scholarly journals Scabies epidemiology in health care centers for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Louka ◽  
Emmanouil Logothetis ◽  
Daniel Engelman ◽  
Eirini Samiotaki-Logotheti ◽  
Spyros Pournaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers

Background Scabies is a global health concern disproportionally affecting vulnerable population such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main geographical point of entry in Europe for refugees, but epidemiological data on scabies in this population is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of scabies, including trends over the study period. Methodology/Principal findings Data were collected from June, 2016 to July, 2020, using the surveillance system of the Greek National Public Health Organization. Staff at health centers for refugees/asylum seekers compiled daily reports on scabies and other infectious diseases. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies was calculated using consultations for scabies as a proportion of total consultations. There were a total of 13118 scabies cases over the study period. Scabies was the third most frequently observed infectious disease in refugees/asylum seekers population after respiratory infections and gastroenteritis without blood in the stool. The scabies monthly observed proportional morbidity varied between 0.3% (August 2017) to 5.6% (January 2020). Several outbreaks were documented during the study period. An increasing number of cases was observed from October 2019 until the end of the study period, with a peak of 1663 cases in January 2020, related to an outbreak at one center. Spearman correlation test between the number of reported scabies cases and time confirmed an increasing trend (ρ=0.67). Conclusions/Significance Scabies is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases by health care workers in refugee/asylum seekers centers in Greece. Consultations for scabies increased over time and there were several outbreaks. The current surveillance system effectively detects new cases in an early stage. Public health interventions, including mass drug administration, should be considered to reduce the burden of scabies in refugee/migrant populations.

scholarly journals Emerging Disease Syndromic Surveillance for Hurricane Katrina Evacuees Seeking Shelter in Houston's Astrodome and Reliant Park Complex

2009 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy O. Murray ◽  
Cindy Kilborn ◽  
Mary desVignes-Kendrick ◽  
Erin Koers ◽  
Valda Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Acute Gastroenteritis ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance ◽  
Emerging Disease ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern

Transmission of infectious diseases became an immediate public health concern when approximately 27,000 New Orleans-area residents evacuated to Houston's Astrodome and Reliant Park Complex following Hurricane Katrina. This article presents a surveillance system that was rapidly developed and implemented for daily tracking of various symptoms in the evacuee population in the Astrodome “megashelter.” This system successfully confirmed an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis and became a critical tool in monitoring the course of this outbreak.

scholarly journals The Influence of Infectious Diseases on Dentistry

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-231
Author(s):  
Anil Reddy ◽  
Shankar Gouda Patil ◽  
Raghunath Puttaiah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Dentistry, predominantly a surgical field with frequent exposure to blood and body fluids, is a high-risk occupation with respect to occupationally acquiring infectious diseases. On the same note, patients are also at risk of being infected, if adequate infection control measures are not strictly followed. Traditionally, based on the routes of disease transmission, we can categorize diseases that are bloodborne, airborne and also through fomites. Within these traditional categories also fall the new and emerging diseases that have had serious public health consequences of morbidity and mortality. As a health care provider, dentists must understand the impact of these diseases, and strictly implement practical disease control measures during provision of dental care and reduce the spread within the clinical arena. Common diseases of public health concern that need to be addressed are bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis A, E, B, C, D and G, HIV; respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), AH1N1 influenza and immunizable childhood diseases. Apart from infection control measures, we must implement public health policy measures, such as immunization of current and prospective health care personnel (students in the dental profession) against immunizable diseases, utilize disease screening measures, postexposure disease control measures and utilize standard and additional precautions, the latter as required in certain instances.

scholarly journals Establishing a National Syndromic Surveillance System among Asylum Seekers

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariette Hooiveld ◽  
Madelief Mollers ◽  
Stephanie Van Rooden ◽  
Robert A. Verheij ◽  
Susan Hahné
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Care Centre ◽  
Health Care Centre ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance System

ObjectiveFacing challenges to establish a new national syndromicsurveillance system in the Netherlands for infectious diseases amongasylum seekers.IntroductionMost European countries are facing a continuous increased influxof asylum seekers [1]. Poor living conditions in crowded shelters andrefugee camps increase the risk for - outbreaks of - infectious diseasesin this vulnerable population. In line with ECDC recommendations[2], we aim to improve information on infectious diseases amongasylum seekers by establishing a new syndromic surveillance systemin the Netherlands. This system will complement the notifiabledisease system for infectious diseases.The aim of the syndromic surveillance system is to improve thedetecting of outbreaks of infectious diseases in asylum seekers’centres in an early stage of development to be able to take adequateand timely measures to prevent further spread, and to collectinformation on the burden of infection within this population.MethodsPrimary health care for asylum seekers in the Netherlands isorganized nationally by the Asylum Seekers Health Centre, withgeneral practitioners providing care in each reception centre. Generalpractitioners (GPs) act as gatekeepers for specialized, secondaryhealth care and the GP is the first professional to consult for healthproblems. Therefore, electronic health records (EHR) kept by GPsprovide a complete picture of this population. These EHRs containdata on diagnoses/symptoms and treatment of asylum seekers, usingthe International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC). This data isrecorded routinely, as part of the health care process. During summer2016, about 30,000 asylum seekers were housed in about 60 receptioncentres across the Netherlands.ResultsThe governance structure was layed down in a collaborationagreement between the Asylum Seekers Health Centre, the nationalinstitute of public health RIVM and NIVEL. To ensure privacy ofthe asylum seekers, a privacy protocol has been drawn, taking intoaccount strict privacy regulations in the Netherlands. The informationsystem provider of the health care centre developed an extraction toolthat automatically generates weekly data extracts from the electronichealth records system to a Trusted Third Party (TTP). Beforetransferring the data to NIVEL, the TTP removes directly identifyingpatient information, indirectly identifying information like date ofbirth is replaced by quarter and year, and the personal identificationnumber is replaced by a pseudonym. At NIVEL, all data is storedin a relational database, from which weekly research extracts aregenerated for infectious disease surveillance at RIVM after applyinga second pseudonymisation step (two-way pseudonimisation) [3].First data extracts are being expected mid-October 2016, after whichdata quality will be evaluated. Weekly, or daily, consultations rateswill be calculated based on the number of cases meeting predefineddefinitions, stratified by immigration centre, age group, sex andnationality. Numerators will be based on the number of populationhoused in the immigration centres.ConclusionsWith the cooperation of a national health care centre, providingprimary care to asylum seekers housed at several locations, and theinformation system provider of the health care centre, EHRs can beused for syndromic surveillance, taking into account strict privacyregulations. The new surveillance system will be evaluated after oneyear, focusing on data quality, usefulness, and the added value aboveto the notification of diseases.

