scholarly journals Bugs on Cuffs and Pockets: A Cross-sectional Study of the Contamination of Healthcare Personnel Attire at Salmanyia Medical Complex

10.3823/828 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jameela M. AlSalman ◽  
Yusuf N AlAlwan ◽  
Mohamed Redha Rajab ◽  
Nermin K Saeed

Background: Hospital acquired infections increase the morbidity and mortality of the inpatient population. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci are transmitted by direct contact or transmitted by fomites such as healthcare personnel’s attires. This is a cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence ofcontamination of the attires of healthcare personnel working atSalmanyia Medical Complex. Method: We randomly selected 100 doctors and nurses working in different departmentsand swabbed their attire's sleeves and pockets. We then stored both swabs in their accompanying syringe that contains a bacterial transportation media, and sent them to the lab for culturing. SPSS 23 was used for data entry and analysis. After that, percentages and frequencies were computed for different categorical variables, and a cross-tabulation was computed between each two categorical variables. Chi-Squared test was used to determine whether there were significant relationships between each two categorical variables. Results:Of the total samples, 44 pocket and 45 cuff samples were contaminated with staphylococcus epidermidis (skin flora). Thirty eight participants were found to have contamination of both the cuff and pocket. Nurseshad slightly higher prevalence of cuff contamination than doctors (P=0.032). Amongst doctors, surgeons had the highest prevalence (P=0.006). Discussion:Compared to the data available in the literature, our data did not reveal contamination with significant pathogens such as staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.Nevertheless, contamination with staphylococcus epidermidis could be whether from autoinoculation or contamination from the hospital environment and could correlate to level of hygiene. Frequent washing of attire doesn’t reduce the level of contamination.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean B. Sullivan ◽  
Suneel Kamath ◽  
Thomas H. McConville ◽  
Brett T. Gray ◽  
Franklin D. Lowy ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) have been disproportionally affected by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and infection, in particular by clones USA300 and USA500. However, the contribution of epidemiological, bacterial, and immunological risk factors to the excess of S aureus in PLWH remain incompletely understood. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S aureus colonization in 93 PLWH attending an urban human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic. Participants completed a structured interview assessing demographic information and risk factors for MRSA. Swabs were obtained from the nose, throat, and groin and cultured for S aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Results Most participants had well controlled HIV infection (89, 96% CD4 >200). Thirty-six (39%) individuals were colonized with S aureus at 1 or more body sites, including 6 (6%) with MRSA. Regular gym use was a risk factor for S aureus but not MRSA carriage. In contrast, S epidermidis was present in almost all individuals (n = 84, 90%), predominantly in the nares (n = 66, 71%). Using generalized estimating equation models, we observed that the odds of S aureus colonization were significantly and drastically reduced when S epidermidis was detected (P = .0001). After controlling for site, gender, and age, we identified that the odds of S aureus colonization were 80% less if S epidermidis was present (adjusted odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, .09–.45; P < .0001). Conclusions Taken together, we observed a lower prevalence of S aureus and MRSA colonization than has been previously reported in PLWH. In this cohort, colonization with S epidermidis was protective against S aureus colonization.


Author(s):  
Kate Emond ◽  
Melanie Bish ◽  
Michael Savic ◽  
Dan I. Lubman ◽  
Terence McCann ◽  
...  

Mental-health-related presentations account for a considerable proportion of the paramedic’s workload in prehospital care. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceived confidence and preparedness of paramedics in Australian metropolitan and rural areas to manage mental-health-related presentations. Overall, 1140 paramedics were surveyed. Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables by sex and location of practice; continuous variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Perceived confidence and preparedness were each modelled in multivariable ordinal regressions. Female paramedics were younger with higher qualifications but were less experienced than their male counterparts. Compared to paramedics working in metropolitan regions, those working in rural and regional areas were generally older with fewer qualifications and were significantly less confident and less prepared to manage mental health presentations (p = 0.001). Compared to male paramedics, females were less confident (p = 0.003), although equally prepared (p = 0.1) to manage mental health presentations. These results suggest that higher qualifications from the tertiary sector may not be adequately preparing paramedics to manage mental health presentations, which signifies a disparity between education provided and workforce preparedness. Further work is required to address the education and training requirements of paramedics in regional and rural areas to increase confidence and preparedness in managing mental health presentations.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 939
Author(s):  
Ana Fresan ◽  
Alma Delia Genis-Mendoza ◽  
María Lilia López-Narváez ◽  
Tania Guadalupe Gómez-Peralta ◽  
Daniela Georgina Aguilar-Velázquez ◽  
...  

