Can digital technology help reduce smoke exposure and protect health in extreme air quality events?

Abstract Background In the southern hemisphere summer of 2019-2020, Australia experienced its most severe bushfire season on record. Smoke from fires affected 80% of the population, with large exceedances of the Australian National Air Quality Standard for particulate air pollution recorded in all major population centres during this period. We examined if emerging and innovative digital technology can assist extreme smoke-affected populations to reduce their exposure and protect their health. Methods AirRater is a free smartphone app that tracks air quality and user symptoms in near real-time. We distributed an online survey to over 13,000 app users to assess how they used this information during the 2019-20 bushfire season, and if the app was helpful in decision-making around reducing personal smoke exposure. Results We received responses from 1732 users (13.3%). Respondents reported that the app was highly useful, supporting informed decisions regarding daily activities during the smoke-affected period. Commonly reported activities supported by information provided through the app were staying inside (76%), rescheduling or planning outdoor activities (64%), changing locations to less affected areas (29%) and informing decisions on medication use (15%). Conclusions Smartphone apps enable users to reduce smoke exposure and protect their health by providing individual-level and location-specific data. Furthermore, digital technology such as AirRater provides the potential to provide insight into the community impacts of environmental hazards such as bushfire smoke. Key messages Smartphone apps enable users to reduce their smoke exposure and protect their health. These emerging technologies can help public health authorities to understand the community impact of environmental hazards.

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Using Digital Technology to Protect Health in Prolonged Poor Air Quality Episodes: A Case Study of the AirRater App during the Australian 2019–20 Fires

Fire ◽

10.3390/fire3030040 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 40

Author(s):

Sharon L. Campbell ◽

Penelope J. Jones ◽

Grant J. Williamson ◽

Amanda J. Wheeler ◽

Christopher Lucani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Air Quality ◽

Online Survey ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Smoke Exposure ◽

Specific Data ◽

Individual Level ◽

Aid Decision

In the southern hemisphere summer of 2019–20, Australia experienced its most severe bushfire season on record. Smoke from fires affected 80% of the population, with large and prolonged exceedances of the Australian National Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) recorded in all major population centers. We examined if AirRater, a free smartphone app that reports air quality and tracks user symptoms in near real-time, assisted those populations to reduce their smoke exposure and protect their health. We distributed an online survey to over 13,000 AirRater users to assess how they used this information during the 2019–20 bushfire season, and why it was helpful to aid decision-making in reducing personal smoke exposure. We received responses from 1732 users (13.3%). Respondents reported the app was highly useful, supporting informed decision-making regarding daily activities during the smoke-affected period. Commonly reported activities supported by information provided through the app were staying inside (76%), rescheduling or planning outdoor activities (64%), changing locations to less affected areas (29%) and informing decisions on medication use (15%). Innovative and easy-to-use smartphone apps such as AirRater, that provide individual-level and location-specific data, can enable users to reduce their exposure to environmental hazards and therefore protect their health.

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Experience of non-breastfeeding mothers

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733014561913 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 231-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Research Question ◽

World Health ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Qualitative Survey ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Ethics Guidelines ◽

Health Organization ◽

Research Ethics Guidelines

Background: Breastfeeding is currently strongly recommended by midwives and paediatricians, and the recommendations are based on documents provided by the World Health Organization and public health authorities worldwide. Research question: The underlying question is, how are non-breastfeeding mothers affected emotionally when informed that breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest option? Research design: The method used is an anonymous web-based qualitative survey exploring the narratives of non-breastfeeding mothers, published on Thesistools.com . The aim is to achieve qualitative knowledge about the emotions of non-breastfeeding mothers. Participants and research context: Participants were based in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and were selected through a purposeful sample. Ethical considerations: The online survey anonymizes responses automatically, and all respondents had to tick a box agreeing to be quoted anonymously in scientific articles. The study conforms to research ethics guidelines. Findings: Respondents describe how they were affected, and the following themes emerged in studying their descriptions: depression, anxiety and pain, feeling failed as a mother and woman, loss of freedom/feeling trapped, relief and guilt. Discussion: The themes are discussed against the background of the ethics of care and a theory of ethically responsible risk communication. Conclusion: Three conclusions are made. First, the message should become more empathetic. Second, information should be given in an attentive dialogue. Third, information providers should evaluate effects in a more inclusive way.

