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1.
Int J Prison Health (2024) ; ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print)2024 Sep 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39267228

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Considering the restricted and enclosed nature of prisons and closed environments and the prolonged and close contact between individuals, COVID-19 is more likely to have a higher incidence in these settings. This study aims to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 among prisoners. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Papers published in English from 2019 to July 7, 2023, were identified using relevant keywords such as prevalence, COVID-19 and prisoner in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar. For the meta-analysis of the prevalence, Cochrane's Q statistics were calculated. A random effect model was used due to the heterogeneity in COVID-19 prevalence across included studies in the meta-analysis. All analyses were performed in STATA-13. FINDINGS: The pooled data presented a COVID-19 prevalence of 20% [95%CI: 0.13, 0.26] and 24% [95%CI: 0.07, 0.41], respectively, in studies that used PCR and antibody tests. Furthermore, two study designs, cross-sectional and cohort, were used. The results of the meta-analysis showed studies with cross-sectional and cohort designs reported 20% [95%CI: 0.11, 0.29] and 25% [95%CI: 0.13, 0.38], respectively. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Through more meticulous planning, it is feasible to reduce the number of individuals in prison cells, thereby preventing the further spread of COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Prisoners , Prisons , COVID-19/epidemiology , Humans , Prevalence , Prisons/statistics & numerical data , Prisoners/statistics & numerical data , SARS-CoV-2
3.
Subst Use Addctn J ; : 29767342241271991, 2024 Sep 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39308161

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) is an evidence-based treatment option for opioid use disorder (OUD), available in a limited number of countries. Norway implemented a 5-year HAT project in 2022, aiming to assess its effectiveness and its potential integration into the country's OUD treatment system. This study describes and compares patients' baseline characteristics from the Oslo and Bergen HAT clinics, providing a comprehensive picture of the unique population and the real-world application of HAT. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examines the baseline characteristics of consenting HAT patients within the first 2 years of operation (n = 86). Self-reported questionnaires gathered sociodemographics, previous treatment experiences, self-reported crime, and substance use, as well as motivations and expectations for treatment. Comparisons between the clinics were carried out using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were enrolled at the Oslo clinic (76%) and were male (80%). At admission, the average age was 45.9, with a significantly younger group in Bergen (42.5 vs 47.3, P < .05). While no patients reported being unhoused, 17% noted unstable housing within the preceding month. Unemployment was prevalent (91%) alongside previous treatment experiences (95%), with a median of 2 prior medication types. In the 3 months preceding HAT initiation, 78% of patients reported being victims of crime, and 44% committed at least one crime. Over their lifetime, 2 in 5 participants (41%) had experienced an unwanted overdose and 43% had shared syringes and equipment. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a cohort experiencing societal marginalization, including unstable housing, unsatisfactory prior OUD treatment, high-risk behaviors, and frequent interactions with criminal activities, predominantly as victims. While the Oslo and Bergen clinics serve a similar patient profile, notable differences emerged in the reasons for discontinuing past OUD treatment and crime-related factors.

