서브메뉴
검색
Illuminating Exposure Pathways for Infectious Disease Transmission in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, With a Focus on South Asia
Illuminating Exposure Pathways for Infectious Disease Transmission in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, With a Focus on South Asia
상세정보
- 자료유형
- 학위논문 서양
- 최종처리일시
- 20260202104843
- ISBN
- 9798293892815
- DDC
- 613
- 저자명
- Islam, Mahfuza.
- 서명/저자
- Illuminating Exposure Pathways for Infectious Disease Transmission in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, With a Focus on South Asia
- 발행사항
- [Sl] : University of California, Berkeley, 2025
- 발행사항
- Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2025
- 형태사항
- 175 p
- 주기사항
- Source: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 87-04, Section: A.
- 주기사항
- Advisor: Kwong, Laura H.
- 학위논문주기
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 2025.
- 초록/해제
- 요약In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), diarrheal illness is a major cause of illness and death and is responsible for approximately 10% of deaths in children under five in South Asia. The transmission of fecal pathogens through a range of environmental pathways, such as human and animal feces, fingers, fields, flies, fluids, and food. Objective data on sanitation behavior helps quantify how frequently individuals are exposed to or avoid contact with human feces, providing crucial insight into pathways of environmental contamination and disease transmission. One common source of animal feces is cows. Cow dung is frequently used and viewed as a beneficial resource in rural parts of LMICs, particularly among Hindus, for whom all cow products hold religious value. Women typically handle cow dung with their bare hands, sometimes interacting with children without washing their hands beforehand. As such, information on the prevalence and frequency of cow dung usage could provide information on children's exposure to cow dung. Direct drinking water intake is also a critical factor in assessing exposure to waterborne contaminants and understanding hydration patterns. Understanding drinking water intake is essential for accurately assessing health risks from waterborne contaminants particularly in LMICs, where water is more likely to be microbiologically or chemically contaminated. To advance risk assessment, this systematic review reports daily direct drinking water intake in LMICs and explores differences based on age, sex, geographical location, and socioeconomic factors. South Asia is also recognized as hotspots for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases given occasional consumption of wildlife and relatively high population densities in urban and rural areas. Social interaction patterns are key determinants of infectious disease transmission; population-specific information is necessary for accurate transmission models. However, there is limited data on social contact patterns in LMICs. In Chapter 1, I objectively measured latrine use with sensors among households enrolled in the sanitation and control groups of a randomized controlled trial (WASH Benefits) in Bangladesh, where the intervention provided upgraded latrines and behavioral promotion. Latrine use is important to measure because even a small number of non-users can continue to contaminate the environment, limiting health gains from increased sanitation coverage. I found that recipients of the sanitation intervention initially used latrines more frequently than control households. However, latrine use declined over time. While self-reported use was moderately accurate among control households, it was less reliable among intervention households, likely due to social desirability bias. The findings emphasize the need for repeated, objective measurements-especially in communities exposed to behavior change campaigns-to more accurately assess sanitation uptake.In Chapter 2, I qualitatively explored the perceived benefits and risks of cow feces and cow feces management, with particular attention to religious differences. The findings of this study highlight the multifaceted roles of cow dung and cow urine within traditional Hindu practices, particularly their use for purification, health, and sustainability. Deeply rooted in religious beliefs and associated with the goddess Lakshmi, these substances are used for purification, health remedies (such as panchagavya), and maintaining sacred spaces. Participants emphasized their role in cleansing environments and promoting spiritual well-being, though some now prefer less direct applications (e.g., sprinkling instead of consuming). Beyond rituals, cow dung is widely valued as a building material, fertilizer, and fuel. While modern housing and chemical fertilizers have reduced some traditional uses, cow dung remains essential for its insulating properties, soil fertility, and contribution to sustainable agriculture. Many farmers supplement dung with minimal chemical inputs, though concerns about long-term soil degradation persist. Perceptions of cow dung's impact on health varied. While some respondents acknowledged risks such as diarrhea and insect-borne diseases, most did not view it as hazardous, instead linking illness to other causes. Hygiene practices were noted as risk mitigation strategies, though traditional beliefs in cow dung's medicinal and purifying properties often outweighed concerns. Findings from this study may reduce the risk of disease transmission and the burden of waterborne diseases and gastrointestinal illnesses.In Chapter 3, I conducted a systematic review of direct drinking water intake in LMICs and assessed variation across geographies, sex, ages, and socioeconomic groups to support accurate risk assessment and regulation of drinking water contamination in LMICs. The study found that daily water intake varied