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Goldberg-Bockhorn E, Hurzlmeier C, Vahl JM, Stupp F, Janda A, von Baum H, Hoffmann TK. Increase in acute mastoiditis at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024:10.1007/s00405-024-08704-y. [PMID: 38740579 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08704-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Common respiratory infections were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to general protective and hygiene measures. The gradual withdrawal of these non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) was associated with a notable increase in these infections, particularly in pediatric and adult otorhinolaryngology. The aim of this retrospective monocentric study was to evaluate the impact of NPI during the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and severity of acute mastoiditis (AM). METHODS Pre-pandemic clinical data of AM cases from 2011 to 2019 were compared with infection counts from January 2020 to June 2023 for seasonal periodicity, age-specific differences, pathogens, and complication rates in a German third-level hospital. RESULTS Out of 196 patients with AM 133 were children, the majority between 1 and 5 years of age. Complications of AM, such as meningitis, brain abscess, and sinus vein thrombosis, were more common in adults (87%) than in children (17%). Morbidity and mortality rates were similar before, during and after the pandemic. Pneumococci were the most common pathogen in both age groups, with a post-pandemic cumulation of Streptococcus pyogenes infections in children. While pre-pandemic cases clustered in spring, seasonality was absent in all age groups during the main phase of the pandemic. The cessation of NPI caused a steep rise in AM cases in both age groups starting from December 2022. CONCLUSION NPI during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the incidence of AM. Their reversal led to a substantial increase in the incidence of AM during the post-pandemic period, which may be due to a general increase in viral respiratory infections and an insufficiently trained immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Goldberg-Bockhorn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Frauensteige 12, 89075, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Clara Hurzlmeier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Frauensteige 12, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Julius M Vahl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Frauensteige 12, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Franziska Stupp
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Frauensteige 12, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Aleš Janda
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Eythstraße 24, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Heike von Baum
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Frauensteige 12, 89075, Ulm, Germany
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Hollborn H, Lachmann C, Strüder D, van Bonn SM, Mlynski R, Schraven SP. Rise in complications of acute otitis media during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024:10.1007/s00405-024-08647-4. [PMID: 38709319 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE After the lifting of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical observation showed an increase in complications of acute otitis, followed by a rise in the number of mastoidectomies performed. The aim of this study was to record the number of mastoidectomies performed before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as an indicator for complications of acute otitis media. METHODS Data were collected from a tertiary hospital in a university setting, as well as from four major public health insurance companies in Germany. The data of 24,824,763 German citizens during a period from 2014 until 2023 were analyzed. RESULTS According to the data, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of mastoidectomies performed dropped by 54% for children aged 0-6 and by 62% for children aged 7-18. For adults, there were 30% fewer mastoidectomies performed between 2020 and 2022. After the lifting of most NPI's in the season from July 2022 to June 2023, there was a sharp increase in the number of mastoidectomies performed on patients of all ages. CONCLUSIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the number of mastoidectomies performed was seen, suggesting a lower incidence of complicated acute otitis, most likely linked to the general decrease of upper airway infections due to NPI's. In contrast, a sharp increase in the incidence of complicated otitis occurred after the hygiene measures were lifted. The current development causes a more frequent performance of mastoidectomies, thus entailing a change in the challenges for everyday clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Hollborn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Doberaner Straße 137-139, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Christoph Lachmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aachen University Medical Center, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniel Strüder
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Doberaner Straße 137-139, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sara M van Bonn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Doberaner Straße 137-139, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert Mlynski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Doberaner Straße 137-139, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sebastian P Schraven
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aachen University Medical Center, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Ibsen TL, Strand BH, Bergh S, Livingston G, Lurås H, Mamelund SE, Voshaar RO, Rokstad AMM, Thingstad P, Gerritsen D, Selbæk G. A longitudinal cohort study on the use of health and care services by older adults living at home with/without dementia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: the HUNT study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:485. [PMID: 38641570 PMCID: PMC11027287 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults and people with dementia were anticipated to be particularly unable to use health and care services during the lockdown period following the COVID-19 pandemic. To better prepare for future pandemics, we aimed to investigate whether the use of health and care services changed during the pandemic and whether those at older ages and/or dementia experienced a higher degree of change than that observed by their counterparts. METHODS Data from the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4 70 + , 2017-2019) were linked to two national health registries that have individual-level data on the use of primary and specialist health and care services. A multilevel mixed-effects linear regression model was used to calculate changes in the use of services from 18 months before the lockdown, (12 March 2020) to 18 months after the lockdown. RESULTS The study sample included 10,607 participants, 54% were women and 11% had dementia. The mean age was 76 years (SD: 5.7, range: 68-102 years). A decrease in primary health and care service use, except for contact with general practitioners (GPs), was observed during the lockdown period for people with dementia (p < 0.001) and those aged ≥ 80 years without dementia (p = 0.006), compared to the 6-month period before the lockdown. The use of specialist health services decreased during the lockdown period for all groups (p ≤ 0.011), except for those aged < 80 years with dementia. Service use reached levels comparable to pre-pandemic data within one year after the lockdown. CONCLUSION Older adults experienced an immediate reduction in the use of health and care services, other than GP contacts, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within primary care services, people with dementia demonstrated a more pronounced reduction than that observed in people without dementia; otherwise, the variations related to age and dementia status were small. Both groups returned to services levels similar to those during the pre-pandemic period within one year after the lockdown. The increase in GP contacts may indicate a need to reallocate resources to primary health services during future pandemics. