scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in educational settings: cross-sectional analysis of clusters and outbreaks in England

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharif A Ismail ◽  
Vanessa Saliba ◽  
Jamie A Lopez Bernal ◽  
Mary E Ramsay ◽  
Shamez N Ladhani
Keyword(s):  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Educational Settings ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND There are limited data on SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in educational settings. This information is critical for policy makers and practitioners to ensure the safety of staff, students and the wider community during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Public Health England initiated enhanced national surveillance following the reopening of educational settings during the summer mini-term on 01 June 2020. COVID-19 related situations in educational settings across England were reviewed daily and followed-up until 31 July 2020. SARS-CoV-2 infection and outbreak rates were calculated for staff and students attending early year settings, primary and secondary schools during June 2020. FINDINGS There were 67 single confirmed cases, 4 co-primary cases and 30 COVID-19 outbreaks during June 2020, with a strong correlation between number of outbreaks and regional COVID-19 incidence (0.51 outbreaks for each SARS-CoV-2 infection per 100,000 in the community; p=0.001). Overall, SARS-CoV-2 infections and outbreaks were uncommon across all educational settings. Staff members had an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to students in any educational setting, and the majority of cases linked to outbreaks were in staff. The probable transmission direction for the 30 confirmed outbreaks was: staff-to-staff (n=15), staff-to-student (n=7), student-to-staff (n=6) and student-to-student (n=2). INTERPRETATION SARS-CoV-2 infections and outbreaks were uncommon in educational settings during the first month after the easing of national lockdown in England. The strong correlation with regional SARS-CoV-2 incidence emphasises the importance of controlling community transmission to protect educational settings. Additional interventions should focus on reducing transmission in and among staff members. FUNDING None.

scholarly journals Cross sectional analysis of depression and stress in medical students

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler S. Jones ◽  
Deborah Rupert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Medical student wellbeing is a topic of growing concern. Medical students experience high levels of stress and burnout and are at increased risk for depression and suicidal ideation compared to the general population. Even more concerning, medical students are disproportionately less likely to seek help for their mental health issues. Identifying and preventing these problems early can have lasting positive consequences over the course of a physician’s lifetime. We implemented a wellness program at our medical school in the spring of 2016 with the goals of decreasing burnout and depression, heightening awareness of mental health issues, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors. To analyze the impact of our program, we have implemented a quality assurance survey. Here we report lifestyle factors associated with positive screens for depression from that data and propose institutional initiatives that can be spearheaded by medical students for medical students to impact positive change.

scholarly journals Experience with open schools and preschools in periods of high community transmission of COVID-19 in Norway during the academic year of 2020/2021.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Stebbings ◽  
Torill Alise Rotevatn ◽  
Vilde Bergstad Larsen ◽  
Pål Surén ◽  
Petter Elstrøm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Educational Settings ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Total Burden ◽  
Academic Year

Background: Schools and preschools have largely remained open in Norway throughout the pandemic, with flexible mitigation measures in place. This contrasts with many other high-income countries that closed schools for long periods of time. Here we describe cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools and preschools during the academic year 2020/2021, to evaluate the strategy of keeping these open with infection prevention control measures in place. Methods: In this descriptive study, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health initiated systematic surveillance for COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in schools and preschools in October 2020. Data was compiled from the national outbreak alert system VESUV, municipality websites, and media scanning combined with the national emergency preparedness register Beredt C-19. An outbreak was defined as ≥2 cases among pupils or staff within 14 days at the same educational setting. Settings were categorized as preschool (1-5-years), primary school (6-12-years), lower secondary school (13-15-years) and upper secondary school (16-18- years). We reported the incidence rate among preschool and school-aged pupils and gave a descriptive overview of outbreaks and included cases per educational setting. Results: During the whole academic year, a total of 1203 outbreaks in preschools and school settings were identified, out of a total of 8311 preschools and schools nationwide. The incidence of COVID-19 in preschool- and school-aged children and the rates of outbreaks in these settings largely followed the community trend. Most of the outbreaks occurred in primary schools (40%) and preschools (25%). Outbreaks across all settings were mostly small (median 3 cases, range 2 to 72), however, 40 outbreaks (3% of total) included 20 or more cases. The larger outbreaks were predominantly seen in primary schools (43%). Conclusions: We observed few large outbreaks in open schools and preschools in Norway during the academic year of 2020/2021, also when the Alpha variant was predominant. This illustrates that it is possible to keep schools and preschools open even during periods of high community transmission of COVID-19. Adherence to targeted IPC measures adaptable to the local situation has been essential to keep educational settings open, and thus reduce the total burden on children and adolescents. Keywords: SARS-Cov 2, COVID-19, Schools, Preschools, Children, Pupils, Outbreaks, Educational settings, Prevention, Adolescents

scholarly journals Association between Carbohydrate Intake and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Women

