Abstract Introduction COVID‐19 had caused nearly 12,000 deaths in Nepal by March 2023. In this study, we compare COVID‐19‐associated mortality in the first (September 15 to November 30, 2020) and second (April 15 to June 30, 2021) waves of the pandemic in Nepal and investigate the associated epidemiological factors. Methods We disaggregated the COVID‐19‐related deaths between the first and second waves of the pandemic using the national COVID‐19 database and evaluated the association of independent variables with the deaths in the first versus second waves. Results Out of 8133 deaths, 25% died in the first wave and 75% in the second. Overall, 33.5% of the deceased were female, and 52% of the deaths were in those 60 years or older. A vast majority (92%) of deaths occurred in hospitals. Geographically, the middle “Hill” region (58.3%) witnessed the most significant number of deaths. About two thirds (64%) had at least one comorbid condition. Multivariable logistic regression showed a difference in the reported deaths by province (state) and geography (ecological region) between the first and second waves. Those in the age groups “19–39 years” and “40–59 years” were more likely to die in the second wave than in the first wave compared to the younger age group. Conclusions Overall, deaths were concentrated among older age groups, males, in the Hill regions, in the western provinces, and those with comorbidities. Therefore, the country must focus on these areas to ensure an efficient and effective pandemic response in the future.
{"title":"Epidemiology of COVID‐19 mortality in Nepal: An analysis of the National Health Emergency Operation Center data","authors":"Samir Kumar Adhikari, Kamal Ranabhat, Suraj Bhattarai, Bhuvan Saud, Kiran Paudel, Rabindra Bhandari, Pratik Khanal, Claire Marriott Keene, Vishnu Khanal","doi":"10.1002/puh2.127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.127","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Introduction COVID‐19 had caused nearly 12,000 deaths in Nepal by March 2023. In this study, we compare COVID‐19‐associated mortality in the first (September 15 to November 30, 2020) and second (April 15 to June 30, 2021) waves of the pandemic in Nepal and investigate the associated epidemiological factors. Methods We disaggregated the COVID‐19‐related deaths between the first and second waves of the pandemic using the national COVID‐19 database and evaluated the association of independent variables with the deaths in the first versus second waves. Results Out of 8133 deaths, 25% died in the first wave and 75% in the second. Overall, 33.5% of the deceased were female, and 52% of the deaths were in those 60 years or older. A vast majority (92%) of deaths occurred in hospitals. Geographically, the middle “Hill” region (58.3%) witnessed the most significant number of deaths. About two thirds (64%) had at least one comorbid condition. Multivariable logistic regression showed a difference in the reported deaths by province (state) and geography (ecological region) between the first and second waves. Those in the age groups “19–39 years” and “40–59 years” were more likely to die in the second wave than in the first wave compared to the younger age group. Conclusions Overall, deaths were concentrated among older age groups, males, in the Hill regions, in the western provinces, and those with comorbidities. Therefore, the country must focus on these areas to ensure an efficient and effective pandemic response in the future.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135590456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi, Jimoh Amzat, Jacob Njideka Nwafor, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi
Abstract Oral cancer is a malignant neoplastic disease, it constitutes the most common cancer in the head‐and‐neck region, and it is the 16th most common and 15th deadliest cancer type affecting humans. Despite the global efforts channelled towards global cancer control, the burden of oral cancer is still increasing. Every year, several thousands of people across 195 countries/territories die of oral cancer, and only about 40%–50% of the victims of oral cancer barely survive for 5 years after diagnosis. Within the past few decades, there has been a paradigm shift in the epidemiological trend of oral cancer risk factors. Oral sex – a major route of transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) – was found to be increasing at an alarming rate, whereas tobacco and alcohol use had been on the decline. This narrative review critically discussed the contemporary challenges facing the global eradication of HPV‐associated oral cancer, with reasonable recommendations. The challenges discussed in this review are major, ranging from clinical to public health policy issues, which include the lack of validated and inexpensive oral HPV screening and diagnostic tools, high global public illiteracy on oral HPV infection, diverse sociocultural factors, weak global research capacity on oral HPV infection and HPV‐associated oral cancer and the absence of policies across different countries on national preventive programmes on HPV‐associated oral cancer. This review also identified the need for more attention towards the prevention and control oral HPV infection and HPV‐associated oral cancers globally.
