scholarly journals The population-based prevalence of trachomatous scarring in a trachoma hyperendemic setting: results from 152 impact surveys in Amhara, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tigist Astale ◽  
Caleb D. Ebert ◽  
Andrew W. Nute ◽  
Mulat Zerihun ◽  
Demelash Gessese ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Trachomatous scarring (TS) results from repeated infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Pronounced scarring is an underlying cause of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) that can lead to blindness. Since the condition is irreversible, TS in adults has been considered a marker of past exposure to trachoma infection. The aim of this report was to estimate the population-based prevalence of TS within Amhara, Ethiopia, a region with a historically high burden of trachoma. Methods District-level multi-stage cluster surveys were conducted in all districts between 2010 and 2015 to monitor the impact of approximately 5 years of trachoma interventions. Approximately 40 households were sampled per cluster and all participants ages ≥ 1 year were graded for the 5 World Health Organization simplified signs. Before each survey round, trachoma graders participated in a 7-day training and reliability exam that included cases of TS. TS prevalence estimates were weighted to account for sampling design and adjusted for age and sex using post-stratification weighting. Results Across the 152 districts in Amhara, 208,510 individuals ages 1 year and older were examined for the signs of trachoma. Region-wide, the prevalence of TS was 8.2 %, (95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 7.7–8.6 %), and the prevalence among individuals ages 15 years and older (n = 110,137) was 12.6 % (95 % CI: 12.0–13.3 %). District-level TS prevalence among individuals ages 15 years and older ranged from 0.9 to 36.9 % and was moderately correlated with district prevalence of TT (r = 0.31; P < 0.001). The prevalence of TS increased with age, reaching 22.4 % among those ages 56 to 60 years and 24.2 % among those ages 61 to 65 years. Among children ages 1 to 15 years TS prevalence was 2.2 % (95 % CI: 1.8–2.8 %), increased with age (P < 0.001), and 5 % of individuals with TS also had trachomatous inflammation-intense (TI). Conclusions These results suggest that Amhara has had a long history of trachoma exposure and that a large population remains at risk for developing TT. It is promising, however, that children, many born after interventions began, have low levels of TS compared to other known trachoma-hyperendemic areas.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1651
Author(s):  

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Leishmania protozoa that are transmitted by female sand flies. On the Indian subcontinent (ISC), VL is targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for elimination as a public health problem by 2020, which is defined as <1 VL case (new and relapse) per 10,000 population at district level in Nepal and sub-district level in Bangladesh and India. WHO is currently in the process of formulating 2030 targets, asking whether to maintain the 2020 target or to modify it, while adding a target of zero mortality among detected cases. The NTD Modelling Consortium has developed various mathematical VL transmission models to gain insight into the transmission dynamics of VL, identify the main knowledge gaps, and predict the feasibility of achieving and sustaining the targets by simulating the impact of varying intervention strategies. According to the models, the current target is feasible at the appropriate district/sub-district level in settings with medium VL endemicities (up to 5 reported VL cases per 10,000 population per year) prior to the start of the interventions. However, in settings with higher pre-control endemicities, additional efforts may be required. We also highlight the risk that those with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) may pose to reaching and sustaining the VL targets, and therefore advocate adding control of PKDL cases to the new 2030 targets. Spatial analyses revealed that local hotspots with high VL incidence remain. We warn that the current target provides a perverse incentive to not detect/report cases as the target is approached, posing a risk for truly achieving elimination as a public health problem although this is taken into consideration by the WHO procedures for validation. Ongoing modelling work focuses on the risk of recrudescence when interventions are relaxed after the elimination target has been achieved.


Author(s):  
Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba

Governments all over the world are currently grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. While some countries were very hard hit, others were only mildly hit but all are still taking measures to mitigate the consequences. The virus emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and spread to most continents by the beginning of March 2020, which led to the World Health Organization declaring it as a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. Since it was a novel disease, there was limited information on the virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the same family as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Researchers all over the world started working simultaneously to understand the virus to provide the necessary treatment regime or vaccine in order to reduce the impact of the virus on its victims. Africa and other developing countries with limited resources and poor planning and management are expected to be among the worst hit in the long run. The implications of the COVID-19 on food, water, hygiene, sanitation, and the environment in Africa have been reviewed in this paper, as well as possible implications they may pose to the population, based on the existing common practices and their immediate impacts. This information can assist policymakers in Africa to adequately plan the management of the COVID-19 in order to lessen its impact on the population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001529
Author(s):  
Thijs T W van Herpt ◽  
Symen Ligthart ◽  
Maarten J G Leening ◽  
Mandy van Hoek ◽  
Aloysius G Lieverse ◽  
...  