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, with the identification number NCT04792086.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Louise Ibsen
- The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health (Ageing and Health), Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Heine Strand
- The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health (Ageing and Health), Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Physical Health and Ageing, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Bergh
- The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health (Ageing and Health), Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Research Centre for Age-Related Functional Decline and Disease (AFS), Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad, Norway
| | - Gill Livingston
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Hilde Lurås
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svenn-Erik Mamelund
- Centre for Research On Pandemics & Society (PANSOC), at Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Richard Oude Voshaar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anne Marie Mork Rokstad
- The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health (Ageing and Health), Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde University College, Molde, Norway
| | - Pernille Thingstad
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Health and Social Services, Trondheim Municipality, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Debby Gerritsen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Geir Selbæk
- The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health (Ageing and Health), Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Zhang WX, Zhao S, Pan C, Zhou Y, Wang C, Rui L, Du J, Wei TT, Liu YQ, Liu M, Lu QB, Cui F. Mass immunisation to eradicate Japanese encephalitis: Real-world evidence from Guizhou Province in 2005-2021. J Virus Erad 2024; 10:100366. [PMID: 38586471 PMCID: PMC10998223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2024.100366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore epidemiological changes of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in a long-time span and evaluate the impact of mass immunisation. Method Data on JE cases from hospitals and the county Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Guizhou Province was collected between 2005 and 2021. Epidemiological changes were analyzed according to a series of policy implementations and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Results A total of 5138 JE cases and 152 deaths were reported in Guizhou Province during 2005-2021. The average incidence and case fatality rates were 0.83/100,000 and 2.96%, respectively. The JE prevalence showed a declining trend over the years with the reduced incidence gap between age groups and narrowing of the high-epidemic regions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the JE activity reached its nadir in 2020. The inclusion in the Expanded Program on Immunization of the JE vaccine and catch-up immunisations showed a significant impact on the JE declining incidence rate. Conclusions The implementation of JE immunisation programs has played a crucial role in controlling its spread. Continued efforts should be made to maintain high coverage of the JE vaccine and strengthen disease surveillance systems, ensuring JE effective control and eventual elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Xue Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Suye Zhao
- Institute for Immunization Program, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Chunliu Pan
- Guiyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Yiguo Zhou
- Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology & Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Rui
- Institute for Immunization Program, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Juan Du
- Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting-Ting Wei
- Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Liu
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology & Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Institute for Immunization Program, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Qing-Bin Lu
- Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology & Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Fuqiang Cui
- Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology & Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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Lohnherr V, Baumann I. Orbital complications of sinusitis in children - Retrospective analysis of an 8.5 year experience. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 177:111865. [PMID: 38262225 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Orbital complications account for approximately 74-85 % of all complications of acute sinusitis, affect the pediatric population more frequently, and can have devastating consequences. In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic (2022, 2023), a high number of children presented to our clinic with orbital complications. 1)Has there been an increase in orbital complications in the post-covid era? 2)To what extent has the use of MRI reduced radiation in pediatric patients? DESIGN In our retrospective data analysis, all pediatric patients (age 0-16 years) treated at a university ENT clinic during the period 01/2014-06/2023 who presented with an orbital complication of rhinosinusitis were included. The analysis was descriptive. RESULTS Forty-four children with orbital complications of rhinosinusitis were treated during the study period, 14 females and 30 males. Most patients (n = 23, 52 %) presented during the years of the waning Covid-19 pandemic (01/2022 to 06/2023). MRI was the initial imaging modality (n = 22,50 %); CT was performed in 17 of 44 cases (39 %) when surgery was indicated. The most common germ detected was of the Streptococcus species, and the predominant antibiotic administered was amipicillin/sulbactam. CONCLUSION The standard operating procedure (SOP) established at our hospital in 2014 was followed in 42/44 cases. Except for 2 cases, CT was performed exclusively when surgery was indicated. Imaging-related radiation could be avoided in 27 patients (61 %). There was a 30 % increase in orbital complications related to sinus infections postpandemically.
