scholarly journals Schools as a Framework for COVID-19 Epidemiological Surveillance of Children in Catalonia, Spain: A Population-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Perramon ◽  
Antoni Soriano-Arandes ◽  
David Pino ◽  
Uxue Lazcano ◽  
Cristina Andrés ◽  
...  

Objective: We describe and analyze the childhood (<18 years) COVID-19 incidence in Catalonia, Spain, during the first 36 weeks of the 2020-2021 school-year and to compare it with the incidence in adults.Methods: Data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tests were obtained from the Catalan Agency for Quality and Health Assessment. Overall, 7,203,663 SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed, of which 491,819 were positive (6.8%). We collected epidemiological data including age-group incidence, diagnostic effort, and positivity rate per 100,000 population to analyze the relative results for these epidemiological characteristics.Results: Despite a great diagnostic effort among children, with a difference of 1,154 tests per 100,000 population in relation to adults, the relative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 for <18 years was slightly lower than for the general population, and it increased with the age of the children. Additionally, positivity of SARS-CoV-2 in children (5.7%) was lower than in adults (7.2%), especially outside vacation periods, when children were attending school (4.9%).Conclusions: A great diagnostic effort, including mass screening and systematic whole-group contact tracing when a positive was detected in the class group, was associated with childhood SARS-CoV-2 incidence and lower positivity rate in the 2020-2021 school year. Schools have been a key tool in epidemiological surveillance rather than being drivers of SARS-CoV-2 incidence in Catalonia, Spain.

Cephalalgia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 504-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Obermann ◽  
M-S Yoon ◽  
P Dommes ◽  
J Kuznetsova ◽  
M Maschke ◽  
...  

Epidemiological data on trigeminal unilateral autonomic symptoms in patients with migraine are scarce. The authors wanted to provide a population-based evaluation of the prevalence of unilateral autonomic features in migraine patients and an assessment of the expression of unilaterality of autonomic symptoms and head pain in patients with UAs compared to other migraine patients. A population based sample of 6000 inhabitants of the city of Essen in Germany was screened using a previously validated standard questionnaire. Three thousand three hundred and sixty subjects (56% of a total 6000) responded. 841 subjects had migraine, out of which 226 reported accompanying unilatral auetonomic symptoms (26.9%, CI 95% [23.9-30%]). Unilateral autonomic symptoms in patients with migraine are common and have been widely underestimated in the past. One out of four migraine patients regularly experiences one or more unilateral autonomic symptoms during their attack. Migraine patients with accompanying autonomic symptoms seem to experience their pain more unilateral and more severe than non-UA patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Almasi-Hashiani ◽  
Mohammad Ali Sahraian ◽  
Sharareh Eskandarieh

Abstract Background: The epidemiological characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in various studies have been investigated and studies suggested that there is a different geographic disparity worldwide. The present study conducted to investigate the longitudinal prevalence of MS in Tehran, Iran. Methods: The population-based study was conducted in Tehran, the capital of Iran from 1999 to 2018 based on the annual report data through the Iranian MS Society (IMSS) registry system. The age-standardized and crude prevalence proportions were estimated by applicant of population data, established from the Statistical Centre of Iran. Results: Totally 21,580 MS cases were registered and included in the analysis. Out of them, 24.99% (5,393 cases) was male and 75.01% (16,187 cases) was female. The mean age of MS onset was 28.8 years (S.D: 8.7). The age standardized prevalence proportion (ASP) of MS ranged from 73.7 (95%CI: 72.1-75.2) in 2006 to 137.6 (95% CI: 135.7-139.5) per 100,000 in 2018. The MS ASP- was estimated 54.1 (95%CI: 53.6-54.6) among males and 174.5 (95%CI: 173.6-175.4) per 100,000 among females. The age standardized female to male ratio of MS in study period was 3.03. Conclusion: Our finding suggested that the prevalence of MS in Tehran province is relatively high and the disease occurrence is more common in the under-40 age group than in the older ones. As in the rest of the world, the prevalence of the MS was higher in women, and the female to male sex ratio was 3.03 in our study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S548-S548
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Losie ◽  
John Lam ◽  
Dan Gregson ◽  
Michael Parkins