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Assessment of Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors for the Mitigation and Containment of a COVID-19 Outbreak in a Meat Processing Plant

10.1101/2021.09.17.21262959 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nicola Walshe ◽

Meheal Fennelly ◽

Stig Hellebust ◽

John Wenger ◽

John Sodeau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Air Quality ◽

Risk Mitigation ◽

Plant Management ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Meat Processing ◽

Occupational Risk Factors ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meat processing plants have been vulnerable to outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transmission of the virus is difficult to control in these settings because of a combination of factors including environmental conditions and the specific nature of the work. This paper describes a retrospective outbreak investigation in a meat processing plant, a description of the measures taken to prevent or contain further outbreaks, and insights on how those with specific knowledge of the working environment of these plants can collaborate with public health authorities to ensure optimal outbreak control. The plant experienced 111 confirmed positive asymptomatic cases in total with an estimated attack rate of 38% during a five-week period. Four weeks after the first case, mass screening of all workers was conducted by the public health authorities. Thirty-two workers tested positive, of which 16 (50%) worked in one particular area of the plant, the boning hall (n=60). The research team prepared and carried out semi-structured interviews with the plant personnel who were charged with COVID control within the plant. They carried out assessments of operational risk factors and also undertook air quality monitoring in the boning hall and abattoir. The air quality measurements in the boning hall showed a gradual build-up of carbon dioxide and aerosol particles over the course of a work shift, confirming that this poorly ventilated area of the plant had an environment that was highly favourable for aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of operational conditions incorporated visual surveys of the plant during the working day. Prior to and during the first two weeks of the outbreak, multiple measures were introduced into the plant by management, including physical distancing, provision of educational material to workers, visitor restrictions, and environmental monitoring. After the implementation of these measures and their progressive refinement by plant management, the factory has not had any further linked cases (clusters) or outbreaks to date. The tailored approach to risk mitigation adopted in this meat processing plant shows that generic risk mitigation measures, as recommended by public health authorities, can be successfully adapted and optimized by designated plant emergency response teams.

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Assessment of Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors for the Mitigation and Containment of a COVID-19 Outbreak in a Meat Processing Plant

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.769238 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Nicola Walshe ◽

Mehael Fennelly ◽

Stig Hellebust ◽

John Wenger ◽

John Sodeau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Air Quality ◽

Risk Mitigation ◽

Plant Management ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Meat Processing ◽

Occupational Risk Factors ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meat processing plants have been vulnerable to outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transmission of the virus is difficult to control in these settings because of a combination of factors including environmental conditions and the specific nature of the work. This paper describes a retrospective outbreak investigation in a meat processing plant, a description of the measures taken to prevent or contain further outbreaks, and insights on how those with specific knowledge of the working environment of these plants can collaborate with public health authorities to ensure optimal outbreak control. The plant experienced 111 confirmed positive asymptomatic cases in total with an estimated attack rate of 38% during a five-week period. 4 weeks after the first case, mass screening of all workers was conducted by the public health authorities. Thirty-two workers tested positive, of which 16 (50%) worked in one particular area of the plant, the boning hall (n = 60). The research team prepared and carried out semi-structured interviews with the plant personnel who were charged with COVID control within the plant. They carried out assessments of operational risk factors and also undertook air quality monitoring in the boning hall and abattoir. The air quality measurements in the boning hall showed a gradual build-up of carbon dioxide and aerosol particles over the course of a work shift, confirming that this poorly ventilated area of the plant had an environment that was highly favorable for aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of operational conditions incorporated visual surveys of the plant during the working day. Prior to and during the first 2 weeks of the outbreak, multiple measures were introduced into the plant by management, including physical distancing, provision of educational material to workers, visitor restrictions, and environmental monitoring. After the implementation of these measures and their progressive refinement by plant management, the factory had no further linked cases (clusters) or outbreaks for the following 198 days. The tailored approach to risk mitigation adopted in this meat processing plant shows that generic risk mitigation measures, as recommended by public health authorities, can be successfully adapted and optimized by designated plant emergency response teams.

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Epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 spring outbreak in Quebec, Canada: a population-based study

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06002-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rodolphe Jantzen ◽

Nolwenn Noisel ◽

Sophie Camilleri-Broët ◽

Catherine Labbé ◽

Thibault de Malliard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Condition ◽

