scholarly journals Is autumn the key for dengue epidemics in non endemic regions? The case of Argentina

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anibal E. Carbajo ◽  
Maria V. Cardo ◽  
Pilar C. Guimarey ◽  
Arturo A. Lizuain ◽  
Maria P. Buyayisqui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Spatial Approach ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Previous Autumn

BackgroundDengue is a major and rapidly increasing public health problem. In Argentina, the southern extreme of its distribution in the Americas, epidemic transmission takes place during the warm season. Since its re-emergence in 1998 two major outbreaks have occurred, the biggest during 2016. To identify the environmental factors that trigger epidemic events, we analyzed the occurrence and magnitude of dengue outbreaks in time and space at different scales in association with climatic, geographic and demographic variables and number of cases in endemic neighboring countries.MethodsInformation on dengue cases was obtained from dengue notifications reported in the National Health Surveillance System. The resulting database was analyzed by Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) under three methodological approaches to: identify in which years the most important outbreaks occurred in association with environmental variables and propose a risk estimation for future epidemics (temporal approach); characterize which variables explain the occurrence of local outbreaks through time (spatio-temporal approach); and select the environmental drivers of the geographical distribution of dengue positive districts during 2016 (spatial approach).ResultsWithin the temporal approach, the number of dengue cases country-wide between 2009 and 2016 was positively associated with the number of dengue cases in bordering endemic countries and negatively with the days necessary for transmission (DNT) during the previous autumn in the central region of the country. Annual epidemic intensity in the period between 1999–2016 was associated with DNT during previous autumn and winter. Regarding the spatio-temporal approach, dengue cases within a district were also associated with mild conditions in the previous autumn along with the number of dengue cases in neighboring countries. As for the spatial approach, the best model for the occurrence of two or more dengue cases per district included autumn minimum temperature and human population as fixed factors, and the province as a grouping variable. Explanatory power of all models was high, in the range 57–95%.DiscussionGiven the epidemic nature of dengue in Argentina, virus pressure from endemic neighboring countries along with climatic conditions are crucial to explain disease dynamics. In the three methodological approaches, temperature conditions during autumn were best associated with dengue patterns. We propose that mild autumns represent an advantage for mosquito vector populations and that, in temperate regions, this advantage manifests as a larger egg bank from which the adult population will re-emerge in spring. This may constitute a valuable anticipating tool for high transmission risk events.

scholarly journals A fine-scale multi-step approach to understand fish recruitment variability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Brosset ◽  
Andrew Douglas Smith ◽  
Stéphane Plourde ◽  
Martin Castonguay ◽  
Caroline Lehoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Synergetic Effect ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Atlantic Mackerel ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract Recruitment is one of the dominant processes regulating fish population productivity. It is, however, notoriously difficult to predict, as it is the result of a complex multi-step process. Various fine-scale drivers might act on the pathway from adult population characteristics to spawning behaviour and egg production, and then to recruitment. Here, we provide a holistic analysis of the Northwest Atlantic mackerel recruitment process from 1982 to 2017 and exemplify why broad-scale recruitment–environment relationships could become unstable over time. Various demographic and environmental drivers had a synergetic effect on recruitment, but larval survival through a spatio-temporal match with prey was shown to be the key process. Recruitment was also mediated by maternal effects and a parent–offspring fitness trade-off due to the different feeding regimes of adults and larvae. A mismatch curtails the effects of high larval prey densities, so that despite the abundance of food in recent years, recruitment was relatively low and the pre-existing relationship with overall prey abundance broke down. Our results reaffirm major recruitment hypotheses and demonstrate the importance of fine-scale processes along the recruitment pathway, helping to improve recruitment predictions and potentially fisheries management.

A Simple PCR Assay for Discrimination of Dengue Vectors from Nsukka LGA, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Amos Watentena ◽  
Ikem Chris Okoye ◽  
Ikechukwu Eugene Onah ◽  
Onwude Cosmas Ogbonnaya ◽  
Emmanuel Ogudu
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Aedes Mosquitoes ◽  
Allele Specific ◽  
Arboviral Diseases ◽  
Dengue Vectors