{"title":"Global health trends of human papillomavirus‐associated oral cancer: A review","authors":"Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi, Jimoh Amzat, Jacob Njideka Nwafor, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi","doi":"10.1002/puh2.126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.126","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Oral cancer is a malignant neoplastic disease, it constitutes the most common cancer in the head‐and‐neck region, and it is the 16th most common and 15th deadliest cancer type affecting humans. Despite the global efforts channelled towards global cancer control, the burden of oral cancer is still increasing. Every year, several thousands of people across 195 countries/territories die of oral cancer, and only about 40%–50% of the victims of oral cancer barely survive for 5 years after diagnosis. Within the past few decades, there has been a paradigm shift in the epidemiological trend of oral cancer risk factors. Oral sex – a major route of transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) – was found to be increasing at an alarming rate, whereas tobacco and alcohol use had been on the decline. This narrative review critically discussed the contemporary challenges facing the global eradication of HPV‐associated oral cancer, with reasonable recommendations. The challenges discussed in this review are major, ranging from clinical to public health policy issues, which include the lack of validated and inexpensive oral HPV screening and diagnostic tools, high global public illiteracy on oral HPV infection, diverse sociocultural factors, weak global research capacity on oral HPV infection and HPV‐associated oral cancer and the absence of policies across different countries on national preventive programmes on HPV‐associated oral cancer. This review also identified the need for more attention towards the prevention and control oral HPV infection and HPV‐associated oral cancers globally.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135744170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Background As the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in March 2020, reports indicate reduced physical activity (PA), increased sitting time (ST), and higher stress in various groups. It remains uncertain if these patterns persist in college students. This study aimed to discover trends in vigorous PA (VPA), moderate PA (MPA), light PA (LPA), ST, and stress among college students from 2020 to early 2022, spanning 2 years. Methods Using a repeated cross‐sectional design, this study involved three online surveys in Summer and Fall 2020, and Winter 2021, respectively. Participants recalled pre‐COVID‐19 information in the first two periods and reported current information during COVID in all three periods, outlining four time points: Before‐COVID and During‐COVID times 1, 2, and 3. Results This study included 2163 students from a large Western university. All types of PA decreased from the start of the pandemic to late 2021; however, increases toward pre‐pandemic levels in MPA and LPA were found in early 2022. Also, activity shifted from VPA to MPA and LPA. Although ST and perceived stress (PS) surged in the pandemic's first year, they began decreasing toward pre‐COVID levels in early 2022. Conclusion The study indicates a decline in PA during the peak of the pandemic, followed by a recent return to almost pre‐COVID levels. Additionally, elevated ST and PS in early pandemic have reduced by the third year. As society begins to live with a new COVID‐normal, there must be adaptations to maintain PA and promote mental well‐being.
{"title":"Physical activity and stress among college students at a large US university during the COVID‐19 pandemic","authors":"Wendy DeYoung, Becca Schulte, Kaigang Li","doi":"10.1002/puh2.124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.124","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background As the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in March 2020, reports indicate reduced physical activity (PA), increased sitting time (ST), and higher stress in various groups. It remains uncertain if these patterns persist in college students. This study aimed to discover trends in vigorous PA (VPA), moderate PA (MPA), light PA (LPA), ST, and stress among college students from 2020 to early 2022, spanning 2 years. Methods Using a repeated cross‐sectional design, this study involved three online surveys in Summer and Fall 2020, and Winter 2021, respectively. Participants recalled pre‐COVID‐19 information in the first two periods and reported current information during COVID in all three periods, outlining four time points: Before‐COVID and During‐COVID times 1, 2, and 3. Results This study included 2163 students from a large Western university. All types of PA decreased from the start of the pandemic to late 2021; however, increases toward pre‐pandemic levels in MPA and LPA were found in early 2022. Also, activity shifted from VPA to MPA and LPA. Although ST and perceived stress (PS) surged in the pandemic's first year, they began decreasing toward pre‐COVID levels in early 2022. Conclusion The study indicates a decline in PA during the peak of the pandemic, followed by a recent return to almost pre‐COVID levels. Additionally, elevated ST and PS in early pandemic have reduced by the third year. As society begins to live with a new COVID‐normal, there must be adaptations to maintain PA and promote mental well‐being.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"92 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136279564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan D. Moore, Julio de Leon Gonzalez, Madeline P. Casanova, Kathleen Rodgers, Russell T. Baker
Abstract Introduction Idaho is a medically underserved and rural state comprised mostly health professional shortage areas for primary and specialty care. Given the state shortages and barriers to access care, the testing and treatment of COVID‐19 may be improved through the implementation of telementoring education programs such as Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO). The purpose of this article was to assess session attendance and self‐reported healthcare clinician perceptions of the ECHO Idaho COVID‐19 series (2020 and 2021), a modified Project ECHO model provided during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Idaho. Methods ECHO Idaho developed a COVID‐19 ECHO series for healthcare providers to attend in 2020 and 2021. The sessions included COVID‐19 updates specific to Idaho, didactic presentations on prevention, screening, diagnosis, and evidence‐based treatments for COVID‐19, and case‐based presentations. Results A total of 664 individuals attended the 2020 series and 260 individuals attended the 2021 series, with 1752.5 continuing medical education hours being claimed. Participants reported series participation increased overall knowledge of COVID‐19, knowledge of best practices for treatment, and awareness of resources available in Idaho. Further, series participation was perceived to reduce feelings of isolation, enhance access to information, and support healthcare professionals (e.g., provided resources) during the pandemic. Conclusion Results of this evaluation indicate that the ECHO Idaho COVID‐19 series was a useful and valuable program to implement during a pandemic in a rural and frontier state to improve physician knowledge and specialty training.
