Public Health Follow-up of Suspected Exposure to Echinococcus multilocularis in Southwestern Ontario

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 460-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Trotz-Williams ◽  
N. J. Mercer ◽  
J. M. Walters ◽  
D. Wallace ◽  
B. Gottstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis

Screening at ports of entry for Ebola Virus Disease in England—a descriptive analysis of screening assessment data, 2014–2015

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicki L Boddington ◽  
Sophia Steinberger ◽  
Richard G Pebody
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Screening Assessment

Abstract Background In response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 and evidence of spread to other countries, pre-entry screening was introduced by PHE at five major ports of entry in the England. Methods All passengers that entered the England via the five ports returning from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leonne were required to complete a Health Assessment Form and have their temperature taken. The numbers, characteristics and outcomes of these passengers were analysed. Results Between 14 October 2014 and 13 October 2015, a total of 12 648 passengers from affected countries had been screened. The majority of passengers were assessed as having no direct contact with EVD cases or high-risk events (12 069, 95.4%), although 535 (4.2%) passengers were assessed as requiring public health follow-up. In total, 39 passengers were referred directly to secondary care, although none were diagnosed with EVD. One high-risk passenger was later referred to secondary care and diagnosed with EVD. Conclusions Collection of these screening data enabled timely monitoring of the numbers and characteristics of passengers screened for EVD, facilitated resourcing decisions and acted as a mechanism to inform passengers of the necessary public health actions.

scholarly journals Delivery of the National Child Measurement Programme in England

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Martin Čadek ◽  
Stuart W. Flint ◽  
Ralph Tench
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The Other ◽  
Service Availability ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Convenience Sampling

Abstract Objective: The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is a mandatory initiative delivered in England to children in reception and year 6. To date, no research has explored the methods used to deliver the NCMP by Local Government Authorities (LGA) across England. Design: An online survey was administered between February 2018 and May 2018 to explore the delivery of the NCMP across the 152 LGAs in England and disseminated using non-probability convenience sampling. Setting: LGAs received an anonymous link to the survey. Participants: A total of 92 LGAs participated in the survey. Results: Most LGAs who responded provide result feedback (86%), a proactive follow-up (71%) and referrals to services (80%). Additionally, 65% of the authorities tailor Public Health England specimen result letters to suit their needs, and 84% provide attachments alongside. Out of 71% of LGAs who provide proactive follow-up, 19 (29%) provide the proactive follow-up only to upper weight categories, and only 4 (6 %) include Healthy Weight category with other categories in proactive follow-up. Regarding the service availability for children, out of 80% of LGAs who indicated that services are available, 32 (43%) targeted solely upper weight categories while the other 42 (57%) offered services across all weight categories. Finally, most LGAs (88%) commission providers to manage various parts of the NCMP. Conclusions: The results show that LGAs in England localise the NCMP. Further guidance regarding standards of best practice would help LGAs to find the most suitable localisation out of various options that exist across other LGAs.

scholarly journals The potential dangers of not understanding COVID-19 public health restrictions in dementia: “It’s a groundhog day – every single day she does not understand why she can’t go out for a walk”

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Manoj Rajagopal ◽  
Aravind Komuravelli ◽  
Jacqueline Cannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Second Wave

Abstract Background Sudden public health restrictions can be difficult to comprehend for people with cognitive deficits. However, these are even more important for them to adhere to due to their increased levels of vulnerability, particularly to COVID-19. With a lack of previous evidence, we explored the understanding and changes in adherence to COVID-19 public health restrictions over time in people living with dementia (PLWD). Methods Unpaid carers and PLWD were interviewed over the phone in April 2020, shortly after the nationwide UK lockdown, with a proportion followed up from 24th June to 10th July. Participants were recruited via social care and third sector organisations across the UK, and via social media. Findings A total of 70 interviews (50 baseline, 20 follow-up) were completed with unpaid carers and PLWD. Five themes emerged: Confusion and limited comprehension; Frustration and burden; Putting oneself in danger; Adherence to restrictions in wider society; (Un) changed perceptions. Most carers reported limited to no understanding of the public health measures in PLWD, causing distress and frustration for both the carer and the PLWD. Due to the lack of understanding, some PLWD put themselves in dangerous situations without adhering to the restrictions. PLWD with cognitive capacity who participated understood the measures and adhered to these. Discussion In light of the new second wave of the pandemic, public health measures need to be simpler for PLWD to avoid unwilful non-adherence. Society also needs to be more adaptive to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities more widely, as blanket rules cause distress to the lives of those affected by dementia.

scholarly journals A selective follow-up study on a public health survey

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Linden-Bostrom ◽  
C. Persson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Public Health Survey

scholarly journals Preoperative multidisciplinary program for bariatric surgery: a proposal for the Brazilian Public Health System

