scholarly journals A commentary on a flawed public health investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 500-502
Author(s):  
John Hardie
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
The Public ◽  
Dental Patients ◽  
Dental Origin ◽  
Look Back ◽  
Realistic Assessment ◽  
Dental Practices ◽  
False Premise

The possibility of hepatitis C being transmitted between dental patients was the genesis of an extensive and expensive look-back investigation conducted by an Ontario Public Health Unit. This investigation was performed with a minimal knowledge of nosocomial infections of dental origin, an enthusiastic reliance on untested checklist indicators and an absence of any of the criteria justifying such an investigation. As a consequence, the entire exercise was based on the false premise that an infection control lapse had occurred. This commentary will address these flaws, and other aspects of the Public Health Unit’s response that detracted from its credibility. The provision of a realistic assessment of disease transmission in dentistry should result in Public Health Units conducting informed and mutually beneficial inspections of dental practices.

scholarly journals The effect of social distancing on the reach of an epidemic in social networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Gutin ◽  
Tomohiro Hirano ◽  
Sung-Ha Hwang ◽  
Philip R. Neary ◽  
Alexis Akira Toda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Simulation Results

AbstractHow does social distancing affect the reach of an epidemic in social networks? We present Monte Carlo simulation results of a susceptible–infected–removed with social distancing model. The key feature of the model is that individuals are limited in the number of acquaintances that they can interact with, thereby constraining disease transmission to an infectious subnetwork of the original social network. While increased social distancing typically reduces the spread of an infectious disease, the magnitude varies greatly depending on the topology of the network, indicating the need for policies that are network dependent. Our results also reveal the importance of coordinating policies at the ‘global’ level. In particular, the public health benefits from social distancing to a group (e.g. a country) may be completely undone if that group maintains connections with outside groups that are not following suit.

scholarly journals Assessing the Need for Anesthesia and Sedation Services in Kuwaiti Dental Practice

2010 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdulwahab ◽  
Fatima Al-Sayegh ◽  
Sean G. Boynes ◽  
Hawra Abdulwahab ◽  
Jayme Zovko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Dental Fear ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Dental Patients ◽  
Kuwaiti Population ◽  
Fear And Anxiety ◽  
To Receive

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the public health relevance of the prevalence of dental fear in Kuwait and the resultant barrier that it creates regarding access to dental care. The study analysis demonstrated a high prevalence of dental fear and anxiety in the Kuwaiti population and a perceived need for anesthesia services by dental care providers. The telephone survey of the general population showed nearly 35% of respondents reported being somewhat nervous, very nervous, or terrified about going to the dentist. In addition, about 36% of the population postponed their dental treatment because of fear. Respondents showed a preference to receive sedation and anesthesia services as a means of anxiety relief, and they were willing to go to the dentist more often when such services were available. People with high fear and anxiety preferred to receive some type of medication to relieve their anxiety. In conclusion, the significance and importance of the need for anesthesia services to enhance the public health of dental patients in Kuwait has been demonstrated, and improvements are needed in anesthesia and sedation training of Kuwaiti dental care providers.

The Health Profession's Attitudes toward Single-Use Food and Beverage Containers

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
BAILUS WALKER ◽  
MELBA S. PRICE
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Food Service ◽  
The Public ◽  
Beverage Containers ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
Single Use

A national survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of the public health profession toward single-use food and beverage containers. Data summarized in this report were obtained from 2,760 of 3,000 questionnaires mailed to survey participants. Results of this study reveal that public health workers identify single-use food and beverage containers as beneficial in terms of reducing the potential for cross-infection and disease transmission among users. Respondents also recognize the importance of these products in eliminating the need for dishwashing facilities and in conserving energy. Accordingly, most public health workers are of the opinion that single-use products “contribute very much” to sanitation levels in food service facilities. While realizing the benefits derived from paper and plastic food service products, public health professionals recognize that they contribute to solid waste problems. However, most of the respondents agree that the public health benefits of paper and plastic food service products are greater than the possible disadvantages, such as the contribution of these products to the character and volume of urban solid waste.

scholarly journals The Unexpected Holiday Souvenir: The Public Health Risk to UK Travellers from Ticks Acquired Overseas

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7957
Author(s):  
Emma L. Gillingham ◽  
Benjamin Cull ◽  
Maaike E. Pietzsch ◽  
L. Paul Phipps ◽  
Jolyon M. Medlock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Travel History ◽  
The Public ◽  
Overseas Travel ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Uk

