scholarly journals Seasonal trends of Influenza in Islamabad, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 318-322
Author(s):  
Sania Raza ◽  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Imran Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Peak Activity ◽  
Pathology Laboratory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Set Up

Background: Viral outbreaks have always been a challenging task for clinicians and Influenza virus has been on top of the list. The history of influenza epidemic reveals its devastating effects in the form of multiple deaths and economic burden. Hence this study was planned to recognize the peak activity time span of Influenza infection and its frequency in our set-up at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in Pathology Laboratory, Shifa international hospital Islamabad from April 2016 to March 2019. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients of all age groups, with clinically suspected influenza infection throughout the year, irrespective of gender, according to hospital’s standard policy. Samples were analysed on GeneXpert kit (Xpert Flu Assay). Data collected was entered and then analysed in SPSS version 17. Results: Of the total 591 samples included in study, 233 (39.4%) were positive for influenza (Flu A or Flu B), while 358 (60.6%) showed negative results. Total 172 (73.8%) were positive for Flu A while 61 (26.1%) were positive for Flu B. Among Flu A cases, 107 (62.2%) were positive for H1N1. Most of the positive cases (n=206; 88.4%) were reported in the months of January and February during the three-year period (2016-2019) of this study. Conclusions: Influenza virus has peak activity in the months of January and February. Both Influenza A and B are circulating in the environment but Flu A is predominant and H1N1 is more prevalent.

scholarly journals Prevalence of antibodies against seasonal influenza A and B viruses among older adults in rural Thailand: A cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256475
Author(s):  
Nungruthai Suntronwong ◽  
Preeyaporn Vichaiwattana ◽  
Lakkhana Wongsrisang ◽  
Sirapa Klinfueng ◽  
Sumeth Korkong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Rural Thailand

Assessing the seroprevalence of the high-risk individuals against the influenza virus is essential to evaluate the progress of vaccine implementation programs and establish influenza virus interventions. Herein, we identified the pre-existing cross-protection of the circulating seasonal influenza viruses among the older-aged population. A cross-sectional study was performed base on the 176 residual sera samples collected from older adults aged 60 to 95 years without a history of vaccination in rural Thailand in 2015. Sera antibody titers against influenza A and B viruses circulating between 2016 and 2019 were determined by hemagglutination inhibition assay. These findings indicated the low titers of pre-existing antibodies to circulating influenza subtypes and showed age-independent antibody titers among the old adults. Moderate seropositive rates (HAI ≥ 1:40) were observed in influenza A viruses (65.9%A(H3N2), 50.0% for A(H1N1) pdm09), and found comparatively lower rates in influenza B viruses (14% B/Yam2, 21% B/Yam3 and 25% B/Vic). Only 5% of individuals possessed broadly protective antibodies against both seasonal influenza A and B virus in this region. Our findings highlighted the low pre-existing antibodies to circulating influenza strains in the following season observed in older adults. The serological study will help inform policy-makers for health care planning and guide control measures concerning vaccination programs.

scholarly journals ATTITUDE TOWARDS INFLUENZA VACCINE AMONG THE GENERAL POPULATION OF LATVIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 333-341
Author(s):  
Denija Dzirne ◽  
Zanda Boginska ◽  
Gunars Strods
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
General Population ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
High Risk Patient ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Annual influenza epidemics are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly and in those with underlying diseases. During the global COVID-19 pandemic WHO and CDC have emphasized the importance of reducing risk of influenza virus spread and protecting high risk patient groups from complications caused by the influenza virus. Influenza vaccine may also reduce the burden on healthcare systems while we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine. Although the influenza vaccine has been around for a while, there are still many who question the efficiency, safety and usefulness of it. The article aims to study the attitude of the Latvian adult population towards influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: a quantitative, cross-sectional study based on an anonymous online survey consisting of 12 questions. Data was analysed by using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Results: major part of the respondents do not support influenza vaccine, but almost a half support the vaccination or have changed their attitude towards it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows lack of knowledge about influenza infection, influenza vaccine and vaccine side effects, therefore further educational campaigns should be developed for the general population.  

Conflict Avoidance in Old Age

GeroPsych ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Oberhauser ◽  
Andreas B. Neubauer ◽  
Eva-Marie Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Conflict Avoidance ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Set Up

Abstract. Conflict avoidance increases across the adult lifespan. This cross-sectional study looks at conflict avoidance as part of a mechanism to regulate belongingness needs ( Sheldon, 2011 ). We assumed that older adults perceive more threats to their belongingness when they contemplate their future, and that they preventively react with avoidance coping. We set up a model predicting conflict avoidance that included perceptions of future nonbelonging, termed anticipated loneliness, and other predictors including sociodemographics, indicators of subjective well-being and perceived social support (N = 331, aged 40–87). Anticipated loneliness predicted conflict avoidance above all other predictors and partially mediated the age-association of conflict avoidance. Results suggest that belongingness regulation accounts may deepen our understanding of conflict avoidance in the second half of life.

