Housing Conditions Linked to Tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Infestation in Rural Areas of Colombia: A Potential Risk for Rickettsial Transmission

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C Quintero V ◽  
Javier Mignone ◽  
Lisardo Osorio Q ◽  
Astrid V Cienfuegos-Gallet ◽  
Carlos Rojas A
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Mixed Regression

Abstract This cross-sectional study explores the different conditions related to the infestation of ticks in households and the potential risks for rickettsial transmission in Urabá, Colombia. The main outcome of interest was villagers’ perception of tick infestation. The data were analyzed using a clog-log mixed regression model. Ticks were collected from infested humans to diagnose infection by spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR). In addition, a thematic analysis of qualitative data from key informants concerning knowledge about ticks was conducted. The prevalence of infestation of ticks in households was estimated at 60.99% (95% CI: 51.58–93.51). The multivariate model suggested that households with palm leaf roofs (PR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.19–2.95), canines (PR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.21–2.46), rats (PR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.45–3.08), and with the presence of opossums in areas surrounding the households (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.05–2.10) had a higher prevalence of tick infestation. Two samples of the tick species Amblyomma patinoi were found infected with Rickettsia amblyommatis and Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi. A thematic analysis provided the names that local community members give to ticks, areas where ticks are common, and the individuals at risk of infestation. The presence of domestic, synanthropic, and wild animals suggests a high risk of the dissemination of ticks inside dwellings and close to them in these rural areas.

scholarly journals Sociodemographic profile and distribution of Spotted Fever cases per brazilian region between the years 2008 and 2017

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e27011124843
Author(s):  
Juliana Hiromi Emin Uesugi ◽  
Caroline Ferreira Fernandes ◽  
Jonatan Carlos Cardoso da Silva ◽  
Hadassa Hanna Soares Martins ◽  
Eliane Leite da Trindade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Public Database ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Group Evolution ◽  
Sociodemographic Profile

This study aims to identify the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of Spotted Fever in Brazil between 2008 and 2017. A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach that used as a source of data the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) available in the public database of the Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), adopting the following variables within the pre-established period: Region of Notification, Sex, Age Group, Evolution, Infection Zone, Schooling, Environment of Infection, and Confirmation Criteria. Spotted fever was prevalent in the Southeast region of the country, although underreporting is a reality in other regions. The most affected population was male, economically active, living in rural areas, and with incomplete primary education. Thus, epidemiological surveillance is fundamental, especially in endemic and "silent" regions for the notification of the disease.

Epidemiology of Rickettsial Infection in the Municipality of Uramita, Colombia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C. Quintero-Vélez ◽  
Astrid V. Cienfuegos-Gallet ◽  
Lisardo Osorio Quintero ◽  
Andrés F. Úsuga ◽  
Sebastian Cifuentes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Surveillance Programs

This study aimed to analyze epidemiological indicators related to seroprevalent and seroincident cases of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and to identify housing conditions related to tick infestation. A prospective study (2016–2018) was conducted to examine rickettsial seropositivity in humans, domestic animals, and wild mammals in the municipality of Uramita, Antioquia, Colombia, where a previous Rickettsia rickettsii outbreak was reported from 2014 to 2015. The seroprevalence and its associated factors were estimated at baseline, and the seroincidence and its risk factors for humans were estimated 20 months later. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the housing conditions linked to tick infestation. The SFGR seroprevalence was 26.70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.79–31.37), and the factors associated with SFGR seropositivity were male sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [PRa], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.19–2.32), age (evaluated in 5-year increments) (PRa, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01–1.09), and household proximity (PRascattered versus very near=3.87; 95% CI, 1.12–8.66). The overall seroincidence was 7.40% (95% CI, 4.71–11.06), and the factors associated with SFGR seroincident cases were the presence of wild animals (adjusted relative risk [RRa], 2.46; 95% CI, 1.06–4.72) and the presence of trees in the peri-domiciliary area (RRa, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23–0.94). The prevalence of house tick infestation was 27.81% (95% CI, 21.93–34.80), and the factors associated with infestation were dirt floors (PRa, 5.88; 95% CI, 2.28–10.31), fiber cement roofs (PRa, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.07–2.83), and the presence of canines in peri-domiciliary or intra-domiciliary areas (PRa, 5.05; 95% CI, 3.31–7.19). Seropositivity rates for canines and opossums were 35.62% (26/73) and 100% (6/6), respectively. Identification of these factors will help to implement efficient surveillance programs in Colombia.