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elinton Adami CHAIM ◽  
José Carlos PAREJA ◽  
Martinho Antonio GESTIC ◽  
Murillo Pimentel UTRINI ◽  
Everton CAZZO
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Pulmonary Complications ◽  
Multidisciplinary Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Access To Surgery

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Bariatric surgery has become the gold standard treatment for morbid obesity, but access to surgery remains difficult and low compliance to postoperative follow-up is common. To improve outcomes, enable access and optimize follow-up, we developed a multidisciplinary preoperative approach for bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of this program in the outcomes of bariatric surgery in the Brazilian public health system. METHODS A prospective evaluation of the individuals who underwent a preoperative multidisciplinary program for bariatric surgery and comparison of their surgical outcomes with those observed in the prospectively collected historical database of the individuals who underwent surgery before the beginning of the program. RESULTS There were 176 individuals who underwent the multidisciplinary program and 226 who did not. Individuals who underwent the program had significantly lower occurrence of the following variables: hospital stay; wound dehiscence; wound infection; pulmonary complications; anastomotic leaks; pulmonary thromboembolism; sepsis; incisional hernias; eventrations; reoperations; and mortality. Both loss of follow-up and weight loss failure were also significantly lower in the program group. CONCLUSION The adoption of a comprehensive preoperative multidisciplinary approach led to significant improvements in the postoperative outcomes and also in the compliance to the postoperative follow-up. It represents a reproducible and potentially beneficial approach within the context of the Brazilian public health system.

scholarly journals OPTIMIZATION OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR PERIPROSTHETIC KNEE INFECTION

2017 ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
S. P. Shpinyak ◽  
A. P. Barabash ◽  
Yu. A. Barabash
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Periprosthetic Infection ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Knee Infection ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Periprosthetic Knee Infection

Purpose of study: to analyze the modern approaches to classification of large joints periprosthetic infection (PPI) and evaluate the results of revision surgical interventions in patients with deep PPI of the knee. Patients and methods. One hundred fifty three patients, 51 men and 102 women (mean age 57.3±12.4 years), with deep PPI were operated on. Treatment tactics was determined by the term after primary operation. In early PPI (n=31) sanitation interventions with implant preservation and in late PPI (n=122) – two step interventions with long period between the operations (over 4 weeks) were performed. Results. Follow up made up from 2 to 5 years. Sanitation interventions with implant preservation were successful in71% of patients. In group of patients with late PPI satisfactory results were achieved in 89.6% of cases. On the basis of the obtained data the variants of diagnosis and treatment tactics optimization as well as its adaptation to domestic public health system were proposed.

scholarly journals An online family-based self-monitoring and goal-setting intervention to improve children’s physical activity: the FRESH feasibility trial and three-arm pilot RCT

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-116
Author(s):  
Esther MF van Sluijs ◽  
Helen E Brown ◽  
Emma Coombes ◽  
Claire Hughes ◽  
Andrew P Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Recruitment Strategies ◽  
Family Based

Background Family-based physical activity promotion presents a promising avenue for promoting whole-family physical activity, but high-quality research is lacking. Objectives To assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led online family-based physical activity intervention; and to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Design The project consisted of (1) a randomised feasibility trial, (2) a randomised controlled pilot trial and (3) a systematic review and Delphi study. Setting Norfolk/Suffolk counties, UK. Participants Families, recruited from schools, workplaces and community settings, were eligible to participate if one child aged 7–11 years and one adult responsible for their care provided written consent; all family members could participate. Interventions The FRESH intervention, guided by self-determination theory, targeted whole families and was delivered via an online platform. All family members received pedometers and were given website access to select family step challenges to ‘travel’ to target cities around the world, log steps, and track progress as they virtually globetrotted. Families were randomised to FRESH intervention, pedometer-only or control arm. Main outcome measures Physical (e.g. blood pressure), psychosocial (e.g. family functioning) and behavioural (e.g. device-measured family physical activity) measures were collected at baseline and at 8- and 52-week follow-up. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed the acceptability of the intervention and evaluation. Data sources review Systematic search of four databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO and SCOPUS). Review methods Articles were screened in duplicate, and data extraction was fully checked. Academic experts participated in the three-round Delphi study. Data were combined to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Inclusion criteria Included generally healthy school-aged children and at least one adult; intervention attempted to change physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen use, diet, or prevent overweight/obesity in multiple family members; presented relevant measure of effect in children and adults. Results The feasibility study (12 families, 32 participants; 100% retention at 8 weeks) demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH, but highlighted that adaptations were required. Of 41 families recruited in the pilot study (149 participants), 98% and 88% were retained at the 8-week and 52-week follow-up, respectively. More children in the FRESH arm self-reported doing more family physical activity, and they thought that FRESH was fun. There were no notable between-group differences in children’s outcomes. Change in moderate to vigorous physical activity at 8 weeks favoured FRESH intervention adults [vs. control: 9.4 minutes/week (95% confidence interval 0.4 to 18.4) vs. pedometer only: 15.3 (95% confidence interval 6.0 to 24.5)], and was stronger in fathers, but this was not maintained. In 49 included studies, apart from recruitment settings and strategies used (reported in 84% and 73% of the studies, respectively), recruitment details were scarce. School-based recruitment was predominant. The Delphi study identified a wide range of recruitment settings and strategies. Limitations Recruitment was the main limitation of the FRESH studies; generalisability of the proposed recruitment strategies may be limited. Conclusions This study has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the FRESH intervention. However, we failed to recruit the target sample size and were unable to demonstrate a signal of effectiveness. Future research should employ a multifaceted recruitment approach. Future work Further refinements to intervention delivery and recruitment methods should be investigated. Study registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12789422 and PROSPERO CRD42019140042. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 9, No. 9. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Improving the accuracy of ACIR data and increasing vaccination rates