Positive Test ◽

Access To Health Services ◽

Health Authorities ◽

The Status ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Socio Economic Impact ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background By mid-July 2020, more than 108,000 COVID-19 cases had been diagnosed in Canada with more than half in the province of Quebec. In this context, we launched a study to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the socio-economic impact of the spring outbreak in the population. Method We conducted an online survey of the participants of the CARTaGENE population-based cohort, composed of middle-aged and older adults. We collected information on socio-demographic, lifestyle, health condition, COVID-19 related symptoms and COVID-19 testing. We studied the association between these factors and two outcomes: the status of having been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and the status of having received a positive test. These associations were measured with univariate and multivariate analyses using a hybrid tree-based regression model. Results Among the 8,129 respondents from the CARTaGENE cohort, 649 were tested for COVID-19 and 41 were positive. Medical workers and individuals having a contact with a COVID-19 patient had the highest probabilities of being tested (32% and 42.4%, respectively) and of being positive (17.2% and 13.0%, respectively) among those tested. Approximately 8% of the participants declared that they have experienced at least one of the four COVID-19 related symptoms chosen by the Public Health authorities (fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia) but were not tested. Results from the tree-based model analyses adjusted on exposure factors showed that the combination of dyspnea, dry cough and fever was highly associated with being tested whereas anosmia, fever, and headache were the most discriminant factors for having a positive test among those tested. During the spring outbreak, more than one third of the participants have experienced a decrease in access to health services. There were gender and age differences in the socio-economic and emotional impacts of the pandemic. Conclusion We have shown some discrepancies between the symptoms associated with being tested and being positive. In particular, the anosmia is a major discriminant symptom for positivity whereas ear-nose-throat symptoms seem not to be COVID-19 related. The results also emphasize the need of increasing the accessibility of testing for the general population.

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Pathways Improving Compliance with Preventive Behaviors during the Remission Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073512 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3512

Author(s):

Jingjing Wang ◽

Nanyue Rao ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Online Survey ◽

Political Trust ◽

Future Research ◽

Mediation Model ◽

Preventive Behaviors ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

The Government ◽

One Year

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to people’s lives. Compliance with preventive behaviors, recommended by public health authorities, is essential for infection control. In the remission stage, one year after the initial COVID-19 outbreak in China, we advanced a moderated parallel mediation model of the link between risk perception and compliance with preventive behaviors as well as a serial mediation model of the link between optimism and compliance with preventive behaviors, explaining the roles of various psychosocial factors in these associations. In January 2021, 200 participants under 50 years of age, located in 80 Chinese cities, participated in an online survey assessing risk perception, compliance with preventive behaviors, fear, anxiety, political trust, government dependency, and dispositional optimism. The results showed that the effect of risk perception on compliance with preventive behaviors was mediated by political trust and fear, and was moderated by government dependency. Anxiety and fear serially mediated the effect of optimism on compliance with preventive behaviors. Our study provided implications for future research to reduce negative emotions, strengthen confidence in the government, and sustain moderate government dependency accompanied by individual self-efficacy.

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A study of indoor air quality investigations in B.C health authorities

BCIT Environmental Public Health Journal ◽

10.47339/ephj.2014.161 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Debbie Lee ◽

BCIT School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health ◽

Helen Heacock ◽

Bobby Sidhu

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Online Survey ◽

Chi Square ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Volatile Organic ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Indoor Air Pollutants

Canadians spend 90 percent of their lifetime indoors and are currently aware that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can negatively impact human health. If there are any IAQ problems, the Health Authorities will conduct IAQ investigations to respond to the complainants or resolve the conflicts. An online survey to Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and specialists was used to understand the frequencies that B.C. Health Authorities conduct IAQ investigations, the locations Health Authorities encountered most IAQ queries, the different types of pollutants that IAQ instruments are used for and the preference for instruments chosen. Five common indoor air pollutants, such as mould, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, particulate matters (PMs), CO and CO2, were chosen and the Chi-Square test was used to analyze the data in this study. This study showed that most EHOs had never conducted IAQ investigations since they had worked in the B. C Health Authorities. Mould problems between landlord and tenant were EHOs mostly encountered. The study found that EHOs referred to other agencies or consultants when they received complaints. The data showed that the method of managing IAQ problems was associated with the Health Authorities because few EHOs from Vancouver Coastal Health indicated they had used equipment to conduct IAQ investigations. The mostly encountered location and frequency of conducting radon investigations were significantly associated with the Health Authorities due to an on-going project in Northern Authority. Most EHOs and specialists had shown that they educated public regarding to the information of IAQ instead of monitoring the IAQ pollutants. The results of this study indicate that EHOs did not get involved in IAQ investigations often and also showed that mould problems were the mostly encountered IAQ problems between the Health Authorities. The most important role of EHOs and specialists in this area is to educate public to solve or prevent IAQ problems.

