Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Risk Factors for Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Region in Sri Lanka

Objectives. Turkey is one of the countries that has the most cases of CCHF in recent years among the endemic countries. The disease also poses an important health threat with high mortality rate. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of CCHF in adults aged ≥20 years in Tokat in the endemic region, Turkey. Methods. In this population-based cross-sectional study, a total of 85 Family Medicine Units (FMUs), from over 170 in Tokat, were randomly selected using 50% sampling. The sample size was determined among the subjects aged ≥20 who registered with the FMUs, due to gender, age group, and the urban/rural population size of Tokat using the stratified cluster sampling method. Subjects were invited to the FMUs. A questionnaire was performed face to face. The blood samples were taken, and anti-CCHFV IgG antibodies were measured with ELISA method. Results. 1272 (54.9%) out of 2319 participants were female, and the mean age was 47.3 ± 15.3. Anti-CCHFV IgG seropositivity was 5.6% (n = 130). Seropositivity rates in terms of adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were higher 2.53 times (95% CI: 1.57–4.08; p = 0.001 ) in males; 4.05 (95% CI: 2.14–7.65; p < 0.001 ) in age group ≥65; 0.33 (95% CI: 0.14–0.76; p < 0.001 ) in graduates of high school and above; 0.71 (95%CI: 0.33–1.52; p < 0.001 ) in ones with good income; 1.84 (95%CI: 1.18–2.86; p < 0.001 ) in farmers; 1.64 (95% CI: 1.04–2.27; p < 0.001 ) in people dealing with animal husbandry; and 1.02 (95% CI: 1.03–2.29; p < 0.001 ) in those with history of tick contact. Conclusions. CCHF seroprevalence is still a common public health problem in Tokat, Turkey. Male gender, advanced age group, low-educated, low-income, farmers, animal husbandry, and history of tick contact were found to be risk factors for CCHF. The importance of this kind of community-based studies to identify the seroprevalence in regional and national level increases even more.

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Epidemiology of wheeze among preschool children: a population-based cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046688 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e046688

Author(s):

Shashanka Indeevara Rajapakse Rajapakse Mudiyanselage ◽

Wadu Arachchige Dharshika Lakmali Amarasiri ◽

Bannek Mudiyanselage Gedara Duminda Yasaratne ◽

Janith Warnasekara ◽

Suneth Agampodi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Skipjack Tuna ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frequent Consumption ◽

Independent Risk Factors

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of wheeze and factors associated with its severity among 3–6 years old children.MethodologyDesignA population-based, cross-sectional study using the WHO 30 cluster methodology with probability proportionate to size sampling.Setting36 preschools registered at the divisional secretariat offices of Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.ParticipantsWe recruited 1060 preschool children from 36 preschools aged 3–6 years.Main outcome measurementsWe used the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaire to assess the prevalence, symptomatology and associated factors of wheeze.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 548 (51.70%) male and 512 (48.30%) female children with a mean age of 4.41 (±0.66) years. At least one wheezing episode ever was reported in 323 (30.47%; 95% CI 27.71% to 33.34%) children and 247 (23.30%; 95% CI 20.79% to 25.97%) children had a wheezing attack in the preceding year. Severe episodes of wheezing were reported in 76 (7.17%; 95% CI 5.69% to 8.89%) participants. However, only 27 (35.53%; 95% CI 24.88% to 47.34%) children with severe wheezing had been diagnosed as asthmatics by a clinician. The identified independent risk factors for severe wheeze were allergic rhinitis (OR 6.90; 95% CI 3.84 to 12.40), domestic dog(s) (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.01 to 5.40), frequent consumption of skipjack tuna (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.39) and passive smoking (OR 1.70; 95% CI 0.93 to 3.11) while living in a house with a cement floor is a protective factor (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.80).ConclusionWheezing commonly affects one-fourth of preschool children in rural Sri Lanka. Severe wheezing is often not diagnosed as asthma despite frequent symptoms, probably due to hesitancy in labelling preschool children as asthmatics. Allergic rhinitis, domestic dogs, frequent consumption of Skipjack tuna fish and exposure to passive smoking were independent risk factors for severe wheeze.

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PRRSV: Risikofaktoren und Herdenprävalenz in Deutschland

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G Großtiere / Nutztiere ◽

10.1055/a-0867-8990 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (02) ◽

pp. 132-132

Author(s):

Sebastian Ganz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Klinische Symptome

Nathues C, Janssen E, Duengelhoef A et al. Cross-sectional study on risk factors for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus sow herd instability in German breeding herds. Acta Vet Scand 2018; 60 (1): 1–8 In mit PRRSV (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrom Virus) infizierten Schweinebeständen zeigen die Tiere oftmals ernsthafte klinische Symptome. Die Schwere der Symptomatik hängt von der Virulenz der jeweiligen Virusstämme ab. Deshalb ist die Impfung gegen diesen Erreger sinnvoll und wird empfohlen, auch wenn sie nicht immer klinische Fälle verhindert bzw. das Virus vollends eliminiert. Aufgrund dessen rückt die Prävention durch Verbesserung der innerbetrieblichen Abläufe zunehmend in den Fokus. Um solche Maßnahmen erfolgreich etablieren zu können, ist es wichtig, den epidemiologischen Status der Herde und mögliche Risikofaktoren zu kennen. Ziel der Studie war deshalb, die Prävalenz der Infektion in Sauenbetrieben in Norddeutschland zu eruieren und verschiedene Arbeitsabläufe hinsichtlich des Risikos der Erregerverbreitung zu untersuchen.

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