scholarly journals Progressive Area Elimination of Bovine Brucellosis, 2013–2018, in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Evaluation Using Laboratory Test Reports

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1595
Author(s):  
Krpasha Govindasamy ◽  
Eric M. C. Etter ◽  
Peter Geertsma ◽  
Peter N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Bovine Brucellosis ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Herd Prevalence ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of global public health and economic importance. South Africa has had a national bovine brucellosis eradication scheme since 1979; however, no published report on elimination progress from any province exists. We analysed laboratory test results of all cattle herds participating in the Gauteng Provincial Veterinary Services’ eradication scheme between 2013 and 2018. Herd reactor status and within-herd seroprevalence, modelled using mixed-effects logistic and negative binomial regression models, respectively, showed no significant change over the period. However, provincial State Vet Areas, Randfontein (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.1; p < 0.001) and Germiston (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.5–2.5, p = 0.008) had higher odds of reactor herds than the Pretoria Area and within-herd prevalence count ratios for these areas were 1.5-fold greater than the Pretoria State Vet Area (p < 0.001). Reactor herds were associated with increased herd size (p < 0.001) and larger herd sizes were associated with lower within-herd prevalence (p < 0.001). Despite no evidence of significant progress toward bovine brucellosis elimination in Gauteng province, variability in bovine brucellosis prevalence between State Vet Areas exists. A public health and farmer-supported strategy of ongoing district-based surveillance and cattle vaccination targeting small- to medium-sized herds combined with compulsory test and slaughter of reactors in larger herds is recommended for the province.

scholarly journals Injury-related falls from bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and non-motorized scooters in the United States: 2005 - 2014

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
William Milczarski ◽  
Peter Tuckel ◽  
Richard Maisel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
The United States ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
National Databases

Purpose: To provide an updated and comparative analysis of injury-related falls from bicycles, skateboards, roller skates and non-motorized scooters.Methods: The study uses two national databases – the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample  – and subnational databases for New York, California, and Maryland.  Univariate and multivariate analyses (negative binomial regression) are performed to identify effects of age, gender, racial-ethnic background, and region on the incidence of injury-related falls from each of the four devices.Results: The rate of injuries due to falls from bicycles far surpasses the rates due to falls from the other devices.  When a measure of “exposure” is taken into consideration, however, the rate of injuries from skateboards outstrips the rates from bicycles or roller skates.  The profile of patients who are injured from falls from each of the four devices is distinctive.  Asian-Americans are greatly underrepresented among those who suffer a fall-related injury from any of the four devices.  The incidence of injuries attributable to falls varies considerably by geographic region.Conclusions: Public health officials need to be mindful that while certain activities such as scootering might be gaining in popularity, the number of injuries sustained from bicycles still dwarfs the number attributable to falls from skateboards, roller skates, and scooters combined.  Thus special attention needs to be paid to both prevent falls from bicycles and specific treatment modalities.  It is important for public health officials to gather injury data at the local level to allocate prevention and treatment resources more efficiently.

scholarly journals Coding of Electronic Laboratory Reports for Biosurveillance, Selected United States Hospitals, 2011

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjaya Dhakal ◽  
Sherry L. Burrer ◽  
Carla A. Winston ◽  
Achintya Dey ◽  
Umed Ajani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
No Value ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Snomed Ct ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance System ◽  
Coding Systems ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

ObjectiveElectronic laboratory reporting has been promoted as a public health priority. The Office of the U.S. National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has endorsed two coding systems: Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) for laboratory test orders and Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) for test results.  Materials and MethodsWe examined LOINC and SNOMED CT code use in electronic laboratory data reported in 2011 by 63 non-federal hospitals to BioSense electronic syndromic surveillance system.  We analyzed the frequencies, characteristics, and code concepts of test orders and results.ResultsA total of 14,028,774 laboratory test orders or results were reported. No test orders used SNOMED CT codes. To describe test orders, 77% used a LOINC code, 17% had no value, and 6% had a non-informative value, “OTH”. Thirty-three percent (33%) of test results had missing or non-informative codes. For test results with at least one informative value, 91.8% had only LOINC codes, 0.7% had only SNOMED codes, and 7.4% had both. Of 108 SNOMED CT codes reported without LOINC codes, 45% could be matched to at least one LOINC code.ConclusionMissing or non-informative codes comprised almost a quarter of laboratory test orders and a third of test results reported to BioSense by non-federal hospitals. Use of LOINC codes for laboratory test results was more common than use of SNOMED CT. Complete and standardized coding could improve the usefulness of laboratory data for public health surveillance and response.

