Epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 spring outbreak in Quebec, Canada: a population-based study

Abstract Background By mid-July 2020, more than 108,000 COVID-19 cases had been diagnosed in Canada with more than half in the province of Quebec. In this context, we launched a study to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the socio-economic impact of the spring outbreak in the population. Method We conducted an online survey of the participants of the CARTaGENE population-based cohort, composed of middle-aged and older adults. We collected information on socio-demographic, lifestyle, health condition, COVID-19 related symptoms and COVID-19 testing. We studied the association between these factors and two outcomes: the status of having been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and the status of having received a positive test. These associations were measured with univariate and multivariate analyses using a hybrid tree-based regression model. Results Among the 8,129 respondents from the CARTaGENE cohort, 649 were tested for COVID-19 and 41 were positive. Medical workers and individuals having a contact with a COVID-19 patient had the highest probabilities of being tested (32% and 42.4%, respectively) and of being positive (17.2% and 13.0%, respectively) among those tested. Approximately 8% of the participants declared that they have experienced at least one of the four COVID-19 related symptoms chosen by the Public Health authorities (fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia) but were not tested. Results from the tree-based model analyses adjusted on exposure factors showed that the combination of dyspnea, dry cough and fever was highly associated with being tested whereas anosmia, fever, and headache were the most discriminant factors for having a positive test among those tested. During the spring outbreak, more than one third of the participants have experienced a decrease in access to health services. There were gender and age differences in the socio-economic and emotional impacts of the pandemic. Conclusion We have shown some discrepancies between the symptoms associated with being tested and being positive. In particular, the anosmia is a major discriminant symptom for positivity whereas ear-nose-throat symptoms seem not to be COVID-19 related. The results also emphasize the need of increasing the accessibility of testing for the general population.

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Epidemiological and socio-economic characteristics of the COVID-19 spring outbreak in Quebec, Canada: A population-based study

10.1101/2020.08.26.20182675 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rodolphe Jantzen ◽

Nolwenn Noisel ◽

Sophie Camilleri-Broet ◽

Catherine Labbe ◽

Thibault de Malliard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Condition ◽

Positive Test ◽

Access To Health Services ◽

The Public ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Access To Health ◽

The Status ◽

Public Health Authorities

Background: By mid-July 2020, more than 108,000 COVID-19 cases had been diagnosed in Canada with more than half in the province of Quebec. To be prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall, it seems of utmost importance to analyze the epidemiological and socio-economic characteristics of the spring outbreak in the population. Method: We conducted an online survey of the participants of the CARTaGENE population-based cohort, composed of middle-aged and older adults. We collected information on socio-demographic, lifestyle, health condition, COVID-related symptoms and COVID-19 testing. We studied the association between these factors and two outcomes: the status of having been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and the status of having received a positive test when having been tested. These associations were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyzes using a hybrid tree-based regression model. Results: Among the 8,129 respondents from the CARTaGENE cohort, 649 were tested for COVID-19 and 41 were positive. Medical workers and individuals having a contact with a COVID-19 patient had the highest probabilities of being tested (32% and 42.4%, respectively) and of being positive (17.2% and 13.0%, respectively) among those tested. 7.6% of the participants declared that they have experienced at least one of the four COVID-related symptoms chosen by the Public Health authorities (fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia) but were not tested. Results from the tree-based model analyzes adjusted on exposure factors show that the combination of dyspnea, dry cough and fever was highly associated with being tested whereas anosmia, fever, and headache were the most discriminant factors for having a positive test among those tested. During the spring outbreak, more than one third of the participants have experienced a decrease in access to health services. There were sex and age differences in the socio-economic and emotional impacts of the pandemic. Conclusion: We have shown some discrepancies between the symptoms associated with being tested and being positive. In particular, the anosmia is a major discriminant symptom for positivity whereas ear-nose-throat symptoms seem not to be COVID-related. The results also emphasize the need of increasing the accessibility of testing for the general population.

