Prospective evaluation of a complex public health intervention: lessons from an initial and follow-up cross-sectional survey of the tuberculosis strain typing service in England

Background: COVID-19 pandemic that started in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, has spread globally, and Sabah is one of the states in Malaysia that is affected by it. The outburst in social media on discrimination against the people from China impacted the international students from China. Thus, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) had to play a role in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting its students. This article aimed to describe the actions taken by UMS for its international student from China during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design where all 379 students from China in UMS were screened from February 2020 until March 2020 during the early phase of COVID 19. Results: During this study period, 0.5% of the students were classified as Persons under Investigation (PUI), while 99.5% were classified as Person under Surveillance (PUS). Conclusion: The public health interventions included surveillance, contact tracing, monitoring, quarantine, isolation, social distancing, mental health support, and mental health intervention activities. These actions to control the pandemic reduce the state health department's health burden and help the students in need.

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The role of risk communication in public health interventions. An analysis of risk communication for a community quarantine in Germany to curb the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0256113

Author(s):

Juliane Scholz ◽

Wibke Wetzker ◽

Annika Licht ◽

Rainer Heintzmann ◽

André Scherag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Communication ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Public Health Interventions ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Information Level ◽

Public Health Authorities

Background Separating ill or possibly infectious people from their healthy community is one of the core principles of non-pharmaceutical interventions. However, there is scarce evidence on how to successfully implement quarantine orders. We investigated a community quarantine for an entire village in Germany (Neustadt am Rennsteig, March 2020) with the aim of better understanding the successful implementation of quarantine measures. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Neustadt am Rennsteig six weeks after the end of a 14-day mandatory community quarantine. The sample size consisted of 562 adults (64% of the community), and the response rate was 295 adults, or 52% (33% of the community). Findings National television was reported as the most important channel of information. Contact with local authorities was very limited, and partners or spouses played a more important role in sharing information. Generally, the self-reported information level was judged to be good (211/289 [73.0%]). The majority of participants (212/289 [73.4%]) approved of the quarantine, and the reported compliance was 217/289 (75.1%). A self-reported higher level of concern as well as a higher level of information correlated positively with both a greater acceptance of quarantine and self-reported compliant behaviour. Interpretation The community quarantine presented a rare opportunity to investigate a public health intervention for an entire community. In order to improve the implementation of public health interventions, public health risk communication activities should be intensified to increase both the information level (potentially leading to better compliance with community quarantine) and the communication level (to facilitate rapport and trust between public health authorities and their communities).

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Influence of A Public Health Emergency On Care For Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: An Online, Cross-Sectional Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1179787/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Shu Zhang ◽

Shaoxia Wang ◽

Yuru Dong ◽

Xinyu Chen ◽

Miao Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽

Muscular Dystrophy ◽

Public Health Emergency ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Public

Abstract Background: The public health emergency has created challenges for the care of patients, particularly those with chronic diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. To elucidate the challenges faced by Chinese patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy during the public health emergency coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey, the responses of which were collected between March 27 and June 30, 2021. Results: In total, valid questionnaire responses were obtained from 2,105 patients, of whom 49 lived in pandemic lockdown areas. Of the 2,056 responders from non-lockdown areas, 42.8% reduced their outside daily activities, 49.4% reduced their use of rehabilitation services, 39.7% postponed regular follow-up appointments, and 40.8% complained of accelerated declines in motor function over the previous year. The corresponding figures for the 49 participants from lockdown areas were almost all higher, with 67.3% reducing outside daily activities, 44.9% reducing their use of rehabilitation services, 79.6% postponing regular follow-up appointments, and 55.1% complaining of accelerated declines in motor function. When asked whether they expected more assistance from society than they had received before the pandemic, 60.8% of patients in non-lockdown areas and 87.8% of those in lockdown areas responded affirmatively. When asked whether they felt more anxious than they had before the pandemic and needed psychological counseling, 11.5% of respondents in non-lockdown areas and 18.4% of respondents in lockdown areas responded affirmatively. In non-lockdown areas, 76% of respondents had at least one telemedicine visit, and 71% of them thought that telemedicine was helpful. In lockdown areas, 91.8% had used telemedicine at least once, and 66.7% of them found it helpful.Conclusions: These public health emergency control measures have affected the care of patients with chronic diseases worldwide, particularly pronounced in lockdown areas. It is imperative that healthcare workers assist patients and establish more robust chronic disease management systems. Telemedicine is an effective model for providing healthcare to such patients.

