scholarly journals 20 years of Malaria notifications in Bologna AUSL

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Canal ◽  
A Ubiali ◽  
D Resi ◽  
P Pandolfi ◽  
M P Fantini
Keyword(s):  
Ivory Coast ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
Local Vector

Abstract Background Notification of confirmed or suspected cases of Malaria is compulsory in Italy. It is essential to optimize control measures in case of imported and indigenous events, considering that the main local vector, Anopheles labranchiae, is still present in Italy. Methods Descriptive analysis of malaria cases notified from Bologna local health authority (AUSL) from January 2000 to December 2019. Results In the period 2000-2019, out of the 248 Malaria cases notified to the AUSL, 161 were males, and 87 were females, with median age of 33 (IQR: 42-25). All the cases were sporadic and travel-related. The main reasons for travelling were: return to the country of origin (n = 139, 56,0%), tourism (n = 39, 15,7%), work (n = 30, 12,1%), and immigration (n = 13, 5,2%). 86 (34,7%) cases were born in Italy, 43 (17,3%) in Nigeria, 27 (10,9%) in Cameroon, and 17 (6,9%) in Ghana. The cases were imported from Nigeria (n = 56, 22,9%), Cameroon (n = 30, 12,2%), Ghana (n = 26, 10,6%), Ivory Coast (n = 24, 9,8%). Most of the cases were not taking any drug for Malaria chemoprophylaxis (n = 214, 86,6%), 20 cases (8,1%) properly completed the prophylaxis, while 13 cases (5,3%) started chemoprophylaxis but they didn't complete it. The etiological agent identified was Plasmodium falciparum in 176 cases (71,0%), P. vivax in 26 cases (10,5%). Among the former cases 49 (32,2%) were contracted in Nigeria, 29 (19,1%) in Cameroon, 23 (15,1%) in Ghana, 20 (13,2%) in Ivory Coast, 10 (6,6%) in Senegal. 11 (68,8%) cases of P. vivax were contracted in Pakistan. Conclusions Epidemiological data collected from Bologna AUSL are consistent with those described from Istituto Superiore di Sanità: the majority of cases was comprised of foreigners, the great majority of cases was imported from Africa. P. Falciparum was prevalent in Africa while P. vivax was prevalent in Asia. Key messages The knowledge of the epidemiological situation allows public health workers to advise international travelers focusing on those most at risk of contracting Malaria. Periodic assessment of local epidemiology is necessary to evaluate if data are consistent with those described from international literature.

Employer Requirements to Work during Emergency Responses: Key Ethics Considerations

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (S1) ◽  
pp. 73-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lainie Rutkow ◽  
Holly A. Taylor ◽  
Tia Powell
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Department ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Health Departments ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
Emergency Responses

Local health departments and their employees are at the forefront of emergency preparedness and response. Yet, recent studies have found that some local public health workers are unwilling to report to work in a variety of disaster scenarios. This can greatly compromise a response, as many local health departments need “all hands on deck” to effectively meet increased demands. To address these concerns, local health departments have employed varied policy strategies to ensure that employees do report to work. After describing different approaches taken by local health departments throughout the United States, we briefly identify and explore key ethics considerations that arise for local health departments when employees are required to report to work for emergency responses. We then discuss how these ethics considerations may inform local health department practices intended to promote a robust emergency response.

scholarly journals Acceptability and feasibility of malaria prophylaxis for forest goers: findings from a qualitative study in Cambodia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽  
Mom Ean ◽  
Chhoeun Heng ◽  
Thoek Buntau ◽  
Rupam Tripura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vector Control ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Malaria Prophylaxis ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Preventive Medication ◽  
Greater Mekong Subregion

Abstract Background In the Greater Mekong Subregion, adults are at highest risk for malaria, particularly those who visit forests. The absence of effective vector control strategies and limited periods of exposure during forest visits suggest that chemoprophylaxis could be an appropriate strategy to protect forest goers against malaria. Methods Alongside a clinical trial of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis in northern Cambodia, qualitative research was conducted, including in-depth interviews and observation, to explore the acceptability of malaria prophylaxis for forest goers, the implementation opportunities, and challenges of this strategy. Results Prophylaxis with artemether–lumefantrine for forest goers was found to be acceptable under trial conditions. Three factors played a major role: the community’s awareness and perception of the effectiveness of prophylaxis, their trust in the provider, and malaria as a local health concern. The findings highlight how uptake and adherence to prophylaxis are influenced by the perceived balance between benefits and burden of anti-malarials which are modulated by the seasonality of forest visits and its influence on malaria risk. Conclusions The implementation of anti-malarial prophylaxis needs to consider how the preventive medication can be incorporated into existing vector-control measures, malaria testing and treatment services. The next step in the roll out of anti-malarial prophylaxis for forest visitors will require support from local health workers.

