scholarly journals Isolation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Profiling of Bacteria Found on Thika Level 5 Hospital Surfaces, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Nyaruaba ◽  
Caroline Mwaliko ◽  
Caroline Wangari Ngugi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Multiple Drug Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Associated Infections ◽  
Resistant Microorganism

Multiple studies have shown that hospital settings are poorly cleaned during terminal cleaning. The adequacy of these cleaning methods has been undermined by presence of multi drug resistant bacteria on hospital surfaces. This case is even more serious in developing countries leading to health care- associated infections that pose a great threat to patients, visitors and health care providers in hospital settings.This study used various microbiological techniques to test for antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacteria present at Thika Level 5 Hospital surfaces, Kenya. A simple random cross sectional study was performed, with a total of 85 samples being collected from five different sites. The sites included male and female wards, health care personnel offices, latrine, and kitchen surfaces. Samples were collected using sterile swabs, dipped in normal saline, and transported to the laboratory within 2Hours for processing.Of the 85 plates cultured, 47 plates showed bacterial growth (55%) on selective media with a significant P value of 0.0357. Seven different species of bacteria were identified biochemically from all sites, Escherichia coli was the most abundant species (28%), and the least was Salmonella typhii (5%). Multiple drug resistance was common in the different bacteria identified. All isolates were resistant to chloramphenical and susceptible to gentamycin. The most resistant microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (50%), and the least resistant microorganism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5%). The antimicrobial resistant bacterial species identified in this study have been documented to cause serious health care associated infections. These results present a significant public health concern because there is a possibility of patients, staff and visitors contacting nosocomial infections when they come into contact with surfaces at Thika Level 5 Hospital surfaces, Kenya.

scholarly journals New Syphilis Cases in Older Adults, 2004–2019: An Analysis of Surveillance Data From South China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Wang ◽  
Peizhen Zhao ◽  
Mingzhou Xiong ◽  
Joseph D. Tucker ◽  
Jason J. Ong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Annual Percent Change ◽  
Syphilis Infection ◽  
Over Time

Background: Sexual health among older adults is a major public health concern globally. The syphilis burden is increasing in older adults in China. This study aimed to describe factors associated with syphilis infection and diagnosis among older adults in China during a 16 year period.Methods: Using 16 years of data (2004–2019) from the syphilis case report system of Guangdong, China, we compared data from older adults (aged ≥50 years) with those from younger people (aged 15–49 years). We compared the two age group with the Chi-square test for difference, and Joinpoint regression models to assess the temporal trends.Results: During the study period, 242,115 new syphilis diagnoses were reported in older adults. The mean notification rate of new diagnoses was 64.1 per 100,000 population across the entire 16-year period, which significantly increased over time (average annual percent change [AAPC] 16.2%, 95% CI 13.7–18.7). Syphilis diagnoses increased significantly over time among less developed cities and older women. In 2019, compared with younger adults, newly diagnosed older adults were more likely to be male, native to reporting city, had unknown transmission routes, and were diagnosed late.Conclusion: Our findings call for an urgent need to deliver more targeted prevention interventions for older adults, such as strengthen awareness among health care providers, and integration of syphilis services and primary health care for older adults.

scholarly journals Disclosure of herbal medicine use to health care providers among pregnant women in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor Ahmed ◽  
Hyea Bin Im ◽  
Jung Hye Hwang ◽  
Dongwoon Han
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Pregnant women’s disclosure of herbal medicine (HM) use to their health care providers during pregnancy is crucial, as misuse of HM can have a detrimental effect on both pregnant woman and the fetus. However, the lack of disclosure of HM use to physicians remains a public health concern in developing countries such as Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 postpartum women admitted at Maternity and Women’s Hospital located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The survey instrument included 30 questions on the use of HM during pregnancy, sociodemographic and health characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted for data analysis using SPSS ver. 21.0., and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results 60.3% of respondents used at least one herbal remedy during their previous pregnancy, and the overall disclosure rate of HM use to healthcare providers was 54.6%. Women with secondary education level and four or more antenatal care visits were more likely to disclose their HM use to healthcare providers. Conclusions This study highlights that despite the popular use of HM among pregnant women in Nepal, most women obtained HM-related information from informal sources and did not disclose their HM use to physicians. To ensure the safe use of HM, physicians should integrate questions regarding patients’ HM use into their routine patient assessments to facilitate active communication and improve the quality of care.