IntroductionPre-diabetes, a status conferring high risk of overt diabetes, is defined differently by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the WHO. We investigated the impact of applying definitions of pre-diabetes on lifetime risk of diabetes in women and men from the general population.Research design and methodsWe used data from 8844 women without diabetes and men aged ≥45 years from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study in the Netherlands. In both gender groups, we calculated pre-diabetes prevalence according to ADA and WHO criteria and estimated the 10-year and lifetime risk to progress to overt diabetes with adjustment for competing risk of death.ResultsOut of 8844 individuals, pre-diabetes was identified in 3492 individuals (prevalence 40%, 95% CI 38% to 41%) according to ADA and 1382 individuals (prevalence 16%, 95% CI 15% to 16%) according to WHO criteria. In both women and men and each age category, ADA prevalence estimates doubled WHO-defined pre-diabetes. For women and men aged 45 years having ADA-defined pre-diabetes, the 10-year risk of diabetes was 14.2% (95% CI 6.0% to 22.5%) and 9.2% (95% CI 3.4% to 15.0%) compared with 23.2% (95% CI 6.8% to 39.6%) and 24.6% (95% CI 8.4% to 40.8%) in women and men with WHO-defined pre-diabetes. At age 45 years, the remaining lifetime risk to progress to overt diabetes was 57.5% (95% CI 51.8% to 63.2%) vs 80.2% (95% CI 74.1% to 86.3%) in women and 46.1% (95% CI 40.8% to 51.4%) vs 68.4% (95% CI 58.3% to 78.5%) in men with pre-diabetes according to ADA and WHO definitions, respectively.ConclusionPrevalence of pre-diabetes differed considerably in both women and men when applying ADA and WHO pre-diabetes definitions. Women with pre-diabetes had higher lifetime risk to progress to diabetes. The lifetime risk of diabetes was lower in women and men with ADA-defined pre-diabetes as compared with WHO. Improvement of pre-diabetes definition considering appropriate sex-specific and age-specific glycemic thresholds may lead to better identification of individuals at high risk of diabetes.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Mirjalili ◽  
Seyedeh Mahdieh Namayandeh ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Lotfi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Dehghani ◽  
Mohsen Mirzaei ◽  
...  

Introduction: SARS-COV 19 is a new coronavirus that was reported first time in 30 December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The first case of coronary heart disease in Iran was reported with a definitive test on February 18 in Qom province and the first case in Yazd province on 24 February. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Covid infection on March 11 a pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of COVID 19 in Yazd province. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional population-based study of seroepidemiological type that was conducted to investigate the serological prevalence of Covid-19 in the period of 3 to 20 May 2020 in Yazd Province. Sampling was clustered and it was without age and sex restrictions. Information was collected including demographic information, adherence to health protocols, and history of clinical symptoms of COVID 19."Pishtaz ELISA Kit" was used to evaluate the IgG and IgM antibody titers against Covid 19. Chi-square, analysis of variance and T tests were used via SPSS.version.16 software Results: Mean age of the participants was 34.3± 17.5. Among the study participants, 507 (54.5%) were women. The serological prevalence of definite cases was 14.91% (95% CI: 12.91-16.91%) and suspicious cases were 2.85% (95% CI:1.85-3.85%). Ardakan City with 32% had the highest and Taft, Mehriz, Khatam with 7% had the lowest prevalence of COVID 19 (P <0.05). Conclusion: By June 2020, nearly 18% of the population of the province was definitively or suspiciously infected with COVID 19. Unfortunately, up to 25% of the population does not follow the early prevention protocols of COVID 19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
Ignatius U. Ezeani ◽  
Innocent I. Chukwuonye ◽  
Ugochukwu U. Onyeonoro ◽  
Abali Chuku ◽  
Okechukwu S. Ogah

Background: Population based studies on diabetes mellitus (DM) are scarce in Nigeria. Introduction: This was a population-based house to house survey aimed at determining the prevalence of DM and assessing the risk factors associated with DM in a state in Southeast Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study in which 1680 adults were recruited using a multistage sampling method to randomly select not more than two suitable participants of both sex in each household from four enumeration areas (EAs) in each local government area (LGA) and the three senatorial zones in the state. A modified World Health Organization (WHO) Stepwise Approach to Surveillance questionnaire was used for data collection and random blood glucose (RBG) was measured after anthropometric assessment. Test statistics used were chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of DM in this study was 3.3%. A positive family history of DM was significantly higher in patients with diabetes: 18.2% vs. 9.6% (p=0.036). The mean (SD) of weight, body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC) and waist circumference (WC) were significantly higher in patients with DM(p=0.001,<0.001,<0.001,<0.001, respectively).The odd ratio (95% CI) of a person>35years developing DM was 3.89(1.11-13.60). The OR (95% CI) for waist-hip ratio (WHR) was 3.04 (1.02-9.03) and family history of DM had an OR of 2.62(0.88-6.50). The odd of developing DM is positively associated with age>35years, increased WHR, WC, family history of DM, BMI>25Kg/m2, and HC. The odd of developing DM was negatively associated with smoking. Conclusion: The prevalence of DM in this study was 3.3%. A BMI>25 kg/m2, WHR >0.85, family history of DM, HC, and older age were associated with significantly higher prevalence.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3987-3987
Author(s):  
Sigurdur Y Kristinsson ◽  
Lynn Goldin ◽  
Ingemar Turesson ◽  
Magnus Bjorkholm ◽  
Ola Landgren

