Environmental Health Insights最新文献

{"title":"Levels of Uranium in Soil and Dust and Their Associated Chemical Risks to Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Limbani Rodney Kalumbi, Kgomotso Lebelo, Masilu Daniel Masekameni, Wells Utembe, Derk Brouwer","doi":"10.1177/11786302261430546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302261430546","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental uranium contamination is a growing public health concern driven by mining, nuclear operations, phosphate fertiliser use, and improper waste disposal. These activities raise uranium levels in soil and dust, increasing human exposure and health risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise global data on uranium contamination in soil and dust, specifically evaluating carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks across populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, applying the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal criteria for data extraction. Meta-analyses were performed, incorporating pooled estimates where appropriate. Narrative synthesis was applied to data unsuitable for meta-analysis. Eighteen studies from 13 countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean uranium concentration was 3.49 mg/kg in soil and 5.10 mg/kg in dust. Regionally, the WHO South-East Asian Region (SEARO) reported the highest mean soil concentrations (5.26 mg/kg), while the Western Pacific Region recorded the highest dust concentrations (11.69 mg/kg). Non-carcinogenic hazard quotients ranged from 3.1 × 10^-13 (children and adults) to 1.47 (adults), and carcinogenic risks spanned 3.54 × 10^-21 (children) to 2.17 × 10^-9 (adults). Uranium contamination in soil and dust varies by region, with SEARO and the Western Pacific as high-exposure areas. Risk ratios vary, influenced partly by age. Enhancing exposure assessment methods and age-specific risk evaluations is crucial for refining risk characterisation and informing public health interventions in uranium-affected areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261430546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148758681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of Natural Disasters on Emergency Care Delivery in the United States: A Scoping Review and Digital Health-Informed Framework.","authors":"Zhaoqiang Zhou, Paul L Delamater, Fei Yu, Kaushalya Mendis, Saif Khairat","doi":"10.1177/11786302261479518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302261479518","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to identify the impacts and challenges natural disasters pose to emergency medical services (EMS) in the United States, and to develop a digital health-informed framework based on identified system-level challenges to enhance EMS resilience and effectiveness in disaster scenarios.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A scoping review was conducted on July 7, 2025, across Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Global Health databases. Literature from the past five years focusing on EMS delivery during three major U.S. natural disasters was analyzed using the World Health Organization's Emergency Care System Framework to assess challenges across EMS components and stakeholders, which subsequently informed the development of a digital health-informed response framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Natural disasters significantly threaten EMS operations at the scene, transport, and facility stages. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and socioeconomically disadvantaged, experience heightened risks and service needs. Key challenges include increased demand for emergency care and reduced capacity in disaster-affected areas. Digital health tools, such as telehealth and dynamic ambulance dispatch systems, were identified as promising solutions.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Findings highlight the relevance of digital health in mitigating identified EMS challenges during disasters. By addressing gaps in communication, resource allocation, and service delivery, technology can enhance system responsiveness and resilience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A specialized digital health framework was developed to strengthen EMS delivery during natural disasters. Structured across four domains, patient, transport, facility, and provider, it offers actionable strategies to improve emergency care resilience and outcomes in disaster scenarios.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261479518"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469518/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148763960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring Environmental Health Literacy - A Systematic Review of Represented Dimensions and Psychometric Characteristics of Evaluated Instruments in an Emerging Field.","authors":"Miriam Finkhäuser, Renée Madelaine Kuhrt, Marlene Muehlmann, Tobias Ihle, Silke Schmidt, Holger Muehlan","doi":"10.1177/11786302261462601","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261462601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental health literacy (EHL) encompasses the skills and competencies to search for, understand, assess, and apply information and knowledge about the environment and its impact on human health. The development and availability of concept-based, psychometrically sound methods to measure EHL are crucial for advancing research and assessing the impact of public health programs in prevention. Guided by the PRISMA-COSMIN guidelines, a systematic search of three databases was conducted (MEDLINE, LIVIVO, PsycINFO). Information on the characteristics, operationalization of EHL, and psychometric criteria was extracted. According to COSMIN, the psychometric properties were evaluated. Of 1,872 records, nine studies were included. Eight different EHL measures were identified. The instruments target either general EHL (n = 4) or specific environmental issues (n = 4), such as air pollution, drinking water contaminants, and phthalate exposure. Some instruments reported sufficient structural validity (n = 4) and internal consistency (n = 2), while content validity remained indeterminate (n = 8). Information on responsiveness, measurement error, and intercultural validity could not be obtained. Based on the quality assessment, no general recommendation for use can be derived. Future studies should focus on validating existing instruments, while the development of new tools should more comprehensively address relevant environmental factors. We also recommend that previously underexplored dimensions of EHL, such as self-efficacy and collective agency, should be given greater consideration.