scholarly journals Antibodies against spotted fever group Rickettsia sp., in horses of the colombian Orinoquia

2015 ◽  
pp. 5004-5013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego A. Riveros-Pinilla ◽  
Leidy Acevedo G ◽  
Andrés F. Londoño ◽  
Agustín Góngora O
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Immunofluorescence Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence Test ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia ◽  
Apparently Healthy

ABSTRACT Objective. It was determined the presence of antibodies against Rickettsia sp. of the spotted fever group, in horses of 8 municipalities of the Colombian Orinoquia. Matherials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 246 sera from apparently healthy horses and processed by the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFI). Results. General seropositivity was (2.85%; 7/246), while by municipalities the results were, Arauca (9.1%; 2/22), Saravena (5.6%; 1/18), San José del Guaviare (4.9%; 2/41), San Martín (3.8%; 1/26), Yopal (1.9%; 1/52). It was not identified the presence of antibodies in Puerto López (0/52), Puerto Gaitán (0/15) and Villavicencio (0/20). Four of the positive samples presented titles of 1:64, while the remaining 3 1:128. Conclusions. It shows the circulation of Rickettsia sp. of the Spotted Fever Group in horses in the region of the Colombian Orinoquia, suggesting the need for further studies to understand the ecoepidemiology of municipalities with presence of seropositive.

scholarly journals Serosurvey for tick-borne diseases in dogs from the Eastern Amazon, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Granziera Spolidorio ◽  
Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino ◽  
Samantha Yuri Oshiro Branco Valadas ◽  
Herbert Sousa Soares ◽  
Kedson Alessandri Lobo Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Canine Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Brazilian Amazon Region ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia

Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in Brazilian dogs. Few studies have focused attention in surveying tick-borne diseases in the Brazilian Amazon region. A total of 129 blood samples were collected from dogs living in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Seventy-two samples from dogs from rural areas of 19 municipalities and 57 samples from urban stray dogs from Santarém municipality were collected. Serum samples were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with antigens ofBabesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and six Rickettsia species. The frequency of dogs containing anti-B. canis vogeli, anti-E. canis, and anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies was 42.6%, 16.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Anti-B. canis vogeli antibodies were detected in 59.6% of the urban dogs, and in 29.1% of the rural dogs (P < 0.05). For E. canis, seroprevalence was similar among urban (15.7%) and rural (16.6%) dogs. ForRickettsia spp., rural dogs presented significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence (40.3%) than urban animals (21.1%). This first study on tick-borne pathogens in dogs from the Brazilian eastern Amazon indicates that dogs are exposed to several agents, such asBabesia organisms, mostly in the urban area; Spotted Fever group Rickettsia organisms, mostly in the rural area; andEhrlichia organisms, in dogs from both areas studied.

Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis and its Correlation with Socio-demographic Variables in Pregnant Women in Al-Diwaniya,Iraq

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (SPL1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiren Ali Al Hamzawi
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
Low Education

