Diversity: Disease Preventive of Research Integrity

Trends and Challenges of Chronic Occupational Morbidity in Ukraine: A Sectoral Analysis and Preventive Strategies

Iryna Mezentseva — 2025-02-27

Occupational morbidity remains a critical public health issue worldwide, including in Ukraine, where the prevalence of chronic occupational diseases has shown an increasing trend. High-risk industries, particularly the mining sector, exhibit alarming rates of chronic occupational diseases, mainly affecting the respiratory system, musculoskeletal structure, and auditory functions. This study aims to analyze trends and causes of chronic occupational morbidity in Ukraine from 2016 to 2022, utilizing statistical data and quantitative analysis. The findings indicate that the primary contributing factors to chronic occupational diseases include outdated technological processes, inadequate working tools, and the failure to use personal protective equipment. The study recommends strengthening medical surveillance by reducing the interval between health examinations, enhancing labor protection training, and implementing stricter industrial hygiene regulations. These findings underscore the urgent need for policy reforms and workplace interventions to mitigate occupational morbidity and protect workers’ health. From an ethical and religious perspective, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment aligns with Islamic teachings that emphasize justice, fairness, and the well-being of workers.

Radiography Managers Perspectives on Radiographer Supply and Demand in KwaZulu-Natal Public Healthcare, South Africa

Nonkululeko Cibane — 2025-02-27

The unbalanced distribution of Health Workers (HCWs) is a public health challenge. In South Africa, public sector radiography services are not meeting demand due to vacant positions, recruitment freezes, increased workloads, and low retention of radiographers, which negatively impacts quality and service delivery. This study aimed to explore radiography managers’ perceptions and views about supply and demand in relation to the radiographers working in the public healthcare sector of KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN). The exploratory qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions to acquire data. Ten radiography managers were purposefully selected from the 22 hospitals in the province of KZN. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes from the qualitative data using NVIVO Pro 12. The results showed that the decision-makers do not properly understand or value, the need for radiographers in the health environment. The lack of advocacy for and representation and engagement between the employing principals and radiographers leaves the sector understaffed and overworked. Disharmony between employers and radiographers, as well as unresponsive decisions, affect retention and recruitment. The oversupply and low uptake of qualified radiographers is due to delays in policy implementation, particularly recruitment and retention. Key gaps include professional advocacy in decision-making bodies, effective policy implementation with monitoring, improvement of the working environment, and development of radiographer career pathways.

A Demographic Analysis of Inguinal Hernia Patients: A Retrospective Study in Southern Karnataka

Umer Hamid Wani — 2025-02-27

Hernias impose significant economic and physical burdens on patients, with inguinal hernias commonly linked to risk factors such as increased abdominal pressure, weak abdominal muscles, straining during defecation, heavy lifting, obesity, and pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of various types of inguinal hernias and identify associated risk factors in the southern Karnataka region. The study aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with inguinal hernias. This is a retrospective study involving 160 cases reviewed at the NIUM Hospital. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using SPSS software version 17 for Windows. The majority of patients (43.1%) were aged 41-60 years, with 98.1% being male. Common risk factors included heavy weight lifting (33.8%), benign prostate hypertrophy (28.8%), and abdominal muscle weakness (25.6%). Less common factors were smoking (32.5%), diabetes (11.9%), and family history (4.4%). Most hernias were indirect (69.8%) and on the right side (67.6%). Elective surgeries (94.4%) were more common than emergency procedures (5.6%), with open hernioplasty being the main operation (96.6%). Some patients had open herniorrhaphy (2.7%), and pediatric patients underwent open herniotomy (0.7%). These findings offer key insights into demographic trends, risk factors, and surgical outcomes of inguinal hernias, serving as a valuable reference for future research on their epidemiology and management.

Islamic Environmental Ethics: A Cultural Framework for Sustainable Resource Management and Global Ecological Stewardship

Syahrul Basri — 2024-12-16

Environmental ethics provides a moral framework for addressing sustainability challenges, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of humanity toward ecological preservation. This study explores Islamic environmental ethics, focusing on principles such as khalifah (stewardship), amanah (trust), and adl (justice), and their applications in sustainable practices, education, and policymaking. Using a systematic literature review, 72 sources were analyzed to identify key themes, including the theoretical foundations of Islamic environmental ethics, practical applications in daily practices and resource management, and implications for policy development. Findings demonstrate the transformative potential of Islamic teachings in fostering environmental stewardship, with examples such as eco-pesantren initiatives and sustainable agriculture illustrating successful integration into community practices. The study also highlights the significance of incorporating Islamic principles into education to cultivate eco-conscious behaviors and align sustainability efforts with cultural and religious values. By providing a comprehensive framework for integrating Islamic environmental ethics into global sustainability strategies, this research offers a culturally resonant approach to addressing environmental challenges. Future studies are recommended to assess the real-world applications of these principles across diverse contexts and their impact on long-term ecological sustainability.

Incidence of Cervicitis in Infertile Women: A Study in Medical Center Clinic, Makassar City, Indonesia

Dewi Setiawati — 2025-02-28

Infertility is a significant global health concern, yet the role of cervicitis as an independent risk factor remains inadequately explored. While previous studies have investigated various causes of infertility, limited research has specifically examined the combined effect of cervicitis and sperm abnormalities on reproductive outcomes. This study aims to determine the impact of cervicitis on infertility and assess its association with sperm abnormalities among married couples seeking conception. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Wirahusada Medical Center Clinic, Makassar, Indonesia, involving 94 married couples undergoing routine fertility assessments. Cervicitis was diagnosed through endoscopic examination, while sperm abnormalities—including oligospermia, poor motility, and abnormal morphology—were identified via semen analysis following WHO 2021 standards. The odds ratio (OR) and Chi-Square test were used to analyze the relationship between cervicitis, sperm abnormalities, and infertility. Women with cervicitis had a lower pregnancy rate (25% vs. 75%), with an infertility risk 7.186 times higher (OR = 7.186). Men with sperm abnormalities also had a higher infertility risk (OR = 4.234). The highest risk (OR = 9.060) was in couples where both partners had these conditions. This study highlights the significant impact of cervicitis on female infertility, particularly when accompanied by sperm abnormalities. These findings underscore the need for integrated reproductive health strategies, including early screening and targeted interventions, to enhance pregnancy success rates among couples facing infertility.