scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey Among District Residents Presenting for Serologic Testing at Three Community-Based Test Sites — Washington, DC, July–August, 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne Sherman ◽  
Jacqueline Reuben ◽  
Naomi David ◽  
Delores P. Quasie-Woode ◽  
Jayleen K. L. Gunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Serologic Testing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prior Infection

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe District of Columbia (DC), a major metropolitan area, continues to see community transmission of SARS-CoV-2. While serologic testing does not indicate current SARS-CoV-2 infection, it can indicate prior infection and help inform local policy and health guidance. The DC Department of Health (DC Health) conducted a community-based survey to estimate DC’s SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and identify seropositivity-associated factors.MethodsA mixed-methods cross-sectional serology survey was conducted among a convenience sample of DC residents during July 27–August 21, 2020. Free serology testing was offered at three public test sites. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire on household and demographic characteristics, COVID-like illness (CLI) since January 1, 2020, comorbidities, and SARS-CoV-2 exposures. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to describe the sample population and assess factors associated with seropositivity.ResultsAmong a sample of 671 participants, 51 individuals were seropositive, yielding an estimated seroprevalence of 7.6%. More than half (56.9%) of the seropositive participants reported no prior CLI; nearly half (47.1%) had no prior SARS-CoV-2 testing. Race/ethnicity, prior SARS-CoV-2 testing, prior CLI, employment status, and contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases were associated with seropositivity (P<0.05). Among those reporting prior CLI, loss of taste or smell, duration of CLI, fewer days between CLI and serology test, or prior viral test were associated with seropositivity (P≤0.006).ConclusionsThese findings indicate many seropositive individuals reported no symptoms consistent with CLI since January or any prior SARS-CoV-2 testing. This underscores the potential for cases to go undetected in the community and suggests wider-spread transmission than previously reported in DC.What is already known on this subject?Traditional case-based detection and syndromic surveillance efforts might not identify mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. This is particularly true among people in the general population who do not have increased risk of severe illness or might not be tested otherwise. Consequently, the true population prevalence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infections might not be known.What this study adds?A community-based seroprevalence survey conducted in Washington, DC, during July 27–August 21, 2020 estimated that 7.6% of the convenience sample had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, indicating prior infection. At the time of this survey, most of the participants reported that they had not been previously infected with or tested for SARS-CoV-2. These findings highlight both the value of serologic surveillance in complementing other surveillance methods, and the importance of continued prevention and mitigation measures, such as maintaining physical distances of at least 6 feet, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, practicing frequent hand hygiene, and wearing face masks properly and consistently around people who do not live with you.

scholarly journals Community Engagement in the Development of an mHealth-Enabled Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Intervention (Step It Up): Pilot Focus Group Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joniqua Nashae Ceasar ◽  
Sophie Elizabeth Claudel ◽  
Marcus R Andrews ◽  
Kosuke Tamura ◽  
Valerie Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
American Women

BACKGROUND Community-based participatory research is an effective tool for improving health outcomes in minority communities. Few community-based participatory research studies have evaluated methods of optimizing smartphone apps for health technology-enabled interventions in African Americans. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to utilize focus groups (FGs) for gathering qualitative data to inform the development of an app that promotes physical activity (PA) among African American women in Washington, DC. METHODS We recruited a convenience sample of African American women (N=16, age range 51-74 years) from regions of Washington, DC metropolitan area with the highest burden of cardiovascular disease. Participants used an app created by the research team, which provided motivational messages through app push notifications and educational content to promote PA. Subsequently, participants engaged in semistructured FG interviews led by moderators who asked open-ended questions about participants’ experiences of using the app. FGs were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim, with subsequent behavioral theory-driven thematic analysis. Key themes based on the Health Belief Model and emerging themes were identified from the transcripts. Three independent reviewers iteratively coded the transcripts until consensus was reached. Then, the final codebook was approved by a qualitative research expert. RESULTS In this study, 10 main themes emerged. Participants emphasized the need to improve the app by optimizing automation, increasing relatability (eg, photos that reflect target demographic), increasing educational material (eg, health information), and connecting with community resources (eg, cooking classes and exercise groups). CONCLUSIONS Involving target users in the development of a culturally sensitive PA app is an essential step for creating an app that has a higher likelihood of acceptance and use in a technology-enabled intervention. This may decrease health disparities in cardiovascular diseases by more effectively increasing PA in a minority population.