{"title":"An examination of an adapted Project ECHO model series during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Idaho","authors":"Jonathan D. Moore, Julio de Leon Gonzalez, Madeline P. Casanova, Kathleen Rodgers, Russell T. Baker","doi":"10.1002/puh2.128","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.128","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Introduction Idaho is a medically underserved and rural state comprised mostly health professional shortage areas for primary and specialty care. Given the state shortages and barriers to access care, the testing and treatment of COVID‐19 may be improved through the implementation of telementoring education programs such as Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO). The purpose of this article was to assess session attendance and self‐reported healthcare clinician perceptions of the ECHO Idaho COVID‐19 series (2020 and 2021), a modified Project ECHO model provided during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Idaho. Methods ECHO Idaho developed a COVID‐19 ECHO series for healthcare providers to attend in 2020 and 2021. The sessions included COVID‐19 updates specific to Idaho, didactic presentations on prevention, screening, diagnosis, and evidence‐based treatments for COVID‐19, and case‐based presentations. Results A total of 664 individuals attended the 2020 series and 260 individuals attended the 2021 series, with 1752.5 continuing medical education hours being claimed. Participants reported series participation increased overall knowledge of COVID‐19, knowledge of best practices for treatment, and awareness of resources available in Idaho. Further, series participation was perceived to reduce feelings of isolation, enhance access to information, and support healthcare professionals (e.g., provided resources) during the pandemic. Conclusion Results of this evaluation indicate that the ECHO Idaho COVID‐19 series was a useful and valuable program to implement during a pandemic in a rural and frontier state to improve physician knowledge and specialty training.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136342603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in many low‐income countries, which can affect the spine in 1%–5% of those with an active infection. This study reports the clinical characteristics of patients admitted for spinal TB in Kabul, Afghanistan, a country with very limited resources. Methods This was a descriptive study among 26 patients treated for spinal TB in three major referral hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan, between March 2019 and April 2020. The sociodemographic and clinical details, gender, age, site of infection, presenting complaints, signs, and symptoms of the patients were retrieved from their medical records. Summary statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Ethics approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Results Data were available for 26 patients with spinal TB admitted consecutively. The mean age of the sample was 38.2 years (SD 17.5), and there were 16 males and 10 females. Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 60 days. The most common diagnostic imaging technique used was magnetic resonance imaging (92.3%), followed by computed tomography (7.7%). The majority of the lesions involved the lumbar spine (61.4%), followed by the thoracolumbar spine (30.8%). Back pain was the most common manifestation in 21 patients (80.8%), and varying degrees of neurological impairment were found in 16 (61.5%) patients. There were no deaths among the patients up to the discharge date. Conclusions This study describes the clinical characteristics of spinal TB among patients in Kabul, Afghanistan. It is essential to strengthen preventive strategies and to improve health awareness about clinical features of spinal TB in patients with chronic back pain even in the absence of signs of TB.
