The Assessment of Effectiveness of Immunization in the Control of Infectious Childhood Diseases in Nigeria

Disentangling the spatial-temporal dynamics of infectious disease transmission is important to address issues of disease persistence, epidemic growth and optimal control. In this chapter, we review key concepts relating to the spatial-temporal dynamics of infectious diseases in meta-populations, whereby geographically separate subpopulations are connected by migration or mobility rates. We review the dynamics of colonization, persistence and extinction of emerging and recurrent pathogens in meta-populations; the role of demographic and environmental factors; and geographic heterogeneity in epidemic growth rate. We illustrate theoretical concepts by reviewing the spatial dynamics of childhood diseases and other acute infections in low- and middle-income countries, and provide a detailed description of the spatial-temporal dynamics of the 2014–16 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. We further discuss how increased availability of empirical data and recent methodological developments provide a deeper mechanistic understanding of transmission processes in space and time, and make recommendations for future work.

Download Full-text

Enhanced childhood diseases treatment using computational models: Systematic review of intelligent experiments heading to precision medicine

Journal of Biomedical Informatics ◽

10.1016/j.jbi.2021.103687 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 115 ◽

pp. 103687

Author(s):

Sharareh Rostam Niakan Kalhori ◽

Mozhgan Tanhapour ◽

Marsa Gholamzadeh

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Precision Medicine ◽

Computational Models ◽

Childhood Diseases

Download Full-text

Thoughts, beliefs and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine – a qualitative study

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ◽

10.1186/s12906-021-03216-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

N. Mittring-Junghans ◽

C. Holmberg ◽

C. M. Witt ◽

M. Teut

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Scarlet Fever ◽

Conventional Medicine ◽

Vaccination Schedule ◽

Anthroposophic Medicine ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Parent Child Relationship ◽

Childhood Diseases ◽

Child Relationship

Abstract Background Physicians who include complementary medicine in their practice are thought to have an understanding of health and disease different from that of colleagues practicing conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the thoughts and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis and scarlet fever) of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine. Methods This qualitative study used semistructured interviews. Participating physicians were either general practitioners or pediatricians. Data collection and analysis were guided by a grounded theory approach. Results Eighteen physicians were interviewed (6 homeopathic, 6 anthroposophic and 6 conventional). All physicians agreed that while many classic infectious childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella are rarely observed today, other diseases, such as chickenpox and scarlet fever, are still commonly diagnosed. All interviewed physicians vaccinated against childhood diseases. A core concern for physicians practicing conventional medicine was the risk of complications of the diseases. Therefore, it was considered essential for them to advise their patients to strictly follow the vaccination schedule. Homeopathic-oriented physicians viewed acute disease as a biological process necessary to strengthen health, fortify the immune system and increase resistance to chronic disease. They tended to treat infectious childhood diseases with homeopathic remedies and administered available vaccines as part of individual decision-making approaches with parents. For anthroposophic-oriented physicians, infectious childhood diseases were considered a crucial factor in the psychosocial growth of children. They tended to treat these diseases with anthroposophic medicine and underlined the importance of the family’s resources. Informing parents about the potential benefits and risks of vaccination was considered important. All physicians agreed that parent-delivered loving care of a sick child could benefit the parent-child relationship. Additionally, all recognized that existing working conditions hindered parents from providing such care for longer durations of time. Conclusions The interviewed physicians agreed that vaccines are an important aspect of modern pediatrics. They differed in their approach regarding when and what to vaccinate against. The different conceptual understandings of infectious childhood diseases influenced this decision-making. A survey with a larger sample would be needed to verify these observations.