Estimates of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in pregnant women are variable with few studies in Iraq.T. vaginalis is a worldwide prevalent sexually transmitted infection,but fortunately,it is very treatable. Researchers believed that pregnancy is one of the effective factors for T. vaginalis infection in women.A cross-sectional study performed in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniya city on two hundred female pregnant patients between the ages of 16-45 years. These females had no intercourse for 2–3 days,not using drugs (antibiotics,antiprotozoal or steroids) for the last 15 days. Vaginal discharges of any type with or without itching,burning sensation or both were their main complaints. Vaginal swabs were taken from all participating patients for direct wet mount microscopy and culture for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The study showed that twelve out of two hundred examined pregnant women (6%) presented with T. vaginalis infection. The infection was more in those with mothers’ age (26-35) years,housewives,low education,higher parity,and of rural residents. Other maternal variables were not significantly associated with T. vaginalis infection. The study showed a prevalence of (6%) of T. vaginalis infection in pregnant female attendees. Infection was more in those with mothers ’age (26-35) years,housewives,low educational level,higher parity,and living in rural areas.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Confidence and Preparedness in Paramedics in Metropolitan, Regional, and Rural Australia to Manage Mental-Health-Related Presentations: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1882
Author(s):  
Kate Emond ◽  
Melanie Bish ◽  
Michael Savic ◽  
Dan I. Lubman ◽  
Terence McCann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Manage Mental ◽  
Manage Mental Health

Mental-health-related presentations account for a considerable proportion of the paramedic’s workload in prehospital care. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceived confidence and preparedness of paramedics in Australian metropolitan and rural areas to manage mental-health-related presentations. Overall, 1140 paramedics were surveyed. Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables by sex and location of practice; continuous variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Perceived confidence and preparedness were each modelled in multivariable ordinal regressions. Female paramedics were younger with higher qualifications but were less experienced than their male counterparts. Compared to paramedics working in metropolitan regions, those working in rural and regional areas were generally older with fewer qualifications and were significantly less confident and less prepared to manage mental health presentations (p = 0.001). Compared to male paramedics, females were less confident (p = 0.003), although equally prepared (p = 0.1) to manage mental health presentations. These results suggest that higher qualifications from the tertiary sector may not be adequately preparing paramedics to manage mental health presentations, which signifies a disparity between education provided and workforce preparedness. Further work is required to address the education and training requirements of paramedics in regional and rural areas to increase confidence and preparedness in managing mental health presentations.

scholarly journals Rurality and Dropout in Virtual Higher Education Programmes in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4953
Author(s):  
Alfredo Guzmán Rincón ◽  
Sandra Barragán ◽  
Favio Cala Vitery
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Evaluation Instrument ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Stratum ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Rural Student

As part of the 2030 Agenda, higher education has been conceptualised as one of the ways to overcome the social disparities experienced in rural areas in Colombia. Thus, in concordance with the benefits of this level of education, the state has been designing public policies during the last few years, in order to facilitate access to undergraduate programmes to these populations, focusing mainly on the implementation of the virtual modality. In this context, it is recognised that access itself is not enough, but that continuance and timely graduation are required to materialise the benefits obtained along with a higher education degree; hence, dropout is a subject of interest for study, especially due to the high rates existing in the rural student population. Therefore, the event of dropout becomes an obstacle to social change and transformation in rural areas. Thus, this article aimed to identify which individual, institutional, academic and socio-economic characteristics influence rural student dropout in virtual undergraduate programmes in Colombia. For this purpose, an exploratory, quantitative and cross-sectional study was proposed, with a sample of 291 students to whom a student characterisation instrument and a classroom evaluation instrument were applied. With these data, it was proceeded to establish which of them had deserted, constituting the extraction of the sample of the study, which were 168. With the information, an exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and descriptive statistics were used to establish which explanatory variables are involved in the dropout of this type of student. The results showed that the academic variables analysed do not have an impact on the event, while marital status (associated with family obligations), age, social stratum, work obligations, parents’ level of education and type of work, income and type of employment relationship of the student, and, finally, the number of people who depend on the family’s income do.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing HIV Drug Resistance among Pregnant Women in Luanda, Angola: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Cruz S. Sebastião ◽  
Joana Morais ◽  
Miguel Brito
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Drug Resistance ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
High Educational

