scholarly journals Viral Hepatitis Endemicity and Trends among an Asymptomatic Adult Population in Ho: A 5-Year Retrospective Study at the Ho Municipal Hospital, Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester Yao Lokpo ◽  
James Osei-Yeboah ◽  
Gameli Kwame Norgbe ◽  
Patrick Kwasi Owiafe ◽  
Felix Ayroe ◽  
...  

Background. Using prospective blood donors as a proxy, this study was aimed at estimating the burden and five-year (2012–2016) trend of viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) infection among asymptomatic adult population in Ho. Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis was done on secondary data extracted from the hospital archives comprising 4,180 prospective blood donors from January 2012 to December 2016. Demographic variables included age and sex, as well as place of residence. Screening results of serum infectious markers (HBV and HCV) were obtained. Results. The prevalence of asymptomatic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) infection in the general adult population was 6.94% and 1.84%, respectively. Females recorded a higher burden of HBV and HCV (8.3% and 5.0%) compared to their male peers (6.8% and 1.4%). A significant age variation in HBV antigenaemia was seen with HBV seropositivity peaking among the younger population (less than 20 years’ group) at 11.24% and troughed among the older population (above 50 years’ group) at 0.92%. Conclusion. Asymptomatic viral hepatitis among adult population in the Ho Municipality is estimated at the intermediate to high endemicity level. Preventive measures to reduce the burden are urgently needed and should be targeted at the younger generation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester Yao Lokpo ◽  
Mavis Popuelle Dakorah ◽  
Gameli Kwame Norgbe ◽  
James Osei-Yeboah ◽  
Godwin Adzakpah ◽  
...  

Background. This study was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence and trend of blood-borne pathogens (HIV, HCV, HBV, and Syphilis) among asymptomatic adults at Akwatia during a four-year period (2013–2016). Materials and Methods. The study was a retrospective analysis of secondary data of blood donors who visited the hospital from January 2013 to December 2016. Archival data from 11,436 prospective donors was extracted. Data included age, sex, and place of residence as well as results of infectious markers (HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis). Results. The prevalence of blood-borne pathogens in the donor population was 4.06%, 7.23%, 5.81%, and 10.42% for HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections, respectively. A significant decline in HBV and HCV infections was observed in the general donor population and across genders. HIV infection rate remained steady while Syphilis infections recorded a significantly increasing trend, peaking in the year 2015 (14.20%). Age stratification in HBV infection was significant, peaking among age group 40–49 years (8.82%). Conclusion. Asymptomatic blood-borne pathogen burden was high among the adult population in Akwatia. Gender variations in HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections in the cumulative four-year burden were observed. Awareness needs to be created, especially in the older generation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pouquet ◽  
N. Bareille ◽  
R. Guatteo ◽  
L. Moret ◽  
F. Beaudeau

Abstract Domestic ruminants (cattle, goats and sheep) are considered to be the main reservoirs for human Coxiella burnetii infection. However, there is still a need to assess the specific contribution of cattle. Indeed, most seroprevalence studies in humans were carried out in areas comprising both cattle and small ruminants, the latter being systematically implicated in human Q fever outbreaks. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study in areas where C. burnetii infection in cattle was endemic, where the density of cattle and small ruminant farms were respectively high and very low. The aim was to estimate the seroprevalence rates among two occupational (cattle farmers and livestock veterinarians), and one non-occupational (general adult population) risk groups. Sera were collected in 176 cattle farmers, 45 veterinarians and 347 blood donors, and tested for phase I and II antibodies using immunofluorescence assay. Seroprevalence rates were 56.3% among cattle farmers, 88.9% among veterinarians and 12.7% among blood donors. This suggests that a specific risk for acquiring C. burnetii infection from cattle in endemically infected areas exists, mainly for occupational risk groups, but also for the general population. Further research is needed to identify risk factors for C. burnetii infection in humans in such areas.


Author(s):  
Sultan Alamrani ◽  
Shahd Rummani ◽  
Zainab Khamdan ◽  
Aisha Alharbi ◽  
Ahmad Alshahrani ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orestis Zavlis ◽  
Myles Jones

Substantial overlap exists between schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, with part of that overlap hypothesised to be due to comorbid social anxiety. The current paper investigates the interactions and factor structure of these disorders at a personality trait level, through the lens of a network model. The items of the Autism Quotient (AQ), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief-Revised (SPQ-BR), and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (L-SAS) were combined and completed by 345 members of the general adult population. An Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) on the AQ-SPQ-BR combined inventory revealed two communities (factors), which reflected the general autism and schizotypal phenotypes. An additional EGA on all inventories validated the AQ-SPQ-BR factor structure and revealed another community, Social Anxiety (L-SAS). A Network Analysis (NA) on all inventories revealed several moderately central subscales, which collectively reflected the social-interpersonal impairments of the three disorders. The current results suggest that a combination of recent network- and traditional factor-analytic techniques may present a fruitful approach to understanding the underlying structure as well as relation of different psychopathologies.


