Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health最新文献

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to serious respiratory illnesses in both children and adults, particularly affecting older individuals and those with chronic health issues. Due to its symptoms resembling other respiratory viruses and irregular RSV standard-of-care testing, RSV cases in adults frequently remain unreported.

Methods: We retrospectively estimated the incidence of hospitalisations and deaths attributable to RSV in adults in Norway using a time-series model-based approach. Data were obtained from the Norwegian Patient Registry and Norwegian Cause of Death Registry to estimate RSV-attributable hospitalisations and deaths, respectively, among adults from 2010 to 2019. A quasi-Poisson time-series regression model was applied to estimate RSV annual (age- and risk-stratifications) hospitalisation incidence rates (IRs) and mortality rates (per 100,000 person-years).

Results: Annual RSV-attributable hospitalisation IRs for adults aged ≥ 65 years with risk factors were 289-517 for cardiorespiratory, 243-434 for cardiovascular, and 178-318 per 100,000 person-years for respiratory hospitalisations. RSV-attributable hospitalisations represented 1-3% of total cardiorespiratory hospitalisations. Adults aged 18-44 years with risk factors had similar rates as those aged ≥ 65 years without risk factors. RSV-attributable mortality rates for adults aged ≥ 65 years were 19-35 for cardiorespiratory, 11-19 for respiratory, and 10-18 per 100,000 person-years for cardiovascular deaths. RSV-attributable deaths accounted for 1-5% of total cardiorespiratory deaths.

Conclusions: RSV significantly contributes to hospitalisations and deaths in adults in Norway, particularly among older adults and younger adults with underlying diseases. The introduction of RSV vaccines can have a substantial public health impact in reducing the burden of RSV-attributable cardiovascular and respiratory events.

Aim: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) human cases since the first reported case in 2012.

Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive epidemiological analysis of all laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV human cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2012 to May 2025. Cumulative cases globally, along with their demographics, comorbidities, epidemiological exposure, symptoms, hospital admissions, and mortality, were included. Descriptive analysis was used for the data.

Results: Between March 2012 and May 2025, a total of 2,626 laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV human cases were reported to the WHO, with 947 (36.1%) resulting in deaths. The majority of cases occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with 2,217 (84.4%) human cases and 866 (39.1%) deaths. Twenty-six other countries reported human cases, with the highest number occurring in South Korea, which reported 186 cases (7.1%). The highest number of cases occurred in 2014, with 662 (29.9%) cases, followed by 2015, with 453 (20.4%) cases. Almost half of the cases in KSA (44.7%) were secondary infections, and most (83%) required hospital admission, with 39.7% requiring admission to intensive care unit. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus, chronic heart disease, and chronic renal failure. Between 2020 and the end of May 2025, 113 new human cases of MERS-CoV infection (4.3%) were reported, with the majority occurring in KSA. In 2025 alone, 10 new cases were reported, with two deaths. Secondary transmission occurred in 60% of these cases. Seven of the 10 cases were reported in April 2025 alone.

Conclusion: Between 2012 and May 2025, the majority of MERS-CoV infections occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and had a high mortality, reaching 40%. Although most cases were reported between 2014 and 2015, new human cases are still ongoing and are increasing in 2025. Continued epidemiological investigation and surveillance are needed.

Background: Rabies is a neglected zoonotic disease with an estimated 59,000 deaths annually, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Pakistan remains a high-burden setting due to weak surveillance, poor intersectoral coordination, and limited public awareness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators to rabies control in Pakistan through the One Health approach, integrating perspectives from both community members and institutional stakeholders.

Methods: This mixed-methods study design was conducted in Karachi, where 385 household respondents completed a structured Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey, and 10 stakeholders (out of 14 approached) were interviewed across human, animal, and environmental sectors. The survey tool was adapted from previously validated instruments and pilot-tested. Thematic analysis was conducted using a deductive framework based on One Health principles. The quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using IBM SPSS Statistics 21, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed using Atlas.ti.

