scholarly journals Neighbourhood characteristics associated with the geographic variation in laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada: a multilevel analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristan Watson ◽  
Jeffrey C Kwong ◽  
Kathy Kornas ◽  
Sharmistha Mishra ◽  
Laura C Rosella
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Population Based ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Neighbourhood Level ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Median Rate

Purpose: There is limited information on the role of individual and neighbourhood level characteristics in explaining the geographic variation in the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) between regions. This study quantified the magnitude of the variation in COVID-19 rates between neighbourhoods in Ontario, Canada, and examined the extent to which neighbourhood-level differences are explained by census-based neighbourhood measures, after adjusting for individual-level covariates (i.e., age, sex, and chronic conditions). Methods: We conducted a multilevel population-based study of individuals nested within neighbourhoods. COVID-19 laboratory testing data were obtained from a centralized laboratory database and linked to health administrative data. The median rate ratio and the variance partition coefficient were used to quantify the magnitude of the neighbourhood-level characteristics on the variation of COVID-19 rates. Results: The unadjusted median rate ratio for the between-neighbourhood variation in COVID-19 was 2.22 (95% CI, 2.41 to 2.77). In the fully adjusted regression models, the individual and neighbourhood level covariates accounted for about 44% of the variation in COVID-19 between neighbourhoods, with 43% attributable to neighbourhood-level census-based characteristics. Conclusion: Neighbourhood-level characteristics could explain almost half of the observed geographic variation in COVID-19. Understanding how neighbourhood-level characteristics influence COVID-19 rates can support jurisdictions in creating effective and equitable intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Harnessing testing strategies and public health measures to avert COVID-19 outbreaks during ocean cruises

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Chowell ◽  
Sushma Dahal ◽  
Raquel Bono ◽  
Kenji Mizumoto
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Contact Network ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTo ensure the safe operation of schools, workplaces, nursing homes, and other businesses during COVID-19 pandemic there is an urgent need to develop cost-effective public health strategies. Here we focus on the cruise industry which was hit early by the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 40 cruise ships reporting COVID-19 infections. We apply mathematical modeling to assess the impact of testing strategies together with social distancing protocols on the spread of the novel coronavirus during ocean cruises using an individual-level stochastic model of the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. We model the contact network, the potential importation of cases arising during shore excursions, the temporal course of infectivity at the individual level, the effects of social distancing strategies, different testing scenarios characterized by the test’s sensitivity profile, and testing frequency. Our findings indicate that PCR testing at embarkation and daily testing of all individuals aboard, together with increased social distancing and other public health measures, should allow for rapid detection and isolation of COVID-19 infections and dramatically reducing the probability of onboard COVID-19 community spread. In contrast, relying only on PCR testing at embarkation would not be sufficient to avert outbreaks, even when implementing substantial levels of social distancing measures.

scholarly journals Predicting the duration of sickness absence spells due to back pain: a population-based study from Sweden

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-121
Author(s):  
Annina Ropponen ◽  
Katalin Gémes ◽  
Paolo Frumento ◽  
Gino Almondo ◽  
Matteo Bottai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Final Model ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Discriminatory Accuracy ◽  
C Statistic ◽  
International Statistical Classification ◽  
The Individual

ObjectivesWe aimed to develop and validate a prediction model for the duration of sickness absence (SA) spells due to back pain (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision: M54), using Swedish nationwide register microdata.MethodsInformation on all new SA spells >14 days from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2012 and on possible predictors were obtained. The duration of SA was predicted by using piecewise constant hazard models. Nine predictors were selected for the final model based on a priori decision and log-likelihood loss. The final model was estimated in a random sample of 70% of the SA spells and later validated in the remaining 30%.ResultsOverall, 64 048 SA spells due to back pain were identified during the 2.5 years; 74% lasted ≤90 days, and 9% >365 days. The predictors included in the final model were age, sex, geographical region, employment status, multimorbidity, SA extent at the start of the spell, initiation of SA spell in primary healthcare and number of SA days and specialised outpatient healthcare visits from the preceding year. The overall c-statistic (0.547, 95% CI 0.542 to 0.552) suggested a low discriminatory capacity at the individual level. The c-statistic was 0.643 (95% CI 0.634 to 0.652) to predict >90 days spells, 0.686 (95% CI 0.676 to 0.697) to predict >180 spells and 0.753 (95% CI 0.740 to 0.766) to predict >365 days spells.ConclusionsThe model discriminates SA spells >365 days from shorter SA spells with good discriminatory accuracy.