Mosquitoes of Aedes species are vectors of several arboviral diseases which continue to be a major public health problem in Nigeria. This study among other things, morphologically identified Aedes mosquitoes collected from Nsukka LGA and used an allele specific PCR amplification for discrimination of dengue vectors. Larval sampling, BG-sentinel traps and modified human landing catches were used for mosquito sampling in two selected autonomous communities of Nsukka LGA (Nsukka and Obimo). A total of 124 Aedes mosquitoes consisting of five (5) different species were collected from April to June, 2019 in a cross-sectional study that covered 126 households, under 76 distinct geographical coordinates. Larvae was mainly collected from plastic containers 73% (n=224), metallic containers 14% (n=43), earthen pots 9% (n=29) and used car tyres 3% (n=9), reared to adult stage 69.35% (n=86), and all mosquitoes were identified using standard morphological keys. Five (5) Aedes mosquito species were captured; Aedes aegypti 83(66.94%), Aedes albopictus 33(26.61%), Aedes simpsoni (4.48%), Aedes luteocephalus (≤1%) and Aedes vittatus (≤1%). Nsukka autonomous community had higher species diversity than Obimo. Allele specific amplification confirmed dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species on a 2% agarose gel. Since the most recent re-emergence of arboviral diseases is closely associated with Aedes species, findings of this study, therefore, give further evidence about the presence of potential arboviral vectors in Nigeria and describe the role of a simple PCR in discriminating some. Further entomological studies should integrate PCR assays in mosquito vector surveillance.

Regional characteristics of the gender employment gap: A spatio-temporal approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 103530462110232
Author(s):  
Jorge Chica-Olmo ◽  
Marina Checa-Olivas ◽  
Fernando Lopez-Castellano
Keyword(s):  
Gender Gap ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Jel Codes ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Socioeconomic Characteristics ◽  
Regional Characteristics ◽  
Spatial Approach ◽  
Employment Gap ◽  
Diffusion Mechanisms ◽  
Spatio Temporal

There is a substantial body of research that recognises the importance of analysing regional characteristics in employment and labour relations that occur in a given geographical context. However, this phenomenon has been scarcely studied from a spatial approach. This article uses a spatio-temporal panel data model to examine the spatial interactions between the gender employment gap and, some labour and socioeconomic characteristics of 727 municipalities of Andalusia, Spain, for the period 2012–2016. The results show that due to spatial diffusion mechanisms, a spatial spillover effect occurs in both the gender gap in employment and in some of the labour and socioeconomic characteristics considered. These findings may be extended to other geographic areas and can be of use for the implementation of regional policies aimed at narrowing the gender employment gap. JEL Codes: R10, J16, E24

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal dynamics of schistosomiasis in Rwanda between 2001 and 2012: impact of the national Neglected Tropical Disease control programme

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Nyandwi ◽  
Tom Veldkamp ◽  
Frank Badu Osei ◽  
Sherif Amer
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Scan Statistics ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The Impact

Schistosomiasis is recognised as a major public health problem in Rwanda. We aimed to identify the spatio-temporal dynamics of its distribution at a fine-scale spatial resolution and to explore the impact of control programme interventions. Incidence data of Schistosoma mansoni infection at 367 health facilities were obtained for the period 2001-2012. Disease cluster analyses were conducted using spatial scan statistics and geographic information systems. The impact of control interventions was assessed for three distinct sub-periods. Findings demonstrated persisting, emerging and re-emerging clusters of schistosomiasis infection across space and time. The control programme initially caused an abrupt increase in incidence rates during its implementation phase. However, this was followed by declining and disappearing clusters when the programme was fully in place. The findings presented should contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of schistosomiasis distribution to be used when implementing future control activities, including prevention and elimination efforts.

scholarly journals Obesity trends and determinant factors in Latin America

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. S77-S86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Kain ◽  
Fernando Vio ◽  
Cecilia Albala
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Nutritional Conditions ◽  
Nutritional Transition ◽  
Obesity Trends ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Obesity rates have increased markedly in Latin America, especially during the last 10-15 years, becoming a public health problem in most countries. Prevalence of obesity among preschool children remains low, while among schoolchildren it has increased considerably. Prevalence is high in the adult population, especially among women with less schooling. In developed populations, obesity occurs more frequently among the poor; the opposite occurs in less developed societies, where in households undergoing nutritional transition, underweight can coexist with obesity. The most important determinant factors involved in the increasing obesity prevalence are fetal and infant nutritional conditions (stunting), education and socioeconomic conditions, dietary changes (especially increased total energy intake), and physical inactivity. Because chronic diseases are the main causes of death in the Region and obesity is one of the main risk factors for these diseases, policies to improve economic and educational levels with the implementation of health promotion and prevention should be a priority in every country.

