scholarly journals Meningococcal Carriage among Household Contacts of Patients with Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Longitudinal Study

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Supriya Sharma ◽  
Jyoti Acharya ◽  
Dominique A. Caugant ◽  
Shreedhar Aryal ◽  
Megha Raj Banjara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Carriage Rate ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Preventive Control ◽  
Household Contacts ◽  
Conventional Culture ◽  
Transmission Information

Because asymptomatic carriers are key source of transmission, information on meningococcal carriage in the community provides a scientific basis for appropriate preventive/control strategies. This longitudinal study (January 2017–December 2019) aimed to estimate carriage rate of meningococci among household contacts of meningococcal meningitis cases within Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Throat swab samples were collected at first visit from each person in households, twice a month for up to 2 months and subsequently on a monthly basis for a further 4 months. Altogether, 1125 throat samples were processed by conventional culture for the identification of meningococci. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study on meningococcal carriage in Nepal. The meningococcal carriage rate among household contacts was 15%. All carriers were aged 19 years or older. There was no statistically significant gender difference. The duration of carriage was 60 days. Twenty of 36 isolates belonged to serogroup A, and 16 were non-serogroupable (NG). Serogroups isolated from the same individuals did not change within the follow-up period. All meningococcal isolates over the past 38 years in Nepal that have been reported in previous studies have belonged to serogroup A. The detection of NG meningococcal isolates in apparently healthy household contacts clearly indicates the importance of vigilance through surveillance and periodic in-depth studies.

Sustainable reduction of nasal colonization and hand contamination withStaphylococcus aureusin food handlers, 2002–2011

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (8) ◽  
pp. 1751-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. HO ◽  
M. BOOST ◽  
M. O'DONOGHUE
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Marked Reduction ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Nasal Colonization ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Carriage Rate ◽  
Hygiene Measures

SUMMARYA longitudinal study of nasal colonization and hand contamination of food handlers withStaphylococcus aureuscommenced in 2002 prior to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. In the follow-up in 2003 when hygiene measures were strictly implemented, significant reductions in carriage were observed. To investigate if this change was sustained, nasal and hand carriage rates were compared between the earlier studies and a further sampling in 2011. The initial nasal carriage rate was 35% and hand contamination 41·2%, decreasing to 23·5% and 11·6%, respectively in 2003 (P< 0·001). In 2011, nasal carriage was similar to 2003 (22·9%), while hand contamination dropped further to 3·7% (P< 0·001).Spa-typing revealed 39 types in 2002 and 42 in 2011. This study reveals that the marked reduction in colonization had been sustained. This may be attributed to reduced opportunities for spread due to enhanced hygiene and reinforces its importance for control of disease.

scholarly journals The Household Secondary Attack Rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): A Rapid Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah F Fung ◽  
Leonardo Martinez ◽  
Fernando Alarid-Escudero ◽  
Joshua A Salomon ◽  
David M Studdert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Attack Rate ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
The Public ◽  
Household Contacts ◽  
Household Transmission ◽  
Testing Frequency

Abstract Background Although much of the public health effort to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has focused on disease control strategies in public settings, transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within households remains an important problem. The nature and determinants of household transmission are poorly understood. Methods To address this gap, we gathered and analyzed data from 22 published and prepublished studies from 10 countries (20 291 household contacts) that were available through 2 September 2020. Our goal was to combine estimates of the SARS-CoV-2 household secondary attack rate (SAR) and to explore variation in estimates of the household SAR. Results The overall pooled random-effects estimate of the household SAR was 17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.7–21.2%). In study-level, random-effects meta-regressions stratified by testing frequency (1 test, 2 tests, &gt;2 tests), SAR estimates were 9.2% (95% CI, 6.7–12.3%), 17.5% (95% CI, 13.9–21.8%), and 21.3% (95% CI, 13.8–31.3%), respectively. Household SARs tended to be higher among older adult contacts and among contacts of symptomatic cases. Conclusions These findings suggest that SARs reported using a single follow-up test may be underestimated, and that testing household contacts of COVID-19 cases on multiple occasions may increase the yield for identifying secondary cases.

