scholarly journals A mixed-method exploration into the experience of members of the FAO/WHO International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN): study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e027091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Joseph Savelli ◽  
Céu Mateus
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Global Network ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
The World

IntroductionThe International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) is a global network of national food safety authorities from 188 countries, managed jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which facilitates the rapid exchange of information during food safety related events. The proposed research will interrogate INFOSAN in order to describe and explore the experiences of members and better understand the role of the network in mitigating the burden of foodborne illness around the world.MethodsExamined through a community of practice lens, a three-phase research design will combine quantitative and qualitative methods (including website analytics in phase 1, online survey administration in phase 2 and semistructured interviews in phase 3) to elicit a broad and deep understanding of the network operation and member experiences.AnalysisIn phases 1 and 2, quantitative data collected from the INFOSAN Community website and the online questionnaires will be analysed using descriptive summary statistics. In phase 3, interpretative phenomenological analysis will be used to engage in a dialogue with study participants to explore and describe their lived experiences regarding participation in activities related to INFOSAN. An important aspect of the overall analysis will be triangulation of the information collected from each phase, including quantitative indicators and qualitative value stories, in order to provide a robust understanding of member experience.Ethics and disseminationThis study has undergone ethical review and has received approval from Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine Research Ethics Committee, as well as the ethics review committee of the WHO. Findings from the study will be disseminated as a PhD thesis submitted to Lancaster University. In addition, results of the research shall be submitted for publication to relevant academic or professional conferences and journals or other media, including books or websites.

scholarly journals Looking Inside the International Food Safety Authorities Network Community Website

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 1889-1899 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARMEN JOSEPH SAVELLI ◽  
CÉU MATEUS
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Global Network ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) was launched in 2004 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Since then, this global network has aimed to halt the international spread of contaminated food, prevent foodborne disease outbreaks, and strengthen food safety systems globally to reduce the burden of foodborne illness. However, INFOSAN has never been examined as a functional community of practice and its value, according to members, has not been determined in a systematic or rigorous way. A three-phased, mixed-method study has explored the experiences of INFOSAN members with respect to their participation in collaborative network activities to improve global food safety and prevent foodborne illness. Results from phase 1 of this study are discussed here and relate to how the INFOSAN Community Website (ICW) is being used to support network activities. Overall, the descriptive analysis indicates that a small number of active INFOSAN members contribute most of information shared on the ICW. A much larger group of members participates passively, logging on to the site, reading content, but not sharing new information. Four hundred eighty-two food safety incidents are documented on the ICW, the majority of which have been caused by bacterial contamination, most commonly Salmonella enterica. The results from phase 1 of this study provide objective, foundational information about engagement of all members and were used to propose new ways to improve the ICW. Integration of these results with results from phases 2 and 3 will help determine whether and how members' reported attitudes and experiences reflect their online behaviors. This information can be used by the INFOSAN Secretariat to increase active participation and improve international information exchange to mitigate the impact of food safety emergencies and prevent foodborne diseases globally. HIGHLIGHTS

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Measures on Quality of Life among Italian General Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Stella Epifanio ◽  
Federica Andrei ◽  
Giacomo Mancini ◽  
Francesca Agostini ◽  
Marco Andrea Piombo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world in the year 2020 has put a strain on our ability to cope with events and revolutionized our daily habits. On 9 March, Italy was forced to lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection, with measures including the mandatory closure of schools and nonessential activities, travel restrictions, and the obligation to spend entire weeks in the same physical space. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on quality of life (QoL) in a large Italian sample, in order to investigate possible differences in QoL levels related to both demographic and pandemic-specific variables. A total of 2251 Italian adults (1665 women, mainly young and middle adults) were recruited via a snowball sampling strategy. Participants were requested to answer to an online survey, which included demographic and COVID-related information items, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). The results showed statistically significant differences in QoL depending on a number of variables, including sex, area of residence in Italy, and being diagnosed with a medical/psychiatric condition. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess QoL during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, therefore the present findings can offer guidelines regarding which social groups are more vulnerable of a decline in QoL and would benefit of psychological interventions.

