3 articles
Acute non-occupational chemical poisoning is a current public health problem in the Republic of Moldova, affecting both children and adults. The global increase in the use of chemical substances and mixtures raises the risk of chemical poisoning, which ranks fourth among the causes of injury in children, after road traffic injuries, burns, and drowning. It also generates a significant economic burden, and its quantification contributes to making informed decisions regarding the efficient allocation of resources.
A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted based on statistical data from the statistical form f.18-săn and other national reports for the period 2019-2023. Cases of chemical poisoning were analyzed, excluding other types of poisoning. The evaluated indicators included incidence, mortality, distribution by age group and etiology, as well as the direct costs of their treatment.
The analysis of statistical data revealed a total of 9,579 intoxications, with an overall incidence of 69.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The most common causes were medications, which accounted for 41.8% (n = 4,002), followed by alcohol – 18.8% (n = 1,798), toxic gases – 14.5% (1,385 cases), and pesticides – 4.4% (n = 417). During the 2019-2023 period, children had a higher incidence, with 130.58 cases per 100,000 children, while adults recorded 52.21 cases. The peak incidence of chemical poisonings was recorded in 2019, at 64.8 cases per 100,000 population (24%, 95% CI: 23.12–24.83), while the lowest was in 2020, at 56.5 cases per 100,000 population (15.6%, 95% CI: 14.88–16.34). Over the five-year period, treatment costs for chemical poisoning totaled 58 million lei, highlighting the burden on the health system.
Acute non-occupational chemical poisonings continue to be a significant public health problem in the Republic of Moldova, generating not only an impact on the morbidity and mortality of the population but also a considerable economic burden on the health system, highlighted by treatment expenses that amounted to over 57 million lei during the 2019-2023 period. Preventive, educational, and informational measures for the population, including awareness campaigns, are essential for reducing the number of acute poisonings of chemical etiology
Even if boron is not yet recognized as an essential element for the human body, its insufficient intake is considered harmful, especially for the osteoarticular system. A daily intake of at least 3 mg of boron can fortify bone mass and prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. This research aims to assess the morbidity caused by rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthropathies in the population from regions with different boron concentrations in deep drinking water of the Republic of Moldova.
Two full-length descriptive observational studies were conducted: one on osteoarticular morbidity caused by rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthropathies (incidence and prevalence), and one on boron concentrations in deep drinking water (public wells and artesian wells). Following national regulations, the Republic of Moldova was divided into three distinct boron-related areas, and in each of them, the boron trend overlapped with the morbidity trend.
In the below-the-limit boron area, the research hypothesis was confirmed in two out of three districts, by overlapping osteoarticular morbidity with boron concentrations in deep drinking water and their trendlines. In the limit-level boron area, boron concentrations in drinking water do not appear to influence the studied osteoarticular morbidity in either district. In the above-the-limit boron area, unlike in previous research, trends for boron concentrations in public wells and artesian wells were opposite to those of the incidence and prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthropathies, confirming the research hypothesis.
Out of the three studied areas, the expected phenomenon of low morbidity and high boron concentrations, and vice versa, was observed in two below-the-limit boron districts and two above-the-limit boron districts. The results can be expanded upon in further research in the field.
In the context of increasing global consumption of bottled water, assessing its chemical composition and impact on public health becomes essential. Although perceived as a safe alternative, bottled water exhibits variability in its chemical composition, and advanced filtration methods can remove essential minerals. Consumers opt for bottled water due to its taste and convenience, yet awareness of associated risks remains limited. This study proposes the development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate public perceptions of bottled water quality and its health impact, providing a valuable tool for public education and regulatory policies.
The questionnaire was developed to analyze consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding bottled water. Structured into four sections (socio-demographic data, consumption habits, perceptions of quality, and health impact), it underwent multiple validation stages. A panel of experts assessed the relevance of the questions, and a pilot study was conducted with a sample of 32 adults (aged 24-62) to evaluate validity and internal consistency using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Final validation was based on the feedback collected and statistical analysis performed using SPSS Statistics 27.
S-CVI/Ave and S-CVI/UA are indicators of questionnaire content validity, calculated based on item validity scores and the percentage of agreement among evaluators. The S-CVI/Ave and S-CVI/UA values exceeded the minimum standard of 0.80, while the I-CVI index ranged between 0.83 and 1.00, demonstrating excellent item validity. Following respondent feedback, 18 questions were revised, and 6 were removed, resulting in a second version with 61 items. The validity sample comprised 84.4% women and 15.6% men, aged 24 to 62 years. Most respondents considered the questions clear and easy to understand, although suggestions were made to improve clarity and avoid redundancy. Internal consistency was confirmed through the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which was acceptable for most domains, except one, where the coefficient was below 0.70 but was retained due to the validity of the questions.
The questionnaire for assessing bottled water consumption was successfully validated, demonstrating content validity and internal consistency. Face validity ensured the clarity of the questions.