scholarly journals Factors Associated with Increased Risk Perception of Pandemic Influenza in Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Jacobs ◽  
Melanie Taylor ◽  
Kingsley Agho ◽  
Garry Stevens ◽  
Margo Barr ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with increased risk perception of pandemic influenza in Australia. The sample consisted of 2081 Australian adults aged 16 years and older who completed a short three item pandemic influenza question module which was incorporated into the NSW Health Adult Population Health Survey during the first quarter of 2007. After adjusting for covariates, multivariate analysis indicated that those living in rural regions were significantly more likely to perceive a high risk that a pandemic influenza would occur, while those with poor self-rated health perceived both a high likelihood of pandemic and high concern that self/family would be directly affected were such an event to occur. Those who spoke a language other than English at home and those on low incomes and younger people (16–24 years) were significantly more likely to have changed the way they lived their lives due to the possibility of pandemic influenza, compared to those who spoke only English at home, middle-high income earners, and older age groups, respectively. This data provides an Australian population baseline against which the risk perceptions of demographic subgroups regarding the current, and potential future pandemics, can be compared and monitored.

Author(s):  
Andrea A. Joyce ◽  
Grace M. Styklunas ◽  
Nancy A. Rigotti ◽  
Jordan M. Neil ◽  
Elyse R. Park ◽  
...  

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US adults’ smoking and quitting behaviors is unclear. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on smoking behaviors, risk perceptions, and reactions to text messages during a statewide stay-at-home advisory among primary care patients who were trying to quit. From May–June 2020, we interviewed smokers enrolled in a 12-week, pilot cessation trial providing text messaging and mailed nicotine replacement medication (NCT04020718). Twenty-two individuals (82% white, mean age 55 years), representing 88% of trial participants during the stay-at-home advisory, completed exit interviews; four (18%) of them reported abstinence. Interviews were thematically analyzed by two coders. COVID-19-induced environmental changes had mixed effects, facilitating quitting for some and impeding quitting for others. While stress increased for many, those who quit found ways to cope with stress. Generally, participants felt at risk for COVID-19 complications but not at increased risk of becoming infected. Reactions to COVID-19 and quitting behaviors differed across age groups, older participants reported difficulties coping with isolation (e.g., feeling disappointed when a text message came from the study and not a live person). Findings suggest that cessation interventions addressing stress and boredom are needed during COVID-19, while smokers experiencing isolation may benefit from live-person supports.


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Carvalho Malta ◽  
Regina Tomie Ivata Bernal ◽  
Silvânia Suely Caribé de Araújo Andrade ◽  
Marta Maria Alves da Silva ◽  
Gustavo Velasquez-Melendez

