scholarly journals The Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Variant(s) and Its Impact on the Prevalence of COVID-19 Cases in the Nabatieh Region, Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Fatima Y. Noureddine ◽  
Mohamed Chakkour ◽  
Ali El Roz ◽  
Jana Reda ◽  
Reem Al Sahily ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Center ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
New Variant ◽  
South Lebanon

Background: An outbreak of an unknown respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province, China, in December 2019 and was referred to as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Soon after, it was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 mainly infects the respiratory tract with different outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe critical illness leading to death. Different SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging of which three have raised concerns worldwide due to their high transmissibility among populations. Objective: To study the prevalence of COVID-19 in the region of Nabatieh-South Lebanon during the past year and assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their effect on the spread of infection during times of lockdown. Methods: In our study, 37,474 nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected and analyzed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in suspected patients attending a tertiary health care center in South Lebanon during the period between 16 March 2020 and 21 February 2021. Results: The results demonstrated a variation in the prevalence rates ranging from less than 1% during full lockdown of the country to 8.4% upon easing lockdown restrictions and reaching 27.5% after the holidays and 2021 New Year celebrations. Interestingly, a new variant(s) appeared starting January 2021 with a significant positive association between the prevalence of positive tests and the percentage of the variant(s). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the lockdown implemented by the Lebanese officials was an effective intervention to contain COVID-19 spread. Our study also showed that lifting lockdown measures during the holidays, which allowed indoor crowded gatherings to occur, caused a surge in COVID-19 cases and rise in the mortality rates nationwide. More importantly, we confirmed the presence of a highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant(s) circulating in the Lebanese community from at least January 2021 onwards.

scholarly journals The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variant(s) and its impact on the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in Nabatieh region, Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Y Noureddine ◽  
Mohamed Chakkour ◽  
Ali El Roz ◽  
Jana Reda ◽  
Reem Al Sahily ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Center ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
New Variant ◽  
South Lebanon

Background: An outbreak of an unknown respiratory illness caused by a novel corona-virus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, China, in December 2019 and was referred to as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Soon after, it was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 mainly infects the respiratory tract with different outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to se-vere critical illness leading to death. Different SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging of which three have raised concerns worldwide due to their high transmissibility among populations. Objec-tive: To study the prevalence of COVID-19 in the region of Nabatieh - South Lebanon during the past year and assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their effect on the spread of infec-tion during times of lockdown. Methods: In our study, 37,474 nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected and analyzed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in suspected patients attend-ing a tertiary health care center in South Lebanon during the period between March 16, 2020 and February 21, 2021. Results: Results demonstrated a variation in the prevalence rates ranging from less than 1% during full lockdown of the country to 8.4% upon easing lockdown re-strictions and reaching 27.5% after the holidays and 2021 New Year celebrations. Interestingly, a new variant(s) appeared starting January 2021 with a significant positive association between the prevalence of positive tests and the percentage of the variant(s). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the lockdown implemented by the Lebanese officials presented an effective intervention to contain COVID-19 spread. Our study also showed that lifting lockdown measures during the holidays, which allowed indoor crowded gatherings to occur, caused a surge in COVID-19 cases and rise in the mortality rates nationwide. More importantly, we confirmed the presence of a highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant(s) circulating in the Lebanese community, at least since January 2021 onwards.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Awareness among mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding in holy Karbala city / Iraq