The bidirectional association between Internet addiction and depression: a large-sample longitudinal study among Chinese university students (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan-Jun Guo ◽  
Xia Yang ◽  
Yu-Jie Tao ◽  
Ya-Jing Meng ◽  
Hui-Yao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Causal Relationships ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Panel Model ◽  
Bidirectional Association ◽  
Predictive Effect

BACKGROUND Evidence indicates that Internet addiction (IA) is associated with depression, but longitudinal studies have rarely been reported, and no studies have yet investigated potential common vulnerability or a possible specific causal relationship between these disorders. OBJECTIVE To overcome these gaps, the present 12-month longitudinal study based on a large-sample employed a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) approach to investigate the potential common vulnerability and specific cross-causal relationships between IA and CSD (or depression). METHODS IA and clinically-significant depression (CSD) among 12 043 undergraduates were surveyed at baseline (as freshmen) and in follow-up after 12 months (as sophomores). Application of CLPM revealed two well-fitted design between IA and CSD, and between severities of IA and depression, adjusting for demographics. RESULTS Rates of baseline IA and CSD were 5.47% and 3.85%, respectively; increasing to 9.47% and 5.58%, respectively at follow-up. Among those with baseline IA and CSD, 44.61% and 34.48% remained stable at the time of the follow-up survey, respectively. Rates of new-incidences of IA and CSD over 12 months were 7.43% and 4.47%, respectively. Application of a cross-lagged panel model approach (CLPM, a discrete time structural equation model used primarily to assess causal relationships in real-world settings) revealed two well-fitted design between IA and CSD, and between severities of IA and depression, adjusting for demographics. Models revealed that baseline CSD (or depression severity) had a significant net-predictive effect on follow-up IA (or IA severity), and baseline IA (or IA severity) had a significant net-predictive effect on follow-up CSD (or depression severity). CONCLUSIONS These correlational patterns using a CLPM indicate that both common vulnerability and bidirectional specific cross-causal effects between them may contribute to the association between IA and depression. As the path coefficients of the net-cross-predictive effects were significantly smaller than those of baseline to follow-up cross-section associations, vulnerability may play a more significant role than bidirectional-causal effects. CLINICALTRIAL Ethics Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University (NO. 2016-171)

scholarly journals Social isolation, rather than loneliness, is associated with cognitive decline in older adults: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bin Yu ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Yongjie Chen ◽  
Xiaohua Jia
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Confounding Variables

Abstract Background Social isolation and loneliness have each been associated with cognitive decline, but most previous research is limited to Western populations. This study examined the relationships of social isolation and loneliness on cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Methods This study used two waves of data (2011 and 2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and analyses were restricted to those respondents aged 50 and older. Social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive function were measured at baseline. Follow-up measures on cognitive function were obtained for 7761 participants (mean age = 60.97, s.d. = 7.31; male, 50.8%). Lagged dependent variable models adjusted for confounding factors were used to evaluate the association between baseline isolation, loneliness, and cognitive function at follow-up. Results Loneliness was significantly associated with the cognitive decline at follow-up (episodic memory: β = −0.03, p < 0.01; mental status: β = −0.03, p < 0.01) in the partially adjusted models. These associations became insignificant after additional confounding variables (chronic diseases, health behaviors, disabilities, and depressive symptoms) were taken into account (all p > 0.05). By contrast, social isolation was significantly associated with decreases in all cognitive function measures at follow-up (episodic memory: β = −0.05, p < 0.001; mental status: β = −0.03, p < 0.01) even after controlling for loneliness and all confounding variables. Conclusions Social isolation is associated with cognitive decline in Chinese older adults, and the relationships are independent of loneliness. These findings expand our knowledge about the links between social relationships and the cognitive function in non-Western populations.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study over 40 years to study the metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Lind ◽  
Johan Sundström ◽  
Johan Ärnlöv ◽  
Ulf Risérus ◽  
Erik Lampa
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over 40 Years

