scholarly journals Impact of climate and public health interventions on the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 192 (21) ◽  
pp. E566-E573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Jüni ◽  
Martina Rothenbühler ◽  
Pavlos Bobos ◽  
Kevin E. Thorpe ◽  
Bruno R. da Costa ◽  
...  
BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e040817
Author(s):  
Patrick O'Byrne ◽  
Amanda Vandyk ◽  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Marlene Haines

ObjectiveTo report the results of a nurse-led pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery service.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study conducted from 5 August 2018 to 4 March 2020. It involved manual chart review to collect data. Variables were described using frequencies and percentages and analysed using χ2 testing. Those significant in bivariate analysis were retained and entered into a binary multiple logistic regression. Hierarchical modelling was used, and only significant factors were retained.SettingThis study occurred in an urban public health unit and community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Ottawa, Canada.ParticipantsOf all persons who were diagnosed with a bacterial STI in Ottawa and everyone who presented to our STI clinic during the study period, there were 347 patients who met our high-risk criteria for PrEP; these criteria included patients who newly presented with any of the following: HIV contacts, diagnosed with a bacterial STI or single use of HIV PEP. Further, eligibility could be determined based on clinical judgement. Patients who met the foregoing criteria were appropriate for PrEP-RN, while lower-risk patients were referred to elsewhere. Of the 347 patients who met our high-risk criteria, 47% accepted and 53% declined. Of those who accepted, 80% selected PrEP-registered nurse (RN).Primary and secondary outcome measuresUptake, acceptance, engagement and attrition factors of participants who obtained PrEP through PrEP-RN.Findings69% of participants who were eligible attended their intake PrEP-RN visit. 66% were retained in care. Half of participants continued PrEP and half were lost to follow-up. We found no significant differences in the uptake, acceptance, engagement and attrition factors of participants who accessed PrEP-RN regarding reason for referral, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, annual income, education attainted, insurance status, if they have a primary care provider, presence or absence of depression or anxiety and evidence of newly acquired STI during the study period.ConclusionsNurse-led PrEP is an appropriate strategy for PrEP delivery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E M Strømme ◽  
J Haj-Younes ◽  
W Hasha ◽  
L T Fadnes ◽  
B Kumar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Conflict-driven disruption in continuity of care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is likely to have adverse public health impact. Yet, data on the prevalence and treatment coverage of NCDs among refugees is scarce. In this study we aim to assess the changes in prevalence of NCDs and use of relevant medication among Syrian refugees from a near-conflict phase in Lebanon to a resettlement phase in Norway. Methods This is a prospective cohort study. Survey data were collected during 2017-2018 among adult Syrian refugees in Lebanon selected for quota resettlement and at follow-up approximately one year after resettlement in Norway. Our primary outcomes were changes in NCDs as defined by the WHO and use of relevant medication. We calculated prevalence proportions with confidence intervals and assessed changes in prevalence over time using generalized estimating equations. Results Altogether 353 Syrians participated. The median age was 34 years and 51 percent were women. The overall prevalence of NCDs was 12 (9-16) percent at baseline and 9 (6-12) percent at follow-up. The odds ratio for reporting any NCD at follow-up compared to baseline was 0.68 (0.46, 1.00). Among those reporting NCDs, the prevalence of using either antithrombotic or cholesterol lowering medication, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, or drugs for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 55 (39-70) percent at baseline and 63 (44-80) percent at follow-up. The odds ratio for using relevant medication at follow-up compared to baseline was 1.01 (0.63, 2.05). Conclusions In our study around one tenth of the refugees reported at least one NCD. Nearly half of those reporting NCDs in a conflict-near setting did not seem to receive relevant medication, while the same was true for more than one third of respondents after resettlement. We call for innovative public health approaches and interventions to protect continuity of care for NCDs in settings of conflict-driven exodus. Key messages A high share of Syrian refugees reporting NCDs do not seem to receive relevant medication. The management of NCDs among refugees needs attention in order to avoid negative health effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Fletcher ◽  
Ezekiel S. L. Tan ◽  
Michael Thomas ◽  
Fraser Taylor ◽  
Devlin Elliott ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Motrico ◽  
◽  
Rena Bina ◽  
Sara Domínguez-Salas ◽  
Vera Mateus ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) is a new pandemic, declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, which could have negative consequences for pregnant and postpartum women. The scarce evidence published to date suggests that perinatal mental health has deteriorated since the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the few studies published so far have some limitations, such as a cross-sectional design and the omission of important factors for the understanding of perinatal mental health, including governmental restriction measures and healthcare practices implemented at the maternity hospitals. Within the Riseup-PPD COST Action, a study is underway to assess the impact of COVID-19 in perinatal mental health. The primary objectives are to (1) evaluate changes in perinatal mental health outcomes; and (2) determine the risk and protective factors for perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we will compare the results between the countries participating in the study. Methods This is an international prospective cohort study, with a baseline and three follow-up assessments over a six-month period. It is being carried out in 11 European countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Israel, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom), Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The sample consists of adult pregnant and postpartum women (with infants up to 6 months of age). The assessment includes measures on COVID-19 epidemiology and public health measures (Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker dataset), Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences (COPE questionnaires), psychological distress (BSI-18), depression (EPDS), anxiety (GAD-7) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSD checklist for DSM-V). Discussion This study will provide important information for understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health and well-being, including the identification of potential risk and protective factors by implementing predictive models using machine learning techniques. The findings will help policymakers develop suitable guidelines and prevention strategies for perinatal mental health and contribute to designing tailored mental health interventions. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04595123.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. e428-e436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey L Blewer ◽  
Andrew Fu Wah Ho ◽  
Nur Shahidah ◽  
Alexander Elgin White ◽  
Pin Pin Pek ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fekede Asefa ◽  
Allison Cummins ◽  
Yadeta Dessie ◽  
Maralyn Foureur ◽  
Andrew Hayen