背景结核病(TB)在许多低收入国家流行，其可影响1%-5%的活动性感染患者的脊柱。本研究报告了阿富汗喀布尔(一个资源非常有限的国家)收治的脊柱结核患者的临床特征。方法对2019年3月至2020年4月期间在阿富汗喀布尔三家主要转诊医院接受脊柱结核治疗的26例患者进行描述性研究。从患者的医疗记录中检索患者的社会人口学和临床细节、性别、年龄、感染部位、主诉、体征和症状。汇总统计数据采用SPSS version 20进行分析。获得了伊朗德黑兰Shahid Beheshti医学科学大学伦理委员会的伦理批准。结果连续收治26例脊柱结核患者。样本平均年龄38.2岁(SD 17.5)，男性16例，女性10例。从症状出现到住院的中位时间为60天。最常用的诊断成像技术是磁共振成像(92.3%)，其次是计算机断层扫描(7.7%)。大多数病变累及腰椎(61.4%)，其次是胸腰椎(30.8%)。21例(80.8%)患者以背痛为最常见的症状，16例(61.5%)患者出现不同程度的神经功能障碍。截至出院日，患者无死亡病例。结论:本研究描述了阿富汗喀布尔脊柱结核患者的临床特征。必须加强预防策略，并提高对慢性背痛患者脊柱结核临床特征的健康认识，即使在没有结核病迹象的情况下。
{"title":"Spinal tuberculosis in Afghanistan: A 2019‐2020 study of patients in Kabul hospitals","authors":"Farah Qaderi, Idriss Mashid, Latif Gachkar, Mosè Martellucci, Shohra Qaderi, Akihiko Ozaki, Alireza Haghbin Toutounchi, Afshin Taheriazam, Takanori Asakura, Hojat Gholipoor Talemi, Noria Mohammady, Minoosh Shabani","doi":"10.1002/puh2.120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.120","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in many low‐income countries, which can affect the spine in 1%–5% of those with an active infection. This study reports the clinical characteristics of patients admitted for spinal TB in Kabul, Afghanistan, a country with very limited resources. Methods This was a descriptive study among 26 patients treated for spinal TB in three major referral hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan, between March 2019 and April 2020. The sociodemographic and clinical details, gender, age, site of infection, presenting complaints, signs, and symptoms of the patients were retrieved from their medical records. Summary statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Ethics approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Results Data were available for 26 patients with spinal TB admitted consecutively. The mean age of the sample was 38.2 years (SD 17.5), and there were 16 males and 10 females. Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 60 days. The most common diagnostic imaging technique used was magnetic resonance imaging (92.3%), followed by computed tomography (7.7%). The majority of the lesions involved the lumbar spine (61.4%), followed by the thoracolumbar spine (30.8%). Back pain was the most common manifestation in 21 patients (80.8%), and varying degrees of neurological impairment were found in 16 (61.5%) patients. There were no deaths among the patients up to the discharge date. Conclusions This study describes the clinical characteristics of spinal TB among patients in Kabul, Afghanistan. It is essential to strengthen preventive strategies and to improve health awareness about clinical features of spinal TB in patients with chronic back pain even in the absence of signs of TB.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136280378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md Nasir Ahmed, Mohammed Rahmatullah, Rownak Jahan, Chowdhury Alfi Afroze
In 2022, Bangladesh witnessed a sudden surge in conjunctivitis infections with some hospitals reporting three times the usual patient load with conjunctivitis [1]. According to media reports, conjunctivitis, characterized by red eyes, eye pain, and irritation, may have spiked in Bangladesh since July 2022 and reached its peak by September [2]. The outbreak of conjunctivitis has been reported mainly in Chattogram, Dhaka, Sylhet, Narayanganj and Faridpur regions [3]. Conjunctivitis in most cases is caused by viral infections. In the current outbreak, nearly half of these patients are infected with human adenovirus [1]. Bangladesh has noted an outbreak of conjunctivitis during the COVID-19 pandemic with eye-related manifestations such as red eye, itching, watering, vision loss, acute infection and inflammation [4, 6]. Earlier outbreaks of acute viral haemorrhagic conjunctivitis had also happened in 1981 caused by enterovirus 70 (EV 70) [7]. Viral infections and viral conjunctivitis do not need antibiotics unless there is an added bacterial infection. However, in the current outbreak, topical antibiotics such as Moxifloxacin, and Chloramphenicol are freely dispensed by pharmacy retailers without the prescription of health professionals [2]. In addition, there is also rampant use of Ciprofloxacin, Dexamethasone, and Natamycin for a viral eye infection [8]. These activities are a cause of concern in terms of antimicrobial stewardship and rising antimicrobial resistance of ocular pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp., coagulase-negative staphylococci, methicillin-resistant, and Haemophilus spp.) in recent decades has been a concern [9]. In 2017, a study of antibiotic susceptibility on bacteria collected from infected eyes in Bangladesh, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas species were resistant to Gatifloxacin, Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Cloxacillin, Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Cefixime, and Cephalexin [10]. An increase in ophthalmic antibiotic resistance may be a major problem when indicated in cataract surgery, corneal ulcers or bacterial eye infections. Raising public awareness regarding the judicious use of ophthalmic antibiotics is essential to avoid unprecedented ophthalmic epidemics and antimicrobial resistance burden. Regulations for self-medication, distribution, and selling antibiotics should include ophthalmic antibiotics. Bangladesh should initiate nationwide surveillance on antibiotic resistance in ocular microorganisms. Visualization; resources; writing – original draft; project administration: Md Nasir Ahmed. Conceptualization; writing – review and editing; supervision: Mohammed Rahmatullah. Validation; writing – review and editing: Rownak Jahan. Investigation: Chowdhury Alfi Afroze. We would like to thank the reviewers for their time and effort in reviewing the manuscript. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