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaïs A Miles ◽  
Linda V Granger ◽  
Colleen L Gately
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Quality Improvement Activity ◽  
Childhood Immunisation ◽  
Central Coast ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates

Immunisation at the earliest appropriate age and high levels of vaccine coverage at milestone ages are important in preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. At the Central Coast Public Health Unit, the authors sought to determine if follow-up of children said by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) to be overdue for vaccination improved both of these factors. In a quality improvement activity, monthly ACIR lists of overdue Central Coast children aged 9 to 10 months of age were examined. The study alternated three months of intervention with three months of no intervention. The intervention was designed to find evidence of vaccination, first from the last known provider, and then if this was unsuccessful, from the parent. If no information was available, a letter was sent to the parents. If the child was indeed vaccinated, the register was updated. If the child was missing any vaccinations, the parent(s) were encouraged to complete the schedule. On reviewing routinely-published quarterly ACIR data at three-monthly intervals for 24 months after the intervention (or non-intervention), timeliness of vaccination improved in the intervention cohort. Central Coast fully vaccinated rates diverged from NSW rates during the study. In addition, the ACIR quarters that contained two out of three months of intervention rather than one out of three months of intervention had the highest rates of fully vaccinated children. The authors concluded that the intervention improved both timeliness of vaccination and the proportion of fully vaccinated children.

A sustainable community based model of non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance: “SHRADDHA-JAGRITHI project” (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaideep Menon ◽  
Mathews Numpeli ◽  
Sajeev.P. Kunjan ◽  
Beena.V. Karimbuvayilil ◽  
Aswathy Sreedevi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Frontline Health Workers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

UNSTRUCTURED Abstract: India has a massive non-communicable disease (NCD) burden at an enormous cost to the individual, family, society and health system at large, in spite of which prevention and surveillance is relatively neglected. Risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease if diagnosed early and treated adequately would help decrease the mortality and morbidity burden. India is in a stage of rapid epidemiological transition with the state of Kerala being at the forefront, pointing us towards likely disease burden and outcomes for the rest of the country, in the future. A previous study done by the same investigators, in a population of >100,000, revealed poor awareness and treatment of NCDs and also poor adherence to medicines in individuals with CVD. The investigators are looking at a sustainable, community based model of surveillance for NCDs with corporate support wherein frontline health workers check all individuals in the target group ( > age 30 years) with further follow up and treatment planned in a “spoke and hub” model using the public health system of primary health centres (PHCs) as spokes to the hubs of Taluk or District hospitals. All data entry done by frontline health workers would be on a Tab PC ensuring rapid acquisition and transfer of participant health details to PHCs for further follow up and treatment. The model will be evaluated based on the utilisation rate of various services offered at all tier levels. The proportions of the target population screened, eligible individuals who reached the spoke or hub centres for risk stratification and care and community level control for hypertension and diabetes in annual surveys will be used as indicator variables. The model ensures diagnosis and follow up treatment at no cost to the individual entirely through the tiered public health system of the state and country.

E-Ophthalmology in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Chronic Glaucoma

2013 ◽  
pp. 88-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Andonegui ◽  
Aitor Eguzkiza ◽  
Mikel Auzmendi ◽  
Luis Serrano ◽  
Ane Zurutuza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Important Public Health ◽  
Chronic Glaucoma

e-Ophthalmology is the use of information and telecommunications technologies to provide or support a group of activities related to ophthalmic care. Chronic glaucoma is an ocular disease characterized by optic neuropathy that leads to progressive loss of the visual fields and often is associated with elevated intraocular pressure levels. Glaucoma is an important public health problem because it is one of the main causes of blindness worldwide and generates an important demand for ophthalmologic consultations. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the application e-Ophthalmology-based models in the diagnosis and follow-up of chronic glaucoma. The authors describe the current status of the use of e-Ophthalmology-based models in the screening and follow-up of chronic glaucoma, the main advantages of these models, the technologic requirements for their implementation, and future trends in this field.

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