Abstract Introduction Gaining excessive or inadequate gestational weight is associated with many adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) increases the risk of fetal growth restriction, pre-term birth, and low birth weight. It is a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the patterns and predictors of GWG in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study among pregnant women who attended antenatal care in health centres in Addis Ababa, from January to September 2019. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire and checklists and analysed using Stata version-14. Weight at or before 16 weeks gestation was used as a proxy for pre-pregnancy weight. Women’s height and baseline weight were measured by data collectors, and we obtained weight at the end of the 24th and 36th weeks of gestation from women’s medical records. GWG was categorized as inadequate, adequate and excessive based on the United States Institute of Medicine criteria. Predictors of GWG were identified using multinomial logistic regression. Results A total of 395 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. GWG was assessed for 369 (93%) women. The median GWG was 8.7 kg with inter quartile ranges (25th, 75th percentiles) of 7.0 kg and 11.6 kg. More than two-third of the participants, 248 (67.2% [95% CI: 62.2, 72.0%]), gained inadequate weight; 103 (27.9% [95% CI: 23.4, 32.8%]) gained adequate weight; and 18 (4.9% [95% CI: 2.9%, 7.6%]) gained excessive weight. Three quarters (75%) of underweight women gained inadequate gestational weight, whereas 43% of overweight or obese women gained inadequate gestational weight. Being underweight (AOR = 3.30 [95% CI: 1.32, 8.24]) or normal weight (AOR = 2.68 [95% CI: 1.37, 5.24]) before pregnancy increased the odds of gaining inadequate gestational weight compared to overweight or obese women. Not having paid employment was associated with higher odds of gaining inadequate gestational weight compared to women employed outside the home (AOR = 2.17 [95% CI: 1.16, 4.07]). Conclusions Most pregnant women in Addis Ababa gain inadequate gestational weight. In particular, three quarters of underweight women gained inadequate gestational weight. Being underweight, normal weight or having no paid employment were associated with higher odds of inadequate GWG. Promoting adequate GWG in Addis Ababa among underweight and normal weight women may be an important public health initiative.


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