{"title":"A concern for ophthalmic antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh","authors":"Md Nasir Ahmed, Mohammed Rahmatullah, Rownak Jahan, Chowdhury Alfi Afroze","doi":"10.1002/puh2.121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.121","url":null,"abstract":"In 2022, Bangladesh witnessed a sudden surge in conjunctivitis infections with some hospitals reporting three times the usual patient load with conjunctivitis [1]. According to media reports, conjunctivitis, characterized by red eyes, eye pain, and irritation, may have spiked in Bangladesh since July 2022 and reached its peak by September [2]. The outbreak of conjunctivitis has been reported mainly in Chattogram, Dhaka, Sylhet, Narayanganj and Faridpur regions [3]. Conjunctivitis in most cases is caused by viral infections. In the current outbreak, nearly half of these patients are infected with human adenovirus [1]. Bangladesh has noted an outbreak of conjunctivitis during the COVID-19 pandemic with eye-related manifestations such as red eye, itching, watering, vision loss, acute infection and inflammation [4, 6]. Earlier outbreaks of acute viral haemorrhagic conjunctivitis had also happened in 1981 caused by enterovirus 70 (EV 70) [7]. Viral infections and viral conjunctivitis do not need antibiotics unless there is an added bacterial infection. However, in the current outbreak, topical antibiotics such as Moxifloxacin, and Chloramphenicol are freely dispensed by pharmacy retailers without the prescription of health professionals [2]. In addition, there is also rampant use of Ciprofloxacin, Dexamethasone, and Natamycin for a viral eye infection [8]. These activities are a cause of concern in terms of antimicrobial stewardship and rising antimicrobial resistance of ocular pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp., coagulase-negative staphylococci, methicillin-resistant, and Haemophilus spp.) in recent decades has been a concern [9]. In 2017, a study of antibiotic susceptibility on bacteria collected from infected eyes in Bangladesh, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas species were resistant to Gatifloxacin, Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Cloxacillin, Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Cefixime, and Cephalexin [10]. An increase in ophthalmic antibiotic resistance may be a major problem when indicated in cataract surgery, corneal ulcers or bacterial eye infections. Raising public awareness regarding the judicious use of ophthalmic antibiotics is essential to avoid unprecedented ophthalmic epidemics and antimicrobial resistance burden. Regulations for self-medication, distribution, and selling antibiotics should include ophthalmic antibiotics. Bangladesh should initiate nationwide surveillance on antibiotic resistance in ocular microorganisms. Visualization; resources; writing – original draft; project administration: Md Nasir Ahmed. Conceptualization; writing – review and editing; supervision: Mohammed Rahmatullah. Validation; writing – review and editing: Rownak Jahan. Investigation: Chowdhury Alfi Afroze. We would like to thank the reviewers for their time and effort in reviewing the manuscript. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135394252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Background Sexual assault has been a major social problem worldwide. Drug‐facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is a form of sexual assault facilitated by psychoactive substances. DFSA is highly prevalent worldwide, though it is usually underreported. To understand the situation of DFSA in Africa, there is a need to map the available empirical evidence on DFSA in Africa. Hence, this scoping review was conducted to summarize the existing empirical knowledge and gaps in the literature and inform future research on DFSA in Africa. Methods This study adopted the design by the Arksey and O'Malley's guideline for scoping reviews. Without year limiters, literatures were retrieved through a systematic search of the 11 electronic databases using appropriate search terms and Boolean operators. The retrieved literatures were deduplicated and screened, using Rayyan, to identify eligible literature for inclusion into the review. Only those articles that met the eligibility criteria were included for data charting, collation, and summarization. Four articles were included in this review. Results Four articles were included in this review. The studies reported the characteristics of offenders and the context in which DFSA occurred. In the reviewed studies, rape of men was only reported among South Africans. Sedatives and alcohol are the most reported substances used in such rape. Perceptions of date rape, as documented by sexual assault survivors, suggest the pervasiveness of victim blaming. Typical DFSA cases appear opportunistic in nature, and an acquaintance is often the culprit. However, disaggregating DFSA as a specific sexual assault requires some logistics, including forensic and toxicological investigations. Conclusion DFSA is a significant dimension of gender‐based sexual violence. Infrastructure development should be improved to support systematic toxicological analyses and services to investigate and understand DFSA.
