scholarly journals Prevalence of HCV in prisons in Wales, UK and the impact of moving to opt-out HCV testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-428
Author(s):  
Stephanie E Perrett ◽  
Amy Plimmer ◽  
Ananda Giri Shankar ◽  
Noel Craine
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Short Stay ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Testing Site ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hcv Testing

Abstract Background Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organisation introduced a target to reduce hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat by 2030. Testing and treatment of those at elevated risk of infection in prison is key to achieving disease elimination. An opt-out testing policy for those in prison was introduced in Wales, UK, in 2016. Methods We analysed all Wales laboratory data where the testing site was a prison. We analysed numbers tested and positivity for a 14-month period before and after the introduction of opt-out testing policy. Results Between September 2015 and December 2017, 6949 HCV tests were from prison settings in Wales, equating to 29% of admissions to prison (P < 0.001). All but one prison increased testing following the introduction of opt-out policy. Percentage positivity for HCV remained at 11% before and after opt-out policy (P = 0.572). Short-stay prisons saw higher rates of HCV positivity than long stay. Conclusion Data suggest implementation of opt-out policy improved uptake and diagnosis of HCV amongst those in prison; however, further effort is required to fully embed screening for all. Positivity remains high amongst those in prison, particularly in short-stay prisons. Laboratory data can support audit of opt-out policy.

scholarly journals A KNOCK AROUND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 WITH REFERENCE TO THE QUANTUM OF GOODS AND SERVICES TAX COLLECTION IN INDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Dr. Baneswar Kapasi ◽  
Dr. Mahesh Kumar Kurmi
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tax Collection ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

COVID -19 has wedged all the major economies across the globe significantly. The World Health Organisation (WHO) first declared COVID-19 as a world health emergency in January 2020. The virus originated in Wuhan, China, but has been detected in over 200 countries. Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic, several countries worldwide resorted to lockdown to control infection. Due to lockdown, the production and distribution chains have been disrupted across the lands. All the segments of the economy have been impacted in different magnitude, and this has a direct impact on GDP, unemployment ratio, and tax collection. Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a harmonized tax of different indirect taxes in India. The GST collection reflects the volume of economic activities in India. Thus, in this paper, an attempt has been made to assess the impact of Covid-19 on the Indian economy concerning the quantum of Goods and Service collection in Indian during the lockdown period. For this study, secondary data relating to GST collection have been pooled from the official websites of the GST Council of India for the last three years, i.e., 2018 to 2020, and pair t-test have been run for testing statistical significance of the impact of COVID-19 on the quantum of the collection of Goods and Service Tax in India before and after lockdown announcement after adjusting the inflation factor. The results indicate no significant difference in the quantum of Goods and Services Tax Collection in India before and after the lockdown announcement due to the COVID-19 outbreak but a loss of Rs. 1,41,837 crore owing to the low collection of GST from March 2020 to August 2020 gives us a clear message that we should undoubtedly rethink the plans in more structural and more viable ways to reach a position to absorb any kinds of uncertain threats from the external environment. KEYWORDS: Covid-19, GST, Indian Economy, Pandemic, Lockdown

scholarly journals The Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Aetiology and Development of Uveal Melanoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Melissa Chalada ◽  
Charmaine A. Ramlogan-Steel ◽  
Bijay P. Dhungel ◽  
Christopher J. Layton ◽  
Jason C. Steel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Uveal Melanoma ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Genetic Mutations ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Uveal melanoma (UM) is currently classified by the World Health Organisation as a melanoma caused by risk factors other than cumulative solar damage. However, factors relating to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) susceptibility such as light-coloured skin and eyes, propensity to burn, and proximity to the equator, frequently correlate with higher risk of UM. These risk factors echo those of the far more common cutaneous melanoma (CM), which is widely accepted to be caused by excessive UVR exposure, suggesting a role of UVR in the development and progression of a proportion of UM. Indeed, this could mean that countries, such as Australia, with high UVR exposure and the highest incidences of CM would represent a similarly high incidence of UM if UVR exposure is truly involved. Most cases of UM lack the typical genetic mutations that are related to UVR damage, although recent evidence in a small minority of cases has shown otherwise. This review therefore reassesses statistical, environmental, anatomical, and physiological evidence for and against the role of UVR in the aetiology of UM.