The metabolic syndrome in pediatrics: Do we have a reliable definition? A systemic review.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Tropeano ◽  
Domenico Corica ◽  
Alessandra Li Pomi ◽  
Giorgia Pepe ◽  
Letteria Anna Morabito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardio-metabolic risk factors associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In the last two decades, several definitions of metabolic syndrome have been proposed for the pediatric population; all of them agree on the defining components but differ in the suggested criteria for diagnosis. This review aims to analyze the current diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome in pediatrics with a reference to their feasibility and reliability in clinical practice. Methods: The systemic research was conducted from January 2003 to June 2020 through MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases. Results: After the selection phase, a total of 15 studies (182 screened) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and hence they were reported in the present review. Twelve studies were cross-sectional, 2 were longitudinal and 1 was a consensus report. The sample population consisted of multiethnic group or single ethnic group including Turkish, European, Asian and Hispanic subjects. Conclusions: To date, there is not a univocal, internationally accepted pediatric definition of metabolic syndrome, which guarantees a high sensitivity and stability of the diagnosis. The definition proposed by IDF results the most straightforward and easy to use in clinical practice, having the unquestionable advantage of requiring measurements quickly accessible in clinical practice, without the adoption of multiple reference tables. Further research is needed to validate a new version of such definition which includes the diagnostic cut-off points recently suggested by published guidelines.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors for in-school transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Massachusetts K-12 public schools, 2020-2021

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra B Nelson ◽  
Caitlin Dugdale ◽  
Alyssa Bilinski ◽  
Duru Cosar ◽  
Nira L Pollock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Index Case ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
School Based ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Index Cases

Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 secondary attack rate (SAR) in schools is low when mitigation measures are adopted, Data on the relative impact of such strategies are limited. We evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 SAR in Massachusetts schools during 2020-21 and factors associated with transmission risk. Methods: In a convenience sample of 25 Massachusetts public K-12 school districts, de-identified information about SARS-CoV-2 cases and their school-based contacts was reported using a standardized contact-tracing tool. Index cases were included if they were in school while infectious. SAR was defined as the proportion of in-school contacts acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection and designated as possible or probable in-school transmission by school-based teams. We compared exposure-specific SAR using unadjusted risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI); p-values were calculated using Fishers exact tests. Results Eight districts (70 schools with >33,000 enrolled students) participated. There were 435 index cases and 1,771 school-based contacts (Table 1). Most contacts (1327/1771 [75%]) underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing and 39/1327 (2.9%) contacts tested positive. Of 39 positive contacts, 10 (25.6%) had clear out-of-school exposures and were deemed not in-school transmissions, so were excluded from further calculations. Twenty-nine (74.4%) contacts were deemed possible or probable in-school transmissions, resulting in an in-school SAR of 2.2%. Of the 29 in-school transmissions, 6 (20.7%) were staff-to-staff, 7 (24.1%) were staff-to-student, 3 (10.3%) were student-to-staff, and 13 (44.8%) were student-to-student; 6 (20.7%) occurred from index cases attending work/school while symptomatic. The unadjusted SAR (Table 2) was significantly higher if the index case was a staff member versus a student (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.06-4.49; p=0.030), if the index case was identified via in-school contact tracing versus via school-based asymptomatic testing (RR 8.44, 95% CI 1.98-36.06; p=0.001), if the exposure occurred at lunch versus elsewhere (RR 5.74, 95% CI 2.11-15.63; p<0.001; all lunch transmissions were staff-to-staff), and if both parties were unmasked versus both masked (RR 6.98, 95% CI 3.09-15.77; p<0.001). For students, SAR did not differ by grade level. Conclusions Secondary attack rates for SARS-CoV-2 were low in public school settings with comprehensive mitigation measures in place before the emergence of the delta variant; lack of masking and staff-to-staff dining were associated with increased risk.

scholarly journals Correction: Adherence towards COVID-19 mitigation measures and its associated factors among Gondar City residents: A community-based cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256954
Author(s):  
Zelalem Nigussie Azene ◽  
Mehari Woldemariam Merid ◽  
Atalay Goshu Muluneh ◽  
Demiss Mulatu Geberu ◽  
Getahun Molla Kassa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Hormonal, metabolic and nutritional alterations in smokers: emergency for smoking abstinence

2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gláucia Renata Souza Rodrigues ◽  
Marcela Melquíades ◽  
Maria Alvim Leite ◽  
Maíra Barros Louro ◽  
Carmen Perches ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Fasting Glycemia ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The University