Results: The average knowledge score was 5.54 out of 13 (42.6%), indicating substantial knowledge gaps among community members. Key barriers identified included limited vaccine availability, inadequate surveillance systems, fragmented dog population control, and weak multisectoral collaboration. Enabling factors included stakeholder willingness, local Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) initiatives, and existing collaborative frameworks. Stakeholder awareness of the One Health approach was present but lacked institutional translation.

Conclusion: A coordinated, One Health-based strategy for rabies elimination is urgently needed in Pakistan that addresses both systemic and community-level gaps through sustained advocacy, stronger intersectoral coordination, expansion of TNVR initiatives, and establishment of centralized surveillance for bite incidents and post-exposure management.

Background: The universal test and treat (UTT) program, is a strategy for eliminating HIV and, it involves screening all populations at risk for HIV infection, initiating early treatment for those diagnosed HIV positive, monitoring and maintaining treatment, and Retaining patients in care. Therefore, this meta-analysis evaluates the impact of the Test-and-Treat strategy on HIV-positive patients in Ethiopia, focusing on mortality rates and disease progression.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Embase, African Journals Online (AJOL), Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Data were classified into two periods: 2005 to 2015 (before test and treat era) and 2016-2024 (after test and treat strategy). Eligible studies included cohort and cross-sectional designs providing distinct data for these timeframes, irrespective of publication year, to assess reductions in mortality and disease progression (WHO Stage III or IV). Study quality and bias were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), ensuring rigorous evaluation across selection, comparability, and outcome domains. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis.

Results: The pooled mortality rate decreased significantly from 21% (95% CI: 14-29%) in the before test and treat period to 9% (95% CI: 6-12%) after the test and treat period, representing a 57.14% reduction. The proportion of patients in WHO Stage III declined from 47% (95% CI: 39-54%) to 21% (95% CI: 16-26%), a reduction of 55.32%. Similarly, the prevalence of WHO Stage IV decreased from 14% (95% CI: 12-16%) to 8% (95% CI: 5-10%), reflecting a 42.86% reduction.

Conclusion: The test and treat strategy in Ethiopia has substantial reductions in mortality and disease progression. These results underscore the effectiveness of early, universal treatment initiation in improving patient survival and reducing the burden of HIV-related complications.

Background: In Ethiopia's Sidama National Regional State, diarrhea remains the second most common cause of illness among children under five, despite a decrease in its mortality rate. However, limited research has been conducted in Ethiopia to identify the causes behind the continuing rise in the prevalence of diarrhea in children associated with exposure to domestic animals. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between domestic animal, environmental, and human behavioral factors and confirmed cases of diarrhea in children under five in the Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia.

Methods: We conducted a matched-pairs case-control study involving 306 cases and 306 controls in the Sidama region from September 2022 to February 2023. Cases and controls were identified at healthcare facilities, and interviews and observations were completed at residential homes with children under five. We collected data using the KoboCollect application and analyzed it through conditional logistic regressions. The random forest (RF) method with the classification RF model was used to compare its findings with those of the multivariate conditional regression analysis. The statistical analyses were conducted using R v.4.3.2 software.

Results: The study indicated that having a caretaker who is a housewife [matched adjusted odds ratio (mAOR) = 3.09, 5% CI (1.09, 8.70)], a mean number of chickens ≥ 5 [mAOR = 5.18, 95% CI (2.70, 9.95)], the absence of soap at handwashing facilities [mAOR = 2.61, 95% CI (1.34, 5.10)], those who travel more than 30 min to fetch water [mAOR = 3.14, 95% CI (1.13, 8.78)], children who are in contact with animal feces [mAOR = 2.44, 95% CI (1.24, 4.82)], and households living with animals [mAOR = 3.28, 95% CI (1.71, 6.30)] showed significant associations with under-five diarrhea. The random forest analysis also identified the first five variables as the main risk factors for diarrhea occurrence among children under-five years of age.

Conclusions: Risk factors for diarrhea among children under-five include a high number of chickens, cohabitation with animals, prolonged water-fetching times, poor hand hygiene, and caretakers' occupational status. Animal feces management, improved water access, and hygiene education are critical to reducing under-five diarrheal diseases.