scholarly journals Nosocomial infections and community clusters of pertussis in France, 2000-2005

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 11-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Bonmarin ◽  
I Poujol ◽  
D Lévy-Bruhl
Keyword(s):  
Health Authority ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Sentinel Surveillance ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Paediatric Hospital ◽  
Sentinel Surveillance System

Pertussis is not a notifiable disease in France. In addition to a paediatric hospital sentinel surveillance system, pertussis epidemiological data have, since 1996, been gathered through the voluntary notification of community clusters by general practitioners, and since 2001 by the statutory notification of nosocomial infection to the relevant local health authority. The local health authority forwards the information to the French National Institute for Surveillance (InVS). The objective of this study was to analyse pertussis data outside the routine paediatric hospital sentinel surveillance system. We gathered all the information concerning healthcare-associated infections and community clusters of pertussis (specific forms, investigation reports, emails etc.) reported to the InVS between 2000 and 2005. The InVS received and analysed 67 reports with a total of 595 cases. Almost half of the reports (n=31) came from hospitals, and healthcare workers were usually first affected. Control measures were put in place in 22 healthcare facilities and the average duration of an outbreak episode was 48 days. Outside healthcare facilities, clusters were reported also from 17 daycare facilities or schools and five workplaces. Among the 595 cases, six deaths occurred in children under seven months of age. Pertussis is still occurring in France and affects those who are not or who are no longer protected by the vaccine. Infection of infants within the household could be prevented if their parents and siblings were immunised. The number and size of pertussis clusters in hospitals could be reduced through immunisation of health staff, and timely and adequate outbreak management.

scholarly journals Forest malaria and prospects for anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis among forest goers: findings from a qualitative study in Lao PDR

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽  
Soulixay Inthasone ◽  
Panarasri Khonputsa ◽  
Vilayvone Malaphone ◽  
Kulchada Pongsoipetch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Prophylactic Regimen ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Despite significant decline in malarial incidence and mortality in countries across the Greater Mekong Subregion, the disease remains a public health challenge in the region; transmission continues mainly among people who visit forests in remote areas, often along international borders, where access to primary healthcare is limited. In the absence of effective vector-control measures and limited exposure periods, malaria chemoprophylaxis has been proposed as a strategy to protect forest goers. As a rarely used approach for indigenous populations, questions remain about its feasibility and acceptability. Drawing on in-depth interviews with forest goers and stakeholders, this article examines opportunities and challenges for implementation of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis for forest goers in Lao PDR. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 forest goers and 15 stakeholders in Savannakhet province, Lao PDR. Interview topics included experience of malaria prevention and health services, and perceptions of prophylaxis as a potential component of malaria elimination strategy. The interviews were transcribed and coded using inductive and deductive approaches for qualitative thematic analysis. Results In ethnically and geographically diverse villages, awareness of malaria risk prompts forest goers to protect themselves, albeit sub-optimally using available preventive measures. Stakeholders highlighted challenges for targeting at-risk populations and approaches to address forest malaria in southern Lao PDR. Among policymakers, choice and cost of anti-malarials, particularly their efficacy and source of funding, were key considerations for the feasibility of malaria prophylaxis. Acceptability of prophylaxis among forest goers was also influenced by the complexity of the regimen, including the number of tablets and timing of doses. Implementation of prophylaxis may be affected by a lack of transportation and communication barriers in remote communities. Conclusion Adding prophylaxis to existing malaria control activities requires strengthening the capacity of local health workers in Lao PDR. Ideally, this would be part of an integrated approach that includes strategies to address the other febrile illnesses that forest goers describe as priority health concerns. The prophylactic regimen also requires careful consideration in terms of effectiveness and simplicity of dosing.

Examining Public Health Workers’ Perceptions Toward Participating in Disaster Recovery After Hurricane Sandy: A Quantitative Assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-377
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Errett ◽  
Carol B. Thompson ◽  
Lainie Rutkow ◽  
Stephanie Garrity ◽  
Kandra Stauss-Riggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Jersey ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Workers

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to quantitatively gauge local public health workers’ perceptions toward disaster recovery role expectations among jurisdictions in New Jersey and Maryland affected by Hurricane Sandy.MethodsAn online survey was made available in 2014 to all employees in 8 Maryland and New Jersey local health departments whose jurisdictions had been impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The survey included perceptions of their actual disaster recovery involvement across 3 phases: days to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. The survey also queried about their perceptions about future involvement and future available support.ResultsSixty-four percent of the 1047 potential staff responded to the survey (n=669). Across the 3 phases, 72% to 74% of the pre-Hurricane Sandy hires knew their roles in disaster recovery, 73% to 75% indicated confidence in their assigned roles (self-efficacy), and 58% to 63% indicated that their participation made a difference (response efficacy). Of the respondents who did not think it likely that they would be asked to participate in future disaster recovery efforts (n=70), 39% indicated a willingness to participate.ConclusionThe marked gaps identified in local public health workers’ awareness of, sense of efficacy toward, and willingness to participate in disaster recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy represent a significant infrastructural concern of policy and programmatic relevance. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:371–377)

scholarly journals Empirical model for short-time prediction of COVID-19 spreading