4.
J Health Popul Nutr ; 43(1): 129, 2024 Aug 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39175091

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for a substantial number of deaths in Afghanistan. Understanding the prevalence and correlates of major NCD risk factors could provide a benchmark for future public health policies and programs to prevent and control NCDs. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of NCD risk factors among adults aged 18-69 years in Afghanistan. METHODS: We used data from the Afghanistan STEPS Survey 2018. The study population were 3650 (1896 males and 1754 females) adults aged 18-69 years sampled from all 34 provinces through a multistage cluster sampling process. Information on behavioural and biological risk factors was collected. We used STATA (version 18.0) for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the total participants, 42.8% were overweight or obese, 8.6% were current smokers, 26.9% had insufficient physical activities, 82.6% had low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and only 0.5% had ever consumed alcohol. Approximately 15% of participants had a high salt intake, while 25% and 8% had elevated blood pressure and blood glucose levels, respectively. Similarly, around 18% had elevated total cholesterol. The study revealed a lower prevalence of current smoking among females [AOR = 0.17, 95%CI (0.09-0.30)] compared with males, but a higher prevalence in those who had higher education levels [1.95 (1.13-3.36)] compared with those with no formal education. Insufficient physical activity was higher in participants aged 45-69 years [1.96 (1.39-2.76)], females [4.21 (1.98-8.84)], and urban residents [2.38 (1.46-3.88)] but lower in those with higher education levels [0.60 (0.37-0.95)]. Participants in the 25th to 75th wealth percentiles had higher odds of low fruit and vegetable consumption [2.11 (1.39-3.21)], while those in the > 75th wealth percentile had lower odds of high salt intake [0.63 (0.41-0.98)]. Being overweight/obese was more prevalent in participants aged 45-69 years [1.47 (1.03-2.11)], females [1.42 (0.99-2.01)], currently married [3.56 (2.42-5.21)] or ever married [5.28 (2.76-10.11)], and urban residents [1.39 (1.04-1.86)]. Similarly, high waist circumference was more prevalent in participants aged 45-69 years [1.86 (1.21-2.86)], females [5.91 (4.36-8.00)], those being currently married [4.82 (3.12-7.46)], and those being in 25th to 75th wealth percentile [1.76 (1.27-2.43)]. A high prevalence of elevated blood pressure was observed in participants aged 45-69 years [3.60 (2.44-5.31)] and currently married [2.31 (1.24-4.31)] or ever married [6.13 (2.71-13.8)] participants. Elevated blood glucose was more prevalent in older adults ([1.92 (1.09-3.39)] for 45-69 and [3.45 (2.44-5.31)] for 30-44 years), urban residents [2.01 (1.33-3.03)], and ever-married participants [4.89 (1.48-16.2)]. A higher prevalence of elevated cholesterol was observed in females [2.68 (1.49-4.82)] and those currently married [2.57 (1.17-5.63)] or ever married [4.24 (1.31-13.73)]. CONCLUSION: This study used up-to-date available data from a nationally representative sample and identified the prevalence of NCDs and associated risk factors in Afghanistan. Our findings have the potential to inform and influence health policies by identifying people at high risk of developing NCDs and can assist policymakers, health managers, and clinicians to design and implement targeted health interventions.


Subject(s)
Noncommunicable Diseases , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Female , Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology , Adult , Risk Factors , Aged , Young Adult , Afghanistan/epidemiology , Adolescent , Prevalence , Smoking/epidemiology , Diet/statistics & numerical data , Health Surveys , Overweight/epidemiology , Obesity/epidemiology , Exercise , Cross-Sectional Studies
5.
Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench ; 17(2): 104-120, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38994503

ABSTRACT

Aim: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and opium use. Background: GI malignancies are a global public health issue and are associated with many risk factors including genetic and lifestyle factors. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus and the Google Scholar search engine in addition to Persian databases including Magiran and SID were searched using relevant keywords. The associations of opium use, long duration of opium use, high daily amount opium use and high cumulative opium use and GI cancer and various subtypes of GI cancers were estimated and pooled in format of odds ratios (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) with a random effects model. Results: 22 articles that were published between 1983 and 2022 entered the analyses. There were significant relationships between opium use based on crude effect sizes (OR: 2.53, 1.95-3.29) and adjusted effect sizes (OR: 2.64, 1.99-3.51), high daily opium use (or: 3.41, 1.92-6.06), long duration of opium use (OR: 3.03, 1.90-4.84) and high cumulative opium use (OR: 3.88, 2.35-6.41), all compared to never opium use, and GI cancer. The results were not sensitive to sensitivity analyses and no influential publication biases were found in these analyses. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed that opium use could be associated with increased risk of overall and some particular GI cancers including oropharyngeal, gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Opium use as a potentially modifiable factor, therefore, should be more emphasized.