Background/Aim: Obesity in adolescents is increasing; as such, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in Mexican adolescents and examine its possible association with hours of sleep. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out. This study included 863 adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years. The prevalence of obesity was estimated using the body mass index (BMI). The duration of sleep (and other information) was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. The Cochran–Mantel–Hansel test for categorical variables and a general linear model for continuous variables were used to evaluate the interaction effect of BMI and sex with respect to sleeping and assessed activity conditions. Results: It was found that 47.6% of the adolescents were overweight/obese. Men were more frequently overweight/obese than women (52.6% vs. 41.8%, p = 0.002). Moreover, overweight/obese adolescents were younger and spent fewer daily hours watching television (p < 0.05). Men practiced sports more hours per week than women (p = 0.04). However, women spent more daily time on the internet (p = 0.05), and overweight/obese adolescent women slept fewer hours than overweight/obese men and adolescents with normal weight (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The development of strategies for the prevention of overweight/obesity and the improvement of sleep duration should include a gender perspective to improve health habits in Mexican adolescents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yue ◽  
Yang Luo ◽  
Chen Xu ◽  
Si Qin ◽  
Yanting Meng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The use of reproductive health (RH) services is important to promote RH. However, little is known about RH services in rural areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries. China is the most populous country in the world, and 40.4% of its population is rural. Our study determined the utilization of and factors associated with RH services in rural China. Methods A cross-sectional study of 978 20- to 39-year-old women was performed in four villages of four cities in Hunan Province. A researcher-created structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered into EpiData v3.0 and analysed using SPSS v18.0. Statistical significance was defined as a two-sided P-value of less than 0.05. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the socio-demographic factors and the use of RH services by the sample population. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between categorical variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors that correlated with the use of RH services. Results The top three services used were antenatal examinations (90.2%), postpartum visits (73.0%) and free folic acid supplements (71.6%). Age, monthly household income, employment, spousal education level, and artificial abortion history were associated with RH service utilization (P < 0.05). The most desired RH service was cervical/breast cancer prevention services (58.9%). The most preferred method participants used to obtain information on RH services was the internet. Conclusions The utilization rate for RH services in rural China needs improvement. Future efforts should target high-risk populations of women by providing them with RH-related information and cultivating positive attitudes towards RH services.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Al-kalisi ◽  
Manal Al-Hajri ◽  
Sarah Al-Rai

Abstract Background: Undernutrition is an inadequate supply of energy and nutrients. Periodontal diseases (PDs) defined as a broad form of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gingiva, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. This study aimed to reveal the effect of undernutrition, using body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin level (Alb) on PDs and other risk factors as age, smoking and khat chewing. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the faculty of dentistry, Sana’a University. Of 1920 patients attended to clinics, only 229 matched the study criteria. Oral examination was performed to assess the periodontal clinical parameters measurements. BMI and Alb was measured. Statistical analysis was used to present the association between categorical variables was assessed using Chi square test and Fisher-Exact test. ANOVA was used to assess the differences in the mean values of the quantitative outcomes. Chi square test was used to evaluate the association between BMI and age, gender, occupation, education level, smoking, khat chewing as well as BMI with PDs. Results: Most of participants (58.5%) were males and most of the study sample (91.3%) was at the age group of (18-35). Among all subjects, (81.2%) of cases were diagnosed with gingivitis. (60.7%) of study participants were mildly undernourished according to BMI. (93%) of participants showed normal Alb level. Regarding to habits, only (18.2%) of patients were smokers and more than half of participants (59.4%) were khat chewers. Conclusion: There was a relationship between PDs and undernutrition which was obviously seen between gingivitis and mild undernutrition.


Author(s):  
Dhanasekar Gurupatham ◽  
Jeevithan Shanmugam

Background: Alcohol use is associated with serious public health problems thereby raising the global morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of alcoholism and its co morbidity pattern among urban adult population in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among urban adult population in Salem district involving 493 participants. Convenient sampling method was used. Informed consent was obtained from each participant and information was collected by using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel 2007 was used for data entry and SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis.Results: It was found from the study that the prevalence of alcoholism was high. Alcohol use in any form was found in 38% of the study participants. 8% of the participants confessed that alcohol is an eye opener to them. 6% of the participants lost their job and 15% of the participants were hospitalised due to alcohol.Conclusions: The study showed higher prevalence of alcohol use among urban adult population in Salem district. Awareness about the ill effects of alcoholism among the population and necessary rehabilitation will help to reduce alcoholism consumption and its related disorders.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arithi Mutembei ◽  
Festus K. Mutai ◽  
Damaris Mwololo ◽  
John Muriuki ◽  
Mark Obonyo ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionLeptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonotic infection caused by spirochetes of Leptospira genus. Humans get infected through direct or indirect contact with urine of infected animals or environment. It accounts for more than 300,000 severe cases annually worldwide with case fatality rates of over 30%. Costs of diagnosis and treatment for human and animals, disruption of international trade of animals and products, reduced productivity and reproductivity in animals constitute economic importance. In Kenya, leptospirosis burden is significant but under-diagnosis and under-reporting affects the awareness of the disease. This study aimed to determine and compare the sero-prevalence and factors associated with Leptospira spp. in the two counties.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study that involved apparently healthy people of at least 5 years of age in randomly selected households in Garissa and Tana River Counties. Blood samples were collected and tested for Leptospira spp antibodies using IgM ELISA. Standardized structured questionnaires were administered to collect socio-demographic and exposure information. We calculated frequencies and proportions for categorical variables and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate association between sero-positivity and exposure factors. We used Wilcoxon test to evaluate statistical difference in sero-positivity for continuous variables and calculated test statistic (H) and p-value.ResultsA total of 952 subjects were recruited into the study – these included 482 persons from Garissa and 470 from Tana River. The overall sero-prevalence was 26% [(244/952); (CI: 23% to 29%)]. Garissa County had significantly higher Leptospira spp. seroprevalence (31%, n = 147; CI: 27% to 35%) compared to Tana River County (21 %, n = 97; CI: 17% to 25%). Being a female (OR=1.6, CI: 1.2-2.2) and engaging in pastoralism (OR=2.7, CI: 1.8-3.9) were significantly associated with higher odds of Leptospira spp. seropositivity compared to being a male or working in irrigated areas. The mean altitude of residence of sero-positive patients was 73m ± 21 SD (standard deviation) above sea level and that for sero-negative was 80m ± 22 SD (H=35, p-value = 0.00).ConclusionThis study determined the seroprevalence and risk factors for Leptospira spp. exposure in Garissa and Tana River Counties, Kenya. Females in pastoral communities experience high burden of the disease. Enhanced surveillance in humans and animals and further research is required to understand the complex and multifactorial drivers of leptospirosis transmission in the two Counties.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document