Abstract Abstract 3987 Background: Patients with multiple myeloma are at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), especially when treated with thalidomide and lenalidomide. The etiology of this is largely unknown, but probably involves both genetic and environmental factors. Family history of VTE is a known risk factor for VTE in the general population, including known inherited thrombophilic abnormalities. The influence of a family history of VTE as a potential risk factor for VTE in multiple myeloma patients is unknown. To expand our knowledge on this topic, we conducted a large population-based study based on all multiple myeloma patients diagnosed in Sweden 1958–2004. Patients and Methods: We assessed the impact of family history of VTE as a risk factor for VTE among 21,067 multiple myeloma patients and 83,094 matched controls. Data on multiple myeloma patients was gathered from the Swedish Cancer Registry, information on first-degree relatives from the national Multigenerational Registry, and occurrence of VTE from the nationwide Patient Registry. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using chi-square. Results: Of the 21,067 multiple myeloma patients included in the study (54% males, median age at diagnosis 71 years), 66% had an identifiable first-degree relative. VTE was diagnosed in 1,429 multiple myeloma patients, and 921 had a family history of VTE. Compared to multiple myeloma patients without a family history of VTE, multiple myeloma patients with a family history of VTE had a 2.2-fold (95% CI 1.8–2.7; p<0.001) higher risk of VTE. Among 4,986 controls that were diagnosed with VTE, 316 had a family history of VTE. Controls with a family history of VTE had a 1.5-fold (95% CI 1.3–1.7; p<0.001) increased risk of VTE compared to controls without a family history of VTE. The difference of the impact of family history of VTE on the risk of VTE in multiple myeloma patients versus controls was significant. Summary and Conclusions: In this large population-based study including more than 20,000 multiple myeloma patients, we found family history of VTE to have a larger impact on VTE risk in multiple myeloma than in matched controls. Our findings confirm that genetic factors contribute to thrombophilia in multiple myeloma and may have therapeutic implications regarding thromboprophylaxis and treatment. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Dadras ◽  
Seyed Ahmad Seyed Alinaghi ◽  
Amirali Karimi ◽  
Mehrzad MohsseniPour ◽  
Alireza Barzegary ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Since the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) began, necessary measures to prevent virus transmission and reduce mortality have been implemented, including mandatory public use of masks, regular hand-sanitizing and hand-washing, social distancing, avoidance of crowds, remote work, and cancellation of public events. During and after the introduction of COVID-19 lockout, we performed a systematic review of available published literature to investigate the incidence of seasonal influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and the World Health Organization databases and websites were systematically searched for original studies concerning the impact of COVID-19 prevention means and measures on other common respiratory infectious diseases during the pandemic published by March 2021. Results The findings showed that the adherence to health protocols to prevent COVID-19 could help to reduce the incidence of other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion The implemented prevention measures and protocols might have reduced the incidence of influenza and some other common respiratory infections. However, controversies exist on this matter and future large population-based studies might provide further information to address these controversies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsi Haverinen ◽  
Laura Paalanen ◽  
Luigi Palmieri ◽  
Alicia Padron-Monedero ◽  
Isabel Noguer-Zambrano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a public health problem in Europe, affecting all age groups. Several MetS definitions are available. The aim of this study was to compare four different MetS definitions in the Finnish adult population, to assess their agreement and to evaluate the impact of the choice of the definition on the prevalence of MetS. Methods Data from FinHealth 2017, a cross-sectional national population health survey, focusing on adults aged 25 years or older were used in the analysis (n=5687). Measured data on anthropometrics, blood pressure and biomarkers together with questionnaire data were used to classify the participants into the MetS categories according to the four definitions. The definitions chosen for the comparison were those by the World Health Organization (WHO) (1998), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) (2004), International Diabetes Federation (IDF) (2005), and Joint Interim Statement (JIS) (2009). Results The four MetS definitions resulted in substantially different MetS prevalence: 17.7% by WHO, 33.3% by NCEP-ATP III, 41.5% by IDF, and 43.0% by JIS. Regardless of the definition used, the prevalence of MetS increased with age. The prevalence of the different components varied between the definitions, depending on the different cut-off points adopted. Out of all participants, only 13.6% were identified to have MetS according to all four definitions. Agreement between participants recognised by different MetS definitions, estimated through kappa coefficients, was almost perfect for IDF vs. JIS (0.97), strong for JIS vs. NCEP-ATP III (0.80), moderate for IDF vs. NCEP-ATP III (0.76) and weak for WHO vs. NCEP-ATP III (0.42), WHO vs. IDF (0.41) and WHO vs. JIS (0.40). Conclusions Differences between observed prevalence of MetS in Finnish men and women using different MetS definitions were large. For cross-country comparisons, as well as for trend analyses within a country, it is essential to use the same MetS definition to avoid discrepancies in classification due to differences in used definitions.