Background: The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) plays a crucial role in managing critically ill children requiring advanced airway, respiratory, and hemodynamic support. Reducing the mortality rate is one of the primary objectives in every ICU. However, data regarding mortality and associated risk factors from low-resource countries remain insufficient. The aim of our study was to describe the mortality pattern, and to evaluate risk factors associated with mortality in the PICU at Mukalla Maternity and Childhood Hospital.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the admission records for children aged over 1 month to 15 years from the PICU over four years (1st January 2021 to 31st December 2024). The information retrieved included gender, age, place of residence, body weight, nutritional status, vaccination status, clinical presentations on admission, temperature, level of consciousness, presence of co-morbidities, the lag time between illness onset and hospital admission, date of admission, date of discharge, referring source, readmission frequency, diagnosis, need for mechanical ventilation, and condition at discharge (survived /deceased).

Results: Out of the 790 patients admitted to the PICU, 716 were included in the study. The three most common disease categories among admissions were respiratory diseases (29.5%), central nervous system diseases (27.1%), and gastrointestinal diseases (11%). The overall mortality rate was 38.1%. Among deceased patients, 57.9% were severely undernourished, 38.5% were unvaccinated, and 63.4% had associated co-morbidities. The most common causes of death were pneumonia (26%), meningoencephalitis (17.2%), and sepsis/septic shock (9.2%). Independent risk factors of PICU mortality included length of PICU stay [AOR 0.129, p < 0.001], need for mechanical ventilation [AOR 68.6, p < 0.001], cardiovascular diseases [AOR 3.1, p = 0.003], hypothermia [AOR 7.1, p = 0.014], convulsions [AOR 0.375, p = 0.001], disturbance of consciousness [AOR 2.1, p = 0.002], and hepatosplenomegaly [AOR 15.7, p = 0.024].

Conclusion: The mortality in our PICU is high and is associated with several independent factors. Recognizing these risk factors will facilitate the identification of critical cases, enable the prioritization of resources, and support the implementation of essential modifications.

This article examines the rise and fall of global health's so-called golden age, from the 1990s to the early 2020s, a period marked by multilateral cooperation, historic funding increases, and major institutional innovations. It highlights the factors that have led to the decline-including funding cuts, political shifts, and emerging global crises-and argues for a reimagined framework for global health going forward. Recommendations include diversifying funding, empowering regional coalitions, adapting new governance models, and defending the principle of health equity. Without such reforms, the next era risks deepening global disparities in health outcomes.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a tropical disease of public health concern, resulting from infection with Leishmania parasites and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. Community awareness is an essential component of disease control and prevention. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on knowledge, attitudes, and practices about CL among the general population.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Springer, and ProQuest for studies published in English up to January 2025. Search terms included both MeSH and free-text keywords related to KAP toward CL. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data were extracted, and a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions was applied for pooling of studies. Heterogeneity was explored through subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.

Results: Knowledge was assessed by 47 studies (n = 21,930), while attitude was assessed by 32 studies (n = 13,171), and practice was evaluated by 30 studies (n = 13,729) for CL. Overall, the general population had an estimated 54.5%(95% CI: 47.8 to 61.1) good knowledge of CL, with positive attitudes at 56.2% (95% CI: 48.5 to 63.8), and practically 49.5% (95% CI: 40.3-53.8). A substantial heterogeneity was observed between studies (I2 > 98% in all cases). The European region had the highest level of knowledge (75.3%), while the Southeast Asia region had a positive attitude (65.6%) and good practice in the Eastern Mediterranean region (45.9%). Meta-regression analyses indicated that the year of publication was significantly associated with heterogeneity in knowledge and attitude outcomes. In contrast, the WHO region was significantly associated with heterogeneity in practice outcomes (p < 0.05). According to the GRADE approach, the overall certainty of evidence was moderate for both knowledge and attitude outcomes, and high for practice outcomes.

Conclusion: The level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of the general population regarding CL is not at the desired level in many regions, especially in endemic countries. These results emphasize the need to design and implement educational interventions and targeted awareness programs to promote public KAP about CL, especially in areas with high prevalence and low practice.