scholarly journals Oral health problems facing refugees in Europe: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiad Zinah ◽  
Heba M. Al-Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers

Abstract Introduction Europe has been experiencing a flow of refugees and asylum seekers driven by conflicts or poverty. Their oral health is often neglected despite its clear impact on quality of life. Objective To explore the status of oral health among refugees and asylum seekers groups by examining the available literature and to determine which evidence exists regarding the problems they face in terms of oral health. Methods The current paper followed PRISMA guidelines. A scoping review methodology was followed to retrieve 2911 records from five databases and grey literature. Twelve articles met the following inclusion criteria: experimental research concentrated on the oral and dental health of refugees and/or asylum seekers between 1995 and 2020 in English. Analysis was both descriptive and thematic, whilst a critical appraisal was applied using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP). Results Seven studies (58,3%) were quantitative, while five studies (41,6%) were qualitative. In general, the quality of most of the studies (83.3%) was good. Limited access to oral health care services was shown with a higher prevalence of oral diseases compared to the native populations of the host countries. Approaches to improve oral health have been implemented in some studies and have shown positive outcomes. Conclusions Oral health care strategies should consider the oral health problems facing refugees in Europe, and oral health promotion campaigns are essential to give adequate guidance on how to access oral health care in the host countries.

scholarly journals Use of health care services by Afghan, Iranian, and Somali refugees and asylum seekers living in The Netherlands

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette A. M. Gerritsen ◽  
Inge Bramsen ◽  
Walter Devillé ◽  
Loes H. M. van Willigen ◽  
Johannes E. Hovens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Somali Refugees ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers ◽  
Use Of Health Care

scholarly journals Assessment of Depression Severity During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Among the Palestinian Population: A Growing Concern and an Immediate Consideration

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamzeh Al Zabadi ◽  
Thair Alhroub ◽  
Noor Yaseen ◽  
Maryam Haj-Yahya
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Depression Prevalence ◽  
Normal Degree

Background: Aggressive quarantine and lockdown measures were implemented as protective public health actions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Assessing the psychological effects associated with these measures is an important attempt to inform local policymakers in an early stage. Yet little is known about these effects, specifically depression, among the Palestinians. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of depression among the Palestinian community during this pandemic.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey throughout social media (Facebook and Instagram) was carried out using an anonymous online questionnaire. The validated and standardized depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS) was used to measure depression severity. A snowball technique recruiting the general public living in Palestine was conducted. Data were collected between 6 and 16 April 2020, which corresponded to the middle interval of strict massive lockdown in Palestine on 22 March to 5 May 2020. Multinomial logistic regression model was developed to predict depression severity.Results: About 2,819 respondents filled out the questionnaire. Depression prevalence was (57.5%; n = 1,621). Out of them, 66% had mild/moderate severity, and 34% had severe/extremely severe degree. Depression severity was negatively associated with age {mild/moderate degree [OR (95% CI) = 0.98 (0.97–0.99)] and severe/extremely severe [OR (95% CI) = 0.96 (0.94–0.97)]} degrees compared with normal degree. Males were significantly less likely to have higher depression than females {mild/moderate degree [OR (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.57–0.85)] and severe/extremely severe [OR (95% CI) = 0.52 (0.40–0.86)]} degree. However, those who reported having inadequate food supply and lesser monthly incomes were more likely to have a higher degree of depression as compared with normal degree. Single persons were significantly more likely to have mild/moderate depression than those in a relationship [OR (95% CI) = 1.31 (1.05–1.64)].Conclusions: High depression prevalence (57.5%) among the Palestinian community during the COVID-19 pandemic is a growing public health concern. It is essential to provide psychological counseling and treatment during and after the pandemic for the targeted people at high risk (young age/female gender) who were affected psychologically. Strategic long-term policy to address pandemic ramifications, including depression, by implementing comprehensive interventions taking into account socioeconomic disparities, vulnerability, and inequities, is crucial to emerge from this crisis in Palestine.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document