilities, with the potential to support targeted and coordinated public disaster management and health practices.