scholarly journals A Dynamical and Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression Modelling of Malaria Incidence in Limpopo Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbenga J. Abiodun ◽  
Olusola S. Makinde ◽  
Abiodun M. Adeola ◽  
Kevin Y. Njabo ◽  
Peter J. Witbooi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Binomial Regression

Recent studies have considered the connections between malaria incidence and climate variables using mathematical and statistical models. Some of the statistical models focused on time series approach based on Box–Jenkins methodology or on dynamic model. The latter approach allows for covariates different from its original lagged values, while the Box–Jenkins does not. In real situations, malaria incidence counts may turn up with many zero terms in the time series. Fitting time series model based on the Box–Jenkins approach and ARIMA may be spurious. In this study, a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was formulated for fitting malaria incidence in Mopani and Vhembe―two of the epidemic district municipalities in Limpopo, South Africa. In particular, a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was formulated for daily malaria counts as a function of some climate variables, with the aim of identifying the model that best predicts reported malaria cases. Results from this study show that daily rainfall amount and the average temperature at various lags have a significant influence on malaria incidence in the study areas. The significance of zero inflation on the malaria count was examined using the Vuong test and the result shows that zero-inflated negative binomial regression model fits the data better. A dynamical climate-based model was further used to investigate the population dynamics of mosquitoes over the two regions. Findings highlight the significant roles of Anopheles arabiensis on malaria transmission over the regions and suggest that vector control activities should be intense to eradicate malaria in Mopani and Vhembe districts. Although An. arabiensis has been identified as the major vector over these regions, our findings further suggest the presence of additional vectors transmitting malaria in the study regions. The findings from this study offer insight into climate-malaria incidence linkages over Limpopo province of South Africa.

Effect of Maximum Average Temperature on Suicide Rates in California, 2008-2017: Public Health Implications of Climate Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mavra Qamar ◽  
Sierra Cheng ◽  
Rebecca Plouffe ◽  
Stephanie Nanos ◽  
David N Fisman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Heat Events

Abstract BackgroundSuicide prevention is a salient public health responsibility, as it is one of the top ten leading causes of premature mortality in the United States. Risk factors of suicide transcend the individual and societal level as risk can increase based on climatic variables. Previous studies have been country-based. Currently, studies focused solely on regions, provinces, or states, such as California, are limited. The present study holds two purposes: i) to assess the effect of maximum temperature on suicides, and ii) to evaluate the effect of number of monthly heat events on suicide rates, in California from 2008-2017.MethodsThe exposure was measured as the average Californian daily maximum temperature within each month, and the number of monthly heat events, which was calculated as a count of the days exhibiting a >15% increase from the historical monthly temperature. The outcome was measured as California’s monthly suicide rate. Negative binomial regression models assessed the relationship between maximum temperature and suicides, and heat events and suicide. A seasonal decomposition of a time series and auto-correlogram further analyzed the seasonality of suicide and the trend from 2008-2017. ResultsThere were 40,315 deaths by suicide in California between 2008-2017. Negative binomial regression indicated a 6.1% increase in suicide incidence rate ratio (IRR) per 10°F increase in maximum temperature (IRR=1.00590 per 1°F, 95% CI: 1.00387, 1.00793, p<0.0001) and a positive, non-significant association between suicide rates and number of heat events adjusted for month of occurrence (IRR 1.00148 per heat event, 95% CI: 0.99636, 1.00661, p=0.572). The time series analysis and auto-correlogram suggested seasonality of deaths by suicide.ConclusionThe present study provided preliminary evidence that will generate future directions for research. We must seek to further illuminate the relationship of interest and apply our findings to public health interventions that will lower the rates of death by suicide as we are confronted with the effects of climate change.

scholarly journals COVID-19 responses: infrastructure inequality and privileged capacity to transform everyday life in South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 095624782097009
Author(s):  
Jiska De Groot ◽  
Charlotte Lemanski
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
The World ◽  
Basic Infrastructure

Throughout the early months of 2020, COVID-19 rapidly changed how the world functioned, with the closure of borders, schools and workplaces, national lockdowns, and the rapid normalization of “self-isolation” and “social distancing”. However, while public health recommendations were broadly universal, human capacity to accordingly transform everyday life has differed significantly. We use the example of South Africa to highlight the privileged nature of the ability to transform one’s life in response to COVID-19, arguing that the virus both highlights and exacerbates existing inequalities in access to infrastructure. For those living in urban poverty in South Africa, where access to basic infrastructure is limited, and where overcrowding and high density are the norm, it is frequently impossible to transform daily life in the required ways. The failure of global public health recommendations to recognize these inequalities, and to adapt advice to national and local contexts, reveals significant limitations that extend beyond this specific global pandemic.