Traveller's thrombosis: airlines still not giving passengers the WRIGHT advice!

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 257-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R H Scurr ◽  
N Ahmad ◽  
D Thavarajan ◽  
R K Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Medical Advice ◽  
World Health ◽  
Compression Stockings ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
The World ◽  
International Airlines ◽  
The Impact

Introduction This study has examined the impact of the World Health Organization's Research into Global Hazards of Travel (WRIGHT) Project's phase 1 report on the information given by airlines to their passengers regarding traveller's thrombosis. Methods Official websites of all airlines flying from Heathrow (UK) and John F Kennedy (USA) were located through links on the websites of these two busy international airports. In June 2007, each site was scrutinized by three independent researchers to identify if traveller's thrombosis and its risk factors were discussed and what methods of prevention were advised. This exercise was repeated a year after the publication of the WRIGHT report. Results One hundred and nineteen international airlines were listed in 2007 (12 were excluded from analysis). A quarter (27/107) of airlines warned of the risk of traveller's thrombosis. A year later, five airlines were no longer operational and there had been no increase in the discussion of traveller's thrombosis (23/102). Additional risk factors discussed in June 2007 versus September 2008: previous venous thromboembolism (16%, 15%); thrombophilia (14%, 15%); family history (11%, 9%); malignancy (12%, 14%); recent surgery (19%, 16%); pregnancy (17%, 16%) and obesity (11%, 12%). Prophylaxis advice given in June 2007 versus September 2008: in-flight exercise (34%, 42%); Hydration (30%, 34%); medical consultation prior to flying (20%, 18%); graduated compression stockings (13%, 12%); aspirin (<1%, <1%) and heparin (5%, 7%). Conclusions The majority of world airlines continue to fail to warn of the risk of traveller's thrombosis or offer appropriate advice. Alerting passengers at risk gives them an opportunity to seek medical advice before flying.

scholarly journals Willingness of Nigerian residents to disclose COVID-19 symptoms and take COVID-19 test

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Oladoyin ◽  
Oluyemi Okunlola ◽  
Oluwaseyi Israel ◽  
Demilade Ibirongbe ◽  
Joy Osifo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Predicting Factors ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Willingness To Disclose ◽  
The World ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractBackgroundAn understanding of willingness of people to disclose coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and take the COVID-19 test will help provide important insight for motivators towards the self-surveillance and testing strategies recommended by the World Health Organization to curtail and halt the transmission of COVID-19.ObjectivesThis study assessed willingness to disclose symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and willingness to take COVID-19 test as well as their predictors.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of 524 Nigerian adults, aged ≥ 18 years, residing in Nigeria and who had not taken the COVID-19 test was conducted. Information on willingness to disclose COVID-19 symptoms, take COVID-19 test and possible predictors were collected. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics evaluated at 5% significance level.ResultsMean age of respondents was 35.8 ± 10.7 years and 57.0% were males. Majority (85.8% and 86.2% respectively) were willing to disclose COVID-19 symptoms and take COVID-19 test. Self-risk perception of contracting COVID-19 predicted both willingness to disclose COVID-19 symptoms (aOR=3.236; 95%CI=1.836-5.704) and take COVID-19 test (aOR=3.174; 95%CI=1.570-6.419). Willingness to disclose COVID-19 symptoms (aOR=13.060; 95%CI= 6.253-27.276), knowledge of someone who had taken the test (aOR= 4.106; 95%CI= 1.179-14.299) and thought that it was important for people to know their COVID-19 status (aOR=3.123; 95%CI= 1.516-6.434) also predicted willingness to take COVID-19 test.ConclusionNigerians are willing to disclose symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and take the COVID-19 test. Investment in interventions developed based on the predicting factors will help speed up the finding and testing of suspected COVID-19 cases.