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
maytham salim Al-Nasrawii ◽  
Ali Neamah Al-Aaragi ◽  
Ali Abd Al-Latif G Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
World Health ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) “Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)” is explained as “the infant receives only breast milk, no other liquids or solids. Its recommended for the first 6 months of life, and then complementary feeding should be started. EBF helps to reduce child morbidity and mortality from several diseases such as diarrhea, respiratory and /or ear infections and other infectious diseases, shielding lactation women from breast and ovarian cancer. In addition to offers societal economic and environmental benefits, The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of exclusive breast feeding among mothers with a child < 2 years of age. Methods : A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Health Directorate of Holy Karbala city. The study consist of (487) mothers how attendant to six Primary Health Care center (PHC). The collected data was done by direct interview with mothers and using a questionnaire form that designed based on the study objectives according to WHO criteria. Data were analyzed by SPSS, descriptive statistics included numbers (N) and percentage (%), and the inferential statistical test was done by using Chi-Square test , P-value was equal or less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant to find for any association between the results variables. Result : A total of 487 participants were included in the study, the rate of response was 92.7%. The highest percentage (66.3%) of study sample were full in the age group (21-30) years, and more than three quarters were lived in urban area. Nearly half of the study sample 47% had primary education and 60% those housewives, and the main source of information being family and friends (84.4%). As an overall assessment, 61.8% of the study sample had good knowledge and awareness about exclusive Breastfeeding, with highly significant differences to education level ,occupation residence of the mother. Conclusion: Over half of the subjects had good knowledge and awareness of exclusive Breastfeeding. And, on the other hand, there was a very significant difference between education level, occupation and mother's residence with a level of knowledge.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of COVID-19 virus infection in Guilan province, Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Shakiba ◽  
Seyed Saeed Hashemi Nazari ◽  
Fardin Mehrabian ◽  
Seyed Mahmoud Rezvani ◽  
Zahra Ghasempour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Population Weight

AbstractBackgroundThe extent of infection by coronavirus disease 2019 has not been well known. In this study we aimed to determine seropositivity of COVID-19 virus infection in population of a highly affected area in north of Iran.MethodsIn a population-based cluster random sampling design through phone call invitation, a total of 196 household including 551 subjects agreed to participate in this study. Each participant were taken 50ml blood sample at health care center. Rapid test kits were used to detect antibody against COVID-19. Crude, population-weight adjusted and test performance adjusted prevalence of antibody seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 were reported.ResultsThe prevalence of antibody seropositivity was 22% (95%CI: 19-26%). The population weight adjusted estimate was 21% (95%CI: 14-29%) and test performance adjusted prevalence was 33% (95%CI: 28-39%). Based on these estimates the range of infected people in this province would be between 518000 and 777000.ConclusionThe population seropositivity prevalence of COVID-19 virus infection indicated that the asymptomatic infection is much higher than the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. This estimate can be used to better detect infection fatality rate and decide for public policy guidelines.

scholarly journals Demographic and histopathologic profile of pediatric brain tumors: A hospital-based study

2015 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 146-148
Author(s):  
Harshil C. Shah ◽  
Bhushan P. Ubhale ◽  
Jaimin K. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Pediatric Brain Tumors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
World Health ◽  
Anatomical Site ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Pediatric Brain

Abstract Background: Very few hospital-based or population-based studies are published in the context to the epidemiologic profile of pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) in India and Indian subcontinent. Aim: To study the demographic and histopathologic profile of PBTs according to World Health Organization 2007 classification in a single tertiary health care center in India. Materials and Methods: Data regarding age, gender, topography, and histopathology of 76 pediatric patients (0–19 years) with brain tumors operated over a period of 24 months (January-2012 to December-2013) was collected retrospectively and analyzed using EpiInfo 7. Chi-square test and test of proportions (Z-test) were used wherever necessary. Results: PBTs were more common in males (55.3%) as compared to females (44.7%) with male to female ratio of 1.23:1. Mean age was 10.69 years. Frequency of tumors was higher in childhood age group (65.8%) when compared to adolescent age group (34.2%). The most common anatomical site was cerebellum (39.5%), followed by hemispheres (22.4%). Supratentorial tumors (52.6%) were predominant than infratentorial tumors (47.4%). Astrocytomas (40.8%) and embryonal tumors (29.0%) were the most common histological types almost contributing more than 2/3rd of all tumors. Craniopharyngiomas (11.8%) and ependymomas (6.6%) were the third and fourth most common tumors, respectively. Conclusion: Astrocytomas and medulloblastomas are the most common tumors among children and adolescents in our region, which needs special attention from the neurosurgical department of our institute. Demographic and histopathologic profile of cohort in the present study do not differ substantially from that found in other hospital-based and population-based studies except for slight higher frequency of craniopharyngiomas.

scholarly journals Association between environmental pollution and prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lippi ◽  
Fabian Sanchis-Gomar ◽  
Brandon M. Henry
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
World Health ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Lombardy Region ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
High Level ◽  
Restrictive Measures