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Epidemiological and socio-economic characteristics of the COVID-19 spring outbreak in Quebec, Canada: A population-based study

10.1101/2020.08.26.20182675 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rodolphe Jantzen ◽

Nolwenn Noisel ◽

Sophie Camilleri-Broet ◽

Catherine Labbe ◽

Thibault de Malliard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Condition ◽

Positive Test ◽

Access To Health Services ◽

The Public ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Access To Health ◽

The Status ◽

Public Health Authorities

Background: By mid-July 2020, more than 108,000 COVID-19 cases had been diagnosed in Canada with more than half in the province of Quebec. To be prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall, it seems of utmost importance to analyze the epidemiological and socio-economic characteristics of the spring outbreak in the population. Method: We conducted an online survey of the participants of the CARTaGENE population-based cohort, composed of middle-aged and older adults. We collected information on socio-demographic, lifestyle, health condition, COVID-related symptoms and COVID-19 testing. We studied the association between these factors and two outcomes: the status of having been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and the status of having received a positive test when having been tested. These associations were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyzes using a hybrid tree-based regression model. Results: Among the 8,129 respondents from the CARTaGENE cohort, 649 were tested for COVID-19 and 41 were positive. Medical workers and individuals having a contact with a COVID-19 patient had the highest probabilities of being tested (32% and 42.4%, respectively) and of being positive (17.2% and 13.0%, respectively) among those tested. 7.6% of the participants declared that they have experienced at least one of the four COVID-related symptoms chosen by the Public Health authorities (fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia) but were not tested. Results from the tree-based model analyzes adjusted on exposure factors show that the combination of dyspnea, dry cough and fever was highly associated with being tested whereas anosmia, fever, and headache were the most discriminant factors for having a positive test among those tested. During the spring outbreak, more than one third of the participants have experienced a decrease in access to health services. There were sex and age differences in the socio-economic and emotional impacts of the pandemic. Conclusion: We have shown some discrepancies between the symptoms associated with being tested and being positive. In particular, the anosmia is a major discriminant symptom for positivity whereas ear-nose-throat symptoms seem not to be COVID-related. The results also emphasize the need of increasing the accessibility of testing for the general population.

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Reported COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Associated Factors among Members of Athens Medical Association: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9101134 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1134

Author(s):

Georgios Marinos ◽

Dimitris Lamprinos ◽

Panagiotis Georgakopoulos ◽

Georgios Patoulis ◽

Georgia Vogiatzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Medical Association ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Workers ◽

High Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities

There are limited data on the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccination coverage among physicians. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, online study was conducted among the members of the Athens Medical Association (I.S.A.) over the period 25 February to 13 March 2021. All members of I.S.A. were invited to participate in the anonymous online survey. A structured, anonymous questionnaire was used. Overall, 1993 physicians participated in the survey. The reported vaccination coverage was 85.3%. The main reasons of no vaccination were pending vaccination appointment followed by safety concerns. Participants being informed about the COVID-19 vaccines by social media resulted in lower COVID-19 vaccination coverage than health workers being informed by other sources. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that no fear over COVID-19 vaccination-related side effects, history of influenza vaccination for flu season 2020–2021, and the perception that the information on COVID-19 vaccination from the national public health authorities is reliable, were independent factors of reported COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Our results demonstrate a considerable improvement of the COVID-19 vaccination uptake among Greek physicians. The finding that participants reported high reliability of the information related to COVID-19 vaccination provided by the Greek public health authorities is an opportunity which should be broadly exploited by policymakers in order to combat vaccination hesitancy, and further improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake and coverage among physicians/HCWs, and the general population.

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Personal Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Realities and Perspectives of Healthcare Workers in Latin America

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17082798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 2798 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Diego Delgado ◽

Fernando Wyss Quintana ◽

Gonzalo Perez ◽

Alvaro Sosa Liprandi ◽

Carlos Ponte-Negretti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Personal Safety ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Integrity Protection

Healthcare workers exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) may not have adequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE), safety procedures, and diagnostic protocols. Our objective was to evaluate the reality and perceptions about personal safety among healthcare workers in Latin America. This is a cross-sectional, online survey-based study administered to 936 healthcare professionals in Latin America from 31 March 2020 to 4 April 2020. A 12-item structured questionnaire was developed. A total of 936 healthcare workers completed the online survey. Of them, 899 (95.1%) were physicians, 28 (2.9%) were nurses, and 18 (1.9%) were allied health professionals. Access to protective equipment was as follows: gel hand sanitizer (n = 889; 95%), disposable gloves (n = 853; 91.1%), disposable gowns (n = 630; 67.3%), disposable surgical masks (785; 83.9%), N95 masks (n = 516; 56.1%), and facial protective shields (n = 305; 32.6%). The vast majority (n = 707; 75.5%) had access to personal safety policies and procedures, and 699 (74.7%) participants had access to diagnostic algorithms. On a 1-to-10 Likert scale, the participants expressed limited human resources support (4.92 ± 0.2; mean ± SD), physical integrity protection in the workplace (5.5 ± 0.1; mean ± SD), and support from public health authorities (5.01 ± 0.12; mean ± SD). Healthcare workers in Latin America had limited access to essential PPE and support from healthcare authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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