scholarly journals Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Infections after Vaccination in North Carolina

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Uschner ◽  
Matthew Bott ◽  
Michele Santacatterina ◽  
Mihili P Gunaratne ◽  
Lida Fette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Breakthrough Infection ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Vector Vaccine

Importance: Real-world data are needed to assess incidence and factors associated with breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections following vaccination. Objective: Estimate incidence of breakthrough infections and assess associations with risk factors using self-reported data from a large NC population sample. Design: Prospective observational cohort study utilizing daily online survey data to capture information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, and vaccination status. Setting: Six health care systems in North Carolina with data collected between January 15, 2021 and September 24, 2021. Participants: Adult study participants who reported full vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA or J&J non-replicating viral vector vaccine (n = 16,020). Exposures: Potential community exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Main Outcome and Measures: Self-reported breakthrough infection. Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination was self-reported in 1.9% of participants, with an incidence rate of 7.3 per 100,000 person-years. Younger age (45-64 vs. 18-44: HR (95% CI) = 0.65 (0.51-0.82); 65+ vs. 18-44: HR (95% CI) = 0.59 (0.39-0.90)), and vaccination with J&J Ad26.COV2.S were associated with a higher risk of breakthrough infection compared to vaccination with Pfizer BNT162b2 (Ad26.COV2.S vs. BNT162b2: HR (95% CI) = 2.23 (1.40-3.56)), while participants vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (mRNA-1273 vs. BNT162b2: HR (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.50-0.96) and those residing in urban counties experienced a lower rate of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection compared with those from suburban (HR (95% CI) = 1.39 (1.01-1.90)) or rural (HR (95% CI) = 1.57 (1.16-2.11)) counties. There was no significant association between breakthrough infection and participant sex, race, healthcare worker status, prior COVID-19 infection, routine mask use, or overall vaccination rate in the county of residence. Conclusions and Relevance: This NC community-based observational study showed that the proportion of the cohort who self-report breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections was 7.3 events per 100,000 person-years. Younger adults, those vaccinated with J&J Ad26.COV2.S, and those residing in suburban or rural counties were at higher risk of breakthrough infections and should be targeted for additional risk mitigation strategies to decrease community transmission.

Evaluating North Carolina Food Pantry Food Safety–Related Operating Procedures

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 2033-2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
ASHLEY CHAIFETZ ◽  
BENJAMIN CHAPMAN
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Food Safety Training

Almost one in seven American households were food insecure in 2012, experiencing difficulty in providing enough food for all family members due to a lack of resources. Food pantries assist a food-insecure population through emergency food provision, but there is a paucity of information on the food safety–related operating procedures used in the pantries. Food pantries operate in a variable regulatory landscape; in some jurisdictions, they are treated equivalent to restaurants, while in others, they operate outside of inspection regimes. By using a mixed methods approach to catalog the standard operating procedures related to food in 105 food pantries from 12 North Carolina counties, we evaluated their potential impact on food safety. Data collected through interviews with pantry managers were supplemented with observed food safety practices scored against a modified version of the North Carolina Food Establishment Inspection Report. Pantries partnered with organized food bank networks were compared with those that operated independently. In this exploratory research, additional comparisons were examined for pantries in metropolitan areas versus nonmetropolitan areas and pantries with managers who had received food safety training versus managers who had not. The results provide a snapshot of how North Carolina food pantries operate and document risk mitigation strategies for foodborne illness for the vulnerable populations they serve. Data analysis reveals gaps in food safety knowledge and practice, indicating that pantries would benefit from more effective food safety training, especially focusing on formalizing risk management strategies. In addition, new tools, procedures, or policy interventions might improve information actualization by food pantry personnel.

scholarly journals Timing of Breakthrough Infection Risk After Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Tuite ◽  
Nelson Lee ◽  
David Fisman
Keyword(s):  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Breakthrough Infection ◽  
Vector Vaccine ◽  
Dosing Intervals

Background: Provision of safe and effective vaccines has been a remarkable public health achievement during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The effectiveness and durability of protection of the first two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is an important area for study, as are questions related to optimal dose combinations and dosing intervals. Methods: We performed a case-cohort study to generate real-world evidence on efficacy of first and second dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, using a population-based case line list and vaccination database for the province of Ontario, Canada between December 2020 and October 2021. Risk of infection after vaccination was evaluated in all laboratory-confirmed vaccinated SARS-CoV-2 cases, and a 2% sample of vaccinated controls, evaluated using survival analytic methods, including construction of Cox proportional hazards models. Vaccination status was treated as a time-varying covariate. Results: First and second doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine markedly reduced risk of infection (first dose efficacy 68%, 95% CI 67% to 69%; second dose efficacy 88%, 95% CI 87 to 88%). In multivariable models, extended dosing intervals were associated with lowest risk of breakthrough infection (HR for redosing 0.64 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.67) at 6-8 weeks). Heterologous vaccine schedules that mixed viral vector vaccine first doses with mRNA second doses were significantly more effective than mRNA only vaccines. Risk of infection largely vanished during the time period 4-6 months after the second vaccine dose, but rose markedly thereafter. Interpretation: A case-cohort design provided an efficient means to identify strong protective effects associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, particularly after the second dose of vaccine. However, this effect appeared to wane once more than 6 months had elapsed since vaccination. Heterologous vaccination and extended dosing intervals improved the durability of immune response.