Abstract Background Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological data regarding risk factors and outcome determinants are often ascertained from referral population bases. We utilized a population-based study design to better understand PLA. Methods Calgary Health Zone (CHZ) residents ≥18 years of age (population ~1.3 million) who were hospitalized with PLA in 2017 were included. Charts were manually reviewed to determine demographics and clinical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess for factors associated with 30-day mortality using STATA 15.1 (College Stn., TX). Results Forty-four patients with PLA were identified (39% female, median age 61 [IQR 56–68] years) corresponding to an incidence rate of 3.7 cases per 100,000 population. Prevalent co-morbidities with PLA included; hemodialysis dependence (4.5%), cancer (25%), diabetes (23%), and cirrhosis (6.8%), each of which was significantly more common (P < 0.05) than in the general population; 85.3X, 11.2X, 3.6X, 29.9X, respectively. Rates of other comorbidities including ischemic heart disease, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis did not differ from general populations (P > 0.05). The etiology of PLA was established in 72% of cases, of which biliary was most common (48%). Most (91%) cases had at least one organism identified via blood or liver aspirate culture. The most common organisms were Streptococcus anginosus group (12), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11), Klebsiella oxytoca (6), Escherichia coli (4), and obligate anaerobes (3). Blood cultures were positive in 25/44 (56%) cases. Thirty-day mortality from admission was 11% and had multiple risk factors (Table-1). Conclusion PLA in the CHZ is common and associated with high mortality. Understanding factors influencing PLA occurrence and outcome can assist in correctly identifying and optimally treating patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ahmed Syed ◽  
Ahmed Sameer Al Nuaimi ◽  
Hamda Abdulla A/Qotba ◽  
Gheyath K. Nasrallah ◽  
Asmaa A. Althani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is an urgent need to elucidate the epidemiology of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and characterize its potential impact. Investing in characterising the SARS-CoV2 will help plan and improve the response to the pandemic. Furthermore, it will help identify the most efficient ways of managing the pandemic, avoiding public health policies and interventions that may be unduly restrictive of normal activity or unnecessarily costly. This paper describes the design and reports findings of a population based epidemiological study undertaken to characterise SARS-CoV2 in Qatar using limited resources in a timely manner. Methods Asymptomatic individuals ≥10 years registered with Qatar’s publicly funded primary health provider were eligible. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to identify the study sample. Participants were invited to an appointment where they completed a questionnaire and provided samples for polymerase chain reaction and Immunoglobulin M and G immunoassay tests. Data collected were analyzed to calculate point and period prevalence by sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. Results Of 18,918 individuals invited for the study, 2084 participated (response rate 10.8%). The overall point prevalence and period prevalence were estimated to be 1.6% (95% CI 1.1–2.2) and 14.6% (95% CI 13.1–16.2) respectively. Period prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection was not considerably different across age groups (9.7–19.8%). It was higher in males compared to females (16.2 and 12.7% respectively). A significant variation was observed by nationality (7.1 to 22.2%) and municipalities (6.9–35.3%). Conclusions The study provides an example of a methodologically robust approach that can be undertaken in a timely manner with limited resources. It reports much-needed epidemiological data about the spread of SARS-CoV2. Given the low prevalence rates, majority of the population in Qatar remains susceptible. Enhanced surveillance must continue to be in place, particularly due to the large number of asymptomatic cases observed. Robust contact tracing and social distancing measures are key to prevent future outbreaks.


Author(s):  
Anelise de Toledo Bonatti ◽  
Nathassia Miller ◽  
Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite Carvalhaes ◽  
Rodrigo Jensen ◽  
Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima Parada

Objective: to identify the factors associated with death due to COVID-19 among Brazilian postpartum women in the first five months of the pandemic and five subsequent months, and describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of postpartum women who developed the disease. Method: cross-sectional population-based study using a secondary database available in the Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe -SIVEP-Gripe (Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System), Brazilian Ministry of Health. A total of 869 postpartum women were included, and the analysis considered the first five months of the pandemic and subsequent five months. Association between the variables of interest and outcome (death due to COVID-19/cure) was investigated using logistic regression. Results: most participants were aged between 20 and 34, of mixed race or Caucasian, and lived in the urban/peri-urban area. The proportion of deaths was 20.2% in the first period and 11.2% in the second. The likelihood of death increased in both periods due to the presence of respiratory signs and symptoms: dyspnea, respiratory distress, and oxygen saturation below 95%, in addition to the need for ventilatory support and intensive care. Conclusion: the proportion of deaths among postpartum women was high and decreased in the second period under study. Respiratory signs and symptoms, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care were associated with death in both periods.


Author(s):  
V. G. Akimkin ◽  
S. N. Kuzin ◽  
T. A. Semenenko ◽  
A. A. Ploskireva ◽  
D. V. Dubodelov ◽  
...  

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic around the world and in Russia remains a major event of 2020. All over the world, research is being conducted to comprehensively study the patterns and manifestations of the epidemic  process. The main quantitative characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics among the population, based on the data of official monitoring over the current situation, play an important role in the development of  the epidemiological surveillance system.The aim of this study is to explore the peculiarities of age-gender distribution of COVID-19 patients in Moscow.Material and methods. The data related to the epidemiological characteristics of age-gender structure of COVID-19 patients in Moscow between March 19, 2020 and April 15, 2020, at different stages of the  epidemic were retrospectively analyzed.Results and discussion. The mean age of COVID-19 patients in Moscow was 46,41±20,58 years. The gender ratio (male/female) among the patients was 52.7/47.3 %, wherein the indicators varied depending upon the  age. Male/female ratio in the age group “under 39” stood at 53.7/46.3 %, and “over 40 years of age” – at  39.3/60.7 %. The predominant age range among male cases was 19 to 39 years old – 35.4 %, while among female patients – 40–59 years (36.5 %). The age distribution of patients in Moscow is indicative of the fact that COVID-19 is a disease that primarily affects older age groups. The age structure of all COVID-19 cases during the observation period is characterized by predominance of adult patients over 19 years of age – 92,7 % (92,6–92,8 %), the share of patients aged 40–59 years is 35,7% (35,5–35,9 %). The differences in the age distribution in males and females are as follows: in the male cohort, the age groups 19–39 years old and 40–59 years old prevail – 35.4 % (35.1–35.7 %) and 34.9 % (34.6–35.2 %), respectively. The age group 40–59 years old – 36.5 % (36.3–36.8%) dominates in the female cohort. 


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