scholarly journals Cohort Profile: The China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Zhao ◽  
Feng Hong ◽  
Jianzhong Yin ◽  
Wenge Tang ◽  
Gang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Level Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Study Participants

AbstractCohort purposeThe China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) is a community population-based prospective observational study aiming to address the urgent need for understanding NCD prevalence, risk factors and associated conditions in resource-constrained settings for ethnic minorities in China.Cohort BasicsA total of 99 556 participants aged 30 to 79 years (Tibetan populations include those aged 18 to 30 years) from the Tibetan, Yi, Miao, Bai, Bouyei, and Dong ethnic groups in Southwest China were recruited between May 2018 and September 2019.Follow-up and attritionAll surviving study participants will be invited for re-interviews every 3-5 years with concise questionnaires to review risk exposures and disease incidence. Furthermore, the vital status of study participants will be followed up through linkage with established electronic disease registries annually.Design and MeasuresThe CMEC baseline survey collected data with an electronic questionnaire and face-to-face interviews, medical examinations and clinical laboratory tests. Furthermore, we collected biological specimens, including blood, saliva and stool, for long-term storage. In addition to the individual level data, we also collected regional level data for each investigation site.Collaboration and data accessCollaborations are welcome. Please send specific ideas to corresponding author at: [email protected].

scholarly journals Sickness absence among privately employed white-collar workers: A total population study in Sweden

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482093427
Author(s):  
Kristin Farrants ◽  
Kristina Alexanderson
Keyword(s):  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
White Collar ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
White Collar Workers ◽  
The Individual

Background: Knowledge about sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) among privately employed white-collar workers is very limited. Aims: This study aimed to explore SA and DP among privately employed white-collar women and men using different measures of SA to investigate differences by branch of industry, and to analyse the association between sociodemographic factors and SA. Methods: This was a population-based study of all 1,283,516 (47% women) privately employed white-collar workers in Sweden in 2012, using register data linked at the individual level. Several different measures of SA and DP were used. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations of sociodemographic factors with SA. Results: More women than men had SA (10.9% women vs. 4.5% men) and DP (1.8% women vs. 0.6% men). While women had a higher risk of SA than men and had more SA days per employed person, they did not have more SA days per person with SA than men. The risk of SA was higher for women (odds ratio (OR)=2.54 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.51–2.58)), older individuals (OR age 18–24 years=0.58 (95% CI 0.56–0.60); age 55–64 years OR=1.43 (95% CI 1.40–1.46) compared to age 45–54 years), living in medium-sized towns (OR=1.05 (95% CI 1.03–1.06)) or small towns/rural areas (OR=1.13 (95% CI 1.11–1.15)), with shorter education than college/university (OR compulsory only=1.64 (95% CI 1.59–1.69); OR high school=1.38 (95% CI 1.36–1.40)), born outside the EU25 (OR=1.23 (95% CI 1.20–1.27)) and singles with children at home (OR=1.33 (95% CI 1.30–1.36)). Conclusions: SA and DP among privately employed white-collar workers were lower than in the general population. SA prevalence, length and risk varied by branch of industry, sex and other sociodemographic factors, however, depending on the SA measure used.

scholarly journals Fair data for next-generation management of multiple sclerosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1151-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liesbet M Peeters
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Precision Level ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Individual

