Epidemiology
Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
Abstract
This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the ...
Read More
This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed. This letter is concerned with the term stataphobia, which is an interesting and common among researchers of different disciplines but not well-known type of phobia. Definition, causes, effect on research productivity and how to combat stataphobia are briefly discussed.
Epidemiology
Farshad Kakian; Arman Jobeiri; Zahra Hashemizadeh; Babak Shirazi Yeganeh; Mohammad Motamedifar
Abstract
Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In terms of appropriate therapeutic options, antimicrobial drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is a major source of concern. The purpose of this study was to provide local information on ...
Read More
Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In terms of appropriate therapeutic options, antimicrobial drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is a major source of concern. The purpose of this study was to provide local information on antibiotic resistance patterns in Faghihi Hospital located in Shiraz, Southwest Iran.Methods: The frequency and antibiogram patterns of blood culture bacterial isolates were studied from January 2018 to December 2019. For antibacterial susceptibility testing, the disk diffusion method was used, which met the standard criteria of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing 28th edition.Results: During the study period, 576 (9.7%) of the 5935 blood cultures tested positive. Gram positive bacteria made up 340 (59.1%) of the positive cultures, while gram negative bacteria made up 236 (40.9%). S. aureus was the most common isolate (26.2%), followed by S. epidermidis (15.1%) and E. coli (14.2%). Vancomycin was the most effective antibiotic against gram positive bacteria, but no antibiotic was available for gram negative bacteria. Amikacin was most effective against E. coli isolates, while Imipenem was most effective against P. aeruginosa isolates.Conclusion: Our findings suggest and emphasize the importance of observing resistance patterns that affect empirical therapy and infection control methods on a yearly basis by monitoring blood culture isolates and susceptibility patterns.
Epidemiology
Adisu Naga Mamo; Desta Hiko Gamada; Gamachu Chemeda Feyisa; Kadir Mude Wabe
Abstract
Background: Malaria-related morbidity and mortality are 94% concentrated in Africa. Ethiopia is one of ten African countries affected by malaria, with 60% of the population living in malaria-risk areas. Recently, seasonal outbreaks have been reported in all regions, including previously malaria-free ...
Read More
Background: Malaria-related morbidity and mortality are 94% concentrated in Africa. Ethiopia is one of ten African countries affected by malaria, with 60% of the population living in malaria-risk areas. Recently, seasonal outbreaks have been reported in all regions, including previously malaria-free areas. Nationally, the Nensebo district of the west Arsi zone is classified as having very low transmission. During the 21st WHO week of 2021, Melka Denbi kebele reported an unusually high number of malaria cases to this district. The purpose of this study was to look into the magnitude of the malaria outbreak and the factors that contributed to it. Methods: A descriptive study was followed by an unmatched case-control study on 86 cases and 172 controls who were chosen at random. Malaria cases were those who were confirmed positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and were line-listed at a health facility, while controls were those who lived nearby and were confirmed negative by RDT. At a p-value of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval, logistic regression was used to identify malaria contracting factors.Results: With a mean age of 22 (12.31SD), the overall attack rate was 20.2/1000. Plasmodium vivax (PV) 105 (52.8%) was the most common. Staying out at night (AOR=3.94; 95%CI: 2.18-7.37) and stagnant water/intermittent river within 1 km of the vicinity were risk factors. Screened houses were protective (AOR=0.49; 95%CI: 0.27-0.89), as was knowledge of malaria transmission (AOR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.28-0.93) and prevention and control methods (AOR=0.50; 95%CI: 0.27-0.93).Conclusion: The illness was caused primarily by PV species known for their relapsing characteristics. Risk factors included stagnant water near homes and sleeping outside at night. Malaria screening centers and increased public awareness reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Our recommendations included regular environmental monitoring, behavioral change communication, ensuring radical cure, and further research with a detailed entomological survey and climate variables.