scholarly journals Calibration of two validated SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralization assays for COVID-19 vaccine evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunda Huang ◽  
Oleg Borisov ◽  
Jia Jin Kee ◽  
Lindsay N. Carpp ◽  
Terri Wrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
World Health ◽  
United States Government ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Efficacy Trials ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
The World ◽  
States Government ◽  
Common Scale ◽  
Aid Decision

AbstractVaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are key biomarkers considered to be associated with vaccine efficacy. In United States government-sponsored phase 3 efficacy trials of COVID-19 vaccines, nAbs are measured by two different validated pseudovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assays, with each trial using one of the two assays. Here we describe and compare the nAb titers obtained in the two assays. We observe that one assay consistently yielded higher nAb titers than the other when both assays were performed on the World Health Organization’s anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin International Standard, COVID-19 convalescent sera, and mRNA-1273 vaccinee sera. To overcome the challenge this difference in readout poses in comparing/combining data from the two assays, we evaluate three calibration approaches and show that readouts from the two assays can be calibrated to a common scale. These results may aid decision-making based on data from these assays for the evaluation and licensure of new or adapted COVID-19 vaccines.

scholarly journals Calibration of Two Validated SARS-CoV-2 Pseudovirus Neutralization Assays for COVID-19 Vaccine Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunda Huang ◽  
Oleg Borisov ◽  
Jia Jin Kee ◽  
Lindsay Carpp ◽  
Terri Wrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
World Health ◽  
United States Government ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Efficacy Trials ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
The World ◽  
States Government ◽  
Common Scale ◽  
Aid Decision

Abstract Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are key biomarkers considered to be associated with vaccine efficacy. In United States Government-sponsored phase 3 efficacy trials of COVID-19 vaccines, nAbs are measured by two different validated pseudovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assays, with each trial using one of the two assays. Here we describe and compare the nAb titers obtained in the two assays. We observe that one assay consistently yielded higher nAb titers than the other when both assays were performed on the World Health Organization’s anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin International Standard, COVID-19 convalescent sera, and mRNA-1273 vaccinee sera. To overcome the challenge this difference in readout poses in comparing/combining data from the two assays, we evaluate three calibration approaches and show that readouts from the two assays can be calibrated to a common scale. These results may aid decision-making based on data from these assays for the evaluation and licensure of new or adapted COVID-19 vaccines.

scholarly journals Nano COVID-19 Vaccines: the firsts RNA lipid nanoparticle vaccines being approved from history - Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e20191211123
Author(s):  
Thyago José Arruda Pacheco ◽  
Victor Carlos Mello da Silva ◽  
Danielle Galdino de Souza
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
World Population ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
The Third ◽  
The World ◽  
Proven Efficacy ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Collaborative Efforts

A new coronavirus, identified in Wuhan, China, has spread globally, infecting millions of people and causing significant morbidity and mortality. The pandemic state, declared by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, transformed the world and made people adapt to social distance to control the spread of the virus. The race against time in search of therapeutic solutions has become essential, and nanotechnology may be able to make vaccines available in record time to stimulate the immunization of individuals. Since the beginning of 2020, scientists and companies are rapidly advancing to make vaccine candidates available at a different rate compared to other pandemics that have existed. This review briefly presents the pros and cons of the third generation vaccines, Moderna / NIAID and Pfizer - BioNTech, which are in phase 3 tests, based on lipid RNA nanoparticles. Great collaborative efforts are being invested so that soon the world population will receive doses of vaccines with proven efficacy and enable increased survival, since the pandemic has already caused many irreversible losses.

scholarly journals Identifying the World Health Organization’s fifth moment for hand hygiene: Infection prevention in the operating room