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive demyelinating and degenerative disease of the central nervous system with symptoms depending on the disease type and the site of lesions and is featured by heterogeneity of clinical expressions and responses to treatment strategies. An individualized clinical follow-up and multidisciplinary treatment is required. Transforming the population-based management of today into an individualized, personalized and precision-level management is a major goal in research. Indeed, a complex and unique interplay between genetic background and environmental exposure in each case likely determines clinical heterogeneity. To reach insights at the individual level, extensive amount of data are required. Many databases have been developed over the last few decades, but access to them is limited, and data are acquired in different ways and differences in definitions and indexing and software platforms preclude direct integration. Most existing (inter)national registers and IT platforms are strictly observational or focus on disease epidemiology or access to new disease modifying drugs. Here, a method to revolutionize management of MS to a personalized, individualized and precision level is outlined. The key to achieve this next level is FAIR data.

COVID-19 Illness: Mother–Baby Separation, Viruses, and Breastfeeding

2020 ◽  
pp. CLINLACT-D-20-00008
Author(s):  
Dena Duran ◽  
Jarold T. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

ObjectivesSome hospitals have instituted separation of mothers and their newborn(s) when SARS-CoV-2 is suspected or confirmed in the mother. Limited data are available for SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission, including studies on breast milk. This article looks at SARS CoV-2 case studies and data to date as well as prior pertinent research.MethodsInformal searches of PUBMED, CINAHL and Ovid Emcare were used to identify early reports of vertical transmissions of the novel Coronavirus, case reports, and population based reports of early evolving protocols and their outcomes. As this is a novel virus the authors used previously identified anti-infectivity and antiviral mechanisms of human milk on other similar viruses to guide analysis. Further this article reviewed the well established literature regarding the risks of undue infant separation which negatively affect nearly every aspect of infant and maternal health.ResultsInformal searches conducted in the spring and early summer of 2020 identified 14 early reports attempting to analyze the initial and evolving global response to SARS-CoV-2 and the effects of the virus on the maternal-infant dyad.ConclusionThe feasibility of single-family rooms and support for breastfeeding as an alternative approach that addresses many of the risks favorably and reduces economic cost, both in lifetime disease burden and direct care are discussed. Initial reports seem to indicate that immediate separation of the mother from her newborn is likely to increase the risk to both mother and infant.

scholarly journals Pooling of samples to optimize SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis by RT-qPCR: comparative analysis of two protocols.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Volpato ◽  
Daiana Lima-Morales ◽  
Priscila Lamb Wink ◽  
Julia Willig ◽  
Fernanda de-Paris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Sample Pooling ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Pooled Samples

RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 is the main diagnostic test used to identify the novel coronavirus. Several countries have used large scale SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR testing as one of the important strategies for combating the pandemic. In order to process the massive needs for coronavirus testing, the usual throughput of routine clinical laboratories has reached and often surpassed its limits and new approaches to cope with this challenge must be developed. This study has aimed to evaluate the use pool of samples as a strategy to optimize the diagnostic of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR in a general population. A total of 220 naso/orofaryngeal swab samples were collected and tested using two different protocols of sample pooling. In the first protocol (Protocol A); 10 clinical samples were pooled before RNA extraction. The second protocol (Protocol B) consisted of pooling the already extracted RNAs from 10 individual samples. Results from Protocol A were identical (100% agreement) with the individual results. However, for results from Protocol B, reduced agreement (91%) was observed in relation to results obtained by individual testing. Inconsistencies observed were related to RT-qPCR results with higher Cycle Thresholds (Ct > 32.73). Furthermore, in pools containing more than one positive individual, the Ct of the pool was equivalent to the lowest Ct among the individual results. These results provide additional evidence in favor of the clinical use of pooled samples for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis by RT-qPCR and suggest that pooling of samples before RNA extraction is preferrable in terms of diagnostic yield.