scholarly journals Validation of ICD-10 codes for identifying cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B E Dixon ◽  
Y A Ho ◽  
A A Broyles ◽  
A Wiensch ◽  
J N Arno
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Disease Specific

Abstract Background Public health researchers seek to use administrative health data captured in digital health systems to examine outcomes for individuals with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yet the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes used to identify cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea have not been validated. Objective We sought to assess the validity of using ICD-10 codes to identify cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Methods We utilized data from electronic health records gathered from private and public health systems from 1 October, 2015 to 31 December, 2016. Patients were included if they were aged 13-44 and received either 1) laboratory testing for chlamydia or gonorrhea or 2) an ICD-10 diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or an unspecified STI. To validate ICD-10 codes, we calculated positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity based on the presence of a laboratory test result, or any STI laboratory test results in case of unspecified STI. We further examined the timing of clinical diagnosis relative to laboratory testing. Results A total of 238,876 individuals (16.0% of population) were either tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea, or diagnosed with an ICD-10 code of interest, during the study period. For cases in which a patient was diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea, 82% and 78% of cases were confirmed, respectively. The positive predictive values for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and unspecified STI ICD-10 codes were 87.6%, 85.0%, and 32.0%, respectively. Negative predictive values were high (&gt;92%). Sensitivity for chlamydia diagnostic codes was 10.6% and gonorrhea was 9.7%. Specificity was 99.9% for both chlamydia and gonorrhea. Conclusions Disease specific ICD-10 codes accurately identify cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, low sensitivities suggest that most gonorrhea and chlamydia cases could not be identified in administrative data alone without laboratory test results. Key messages Disease specific ICD-10-CM codes accurately identify cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Low sensitivities suggest that most gonorrhea and chlamydia cases could not be identified in administrative data alone without laboratory test results.

scholarly journals Diversity and Abundance of Mosquitoes Inhabiting Waste Tires in a Subtropical Swamp in Urban Florida

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily T. N. Dinh ◽  
Robert J. Novak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Freshwater Wetland ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Waste Tires ◽  
Mosquito Abundance

ABSTRACT Automobile tires discarded in urban forest fragments may be a public health hazard, as they can support a population of vector mosquitoes. However, little is known about what factors may affect mosquito abundance and diversity within waste tires in a freshwater wetland forest. This study aimed to determine whether mosquito population dynamics in this environment in Florida differed over a year due to the site of collection and variation in vegetation greenness and elevation. We constructed negative binomial regression models to determine which of these characteristics were significant (α = 0.05) in affecting mosquito count data. Our findings suggest that in this specific environment, none of the covariates scrutinized had significant impacts on modulating overall mosquito and Aedes albopictus (the dominant species) abundance; waste tire habitats in urban freshwater wetland forests may be a year-round public health hazard.

scholarly journals 2317. Excess Influenza-Attributable Mortality in Los Angeles County (LAC) for the 2013–2014 Through 2017–2018 Seasons

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S794-S795
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Traub ◽  
Louise Rollin ◽  
Prabhu Gounder
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Los Angeles County ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Attributable Mortality ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Abstract Background Deaths caused by seasonal influenza are impossible to measure directly and are typically estimated using statistical models. We applied a previously developed model to Los Angeles County (LAC) data for the 2013–2014 through 2017–2018 influenza seasons. Methods Excess deaths attributable to influenza were estimated using a negative binomial regression model incorporating laboratory surveillance data and weekly counts of deaths with an underlying respiratory or circulatory cause of death. We obtained death data from the National Vital Statistics System. Population estimates for LAC were prepared by Hedderson Demographic Services for LAC Internal Services Department. The weekly total number of respiratory specimens tested and number positive for influenza or respiratory syncytial virus were provided by nine healthcare systems in LAC. Influenza-associated deaths in all ages are reportable to LAC Department of Public Health; confirmed reports are counted as observed deaths. Results The midyear LAC population increased from 10,019,362 in 2013 to 10,272,648 in 2017. The median number of observed influenza deaths reported to public health was 81 in 2015–2016 (minimum [min]: 56 in 2015–2015, maximum [max]: 288 in 2017–2018). The median number of seasonal deaths with an underlying respiratory or circulatory cause was 27,455 (min: 25,828, max: 28,732). The median estimate of influenza-attributable deaths was 1,478 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 823–2,613) in 2015–2016, with a min of 1,045 deaths (CI: 629–2,258) in 2013–2014 and a max of 1,905 (CI: 1,075–3,269) in 2017–2018. Conclusion Although influenza-associated deaths at all ages are reportable in LAC, a variety of barriers to reporting exist. Our estimates indicate that influenza-associated deaths in LAC are underreported. The more comprehensive modeled estimate of the burden of influenza can better inform local policy and planning decisions. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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