scholarly journals Evaluating Specimen Quality and Results from a Community-Wide, Home-Based Respiratory Surveillance Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley E. Kim ◽  
Elisabeth Brandstetter ◽  
Naomi Wilcox ◽  
Jessica Heimonen ◽  
Chelsey Graham ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionWhile influenza and other respiratory pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality, the community-based burden of these infections remains incompletely understood. The development of novel methods to detect respiratory infections is essential for mitigating epidemics and developing pandemic-preparedness infrastructure.MethodsFrom October 2019 to March 2020, we conducted a home-based cross-sectional study in the greater Seattle area, utilizing electronic consent and data collection instruments. Participants received nasal swab collection kits via rapid delivery within 24 hours of self-reporting respiratory symptoms. Samples were returned to the laboratory and were screened for 26 respiratory pathogens and a human marker. Participant data were recorded via online survey at the time of sample collection and one week later.ResultsOf the 4,572 consented participants, 4,359 (95.3%) received a home swab kit, and 3,648 (83.7%) returned a nasal specimen for respiratory pathogen screening. The 3,638 testable samples had a mean RNase P CRT value of 19.0 (SD: 3.4) and 1,232 (33.9%) samples had positive results for one or more pathogens, including 645 (17.7%) influenza-positive specimens. Among the testable samples, the median time between shipment of the home swab kit and completion of laboratory testing was 8 days [IQR: 7.0-14.0].DiscussionHome-based surveillance using online participant enrollment and specimen self-collection is a feasible method for community-level monitoring of influenza and other respiratory pathogens, which can readily be adapted for use during pandemics.

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley E. Kim ◽  
Elisabeth Brandstetter ◽  
Naomi Wilcox ◽  
Jessica Heimonen ◽  
Chelsey Graham ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT While influenza and other respiratory pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality, the community-based burden of these infections remains incompletely understood. The development of novel methods to detect respiratory infections is essential for mitigating epidemics and developing pandemic-preparedness infrastructure. From October 2019 to March 2020, we conducted a home-based cross-sectional study in the greater Seattle, WA, area, utilizing electronic consent and data collection instruments. Participants received nasal swab collection kits via rapid delivery within 24 hours of self-reporting respiratory symptoms. Samples were returned to the laboratory and were screened for 26 respiratory pathogens and a housekeeping gene. Participant data were recorded via online survey at the time of sample collection and 1 week later. Of the 4,572 consented participants, 4,359 (95.3%) received a home swab kit and 3,648 (83.7%) returned a nasal specimen for respiratory pathogen screening. The 3,638 testable samples had a mean RNase P relative cycle threshold (Crt) value of 19.0 (SD, 3.4), and 1,232 (33.9%) samples had positive results for one or more pathogens, including 645 (17.7%) influenza-positive specimens. Among the testable samples, the median time between shipment of the home swab kit and completion of laboratory testing was 8.0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 7.0 to 14.0). A single adverse event occurred and did not cause long-term effects or require medical attention. Home-based surveillance using online participant enrollment and specimen self-collection is a safe and feasible method for community-level monitoring of influenza and other respiratory pathogens, which can readily be adapted for use during pandemics.


Author(s):  
Ashley E. Kim ◽  
Elisabeth Brandstetter ◽  
Chelsey Graham ◽  
Jessica Heimonen ◽  
Audrey Osterbind ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionWhile seasonal influenza and other respiratory pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality each year, the community-based burden of these infections remains incompletely understood. Understanding the prevalence, epidemiology, and transmission dynamics of respiratory pathogen infections among community-dwelling individuals is essential during pandemic and epidemic settings and for developing pandemic-preparedness infrastructure.Methods and AnalysisWe present the protocol for a novel, city-wide home-based cross-sectional study in the Seattle Metropolitan area, utilizing rapid delivery systems for self-collection of a nasal swab and return to the laboratory for respiratory pathogen testing. All participation takes place electronically, including recruitment, consent, and data collection. Within 48 hours of participants self-reporting respiratory symptoms, a nasal swab kit is delivered to the household via a courier service. Demographic and illness characteristics are collected at the time of sample collection and recovery and behavioral information collected one week later. Specimens are tested in the laboratory for multiple respiratory pathogens, and results are available on a public website for participants.Ethics and DisseminationThe study was approved by the University of Washington Institutional Review Board (Protocol #00006181). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, talks at conferences, and on the Study Website (www.seattleflu.org).Article SummaryThe findings of this study will inform whether a home-based approach to city-wide respiratory surveillance is possible in epidemic settingsA key strength of this study is that it is conducted across diverse neighborhoods spanning a major metropolitan areaClinical findings may not be generalizable, as they are reliant on self-report (vaccination status, symptoms, healthcare utilization, etc.)