scholarly journals Assessment of Selected Spatio-Temporal Gait Parameters on Subjects with Pronated Foot Posture on the Basis of Measurements Using OptoGait. A Case-Control Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2805
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Requelo-Rodríguez ◽  
Aurora Castro-Méndez ◽  
Ana María Jiménez-Cebrián ◽  
María Luisa González-Elena ◽  
Inmaculada C. Palomo-Toucedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gait Cycle ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cycle Duration ◽  
Foot Posture ◽  
Complex Control System ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Asymptomatic Subjects

Walking is part of daily life and in asymptomatic subjects it is relatively easy. The physiology of walking is complex and when this complex control system fails, the risk of falls increases. As a result, gait disorders have a major impact on the older adult population and have increased in frequency as a result of population aging. Therefore, the OptoGait sensor is intended to identify gait imbalances in pronating feet to try to prevent falling and injury by compensating for it with treatments that normalize such alteration. This study is intended to assess whether spatiotemporal alterations occur in the gait cycle in a young pronating population (cases) compared to a control group (non-pronating patients) analyzed with OptoGait. Method: a total of n = 142 participants consisting of n = 70 cases (pronators) and n = 72 healthy controls were studied by means of a 30 s treadmill program with a system of 96 OptoGait LED sensors. Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups and both feet in stride length and stride time, gait cycle duration and gait cadence (in all cases p < 0.05). Conclusions: pronating foot posture alters normal gait patterns measured by OptoGait; this finding presents imbalance in gait as an underlying factor. Prevention of this alteration could be considered in relation to its relationship to the risk of falling in future investigations.

scholarly journals Socio-economic, technological and environmental drivers of spatio-temporal changes in fishing pressure

Marine Policy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 189-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Stephenson ◽  
Aileen C. Mill ◽  
Catherine L. Scott ◽  
Gavin B. Stewart ◽  
Matthew J. Grainger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Fishing Pressure ◽  
Spatio Temporal

scholarly journals Psychological distress among adult urban population of Puducherry

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 3265
Author(s):  
Murugan N. ◽  
Amit Kumar Mishra ◽  
Ramesh Chand Chauhan ◽  
Velavan A.
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Systematic Random Sampling ◽  
Study Population

Background: A large proportion of population in the community with psychological distress goes unnoticed. This study was done to assess the psychological distress among adult population of an urban area of Puducherry.Methods: The study was conducted among 569 individuals of age 18 years and above. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the households in the study area and from each household one adult was randomly selected. The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was used to assess the psychological distress among the study participants.Results: Majority of the participants had low psychological distress (60.5%) followed by typical (19.3%), more than typical (10%), evidence of psychological distress (6.2%) & severe distress (4%). One-fifth (20.2%) of the participants had psychological distress which needs attention. The mental health status of the participants was significantly associated with the age, sex, marital status, religion and education (p<0.05).Conclusions: The psychological distress is a major public health problem in the study population. Focused interventions to improve the mental health of population are required to decrease the mental distress in the community. 

scholarly journals How Do They Feel About It? Testing a New Mixed Methods Survey Tool to Assess Collective Emotional Status

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Schwab ◽  
Vasileios Margaritis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Prima Facie ◽  
Emotional Status ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Emotions are now widely accepted as important elements of qualitative research, in studies of individuals and communities. However, collective emotional status—what a community feels about a given situation or proposition—can be challenging to assess. In this study, we examined the validity and acceptability of a new mixed methods survey tool, primarily qualitative, to address this challenge—the Assessment of Collective Emotional Status (ACES). The tool begins with an adjustable set of questions about emotion, to draw respondents’ attention to their own feelings. These are followed by an emotional self-assessment, in which respondents select and prioritize five emotional responses to a standardized stimulus, drawing from a new taxonomy of emotion words. In this study, the stimulus was a proposition that gun violence should be approached as a public health problem. We tested the tool in an international survey of public health professionals, mostly in the US and Europe (n=160). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected on knowledge and importance of emotion, adequacy of the taxonomy, emotional responses to the stimulus, and use of the tool. Scores were high for knowledge and importance of emotion. Perceived adequacy of the taxonomy was also high, especially with Black and Hispanic respondents, signifying good construct validity. The total weighted frequency of emotions in response to the stimulus was highest for encouraged (92.2%), open (78.8%), hope (77.2%) and interest (77.2%). Qualitative data yielded six themes—on knowledge of emotion, the taxonomy, responses to the stimulus, and use of the tool, which many respondents found easy and interesting to use. This study demonstrates the prima facie validity and acceptability of the ACES with an educated adult population.

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