Epidemiology
Nezal Azh; Seyyedeh Zahra Hajiasghari
Abstract
Introduction: Hospitals may have an adverse effect on the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of Green Hospital to reduce these complications while also improving the environment. The purpose of this study was to assess how many hospitals in Qazvin met Green Hospital ...
Read More
Introduction: Hospitals may have an adverse effect on the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of Green Hospital to reduce these complications while also improving the environment. The purpose of this study was to assess how many hospitals in Qazvin met Green Hospital standards.Methods: This descriptive-observational study was carried out in all of the hospitals in Qazvin that were included in the study via the census sampling method. The standard green hospital questionnaire was used to collect data, which was completed with environmental experts through interviews and document observation. This questionnaire has 96 questions and is divided into eight dimensions: environmental, energy, hazardous materials, water, sewage, greenhouse gas emissions, external water consumption, material, and environmentally friendly purchasing management. Each question is graded on a three-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 2.Results: This study included nine hospitals. Six were teaching/public (5 teaching hospitals and 1 Social Security Hospital), and three were public. The average ratio of active beds to approved beds was 90%, with private hospitals reaching more than 100% (131%). The mean achievement rates for the first through eighth dimensions were 70.08, 74.07, 74.07, 60.88, 40.87, 27.77, and 31.48, respectively. The overall mean score for meeting Green Hospital standards was 57.46%.Conclusions: Although hospitals achieved higher achievement rates in some dimensions, overall results showed low achievement rates. As a result, their managers and employees must learn how to prevent environmental degradation.
Epidemiology
Hulera Usman Kabido; Joseph Fuh Nfongeh; Victor Kolawole Fadayomi; Onyemachi Ifeanyi Adibe; Abdullahi Shuaibu Kabiru; Nafisat Tijjani Dalhat; Yahuza Jibrin Abubakar
Abstract
Background: Due to its persistent nature, ulcers brought on by Helicobacter pylori have been a significant public health concern. This study looked at how specific risk factors affected the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among peptic ulcer patients visiting medical institutions in Lafia, ...
Read More
Background: Due to its persistent nature, ulcers brought on by Helicobacter pylori have been a significant public health concern. This study looked at how specific risk factors affected the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among peptic ulcer patients visiting medical institutions in Lafia, Nigeria. Methods: The blood and stool samples of 180 individuals (71 men and 109 women) were collected randomly, checked for H. pylori using test strips for H. pylori antibodies and antigens (Azure Biotech Inc.), and the feces also were grown on Columbia blood agar base (TITAN Biotech Ltd). Using a standardized questionnaire, some participant risk data was also gathered.Results: A positive culture method (CM) test result was obtained from 14/71 (19.72%) of the 71 male patients and 37/109 (33.94%) of the 109 female subjects out of a total of 210 subjects. For CM alone, it was discovered that female participants had a considerably greater incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection than their male counterparts (p=0.038). Nevertheless, all analytical techniques discovered no evidence of a significant difference between age groups (p>0.05). Only the blood antibody (BAB) approach showed a substantially greater prevalence (p=0.021) in married patients, with 79/116 (68.10%) reactive instances. The presence of drinking water source (p < 0.001, 0.001, 0.002 using CM, BAB, and SAG, respectively) and number of occupants per room (p < 0.001, 0.001, 0.002 using CM, BAB, and SAG, respectively) as potential risk factors for H. pylori infection was also demonstrated.Conclusion: The majority of risk factors that were taken into consideration for this study demonstrated a strong correlation with Helicobacter pylori infection in Lafia, Nigeria.
Epidemiology
Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
Abstract
Background: During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of epidemiologists and epidemiology as a science is becoming clear. An epidemiologist leads the team that deals with health emergencies and pandemics. Whatever type of epidemiologist they are, they must have specific competencies, skills, ...