more widely among adults than other age groups, likely due to diverse lifestyles, occupations, and environmental exposures. A small number of adults consumed significantly more water, contributing to a positively skewed distribution. Adolescents showed moderate variation in intake, while children had the most consistent water consumption, suggesting more uniform hydration habits-likely influenced by parental control, routine diets, and fewer external factors like physical exertion or environmental conditions. Our findings also reveal notable sex-based differences in direct drinking water intake across various LMICs. In most studies, males tended to consume more water than females, particularly in adolescent and adult age groups. Water intake patterns in LMICs differ notably between urban and rural areas and are influenced by socioeconomic and educational factors. Rural communities often lack access to treated water and rely on unsafe sources like shallow wells, while urban residents may face risks from aging infrastructure and rusty pipes that contaminates municipal supplies. Socioeconomic status played a complex role in water intake. In some contexts, higher income was linked to greater access to safe water, while in others, data is insufficient. Education level was a more consistent predictor-those with higher education tend to consume more water, likely due to greater awareness of hydration needs and better access to safe water.In Chapter 4, I documented social mixing patterns in densely populated rural Bangladesh to inform transmission models. By identifying populations at high risk due to their social contact patterns, this study also has implications for risk reduction strategies. This study identified several high-contact settings, such as markets, mosques, schools, homes, and transportation. Mosques, particularly during Jumma prayers and religious events, present significant risk for respiratory diseases due to participants' close physical proximity. School-aged children (5-19 years) reported the highest number of non-household contacts, suggesting that schools are likely major transmission hubs. Adult males had more non-household interactions than females, especially in markets and mosques, while social mixing was more common within the same sex. Limited interaction between children and older adults was observed, likely due to living arrangements that reduce intergenerational contact. These findings offer valuable insights for improving disease transmission models and guiding targeted public health interventions in rural contexts.
- 일반주제명
- Environmental health
- 일반주제명
- Epidemiology
- 일반주제명
- South Asian studies
- 일반주제명
- Environmental science
- 키워드
- Animal feces
- 키워드
- Health risks
- 키워드
- South Asia
- 기타저자
- University of California, Berkeley Environmental Health Sciences
- 기본자료저록
- Dissertations Abstracts International. 87-04A.
- 전자적 위치 및 접속
- 로그인 후 원문을 볼 수 있습니다.
MARC
008260126s2025 us c eng d■001000017359161
■00520260202104843
■006m o d
■007cr#unu||||||||
■020 ▼a9798293892815
■035 ▼a(MiAaPQ)AAI32173291
■040 ▼aMiAaPQ▼cMiAaPQ
■0820 ▼a613
■1001 ▼aIslam, Mahfuza.
■24510▼aIlluminating Exposure Pathways for Infectious Disease Transmission in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, With a Focus on South Asia
■260 ▼a[Sl]▼bUniversity of California, Berkeley▼c2025
■260 1▼aAnn Arbor▼bProQuest Dissertations & Theses▼c2025
■300 ▼a175 p
■500 ▼aSource: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 87-04, Section: A.
■500 ▼aAdvisor: Kwong, Laura H.
■5021 ▼aThesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 2025.
■520 ▼aIn low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), diarrheal illness is a major cause of illness and death and is responsible for approximately 10% of deaths in children under five in South Asia. The transmission of fecal pathogens through a range of environmental pathways, such as human and animal feces, fingers, fields, flies, fluids, and food. Objective data on sanitation behavior helps quantify how frequently individuals are exposed to or avoid contact with human feces, providing crucial insight into pathways of environmental contamination and disease transmission. One common source of animal feces is cows. Cow dung is frequently used and viewed as a beneficial resource in rural parts of LMICs, particularly among Hindus, for whom all cow products hold religious value. Women typically handle cow dung with their bare hands, sometimes interacting with children without washing their hands beforehand. As such, information on the prevalence and frequency of cow dung usage could provide information on children's exposure to cow dung. Direct drinking water intake is also a critical factor in assessing exposure to waterborne contaminants and understanding hydration patterns. Understanding drinking water intake is essential for accurately assessing health risks from waterborne contaminants particularly in LMICs, where water is more likely to be microbiologically or chemically contaminated. To advance risk assessment, this systematic review reports daily direct drinking water intake in LMICs and explores differences based on age, sex, geographical location, and socioeconomic factors. South Asia is also recognized as hotspots for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases given occasional consumption of wildlife and relatively high population densities in urban and rural areas. Social interaction patterns are key determinants of infectious disease transmission; population-specific information is necessary for accurate transmission models. However, there is limited data on social contact patterns in LMICs. In Chapter 1, I objectively measured latrine use with sensors among households enrolled in the sanitation and control groups of a randomized controlled trial (WASH Benefits) in Bangladesh, where the intervention