Public drinking, problems and prevention measures in twelve countries: results of the WHO project on public drinking

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Single ◽  
Michael Beaubrun ◽  
Marie Mauffret ◽  
Alberto Minoletti ◽  
Jacek Moskalewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Drinking Problems ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Responsible Beverage Service ◽  
Public Drinking ◽  
Epidemiological Significance ◽  
Licensing Laws

Until recently, drinking in public venues has been a relatively neglected area of alcohol research despite the epidemiological significance of problems arising from drinking in licensed establishments and other public venues. In the WHO Project on Public Drinking, expert informants in 12 countries provided detailed information on alcohol consumption, drinking in public settings, the nature and magnitude of problems associated with public drinking, the regulation of public drinking, enforcement and prevention. The most commonly indicated problems associated with drinking in public venues were underage drinking, impaired driving, and alcohol-related violence. Many of the informants in the survey expressed concern that the enforcement of alcohol licensing laws receives very low priority on the political agenda. In general, few countries have developed prevention programs aimed specifically at preventing problems arising from drinking in public venues. Nonetheless the informants identified a wide variety of measures that can be taken to reduce these problems in public drinking environments. These include general alcohol preventive education, alcohol control measures (including restrictions on hours and days of operation), improved enforcement of licensing laws, impaired driving countermeasures, server training and the use of civil law to promote responsible beverage service, and the promotion of low-alcohol-content beverages.

scholarly journals Universal Masking to Control Healthcare-Associated Transmission of SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Eliza R. Thompson ◽  
Faith S. Williams ◽  
Pat A. Giacin ◽  
Shay Drummond ◽  
Eric Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Index Patient ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Va Health Care System ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Objective: To assess extent of a healthcare-associated outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate effectiveness of infection control measures, including universal masking Design: Outbreak investigation including 4 large-scale point-prevalence surveys Setting: Integrated VA Health Care System with 2 facilities and 330 beds Participants: Index patient and 250 exposed patients and staff Methods: We identified exposed patients and staff and classified them as probable and confirmed cases based on symptoms and testing. We performed a field investigation and assessment of patient and staff interactions to develop probable transmission routes. Infection prevention interventions implemented included droplet and contact precautions, employee quarantine, and universal masking with medical and cloth facemasks. Four point-prevalence surveys of patient and staff subsets were conducted using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2. Results: Among 250 potentially exposed patients and staff, 14 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were identified. Patient roommates and staff with prolonged patient contact were most likely to be infected. The last potential date of transmission from staff to patient was day 22, the day universal masking was implemented. Subsequent point-prevalence surveys in 126 patients and 234 staff identified 0 patient cases and 5 staff cases of Covid-19, without evidence of healthcare-associated transmission. Conclusions: Universal masking with medical facemasks was effective in preventing further spread of SARS-CoV-2 in our facility in conjunction with other traditional infection prevention measures.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Pedestrian Flow Patterns in Urban POIs—An Example from Beijing

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 479
Author(s):  
Yihang Li ◽  
Liyan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Pedestrian Flow ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Government Control ◽  
Functional Categories ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for society as a whole, and analyzing the impact of the spread of the epidemic and government control measures on the travel patterns of urban residents can provide powerful help for city managers to designate top-level epidemic prevention policies and specific epidemic prevention measures. This study investigates whether it is more appropriate to use groups of POIs with similar pedestrian flow patterns as the unit of study rather than functional categories of POIs. In this study, we analyzed the hour-by-hour pedestrian flow data of key locations in Beijing before, during, and after the strict epidemic prevention and control period, and we found that the pedestrian flow patterns differed greatly in different periods by using a composite clustering index; we interpreted the clustering results from two perspectives: groups of pedestrian flow patterns and functional categories. The results show that depending on the specific stage of epidemic prevention and control, the number of unique pedestrian flow patterns decreased from four before the epidemic to two during the strict control stage and then increased to six during the initial resumption of work. The restrictions on movement are correlated with most of the visitations, and the release of restrictions led to an increase in the variety of unique pedestrian flow patterns compared to that in the pre-restriction period, even though the overall number of visitations decreased, indicating that social restrictions led to differences in the flow patterns of POIs and increased social distance.

Hospital-acquired infection awareness and control practices among healthcare staff: an evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 296-302
Author(s):  
Pallavi Saraswat ◽  
Rajnarayan R Tiwari ◽  
Muralidhar Varma ◽  
Sameer Phadnis ◽  
Monica Sindhu
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infection ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Background/Aims Hospital-acquired infections pose a risk to the wellbeing of both patients and staff. They are largely preventable, particularly if hospital staff have adequate knowledge of and adherence to infection control policies. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of hospital-acquired infection control measures among hospital staff. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 71 staff members in a tertiary healthcare facility in Karnataka, India. The researchers distributed a questionnaire containing 33 questions regarding knowledge of hospital-acquired infections, awareness of infection control policies and adherence to control practices. The results were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 16.0 and a Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Respondents' mean percentage score on the knowledge of hospital-acquired infections section was 72%. Their mean percentage scores on the awareness and practice of infection prevention measures sections were 82% and 77% respectively. Doctors and those with more years of experience typically scored higher. Conclusion The respondents had an acceptable level of knowledge, awareness and adherence to infection control practices. However, continued training is essential in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The majority of the respondents stated that they were willing to undertake training in this area, and this opportunity should be provided in order to improve infection control quality.

scholarly journals The hygiene hypothesis, the COVID pandemic, and consequences for the human microbiome