Survey of laceration injuries experienced by US adolescent and young adult alpine skier racers during the 2018–2019 ski season

2021 ◽  
pp. 175433712110263
Author(s):  
Christie M Bielmeier ◽  
Jessica Man
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Tuning Method ◽  
Cup Wheel ◽  
Body Location ◽  
Ski Racers

Recently during ski racing competitions, a few high-profile accidents resulted in severe life-threatening laceration injuries. Ski-laceration injuries are caused by metal ski edges cutting through skin/muscles/arteries during falls and range in severity. There is a desire by the racing community to better protect skiers. However, current laceration injury research does not provide detailed information about laceration injuries or focus on adolescent and young adult ski racers. Therefore, the Self-Report Slash Injury Survey (Slash Survey) was conducted to (a) measure the frequency, severity, and body location of laceration injuries during skiing and (b) identify the skiing environment and ski maintenance level during laceration injuries. The Slash Survey was an online survey that asked participants ages 10–24, who are enrolled in US ski race programs, to report whether they experienced a laceration injury and what ski maintenance was used during the 2018–2019 ski season. The Slash Survey results suggest that the laceration injury rate during the 2018–2019 ski season was 6.8% and almost half the lacerations reported were considered slight (i.e. <1 day of absence from the sport). For respondents of the survey, no correlation was found between laceration injuries and (a) slope surface conditions, (b) outside temperature, (c) weather, (d) skiing activity, and (e) ski maintenance (tuning). From the survey, the most common ski tuning method was using a file guide by hand (29%), automated ski tune at a ski shop (20%), stone grind (17%), and cup wheel grinder (17%). Furthermore, open-ended responses suggest that a ski community narrative may be amplifying the awareness of laceration injuries. The aim of this survey was to establish detailed information about ski laceration injuries among adolescent and young adult US ski racers for the development of mitigation strategies.

scholarly journals Unveiling Associations of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Hesitancy, and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Adult Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12348
Author(s):  
Carmina Castellano-Tejedor ◽  
María Torres-Serrano ◽  
Andrés Cencerrado
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Multifaceted Interventions ◽  
Resistance Rates

COVID-19 vaccines are essential to limit and eliminate the infectious disease. This research aims to identify strong vaccination resistance profiles and/or hesitation considering health, psychosocial, and COVID-related variables. A cross-sectional online survey (N = 300) was conducted in the context of strict COVID-related gathering and mobility restrictions (January–March 2021). Data collected were vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and resistance rates, general psychosocial status, and preventive practices and beliefs regarding COVID-19 and its vaccination, among other factors. Logistic regression was applied to a real-world data set and a significant model (χ2 (7, N = 278) = 124.548, p < 0.001) explaining 51.3% (R2 Nagelkerke) of attitudes towards vaccination was obtained, including the following predictors for acceptance: to have greater confidence in the COVID vaccine security (OR = 0.599) and effectiveness (OR = 0.683), older age (OR = 0.952), to be a healthcare professional (OR = 0.363), to have vulnerable individuals in charge (OR = 0.330), and sustain the belief that the vaccine will end the pandemic situation (OR = 0.346) or not being sure but give some credence to that belief (OR = 0.414). Findings could help understand the rate and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine resistance/hesitancy among a Spanish population sample and facilitate multifaceted interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance.

Does Dispositional Mindfulness Predict the Development of Grit?

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Paul Jose ◽  
Karen Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Dispositional Mindfulness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Acting With Awareness ◽  
Mindfulness Facets

Abstract. Grit, that is, perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is a novel construct that has gained attention in recent years ( Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007 ). To date, little research has been performed with the goal of identifying the antecedents of grit. Thus, in order to fill this gap in the literature, self-report data were collected to examine whether mindfulness, a mindset of being-in-the-present in a nonjudgmental way, plays a role in fostering grittiness. Three hundred and forty-three undergraduate students completed an online survey once in a cross-sectional study, and of these, 74 students completed the survey again 4.5 months later. Although the cross-sectional analyses identified a number of positive associations between mindfulness and grit, the longitudinal analysis revealed that the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness and non-judging were the most important positive predictors of grit 4.5 months later. This set of findings offers implications for future grit interventions.