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently been upgraded to a pandemic by the World Health Organization due to the alarming levels of spread and severity. Since several lines of evidence also attest that Lombardy region has an extraordinarily high level of environmental pollution, we aimed to explore the potential epidemiological association between the number of cases of COVID-19 and environmental pollution in Italy. Data on environmental pollution in Italy were retrieved from the 2019 annual report of the organization Legambiente (League for the Ambient). The adjusted correlation between the number of days in which environmental pollutants exceeded established limits and the overall number of COVID-19 cases reveals the existence of a highly significant positive association (r=0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.79; p<0.001). The association remained statistically significant even when the number of days above pollutant limits was correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases per 1000 inhabitants (r=0.43; 95% CI, 0.18-0.62; p=0.001). Living in a province with over 100 days per year in which environmental pollutants were exceeded was found to be associated with a nearly 3-fold higher risk of being positive for COVID-19 (0.014 vs. 0.005 COVID-19 cases per 1000 inhabitants; OR, 2.96; 95% 2.12-4.13; p<0.001). Reinforced restrictive measures shall be considered in areas with higher air pollution, where the virus is more likely to find a fertile biological or environmental setting.

scholarly journals Electrocardiographic findings in COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Jyothi Galidevara ◽  
Veeramani Kartheek A. S.
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
St Segment

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV2) has caused the global pandemic, COVID-19. Though predominantly a respiratory illness, cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 significantly contribute to mortality. We wanted to determine whether admission electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics provide prognostic information in COVID-19.Methods: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study in a designated District COVID hospital. COVID-19 patient’s medical records were converted into an electronic database which included demographic data, clinical characteristics and electrocardiogram recorded at/near the time of admission. Primary outcome assessed was the occurrence of severe COVID-19.Results: Of 180 patients, the majority were males (67.8%) and aged 31-50 years (38.9%). The predominant comorbidity among patients who were discharged (non-severe COVID-19 disease) and those who got referred (severe COVID-19 disease) was hypertension (56.5% vs 43.3%), followed by diabetes mellitus (37.7% vs 36.7%). Fatigue (41.9%) and cough (18.5%) were the most frequent symptoms among non-severe cases. Of 32.8% of the patients with abnormal ECG, abnormal axis (25.5%), poor R wave progression (23.5%), T inversion (15.3%), left ventricular hypertrophy (12.2%) followed by ST segment depression (8.3%) were the frequent findings. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elderly patients (>60 years) (β=2.276, OR=9.737, p=0.002), Heart rate (β=0.191, OR=1.211, p=0.045) and ST segment depression (β=9.986, OR=21725.39, p=0.022) showed statistically significant positive association with Severe COVID-19.Conclusions: ST segment abnormalities on admission ECG are markers of cardiac injury and may assist in prognostication of COVID-19. Early identification of these findings might play a crucial role in identifying patients likely to progress to severe COVID-19.

scholarly journals Intrauterine Foetal Death and Its Probable Causes: Two Years Experience in Dhulikhel Hospital – Kathmandu University Hospital

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
SR Tamrakar ◽  
CD Chawla
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Health Care Center

Background World health Organization definition of intrauterine foetal demise encompasses any abortion or fetal demise prior to expulsion from its mother, and recommends different protocols according to gestational age. However, conventionally and also in our institution, foetal demise prior to 28 weeks of gestation is managed as abortion in a manner different from foetal demise post 28 weeks of gestation. Objective To find the incidence and characteristics of pregnancies that resulted in stillbirths. Methods A retrospective study, done in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital in the year 2010 and 2011, among 4219 deliveries and 97 fetal deaths. Cases of multiple pregnancy and fetal death diagnosed by ultrasound before the 28th week of gestation were excluded. The included intrauterine foetal demise cases (n=90) were compared with a control group of randomly selected pregnancies (n = 537) delivered during the same time period. Assumed predictors of stillbirth were examined through inferential ways (Chi square, t test) using SPSS Version 13.0 for Windows. Results Incidence of intrauterine foetal demise was 2.13% in the year 2010 and 2011. Mothers in the stillbirth group were slightly older than mothers of live-born infants (25.47±5.64 years vs 23.62±4.31 years, p value=0.000). A slightly higher proportion of women in the stillbirth group were of Tamang ethnic origin and primiparous (p = 0.011, 0.000) . Foetus expelled after IUFD had lower weight compared to live births, (2925.14±444.14gram vs 2182.78±821.04gram, p=0.000) for gestational age. The stillborn babies were generally born at an earlier gestational age, as would be expected (p=0.000). Incidence of intrauterine foetal demise gradually decreases as parity advances. The incidence was higher in patients receiving antenatal care outside Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital. Conclusions While comparing the subject with the theme of the national conference of Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist, most of the cases were mother not receiving antenatal care or those receiving antenatal care in the periphery, There is no denying that there would be a massive improvement in women’s health if the co-ordination between the peripheral health care center and tertiary care center was to be improved. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i4.10994 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2012;10(4):44-48

