BACKGROUND AND AIM An adverse coronary risk profile has been reported amongst rural-to-urban migrant population living in urban slums undergoing stressful socio-economic transition. These individuals are likely to have low intakes of folic acid and vitamin B12, which may have an adverse impact on serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy). To test this hypothesis, we studied serum levels of Hcy in subj...

Obesity is a growing public health concern in both developed and developing countries, creating acute challenges in places with scant resources. In Ghana, obesity rates have risen substantially in recent decades, a trend particularly noted in urban areas. However, high levels of migration and urbanization indicate a situation that is more complex than a simple urban/rural distinction may be abl...

Updated spatial information on the dynamics of slums can be helpful to measure and evaluate progress of policies. Earlier studies have shown that semi-automatic detection of slums using remote sensing can be challenging considering the large variability in definition and appearance. In this study, we explored the potential of an object-oriented image analysis (OOA) method to detect slums, using...

Latin America and the Caribbean is a dynamic and culturally, economically and ethnically diverse region, including countries at different stages of political and economic development. The region’s population has nearly trebled since the Second World War, reaching 459 million in 1993 (Grant, 1995). Latin America as a whole has shifted from a continent largely populated by villagers to one of peo...

The substantial rise in India’s urban population and the concurrent growth of slums has resulted in overstraining of infrastructure, and deterioration in public health. Access to safe water and sanitation is a basic human right essential for health and life. Safe water and sanitation reduces child mortality, and positively influences health and development of the Nation. As pediatricians, all o...

Urbanization has been unprecedented in post-colonial Africa. While cities and towns (urban areas) are crucial to bolstering economic activities, they equally perceived as the scene for social problems. This turn exacerbates urban human insecurity. The paper draws on qualitative research method exploring challenges opportunities that undermine or facilitate achieving sustainable inclusive Partic...

The UN Sustainable Development Goals highlight the myriad of socio-economic and environmental challenges occurring as a result anthropogenic chemical pollution. Urban sediments from informal settlements (slums) on Nairobi, Ngong Mathare Rivers (n = 25), were evaluated for sediment quality. Microtox bioassay identified 8 sites toxic, 9 moderately toxic non-toxic. Slum characterised by high total...

Abstract Background Great disparities in immunization coverage exist Pakistan between urban and rural areas. However, estimates for large peri-urban slums Sindh are largely unknown implementation challenges remain unexplored. This study explores key supply- demand-side barriers slums, as well strategies to address them. It also assesses the target slums. Methods Conducted four Karachi, this mix...