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e1008431
Author(s):  
Martí Català ◽  
Sergio Alonso ◽  
Enrique Alvarez-Lacalle ◽  
Daniel López ◽  
Pere-Joan Cardona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Gompertz Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Spreading Velocity ◽  
Current State ◽  
Term Evolution ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
Short Time

The appearance and fast spreading of Covid-19 took the international community by surprise. Collaboration between researchers, public health workers, and politicians has been established to deal with the epidemic. One important contribution from researchers in epidemiology is the analysis of trends so that both the current state and short-term future trends can be carefully evaluated. Gompertz model has been shown to correctly describe the dynamics of cumulative confirmed cases, since it is characterized by a decrease in growth rate showing the effect of control measures. Thus, it provides a way to systematically quantify the Covid-19 spreading velocity and it allows short-term predictions and longer-term estimations. This model has been employed to fit the cumulative cases of Covid-19 from several European countries. Results show that there are systematic differences in spreading velocity among countries. The model predictions provide a reliable picture of the short-term evolution in countries that are in the initial stages of the Covid-19 outbreak, and may permit researchers to uncover some characteristics of the long-term evolution. These predictions can also be generalized to calculate short-term hospital and intensive care units (ICU) requirements.

scholarly journals Post Flood Study on the Incidence of Leptospirosis in Alappuzha District of Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (03) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Rajendran R ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Laboratory Facilities ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Flood Period

Alappuzha district was severely affected by floods due to the intense rainfall in August 2018. A three member team with the assistance of local health workers was entrusted to assess the post flood situation and to assist the local health department to extend expertise mainly to control infectious diseases and propose suggestions regarding hygiene and sanitary measures to be taken for health and wellbeing of the community. Among the infectious diseases, Leptospirosis poses a significant public health issue in the flood affected areas of Alappuzha district. Majority of households had taken chemoprophylaxis for Leptospirosis as per standard protocol as also temporary rehabilitation camps in the flood affected areas. There was no episode of Acute Diarrheal Diseases (ADD), found in clusters in any of the areas. The number of dengue fever cases reported in post flood period was less when compared to previous year. Risk assessment is essential in post-disaster situations mainly concerned with the rapid implementation of control measures through refurbishment and improvement of health care delivery. The findings presented relate to an assessment carried out in Alappuzha district in September 2018 that included epidemiological situation analysis, appraisal of laboratory facilities for microbiology investigations, evaluation of health facilities and infrastructure available at Local Self Governments (LSGs).

scholarly journals Distinct effectiveness in containing COVID-19 epidemic: Comparative analysis of two cities in China by mathematical modeling

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
pp. e0000043
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Ji ◽  
Pengfei Li ◽  
Qinyue Zheng ◽  
Zhongren Ma ◽  
Qiuwei Pan
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
Emergency Units ◽  
Media Reports

For better preparing future epidemic/pandemic, important lessons can be learned from how different parts of China responded to the early COVID-19 epidemic. In this study, we comparatively analyzed the effectiveness and investigated the mechanistic insight of two highly representative cities of China in containing this epidemic by mathematical modeling. Epidemiological data of Wuhan and Wenzhou was collected from local health commission, media reports and scientific literature. We used a deterministic, compartmental SEIR model to simulate the epidemic. Specific control measures were integrated into the model, and the model was calibrated to the recorded number of hospitalized cases. In the epicenter Wuhan, the estimated number of unisolated or unidentified cases approached 5000 before the date of city closure. By implementing quarantine, a 40% reduction of within-population contact was achieved initially, and continuously increased up to 70%. The expansion of emergency units has finally reduced the mean duration from disease onset to hospital admission from 10 to 3.2 days. In contrast, Wenzhou is characterized as an emerging region with large number of primarily imported cases. Quick response effectively reduced the duration from onset to hospital admission from 20 to 6 days. This resulted in reduction of R values from initial 2.3 to 1.6, then to 1.1. A 40% reduction of contact through within-population quarantine further decreased R values until below 1 (0.5; 95% CI: 0.4–0.65). Quarantine contributes to 37% and reduction of duration from onset to hospital admission accounts for 63% to the effectiveness in Wenzhou. In Wuhan, these two strategies contribute to 54% and 46%, respectively. Thus, control measures combining reduction of duration from disease onset to hospital admission and within-population quarantine are effective for both epicenters and settings primarily with imported cases.

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