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. e2010217118
Author(s):  
B. Brett Finlay ◽  
Katherine R. Amato ◽  
Meghan Azad ◽  
Martin J. Blaser ◽  
Thomas C. G. Bosch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Hygiene Hypothesis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Future Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to affect the human microbiome in infected and uninfected individuals, having a substantial impact on human health over the long term. This pandemic intersects with a decades-long decline in microbial diversity and ancestral microbes due to hygiene, antibiotics, and urban living (the hygiene hypothesis). High-risk groups succumbing to COVID-19 include those with preexisting conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, which are also associated with microbiome abnormalities. Current pandemic control measures and practices will have broad, uneven, and potentially long-term effects for the human microbiome across the planet, given the implementation of physical separation, extensive hygiene, travel barriers, and other measures that influence overall microbial loss and inability for reinoculation. Although much remains uncertain or unknown about the virus and its consequences, implementing pandemic control practices could significantly affect the microbiome. In this Perspective, we explore many facets of COVID-19−induced societal changes and their possible effects on the microbiome, and discuss current and future challenges regarding the interplay between this pandemic and the microbiome. Recent recognition of the microbiome’s influence on human health makes it critical to consider both how the microbiome, shaped by biosocial processes, affects susceptibility to the coronavirus and, conversely, how COVID-19 disease and prevention measures may affect the microbiome. This knowledge may prove key in prevention and treatment, and long-term biological and social outcomes of this pandemic.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak Control Programme in Thailand 2008–2015: Case Studies and Lessons Learned

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terdsak Yano ◽  
Sith Premashthira ◽  
Tosapol Dejyong ◽  
Sahatchai Tangtrongsup ◽  
Mo D. Salman
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
And Control

Three Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in northern Thailand that occurred during the implementation of the national FMD strategic plan in 2008–2015 are described to illustrate the lessons learned and to improve the prevention and control of future outbreaks. In 2008, during a FMD outbreak on a dairy farm, milk delivery was banned for 30 days. This was a part of movement management, a key strategy for FMD control in dairy farms in the area. In 2009, more than half the animals on a pig farm were affected by FMD. Animal quarantine and restricted animal movement played a key role in preventing the spread of FMD. In 2010, FMD infection was reported in a captive elephant. The suspected source of virus was a FMD-infected cow on the same premises. The infected elephant was moved to an elephant hospital that was located in a different province before the diagnosis was confirmed. FMD education was given to elephant veterinarians to promote FMD prevention and control strategies in this unique species. These three cases illustrate how differences in outbreak circumstances and species require the implementation of a variety of different FMD control and prevention measures. Control measures and responses should be customized in different outbreak situations.

A Global Legal Instrument for Alcohol Control: Options, Prospects and Challenges

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Luca BURCI
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Law ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Alcohol Control

Alcohol is the sole major psychoactive substance with a huge negative public health and social impact without some form of international control grounded in a binding treaty. While existing rules of international law, in particular in the economic field, favour liberalisation and may hinder strong national alcohol control measures, we may be witnessing a turning of the tide due to the growing mobilisation against non-communicable diseases. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been a ground-breaking development in this sense, and has led policymakers and advocates in a number of countries to raise the possibility of a similar convention on alcohol control. The present contribution compares tobacco and alcohol from this perspective and considers the feasibility of a dedicated international convention. It concludes that the political prospects of a movement in this direction are very dim at the present time; however, policy developments on other health problems and theoretical models emerging from constructivist international relations scholarship may open up promising perspectives for considering normative and institutional approaches that could strengthen the existing legal framework and facilitate political processes towards stronger forms of legalisation of global alcohol control.

scholarly journals 1263. Managing an Influenza Outbreak Which Spilled Over to an Acute Care Hospital from a Behavioral Health Unit

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S385-S385
Author(s):  
Colleen M Clay ◽  
Leonardo Girio-Herrera ◽  
Faheem Younus
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Acute Care Hospital ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Influenza Outbreak ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Background Behavioral health units (BHU) have been implicated in influenza outbreaks due to group activities, low availability of alcohol-based hand gels and unique host factors. We describe the management of an unusual influenza outbreak, which started in the BHU and then spilled over to the acute care hospital (ACH). Methods University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital is a 95-bed ACH with a 14-bed closed-door adult BHU located on the fifth floor. Two cases each of hospital-acquired influenza were identified in our BHU during 2016 and 2017. In January 2018, however, hospital-acquired influenza cases in the BHU spilled over to the adjacent ACH to cause an outbreak. A case was defined as a patient with fever of >100.4°F, presence of influenza-like illness, and a positive influenza test >72 hours after admission. Outbreak control measures included twice daily fever screening, enhanced droplet precautions, visitor restrictions, discontinuing community activities, enforcing hand hygiene at all hospital entrances, and hospital-wide chemoprophylaxis with oseltamivir. Results On January 15, 2018, the index patient developed influenza in the BHU followed by a second case in BHU 4-days later. Over the next 10 days, five more patients on the third and fourth floors of ACH tested positive. Attack rate was 3% and average length of stay was 8.9 days. Chemoprophylaxis with oseltamivir 75 mg orally once a day was given to 71% of all eligible hospitalized patients for a week (at a cost of $17,000). All seven patients yielded influenza A, subtype H3N2 and were successfully treated with oseltamivir 75 mg orally twice a day for 7 days. The outbreak lasted 11 days. Figure 1 shows the epidemiologic curve. Conclusion Special attention should be paid to influenza prevention in the BHUs due to the risk of spillover effect to sicker patients in the adjacent ACH. A short, 7-day course of hospital-wide oseltamivir chemoprophylaxis, in addition to promptly implementing the infection prevention measures was effective in controlling the outbreak. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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