Author(s):  
Petr Ilyin

Especially dangerous infections (EDIs) belong to the conditionally labelled group of infectious diseases that pose an exceptional epidemic threat. They are highly contagious, rapidly spreading and capable of affecting wide sections of the population in the shortest possible time, they are characterized by the severity of clinical symptoms and high mortality rates. At the present stage, the term "especially dangerous infections" is used only in the territory of the countries of the former USSR, all over the world this concept is defined as "infectious diseases that pose an extreme threat to public health on an international scale." Over the entire history of human development, more people have died as a result of epidemics and pandemics than in all wars combined. The list of especially dangerous infections and measures to prevent their spread were fixed in the International Health Regulations (IHR), adopted at the 22nd session of the WHO's World Health Assembly on July 26, 1969. In 1970, at the 23rd session of the WHO's Assembly, typhus and relapsing fever were excluded from the list of quarantine infections. As amended in 1981, the list included only three diseases represented by plague, cholera and anthrax. However, now annual additions of new infections endemic to different parts of the earth to this list take place. To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has already included more than 100 diseases in the list of especially dangerous infections.


Author(s):  
Yuni Kurniati Yuni Kurniati

ABSTRACT   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every two minutes a woman dies of cervical cancer in develoving countries. In Indonesia, new cases of cervical cancer is 40-45 cases of day. It is estimated every hour, a women died of cervical center. At the general hospital center Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang, the incidence of women who had cervical cancer incidence year 2011 women who had cervical cancer incidence are 34 people (48,2%). The following factors increase the chance of cervical cancer in women is infection of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), sexsual behavior, family history of cervical cancer, age, mechanism of how oral contraceptives, smoking, income or socioeconomic status, race , unhealthy diet, the cell abnormal, parity, use of the drug DES (Dietilsbestrol), and birth control pills. The purpose of this study is known of adolescents about cervical cancer in SMA Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang year 2016. This study used Analytic Survey with Cross Sectional approach. The population in this study were all young women students in SMA Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang with the number of 171 respondents. The results showed there were 171 respondents (37.5%) of respondents were knowledgeable, and (62.52%) of respondents who are knowledgeable unfavorable. These results indicate that knowledgeable either less than those less knowledgeable in both the SMA Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang Year 2016. From these results, it is expected that more teens can know about cervical cancer so that it can add a lot of insight and knowledge.     ABSTRAK   Menurut data World Health Organization (WHO), setiap dua menit wanita meninggal dunia karena kanker serviks dinegara berkembang. Di Indonesia, kasus baru kanker serviks 40-45 kasus perhari. Di perkirakan setiap satu jam, seorang perempuan meninggal dunia karena kanker serviks. Di rumah sakit umum pusat Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang, angka kejadian ibu yang mengalami kanker serviks pada tahun 2011 ibu yang mengalami kejadian kanker serviks terdapat 34 orang (48,2%). Faktor-faktor berikut meningkat kan peluang kanker serviks pada wanita yaitu infeksi Human Papiloma virus (HPV), perilaku seks, riwayat keluarga kanker serviks, umur ,mekanisme bagaimana kontrasepsi peroral, merokok, pendapatan atau status social ekonomi, ras, diet tidak sehat, adanya sel abnormal, paritas, menggunakan obat DES (Dietilsbestrol),dan pil KB. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah Diketahuinya pengetahuan remaja tentang Ca Cerviks di SMA Negeri Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang Tahun 2016. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survey  analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah semua siswi remaja putri di SMA Negeri Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang dengan jumlah 171 responden.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan dari 171 responden terdapat(37.5 %) responden yang berpengetahuan baik, dan (62.52  %) responden yang berpengetahuan kurang baik. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa yang berpengetahuan baik lebih sedikit dibandingkan dengan  yang berpengetahuan kurang baik di SMA Negeri Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang Tahun 2016. Dari hasil penelitian ini, Diharapkan remaja bisa lebih banyak mengetahui tentang caserviks sehingga dapat menambah banyak wawasan dan pengetahuan.    


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