Overseas travel to regions where ticks are found can increase travellers’ exposure to ticks and pathogens that may be unfamiliar to medical professionals in their home countries. Previous studies have detailed non-native tick species removed from recently returned travellers, occasionally leading to travel-associated human cases of exotic tick-borne disease. There are 20 species of tick endemic to the UK, yet UK travellers can be exposed to many other non-native species whilst overseas. Here, we report ticks received by Public Health England’s Tick Surveillance Scheme from humans with recent travel history between January 2006 and December 2018. Altogether, 16 tick species were received from people who had recently travelled overseas. Confirmed imports (acquired outside of the UK) were received from people who recently travelled to 22 countries. Possible imports (acquired abroad or within the UK) were received from people who had recently travelled to eight European countries. Species-specific literature reviews highlighted nine of the sixteen tick species are known to vector at least one tick-borne pathogen to humans in the country of acquisition, suggesting travellers exposed to ticks may be at risk of being bitten by a species that is a known vector, with implications for novel tick-borne disease transmission to travellers.

scholarly journals Your call is important to us: COVID-19 and trends in Public Health Unit call service utilization

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Zachary B Horn ◽  
Alexandra M Uren ◽  
Megan K Young
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Public Health Unit ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
The Public ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Phone Service

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Analyze COVID-19 related call data at Metro North Public Health Unit, Brisbane Australia, over the 2020 calendar year to assist surge preparedness. METHODS Call data was retrieved by call category or reference to ‘COVID’ in summaries from the call management system at a large metropolitan public health service. Under a mixed-methods approach, qualitative data (caller, call purpose, and call outcome) was categorized with categories arising de novo. Resulting variables were numerically analyzed to identify trends by categories and time. RESULTS Of the 3,468 calls retrieved, 160 duplicates and 26 irrelevant calls were excluded. Of 3,282 included calls, General Practitioners, followed by the public, contributed the greatest call volumes. Healthcare-related callers and the public made 84.2% of calls. Calls most frequently related to patient testing (40.7%) and isolation/quarantine (23.2%). Education provision accounted for 29.4% of all outcomes. 11.8% of all call outcomes involved applying relevant case definitions. 49.1% of calls were identified as potentially preventable through effective ERC and targeted call-handling. CONCLUSIONS This study identified key drivers of public health unit phone service utilization related to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020. The results highlighted where risk perception influenced call volume and provided important insights for future public health preparedness.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis at Public Health Unit of Santa Maria da Feira and Arouca (Portugal)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Fernandes ◽  
L Reina
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
National Level ◽  
Smear Microscopy ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Notification Rate ◽  
Public Health Unit ◽  
The Public ◽  
Positive Smear ◽  
Santa Maria

Abstract Introduction In the last decade Portugal has seen a decrease of about 40% in the notification and incidence rate of tuberculosis, with incidence values below 20/100,000 inhabitants since 2015. In 2018, a notification rate estimated at a national level was 16,6/100,000 inhabitants and an incidence rate of 16.4/100,000 inhabitants. With this investigation we intend to I) determine the notification and incidence rate of tuberculosis at the Public Health Unit (PHU) of Santa Maria da Feira and Arouca (Portugal); II) analyze the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods The confirmed cases of tuberculosis between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019 were analyzed. Results 105 cases of tuberculosis were identified, most of them male (67%), aged between the 1 year and 94 years age (median: 52 years). About ⅓ of the patients were retired. Among the co-morbidities that constitute a risk for tuberculosis, we highlight COPD (7.6%), alcohol abuse (5.7%) and HIV (3.8%). The pulmonary location prevailed (81.9%). We emphasize that 52 cases had positive smear microscopy and 42 cases cavitation. From 2017 to 2019 we have a median of 61 days from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis. From 2015 to 2019, 4 cases with poly-resistance to isoniazid and streptomycin were identified. In 2019, the incidence rate tuberculosis was 12.5/100,000 inhabitants and the notification rate of 16.3/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusions The incidence and notification rate like the median between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis, by the public health unit (PHU), are below the national average. Regarding these results, we recommend that the strategy adopted by the PHU should be maintained. Key messages In the last decade Portugal has seen a decrease of about 40% in the notification and incidence rate of tuberculosis, with incidence values below 20/100,000 inhabitants since 2015. In 2019, the incidence rate tuberculosis at PHU was 12.5/100,000 inhabitants and the notification rate of 16.3/100,000 inhabitants.

scholarly journals Public health nursing: regulation and public health policies

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Maria dos Santos Lopes Monteiro da Cunha ◽  
Maria Adriana Pereira Henriques ◽  
Andreia Cátia Jorge Silva Costa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Nursing ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Unit ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community And Public Health ◽  
Health Nursing

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze regulation and public policies related to nursing and the specialist nurse in community and public health nursing. Methods: Analysis of the legal and normative framework of community and public health nursing in Portugal, as well as current public health policies, regarding the competences and intervention of this nurse, articulated with the attributions of the Public Health Unit. Results: The intervention of this nurse deserves a broad reflection, in the sense of maximizing the activities of community and public health, essential for the implementation of public policies and obtaining health gains. Final considerations: This nurse has competences foreseen in the regulations and standards for public health interventions, in line with the attributions of the Public Health Unit, of the National Health Service, in which specialties are identified for their performance in the current structure.

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