Proactive Actions Based on a Resilient Approach to Urban Seismic Risk Mitigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-335
Author(s):  
Marco Vona
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Natural Risk ◽  
Seismic Risk Mitigation

Background: Seismic risk mitigation is an important issue in earthquake-prone countries, and needs to be solved in those complex communities governed by complex processes, where urban planning, socioeconomic dynamics, and, often, the need to preserve cultural assets are present simultaneously. In recent years, due to limited financial resources, mitigation activities have often been limited to post-earthquake events, and only a few in periods of inactivity, particularly in urban planning. At this point, a significant change in point of view is necessary. Methods: The seismic risk mitigation (and more generally, natural risk mitigation) must be considered as the main topic in urban planning and in the governance of communities. In fact, in several recent earthquakes, significant socioeconomic losses have been caused by the low or lack of resilience of the communities. This is mainly due to the high vulnerability of private buildings, in particular, housing units. Results: Therefore, in recent years, several studies have been conducted on the seismic resilience of communities. However, significant improvements are still needed for the resilience assessment of the housing stock, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study, which is applied to the housing system, a proposal regarding a change in urban planning and emergency management tools based on the concept of resilience is reported. As a first application, a case study in Italy is considered. Conclusion: The proposal is focused on defining and quantifying the improvement of the resilience of the communities and this must be obtained by modifying the current Civil Protection plan. New tools are based on a new resilience community plan by encompassing urban planning tools, resilient mitigation strategies, and consequently, emergency management planning.

scholarly journals 307 A systems approach to understanding biosecurity decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
Scott C Merrill ◽  
Christopher Koliba ◽  
Gabriela Bucini ◽  
Eric Clark ◽  
Luke Trinity ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Livestock Industry ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Operational Level

Abstract Disease and its consequences result in social and economic impacts to the US animal livestock industry, ranging from losses in human capital to economic costs in excess of a billion dollars annually. Impacts would dramatically escalate if a devastating disease like Foot and Mouth Disease or African Swine Fever virus were to emerge in the United States. Investing in preventative biosecurity can reduce the likelihood of disease incursions and their negative impact on our livestock industry, yet uncertainty persists with regards to developing an effective biosecurity structure and culture. Here we show the implications of human behavior and decision making for biosecurity effectiveness, from the operational level to the owner/managerial level and finally to the systems level. For example, adjustments to risk messaging strategies could double worker compliance with biosecurity practices at the operational level. The improvement of our risk communication strategy may increase willingness to invest in biosecurity. Furthermore, the adaptation of policies could nudge behavior so that we observe a short disease outbreak followed by a quick eradication instead of a pandemic. Our research shows how the emergence of now-endemic diseases, such as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, cannot be adequately modeled without the use of a human behavioral component. Focusing solely on any one sector or level of the livestock system is not sufficient to predict emergent disease patterns and their social and economic impact on livestock industries. These results provide insight toward developing more effective risk mitigation strategies and ways to nudge behavior toward more disease resilient systems.

scholarly journals Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best–worst scaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kata Farkas ◽  
Emma Green ◽  
Dan Rigby ◽  
Paul Cross ◽  
Sean Tyrrel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Best Worst Scaling ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Health Need ◽  
Levels Of Control

AbstractPollutants found in the water and air environment represent an ever-growing threat to human health. Contact with some air-, water- and foodborne pathogens (e.g. norovirus) results in gastrointestinal diseases and outbreaks. For future risk mitigation, we aimed to measure people’s awareness of waterborne and foodborne norovirus relative to other environment-associated pollutants (e.g. pesticides, bioaerosols, antibiotic resistant bacteria) and well-known risks (e.g. diabetes, dementia, terrorist attack). We used an online survey, which included a best–worst scaling component to elicit personal levels of control and fear prompted by norovirus relative to 15 other risks. There was a negative correlation between levels of fear vs. control for all 16 measured risks. Perceived infection control levels were higher amongst women compared to men and correlated with age and the level of qualification in both groups. Participants who had sought advice regarding the symptoms caused by norovirus appeared to have more control over the risks. Norovirus is associated with high levels of fear, however, the levels of control over it is low compared to other foodborne illnesses, e.g. Salmonella. Addressing this deficit in the public’s understanding of how to control exposure to the pathogen in an important health need.

scholarly journals How Downward and Upward Comparisons on Facebook Influence Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissists’ Self-Esteem—A Priming Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Phillip Ozimek ◽  
Hans-Werner Bierhoff ◽  
Elke Rohmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
And Control

Past research showed that social networking sites represent perfect platforms to satisfy narcissistic needs. The present study aimed to investigate how grandiose (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) as well as social comparisons are associated with Facebook activity, which was measured with a self-report on three activity dimensions: Acting, Impressing, and Watching. In addition, the state self-esteem (SSE) was measured with respect to performance, social behavior, and appearance. One hundred and ten participants completed an online survey containing measures of SSE and Facebook activity and a priming procedure with three experimental conditions embedded in a social media context (upward comparison, downward comparison, and control group). Results indicated, as expected, that high VN was negatively associated with SSE on each subscale and the overall score. In addition, it was found that VN, but not GN, displayed positive associations with frequency of Facebook activities. Finally, it was proposed and confirmed that VN in interaction with the priming of downward comparisons negatively affected SSE. The conclusion drawn is that VN represents a key variable for the prediction of self-esteem as well as for the frequency of Facebook activity.

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