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biochemical and nutritional status of smokers in treatment for smoking cessation and its association with anthropometric parameters. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with convenience sample. Adult smokers were assessed at the start of treatment in the Interdisciplinary Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (CIPIT/HU-UFJF). We evaluated the body mass index (BMI), conicity index (CI); waist circumference (WC), percentage of body fat (%BF), fasting glycemia, cortisol, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides (TG) and metabolic syndrome (MS). RESULTS: Most participants (52.2%) had MS and high cardiovascular risk. The fasting glycemia was abnormal in 30.4%. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and WC (r = 0.90; p = 0.0001), %BF (r = 0.79; p = 0.0001), CI (r = 0.65; p = 0.0001), glycemia (r = 0.42; p = 0.04) and TG (r = 0.47; p = 0.002). The CI presented positive correction with insulin (r = 0.60; p = 0.001), glycemia (r = 0.55; p = 0.007), TG (r = 0.54; p = 0.008) and %BF (r = 0.43; p = 0.004). Patients with longer duration of smoking had a higher risk of developing MS (OR = 9.6, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The smokers evaluated had increased risk for developing MS, especially those with longer duration of smoking, requiring urgent smoking cessation.

scholarly journals Emergency healthcare needs in the Lavender Hill suburb of Cape Town, South Africa: a cross-sectional, community-based household survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033643
Author(s):  
Peter W Hodkinson ◽  
Jennifer Lee Pigoga ◽  
Lee Wallis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveEmergency care is a key component of healthcare systems, but little is known about its real impact on communities. This study evaluated access, utilisation and barriers to healthcare, and specifically emergency care, in the low socioeconomic Cape Town suburb of Lavender Hill.DesignA cross-sectional, community-based household survey.SettingLavender Hill suburb in the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa.ParticipantsTwo-stage cluster sampling was used to identify approximately 13 households in each of 46 clusters, for a total of 608 households. A senior householder responded on behalf of each household surveyed.Primary outcome measuresAccess to, utilisation of and unmet needs related to healthcare at large and emergency care.ResultsIn August 2018, 608 households were surveyed, encompassing 2754 individuals, with a response rate of 96.4%. Almost a quarter of respondents (n=663, 24.1%) used the healthcare system within the last year. Female gender, advancing age, lower levels of education, recipients of disability grants, smaller household sizes and living in formal dwellings were factors associated with increased risk of unmet healthcare and emergency care needs. Only a small proportion of respondents (n=39, 1.4%) reported having unmet emergency healthcare needs, with wait times at facilities (n=9, 23.1%), emergency medical service delays (n=7, 17.9%) and personal safety (n=6, 15.4%) being prominent. There was a high prevalence of chronic medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemias) and recent deaths predominantly from trauma and malignancy.ConclusionThe emergency healthcare needs of the community appear to be well catered for, although community expectations may not be high and many barriers exist, particularly in accessing emergency care—be it via ambulance services or at healthcare facilities—and caring for chronic diseases in the ageing population. The Lavender Hill community could benefit from programmes addressing chronic disease management and emergency care delivery within the community.

Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease of undetermined aetiology in Taiwanese farmers: a cross-sectional study from Changhua Community-based Integrated Screening programme

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107369
Author(s):  
Jerry Che-Jui Chang ◽  
Hsiao-Yu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Thermal Hazards ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Integrated Screening

ObjectivesChronic kidney disease of undetermined or non-traditional aetiology (CKDu or CKDnT) has been reported in Mesoamerica among farmers under heat stress. Epidemiological evidence was lacking in Asian countries with similar climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CKDu and possible risk factors.MethodsWe used the data from the Changhua Community-based Integrated Screening programme from 2005 to 2014, which is the annual screening for chronic diseases in Taiwan’s largest rice-farming county since 2005. Our study population included farmers and non-farmers aged 15–60 years. CKDu was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at age under 60 years without hypertension, diabetes, proteinuria, haematuria or using Chinese herbal medicine. We estimated the adjusted prevalence OR (POR) of CKDu by farmers, age, sex, education, urbanisation, smoking, body mass index, hyperuricaemia, hyperlipidaemia, heart disease and chronic liver disease.Results5555 farmers and 35 761 non-farmers were included in this study. CKDu accounted for 48.9% of all CKD cases. The prevalence of CKDu was 2.3% in the farmers and 0.9% in the non-farmers. The crude POR of CKDu in farmers compared with non-farmers was 2.73 (2.13–3.50), and the adjusted POR was 1.45 (1.10–1.90). Dehydration (blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio >20) was found in 22% of the farmers and 14% of the non-farmers.ConclusionsFarmers in subtropical Asian countries are at increased risk of CKDu. Governments should take the CKDu epidemics seriously and provide farmers with occupational health education programmes on thermal hazards.

scholarly journals When Should Asymptomatic Persons Be Tested for COVID-19?