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Fry S, Chokephaibulkit K, Pallem S, Henry O, Pu Y, Akawung A, Kim JH, Yanni E, Tullio AN, Aurpibul L, Lee CMF, Ceballos A, Zaman K, Abadía de Regalado I, Ahmed K, Arias Fernandez DA, Taher SW, Caccavo J, Coutinho CM, D’Andrea Nores U, De León T, D’Silva EC, De Bernardi M, Dieser P, Falaschi A, Flores Acosta CDC, Gentile A, Teo IH, Kotze S, López-Medina E, Luca R, Lucion MF, Mantaring JBIIIV, Marín B, Moelo M, Mussi-Pinhata MM, Pinto J, Puthanakit T, Reyes O, Roa MF, Rodriguez Brieschke MT, Rodriguez CE, Rodriguez Niño JN, Schwarzbold AV, Sierra Garcia A, Sivapatham L, Soon R, Tinoco JC, Velásquez Penagos JA, Dos Santos G. Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Illness in Infants in Low- and Middle-Income Regions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad553. [PMID: 38088983 PMCID: PMC10715683 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Incidence data of respiratory syncytial virus-associated lower respiratory tract illness (RSV-LRTI) are sparse in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We estimated RSV-LRTI incidence rates (IRs) in infants in LMICs using World Health Organization case definitions. Methods This prospective cohort study, conducted in 10 LMICs from May 2019 to October 2021 (largely overlapping with the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic), followed infants born to women with low-risk pregnancies for 1 year from birth using active and passive surveillance to detect potential LRTIs, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on nasal swabs to detect RSV. Results Among 2094 infants, 32 (1.5%) experienced an RSV-LRTI (8 during their first 6 months of life, 24 thereafter). Seventeen (0.8%) infants had severe RSV-LRTI and 168 (8.0%) had all-cause LRTI. IRs (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of first RSV-LRTI episode were 1.0 (.3-2.3), 0.8 (.3-1.5), and 1.6 (1.1-2.2) per 100 person-years for infants aged 0-2, 0-5, and 0-11 months, respectively. IRs (95% CIs) of the first all-cause LRTI episode were 10.7 (8.1-14.0), 11.7 (9.6-14.0), and 8.7 (7.5-10.2) per 100 person-years, respectively. IRs varied by country (RSV-LRTI: 0.0-8.3, all-cause LRTI: 0.0-49.6 per 100 person-years for 0- to 11-month-olds). Conclusions RSV-LRTI IRs in infants in this study were relatively low, likely due to reduced viral circulation caused by COVID-19-related nonpharmaceutical interventions. Clinical Trials Registration NCT03614676.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Fry
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Linda Aurpibul
- Research Institute for Health Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Ana Ceballos
- Instituto Médico Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Khalequ Zaman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Khatija Ahmed
- Setshaba Research Centre, Soshanguve, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Juliana Caccavo
- Donación Francisco Santojanni Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Conrado Milani Coutinho
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Tirza De León
- Maternity Hospital José Domingo De Obaldia, San Pablo Viejo, Panama
| | | | | | - Pablo Dieser
- Instituto Médico Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andrea Falaschi
- Dr Ramon Carrillo Hospital, Mendoza, Argentina
- Dr Diego Paroissien Hospital, Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Angela Gentile
- Epidemiology Department, Hospital de Niños Dr Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Sheena Kotze
- Synexus Stanza Clinical Research Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Eduardo López-Medina
- Centro de Estudios en Infectología Pediátrica, Department of Pediatrics, Universidad del Valle, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
- Clinica Imbanaco, Grupo Quironsalud, Cali, Colombia
| | - Ruben Luca
- Hospital F. F. Santojanni C1407, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Florencia Lucion
- Epidemiology Department, Hospital de Niños Dr Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jacinto Blas III V Mantaring
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | | | | | | | - Jorge Pinto
- Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thanyawee Puthanakit
- Department of Pediatrics and Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Osvaldo Reyes
- Santo Tomás Hospital, Panama City, Panama
- Centro de Vacunación Internacional S.A., La Chorrera, Panama
- Member of the Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (SNI), Panama City, Panama
| | - Maria Fernanda Roa
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Camilo Enrique Rodriguez
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Medicine, University of the Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Alexandre Vargas Schwarzbold
- Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria, Centro de Pesquisa Clínica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Sierra Garcia
- Centro de Estudios en Infectología Pediátrica, Department of Pediatrics, Universidad del Valle, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
- Clinica Imbanaco, Grupo Quironsalud, Cali, Colombia
| | - Lavitha Sivapatham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ampang Hospital, Ampang, Malaysia
| | - Ruey Soon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sabah Women's and Children's Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