provided upgraded latrines and behavioral promotion. Latrine use is important to measure because even a small number of non-users can continue to contaminate the environment, limiting health gains from increased sanitation coverage. I found that recipients of the sanitation intervention initially used latrines more frequently than control households. However, latrine use declined over time. While self-reported use was moderately accurate among control households, it was less reliable among intervention households, likely due to social desirability bias. The findings emphasize the need for repeated, objective measurements-especially in communities exposed to behavior change campaigns-to more accurately assess sanitation uptake.In Chapter 2, I qualitatively explored the perceived benefits and risks of cow feces and cow feces management, with particular attention to religious differences. The findings of this study highlight the multifaceted roles of cow dung and cow urine within traditional Hindu practices, particularly their use for purification, health, and sustainability. Deeply rooted in religious beliefs and associated with the goddess Lakshmi, these substances are used for purification, health remedies (such as panchagavya), and maintaining sacred spaces. Participants emphasized their role in cleansing environments and promoting spiritual well-being, though some now prefer less direct applications (e.g., sprinkling instead of consuming). Beyond rituals, cow dung is widely valued as a building material, fertilizer, and fuel. While modern housing and chemical fertilizers have reduced some traditional uses, cow dung remains essential for its insulating properties, soil fertility, and contribution to sustainable agriculture. Many farmers supplement dung with minimal chemical inputs, though concerns about long-term soil degradation persist. Perceptions of cow dung's impact on health varied. While some respondents acknowledged risks such as diarrhea and insect-borne diseases, most did not view it as hazardous, instead linking illness to other causes. Hygiene practices were noted as risk mitigation strategies, though traditional beliefs in cow dung's medicinal and purifying properties often outweighed concerns. Findings from this study may reduce the risk of disease transmission and the burden of waterborne diseases and gastrointestinal illnesses.In Chapter 3, I conducted a systematic review of direct drinking water intake in LMICs and assessed variation across geographies, sex, ages, and socioeconomic groups to support accurate risk assessment and regulation of drinking water contamination in LMICs. The study found that daily water intake varied more widely among adults than other age groups, likely due to diverse lifestyles, occupations, and environmental exposures. A small number of adults consumed significantly more water, contributing to a positively skewed distribution. Adolescents showed moderate variation in intake, while children had the most consistent water consumption, suggesting more uniform hydration habits-likely influenced by parental control, routine diets, and fewer external factors like physical exertion or environmental conditions. Our findings also reveal notable sex-based differences in direct drinking water intake across various LMICs. In most studies, males tended to consume more water than females, particularly in adolescent and adult age groups. Water intake patterns in LMICs differ notably between urban and rural areas and are influenced by socioeconomic and educational factors. Rural communities often lack access to treated water and rely on unsafe sources like shallow wells, while urban residents may face risks from aging infrastructure and rusty pipes that contaminates municipal supplies. Socioeconomic status played a complex role in water intake. In some contexts, higher income was linked to greater access to safe water, while in others, data is insufficient. Education level was a more consistent predictor-those with higher education tend to consume more water, likely due to greater awareness of hydration needs and better access to safe water.In Chapter 4, I documented social mixing patterns in densely populated rural Bangladesh to inform transmission models. By identifying populations at high risk due to their social contact patterns, this study also has implications for risk reduction strategies. This study identified several high-contact settings, such as markets, mosques, schools, homes, and transportation. Mosques, particularly during Jumma prayers and religious events, present significant risk for respiratory diseases due to participants' close physical proximity. School-aged children (5-19 years) reported the highest number of non-household contacts, suggesting that schools are likely major transmission hubs. Adult males had more non-household interactions than females, especially in markets and mosques, while social mixing was more common within the same sex. Limited interaction between children and older adults was observed, likely due to living arrangements that reduce intergenerational contact. These findings offer valuable insights for improving disease transmission models and guiding targeted public health interventions in rural contexts.
■590 ▼aSchool code: 0028.
■650 4▼aEnvironmental health
■650 4▼aEpidemiology
■650 4▼aSouth Asian studies
■650 4▼aEnvironmental science
■653 ▼aAnimal feces
■653 ▼aEnvironmental exposures
■653 ▼aHealth risks
■653 ▼aInfectious disease
■653 ▼aSanitation behavior
■653 ▼aSouth Asia
■690 ▼a0470
■690 ▼a0766
■690 ▼a0768
■690 ▼a0638
■71020▼aUniversity of California, Berkeley▼bEnvironmental Health Sciences.
■7730 ▼tDissertations Abstracts International▼g87-04A.
■790 ▼a0028
■791 ▼aPh.D.
■792 ▼a2025
■793 ▼aEnglish
■85640▼uhttp://www.riss.kr/pdu/ddodLink.do?id=T17359161▼nKERIS▼z이 자료의 원문은 한국교육학술정보원에서 제공합니다.