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Can digital technology help reduce smoke exposure and protect health in extreme air quality events?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.701 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

S L Campbell ◽

P J Jones ◽

A J Wheeler ◽

C Lucani ◽

G J Williamson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Online Survey ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Environmental Hazards ◽

Smoke Exposure ◽

Smartphone Apps ◽

Individual Level ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities

Abstract Background In the southern hemisphere summer of 2019-2020, Australia experienced its most severe bushfire season on record. Smoke from fires affected 80% of the population, with large exceedances of the Australian National Air Quality Standard for particulate air pollution recorded in all major population centres during this period. We examined if emerging and innovative digital technology can assist extreme smoke-affected populations to reduce their exposure and protect their health. Methods AirRater is a free smartphone app that tracks air quality and user symptoms in near real-time. We distributed an online survey to over 13,000 app users to assess how they used this information during the 2019-20 bushfire season, and if the app was helpful in decision-making around reducing personal smoke exposure. Results We received responses from 1732 users (13.3%). Respondents reported that the app was highly useful, supporting informed decisions regarding daily activities during the smoke-affected period. Commonly reported activities supported by information provided through the app were staying inside (76%), rescheduling or planning outdoor activities (64%), changing locations to less affected areas (29%) and informing decisions on medication use (15%). Conclusions Smartphone apps enable users to reduce smoke exposure and protect their health by providing individual-level and location-specific data. Furthermore, digital technology such as AirRater provides the potential to provide insight into the community impacts of environmental hazards such as bushfire smoke. Key messages Smartphone apps enable users to reduce their smoke exposure and protect their health. These emerging technologies can help public health authorities to understand the community impact of environmental hazards.

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Associations between taste preferences and chronic diseases: a population-based exploratory study in China

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898002000035x ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hanqi Li ◽

Peng Jia ◽

Teng Fei

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Population Based ◽

Taste Preferences ◽

Potential Health ◽

Study Approach ◽

Point Of Interest ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Disease Aetiology ◽

Public Health Authorities

Abstract Objective: To explore the associations between dietary tastes and chronic diseases quantitatively. Design: We used the Geodetector method to establish associations between seven tastes and a variety of chronic diseases from the perspective of spatial stratified heterogeneity and explained the effects of dietary tastes on the spatial distribution of chronic diseases. Setting: We used crowdsourcing online recipe data to extract multiple taste information about cuisines, combined with point of interest data on categorised restaurant data in different regions, to quantitatively analyse the taste preferences of people in different regions. Participants: Crowdsourcing online recipe data and restaurant data in different regions. Results: The results showed that sixteen diseases were significantly associated with dietary tastes among the seventy-one types of chronic diseases. Compared with the effects of individual tastes, the interactions of tastes increased the risk of sixteen diseases, and many combinations of tastes produced nonlinear enhancement effects on the risk for diseases. Conclusions: This study presents a quantitative study approach based on the crowdsourcing of data to explore potential health risk factors, which can be applied to the exploratory analysis of disease aetiology and help public health authorities to develop corresponding interventions.

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Experience of non-breastfeeding mothers

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733014561913 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 231-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Research Question ◽

World Health ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Qualitative Survey ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Ethics Guidelines ◽

Health Organization ◽

Research Ethics Guidelines

Background: Breastfeeding is currently strongly recommended by midwives and paediatricians, and the recommendations are based on documents provided by the World Health Organization and public health authorities worldwide. Research question: The underlying question is, how are non-breastfeeding mothers affected emotionally when informed that breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest option? Research design: The method used is an anonymous web-based qualitative survey exploring the narratives of non-breastfeeding mothers, published on Thesistools.com . The aim is to achieve qualitative knowledge about the emotions of non-breastfeeding mothers. Participants and research context: Participants were based in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and were selected through a purposeful sample. Ethical considerations: The online survey anonymizes responses automatically, and all respondents had to tick a box agreeing to be quoted anonymously in scientific articles. The study conforms to research ethics guidelines. Findings: Respondents describe how they were affected, and the following themes emerged in studying their descriptions: depression, anxiety and pain, feeling failed as a mother and woman, loss of freedom/feeling trapped, relief and guilt. Discussion: The themes are discussed against the background of the ethics of care and a theory of ethically responsible risk communication. Conclusion: Three conclusions are made. First, the message should become more empathetic. Second, information should be given in an attentive dialogue. Third, information providers should evaluate effects in a more inclusive way.

