Abstracts
Theme: Health
Panel: Children’s Environmental Health: Concerns and Challenges
Session: II
 Water Quality: Indicator to Children’s Environmental Health in Tajikistan
Irina A. Korsakova, Alidjon A. Saidov, Muzafar J. Isobaev*
Analysis of typical illnesses among children in Tajikistan for the period of last 15 years has established a strong linkage with quality of drinking water. The presentation will mainly focus on this issue.
Based on the available and examined data along with investigations carried out in various national scientific centers, we have suggested that preventive measures against diseases can be taken by improving the water quality.
For the past many years, people in Tajikistan have had to face many diseases such as typhoid, intestinal infections, malaria and acute viral hepatitis. During the year 2001 alone, according to official statistics, over 7,200 cases of intestinal infections and 3,300 of acute viral hepatitis were recorded. The occurrence is very high on the index and is mainly caused by bacteria infected drinking water. This is due to lack of water treatment and chlorinating agents.
For instance, in Dushanbe city district alone, nearly 80% of water supply infrastructure is in need of repair. Recently though, the reconstruction of water supply infrastructure is being carried out with the help of Government of Germany.
The process of ecological education constitutes a main part of activities in the several local and international NGOs, national scientific organizations, and universities. As a result many brochures, press releases, booklets, and popular articles concerning water purification and preservation have been published.
Some facts that have been collected will be presented showing that as the situation with fresh water in large cities of Tajikistan improves, mass epidemic illness cases have simultaneously decreased.
*Irina A. Korsakova works with an NGO called “Foundation to support civil initiatives”, Alidjon A. Saidov is associated with the Tajik State Medical University, and Muzafar J. Isobaev with the Academy of Sciences Republic of Tajikistan.
Child Mortality and Environment in Central Asia
Chembarisov Elmir Ismailovich*
Statistics show a rapid increase of population in the Central Asian countries. This increase is two to three times higher compared to the European countries. The main problem of the region is poor quality drinking water and the ineffectiveness of purification facilities in the cities, settlements and rural areas. Some 20 to 30 years ago, there was no serious drinking water supply problem in the region, as the surface and ground water was not contaminated with toxic substances. People could use ponds, wells, surface water, and primitive purification devices. A growth in river-water minerals’ levels and its contamination has led to the degradation of near-river and near-canal fresh water.
This paper will take into account the deteriorating condition of drinking water supply in the Central Asia and its hazardous effects on children’s health, who happen to be the most vulnerable to this problem.
* Prof. Chembarisov Elmir Ismailovich is head of Laboratory Hydrochemistry and professor at the Academy Science, Republic of Uzbekistan Institute of Water Problems, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Tobacco Use: Prime Health Concern among Children in Russia
Andrey K. Demin*
The paper will focus on the use of tobacco as a development hurdle in Russia.
The hypothesis is that tobacco use in children has become a prime environmental health concern in Russia.
The main objective of the research is to review tobacco use in children as a threat
to development and health of children in the world and specifically in Russia. A second objective is review tobacco policies of the country, private businesses, civil society, international organizations and the tobacco industry as a ‘Global Bad’. A third objective is to recommend proposal for change in tobacco policy.
The data will be obtained from the international and domestic statistics, as well as from recent quantitative and qualitative research conducted by the Russian Public Health Association in cooperation with World Health Organisation, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), Canadian Public Health Association, Research for International Tobacco Control, and other organizations.
The paper will discuss the following findings and policy proposals:
There is a need to support development and implementation of effective legislation and a national plan. Russian population will benefit from ratification and implementation of the highest standards of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), focusing first of all pricing and taxation measures aimed at reducing demand. There is a need for preventing exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). The issue of tobacco smoke should become the issue of development as well as of environmental protection and sanitary-epidemiological surveillance, securing the right to clean air. State sanitary surveillance and environmental protection agencies should take a lead in these activities. There is a need for a comprehensive ban on all advertising and sponsorship. Information on the risks of smoking should be disseminated, primarily to the age group of 18 - 25 years, who are the role model for children and other age groups. Possibilities for development of legislation at the level of subjects of Federation and municipalities should be opened. The Federal Law should set a minimal, not a maximal list and level of tobacco control measures. Bringing together state officials, civil society activists, private businesses, in cooperation with international anti tobacco community, can change the situation. The leading subject of policy is the state protecting national interests. We need comprehensive ban on collaboration with the ‘global bad’, i.e. tobacco industry, as well as comprehensive strategy of tobacco control among children.
* Prof. Andrey K. Demin is M.D., D. Political Science and President of the Russian Public Health Association. He is Professor and Chair of the Public Health and Health Care, and I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, Russia
Water Born Diseases and Children’s Health
Inom Sh. Normatov and I. M. Rachimov*
Dependence of Tajikistan on agriculture and, as a consequence, influence of the chemicals used in cotton-planting, and also the presence of other agricultural wastes render negative influence on people’s health. Illnesses such as typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery, diphtheria and hepatitis are caused by the use of polluted water, whereas marsh-ridden sites give birth to malaria. The pollution of water resources and household and industrial wastes are the disturbing factors that require urgent intervention. The experts claim that the rivers of Tajikistan are 40 to 45 times more polluted than rivers of industrially advanced countries. The health condition of a majority of people in Tajikistan directly depends on the sanitary condition of water sources and quality of drinking water.
The paper will attempt to look at the means with which water born diseases could be eliminated in Tajikistan. These include measures of inspection, improvement of agricultural and domestic animals, isolation of sick animals, sanitary protection of reservoirs, and propagation of hygienic knowledge among the population.
* I. Sh. Normatov and I. M. Rachimov work with the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology, Academy of Sciences Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
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