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Improving the follow up rate for pediatric patients (0-16 years) attending Bharatpur Eye Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal: A Public Health Intervention Study (Preprint)

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/31578 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Manisha Shrestha ◽

Gopal Bhandari ◽

Suresh Kumar Rathi ◽

Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti ◽

Binod Pandey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

Health Intervention

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Improving the follow up rate for pediatric patients (0-16 years) attending Bharatpur Eye Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal: A Public Health Intervention Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.31578 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Manisha Shrestha ◽

Gopal Bhandari ◽

Suresh Kumar Rathi ◽

Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti ◽

Binod Pandey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Phone Call ◽

Intervention Package ◽

Phone Calls ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND The follow up of pediatric patients ensures regular ocular morbidity monitoring and better treatment outcome. Bharatpur Eye Hospital (BEH) noticed that the follow up rates were low among its pediatric patients. There are several factors including lack of awareness and forgetfulness among patients may contribute in less number of follow ups. Therefore, BEH decided to find if counselling and reminders through Short Message Service (SMS) and phone calls would improve the follow up rates. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the impact of interventions like counselling and reminder SMS and phone call in improving the follow up rate of pediatric patients. METHODS This is a public health intervention study, being conducted using the mixed method. Herein all children (0-16 years) with ocular conditions requiring at least 3 follow ups in the study period will be included. Two hundred and sixty four participants will be distributed to three groups: routine standard care, counseling and reminders with SMS and phone calls. In counseling, patients will take part in 20 minute counseling session with trained counselor in each visit and information leaflets will be provided to them. In reminder SMS and phone call group, patients will receive a SMS prior to 3 days and phone call one day prior to their scheduled visits. Patient attending within ± 2days of the scheduled date will be considered compliant to follow up. The proportion of patients completing all the follow ups in each group will be assessed. Informed consent will be taken from parent and child. Univariate and multivariate analysis will be conducted. The qualitative analysis about the barriers for follow up like educational status of the parent, distance and cost for travel will be done. RESULTS The ethical approval has been obtained from Ethical Review Board of Nepal Health Research Council (ERB protocol registration number 761/2020 P). Due to COVID-19 pandemic, as of June 2021, we have been able to enroll 112 participants (40% of the sample size). CONCLUSIONS This study will reliably document not only the factors associated with follow up rate through intervention package (counseling and reminders through SMS and phone calls) but also cost effectiveness of the intervention package, which can be applied in all the departments of the hospital. CLINICALTRIAL The protocol has also been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT04837534) on April 08, 2021

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COVID-19 Preparedness and Perceived Safety in Nursing Homes in Southern Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study in the Initial Phases of the Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7983

Author(s):

Óscar Brito Fernandes ◽

Pedro Lobo Julião ◽

Niek Klazinga ◽

Dionne Kringos ◽

Nuno Marques

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Safety Culture ◽

Work Experiences ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Safety ◽

Public Health Emergencies ◽

Southern Portugal

(1) Background: Nursing homes’ preparedness in managing a public health emergency has been poor, with effects on safety culture. The objective of this study was to assess nursing homes’ COVID-19 preparedness in southern Portugal, including staff’s work experiences during the pandemic. (2) Methods: We used a COVID-19 preparedness checklist to be completed by management teams, followed by follow-up calls to nursing homes. Thereafter, a survey of staff was applied. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and thematic analysis of open-end questions. (3) Results: In total, 71% (138/195) of eligible nursing homes returned the preparedness checklist. We conducted 83 follow-up calls and received 720 replies to the staff survey. On average, 25% of nursing homes did not have an adequate decision-making structure to respond to the pandemic. Outbreak capacity and training were areas for improvement among nursing homes’ contingency plans. We identified teamwork as an area of strength for safety culture, whereas compliance with procedures and nonpunitive response to mistakes need improvement. (4) Conclusions: To strengthen how nursing homes cope with upcoming phases of the COVID-19 pandemic or future public health emergencies, nursing homes’ preparedness and safety culture should be fostered and closely monitored.

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COVID-19 Preparedness and Perceived Safety in 138 Nursing Homes in Southern Portugal: A Cross-sectional Survey-based Study in the Initial Phases of the Pandemic

10.20944/preprints202106.0255.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Óscar Brito Fernandes ◽

Pedro Lobo Julião ◽

Niek Klazinga ◽

Dionne Kringos ◽

Nuno Marques

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Safety Culture ◽

Work Experiences ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Perceived Safety ◽

Southern Portugal

(1) Background: Nursing homes’ preparedness in managing a public health crisis has been fragile, with effects on safety culture. The objective of this study was to assess nursing homes’ COVID-19 preparedness in Southern Portugal, including personnel’s work experiences during the pandemic. (2) Methods: We used a COVID-19 preparedness checklist to be completed by management teams, followed by follow-up calls to nursing homes. Thereafter, a survey to personnel was applied. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and thematic analysis of open-end questions. (3) Results: In total, 71% (138/195) of eligible nursing homes returned the preparedness checklist. We conducted 83 follow-up calls and received 720 replies to the personnel survey. On average, 25% of nursing homes did not have an adequate decision-making structure to respond to the pandemic. Outbreak capacity and training were fragile areas among nursing homes’ contingency plans. We identified compliance with procedures and nonpunitive response to mistakes as fragile areas of safety culture, and teamwork as a strong safety area. (4) Conclusions: To strengthen how nursing homes cope with upcoming phases of the COVID-19 pandemic or future public health emergencies, nursing homes’ preparedness and safety culture should be fostered and closely monitored.