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Steffen R, Chen LH, Leggat PA. Travel vaccines-priorities determined by incidence and impact. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad085. [PMID: 37341307 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious disease epidemiology is continuously shifting. While travel has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel-related epidemiological research experienced a pause, further shifts in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) relevant for travellers have occurred. METHODS We conducted a literature search on the epidemiology of travel-related VPD and synthesized data for each disease with a focus on symptomatic cases and on the impact of the respective infection among travellers, considering the hospitalization rate, disease sequela and case fatality rate. We present new data and revised best estimates on the burden of VPD relevant for decisions on priorities in travel vaccines. RESULTS COVID-19 has emerged to be a top travel-related risk and influenza remains high in the ranking with an estimated incidence at 1% per month of travel. Dengue is another commonly encountered infection among international travellers with estimated monthly incidence of 0.5-0.8% among non-immune exposed travellers; the hospitalized proportion was 10 and 22%, respectively, according to two recent publications. With recent yellow fever outbreaks particularly in Brazil, its estimated monthly incidence has risen to >0.1%. Meanwhile, improvements in hygiene and sanitation have led to some decrease in foodborne illnesses; however, hepatitis A monthly incidence remains substantial in most developing regions (0.001-0.01%) and typhoid remains particularly high in South Asia (>0.01%). Mpox, a newly emerged disease that demonstrated worldwide spread through mass gathering and travel, cannot be quantified regarding its travel-related risk. CONCLUSION The data summarized may provide a tool for travel health professionals to prioritize preventive strategies for their clients against VPD. Updated assessments on incidence and impact are ever more important since new vaccines with travel indications (e.g. dengue) have been licensed or are undergoing regulatory review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Steffen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Department of Public and Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Zurich 8001, Switzerland
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lin H Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter A Leggat
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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8
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Khazaei Y, Küchenhoff H, Hoffmann S, Syliqi D, Rehms R. Using a Bayesian hierarchical approach to study the association between non-pharmaceutical interventions and the spread of Covid-19 in Germany. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18900. [PMID: 37919336 PMCID: PMC10622568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45950-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) are community mitigation strategies, aimed at reducing the spread of illnesses like the coronavirus pandemic, without relying on pharmaceutical drug treatments. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different NPIs across sixteen states of Germany, for a time period of 21 months of the pandemic. We used a Bayesian hierarchical approach that combines different sub-models and merges information from complementary sources, to estimate the true and unknown number of infections. In this framework, we used data on reported cases, hospitalizations, intensive care unit occupancy, and deaths to estimate the effect of NPIs. The list of NPIs includes: "contact restriction (up to 5 people)", "strict contact restriction", "curfew", "events permitted up to 100 people", "mask requirement in shopping malls", "restaurant closure", "restaurants permitted only with test", "school closure" and "general behavioral changes". We found a considerable reduction in the instantaneous reproduction number by "general behavioral changes", "strict contact restriction", "restaurants permitted only with test", "contact restriction (up to 5 people)", "restaurant closure" and "curfew". No association with school closures could be found. This study suggests that some public health measures, including general behavioral changes, strict contact restrictions, and restaurants permitted only with tests are associated with containing the Covid-19 pandemic. Future research is needed to better understand the effectiveness of NPIs in the context of Covid-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeganeh Khazaei
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
| | - Helmut Küchenhoff
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Hoffmann
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Diella Syliqi
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Raphael Rehms
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
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9