Read More
Background: During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of epidemiologists and epidemiology as a science is becoming clear. An epidemiologist leads the team that deals with health emergencies and pandemics. Whatever type of epidemiologist they are, they must have specific competencies, skills, functions, and ethics.Methods: PubMed and Google were searched for full texts of studies published in English using the key words "epidemiologist" in conjunction with definition, competencies, skills, functions, roles, types, and ethics. This narrative review included all of the literature that was retrieved. We only included the most recent and pertinent articles. Standard epidemiology textbooks were also screened for the relevant review heading.Results: We summarized the contributions of key epidemiologists from Hippocrates to Austin Bradford Hill, as well as their competencies or skills, functions, and 16 types of epidemiologists. Finally, epidemiologists' ethics were discussed.Conclusion: For early detection and prevention of epidemics and health disasters, effective liaison between epidemiologists, clinicians of various specialties, and policymakers is required. This is especially important in developing and developed countries where the number of epidemiologists is low and the majority work in teaching institutions where their contributions are undervalued.
Epidemiology
Itse Olaoye; Akinola Ayoola Fatiregun; Ekun Opeyemi; David Adeleke; Tsemaye Jacdonmi; Stephen Fagbemi; Famokun Gboyega; Abiona Samuel; Adefesoye Victor Akinpelumi; Onyibe Ifeoma Rosemary
Abstract
Background: The last case of the indigenous Wild Polio Virus in Ondo state was in 2008, and the last Polio compatible infection was in 2010. Poliovirus transmission was stopped thanks to the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards, which included acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. We wanted ...
Read More
Background: The last case of the indigenous Wild Polio Virus in Ondo state was in 2008, and the last Polio compatible infection was in 2010. Poliovirus transmission was stopped thanks to the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards, which included acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. We wanted to describe the state's polio surveillance performance during the last five years, from 2016 to 2020, using WHO-recommended measures and find areas where it could improve.Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2020, AFP case-based surveillance data was used to undertake a retrospective examination of records. Microsoft Excel was used for data processing, and Quantum Geographic Information System was used for mapping (GIS).Results: From 2016 to 2020, a total of 1,096 AFP instances were recorded, none of which were confirmed as Poliomyelitis. The bulk of the cases (77.2 percent) were found in children under the age of five. Males made up more than half of the cases (53.4%). More than 89 percent of reported cases received three or more OPV doses. Between 2016 and 2020, there was a 79 percent decline in reported incidents. Between 2016 and 2020, the average Non-Polio AFP rate was 11.2 per 100,000, with a stool adequacy of 98.4%.Conclusion: AFP surveillance in Ondo state met the minimum WHO targets during the study period, according to the findings. However, because of the possibility of poliovirus being imported from endemic countries, which might threaten Nigeria's polio-free status, all surveillance actors' sensitization and active case search should be strengthened, particularly in underperforming local government areas (LGAs).
Epidemiology
Itse Olaoye; Akinola Ayoola Fatiregun; Stephen Fagbemi; Famokun Gboyega; Rosemary Onyibe
Abstract
Background: Acute gastroenteritis, a very common disease in humans affecting both children and adults, remains a major public health concern worldwide. Several groups of viruses have been reported as the causative agents of acute gastroenteritis. An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis with a high fatality ...
Read More
Background: Acute gastroenteritis, a very common disease in humans affecting both children and adults, remains a major public health concern worldwide. Several groups of viruses have been reported as the causative agents of acute gastroenteritis. An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis with a high fatality rate was reported in Ondo State, Southwest, Nigeria, in September 2020. Methods: To provide a descriptive epidemiology of the outbreak, a field investigation was carried out in affected communities in September 2020. Results: Four Local Government Areas (LGA) were affected, with Odigbo LGA having the highest attack rate of 14.9 per 100,000 population. The epidemic curve was propagated in nature. 50 cases were reported with 21 deaths (42%). The outbreak primarily affected 15-year-olds (94%, n=47) and more males (58%, n=29). Conclusion: Poor sanitation, food, and water hygiene conditions in communities of the LGA visited were observed. The spread of the outbreak was probably facilitated by water sellers.