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-109
Author(s):  
O.B. Ogunfowora ◽  
T.A. Ogunlesi ◽  
O.O. Oba-Daini

Background: Infections are the leading causes of death in children. Most of these infections are transmitted through the hands of mothers, carers and health workers.Objective: To determine the pattern of home-based hand hygiene practices among mothers of young infants attending a tertiary facility clinic in relation to infections in their infants.Methods: A cross-sectional study of mothers of infants attending an immunization clinic was conducted using a self-designed, pretested questionnaire.Results: The mean age of the 203 mothers was 30.3 ±3.8 years. The majority of the mothers received counselling about hand washing as part of antenatal care (79.8%), had access to water at home (94.0%) and always washed hands with water and soap (48.3%). Although 149 (73.4%) knew  hand sanitizers, only 28 (13.8%) used it. Close to half of their infants (46.3%) had various infections (diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, and boils) within a month of the interview. Only counselling was associated with good quality hand washing practices (p<0.0001) while the age of child less than 6 months and good quality of hand washing were associated with the absence of infections in the infants (p = 0.029 and p<0.0001 respectively).Conclusion: Half of the cohort of mothers practiced good quality hand washing but with poor use of hand sanitizers. With various infections recorded in close to half of their infants, it is important to emphasise better hand washing techniques and improve access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Key words: Alcohol-based Hand sanitizers, Hand hygiene, Hand washing, Infants, Infections, Sagamu.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi ◽  
Ella Pesah ◽  
Karam Turk-Adawi ◽  
Marta Supervia ◽  
Francisco Lopez Jimenez ◽  
...  

Alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) delivery, such as home or community-based programs, have been developed to overcome underutilization. However, their availability and characteristics have never been assessed globally. In this cross-sectional study, a piloted survey was administered online to CR programs globally. CR was available in 111/203 (54.7%) countries globally; data were collected in 93 (83.8% country response rate). 1082 surveys (32.1% program response rate) were initiated. Globally, 85 (76.6%) countries with CR offered supervised programs, and 51 (45.9%; or 25.1% of all countries) offered some alternative model. Thirty-eight (34.2%) countries with CR offered home-based programs, with 106 (63.9%) programs offering some form of electronic CR (eCR). Twenty-five (22.5%) countries with CR offered community-based programs. Where available, programs served a mean of 21.4% ± 22.8% of their patients in home-based programs. The median dose for home-based CR was 3 sessions (Q25−Q75 = 1.0–4.0) and for community-based programs was 20 (Q25–Q75 = 9.6–36.0). Seventy-eight (47.0%) respondents did not perceive they had sufficient capacity to meet demand in their home-based program, for reasons including funding and insufficient staff. Where alternative CR models are offered, capacity is insufficient half the time. Home-based CR dose is insufficient to achieve health benefits. Allocation to program model should be evidence-based.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Yau Gambo