{"title":"Drug‐facilitated sexual assault in Africa: A scoping review of empirical evidence","authors":"Jimoh Amzat, Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi, Kafayat Aminu, Eyinade Adeduntan Egbedina","doi":"10.1002/puh2.119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.119","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Sexual assault has been a major social problem worldwide. Drug‐facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is a form of sexual assault facilitated by psychoactive substances. DFSA is highly prevalent worldwide, though it is usually underreported. To understand the situation of DFSA in Africa, there is a need to map the available empirical evidence on DFSA in Africa. Hence, this scoping review was conducted to summarize the existing empirical knowledge and gaps in the literature and inform future research on DFSA in Africa. Methods This study adopted the design by the Arksey and O'Malley's guideline for scoping reviews. Without year limiters, literatures were retrieved through a systematic search of the 11 electronic databases using appropriate search terms and Boolean operators. The retrieved literatures were deduplicated and screened, using Rayyan, to identify eligible literature for inclusion into the review. Only those articles that met the eligibility criteria were included for data charting, collation, and summarization. Four articles were included in this review. Results Four articles were included in this review. The studies reported the characteristics of offenders and the context in which DFSA occurred. In the reviewed studies, rape of men was only reported among South Africans. Sedatives and alcohol are the most reported substances used in such rape. Perceptions of date rape, as documented by sexual assault survivors, suggest the pervasiveness of victim blaming. Typical DFSA cases appear opportunistic in nature, and an acquaintance is often the culprit. However, disaggregating DFSA as a specific sexual assault requires some logistics, including forensic and toxicological investigations. Conclusion DFSA is a significant dimension of gender‐based sexual violence. Infrastructure development should be improved to support systematic toxicological analyses and services to investigate and understand DFSA.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"159 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135248768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Symon Fidelis Nayupe, Alieu Touray, Dalitso Tembo, Mama Tamanda Msiska, Juliana Mputeni, Allan Hans Muhome
Abstract Domestic work continues to contribute to employment in most developing countries significantly. Over 75.6 million people are domestic workers worldwide, three‐quarters of whom are women. In Africa, many people still rely on domestic work for employment, making up 2.2% of the total workforce on the continent. With a predominant presence in the sub‐Saharan region, Africa's domestic workforce is estimated at around 9.6 million. Mirroring the global trend, most workers are women, with an estimated 15.8% of Africa's paid female employees being domestic workers. This considerable presence of domestic work contributes to domestic and intra‐continental migration in Africa, where about 80% of the domestic workers are from within. The Southern African region is a major intra‐continent destination for most workers. In Malawi, domestic labour is also common and is one of the country's primary sources of jobs, especially for poor populations who often domestically migrate from rural to urban areas. However, country estimates for the total number of domestic workers are yet to be published. Although there have been improved work conditions for domestic workers in some countries worldwide, the situation is different in many African nations, including Malawi. Domestic workers still face underpayment, long working hours, physical and psychological ill‐treatment from employers, challenging, harsh working environments and lack of access to healthcare. We discuss the status of the well‐being of domestic workers in Malawi, a country in southeastern Africa. We note that the working conditions for domestic workers continue to be unfavourable, with physical and psychological abuse and other human rights violations. To improve the well‐being and working conditions of domestic workers, government and non‐governmental organisations should, among other things, facilitate programmes to root out poverty, strengthen the legal framework that addresses domestic worker abuse and ensure social protection, including healthcare protection.