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3098
Author(s):  
Young-Ae Cho ◽  
Jeong-Hwa Choi
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Carbohydrate Intake ◽  
Korean Women ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Dairy Intake ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Carbohydrates consist of a large proportion of calories in the Asian diet. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between carbohydrate intake and metabolic syndrome in Korean women. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with a total of 4294 Korean women aged 40–69 years from the Korean Genomic and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Carbohydrate intake was calculated based on a validated food frequency questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEPIII). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association of carbohydrate intake with metabolic syndrome and its components. In this study, high carbohydrate intake seemed to be associated with low socioeconomic status and an imbalanced diet. After adjusting for confounding factors, subjects with higher carbohydrate intake showed an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.66, p-trend = 0.004, highest vs. lowest quartile [≥75.2 vs. <67.0% of energy]), particularly elevated waist circumference. This association was stronger among those with low levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and those with low dairy intake. In conclusion, higher carbohydrate intake is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, particularly abdominal obesity, in Korean women. This association may differ according to individuals’ CRP level and dairy intake.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa eradication therapy and risk of acquiring Aspergillus in young children with cystic fibrosis

Thorax ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 740-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabariah Noor Harun ◽  
Nicholas H G Holford ◽  
Keith Grimwood ◽  
Claire E Wainwright ◽  
Stefanie Hennig
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽  
Eradication Therapy ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sectional Analysis

BackgroundWhile Aspergillus detection rates in adults, adolescents and older children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have increased, the risk of acquiring this fungal pathogen in young children is unknown.AimTo determine the risk and explanatory factors of acquiring Aspergillus in children with CF by age 5 years.MethodsCross-sectional analysis of clinical, bronchoalveolar lavage and treatment data from the Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Bronchoalveolar Lavage study was used to identify predictive factors for detecting Aspergillus at age 5 years. A parametric repeated time-to-event model quantitatively described the risk and factors associated with acquiring Aspergillus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from birth until age 5 years.ResultsCross-sectional analysis found that the number of P. aeruginosa eradication courses increased the odds of detecting Aspergillus at age 5 years (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.12). The median (IQR) age for the first P. aeruginosa positive culture was 2.38 (1.32–3.79) years and 3.69 (1.68–4.74) years for the first Aspergillus positive culture. The risk of P. aeruginosa and Aspergillus events changes with time after the first year of study entry. It also decreases for P. aeruginosa after completing P. aeruginosa eradication (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.79), but increases for Aspergillus events (HR 2.75, 95% CI 1.45 to 5.41). The risk of acquiring both types of events increases after having had a previous event.ConclusionIn young children with CF, completing P. aeruginosa eradication therapy and previous Aspergillus events are associated with increased risk of acquiring Aspergillus.

scholarly journals Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously undiagnosed health care workers in New Jersey, at the onset of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S. Barrett ◽  
Daniel B. Horton ◽  
Jason Roy ◽  
Maria Laura Gennaro ◽  
Andrew Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Absolute Risk ◽  
Risk Difference ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCW) are presumed to be at increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure to infected patients. However, there has been little epidemiological research to assess these risks. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of HCW (n = 546) and non-healthcare workers (NHCW; n = 283) with no known prior SARS-CoV-2 infection who were recruited from a large U.S. university and two affiliated university hospitals. In this cross-sectional analysis of data collected at baseline, we examined SARS-CoV-2 infection status (as determined by presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in oropharyngeal swabs) by healthcare worker status and role. Results At baseline, 41 (5.0%) of the participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, of whom 14 (34.2%) reported symptoms. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher among HCW (7.3%) than in NHCW (0.4%), representing a 7.0% greater absolute risk (95% confidence interval for risk difference 4.7, 9.3%). The majority of infected HCW (62.5%) were nurses. Positive tests increased across the two weeks of cohort recruitment in line with rising confirmed cases in the hospitals and surrounding counties. Conclusions Overall, our results demonstrate that HCW had a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection than NHCW. Continued follow-up of this cohort will enable us to monitor infection rates and examine risk factors for transmission.

Retrospective Cross-sectional Analysis of Factors Associated with Asthma in a Pediatric Cohort from Turkey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezgi Ulusoy Severcan ◽  
Cem Murat Bal ◽  
Remziye Tanac ◽  
Figen Gulen ◽  
Esen Demir
Keyword(s):  
Family Income ◽  
Predictive Index ◽  
Recurrent Wheezing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Turkish Children ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Mite Allergy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract Background It is difficult to identify young children at increased risk of developing asthma amongst those with recurrent wheezing. In this study, we aimed to determine factors associated with asthma in Turkish children. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis on factors associated with asthma in 651 children (200 girls, 451 boys) admitted for recurrent wheezing. Results Amongst all included children, asthma frequency was 57.7%. Maturity, consanguinity, family income, passive smoking, father’s, siblings’ asthma were not found to be associated with asthma. Factors associated with asthma were: family’s, parents’, siblings’ atopy, family’s, mother’s asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, respiratory symptoms between wheezing attacks. The sensitivity (SN) of the modified asthma predictive index (mAPI) was 59.2% with a specificity (SP) of 91.3%, positive predictive index (PPI) of 65.1% and negative predictive index (NPI) of 82.3%. The SN of the modified Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) score was 22.9% with a SP of 89.2%, PPI of 84.6%, and NPI of 42.2%. Adjusted odds ratio for mAPI was 12.9, and for the modified PIAMA score 4. Conclusion Our analysis confirmed previously described factors associated with asthma. Although the SN is limited, the mAPI and PIAMA risk scores can be used to predict asthma in Turkish children. Differential diagnoses and overlaps with other chronic pediatric diseases such as immunodeficiencies need to be carefully excluded when confirming the diagnosis asthma.