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze factors associated with self-reported high blood pressure among adults in Brazilian state capitals. METHODS The study uses data from Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (Vigitel – Surveillance System of Risk and Protection Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases by Telephone Survey) collected in 2013. Prevalence rates and their respective 95% confidence intervals by gender were estimated according to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, reported noncommunicable diseases and self-rated health status. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to identify variables associated with self-reported high blood pressure with α < 0.05. RESULTS Prevalence of self-reported high blood pressure among adults living in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District was 24.1%. The following variables were associated with self-reported high blood pressure: age group, taking 18-24 as reference (all age groups presented increased risk – from 25-34 years [OR = 2.6; 95%CI 2.0–3.4] up to 65 years or more [OR = 28.1; 95%CI 21.7–36.4]); low education level (9 to 11 years of study [OR = 0.8; 95%CI 0.7–0.9] and 12 years or more [OR = 0.6; 95%CI 0.6–0.7]); Black race or skin color (OR = 1.3; 95%CI 1.1–1.5); being a former smoker (OR = 1.2; 95%CI 1.1–1.3); obesity (OR = 2.7; 95%CI 2.4–3.0); diabetes (OR = 2.9; 95%CI 2.5–3.5%), and high cholesterol (OR = 1.9; 95%CI 1.8–2.2). CONCLUSIONS Approximately one quarter of the adult population living in Brazilian state capitals reported having high blood pressure. Information from Vigitel is useful to monitor high blood pressure and identity its associated factors, supporting public policies for health promotion, surveillance and care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Ostergaard ◽  
M.H Smerup ◽  
K Iversen ◽  
A.D Jensen ◽  
A Dahl ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high mortality. Surgery may improve survival, but the intercept between benefit and harm is hard to balance and may be closely related to age. Purpose To examine the in-hospital and 90-day mortality in patients undergoing surgery for IE and to identify differences between age groups and type of valvular intervention. Methods By crosslinking nationwide Danish registries we identified patients with first-time IE undergoing surgical treatment in the period from 2000 to 2017. The study population was grouped in patients &lt;60 years, 60–75 years, and ≥75 years of age. High-risk subgroups by age and surgical valve intervention (mitral vs aortic vs mitral+aortic) during IE admission were examined. Kaplan Meier estimates was used to identify 90-day mortality by age groups and multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to examine factors associated with 90-day mortality. Results We included 1,767 patients with IE undergoing surgery, 735 patients &lt;60 years (24.1% female), 766 patients 60–75 years (25.8% female), and 266 patients &gt;75 years (36.1% female). The proportion of patients with IE undergoing surgery was 35.3%, 26.9%, and 9.1% for patients &lt;60 years, 60–75 years, and &gt;75 years, respectively. For patients with IE undergoing surgery, the in-hospital mortality was 6.4%, 13.6%, and 20.3% for patients &lt;60 years, 60–75 years, and ≥75 years of age, respectively and mortality at 90 days were 7.5%, 13.9%, and 22.3%, respectively. Factors associated with an increased risk 90-day mortality were: mitral valve surgery and a combination of mitral and aortic valve surgery as compared with isolated aortic valve surgery, patients 60–75 years and &gt;75 years as compared with patients aged &lt;60 years, prosthetic heart valve prior to IE admission, and diabetes, Figure. Patients &gt;75 years undergoing a combination of mitral and aortic valve surgery had an in-hospital mortality of 36.3%. Conclusion In patients undergoing surgery for IE, a stepwise increase in 90-day mortality was seen for age groups, highest among patients &gt;75 years with a 90-day mortality of more than 20%. Patients undergoing mitral and combined mitral and aortic valve surgery as compared to isolated aortic valve surgery were associated with a higher mortality. These findings may be of importance for the management strategy of patients with IE. Mortality risk Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. e0009312
Author(s):  
Yi-Hua Pan ◽  
Mei-Ying Liao ◽  
Yu-Wen Chien ◽  
Tzong-Shiann Ho ◽  
Hui-Ying Ko ◽  
...  

A shift in dengue cases toward the adult population, accompanied by an increased risk of severe cases of dengue in the elderly, has created an important emerging issue in the past decade. To understand the level of past DENV infection among older adults after a large dengue outbreak occurred in southern Taiwan in 2015, we screened 1498 and 2603 serum samples from healthy residents aged ≥ 40 years in Kaohsiung City and Tainan City, respectively, to assess the seroprevalence of anti-DENV IgG in 2016. Seropositive samples were verified to exclude cross-reaction from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), using DENV/JEV-NS1 indirect IgG ELISA. We further identified viral serotypes and secondary DENV infections among positive samples in the two cities. The overall age-standardized seroprevalence of DENV-IgG among participants was 25.77% in Kaohsiung and 11.40% in Tainan, and the seroprevalence was significantly higher in older age groups of both cities. Although the percentages of secondary DENV infection in Kaohsiung and Tainan were very similar (43.09% and 44.76%, respectively), DENV-1 and DENV-2 spanned a wider age range in Kaohsiung, whereas DENV-2 was dominant in Tainan. As very few studies have obtained the serostatus of DENV infection in older adults and the elderly, this study highlights the need for further investigation into antibody status, as well as the safety and efficacy of dengue vaccination in these older populations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S754-S754
Author(s):  
Melissa A Rolfes ◽  
Seema Jain ◽  
Anna Bramley ◽  
Wesley Self ◽  
Richard G Wunderink ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Few studies have quantified the risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among adults with co-morbidities. Combining data from the population-based, prospective Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community study (EPIC) and the nationwide health-related Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone-survey, we estimated the annual risk of hospitalization for CAP among adults with co-morbidities. Methods We identified adults hospitalized with radiographic and clinical CAP at hospitals in Chicago, IL and Nashville, TN from July 2010 to June 2012. Using 2011 BRFSS data, we estimated the prevalence of the population with selected co-morbidities (chronic lung disease [CLD], cardiovascular disease [CVD], chronic kidney disease [CKD], or diabetes) in the EPIC study catchment counties, as well as the population without co-morbidities. We estimated the incidence of hospitalized CAP, age-adjusted relative risk (RR) using Poisson regression, and population attributable fraction for each co-morbidity. Results Among 2,061 adult patients enrolled in EPIC, 1,428 (69%) had at least one selected co-morbidity, most commonly CLD (42%) and CVD (35%). Among the adult population in the EPIC catchment area, 17% had ≥1 selected co-morbidity. The overall incidence of hospitalized CAP was 24.8/10,000, 118.7/10,000 among adults with ≥1 co-morbidity, and 11.2/10,000 among adults without a co-morbidity. Compared with patients without co-morbidities, the incidence of hospitalization for CAP was higher among patients with CLD (aRR: 20.7 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.0–21.5]), CKD (aRR: 14.5 [CI: 13.8–15.1]), CVD (aRR: 14.0 [CI: 13.5–14.6]), and diabetes (aRR: 6.2 [CI: 5.9–6.4]). While CLD and CVD accounted for high proportions of the incidence of CAP hospitalizations in the study population, the contribution of the selected co-morbidities varied by age groups (figure). Conclusion There is an increased risk of hospitalization for CAP among adults with co-morbidities, particularly chronic lung and cardiovascular disease. As a large portion of CAP is attributable to these co-morbidities, targeted public health interventions, such as vaccination and risk communication, need to be reinforced among these high-risk groups. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim A. Yakasai ◽  
Imran O. Morhason-Bello