{"title":"Addressing the rights and well‐being of domestic workers in Africa: Status in Malawi","authors":"Symon Fidelis Nayupe, Alieu Touray, Dalitso Tembo, Mama Tamanda Msiska, Juliana Mputeni, Allan Hans Muhome","doi":"10.1002/puh2.123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.123","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Domestic work continues to contribute to employment in most developing countries significantly. Over 75.6 million people are domestic workers worldwide, three‐quarters of whom are women. In Africa, many people still rely on domestic work for employment, making up 2.2% of the total workforce on the continent. With a predominant presence in the sub‐Saharan region, Africa's domestic workforce is estimated at around 9.6 million. Mirroring the global trend, most workers are women, with an estimated 15.8% of Africa's paid female employees being domestic workers. This considerable presence of domestic work contributes to domestic and intra‐continental migration in Africa, where about 80% of the domestic workers are from within. The Southern African region is a major intra‐continent destination for most workers. In Malawi, domestic labour is also common and is one of the country's primary sources of jobs, especially for poor populations who often domestically migrate from rural to urban areas. However, country estimates for the total number of domestic workers are yet to be published. Although there have been improved work conditions for domestic workers in some countries worldwide, the situation is different in many African nations, including Malawi. Domestic workers still face underpayment, long working hours, physical and psychological ill‐treatment from employers, challenging, harsh working environments and lack of access to healthcare. We discuss the status of the well‐being of domestic workers in Malawi, a country in southeastern Africa. We note that the working conditions for domestic workers continue to be unfavourable, with physical and psychological abuse and other human rights violations. To improve the well‐being and working conditions of domestic workers, government and non‐governmental organisations should, among other things, facilitate programmes to root out poverty, strengthen the legal framework that addresses domestic worker abuse and ensure social protection, including healthcare protection.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"59 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135348567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Background Prediction of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy may help in making necessary arrangements for optimal intraoperative requirements and postoperative care. This study was conducted to examine the factors associated with and outcomes of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at the Bhutan's largest hospital in 2020. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study with a convenience sampling method. Data on clinical features, ultrasonography and intraoperative factors of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were extracted from their medical records, investigation reports and intraoperative surgery note. Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy was defined on the basis of the duration of the surgery, injury to bile duct or artery, or conversion to open cholecystectomy. Data were double entered and validated in EpiData 3.1 and analysed in STATA 13.0. Results Data from 134 patients were extracted. The mean age of the sample was 43 (±SD 13) years. “Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy” was reported in 83 patients (62%) and easy laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 51 patients (38%). Those patients having simple adhesions up to the body of the gall bladder were 1.6 times more likely to encounter difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (adjusted PR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.04–2.48, p = 0.034). The majority did not have any post‐operative complications (130 cases, 97%). The indications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were symptomatic gall stone disease (129, 96%), acalculous cholecystitis (2, 1%) and gall bladder polyp (3, 2%). Conclusions The proportion of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy is high, but the rates of post‐operative complications were minimal with no mortality or injury to bile duct or arteries.
背景对困难的腹腔镜胆囊切除术进行预测，有助于优化术中需求和术后护理。本研究旨在研究2020年在不丹最大的医院进行的困难腹腔镜胆囊切除术的相关因素和结果。方法采用方便抽样方法进行横断面研究。从患者的病历、调查报告和术中手术记录中提取腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者的临床特征、超声检查和术中因素。根据手术时间、胆管或动脉损伤或转为开腹胆囊切除术来定义困难的腹腔镜胆囊切除术。数据在EpiData 3.1中进行双重输入和验证，在STATA 13.0中进行分析。结果共提取134例患者资料。样本平均年龄为43岁(±SD 13)岁。“腹腔镜胆囊切除术难”83例(62%)，“腹腔镜胆囊切除术易”51例(38%)。单纯粘连至胆囊体的患者遇到困难的腹腔镜胆囊切除术的可能性高出1.6倍(调整后的PR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.04-2.48, p = 0.034)。大多数无任何术后并发症(130例，97%)。腹腔镜胆囊切除术的指征为症状性胆结石(129.96%)、无结石性胆囊炎(21.1%)和胆囊息肉(3.2%)。结论腹腔镜胆囊切除术难度大，术后并发症发生率低，无死亡和胆管动脉损伤。