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Yoon Y, Lee HS, Yang J, Gwack J, Kim BI, Cha JO, Min KH, Kim YK, Shim JJ, Lee YS. Impact of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Severe Acute Respiratory Infections in Children: From the National Surveillance Database. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e311. [PMID: 37846785 PMCID: PMC10578990 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) reduce the incidence of respiratory infections. After NPIs imposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic ceased, respiratory infections gradually increased worldwide. However, few studies have been conducted on severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization in pediatric patients. This study compares epidemiological changes in severe respiratory infections during pre-NPI, NPI, and post-NPI periods in order to evaluate the effect of that NPI on severe respiratory infections in children. METHODS We retrospectively studied data collected at 13 Korean sentinel sites from January 2018 to October 2022 that were lodged in the national Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARIs) surveillance database. RESULTS A total of 9,631 pediatric patients were admitted with SARIs during the pre-NPI period, 579 during the NPI period, and 1,580 during the post-NPI period. During the NPI period, the number of pediatric patients hospitalized with severe respiratory infections decreased dramatically, thus from 72.1 per 1,000 to 6.6 per 1,000. However, after NPIs ceased, the number increased to 22.8 per 1,000. During the post-NPI period, the positive test rate increased to the level noted before the pandemic. CONCLUSION Strict NPIs including school and daycare center closures effectively reduced severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization of children. However, childcare was severely compromised. To prepare for future respiratory infections, there is a need to develop a social consensus on NPIs that are appropriate for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonsun Yoon
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Sun Lee
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Juyeon Yang
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Gwack
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Cheongju, Korea
| | - Bryan Inho Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ok Cha
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Cheongju, Korea
| | - Kyung Hoon Min
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Jeong Shim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Seok Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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10
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van de Berg S, Charles T, Dörre A, Katz K, Böhm S. Epidemiology of common infectious diseases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bavaria, Germany, 2016 to 2021: an analysis of routine surveillance data. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300030. [PMID: 37824248 PMCID: PMC10571495 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.41.2300030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundUnprecedented non-pharmaceutical interventions to control the COVID-19 pandemic also had an effect on other infectious diseases.AimWe aimed to determine their impact on transmission and diagnosis of notifiable diseases other than COVID-19 in Bavaria, Germany, in 2020 and 2021.MethodsWe compared weekly cases of 15 notifiable infectious diseases recorded in Bavaria between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 in time series analyses, median age and time-to-diagnosis using Wilcoxon rank sum test and hospitalisation rates using univariable logistic regression during three time periods: pre-pandemic (weeks 1 2016-9 2020), pandemic years 1 (weeks 10-52 2020) and 2 (2021).ResultsWeekly case numbers decreased in pandemic year 1 for all diseases assessed except influenza, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis; markedly for norovirus gastroenteritis (IRR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.12-0.20) and pertussis (IRR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.18-0.26). In pandemic year 2, influenza (IRR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02-0.09) and pertussis (IRR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.09-0.14) decreased markedly, but also chickenpox, dengue fever, Haemophilus influenzae invasive infection, hepatitis C, legionellosis, noro- and rotavirus gastroenteritis and salmonellosis. For enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli infections, median age decreased in pandemic years 1 and 2 (4 years, interquartile range (IQR): 1-32 and 3 years, IQR: 1-18 vs 11 years, IQR: 2-42); hospitalisation proportions increased in pandemic year 1 (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08-2.34).ConclusionReductions for various infectious diseases and changes in case characteristics in 2020 and 2021 indicate reduced transmission of notifiable diseases other than COVID-19 due to interventions and under-detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah van de Berg
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Charles
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Achim Dörre
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Katz
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Böhm
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany
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11
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Walkowiak MP, Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Unmasking the COVID-19 pandemic prevention gains: excess mortality reversal in 2022. Public Health 2023; 223:193-201. [PMID: 37672832 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures in saving lives after European governments began to lift restrictions. STUDY DESIGN Excess mortality interrupted time series. METHODS Country-level weekly data on deaths were fitted to the Poisson mixed linear model to estimate excess deaths. Based on this estimate, the percentage of excess deaths above the baseline during the pandemic (week 11 in 2020 to week 15 in 2022) (when public health interventions were in place) and during the post-pandemic period (week 16 in 2022 to week 52 in 2022) were calculated. These results were fitted to the linear regression model to determine any potential relationship between mortality during these two periods. RESULTS The model used in this study had high predictive value (adjusted R2 = 59.4%). Mortality during the endemic (post-pandemic) period alone increased by 7.