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Coping strategies adapted by Ghanaians during the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown: A population-based study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253800 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253800

Author(s):

Samuel Iddi ◽

Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah ◽

Irene Korkoi Aboh ◽

Reginald Quansah ◽

Samuel Asiedu Owusu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Ordinal Scale ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Phone Calls

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures adopted by countries globally can lead to stress and anxiety. Investigating the coping strategies to this unprecedented crisis is essential to guide mental health intervention and public health policy. This study examined how people are coping with the COVID-19 crisis in Ghana and identify factors influencing it. Methods This study was part of a multinational online cross-sectional survey on Personal and Family Coping with COVID-19 in the Global South. The study population included adults, ≥18 years and residents in Ghana. Respondents were recruited through different platforms, including social media and phone calls. The questionnaire was composed of different psychometrically validated instruments with coping as the outcome variable measured on the ordinal scale with 3 levels, namely, Not well or worse, Neutral, and Well or better. An ordinal logistic regression model using proportional odds assumption was then applied. Results A total of 811 responses were included in the analysis with 45.2% describing their coping level as well/better, 42.4% as neither worse nor better and 12.4% as worse/not well. Many respondents (46.9%) were between 25–34 years, 50.1% were males while 79.2% lived in urban Ghana. Having pre-existing conditions increased the chances of not coping well (aOR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.15–3.01). Not being concerned about supporting the family financially (aOR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.06–2.68) or having the feeling that life is better during the pandemic (aOR = 2.37, 95%CI: 1.26–4.62) increased chances of coping well. Praying (aOR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.43–0.90) or sleeping (aOR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34–0.89) more during the pandemic than before reduces coping. Conclusion In Ghana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial security and optimism about the disease increase one’s chances of coping well while having pre-existing medical conditions, praying and sleeping more during the pandemic than before reduces one’s chances of coping well. These findings should be considered in planning mental health and public health intervention/policy.

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Nationwide 2.5-Year School-Based Public Health Intervention Program Designed to Reduce the Incidence of Caries in Children of Grenada

Caries Research ◽

10.1159/000439058 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (Suppl. 1) ◽

pp. 68-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mark S. Wolff ◽

Rachel Hill ◽

Maureen Wilson-Genderson ◽

Stuart Hirsch ◽

Ananda P. Dasanayake

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Oral Health ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Age Groups ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

School Personnel ◽

Dental Students ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Public Health Authorities

This paper describes an innovative public health intervention, called ‘Smile Grenada', targeting the oral health of children in Grenada utilizing the resources of a US dental school, several oral health care companies, local governmental and public health authorities, and Grenadian school personnel. Methods: Preintervention visual/tactile caries examinations were collected from 1,092 schoolchildren (mean age 9.9 years, standard deviation, SD = 3.7) in 2010. The intervention included: (1) classroom-based toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste, (2) fluoride varnish applied by trained dental students, teachers and local providers 3 times a year and (3) glass ionomer sealants placed on first permanent molars in children aged 6-8 years. Postintervention data were collected in May, 2013 (n = 2,301, mean age 9.8 years, SD = 3.7). Decayed and demineralized surfaces were examined for the whole sample and decay/demineralization and sealant retention on 6-year molars were examined separately (ages 6-8 in 2013 cohort). Results: The number of decayed/demineralized surfaces declined across all age groups. The average number of decayed surfaces dropped from 9 at baseline to just over 6 (F1, 3,393 = 69.8, p < 0.0001) and the average number of demineralized surfaces dropped from 6 to less than 2 (1.8 surfaces; F1, 3,393 = 819.0, p < 0.0001). For children aged 6-8 years, there were statistically significantly fewer decayed surfaces (t1, 2,086 = 12.40, p < 0.0001; mean baseline 0.93, SD = 1.75; mean follow-up 0.23, SD = 0.83) and demineralized surfaces (t1, 2,086 = 19.7, p < 0.0001; mean baseline 2.11, SD = 2.74; mean follow-up 0.50, SD = 0.97) on 6-year molars. The Smile Grenada program successfully demonstrated a locally sustainable model for improving oral health in children in a developing country.

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