{"title":"Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a resource limited setting: Factors associated with difficult surgeries at the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan","authors":"Sangay Wangmo, Sonam Dargay, Sonam ChhodenR","doi":"10.1002/puh2.122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.122","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Prediction of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy may help in making necessary arrangements for optimal intraoperative requirements and postoperative care. This study was conducted to examine the factors associated with and outcomes of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at the Bhutan's largest hospital in 2020. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study with a convenience sampling method. Data on clinical features, ultrasonography and intraoperative factors of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were extracted from their medical records, investigation reports and intraoperative surgery note. Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy was defined on the basis of the duration of the surgery, injury to bile duct or artery, or conversion to open cholecystectomy. Data were double entered and validated in EpiData 3.1 and analysed in STATA 13.0. Results Data from 134 patients were extracted. The mean age of the sample was 43 (±SD 13) years. “Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy” was reported in 83 patients (62%) and easy laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 51 patients (38%). Those patients having simple adhesions up to the body of the gall bladder were 1.6 times more likely to encounter difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (adjusted PR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.04–2.48, p = 0.034). The majority did not have any post‐operative complications (130 cases, 97%). The indications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were symptomatic gall stone disease (129, 96%), acalculous cholecystitis (2, 1%) and gall bladder polyp (3, 2%). Conclusions The proportion of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy is high, but the rates of post‐operative complications were minimal with no mortality or injury to bile duct or arteries.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135348748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vaccines are an important public health measure and effective strategy to protect the population from COVID‐19. Front‐line healthcare personnel should receive priority in vaccination programs. However, the reported hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) toward the COVID‐19 vaccines cannot be ignored. It widely influences the level of vaccine hesitancy in the general population. Hesitancy, fear, and anxiety were documented in first and second rounds of COVID‐19 vaccination. This study assessed the acceptance of COVID‐19 booster doses among the HCWs in Qatar.A web‐based cross‐sectional online survey was conducted using the 7C Vaccine Readiness Scale to evaluate the preparedness of the HCWs to receive COVID‐19 vaccines. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to identify factors associated with preparedness for vaccination.A total of 382 participants completed the survey. Allied health professionals scored the least on the readiness score (−7.0 ± 9.9) compared to the physicians (3.1 ± 7.2) and nurses (3.0 ± 7.8). Physicians scored higher on confidence (58.8%), calculation (64.7%), and complacency (60.8%). Nurses scored higher on constraints (51.6%), collective responsibility (62.7%), and compliance (39.1%), and allied health professionals scored higher on (67.9%) conspiracy. There was a significant association between readiness score and not being infected with COVID‐19, post‐vaccine symptom experience, and hesitancy for the initial two doses.This study reports higher complacency and constraints with the perception of lower risks and the lack of interest in taking collective responsibility among the HCWs. Addressing vaccine hesitancy among them is critical to ensure successful vaccination campaigns and promote community safety during future pandemics.
{"title":"COVID‐19 booster dose vaccination of healthcare workers in Qatar: A web‐based cross‐sectional survey","authors":"Amudha Pattabi, Ananth Nazarene, Sejo Varghese, A. Nashwan, Reena Philip, Ramya Munuswamy, Kalpana Singh","doi":"10.1002/puh2.94","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.94","url":null,"abstract":"Vaccines are an important public health measure and effective strategy to protect the population from COVID‐19. Front‐line healthcare personnel should receive priority in vaccination programs. However, the reported hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) toward the COVID‐19 vaccines cannot be ignored. It widely influences the level of vaccine hesitancy in the general population. Hesitancy, fear, and anxiety were documented in first and second rounds of COVID‐19 vaccination. This study assessed the acceptance of COVID‐19 booster doses among the HCWs in Qatar.A web‐based cross‐sectional online survey was conducted using the 7C Vaccine Readiness Scale to evaluate the preparedness of the HCWs to receive COVID‐19 vaccines. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to identify factors associated with preparedness for vaccination.A total of 382 participants completed the survey. Allied health professionals scored the least on the readiness score (−7.0 ± 9.9) compared to the physicians (3.1 ± 7.2) and nurses (3.0 ± 7.8). Physicians scored higher on confidence (58.8%), calculation (64.7%), and complacency (60.8%). Nurses scored higher on constraints (51.6%), collective responsibility (62.7%), and compliance (39.1%), and allied health professionals scored higher on (67.9%) conspiracy. There was a significant association between readiness score and not being infected with COVID‐19, post‐vaccine symptom experience, and hesitancy for the initial two doses.This study reports higher complacency and constraints with the perception of lower risks and the lack of interest in taking collective responsibility among the HCWs. Addressing vaccine hesitancy among them is critical to ensure successful vaccination campaigns and promote community safety during future pandemics.","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42036080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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