AbstractThe impact of most, but not all, cardiovascular risk factors decline by age. We investigated how the metabolic syndrome (MetS) was related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) during 40 years follow-up in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM, 2,123 men all aged 50 at baseline with reinvestigations at age 60, 70, 77 and 82). The strength of MetS as a risk factor of incident combined end-point of three outcomes (CVD) declined with ageing, as well as for myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and heart failure when analysed separately. For CVD, the risk ratio declined from 2.77 (95% CI 1.90–4.05) at age 50 to 1.30 (95% CI 1.05–1.60) at age 82. In conclusion, the strength of MetS as a risk factor of incident CVD declined with age. Since MetS was significantly related to incident CVD also at old age, our findings suggest that the occurrence of MetS in the elderly should not be regarded as innocent. However, since our data were derived in an observational study, any impact of MetS in the elderly needs to be verified in a randomized clinical intervention trial.

scholarly journals Implementation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in Five Colombian Hospitals in 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s273-s273
Author(s):  
Christian Pallares ◽  
María Virginia Villegas Botero
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
International Standards ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Stewardship Program ◽  
And Training

Background: More than 50% of antibiotics used in hospitals are unnecessary or inappropriate. The antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are coordinated efforts to promote the rational and effective use of antibiotics including appropriate selection, dosage, administration, and duration of therapy. When an ASP integrates infection control strategies, it is possible to decrease the transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Methods: In 2018, 5 Colombian hospitals were selected to implement an ASP. Private and public hospitals from different cities were included in the study, ranging from 200 to 700 beds. Our team, consisting of an infectious disease and hospital epidemiologist, visited each hospital to establish the baseline of their ASP program, to define the ASP outcomes according to each hospital’s needs, and to set goals for ASP outcomes in the following 6–12 months. Follow-up was scheduled every 2 months through Skype video conference. The baseline diagnosis or preintervention evaluation was done using a tool adapted from previous reports (ie, international consensus and The Joint Commission international standards). Documentation related to ASPs, such as microbiological profiles, antimicrobial guidelines (AMG) and indicators for the adherence to them as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention through protocols, were written and/or updated. Prevention and infection control requirements and protocols were also updated, and cleaning and antiseptic policies were created. Training in rational use of antibiotic, infection control and prevention, and cleaning and disinfection were carried out with the healthcare workers in each institution. Results: Before the intervention, the development of the ASP according to the tool was 27% (range, 5%–47%). The lowest institutional scores were the item related to ASP feedback and reports (11% on average), followed by education and training (14%), defined ASP responsibilities (23%), ASP function according to priorities (26%), and AMR surveillance (27%). After the intervention, the ASP development increased to 57% (range, 39%–81%) in the hospitals. The highest scores achieved were for education and training (90%), surveillance (75%), and the activities of the infection control committee (70%). The items that made the greatest contribution to ASP development were the individual antibiogram, including the bacteria resistance profile, and the development of the AMG based on the local epidemiology in each hospital. Conclusions: The implementation of an ASP should include training and education as well as defining outcomes according to the hospital’s needs. Once the strategy is implemented, follow-up is key to achieving the goals.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Multimorbidity patterns and memory trajectories in older adults: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bendayan ◽  
Yajing Zhu ◽  
A D Federman ◽  
R J B Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
English Longitudinal Study ◽  
Psychiatric Problems

