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Chaufan C, Dutescu IA, Fekre H, Marzabadi S, Noh KJ. The military as a neglected pathogen transmitter, from the nineteenth century to COVID-19: a systematic review. Glob Health Res Policy 2021; 6:48. [PMID: 34893071 PMCID: PMC8661370 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-021-00232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The risk of outbreaks escalating into pandemics has soared with globalization. Therefore, understanding transmission mechanisms of infectious diseases has become critical to formulating global public health policy. This systematic review assessed evidence in the medical and public health literature for the military as a disease vector. Methods We searched 3 electronic databases without temporal restrictions. Two researchers independently extracted study data using a standardized form. Through team discussions, studies were grouped according to their type of transmission mechanism and direct quotes were extracted to generate themes and sub-themes. A content analysis was later performed and frequency distributions for each theme were generated. Results Of 6477 studies, 210 met our inclusion criteria and provided evidence, spanning over two centuries (1810–2020), for the military as a pathogen transmitter, within itself or between it and civilians. Biological mechanisms driving transmission included person-to-person transmission, contaminated food and water, vector-borne, and airborne routes. Contaminated food and/or water were the most common biological transmission route. Social mechanisms facilitating transmission included crowded living spaces, unhygienic conditions, strenuous working, training conditions, absent or inadequate vaccination programs, pressure from military leadership, poor compliance with public health advice, contractor mismanagement, high-risk behaviours, and occupation-specific freedom of movement. Living conditions were the most common social transmission mechanism, with young, low ranking military personnel repeatedly reported as the most affected group. Selected social mechanisms, such as employment-related freedom of movement, were unique to the military as a social institution. While few studies explicitly studied civilian populations, considerably more contained information that implied that civilians were likely impacted by outbreaks described in the military. Conclusions This study identified features of the military that pose a significant threat to global health, especially to civilian health in countries with substantial military presence or underdeveloped health systems. While biological transmission mechanisms are shared by other social groups, selected social transmission mechanisms are unique to the military. As an increasingly interconnected world faces the challenges of COVID-19 and future infectious diseases, the identified features of the military may exacerbate current and similar challenges and impair attempts to implement successful and equitable global public health policies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41256-021-00232-0.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hanah Fekre
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Canada.
| | | | - K J Noh
- Independent Scholar, Oakland, USA
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Son E, Jeon D. Current situation of tuberculosis and National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control in Korea. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2021. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2021.64.4.316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem in Korea. Korea has the highest incidence rate (59 per 100,000 population) and the second-highest TB mortality rate (four per 100,000 population) among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. However, some progress has been made in TB control over the past decade. The notification rate of new TB cases has been gradually decreasing since reaching its highest rate in 2011 (78.9 per 100,000 population). In 2019, the notification rate of new TB cases was 46.4 per 100,000 population, with a reduction of 9.9% from the 2018 rate. Additionally, the number of multidrug-resistant TB cases decreased from 618 in 2018 to 580 in 2019. This progress is thought the result of various TB control programs including a TB public–private mix model, insurance coverage for TB management, and a contact investigation program. Despite the progress made, new challenges have also emerged. The predominant challenges lie in the relatively increasing burden of TB in the vulnerable population (aging, socio-economically vulnerable, and foreign-born population), the implementation of latent TB infection management, and the high rate of multidrug-resistant TB. Since 2019, the Korean government has been implementing the “Midterm strategies to strengthen TB prevention and management” based on the 2nd National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control (2018-2022). This program will be a turning point of TB control in Korea. The results produced in 2023 is expected to be favorable.
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Min J, Kim HW, Stagg HR, Lipman M, Rangaka MX, Myong JP, Yim HW, Lim JU, Lee Y, Koo HK, Lee SS, Park JS, Cho KS, Kim JS. Latent tuberculosis infection screening and treatment in congregate settings (TB FREE COREA): protocol for a prospective observational study in Korea. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e034098. [PMID: 32075836 PMCID: PMC7045012 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION South Korea regards tuberculosis (TB) incidence in congregate settings as a serious problem. To this end, systematic latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnosis and treatment were provided to approximately 1.2 million individuals in high-risk congregate settings. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We designed a prospective cohort study of individuals tested for LTBI, based on the data collected on all persons screened for LTBI as part of the 2017 congregate settings programme in South Korea. Four types of databases are kept: LTBI screening database (personal information and LTBI test results), national health information (NHI) database (socio-demographic data and comorbidities), public healthcare information system (PHIS) database, and the Korean national TB surveillance system database (TB outcomes). Information regarding LTBI treatment at private hospitals and public health centres is collected from NHI and PHIS databases, respectively. The screening data are cleaned, duplicates are removed, and, where appropriate, re-coded to analyse specific exposures and outcomes. The primary objective is to compare the number of active TB cases prevented within 2 years between participants undergoing treatment and not undergoing treatment in the LTBI screening programme in congregate settings. Cascade of care for LTBI diagnosis and treatment will be evaluated among those with a positive LTBI test result. A Cox proportional hazards model will be applied to determine the risk factors for developing active TB. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol is approved by the institutional review boards of Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER KCT0003905.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Min
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hyung Woo Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Helen R Stagg
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Lipman
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL-TB, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Molebogeng X Rangaka
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jun-Pyo Myong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hyeon Woo Yim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jeong Uk Lim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Yunhee Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hyeon-Kyoung Koo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Sung-Soon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jae Seuk Park
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Kyung Sook Cho
- Division of Social Service Projects, Office for Social Welfare Policy, Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sejong, Sejong, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Ju Sang Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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