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.7, 8.6) above baseline, while each percentage increase in mortality during the pandemic corresponded to a 0.357% reduction (95% CI: 0.243, 0.471) in mortality during the post-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS The most successful countries in terms of protective measures also experienced the highest mortality rates after restrictions were lifted. The model used in this study clearly shows a measure of bidirectional mortality displacement that is sufficiently clear to mask any impact of long COVID on overall mortality. Results from this study also seriously impact previous cost-benefit analyses of pandemic prevention measures, since, according to the current model, 12.2% (95% CI: 8.3, 16.1) of the gains achieved in pandemic containment were lost after restrictions were lifted.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Walkowiak
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - J Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - D Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
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12
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Hao Y, Cheng L, Lu D. Epidemiological Study of Respiratory Virus Infections among Hospitalized Children Aged 14 Years and Younger during COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan, China, 2018-2022. J Glob Infect Dis 2023; 15:149-155. [PMID: 38292693 PMCID: PMC10824227 DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_138_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The viral etiological characteristics and prevalence of hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection were preliminary studied in Wuhan City during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide a reliable scientific basis for better understanding of the role of various pathogens in cases and for the prevention and clinical treatment of acute respiratory tract infection. Methods A total of 69,086 children with acute respiratory infections hospitalized and treated in our department from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled as our research subjects. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as nasopharyngeal samples were collected from patients. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), infuenza virus A (FluA), infuenza virus B (FluB), and parainfluenza virus (PIV) were detected by direct immunofluorescence (DFA) to understand and analyze the epidemic characteristics of respiratory pathogens in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The total detection rate of respiratory pathogens was 24.52% of the 69,086 hospitalized children. The frequency of respiratory viruses in those ADV, RSV, FluA, FluB, and PIV was 14.67%, 46.40%, 7.76%, 5.23%, and 25.95%. There were significant differences between the various pathogens (P < 0.001). There were the fewest pathogen-positive patients and positive detection rate in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were significant differences in the pathogen detection rate among different years (P < 0.001). In addition, the results showed that the total detection rate of respiratory virus tested in different age groups was significantly different (P < 0.001). The positive detection rate was highest in the 1-3-year-old age group, which is prone to acute respiratory infections. We also found that different pathogens showed obvious seasonal fluctuation and epidemic. RSV reached its peak in winter. ADV is mainly prevalent in spring and summer. FluA has a high detection rate in winter. Winter and spring are the peak seasons for FluB infection, whereas PIV is detected in all seasons, with a higher incidence rate in the spring and summer. Conclusion The epidemiological distribution of pathogens of acute respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children in Wuhan from 2018 to 2022 varies with gender, age, and season. Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented as control measures worldwide and reduced the transmission of respiratory pathogens. NPIs are likely to be the primary driver of the dramatic reduction in respiratory virus infection activity in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, to dissolving NPIs can lead to a recurrence of viral infection pathogens, especially in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchan Hao
- Department of Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Cheng
- Department of Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Lu
- Department of Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
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13
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Svetina L, Košec A. Wearing masks to prevent one epidemic may mask another. J Infect Prev 2023; 24:228-231. [PMID: 37736126 PMCID: PMC10510661 DOI: 10.1177/17571774231191335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With attempts at lifting most COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, other common respiratory viruses have caused more health concern than in earlier seasons in pediatric populations. Objective To explore the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in a rebound in other respiratory viral pathogens, especially in light of general vaccination fatigue, COVID-19 boosters, and operational challenges in the healthcare system. Methods A research-based commentary supported with recent literature review. Findings Pandemic-related lockdowns in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have created a significant population of susceptible young children without preexisting immunity due to lack of exposure during the colder months. Relying on NPIs for a prolonged period due to low vaccination rates may lead to increased respiratory infection susceptibility, especially among young children less than 5 years old. The key public health question is whether NPIs should be implemented in the long run and what are the long-term implications on the dynamics of endemic infections and population immunity. Discussion Prevention cannot be the only cure for any infectious disease, and long-term impact of NPIs depends on the dynamics of population susceptibility. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has reinforced the importance of vaccination and the knowledge on vaccine use combined with NPIs will be of great value in controlling other known and unknown respiratory pathogens. Combining NPIs and vaccination is paramount in disease control, and the discussion on how to prevent collateral damage to sensitive populations while relaxing NPI-related measures should also merit attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucija Svetina
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andro Košec
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
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14
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Pecoraro N, Malatesta F, Carpinelli L, Fornino D, Giordano C, Moccia G, Perillo M, Capunzo M, Savarese G, De Caro F. Individual and Contextual Determinants of Flu Vaccination Adherence: A University Nudge Intervention. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105900. [PMID: 37239626 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The University of Salerno has implemented a nudge intervention with the aim of promoting vaccine adherence among employees of academia and identifying individual and contextual determinants that influence adherence. METHOD A purpose-built questionnaire was used during the reference period of October-December 2022 in order to assess levels of state anxiety (STAI-Y1), perceived stress (PSS-10), and public sentiments, which influence vaccination behavior, with consequences for the whole population (VCI). RESULTS Analysis of the results revealed a difference in mean scores on the PSS: those who have always adhered to the vaccination campaign compared to those who have never been vaccinated perceived higher levels of stress (12.01 vs. 11.33; F = 4.744, p = 0.031); furthermore, there was a relationship between the presence/absence of pathologies and VCI (F = 3,93; df = 1; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS The University of Salerno's nudge intervention made its employees more responsible for protecting the health of the academic community and encouraged good adherence to the flu vaccination campaign. University employees, equipped with high cultural tools, sought information primarily from institutional sources indicated by the university during the free vaccination campaign at the university's vaccine center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Pecoraro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesca Malatesta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Luna Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Domenico Fornino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Claudio Giordano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Moccia
- Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", 84081 Salerno, Italy
| | - Matilde Perillo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Mario Capunzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giulia Savarese
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesco De Caro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry-Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
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15
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Lin CX, Lian HB, Lin GY, Zhang DG, Cai XY, Wen FQ. Comparison of 14 respiratory pathogens among hospitalized children during and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Chaoshan area. Virol J 2023; 20:70. [PMID: 37072783 PMCID: PMC10110480 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02040-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since January 2020, measures has been adopted in the Chaoshan area to limit the spread of COVID-19. Restrictions were removed after August 2020. At the same time, children returned to school. We previously reported the changes of 14 main respiratory pathogens in hospitalized children before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Chaoshan area. However, the changes of respiratory pathogen spectrum in hospitalized children after the epidemic are still unknown, which will be elucidated in this study. METHODS There are 6201 children hospitalized with respiratory tract infection were enrolled in the study, which were divided into two groups: 2533 from outbreak group (1 January 2020-31 December 2020), and 3668 from post-outbreak group (1 January 2021-31 December 2021). Pharyngeal swab samples were collected. 14 respiratory tract pathogens were detected by liquid chip technology. RESULTS The positive rate of pathogen detection is significantly lower in the outbreak group (65.42%, 1657/2533) than that in the post-outbreak group (70.39%, 2582/3668; χ2 = 17.15, P < 0.05). The Influenza A virus (FluA) detection rate was 1.9% (49) in 2020, but 0% (0) in 2021. The detection rates of Bordetella pertussis (BP) decreased from 1.4% (35) in 2020 to 0.5% (17) in 2021. In contrast, the detection rates of Influenza B virus (FluB), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Haemophilus influenzae (HI), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) increased from 0.3% (8), 24.7% (626), 2.0% (50) and 19.4% (491) in 2020 to 3.3% (121), 27.9% (1025), 4.6% (169), 22.8% (836) in 2021, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The detection rates of pathogens such as FluA, FluB, CMV, HI, SP, BP were statistically different between 2020 and 2021. From 2020 to 2021, the positive rates of Flu, CMV, HI and SP increased, while the positive rates of FluA and BP decreased. After the COVID-19 prevention and control measures are gradually relaxed, the positive rate of respiratory pathogens in children aged from 6 months to 6 years will increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang-Xing Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao-Bin Lian