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An interim review of the epidemiological characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus

Epidemiology and Health ◽

10.4178/epih.e2020006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. e2020006 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Sukhyun Ryu ◽

Byung Chul Chun

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Health Emergency ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

OBJECTIVES: The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, China is currently recognized as a public health emergency of global concern.METHODS: We reviewed the currently available literature to provide up-to-date guidance on control measures to be implemented by public health authorities.RESULTS: Some of the epidemiological characteristics of 2019-nCoV have been identified. However, there remain considerable uncertainties, which should be considered when providing guidance to public health authorities on control measures.CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies incorporating more detailed information from confirmed cases would be valuable.

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Incidence of myeloid neoplasms in Spain (2002–2013): a population-based study of the Spanish network of cancer registries

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-03734-6 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marta Solans ◽

Arantza Sanvisens ◽

Alberto Ameijide ◽

Susana Merino ◽

Dolores Rojas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽

Cancer Registries ◽

Population Based ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Incidence Data ◽

Incidence Trends ◽

Myeloid Neoplasms ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Hematological Cancers ◽

Public Health Authorities

AbstractComprehensive population-based data on myeloid neoplasms (MNs) are limited, mainly because some subtypes were not recognized as hematological cancers prior to the WHO publication in 2001, and others are too rare to allow robust estimates within regional studies. Herein, we provide incidence data of the whole spectrum of MNs in Spain during 2002–2013 using harmonized data from 13 population-based cancer registries. Cases (n = 17,522) were grouped following the HAEMACARE groupings and 2013-European standardized incidence rates (ASRE), incidence trends, and estimates for 2021 were calculated. ASRE per 100,000 inhabitants was 5.14 (95% CI: 5.00–5.27) for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), 4.71 (95% CI: 4.59–4.84) for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), 3.91 (95% CI: 3.79–4.02) for acute myeloid leukemia, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78–0.88) for MDS/MPN, 0.35 (95% CI: 0.32–0.39) for acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage, and 0.58 (95% CI: 0.53–0.62) for not-otherwise specified (NOS) cases. This study highlights some useful points for public health authorities, such as the remarkable variability in incidence rates among Spanish provinces, the increasing incidence of MPN, MDS, and MDS/MPN during the period of study, in contrast to a drop in NOS cases, and the number of cases expected in 2021 based on these data (8446 new MNs).

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Pathways Improving Compliance with Preventive Behaviors during the Remission Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073512 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3512

Author(s):

Jingjing Wang ◽

Nanyue Rao ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Online Survey ◽

Political Trust ◽

Future Research ◽

Mediation Model ◽

Preventive Behaviors ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

The Government ◽

One Year

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to people’s lives. Compliance with preventive behaviors, recommended by public health authorities, is essential for infection control. In the remission stage, one year after the initial COVID-19 outbreak in China, we advanced a moderated parallel mediation model of the link between risk perception and compliance with preventive behaviors as well as a serial mediation model of the link between optimism and compliance with preventive behaviors, explaining the roles of various psychosocial factors in these associations. In January 2021, 200 participants under 50 years of age, located in 80 Chinese cities, participated in an online survey assessing risk perception, compliance with preventive behaviors, fear, anxiety, political trust, government dependency, and dispositional optimism. The results showed that the effect of risk perception on compliance with preventive behaviors was mediated by political trust and fear, and was moderated by government dependency. Anxiety and fear serially mediated the effect of optimism on compliance with preventive behaviors. Our study provided implications for future research to reduce negative emotions, strengthen confidence in the government, and sustain moderate government dependency accompanied by individual self-efficacy.