2020 ◽  
pp. 79-82
Author(s):  
Nataliia Volodymyrivna Shepylieva ◽  
Alla Oleksandrivna Shvaichenko

A global problem for humanity is the wide spread of HCV carriers worldwide. To address this, the WHO has developed a global strategy for the health sector to eliminate viral hepatitis and has set the following goals: to reduce the number of new cases of chronic hepatitis B and C by 90 % by 2030 as well as to reduce the quantity of death from these infections by 65 %. It is emphasized that the development of infectious or somatic disease on the background of chronic viral hepatitis requires a more careful approach and thorough medical correction, as their course and prognosis can be significantly aggravated. The case of viral hepatitis A, which occurred on a background of previously undiagnosed HCV infection and resulted in a death, has been described. Thus, previously undiagnosed HCV infection exacerbated the course of a self−eliminating disease, such as hepatitis A, and resulted in a death. Therefore, expanding the screening for viral hepatitis will allow identifying infected individuals and conducting antiviral therapy and preventive measures, which will reduce the incidence and mortality rates. Key words: viral hepatitis A, viral hepatitis C, chronic HCV−infection, diagnosis, treatment, outcome.


Heliyon ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e06329
Author(s):  
Yihui Chen ◽  
Marcus G. Mah ◽  
Jenny G.H. Low ◽  
Eng Eong Ooi ◽  
Yvonne C.F. Su ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Won Ju Hwang ◽  
Ji Sun Ha ◽  
Mi Jeong Kim

Background: Scoping reviews of the literature on the development and application of mental health apps based on theoretical suggestions are lacking. This study systematically examines studies on the effects and results of mental health mobile apps for the general adult population. Methods: Following PICOs (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design), a general form of scoping review was adopted. From January 2010 to December 2019, we selected the effects of mental health-related apps and intervention programs provided by mobile to the general adult population over the age of 18. Additionally, evaluation of methodological quality was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) checklist. Results: Fourteen studies were analyzed of 1205 that were identified; duplicate and matching studies were excluded. One was a descriptive study and 13 were experimental, of which randomized control trials (RCTs) accounted for 71.4%. Four of the mobile apps were developed based on cognitive behavior theory, one based on stress theory, and one on ecological instant intervention theory. These apps included breathing training, meditation, and music therapy. Stress, depression, and anxiety decreased using these apps, and some were effective for well-being. Conclusion: With the rapid development of technology related to mental health, many mobile apps are developed, but apps based on theoretical knowledge and well-designed research are lacking. Further research and practices should be conducted to develop, test, and disseminate evidence-based mHealth for mental health promotion. RCT studies are needed to expand the application to mental health services to various populations.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Anja Davis Norbye ◽  
Birgit Abelsen ◽  
Olav Helge Førde ◽  
Unni Ringberg

Abstract Background Health anxiety (HA) is associated with increased risk of disability, increased health care utilization and reduced quality of life. However, there is no consensus on which factors are important for the level of HA. The aim of this study was to explore the distribution of HA in a general adult population and to investigate whether demographic and social factors were associated with HA. Methods This study used cross-sectional data from the seventh Tromsø study. A total of 18 064 participants aged 40 years or older were included in the analysis. The six-item Whiteley Index (WI-6) with a 5-point Likert scale was used to measure HA. Sociodemographic factors included age, sex, education, household income, quality of friendship and participation in an organized activity. Results HA showed an exponential distribution among the participants with a median score of 2 points out of 24 points. In total, 75% had a total score of 5 points or less, whereas 1% had a score >14 points. Education, household income, quality of friendship and participation in organized activity were significantly associated with HA. The variable quality of friendship demonstrated the strongest association with HA. Conclusion Our study showed an exponential distribution of HA in a general adult population. There was no evident cut-off point to distinguish participants with severe HA based on their WI-6 score, indicating the importance of analysing HA as a complex, continuous construct. HA demonstrated strong associations with quality of friendship and participation in an organized activity.


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