CONCENTRATION OF THE SERUM TGF-BETA1 IN HEALTHY ADULT PEOPLE

2014 ◽  
pp. 90-93
Author(s):  
Van Tuan Nguyen ◽  
Tam Vo ◽  
Bui Bao Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Gender

Elevated serum Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels have been linked to tissue fibrosis including chronic kidney disease. Objectives: (1) Investigate serum TGF-beta1 levels in healthy adult people and (2) Examined the relation between serum TGF-beta1 level and gender, age, body mass index (BMI). Method: A cross-sectional study. TGF-beta1 were quantified by ELISA. Results: Levels of serum TGF-beta1 in healthy people were 13,45 ± 7,17 ng/mL mL (0,59 - 33,10 ng/mL). There are no difference of serum TGF-beta1 levels between men and women, between the age groups (<40 years, 40 to < 60 years and ≥ 60 years), between BMI groups < 23 and BMI group ≥ 23. Key words: TGF-beta1, healthy people

Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Sputum Samples by Real- Time PCR.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pegah Shakib ◽  
Mohammad Reza Zolfaghari
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Laboratory Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
False Negative Results ◽  
Pcr Method

Background: Conventional laboratory culture-based methods for diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae are time-consuming and yield false negative results. Molecular methods including real-time (RT)-PCR rapid methods and conventional PCR due to higher sensitivity and accuracy have been replaced instead traditional culture assay. The aim of the current study was to evaluate lytA gene for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid of human patients with meningitis using real-time PCR assay. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 30 clinical specimens were collected from patients in a period from September to December 2018. In order to evaluate the presence of lytA gene, conventional and real-time PCR methods were used without culture. Results: From 30 sputum samples five (16.66%) isolates were identified as S. pneumoniae by lytA PCR and sequencing. Discussion: In this research, an accurate and rapid real-time PCR method was used, which is based on lytA gene for diagnosis of bacteria so that it can be diagnosed. Based on the sequencing results, the sensitivity for detection of lytA gene was 100% (5/5).

The Prevalence of Insecticide Treated Net/malaria :cross section study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanda Chalela
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Malaria Patient ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

BACKGROUND ABSTRACT Introduction a study on prevalence of ITN use was carried out in Buchi community Kitwe Zambia from August to October 2019 OBJECTIVE Prevalence of ITN in BUchi METHODS Methodology: This was a cross sectional study design. A structured questionnaire was used to ascertain ownership and utilization and oral interviews, 200 households were targeted 844 individual covered across the 200 households. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 23. RESULTS ABSTRACT Introduction a study on prevalence of ITN use was carried out in Buchi community Kitwe Zambia from August to October 2019 Methodology: This was a cross sectional study design. A structured questionnaire was used to ascertain ownership and utilization and oral interviews, 200 households were targeted 844 individual covered across the 200 households. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 23. Findings: household ownership of at least an ITN was 52% and individual utilization at 37.6%, with 0.825 ITN/households and 0.195ITN /individual. Malaria prevalence of 52.4% /household and a 12.4% of the population. With 47.6% malaria patient coming from households with ITN and 60% of households with ITN have insufficient coverage.61% of malaria patient were female and 31 % male. however there was no significant relation between Gender and malaria prevalence in study area (p value was >0.05). Malaria cases distribution with age groups, 0-15yrs old represented 49.5%, 16-30 yrs., was at 27.6% and the over 30 yrs. case were at 22.9% .use of other preventive measures 23% used mosquito repellent ,others methods 1% with those not using any other methods 76%. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion The study showed clearly that malaria still poses a problem .the prevalence rate of malaria was still high 12.4% of the population and 52.4% of households. With high prevalence of malaria of 49.5% for 0-15yrs.the difference between ownership 52% and Utilization 37.6% showed that even household with ITN, the ITN were not sufficient.60% of households with ITN, the ITN were not sufficient for all occupants

scholarly journals Socioeconomic determinants of unmet need for outpatient healthcare services in Iran: a national cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Vahedi ◽  
Amin Torabipour ◽  
Amirhossein Takian ◽  
Saeed Mohammadpur ◽  
Alireza Olyaeemanesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Organizational Policies ◽  
Utilization Of Healthcare