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. e02563-20
Author(s):  
Audrey N. Schuetz ◽  
Peera Hemarajata ◽  
Ninad Mehta ◽  
Sheldon Campbell ◽  
Stephanie Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Routine Surveillance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
American Society ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
American Society For Microbiology

ABSTRACTOn 24 August 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its website to highlight that asymptomatic individuals, even those with exposure to a COVID-19-positive contact, do not necessarily need to be tested unless they have medical conditions associated with increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The CDC subsequently updated its guidance on 19 September 2020 to support testing of asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of persons with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this editorial, the American Society for Microbiology Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Committee’s Subcommittee on Laboratory Practices comments on testing of asymptomatic individuals relative to current medical knowledge of the virus and mitigation measures. Specific points are provided concerning such testing when undertaking contact tracing and routine surveillance. Limitations to consider when testing asymptomatic persons are covered, including the need to prioritize testing of contacts of positive COVID-19 cases. We urge the CDC to consult with primary stakeholders of COVID-19 testing when making such impactful changes in testing guidance.

scholarly journals CalScope: Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence from Vaccination and Prior Infection in Adults and Children in California May 2021– July 2021

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megha L. Mehrotra ◽  
Esther Lim ◽  
Katherine Lamba ◽  
Amanda Kamali ◽  
Kristina W. Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Iterative Proportional Fitting ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Prior Infection

ABSTRACTImportanceUnderstanding how SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence varies regionally across California is critical to the public health response to the pandemic.ObjectiveTo estimate how many Californians have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from prior infection or vaccination.DesignWave 1 of CalScope: a repeated cross-sectional serosurvey of adults and children enrolled between April 20, 2021 and June 16, 2021.SettingA population-based random sample of households in seven counties in California (Alameda, El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Diego, and Shasta) were invited to complete an at-home SARS-CoV-2 antibody test and survey instrument.ParticipantsInvitations were sent to 200,000 randomly selected households in the seven counties. From each household, 1 adult (18 years and older) and 1 child (aged 6 months to 17 years) could enroll in the study. There were no exclusion criteria.Main Outcome(s) and MeasuresAll specimens were tested for antibodies against the nucleocapsid and spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The primary outcome was serostatus category, which was determined based on antibody test results and self-reported vaccination status: seronegative, antibodies from infection only, antibodies from infection and vaccination, and antibodies from vaccination alone. We used inverse probability of selection weights and iterative proportional fitting to account for non-response.Results11,161 households enrolled in wave 1 of CalScope, with 7,483 adults and 1,375 children completing antibody testing. As of June 2021, 27% (95%CI [23%, 31%]) of adults and 30% (95%CI [24%, 36%]) of children had evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection; 33% (95%CI [28%, 37%]) of adults and 57% (95%CI [48%, 66%]) of children were seronegative. Serostatus varied regionally. Californians 65 years or older were most likely to have antibodies from vaccine alone (59%; 95%CI [48%, 69%]) and children between 5-11 years old were most likely to have antibodies from prior infection alone (36%; 95%CI [21%, 52%]).Conclusions and RelevanceAs of June 2021, a third of adults in California and most children under 18 remained seronegative. Seroprevalence varied regionally and by demographic group, suggesting that some regions or populations might remain more vulnerable to subsequent surges than others.Key PointsQuestionWhat is the prevalence of vaccine and infection derived antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in adults and children in California?FindingsIn this population-based serosurvey that included 11,161 households, as of June 2021, 33% of adults and 57% of children were seronegative; 18% of adults and 26% of children had antibodies from infection alone; 9% of adults and 5% of children had antibodies from both infection and vaccination; and 41% of adults and 13% of children had antibodies from vaccination alone.MeaningSerostatus varied considerably across geographic regions, suggesting that certain areas might be at increased risk for future COVID-19 surges.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension among Adults in Rural Uttarakhand: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-490
Author(s):  
Vinita Thapliyal ◽  
Karuna Singh ◽  
Anil Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Population Based ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional

India is in a state of transition epidemiological, economic, and demographic and nutrition transition. And all these transitions are leading to non communicable diseases like obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance. The study was aimed to estimate the Prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among adults of rural Uttrakhand. It is a cross sectional community based study. Survey was conducted in rural areas of Uttrakhand, to make a sample size of 300 adults (18-45yr), using WHO STEPS questionnaire. Waist Circumference, Blood pressure, Body Mass Index of the participants was calculated. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. In the sample population based on systolic BP, 61.3% were non-hypertensive, 29.7% were pre-hypertensive and 9% were hypertensive. Based on diastolic BP, 43.3% were non-hypertensive, 32.7% were pre-hypertensive and 24% were hypertensive. Subjects with hypertension and pre-hypertension have higher BMI and waist circumference. A high prevalence rate of pre-hypertension and hypertension was depicted in rural areas of Uttrakhand region.4.8% of the female participants had systolic high blood pressure compared to the 11.9% of the male participants. On the other hand, 21.8% of the female participants had diastolic high blood pressure compared to the over 25% of the male participants.

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