Abstract Background We aimed to examine the multimorbidity patterns within a representative sample of UK older adults and their association with concurrent and subsequent memory. Methods Our sample consisted of 11,449 respondents (mean age at baseline was 65.02) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). We used fourteen health conditions and immediate and delayed recall scores (IMRC and DLRC) over 7 waves (14 years of follow up). Latent class analyses were performed to identify the multimorbidity patterns and linear mixed models were estimated to explore their association with their memory trajectories. Models were adjusted by socio-demographics, BMI and health behaviors. Results Results showed 8 classes: Class 1:Heart Disease/Stroke (26%), Class 2:Asthma/Lung Disease (16%), Class 3:Arthritis/Hypertension (13%), Class 4:Depression/Arthritis (12%), Class 5:Hypertension/Cataracts/Diabetes (10%), Class 6:Psychiatric Problems/Depression (10%), Class 7:Cancer (7%) and Class 8:Arthritis/Cataracts (6%). At baseline, Class 4 was found to have lower IMRC and DLRC scores and Class 5 in DLRC, compared to the no multimorbidity group (n=6380, 55.72% of total cohort). For both tasks, in unadjusted models, we found an accelerated decline in Classes 1, 3 and 8; and, for DLRC, also in Classes 2 and 5. However, it was fully attenuated after adjustments. Conclusions These findings suggest that individuals with certain combinations of health conditions are more likely to have lower levels of memory compared those with no multimorbidity and their memory scores tend to differ between combinations. Socio-demographics and health behaviours have a key role to understand who is more likely to be at risk of an accelerated decline.

Assessment of incident frailty hazard associated with depressive symptoms in a Taiwanese longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Che-Chia Chang ◽  
Chi-Shin Wu ◽  
Han-Yun Tseng ◽  
Chun-Yi Lee ◽  
I-Chien Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Health Need ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objectives: To estimate the risks of depressive symptoms for developing frailty, accounting for baseline robust or pre-frailty status. Design: An incident cohort study design. Setting: Community dwellers aged 55 years and above from urban and rural areas in seven regions in Taiwan. Participants: A total of 2,717 participants from the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study in Taiwan (HALST) were included. Subjects with frailty at baseline were excluded. The average follow-up period was 5.9 years. Measurements: Depressive symptoms were measured by the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty measurement. Participants were stratified by baseline robust or pre-frailty status to reduce the confounding effects of the shared criteria between depressive symptoms and frailty. Overall and stratified survival analyses were conducted to assess risks of developing frailty as a result of baseline depressive symptoms. Results: One hundred individuals (3.7%) had depressive symptoms at baseline. Twenty-seven individuals (27.0%) with depressive symptoms developed frailty, whereas only 305 out of the 2,617 participants (11.7%) without depressive symptoms developed frailty during the follow-up period. After adjusting for covariates, depressive symptoms were associated with a 2.6-fold (95% CI 1.6, 4.2) increased hazard of incident frailty. The patterns of increased hazard were also observed when further stratified by baseline robust or pre-frailty status. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms increased the risk of developing frailty among the older Asian population. The impact of late-life depressive symptoms on physical health was notable. These findings also replicated results from Western populations. Future policies on geriatric public health need to focus more on treatment and intervention against geriatric depressive symptoms to prevent incident frailty among older population.

A Longitudinal Study of Objectively Measured Built Environment as Determinant of Physical Activity in Young Adults: The European Youth Heart Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 909-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper Schipperijn ◽  
Mathias Ried-Larsen ◽  
Merete S. Nielsen ◽  
Anneli F. Holdt ◽  
Anders Grøntved ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Environmental Indices ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
European Youth

Background:This longitudinal study aimed to examine if a Movability Index (MI), based on objectively measured built environment characteristics, was a determinant for objectively measured physical activity (PA) among young adults.Methods:Data collected from 177 persons participating in the Danish part of the European Youth Hearth Study (EYHS) was used to examine the effect of the built environment on PA. A MI was developed using objectively measured built environment characteristics, and included residential density, recreational facilities, daily destinations and street connectivity.Results:Results showed a positive cross-sectional association between MI and PA. PA decreased from baseline to follow-up. MI increased, primarily due to participants relocating to larger cities. An increase in MI from baseline to follow-up was associated with a reduced decrease in PA for females.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the built environment is a determinant for PA, especially for females. The found gender differences might suggest the need to develop gender specific environmental indices in future studies. The validity of the measures can be further improved by creating domain specific PA measures as well as domain specific environmental indices and this can potentially reveal more specific built environment determinants for PA.

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