scholarly journals Blindness Registers as Epidemiological Tools for Public Health Planning: A Case Study in Belize

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally L. Baxter ◽  
Richard P. Wormald ◽  
Joan M. Musa ◽  
Daksha Patel

For public eye health programs, blindness registers can be an important tool for informing service planning. This study examines how the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) used its blindness register data to drive several public health interventions. Cross-sectional analysis was performed for all active registrants (n=1194) to determine the distribution of causes of registration according to age, sex, and geographical district. Cataract was the leading cause of registration (39.6%), followed by glaucoma (20.8%), diabetic retinopathy (10.2%), and childhood blindness (9.4%). The distribution of the causes of registration was fairly similar between men and women and across the various districts. However, in Stann Creek, whose population is largely of African descent, glaucoma exceeded cataract. For most causes, the majority of registrants were registered at age 50 or older. Follow-up was conducted four years later. Several interventions had been initiated, most notably bolstering cataract surgical services and creating screening programs for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The register itself was also improved to maximize its utility for future use. While standardized surveys may be the most appropriate method of estimating population-based measures such as prevalence or incidence, the blindness register is still a valuable source of data for public health planning.

Author(s):  
Alison Daly ◽  
Christina M. Pollard ◽  
Deborah A. Kerr ◽  
Colin W. Binns ◽  
Martin Caraher ◽  
...  

Australian governments routinely monitor population household food insecurity (FI) using a single measure—‘running out of food at least once in the previous year’. To better inform public health planning, a synthesis of the determinants and how they influence and modify each other in relation to FI was conducted. The analysis used data from the Health & Wellbeing Surveillance System cross-sectional dataset. Weighted means and multivariable weighted logistic regression described and modelled factors involved in FI. The analysis showed the direction and strength of the factors and a path diagram was constructed to illustrate these. The results showed that perceived income, independent of actual income was a strong mediator on the path to FI as were obesity, smoking and other indicators of health status. Eating out three or more times a week and eating no vegetables more strongly followed FI than preceded it. The analysis identified a range of factors and demonstrated the complex and interactive nature of them. Further analysis using propensity score weighted methods to control for covariates identified hypothetical causal links for investigation. These results can be used as a proof of concept to assist public health planning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajing Jia ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Fangchao Liu ◽  
Minjin Zhang ◽  
Qin Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Inconsistent results were found in the association between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hypertension among population-based studies. This study evaluated the association between ALT and hypertension among Chinese reproductive-age population by utilizing registration data from National Free Pre-pregnancy Checkups Project in 2016–2017. Methods The 21,103,790 registered participants were eligible for analysis, including women who were 20–49 years old and men who were 20–59 years old with available data for ALT and blood pressure (BP). Logistic regression was conducted to estimate odds ratio (OR) for the association between ALT and hypertension as a binary outcome. Linear regression was used to examine the association between ALT and BP as a continuous outcome. Results In total, 4.21% of the participants were hypertensive, and 11.67% had elevated ALT (> 40 U/L). Hypertension prevalence was 3.63% and 8.56% among participants with normal and elevated ALT levels. A strong linear relationship was found between serum ALT levels and the odds of hypertension after adjustment for potential confounders. The multivariable-adjusted ORs for hypertension were 1, 1.22 (1.21, 1.22), 1.67 (1.65 1.68), 1.78 (1.76, 1.80), and 1.92 (1.90, 1.94) in participants with ALT levels of ≤ 20, 20.01–40, 40.01–60, 60.01–80, and > 80 U/L, respectively. Systolic and diastolic BPs rose by 1.83 and 1.20 mmHg on average, for each 20 U/L increase in ALT (P for trend < 0.001). The association was consistent among subgroups and tended to be stronger among populations who are overweight (body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m2) (χ2 = 52,228, P < 0.001), alcohol drinking (χ2 = 100,730, P < 0.001) and cigarette smoking (χ2 = 105,347, P < 0.001). Conclusions Our cross-sectional analysis suggested a linear association between serum ALT and hypertension or BP, which indicated that abnormal liver metabolism marked by elevated serum ALT could play a role in hypertension or elevated BP condition.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e047757
Author(s):  
Heba AlSawahli ◽  
Caleb D Mpyet ◽  
Gamal Ezzelarab ◽  
Ibrahim Hassanin ◽  
Mohammad Shalaby ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and sight-threatening conditions among persons with DM aged 50 years and older in Sohag governorate in Upper Egypt.DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional survey using the standardised Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness with the addition of the Diabetic Retinopathy module methodology.SettingsSohag governorate in Egypt where 68 clusters were selected using probability proportional to population size. Households were selected using the compact segment technique.Participants4078 people aged 50 years and older in 68 clusters were enrolled, of which 4033 participants had their random blood sugar checked and 843 examined for features of DR.Primary and secondary outcomesThe prevalence of DM and DR; secondary outcome was the coverage with diabetic eye care.ResultsThe prevalence of DM was 20.9% (95% CI 19.3% to 22.5%). The prevalence in females (23.8%; 95% CI 21.4% to 26.3%) was significantly higher than in males (18.9%; 95% CI 17.1% to 20.7%) (p=0.0001). Only 38.8% of persons diagnosed with diabetes had good control of DM. The prevalence of DR in the sample was 17.9% (95% CI 14.7% to 21.1%). The prevalence in females was higher (18.9%; 95% CI 14.0% to 23.8%) than in males (17.1%; 95% CI 13.0% to 21.2%). Up to 85.3% of study participants have never had eye examination. Sight-threatening DR (R4 and/or M2) was detected in 5.2% (95% CI 3.4% to 7.0%) with only 2.3% having had laser treatment.ConclusionThe prevalence of uncontrolled DM in Sohag governorate in Egypt is higher than the national prevalence. There is a high prevalence of sight-threatening retinopathy and/or maculopathy with few people having access to diabetic eye care. A public health approach is needed for health promotion, early detection and management of DR.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Tamburkovski ◽  
G Belamarić ◽  
D Matijević ◽  
S Mladenović Janković