Hispanics, Mental Health, and Suicide: Brief Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Brenes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Hispanic Americans ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Provider Attitudes ◽  
Health Crisis

A global health crisis exists surrounding suicide. In the United States, suicide rates have increased by nearly 30% in most states since 1999. Although the suicide rate among Hispanic Americans is significantly lower than non-Hispanic Whites, reasons for the lower rate are unclear. Current literature suggests that the lower rate may be due to underreporting, a lack of suicide screening and a number of complex social issues, including the stigma surrounding suicide in Hispanic culture. Health care provider attitudes toward suicidal individuals may also negatively affect mental health outcomes. This brief report focuses on suicide as a public health concern, addresses key issues arising from the phenomenon, and provides a perspective on health care providers’ attitudes toward suicide. Recommendations for future research, as well as implications for clinical practice and policy, are suggested.

scholarly journals Cyberbullying Prevention and Intervention Efforts: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy L. Espelage ◽  
Jun Sung Hong
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Prevention And Intervention ◽  
Technological Advances

Bullying is a serious public health concern that is associated with significant negative mental, social, and physical outcomes. Technological advances have increased adolescents’ use of social media, and online communication platforms have exposed adolescents to another mode of bullying— cyberbullying. Prevention and intervention materials, from websites and tip sheets to classroom curriculum, have been developed to help youth, parents, and teachers address cyberbullying. While youth and parents are willing to disclose their experiences with bullying to their health care providers, these disclosures need to be taken seriously and handled in a caring manner. Health care providers need to include questions about bullying on intake forms to encourage these disclosures. The aim of this article is to examine the current status of cyberbullying prevention and intervention. Research support for several school-based intervention programs is summarised. Recommendations for future research are provided.

scholarly journals Secondary infection by anaerobic bacteria possibly ensues a battle for oxygen in SARS-Cov2 infected patients: anaerobe-targeting antibiotics (like doxycycline/Metronidazole) to supplement Azithromycin in the treatment regimen of COVID19?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Chakraborty ◽  
Gautam Das
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Treatment Regimen ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Hemoglobin Degradation

The Covid19 pandemic [1], triggered by novel strain of a coronavirus SARS-Cov2 [2] first detected in Wuhan City, China, has spread globally like a wildfire [3], resulting in significant loss of life [4] and endangering health care providers and community health care workers [5]. Understanding and interpreting the underlying metagenome of this disease will help provide direction for the right treatment regimen.RNA-sequencing as a more sensitive and comprehensive diagnostic test:RNA-sequencing is a more sensitive and comprehensive test (albeit more time-consuming and expensive), providing information on a larger range of organisms (metagenomic profile) present in the patient sample in comparison to reverse transcription PCR or antibody-testing. For example in one study, Covid19 patients were tested for four bacterial species, including Mycoplasma, with negative results. However, the sequencing data clearly reveals the presence of Mycoplasma [6]. Another study of 2 patients in Wuhan [7] used the Metaphlan2 program to conclude that Capnocytophaga and Veillonella are the only bacterial species present in one patient, and found none in another, when this clearly was not the case [8].Other RNA-sequencing data submitted in NCBI has identified several potentially pathogenic bacteria in multiple patient samples from across the globe [6,9–12]. The obligate anaerobe Prevotella had signifi- cant abundance in one patient, over-expressing immune-suppression proteins [13]. While all studies reveal Prevotella in varying abundance, other bacteria (Lautropia, Cutibacterium, Haemophilus, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas etc.) are also found in significant quantity to attract attention to secondary infections [6,12]. RNA-seq also reveals extremely low viral loads in many patients, explaining the high false negatives (8 times negative before a positive) [14] and failure to detect virus using RT-PCR in severely sick patients, who were CT+ve [15].Anaerobic bacteria hypothesis:Recent studies from Italy have suggested that Covid-19 does not lead to a ‘“typical” acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)’ [16]. Furthermore, elevated D-dimer levels suggest hemoglobin degradation leading to coagulation [17,18].A simple hypothesis that emerges from RNA-seq data is over-representation of anaerobic bacteria in Covid19 patients, not found in BALF samples from normal patients (unpublished data), in a battle for oxygen. These bacteria express hemoglobin degrading proteins [19], heme-binding proteins sequestering heme after hemoglobin degradation [20], ‘plundering‘ iron, and thereby sequestering oxygen [21]. Hypoxia could also result from formate, the by-product of anaerobic respiration, which inhibits mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, causing hypoxia at the cellular level [22].Our proposal for anaerobe-specific antibiotics as a therapy:We propose the use of anaerobe-specific antibiotics, like Metronidazole, in the treatment regimen to supple- ment the successfully used doxycycline/Azithromycin antibiotic [23], along with anti-coagulants [24].