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guang-Yu Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dan-Gui Zhang
- Translational Medicine Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Cai
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei-Qiu Wen
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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16
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ÓhAiseadha C, Quinn GA, Connolly R, Wilson A, Connolly M, Soon W, Hynds P. Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) for Population Health and Health Inequalities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5223. [PMID: 37047846 PMCID: PMC10094123 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, governments around the world have adopted an array of measures intended to control the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, using both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). NPIs are public health interventions that do not rely on vaccines or medicines and include policies such as lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, school closures, and travel restrictions. Although the intention was to slow viral transmission, emerging research indicates that these NPIs have also had unintended consequences for other aspects of public health. Hence, we conducted a narrative review of studies investigating these unintended consequences of NPIs, with a particular emphasis on mental health and on lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD): physical activity (PA), overweight and obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking. We reviewed the scientific literature using combinations of search terms such as 'COVID-19', 'pandemic', 'lockdowns', 'mental health', 'physical activity', and 'obesity'. NPIs were found to have considerable adverse consequences for mental health, physical activity, and overweight and obesity. The impacts on alcohol and tobacco consumption varied greatly within and between studies. The variability in consequences for different groups implies increased health inequalities by age, sex/gender, socioeconomic status, pre-existing lifestyle, and place of residence. In conclusion, a proper assessment of the use of NPIs in attempts to control the spread of the pandemic should be weighed against the potential adverse impacts on other aspects of public health. Our findings should also be of relevance for future pandemic preparedness and pandemic response teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coilín ÓhAiseadha
- Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive, D08 W2A8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gerry A. Quinn
- Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Ronan Connolly
- Independent Scientist, D08 Dublin, Ireland
- Center for Environmental Research and Earth Sciences (CERES), Salem, MA 01970, USA
| | - Awwad Wilson
- National Drug Treatment Centre, Health Service Executive, D02 NY26 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Connolly
- Independent Scientist, D08 Dublin, Ireland
- Center for Environmental Research and Earth Sciences (CERES), Salem, MA 01970, USA
| | - Willie Soon
- Center for Environmental Research and Earth Sciences (CERES), Salem, MA 01970, USA
- Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (ELKH EPSS), H-9400 Sopron, Hungary
| | - Paul Hynds
- SpatioTemporal Environmental Epidemiology Research (STEER) Group, Environmental Sustainability & Health Institute, Technological University, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland
- Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience, University College Dublin, D02 FX65 Dublin, Ireland
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17
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Pedersen ESL, Kuehni CE. Preventing bronchiolitis among infants with non-pharmaceutical interventions outside pandemics: is it realistic? Eur Respir J 2023; 61:61/2/2202214. [PMID: 36796850 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02214-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva S L Pedersen
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia E Kuehni
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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18
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Hayes LJ, Uri H, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Wass MN, Michaelis M. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the circulation of other pathogens in England. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28401. [PMID: 36512325 PMCID: PMC9877778 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Uri
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany,Dr. Petra Joh‐ForschungshausFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Mark N. Wass
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
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