scholarly journals The Impact of Postponing 2020 Tokyo Olympics on The Happiness of O-MO-TE-NA-SHI Workers in Tourism: A Consequence of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiji Yamamura ◽  
Yoshiro Tsutsui
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Sporting Event ◽  
Japanese Workers ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Postponement ◽  
Happiness Level

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The implications for industries related to the Olympics—tourism, hotels and restaurants, and others—are expected to be affected by reduced demand. Japanese workers in these industries were prepared to offer their hospitality to visitors from around the world. They would be satisfied from not only an increase in income but also in offering visitors a taste of Tokyo’s great hospitality if the Olympics had been held in 2020. However, postponement of the sporting event is likely to have a significant impact on their happiness level. We independently collected individual-level panel data from March to April 2020. Based on this, we found that the happiness level of workers in the tourism and restaurant sectors declined drastically after the announcement of the postponement. Only two weeks later, their happiness level did not alter from the pre-announcement level. This tendency was strongly observed in Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures, but not in other prefectures. However, workers engaged in the tourism and restaurant sectors did not predict a decrease in their income even after the postponement. Combined, these findings indicate that loss of extending hospitality, rather than reduction in income, temporarily reduces the happiness level of workers.

scholarly journals A Study on Effectiveness of Online Learning System during COVID-19 in Sargodha

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 122-137
Author(s):  
Ijaz Hussain Ijaz Hussain ◽  
Rana Muhammad Basharat Saeed ◽  
Ali Furqan Syed
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Statistical Design ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Individual Perception ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Individual

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is known to be the worst pandemic on the planet which has not only affected humankind very severely but also frozen all areas of life on the sphere. The pandemic caused the largest turmoil in the field of education across the world. The conventional system of education has been disrupted resulting in the closure of all educational institutions around the globe. The exams were postponed which made the students more concerned about their academic achievements. The educationists around the world started thinking about some good alternatives for this problem and subsequently considered online learning as the best substitute for conventional learning at educational institutes. The current study was carried out to accentuate the effectiveness of online learning system during the wave of COVID-19. To achieve the objective of the study, two educational institutes, one government and one private institute, were selected in Sargodha through convenient sampling and the individual perception of the participant teachers was documented using questionnaire as the data collection tool. The descriptive and inferential statistical design was followed for the analysis of the data. The overall findings revealed that the online learning was an effective and efficient system of learning to fulfill the educational needs of learners at distant locations. On the whole, the inferences supported the effectiveness of the online learning system during COVID-19.

scholarly journals Characteristics of urban environments and novel problem-solving performance in Eurasian red squirrels

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1947) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pizza Ka Yee Chow ◽  
Kenta Uchida ◽  
Auguste M. P. von Bayern ◽  
Itsuro Koizumi
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Urban environments can be deemed ‘harsh’ for some wildlife species, but individuals frequently show behavioural flexibility to cope with challenges and demands posed by life in the city. For example, urban animals often show better performance in solving novel problems than rural conspecifics, which helps when using novel resources under human-modified environments. However, which characteristics of urban environments fine-tune novel problem-solving performance, and their relative importance, remain unclear. Here, we examined how four urban environmental characteristics (direct human disturbance, indirect human disturbance, size of green coverage and squirrel population size) may potentially influence novel problem-solving performance of a successful ‘urban dweller’, the Eurasian red squirrel, by presenting them with a novel food-extraction problem. We found that increased direct human disturbance, indirect human disturbance and a higher squirrel population size decreased the proportion of solving success at the population level. At the individual level, an increase in squirrel population size decreased the latency to successfully solve the novel problem the first time. More importantly, increased direct human disturbance, squirrel population size and experience with the novel problem decreased problem-solving time over time. These findings highlight that some urban environmental characteristics shape two phenotypic extremes in the behaviour-flexibility spectrum: individuals either demonstrated enhanced learning or they failed to solve the novel problem.

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