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261462601"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13438344/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148677471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal and Spatial Dynamics of Tick Infestation in Domestic Animals of Wayanad Forest Region, Southern India: A Longitudinal Survey.","authors":"Mannarakkal Thazham Swathy Viswanath, Rouchelle Charmaine Tellis, Sohanlal Thiruvoth, Vipin Viswanath, Koyyan Prakasan, Mannarakkal Thazham Sneha Viswanath, Manathottathil Aiswarya","doi":"10.1177/11786302261452465","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261452465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim and background: </strong>Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of veterinary and public health relevance. This study examines the seasonal distribution, host-specific burden, and species composition of ticks infesting domestic animals in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A longitudinal field survey was conducted from 2022 to 2024 across 40 locations in 3 ecological zones of Wayanad. Ticks were manually collected from domestic animals; cattle, goats, dogs, and cats during 3 seasons: monsoon, winter, and summer. Collected ticks were morphologically identified to the species level. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Kruskal-Wallis <i>H</i> tests (α = .05) were performed using Jamovi (v2.6.44). Additionally, a negative binomial regression model was fitted using R (v4.2.2) to identify predictors of tick burden.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2562 ticks were collected. Tick abundance was highest during the monsoon (1231; 48.06%), followed by winter (965; 37.66%) and summer (366; 14.28%). Cattle accounted for the highest tick load (n = 1529; 59.7%), followed by goats (592; 23.1%), dogs (313; 12.2%), and cats (128; 5.0%). Mean tick burden per animal was highest in Zone 1 (12.79 ± 6.01), and lowest in Zone 3 (10.20 ± 5.37). Seasonally, winter showed the highest mean burden (4.91 ± 3.63). Seven tick species from 3 genera were identified, with <i>Haemaphysalis bispinosa</i> being the most dominant. Regression analysis identified season and host as significant predictors. Compared to monsoon, summer burden was lower (IRR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.32-0.41; <i>P</i> < .001), while winter was moderately higher (IRR = 1.15; CI: 1.05-1.25; <i>P</i> = .0017). Cattle exhibited a 4.05-fold higher burden than cats (IRR = 4.05; CI: 3.39-4.87; <i>P</i> < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The presence of zoonotic tick vectors across hosts, seasons, and zones indicates high epidemiological risk the need for integrated ecological surveillance and region-specific tick control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261452465"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13428112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148653281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Scan of Tools and Frameworks Assessing Climate-Related Health Vulnerabilities in Older Populations.","authors":"Connie Cai Ru Gan, Cicely K Nurse, Pratik Chaturbhai Sohaliya, Patricia Chiao-Tzu Lee","doi":"10.1177/11786302261466128","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261466128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Climate change is intensifying health inequities, particularly among older adults who face heightened vulnerability to climate-related hazards. With the global senior population estimated at one billion and projected to increase by 20% by 2050, there is urgent need for health systems to identify and respond to their specific risks. This environmental scan aims to map and evaluate existing tools and frameworks used to assess climate-related health vulnerabilities in older adults, with a focus on informing equitable healthcare planning and system resilience.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>Five electronic databases (ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase) and grey literature were searched. The PRISMA checklist was utilised to guide the review process and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to appraise the studies. A total of 23 studies were identified and included in this review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 23 identified tools and frameworks, only two were explicitly designed for older adult populations and predominantly focused on heat-related risk assessments, accounting for 74% of climate hazards addressed. Most tools relied on general population indicators, potentially under-estimating age-specific vulnerability related to functional decline, care dependency, and social isolation. Studies were concentrated in East Asia and the Pacific and North America, with no representation from South Asia or the Middle East and North Africa, highlighting significant regional gaps. The majority of studies remain anchored in pre-2021 IPCC vulnerability models with limited update of newer risk-based frameworks.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>This environmental scan highlights gaps for age-specific vulnerability assessment tools that capture the unique climate-risks facing older adults. Future work should explicitly adopt and clarify IPCC frameworks with standardised domain classifications, and integrate geriatric-specific indicators to improve risk assessment accuracy for this growing demographic.