The increase in HIV infection and drug-resistant strains is an important public health concern, especially in resource-limited settings. However, the identification of factors related to the propagation of infectious diseases represents a crucial target offering an opportunity to reduce health care costs as well as deepening the focus on preventing infection in high-risk groups. In this study, we investigate the factors related to drug resistance among HIV-infected pregnant women in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. This was a part of a cross-sectional study conducted with 42 HIV-positive pregnant women. A blood sample was collected, and HIV-1 genotyping was carried out using an in-house method. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the interaction between sociodemographic characteristics and drug resistance. HIV drug resistance was detected in 44.1% of the studied population. High probabilities of drug resistance were observed for HIV-infected pregnant women living in rural areas (AOR: 2.73; 95% CI: 0.50–14.9) with high educational level (AOR: 6.27; 95% CI: 0.77–51.2) and comorbidities (AOR: 5.47; 95% CI: 0.28–106) and infected with a HIV-1 non-B subtype other than subtype C (AOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 0.25–10.3). The present study reports high HIV drug resistance. Furthermore, older-age, rural areas, high educational levels, unemployed status, having comorbidities, and HIV-1 subtypes were factors related to drug resistance. These factors impact on drug susceptibility and need to be urgently addressed in order to promote health education campaigns able to prevent the spread of drug-resistant HIV strains in Angola.

scholarly journals Changes in Tobacco Use Patterns during COVID-19 and Their Correlates among Older Adults in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1779
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Armm Mehrab Ali ◽  
Md. Ashfikur Rahman ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Bhawna Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The present study explored the changes in tobacco use patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic and their correlates among older adults in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1032 older adults aged ≥60 years in Bangladesh through telephone interviews in October 2020. Participants’ characteristics and COVID-19-related information were gathered using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Participants were asked if they noted any change in their tobacco use patterns (smoking or smokeless tobacco) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic (6 months prior to the survey). Nearly half of the participants (45.6%) were current tobacco users, of whom 15.9% reported increased tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic and all others had no change in their tobacco use patterns. Tobacco use was significantly increased among the participants from rural areas, who had reduced communications during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic (OR = 2.76, 95%CI:1.51–5.03). Participants who were aged ≥70 years (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.77), widowed (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13–1.00), had pre-existing, non-communicable, and/or chronic conditions (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.78), and felt themselves at the highest risk of COVID-19 (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.62), had significantly lower odds of increased tobacco use. Policy makers and practitioners need to focus on strengthening awareness and raising initiatives to avoid tobacco use during such a crisis period.

scholarly journals Enteroparasitosis in patients attended by the health public service: epidemiology and spatial distribution

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 34764
Author(s):  
Andressa Barros Ibiapina ◽  
Janaína Soares Leal ◽  
Pedro Ricardo Alves de Santana ◽  
Marcelo Ribeiro Mesquita ◽  
Tito Lívio da Cunha Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intestinal Parasitosis ◽  
The City

AIMS: This research aims to determine the epidemiology and the spatial distribution of intestinal parasitosis in the city of Teresina.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the data of parasitological fecal exams performed in the Laboratory Raul Bacelar between January, 2014 and July, 2017. In addition to the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and polyparasitism, we verified the association of these diseases with gender, zone and period of the year by means of the chi-squared test, whereas the relation with age was analyzed by the Mann-Kendall tests and multiple comparisons of age classes. The spatial distribution was performed using the QGIS georeferencing software.RESULTS: The prevalence of enteroparasitosis in Teresina is 17,8% with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common species, due to the precarious sanitary conditions of the city. The prevalence of individuals with polyparasitism is 3,13%, in which an association between the species Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was found. There was no relation between intestinal parasitosis with gender, but we verified that individuals in rural areas are more susceptible to these diseases. The species Ascaris lumbricoides and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar occur more frequently in the first and second semester, respectively. We observed that there is an apparent tendency to increase cases of E. histolytica/dispar and reduction of cases of Giardia sp. according to aging. Mapping intestinal parasitosis showed us that there is a prevalence between one and 20% in most of Teresina's neighborhoods, and Ascariasis embodies at least 40% of cases of enteroparasitosis in these neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS: Investments in basic sanitation and new epidemiological investigations must be carried out to control intestinal parasitosis in Teresina, emphasizing that children and the elderly should be considered priority groups in these programs.

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