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Reported COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Associated Factors among Members of Athens Medical Association: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9101134 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1134

Author(s):

Georgios Marinos ◽

Dimitris Lamprinos ◽

Panagiotis Georgakopoulos ◽

Georgios Patoulis ◽

Georgia Vogiatzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Medical Association ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Workers ◽

High Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities

There are limited data on the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccination coverage among physicians. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, online study was conducted among the members of the Athens Medical Association (I.S.A.) over the period 25 February to 13 March 2021. All members of I.S.A. were invited to participate in the anonymous online survey. A structured, anonymous questionnaire was used. Overall, 1993 physicians participated in the survey. The reported vaccination coverage was 85.3%. The main reasons of no vaccination were pending vaccination appointment followed by safety concerns. Participants being informed about the COVID-19 vaccines by social media resulted in lower COVID-19 vaccination coverage than health workers being informed by other sources. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that no fear over COVID-19 vaccination-related side effects, history of influenza vaccination for flu season 2020–2021, and the perception that the information on COVID-19 vaccination from the national public health authorities is reliable, were independent factors of reported COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Our results demonstrate a considerable improvement of the COVID-19 vaccination uptake among Greek physicians. The finding that participants reported high reliability of the information related to COVID-19 vaccination provided by the Greek public health authorities is an opportunity which should be broadly exploited by policymakers in order to combat vaccination hesitancy, and further improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake and coverage among physicians/HCWs, and the general population.

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Personal Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Realities and Perspectives of Healthcare Workers in Latin America

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17082798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 2798 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Diego Delgado ◽

Fernando Wyss Quintana ◽

Gonzalo Perez ◽

Alvaro Sosa Liprandi ◽

Carlos Ponte-Negretti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Personal Safety ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Integrity Protection

Healthcare workers exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) may not have adequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE), safety procedures, and diagnostic protocols. Our objective was to evaluate the reality and perceptions about personal safety among healthcare workers in Latin America. This is a cross-sectional, online survey-based study administered to 936 healthcare professionals in Latin America from 31 March 2020 to 4 April 2020. A 12-item structured questionnaire was developed. A total of 936 healthcare workers completed the online survey. Of them, 899 (95.1%) were physicians, 28 (2.9%) were nurses, and 18 (1.9%) were allied health professionals. Access to protective equipment was as follows: gel hand sanitizer (n = 889; 95%), disposable gloves (n = 853; 91.1%), disposable gowns (n = 630; 67.3%), disposable surgical masks (785; 83.9%), N95 masks (n = 516; 56.1%), and facial protective shields (n = 305; 32.6%). The vast majority (n = 707; 75.5%) had access to personal safety policies and procedures, and 699 (74.7%) participants had access to diagnostic algorithms. On a 1-to-10 Likert scale, the participants expressed limited human resources support (4.92 ± 0.2; mean ± SD), physical integrity protection in the workplace (5.5 ± 0.1; mean ± SD), and support from public health authorities (5.01 ± 0.12; mean ± SD). Healthcare workers in Latin America had limited access to essential PPE and support from healthcare authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Epidemiology of physiotherapy utilization among adults and elderly

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-89102005000400022 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 662-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Fernando Vinholes Siqueira ◽

Luiz Augusto Facchini ◽

Pedro Curi Hallal

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Primary Sample ◽

Public Health Authorities

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of physiotherapy utilization and to explore the variables associated to its utilization. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study, including 3,100 subjects aged 20 years or more living in the urban area of Pelotas, southern Brazil, was carried out. The sample was selected following a multiple-stage protocol; the census tracts delimited by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) were the primary sample units. Following descriptive and crude analyses, Poisson regression models taking the clustering of the sample into account were carried out. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardized and pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: The lifetime utilization of physiotherapy was 30.2%; and physiotherapy utilization in the 12 months prior to the interview was reported by 4.9%. Women, elderly subjects, and those from higher socioeconomic levels were more likely to use physiotherapy. Restricting analysis to subjects who attended physiotherapy, 66% used public health services, 25% used insurance health services and 9% had private sessions. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first population-based study on physiotherapy utilization carried out in Brazil. Utilization of physio therapy was lower than reported in both developed and developing countries. The study findings might help public health authorities to organize healthcare service in terms of this important demand.

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