Abstract Issue Development of public health plan for the City of Belgrade, facilitate multisectoral participation and encourage local government to incorporate public health planning into integrated planning framework, including funding. Description of the Problem According to Public Health Low, adopted in Serbia in 2016 and Public health strategy (2018), Council for Health, as a professional body of the City government, was obliged to prepare draft of the Plan. Members of the City Council are representatives from different sectors: health care, public health, private sector, child care, education and civil society. Based on data and information from relevant institutions and organizations, situation analysis and health profile of the City have been prepared during 2018. Results Public health plan for the City of Belgrade has been drafted for a time period from 2020 to 2026, aligned and within time frame of the National public health strategy. Plan included: mission, vision, objectives, activities, responsible institutions, funding sources and indicators for monitoring. Focus was on health promotion and empowerment of citizens to adopt healthy lifestyle as well on investment in environmental sustainability, poverty and inequalities reduction and minimizing risks to human health and well-being. On December 2019, Belgrade City Assembly adopted this document, with full responsibility for implementation and budgeting specific programs and projects from 2020. Lessons Multisectoral working group, with clear defined scope of work, supported by regulations, encouraged and managed by experts in the field, highly motivated to be creator of changes is prerequisite for successful and productive public health planning process. Key messages Public health planning enabled communication and cooperation among experts and decision makers and represented a whole-of-local government approach to public health. Document is used as a resource and model for the other cities and municipalities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Trapani ◽  
Leigh J. Boghossian ◽  
Elizabeth Caskey

Clostridium subterminale is a rare member of the Clostridiaceae family that is rarely cultured. This report examines a case of Clostridium subterminale cultured from the blood of a 72-year-old man who was ultimately diagnosed with metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) adenocarcinoma. The patient was receiving treatment for nosocomial pneumonia prior to culture of the C. subterminale, which led to suspicion for malignancy. Extensive GI and oncologic workup demonstrated multiple comorbidities and a primary GI cancer, which likely caused a breach in the GI mucosa and C. subterminale entrance into the bloodstream. After a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, the patient died on hospital day 23. Though rarely reported, C. subterminale septicemia has been demonstrated in patients with malignancy, specifically of the GI tract. Therefore, this case represents a typical C. subterminale septicemia patient. Given the prevalence of Clostridia and the contemporary emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, both typical and atypical cases regarding rare members of the species have a significant role in the clinical management and public health planning.


BJS Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Joana F F Simoes ◽  
Elizabeth Li ◽  
James C Glasbey ◽  
Omar M Omar ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundDuring the initial COVID-19 outbreak up to 28.4 million elective operations were cancelled worldwide, in part owing to concerns that it would be unsustainable to maintain elective surgery capacity because of COVID-19-related surgeon absence. Although many hospitals are now recovering, surgical teams need strategies to prepare for future outbreaks. This study aimed to develop a framework to predict elective surgery capacity during future COVID-19 outbreaks.MethodsAn international cross-sectional study determined real-world COVID-19-related absence rates among surgeons. COVID-19-related absences included sickness, self-isolation, shielding, and caring for family. To estimate elective surgical capacity during future outbreaks, an expert elicitation study was undertaken with senior surgeons to determine the minimum surgical staff required to provide surgical services while maintaining a range of elective surgery volumes (0, 25, 50 or 75 per cent).ResultsBased on data from 364 hospitals across 65 countries, the COVID-19-related absence rate during the initial 6 weeks of the outbreak ranged from 20.5 to 24.7 per cent (mean average fortnightly). In weeks 7–12, this decreased to 9.2–13.8 per cent. At all times during the COVID-19 outbreak there was predicted to be sufficient surgical staff available to maintain at least 75 per cent of regular elective surgical volume. Overall, there was predicted capacity for surgeon redeployment to support the wider hospital response to COVID-19.ConclusionThis framework will inform elective surgical service planning during future COVID-19 outbreaks. In most settings, surgeon absence is unlikely to be the factor limiting elective surgery capacity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Tan ◽  
John A. Burgess ◽  
Jennifer L. Perret ◽  
Dinh S. Bui ◽  
Michael J. Abramson ◽  
...  

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