Download Full-text

A School Nurse Application of the ECHO Model

The Journal of School Nursing ◽

10.1177/1059840519861748 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 105984051986174

Author(s):

Suzuho Shimasaki ◽

Pamela Brunner Nii ◽

Lisa Davis ◽

Erin Bishop ◽

Cari Berget ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Care ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Type I Diabetes ◽

Models Of Care ◽

School Nurses ◽

Type I ◽

Colorado School ◽

Childhood Diseases ◽

Survey Results

Type I diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common childhood diseases and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing at alarming rates. Given that children spend a great percentage of their time in school, this setting is a critical environment for models of care that lead to better management of this and other health conditions. The School Nurses Managing Diabetes Care ECHO was offered to Colorado school nurses to build their capacity in providing evidence-based management of T1D. The purpose of this effort was to (1) determine whether or not the model could be used as a tool of collaboration and dissemination for school nurses across Colorado and (2) assess the effectiveness of the “School Nurses Managing Diabetes Care” ECHO learning series. Post-series survey results demonstrated a 25% increase in self-efficacy ratings, moving learners from “average among my peers” toward “competent.” Additionally, all respondents planned to make one or more practice changes to improve care for students with T1D. Expanding the use of the ECHO model to implement intensive management of children and youth with T1D is critically important as rates of this and other chronic conditions continue to increase.

Download Full-text

The microbiome and childhood diseases: Focus on brain-gut axis

Birth Defects Research Part C Embryo Today Reviews ◽

10.1002/bdrc.21118 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 296-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Siobhain M. O’ Mahony ◽

Roman M. Stilling ◽

Timothy G. Dinan ◽

John F. Cryan

Keyword(s):

Childhood Diseases

Download Full-text

Vaccines and Vaccination

10.2310/im.1316 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Lindsey Obradovich ◽

Nicholas C Issa

Keyword(s):

Health Care Workers ◽

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Immunocompromised Host ◽

Postexposure Prophylaxis ◽

Emerging Pathogens ◽

Childhood Diseases ◽

New Era ◽

Care Workers ◽

Different Types ◽

Serotype B

The advent of vaccination began a new era in the world and in medicine. From the eradication of smallpox and near-eradication of polio to the significant reduction in many childhood diseases, vaccination has saved countless lives. Progress continues today in the form of safer and more effective vaccines, along with new vaccines against old and emerging pathogens that threaten worldwide pandemics. Several vaccines have been approved recently by the Food and Drug Administration, including a more immunogenic pneumococcal vaccine, new meningococcal serotype B vaccines, a 9-valent HPV vaccine, and the first adjuvanted influenza vaccine. Additional advancement with improved vaccines against herpes zoster and novel vaccines against emerging pathogens (Ebola and Zika viruses) is on the horizon. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms by which vaccines induce protection, the different types of vaccines, and the most recent recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for vaccination schedules in adults. Key information for the general practitioner is presented in a concise and easy-to-read format, summarized in tables whenever possible. Vaccination in special populations, such as pregnant women, immunocompromised patients, international travelers, and health care workers, is also included in this review. A list of guidelines is also included. Key words: immunocompromised host, postexposure prophylaxis, travel, vaccination, vaccine This review contains 7 highly rendered figures, 12 tables, and 57 references.

Download Full-text

Pertussis Vaccine

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.74.2.303 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 303-305

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Informed Consent ◽

Pertussis Vaccine ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Scientific Information ◽

Vaccine Dose ◽

Childhood Diseases ◽

Immunization Rates ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

New Information

The "Red Book," as the Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases has come to be known, is not a static document, but is subject to frequent revision. Not only does each edition contain new information available to the Committee, but between editions the Committee communicates further changes to the medical profession via Pediatrics. These communications constitute "Updates" to the Red Book. As everyone knows, scientific information proliferates exponentially, and so the Updates have appeared more frequently in recent years. The Update that follows concerns pertussis vaccine, and therefore, it supplements information in the 1982 edition of the Red Book. To place it in context, the entire Red Book section on Pertussis (pp 198 to 202) should be reviewed, as well as the general sections on immunization, particularly the section on Informed Consent (p 4) and the section on Vaccine Dose (p 10). Like many preventable childhood diseases, pertussis is now infrequently reported in this country. Although more than 200,000 cases were reported annually in the 1930s before pertussis vaccine was introduced, only about 2,000 cases are now recognized each year. The success of the vaccine has resulted in the remarkable decline of a formerly feared illness. As the incidence of the disease has declined, adverse reactions attributed to pertussis vaccine have received greater attention and prominence. In the United Kingdom, following Professor G. T. Stewart's alarming reports of brain damage due to pertussis vaccine, immunization rates fell profoundly, and as a result widespread outbreaks of pertussis began to occur.

Download Full-text