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Fiona Smith ◽  
Karen Lee ◽  
Eleanor Binnie-McLeod ◽  
Mark Higgins ◽  
Elizabeth Irvine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
World Health ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
The World ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The World Health Organization have designed the fifth of their ‘5 moments’ for hand hygiene to account for microbial transfer from patients to equipment in a narrow area around that patient, known as the patient zone. The study was prompted by emerging local confusion about application of the patient zone in the operating room (OR). Aim/Objectives: In two phases, we aimed to create a ‘5 moments’ style poster displaying an OR patient zone: phase 1, quantify equipment, in direct contact with the patient and, touched by non-scrubbed staff immediately after touching the patient; and phase 2, categorise equipment identified in phase 1 into patient zone and healthcare zone. An objective is to produce a ‘5 moments’ poster for the OR. Methods: The first phase used non-participant direct overt observation. In phase 2, phase 1 data were collaboratively assigned to patient zone or healthcare zone. Photography and graphic design were used to produce the OR ‘5 moments’ poster. Results: In 11 full-length surgeries, 20 pieces of equipment were in direct contact with the patient and 57 pieces of equipment were touched. In phase 2, a ‘5 moments’ poster showing an OR patient zone was designed. Discussion: Content of the patient zone was identified and displayed in a novel resource. Having shared understanding of the patient zone has potential to sustain hand hygiene compliance and equipment cleaning in the OR. Conclusion: Limitations in methods were balanced by collaboration with frontline staff. The study has been used as a teaching tool in the OR and similar settings.

Building an Age Friendly Community

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Burr Bradley ◽  
Kelly G. Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Global Network ◽  
World Health ◽  
Collaborative Communication ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Many communities are responding to population aging by investing in ways to make their cities more “age-friendly.” A key component of this effort revolves around collaborative communication strategy. This article reviews the World Health Organization (WHO) efforts through its Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities to engage and assist cities in planning for the future. In collaboration with partners from developed and developing countries, WHO identified features of age-friendly cities in eight domains: outdoor spaces; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services. The author discusses how one city, Bowling Green, KY, is implementing the WHO framework. Particular attention is paid to how strategies are being developed to increase communication and information sharing around the last domain, health care. This article concludes with implications for using online modalities to enhance planning for age-friendly communities.

The impact of the COVID-19 "Infodemic" on Well-being: Social media practices during the pandemic - a cross-sectional study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iffat Elbarazi ◽  
Basema Saddik ◽  
Michal Grivna ◽  
Faisal Aziz ◽  
Deena Al Souri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Media Practices

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis in the world of information and digital literacy. The amount of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 that has circulated through social media (SM) since January 2020 is notably significant and it has been linked to rising levels of anxiety and fear amongst SM users. The COVID-19 'infodemic' was singled out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and several newly published studies as one of the causes of anxiety, depression, and fear amongst the global population OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess SM practices during COVID-19 and investigates their impact on well-being. METHODS An online infodemic cross-sectional survey was distributed via different SM platforms in the United Arab Emirates and other countries. Adults above 18 years of age were invited to complete an online survey that covered multiple domains, including the WHO-5 Well-being Index. RESULTS The study sheds light on the use of SM during the pandemic and its impact on well-being throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic. Out of 993 participants, 73% were females, 76% were non-Emirati, 91% university graduates, and 50% were employed in various occupations, of which 20% were health care professionals. Participants indicated that they acquired COVID-19 related information primarily from social media, of which WhatsApp was the most accessed. Most participants reported sharing the information after the verification. The mean well-being score was 12.6 ±5.6 with 49% of participants had poor well-being (WHO-5 score <12.5). The adjusted linear regression showed that Facebook usage was negatively associated with well-being score. Also, high time-usage was associated with poorer well-being. When adjusting for other factors, including low confidence in information around COVID-19 and poor knowledge overall, SM usage was significantly associated with poorer well-being CONCLUSIONS Social media practices during emergencies and disasters may impact public well-being. Authorities are advised to step in to minimize the spread of misinformation and more frequent use of social media, as it may influence well-being leading to increased levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. Public health specialists, information technology and communication experts should collaborate to limit the infodemic effect on communities.

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