scholarly journals Assessment of Mother’s Knowledge Regarding Child Millstone Development in Daratoo Health Centre/Erbil City

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-75
Author(s):  
Hanaa O. Saadi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Medical Health Care ◽  
Medical Health

Children’s health is considered as an investment and wealth in society. (Engle et al., 2011) Interventions during first 5 years is golden period because of gains in physical and psychological development, is considered as one of the effective factors in the disease prevention and health promotion. (Campbell et al., 2014). According to the World Health Organization, all parents need information on healthy child development. In addition, mothers’ knowledge is one of the important aspects of child nurturing. This perspective study conducted on mother’s knowledge regarding child millstone development at Daratoo Medical Health care center in Erbil city of Kurdistan region of Iraq. Data were collected during September 12, 2019–March 12, 2020. A convenient random sampling was used to choose 100 Mothers who visited at Daratoo Medical Health care center for Medical seeking. Regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria; inclusion criteria were mothers who have children <15 years old visited health center and who did consent informed. This research studied that most of Kurdish mothers had poor knowledge regarding child millstone development including all domains (social, language, gross, and fine motor). This study concluded that mother’s level of education, types of family, and mother occupation has a vital role regarding mother’s knowledge toward child millstone development. That mean the older aged other with high level of education and high parity have a good knowledge about children development.

scholarly journals Evaluation of prescription indicators established by the WHO in Getúlio Vargas - RS

2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andressa Tanise Vooss ◽  
Helissara Silveira Diefenthaeler
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Injectable Drugs ◽  
The World ◽  
Getulio Vargas ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
June July

To evaluate the conditions of the services offered to the community regarding medications, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the Medication Use Indicators, among them Prescription indicators. The objective of this study was to evaluate drug prescriptions in a Basic Health Care Center in Getúlio Vargas - RS, according to the Prescription Indicators recommended by the WHO. The data collection was performed with the use of a form and the prescriptions for June / July and November / December 2008 were evaluated. The average number of drugs prescribed was 2.03, and 72.8% of the drugs were prescribed by generic name, 80.3% were on the list of essential drugs, 21.7% were antibiotics and 2.4% were injectable drugs. The results were in accordance with WHO recommendations and were similar to those reported by other studies.

scholarly journals Dairy Product Consumption and Oligo-Astheno-Teratozoospermia Risk: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Bin Wang ◽  
Qi-Jun Wu ◽  
Ren-Hao Guo ◽  
Xu Leng ◽  
Qiang Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Products ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Dairy Product ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Case Control ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fat Intake ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Dairy Fat ◽  
Control Study

Background: Researches on the association of dairy products consumption with Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) risk has been limited and controversial. Therefore, we aim to explore the aforementioned association among Chinese men.Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in men consisting of 106 cases of OAT and 581 controls. Intakes of dairy products and their related nutrients were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and semen quality was analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. The daily intake of dairy products and their related nutrients was categorized into three groups with the lowest tertile serving as the reference category. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of association between dairy intake and OTA risk were calculated by the multivariable logistic regression models.Results: No significant association was found between total dairy (OR T3vs.T1 =1.53, 95% CI: 0.85–2.78), protein (OR T3vs.T1 =1.51, 95% CI: 0.84–2.75), or calcium (OR T3vs.T1 = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.81–2.66) and the OAT risk in the main findings. However, we observed a statistically significant positive association of dairy fat intake with OAT risk (OR T3vs.T1 =1.93, 95% CI: 1.06–3.58). The findings were consistent with the main results when we carried out subgroup analysis stratified by body mass index.Conclusion: A significant positive association was found between dairy fat intake and the risk of OAT. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.

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