scholarly journals Riding the waves: the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on a national surgical training cohort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orla Hennessy ◽  
Amy Lee Fowler ◽  
Conor Hennessy ◽  
David Brinkman ◽  
Aisling Hogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Training ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Surgical Services ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Surgical Trainees ◽  
Secondary Survey ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic on the 11 March 2020 resulting in implementation of methods to contain viral spread, including curtailment of all elective and non-emergent interventions. Many institutions have experienced changes in rostering practices and redeployment of trainees to non-surgical services. Examinations, study days, courses, and conferences have been cancelled. These changes have the potential to significantly impact the education and training of surgical trainees. Aim To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training, educational, and operative experiences of Irish surgical trainees. Methods Surgical trainees were surveyed anonymously regarding changes in working and educational practices since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020. The survey was circulated in May 2020 to both core and higher RCSI surgical trainees, when restrictions were at level five. Questions included previous and current access to operative sessions as well as operative cases, previous and current educational activities, access to senior-led training, and access to simulation-/practical-based training methods. A repeat survey was carried out in October 2020 when restrictions were at level two. Results Overall, primary and secondary survey response rates were 29% (n = 98/340) and 19.1% (n = 65/340), respectively. At the time of circulation of the second survey, the number of operative sessions attended and cases performed had significantly improved to numbers experienced pre-pandemic (p < 0.0001). Exposure to formal teaching and education sessions returned to pre-COVID levels (p < 0.0001). Initially, 23% of trainees had an examination cancelled; 53% of these trainees have subsequently sat these examinations. Of note 27.7% had courses cancelled, and 97% of these had not been rescheduled. Conclusion Surgical training and education have been significantly impacted in light of COVID-19. This is likely to continue to fluctuate in line with subsequent waves. Significant efforts have to be made to enable trainees to meet educational and operative targets.

“Air pollution arrested not imprisoned”: The impact of laws invoked on Covid-19 city lockdowns

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Mensah Aboagye ◽  
◽  
Nana Osei Owusu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Air pollution continues to be an environmental problem that poses a lot of health risks to the young and aged. Developed countries have invested heavily to curb this environmental problem, causing severe threats to human lives, yet the results do not look convincing. In developing countries, the situation is difficult than they can imagine, resulting in governments borrowing to fight what looks like a lost battle [1-3]. The in-depth study of this environmental menace - air pollution, suggests that the government enacts stringent measures to help fight this battle. This is because air pollution has natural (volcanic eruption) and anthropogenic (human activities) causes. In December 2019, the deadly Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak was soon declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) [4]. Majority of countries have had their share of the impact of this outbreak. Many countries resorted to city lockdown to strictly control the movement of people and economic activities as recommended by WHO.

scholarly journals Impact of the Emerging COVID-19 Pandemic on the Consumption of Multivitamins (C, D and Zinc) by the Saudi Arabian Population

2021 ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Duaa Mohamed Bakhshwin ◽  
Abdulaziz Bakhshwin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
World Health ◽  
Saudi Population ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Zinc Supplements ◽  
Vitamin D Supplements ◽  
The Impact

Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the Coronavirus outbreak officially as a pandemic. This pandemic has led to new measurements to prevent viral spread. The measures included decreasing the person’s mobility outside homes with subsequent changes in the lifestyles, particularly in physical activity and eating habits. It has been noticed that consumption of some vitamins may help in preventing or reducing the symptoms of viral infection. Those vitamins include vitamin C, D and zinc. There is a common observation that the general public believes that the use of vitamins, especially vitamins C, D and zinc, reduces the chance of acquiring COVID-19. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on taking vitamins supplements by the Saudi general population in order to explore their believes regarding the protective value of these vitamins against COVID-19 infection. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administrated questionnaire that was designed, uploaded to the Google form and distributed online to the general Saudi population through the social media (Whatsapp, Twitter) as well as through email between August and December 2020. Statistical Packaged of Social Sciences program (SPSS) for Windows (version 17.0., Chicago: SPSS Inc) was used to analyze the data. A significant difference was considered when the p value is < 0.05. Student t-test and Chi-square (χ2) test were used to compare the studied variables as appropriate. Results: A total of 1043 participants were included in this study (64.9% females, 35.1% males). The mean age for them was 35.3±14.78 years. Only 9.3% (97 participants) were diagnosed to have COVID-19. About 28% of the participants were in contact with COVID-19 cases. Among participants diagnosed to have COVID-19 infection, (13% versus 29%) were taking vitamin C and (2% versus 15%) were taking zinc supplements daily during the 6 months before and after the pandemic, respectively, while (20% versus 25%) were taking vitamin D supplements weekly during the 6 months before and after the pandemic, respectively. Among participants who were in contact with COVID-19 cases, (8% versus 20%) and (3% versus 11%) were taking vitamin C and zinc supplements daily during the 6 months before and after the pandemic, respectively, while (14% versus 16%) were taking vitamin D supplements weekly during the 6 months before and after the pandemic Conclusion: The interest of taking multivitamin by Saudi population, such as vitamins C and D, zinc increased during and after the pandemic compared to that before it. There is no scientific evidence based on previous studies confirmed the role of dietary supplementation and multivitamins in preventing COVID-19 infection, therefore, effective education on the rationale use of vitamins during COVID-19 pandemic should be emphasized at local and/or national levels.