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261466128"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13424507/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148653302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Quality of Beef Carcasses and Hygiene Practices at Municipal Abattoirs of Central Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Endalu Mulatu, Ahmad Hamedy, Nebyou Moje, Biruhtesfa Asrade, Hika Waktole, Bekele Megersa","doi":"10.1177/11786302261470215","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261470215","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbial contamination of beef carcasses occurs during slaughtering process. Cross-sectional study was conducted to assess microbial quality of carcasses and workers' meat safety practices at five municipal abattoirs in the central part of Ethiopia. Overall, 255 carcass swab samples, along with 30 samples each from hands and knife swabs, and water were collected for microbial quality assessment using standard plating method. Additionally, semi structured questionnaires were administered to 142 abattoir workers to assess their meat safety practices. The study showed that the overall mean aerobic plate count of 6.12 log₁₀ CFU/cm² and fecal coliform count of 4.58 log₁₀ CFU/cm² on beef carcasses. Carcass swabs had a significantly higher mean aerobic plate count (6.12 log₁₀ CFU/cm²) compared to knife (5.54 log₁₀ CFU/cm²; p=0.006) and hand swabs (5.19 log₁₀ CFU/cm², p=0.000) while knife swabs showed a higher mean fecal coliform count (5.05 log₁₀ CFU/cm²) than carcass swabs (p = 0.005). Overall 60% of water samples were positive for <i>E. coli</i> and fecal coliforms. Furthermore, the use of personal protective equipment including overall coats and boots was 99.30%. All abattoir workers reported abstaining from eating, drinking and smoking at work, and 73.94% did not wear jewelry during slaughter processing. The use of aprons (44.37%) and head covers (45.77%) was practiced by less than half of the respondents, yet 63.38% of workers consistently wore clean personal protective equipment. Task alternation and equipment sharing were common, with 50% of workers engaging in these practices. Sterilization of knives between each use was not practiced by all abattoirs workers, and only 44.37% of workers performed regular medical checkups. About 35.21% of workers practiced hand washing with soap while only 9.15% used gloves during the slaughtering process. Among the respondents, 52.11% of them had received on job food safety training. In conclusion, the study showed high microbial loads on beef carcasses and a low meat safety practice rate (39.44%), highlighting the need for strict and effective multi-stakeholder food safety measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261470215"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13373396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148469610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Drinking Water Safety From Reservoirs to Household Taps in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia.","authors":"Agegnehu Alemu, Tegegne Amare","doi":"10.1177/11786302261465191","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261465191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Water is essential for life. Safe water quality and proper sanitation play a crucial role for improving human life by preventing waterborne diseases and enhancing better health and well-being. This study evaluated drinking water quality of Bahir Dar City from reservoirs to household taps during dry and wet seasons. Samples were examined for key physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard methods. The mean physicochemical analyses (pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solid, Electrical conductivity, free residual chlorine, nitrate, phosphate, and fluoride) in the reservoirs were generally within World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limits during the dry and wet seasons. However, turbidity levels in the wet season and sulfide concentrations in both seasons exceeded the recommended standards. At household taps, turbidity and sulfide also exceeded permissible levels, indicating quality deterioration in the distribution system. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the main effects of sampling location and the interaction effect between sampling location and season were not statistically significant for any of the measured water quality parameters (p > 0.05), with the exception of free residual chlorine, indicating that seasonal variation was the primary factor influencing water quality in the study area. Bacteriological contamination was notable. Total coliforms were detected in 20% (dry) and 40% (wet) of reservoir samples, increasing to 46.67% (dry) and 66.67% (wet) at taps. Fecal coliforms occurred in 20% (dry) and 40% (wet) of reservoirs, and 33.33% (dry) and 26.67% (wet) of taps. All exceeded WHO standards, posing health risks. Therefore the city requires to improving sewage and drainage systems and enhancing disinfection processes at the reservoirs.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261465191"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13329053/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148389478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Caprine Brucellosis: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, Public Awareness and Zoonotic Implications in Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Production Systems of Benatsemay District, Southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Wasihun Seyoum, Tesfanesh Daniel, Getachew Kinfe, Ephrem Tora, Hirut Abebe, Alemayehu Worku, Wondimu Wodajo, Kebede Gelgelo","doi":"10.1177/11786302261463607","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261463607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brucellosis is a neglected disease in Ethiopia that affects domestic ruminants, including goats, which play a crucial role in sustaining the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Benatsemay district. Despite their economic and socio-cultural value, productivity and reproductive performances of goats are constrained by infectious diseases such as <i>Brucella</i> infection. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 to estimate the seroprevalence of <i>Brucella</i> infection in goats, identify associated risk factors, and assess the knowledge, attitudes, and control practices of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. A total of 390 sera samples were screened using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT) for caprine brucellosis. Simultaneously, 150 goat owners were surveyed to assess disease awareness and control practices. Of 390 sera samples, 22 (5.64%) were RBPT-positive, and 10 (2.56%) were confirmed by CFT. Thus, the overall <i>Brucella</i> seroprevalence was 2.56%. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that abortion, retained fetal membrane, and stillbirth were significantly associated with <i>Brucella</i> serostatus. The odds of infection were significantly higher in goats with a history of abortion (OR = 16.19, p < 0.05), retained fetal membranes (OR = 13.02, p < 0.05), and stillbirth (OR = 14.08, p < 0.05) compared with their respective reference categories. This study confirmed the presence of <i>Brucella</i> infection in the study area, as evidenced by seropositive goats. This not only threatens the health and productivity of the animals but also poses a potential risk to the people. The questionnaire survey revealed that 98.67% and 97.34% of respondents had poor knowledge about <i>Brucella</i> infection and its zoonotic significance, respectively. Therefore, an integrated One Health strategy targeting animals, humans, and the environment should be implemented in the study area.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261463607"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13305647/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148344295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Levels in Selected Occupational and Environmental Settings in Liberia: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Anthony Saah Tengbeh, Amarachi Paschaline Onyena, Chiara Frazzoli, Prosper Manu Abdulai, Naomi A Mogborukor, Eudora Nwanaforo, Charles Asumana, Orish Ebere Orisakwe","doi":"10.1177/11786302261429781","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261429781","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental degradation in Liberia has reached critical levels due to years of unregulated artisanal mining, poor waste management, and rapid urbanization have severely compromised the quality of its water and soil resources. This review critically evaluates the extent, sources, and implications of physicochemical and heavy metal contamination in Liberia's aquatic and terrestrial environments. From an initial pool of 38 studies, 9 met the inclusion criteria based on relevance from 2020, quantitative data quality, and geographic coverage. The methodology combined descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multivariate statistics to trace pollution patterns and their geochemical drivers. Findings reveal severe contamination: water turbidity reached 320.00 NTU (mean: 42.85 NTU) against the WHO guideline of 5 NTU, while electrical conductivity peaked at 3000.00 µS/cm. Total dissolved solids averaged 267.92 mg/L, exceeding permissible levels near estuarine zones. Heavy metal concentrations surpassed WHO limits in numerous cases-Fe (up to 23.69 mg/L), Mn (9.12 mg/L), and Cd (0.40 mg/L) in water, and Fe (115,781.00 mg/kg), Ni, and Cd in soil. Strong correlations (eg, EC-TDS: <i>r</i> = .997; NO₃ ^--PO₄ ^3-: <i>r</i> = .923; Zn-Mn: <i>r</i> = .90) suggest shared contamination pathways linked to mining runoff and agrochemical inputs. This review provides critical baseline data, identifies high-risk hotspots, and highlights the geochemical mechanisms driving pollution. It establishes the novelty of synthesizing Liberia-specific contamination trends with quantitative rigor, which had not been comprehensively undertaken. The study highlights the urgent need for environmental policy reform, site-specific remediation, and public health interventions to align national development with SDGs 3, 6, and 15.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261429781"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13305769/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148344293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Socio-Demographic and Household Environmental Conditions Associated With Prevalence of Diarrheal Disease in Burao, Somaliland.","authors":"Dek Kahin Yosef, Mohamed Ahmed Hassan","doi":"10.1177/11786302261463712","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261463712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diarrheal diseases remain a significant public health concern in urban, resource-limited settings, including Burao City, Somaliland, where socio-demographic factors and household environmental conditions contribute to disease prevalence. This study aimed to assess household sanitation conditions, environmental exposure pathways, and associated risk factors for diarrheal diseases in this urban context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2025 in Burao City, Somaliland, involving 422 households selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and direct environmental observations to evaluate sanitation infrastructure, hygiene facilities, waste management, and environmental contamination. The occurrence of household diarrheal disease within the previous two weeks was recorded. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors independently associated with diarrheal disease.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The two-week household diarrheal prevalence was 7.1% (95% CI, 5.0-10.0%). Most households used municipal tap water (95.7%) and had private flush toilets (89.6%), with high availability of handwashing facilities (97.2%). The absence of soap at handwashing stations was the strongest independent predictor of diarrheal disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 8.51; 95% CI: 1.93-37.52; p < 0.005). Visible garbage near households (aOR = 4.56; 95% CI: 2.12-9.83; p < 0.001) and the presence of domestic animals in living areas (aOR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.16-5.28; p = 0.019) were also significantly associated with increased diarrheal risk. Additionally, households with three or more children under five years (aOR = 5.05; 95% CI: 1.06-24.17; p = 0.043) and respondents lacking formal education (aOR = 5.70; 95% CI: 1.80-18.02; p = 0.003) had higher odds of diarrhea.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Diarrheal disease in Burao City is strongly associated with modifiable household and environmental factors, particularly the absence of soap at handwashing facilities and environmental contamination. Integrated interventions focusing on sustained hygiene resource availability, improved waste management, safer human-animal interactions, and targeted health education for vulnerable populations are critical for reducing diarrheal morbidity in this urban, resource-constrained context.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261463712"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13305917/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148344297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}