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is an important cause of maternal mortality. There have been several studies on risk factors assessment with conflicting reports across the globe on this disease; however, rigorous recent evaluation of these factors is uncommon in this region. The aim of the present study was to determine the risks factors in the early-onset PE in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano (Northern Nigeria). We conducted a case-control study in Nigeria between April 2009 and January 2010 to identify the risk factors associated with the early-onset PE in women attending antenatal clinic in AKTH. Information on socio-cultural characteristics, medical history, previous obstetrics history, level of stress at home, and type of family were obtained and recorded in a proforma designed for the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for PE at 95% confidence level. Pregnant women with early-onset PE (150 in each case and control group). Risk factors associated with increased risk of early-onset PE were: history of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) in a previous pregnancy [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.09]; exposure to passive smoking (AOR 1.34); inadequate antenatal supervision (AOR 15.21); family history of hypertension in one or more 1st-degree relative (AOR 8.92); living in a joint family (AOR 6.93); overweight (120% to 150% of pre-pregnancy ideal body weight, AOR 4.65). Risk factors among women in Northern Nigeria are similar to those reported from other studies. Good antenatal cares, early detection, reduction of stressful conditions at home are the most important preventive measures of early-onset severe PE among these women.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid V. Ebrahimi ◽  
Miriam S. Johnson ◽  
Sara Ebling ◽  
Ole Myklebust Amundsen ◽  
Øyvind Halsøy ◽  
...  

Background: The pace at which the present pandemic and future public health crises involving viral infections are eradicated heavily depends on the availability and routine implementation of vaccines. This process is further affected by a willingness to vaccinate, embedded in the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization has listed vaccine hesitancy among the greatest threats to global health, calling for research to identify the factors associated with this phenomenon. Methods: The present study seeks to investigate the psychological, contextual, and sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination hesitancy in a large sample of the adult population. 4571 Norwegian adults were recruited through an online survey between January 23 to February 2, 2021. Subgroup analyses and multiple logistic regression was utilized to identify the covariates of vaccine hesitancy. Results: Several subgroups hesitant toward vaccination were identified, including males, rural residents, and parents with children below 18 years of age. No differences were found between natives and non-natives, across education or age groups. Individuals preferring unmonitored media platforms (e.g., information from peers, social media, online forums, and blogs) more frequently reported hesitance towards vaccination than those relying on information obtainment from source-verified platforms. Perceived risk of vaccination, belief in the superiority of natural immunity, fear concerning significant others being infected by the virus, and trust in health officials’ dissemination of vaccine-related information were identified as key variables related to vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions: Given the heterogeneous range of variables associated with vaccine hesitancy, additional strategies to eradicate vaccination fears are called for aside from campaigns targeting the spread of false information. Responding to affective reactions in addition to involving other community leaders besides government and health officials present promising approaches that may aid in combating vaccination hesitation.