scholarly journals Live wildlife trade in markets - a scoping review to inform risk assessment of emerging infectious diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria J Brookes ◽  
Okta Wismandanu ◽  
Etih Sudarnika ◽  
Justin A Roby ◽  
Lynne Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Epistemic Uncertainty ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
The Impact

Wet markets are important for food security in many regions worldwide but have come under scrutiny due to their potential role in the emergence of infectious diseases. The sale of live wildlife has been highlighted as a particular risk, and the World Health Organisation has called for the banning of live, wild-caught mammalian species in markets unless risk assessment and effective regulations are in place. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a global scoping review of peer-reviewed information about the sale of live, terrestrial wildlife in markets that are likely to sell fresh food, and collated data about the characteristics of such markets, activities involving live wildlife, the species sold, their purpose, and animal, human, and environmental health risks that were identified. Of the 59 peer-reviewed records within scope, only 25% (n = 14) focussed on disease risks; the rest focused on the impact of wildlife sale on conservation. Although there were some global patterns (for example, the types of markets and purpose of sale of wildlife), there was wide diversity and huge epistemic uncertainty in all aspects associated with live, terrestrial wildlife sale in markets such that the feasibility of accurate assessment of the risk of emerging infectious disease associated with live wildlife trade in markets is limited. Given the value of both wet markets and wildlife trade and the need to support food affordability and accessibility, conservation, public health, and the social and economic aspects of livelihoods of often vulnerable people, there are major information gaps that need to be addressed to develop evidence-based policy in this environment. This review identifies these gaps and provides a foundation from which information for risk assessments can be collected.

scholarly journals The Impact of Covid-19 Public Health Policies on Persons with Disability and their Caregivers in Malta

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-37
Author(s):  
Andrew Camilleri ◽  
Samantha Pace Gasan ◽  
Andrew Azzopardi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
The Impact

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health pandemic, due to the spread of a novel coronavirus, later named “Covid-19”. The spread of Covid-19 led to social isolation, distancing and a number of restrictive measures in Malta.  The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent restrictive measures on persons with disability and their caregivers and families in Malta. Using thematic analysis, the study found that a variety of impacts ranging from a sense of isolation, lack of essential services being provided, additional difficulties encountered at the place of work and education and measures that were not sufficiently tailored for persons with disability issued by public health authorities. Underlying the additional difficulties brought about by Covid-19, structural difficulties to access essential services as well as ignorance from policy makers and politicians and the added “vulnerable-ization” of persons with disabilities were found to be highly impacting factors that pervade the experience of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

29 September, International Day of Otolaryngologist

2020 ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Oksana Rybachok
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
The World ◽  
Injury Risk Factor ◽  
The Impact

According to the World Health Organisation, deafness is one of the most widely spread sensory disorders in the world affecting about 360 million people worldwide. The causes of deafness can be very diverse, from genetic diseases, the impact of injury-risk factor and infectious agents to the administration of ototoxic drugs. Moreover, otolaryngologists believe that about half of deafness and hearing loss cases could have been prevented. Though otolaryngology was separated as an independent medical science in the mid-18th century, the decision to celebrate the Otolaryngologist Day on September 29 as a professional holiday for medical practitioners in this speciality was made not so long ago. This date at the end of September was chosen on purpose: the influx of patients to medical practitioners in this speciality is observed closer to the mid-autumn, after the first cold snap.

scholarly journals The impact of maternal obesity on completion of fetal anomaly screening

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly-Ann Eastwood ◽  
Ciara Daly ◽  
Alyson Hunter ◽  
David McCance ◽  
Ian Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fetal Anomaly ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Fetal Medicine ◽  
Obese Class ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:To examine the impact of maternal obesity on completion of fetal anomaly screening.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 500 anomaly scans (19+0–21+6 weeks) was included. Women were categorised according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) body mass index (BMI) classification: normal weight (18.50–24.99 kg/mResults:Image quality deteriorated as BMI increased and was significantly different across the BMI categories (P<0.001). Performance was poorest in imaging of the fetal chest and was significantly different across BMI categories (P<0.001). In obese class III, 33% of four-chamber cardiac views and 38% of outflow tract views were not obtained. In total, 119 women (23.6%) had an incomplete scan. In obese class III, 44.1% of scans were incomplete compared with 10.2% in the normal BMI category (P<0.001). Of 117 women attending for repeat scans, 78.6% were complete, 11.1% were incomplete, 6.8% were advised to re-attend and 3.4% were referred to Fetal Medicine.Conclusion:Maternal obesity has a significant impact on completion of fetal anomaly screening.

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