Discrimination and mental health among lesbian, gay and bisexual adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S734-S734
Author(s):  
M.A. Dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
And Bisexual

IntroductionMental health care is indispensable, has an essential role in development, but mental health issues are a major public health concern worldwide. Sexual minorities, lesbian, gay and bisexual, suffer from prejudice and it determines health inequities, especially for their mental health.ObjectiveTo show the relation between discrimination and mental health issues in lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people and to increase understanding of this serious neglected public health problem.MethodsThe search was conducted using Science Direct and Scopus, using the following keywords: “discrimination” and “mental health” and “lesbian” and “gay” and “bisexual”. Using the review of literature, documents in English (articles, official documents, editorial, reviews, clinical trials).DiscussionNumerous studies have identified highest risk behavior, as illicit drug use, sexual risk-taking behaviors and mental health issues among LGB people. Some previous studies propose that health and risk disparities between heterosexual and LGB identifying or behaving people are due to minority stress–that is, that the stigma, discrimination, and violence experienced, leading to stress, thus predisposing illness, disease (worse mental and physical health outcomes) and potentially substance use, which may be used to relieve or escape stress.ConclusionHealth professionals and healthcare organizations must cover these unmet mental health needs if they move to more integrated, coordinated models of care. Health educators should attend to the unique needs of each sexual orientation group when presenting sexual health information and health care providers should undergo diversity and sensitivity training to work more effectively with those groups.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Costing models for hospital infection control program in healthcare set up: ABC our experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-201
Author(s):  
KS Sarala ◽  
BS Nandakumar ◽  
V Narendranath
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Abc Model ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Activity Based Costing ◽  
Infection Control Program ◽  
Hospital Infection Control ◽  
Health Care Associated Infections

Background: Activity based costing (ABC) model for health care associated infections is very much important for patients, health care providers, and payers to make a rational and informed decisions about the patient pertinent care and also for the allocation of resources. The objective of the present study is to develop a ABC model to determine the various cost factors involved in treating health care associated infected patient. The costs for individual health care associated infections will be based on calculating both the direct cost and the indirect cost which are associated with the disease. Objectives: Assessing the various factors contributing to the development of ABC costing model for HAI and develop a costing model taking all the possible factors into consideration. Methods: Defining of the activities and process of HAI for the given institution as per the standard regulatory / recommendatory guidelines. System analysis and costing of process for the various activities for implementation of the HAI system. Results: Various parameters for HAI as per ABC model has been explained for health care associated infections. Conclusion: ABC Costing model helps to identify the factors responsible for setting health care and the cost involved in it.

scholarly journals Optimizing Opioid Abuse Prevention Strategies: Role of Pharmacist in Safe Dispensing

2021 ◽  
pp. 259-267
Author(s):  
M. Anusree ◽  
Pravina Mohan ◽  
P. Reshma ◽  
Zuhara Mariyam
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Opioid Abuse ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Substance Addiction ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Take Back ◽  
Red Flag

Misuse, violence, and distribution of opioids are also a public health concern. Pharmacists are at the forefront of the health-care response to the opioid epidemic because they have more opportunities to engage with patients than primary care or specialist medical practitioners. Because of these situations, pharmacists have more chances to provide proper prevention advice and reinforce proper opioid drug usage. Understanding dosage restrictions, learning how to use prescription drug monitoring programmes, knowing when drug take-back programmes are taking place, and advising consumers about the dangers of substance addiction are both techniques that pharmacists should be informed about. Recognising "red flag" actions that may suggest opioid abuse; using tests to determine a patient's risk of opioid abuse; collaborating with other health-care providers to plan a patient's treatment; knowing how abuse-deterrent antidepressants function and what they can't do. Pharmacists can help mitigate substance misuse and improve patient outcomes by implementing these techniques. All patients who require legitimate and effective pain management through the use of opioids must have access to them. While further study is needed in a variety of areas, pharmacists may make efforts today to follow proposed recommendations, rules, and legislation to reduce drug misuse and diversion of restricted drugs.