Are Parties Equally Responsive to Women and Men?

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 957-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Homola
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Implicit Assumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Representation Of Women ◽  
Female Politicians ◽  
Women In Parliament ◽  
Women’S Preferences ◽  
Sectional Analysis

This article explores (1) whether policy makers are equally responsive to the preferences of women and men and (2) whether the increased presence of women in parliament improves responsiveness to women’s preferences. Using a time-series cross-sectional analysis of 351 party shifts by sixty-eight different parties across twelve Western European countries, the study finds that parties respond to the preference shifts of women and men. However, parties are more responsive to the preference shifts among men than among women – a finding that is not affected by the share of female politicians in parliament. The findings question the implicit assumption that substantive political representation of women necessarily follows from their descriptive representation in legislatures.

scholarly journals Composite health behaviour classifier as the basis for targeted interventions and global comparisons in men’s health

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Kendrick Flannigan ◽  
John L. Oliffe ◽  
Donald R. McCreary ◽  
Nahid Punjani ◽  
Khushabu Kasabwala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Unhealthy Diet ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Lifestyle Related Diseases ◽  
Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors

Introduction: Lifestyle-related diseases are the leading cause of death among North American men. We evaluated health behaviours and their predictors that contribute to morbidity and mortality among Canadian men as a means to making recommendations for targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of Canadian men drawn from 5362 visitors to our online survey page was conducted. The current study sample of 2000 men (inclusion: male and >18 years; exclusion: incomplete surveys) were stratified to the 2016 Canadian census. The primary outcome was the number of unhealthy men classified using our Canadian Composite Classification of Health Behaviour (CCCHB) score. Secondary outcomes included the number of men with unhealthy exercise, diet, smoking, sleep, and alcohol intake, as well as socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with unhealthy behaviours to be used for targeting future interventions. Results: Only 118/2000 (5.9%) men demonstrated 5/5 healthy behaviours, and 829 (41.5%) had 3/5 unhealthy behaviours; 391 (19.6%) men currently smoked, 773 (38.7%) demonstrated alcohol overuse, 1077 (53.9%) did not get optimal sleep (<7 or >9 hours per night), 977 (48.9%) failed to exercise >150 minutes/week, and 1235 (61.8%) had an unhealthy diet. Multivariate analysis indicated that men with high school education were at increased risk of unhealthy behaviours (odds ratio [OR] 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–2.18; p=0.005), as were men living with relatives (OR 2.10; 95% CI1.04–4.26; p=0.039), or with their partner and children (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.02–1.76; p=0.034). Conclusions: An overwhelming 41.5% of Canadian men had 3/5 unhealthy behaviours, affirming the need for targeted lifestyle interventions. Significant health inequities within vulnerable subgroups of Canadian men were identified and may guide the content and delivery of future interventions.

Analysis of Potential Conflicts of Interest among Otolaryngologic Patient Advocacy Organizations in 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (6) ◽  
pp. 967-969
Author(s):  
Neil S. Kondamuri ◽  
Vinay K. Rathi ◽  
Matthew R. Naunheim ◽  
Rosh V. Sethi ◽  
Ashley L. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Funding ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Patient Advocacy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Advocacy Organizations ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health News ◽  
Financial Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Medical Drug

Patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) are nonprofits dedicated to benefiting patients and their families through activities such as education/counseling and research funding. Although medical drug/device companies may serve as important partners, industry donations may bias the efforts of PAOs. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Kaiser Health News nonprofit database to identify and characterize otolaryngologic PAOs (n = 32) active in 2016. Among these PAOs, half (n = 16, 50.0%) focused on otologic diseases, and mean total annual revenue was $3.1 million. Among the 15 PAOs (46.9%) with publicly available donor lists, 10 (66.7%) received donations from industry. Few PAOs publicly reported the total amount donated by industry (n = 3, 9.4%) or published policies for mitigating potential financial conflicts of interest with donors (n = 3, 9.4%). Requiring drug and device companies to publicly report donations to PAOs may help patients, providers, and policy makers to better understand advocacy by these influential stakeholders.

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