Author(s):  
Shu-Chen Hsu ◽  
Yu-Fu Huang ◽  
Trias Mahmudiono ◽  
Hsiu-Ling Chen

Many food safety issues have occurred in Taiwan during the past decade. Therefore, in 2016, the Taiwan government proposed the “Five rings of food safety” policy to comprehensively protect consumer food supply. Among these policies, the “4-labels-1-Q” approach was adopted to ensure the selection of “retrospective foods” with traceable labels. Hence, this study investigated the association between the degree of recognizing the “4-label-1-Q” food traceability system and risk perceptions, in addition to whether a consumer’s purchase intention of fresh foods with food labels changed after enlightenment using an educational film on food labels. In this study, the subjects were defined as the family's main food purchasers. Subsequently, 290 valid questionnaire interviews and film educational materials were administered in Tainan markets and stores. Results showed that risk perception for labeling was significantly affected by label knowledge. Alternatively, age, educational level, and the degree of risk perception influenced purchase intention. Results also showed that after administering the video intervention, the label knowledge and purchase intention increased significantly. However, film education after adjustment for age, educational level, income, and purchase places insignificantly affected risk perception, especially for those who had lower educational levels, including those over the age of 65. First, the public’s trust can be boosted through label education among age groups using different channels and methods. Therefore, in the future, encouraging the sale of labeled foods in traditional markets would be a useful strategy. Second, the age, educational level, income, and risk perception of the participants significantly affected the purchase intention. Thus, in the future, this study can be a reference for designing risk communication strategies and promoting traceable agricultural products.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 12-14
Author(s):  
J Zhen ◽  
J Stefanolo ◽  
M Montoro ◽  
L Uscanga ◽  
A Day ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Celiac disease (CeD) has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory infections, however, we recently demonstrated that the odds of contracting COVID-19 in patients with CeD is similar to that of the general population. Due to this discrepancy, how patients with CeD perceive their risk may differ from their actual risk. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the risk perceptions for contracting COVID-19 in patients with CeD and to determine the factors that may influence their perceptions. Methods We distributed a survey throughout 10 countries between March and June 2020 and collected data on demographics, diet, COVID-19 testing, and risk perceptions of COVID-19 in patients with CeD. Participants were recruited through various celiac associations, clinic visits, and social media. Risk perception was assessed by asking individuals whether they believe patients with CeD are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to the general population. Logistic regression was used to determine the influencing factors associated with COVID-19 risk perception, such as age, sex, adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD), and comorbidities such as cardiac/respiratory conditions and diabetes. Data was presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results A total of 10,737 participants with CeD completed the survey. From them, 6,019 (56.1%) patients with CeD perceived they were at a higher risk or were unsure if they were at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to the non-CeD population. A greater proportion of patients with CeD had high levels of COVID-19 risk perceptions when compared to infections in general (56.1% vs 26.7%; p&lt;0.0001). Consequently, 28.8% reported taking extra COVID-19 precautions as a result of their CeD. Members of celiac associations had lower rates of perceiving an increased risk of COVID-19 when compared to non-members (49.5% vs 57.4%, p&lt;0.0001). Older age (aOR: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.9 to 1, p&lt;0.001), male sex (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.94, p=0.001), and strict adherence to a GFD (aOR: 0.89; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.97, p=0.007) were associated with a lower perception of COVID-19 risk. Meanwhile, the presence of comorbidities was associated with a higher perception of COVID-19 risk (aOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.51, p&lt;0.001). Conclusions Overall, a large proportion of patients with CeD, particularly females, those with comorbidities, or those not adhering to a strict GFD, believed they were or were unsure if they were at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their condition. As high levels of risk perception may increase an individual’s pandemic-related stress and contribute to negative mental health consequences, healthcare providers should maintain consistent communication with the celiac community and provide them with evidence-based recommendations. Funding Agencies None


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8236
Author(s):  
Shaila Jamal ◽  
K. Bruce Newbold

This study aims to synthesize knowledge on the travel behavior of millennials and older adults based on literature from 2010 to 2018. The study looks into the different factors that contributed to shaping each generation’s travel behavior. Both qualitative and quantitative studies that fall within the selection criteria are reviewed, with a total of seventy-eight studies selected for review. Thirty-four papers focused on young adults/millennials, 35 included an older adult population, and 9 investigated both younger and older age groups. Six of the studies utilized qualitative methods, 68 applied quantitative methods, and 4 used mixed methods to explore the factors associated with travel behavior. Travel behaviors are explored in terms of mode choice, trip distance, trip frequency, use of alternative transport, ridesharing, and mobility tool ownership. Associated factors are categorized into five themes: personal attributes, geography and built environment, living arrangements and family life, technology adoption, and perceptions and attitudes towards travel options and environment. This study concludes that difference exists between generations in terms of travel behavior, and that the factors that influence each generation’s travel characteristics are either different or differ in their nature of influence (increase/decrease). Finally, based on the reviewed literature, this study proposes future research directions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document