scholarly journals Use of Online Forums for Perinatal Mental Illness, Stigma, and Disclosure: An Exploratory Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Moore ◽  
Nicholas Drey ◽  
Susan Ayers
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Theoretical Concepts

Background Perinatal mental illness is a global health concern; however, many women with the illness do not get the treatment they need to recover. Interventions that reduce the stigma around perinatal mental illness have the potential to enable women to disclose their symptoms to health care providers and consequently access treatment. There are many online forums for perinatal mental illness and thousands of women use them. Preliminary research suggests that online forums may promote help-seeking behavior, potentially because they have a role in challenging stigma. This study draws from these findings and theoretical concepts to present a model of forum use, stigma, and disclosure. Objective This study tested a model that measured the mediating role of stigma between online forum use and disclosure of affective symptoms to health care providers. Methods A Web-based survey of 200 women who were pregnant or had a child younger than 5 years and considered themselves to be experiencing psychological distress was conducted. Women were recruited through social media and questions measured forum usage, perinatal mental illness stigma, disclosure to health care providers, depression and anxiety symptoms, barriers to disclosure, and demographic information. Results There was a significant positive indirect effect of length of forum use on disclosure of symptoms through internal stigma, b=0.40, bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95% CI 0.13-0.85. Long-term forum users reported higher levels of internal stigma, and higher internal stigma was associated with disclosure of symptoms to health care providers when controlling for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conclusions Internal stigma mediates the relationship between length of forum use and disclosure to health care providers. Findings suggest that forums have the potential to enable women to recognize and reveal their internal stigma, which may in turn lead to greater disclosure of symptoms to health care providers. Clinicians could refer clients to trustworthy and moderated online forums that facilitate expression of perinatal mental illness stigma and promote disclosure to health care providers.

scholarly journals Community Presentations of Anaphylaxis in Tasmania: Who is administering the adrenaline?

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Edwards ◽  
Melanie Blackhall ◽  
Rachael Berry
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Early Administration

Background: Anaphylaxis is a significant health concern within the community.  The early administration of adrenaline to patients experiencing anaphylaxis has long been recognised as the cornerstone of treatment.  Health-care providers, including general practitioners, nurses and paramedics, are well equipped to manage anaphylaxis through the administration of adrenaline.  Patients themselves also often have adrenaline auto injectors, allowing early self-management.  The objective of this study was to determine the rates of adrenaline administration and identify the administering persons for all anaphylaxis patients presenting to ambulance services in Tasmania from January 1st 2008 until December 31st 2011 by using a retrospective chart review.  Methods: Ambulance Tasmania electronic case reports (n=226 421) from the period January 1st 2008 to December 31st 2011 were searched for all cases fitting the parameters of anaphylaxis, allergy or allergic reaction.  Of these cases, 373 were given a final paramedic diagnosis of anaphylaxis and constituted the primary data for this report. Results: Ambulance Tasmania attended 373 patients during the study period that were given a final primary diagnosis of anaphylaxis - of these 59 (15.8%) were excluded, leaving 314 electronic records for analysis.  Of the cases identified, 71.7% (n=225) were administered adrenaline according to paramedic records.  Adrenaline was administered by a range of health professionals, including general practitioners (n=27), paramedics (n=159), ambulance volunteers (n=4), nurses (n=1) and other health professionals (n=3).  Adrenaline was self-administered by 12.4% (n=28) of patients, with an additional 11.6% (n=26) receiving adrenaline from a non-health care worker (layperson).  In 10.2% of cases (n=23) adrenaline was administered by more than one provider.  Administration of adrenaline prior to paramedic arrival was evident in fewer than 10% of cases treated with adrenaline (n=22). Conclusion: The early administration of adrenaline in anaphylaxis is often vital for patient recovery. This study shows that adrenaline is administered by a number of different providers, with early administration accounting for only 9.8% of presentations treated with adrenaline. These findings raise the question, is adrenaline being administered early enough and often enough to improve health outcomes?

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