Abstract Objectives: The main objectives of the study were to use data to corroborate the reported mysterious deaths being recorded in Kano state of Nigeria and find possible explanations to the causes. Study design: This was a cross-sectional study. Methods: With total lockdown in force at the time of conducting the survey, it was not possible to get data through one-on-one interview. Instead, an online survey form was developed and shared widely among residents in the state. The form captured quantitative data about symptoms and circumstances for the deceased and the respondents were only the state residents that witnessed the death cases in their respective communities. Results: A total of 260 responses from various local government areas (LGAs) were received within a period of four days beginning from April 21, 2020. About half of the respondents affirmed that the death toll in their communities within the last two weeks before the survey were in multiples and most of the deaths started to occur from April 13 2020. Moreover, since then, the rate of deaths reported did not decline during the period of the research. Conclusion: There was a sudden increase in the number of deaths due to acute illness suggestive of a disease. Highest number of deaths was recorded among senior adults, affecting males than females. The most affected area was Kano Municipal which was one of the populous LGA in the state. Although it was hard to point out the possible cause of death based on the data, however, the possibility of linking the situation to the current COVID-19 pandemic could not be ruled out. This was because the data strongly aligned with the pandemic in terms of symptoms, incubation period, age group affected and other demographic characteristics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Cahya Ayu Agustin ◽  
Judhiastuty Februhartanty ◽  
Saptawati Bardosono

<p>In 2018, the national coverage of exclusive breastfeeding among infants aged 0-5 months in Indonesia was still low. The COVID-19 pandemic can be a challenge to increase the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding. This study investigated the association between sources of breastfeeding supports and exclusive breastfeeding practices among mothers with infants aged under 6 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This study used a cross-sectional study design through an online survey from November 2, 2020, to February 8, 2021. A total of 248 subjects were obtained through convenience sampling. Data analysis was done by bivariate analysis using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Most of the subjects were aged 18-34 years old (90.7%), had higher education level (86.7%), had household income range Rp.3,000,000 – Rp.7,199,999 (39.2%), lived in Java Island (83.1%), had an infant aged ≤ 4 months (76.2%), and had a baby boy (51.2%). The proportion of exclusive breastfeeding was 79.0%. The most common sources of breastfeeding support were obtained from husband (91.1%) and health workers (65.7%), followed by family (62.9%). No significant association was found among all support sources on breastfeeding with exclusive breastfeeding. However, the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who received husband support (80.1%) was higher than those who did not (68.2%). The most convenient and feasible breastfeeding supports that mother could obtain during pandemics were home-based supports. Mothers, their husbands, and families should be the priority target for health professionals to provide preventive and promotive breastfeeding intervention.</p>


Crisis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 278-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Davison ◽  
Bonnie J. Kaplan

Background: Mood disorders are associated with a high risk of suicide. Statin therapy has been implicated in this relationship. Aims: To further clarify reported associations between suicide and cholesterol in mental health conditions, we conducted an analysis of dietary, clinical, and suicidal ideation measures in community-living adults with mood disorders. Method: Data were used from a cross-sectional study of a randomly selected community-based sample (> 18 years; n = 97) with verified mood disorders. Dietary (e.g., fat, iron, vitamin intakes), clinical (e.g., current depression and mania symptoms, medications), and sociodemographic (age, sex, and income) measures were analyzed using bivariate statistics and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: Participants were predominantly female (71.1%) with bipolar disorder (59.8%); almost one-third (28.9%) were taking lipophilic statins. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was more than 2.5 times in those taking statins, PR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.27–5.31, p < .05. The prevalence ratio for suicidal ideation was 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.15, p < .001, for each unit increase in mania symptom scores. No associations between suicidal ideation and dietary intake measures were identified. Conclusion: Individuals with mood disorders may be susceptible to neuropsychiatric effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs, which warrants further research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Paul Jose ◽  
Karen Salmon

Abstract. Grit, that is, perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is a novel construct that has gained attention in recent years ( Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007 ). To date, little research has been performed with the goal of identifying the antecedents of grit. Thus, in order to fill this gap in the literature, self-report data were collected to examine whether mindfulness, a mindset of being-in-the-present in a nonjudgmental way, plays a role in fostering grittiness. Three hundred and forty-three undergraduate students completed an online survey once in a cross-sectional study, and of these, 74 students completed the survey again 4.5 months later. Although the cross-sectional analyses identified a number of positive associations between mindfulness and grit, the longitudinal analysis revealed that the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness and non-judging were the most important positive predictors of grit 4.5 months later. This set of findings offers implications for future grit interventions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document