Abstract Background Unmet need is a critical indicator of access to healthcare services. Despite concrete evidence about unmet need in Iran’s health system, no recent evidence of this negative outcome is available. This study aimed to measure the subjective unmet need (SUN), the factors associated with it and various reasons behind it in Iran. Methods We used the data of 13,005 respondents over the age of 15 from the Iranian Utilization of Healthcare Services Survey in 2016. SUN was defined as citizens whose needs were not sought through formal healthcare services, while they did not show a history of self-medication. The reasons for SUN were categorized into availability, accessibility, responsibility and acceptability of the health system. The multivariable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of SUN and associated major reasons. Results About 17% of the respondents (N = 2217) had unmet need for outpatient services. Nearly 40% of the respondents chose only accessibility, 4% selected only availability, 78% chose only responsibility, and 13% selected only acceptability as the main reasons for their unmet need. Higher outpatient needs was the only factor that significantly increased SUN, responsibility-related SUN and acceptability-related SUN. Low education was associated with higher SUN and responsibility-related SUN, while it could also reduce acceptability-related SUN. While SUN and responsibility-related SUN were prevalent among lower economic quintiles, having a complementary insurance was associated with decreased SUN and responsibility-related SUN. The people with basic insurance had lower chances to face with responsibility-related SUN, while employed individuals were at risk to experience SUN. Although the middle-aged group had higher odds to experience SUN, the responsibility-related SUN were prevalent among elderly, while higher age groups had significant chance to be exposed to acceptability-related SUN. Conclusion It seems that Iran is still suffering from unmet need for outpatient services, most of which emerges from its health system performance. The majority of the unmet health needs could be addressed through improving financial as well as organizational policies. Special attention is needed to address the unmet need among individuals with poor health status.

scholarly journals Religion: Interrelationships and Opinions in Children and Adolescents. Interaction between Age and Beliefs

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
Rafael López Cordero ◽  
Francisca Ruiz Garzón ◽  
Lourdes Medina Martínez ◽  
María del Carmen Olmos-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Experimental Methodology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Religious Issue ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

The current trend of secularization seems to be leading to a gradual withdrawal of religion from public spaces. However, in an increasingly internationalized world, it is becoming more and more important to study the roles of religion and religiosity and their potential in relation to dialogue and social conflicts and tensions. Education is a vital field within which to address this religious issue and create an educational dialogue in order to promote coexistence. By following a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, based on a quasi-experimental methodology with a social–analytical character, our aim is to assess the existing connections between religion, interrelation and opinion in Spanish children and adolescents. Special attention is paid to the interaction between age and beliefs. We carried out our study with the use of a questionnaire distributed to eleven secondary schools, with students aged between 11 and 16 years old, in three regions of southern Spain (Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla) characterized by high religious diversity and multiculturalism. The multivariate analysis carried out in this study identifies the effects of variance on the influence of age and religion, highlighting the interaction between the two. It is observed that the youngest students are those who express their opinions about religion the least, while those belonging to younger age groups and majority religions are those who express a greater religious coexistence, with Muslims externalizing their religious condition the most.

scholarly journals Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based rapid diagnostic kits in Pakistan: formulation of COVID-19 national testing strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Saeed ◽  
Sara Rizwan Uppal ◽  
Zahra Zahid Piracha ◽  
Azhar Rasheed ◽  
Zubair Aftab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Injection Drug Users ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Results

AbstractRapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 during pandemic enables timely treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of rapid diagnostic testing kits is crucial for surveillance and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections in general population, injection drug users, multi-transfused populations, healthcare workers, prisoners, barbers and other high risk populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance and effectiveness of nasopharyngeal swab (NSP) and saliva based rapid antigen detection testing kits in comparison with USFDA approved triple target gold standard real-time polymerase chain reaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 33,000 COVID-19 suspected patients. From RT-PCR positive patients, nasopharyngeal swab (NSP) and saliva samples were obtained for evaluation of rapid COVID-19 testing kits (RDT). 100/33,000 (0.3%) of specimens were RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among RT-PCR positive, 62% were males, 34% were females, and 4% were children. The NSP-RDT (Lepu Medical China) analysis revealed 53% reactivity among males, 58% reactivity among females, and 25% reactivity among children. However saliva based RDT (Lepu Medical China) analysis showed 21% reactivity among males and 23% among females, and no reactivity in children. False negative results were significantly more pronounced in saliva based RDT as compared to NSP-RDT. The sensitivity of these NSP-RDT and saliva based RDT were 52% and 21% respectively. The RDTs evaluated in this study showed limited sensitivities in comparison to gold standard RT-PCR, indicating that there is a dire need in Pakistan for development of suitable testing to improve accurate COVID-19 diagnosis in line with national demands.

scholarly journals Determinants of alcohol consumption and marijuana use among young adults in the Republic of Palau

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuki Sata ◽  
Renzhe Cui ◽  
Chifa Chiang ◽  
Singeru Travis Singeo ◽  
Berry Moon Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Republic Of Palau

Abstract Background This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels. Results The proportion of current drinking was higher in people aged 21–24 than in those aged 18–20 (73.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.09 in men and 48.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.02 in women), while that of marijuana use did not differ between the age groups. The proportions of current drinking and marijuana use were higher in Palauan than in other ethnicities (current drinking: 70.6% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.005 in men and 38.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.04 in women; lifetime marijuana use: 80.0% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.02 in men and 56.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.09 in women). The proportion of frequent (3 times or more) marijuana users was higher for the lower educated than for the higher educated (62.5% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001 in men and 33.9% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.12 in women). Conclusions Sex, age, ethnicity, and education were significant determinants of alcohol and marijuana use.

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