6.
Prev Med Rep ; 44: 102778, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38979481

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This study examines the efficacy and safety of three COVID-19 booster vaccines including mRNA-based vaccines (BNT162b2 (BioNTech/Pfizer) and/or mRNA-1273 (Moderna)), Non-Replicating Viral-Vector vaccines (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) and/or Ad26. COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson)), and Protein Subunit vaccine (SpikoGen) in immunosuppressed patients. Methods: Relevant articles were systematically searched using medical subject heading (MeSH) and keywords "COVID-19" and "booster dose" or "booster vaccine" or ''fourth dose" in the online databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. To identify eligible studies, a two-phase screening process was implemented. Initially, three researchers evaluated the studies based on the relevancy of the title and abstract. Results: A total of 58 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The findings suggest that booster doses offer greater protection against the disease than the primary dose. The study also compared various vaccine types, revealing that viral vector and nucleic acid vaccines outperformed inactivated vaccines. Results indicated that individuals receiving booster doses experienced superior outcomes compared to those without boosters. Vaccination against COVID-19 emerged as the most effective preventive measure against infection and symptom severity. Elevated antibody levels post-booster dose vaccination in the population signaled robust immune responses, underscoring the benefits of supplementary vaccine doses. Conclusion: This systematic review highlights preliminary evidence supporting the immunologic outcomes and safety of COVID-19 vaccine boosters in enhancing immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. However, further research is needed to determine optimal timing intervals between primary vaccination series and boosters while considering global equity issues and variant-specific considerations.

7.
BMC Pediatr ; 24(1): 436, 2024 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38971723

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Child stunting is prevalent in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), but an information gap remains regarding its current prevalence, correlates, and the impact of vaccination against this condition in Afghanistan. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of moderate and severe stunting and the potential impact of basic and full vaccination among children under five in Afghanistan. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the 2022-23 Afghanistan Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) including 32,989 children under 5. Descriptive statistics were employed to describe the distribution of independent variables and the prevalence of stunting across them. Chi-square analysis was used to examine the association between each independent variable with stunting. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the risk of stunting across different independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 32,989 children under 5 years old were included in this study. Of those 44.7% were stunted with 21.74% being severely stunted. Children aged 24-35 and 36-47 months faced the highest risk as compared to those aged 1-5 months. The prevalence was lower in female children and they were less likely to experience severe stunting. Stunting was more prevalent in rural areas, with children there 1.16 to 1.23 times more likely to be affected than urban counterparts. Lower wealth correlated with higher stunting. Younger maternal age at birth (≤ 18) correlated with increased stunting risks, particularly in severe cases. Parental education was inversely related to stunting; higher education levels in parents, especially fathers, were associated with lower stunting rates. Households with more than seven children showed a 25% and 44% higher risk of moderate and severe stunting, respectively, compared to families with 1-4 children. Improved sanitation, but not drinking water sources, was linked to reduced stunting in the adjusted model. Vaccination had a protective effect; in the adjusted analysis, basic and full vaccinations significantly lowered the risk of severe stunting by 46% and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this nationally representative study, the prevalence of stunting was substantial (44.7%) in Afghan children. Additionally, the findings emphasize the critical factors associated with child stunting and underscore the protective role of vaccination against this condition, which provides policymakers with directions for policy efforts and intervention strategies to reduce child stunting in Afghanistan.


Subject(s)
Growth Disorders , Vaccination , Humans , Afghanistan/epidemiology , Growth Disorders/epidemiology , Prevalence , Female , Infant , Child, Preschool , Male , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors
8.
Int J Adolesc Med Health ; 36(4): 381-389, 2024 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38917827

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Having sex under the influence of alcohol is a risky behavior and this study explored its prevalence and correlates among school-going Thai adolescents. METHODS: The data from the 2021 Thailand Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), including a nationally representative sample of students in grades 7-12th, was used to extract the relevant variables including demographic, psychosocial, substance use, and risky sex behaviors. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of engaging in sex while intoxicated across the independent variables while accounting for age and sex differences. RESULTS: Approximately 30.45 % of respondents reported alcohol intoxication and 37.75 % reported engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated at least once. Older adolescents (>14 years), males, and those in 11 and 12 grades were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Psychosocial factors such as loneliness and anxiety-induced insomnia were associated with increased likelihood, particularly among females. Substance use, including marijuana and amphetamine use, as well as cigarette smoking, correlated with higher odds of engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Both genders who engaged in sex while intoxicated reported having multiple sexual partners, with males more likely to use condoms. CONCLUSIONS: The intricate relationship between poor mental health, substance use, and risky sex behaviors along with their association with sex under alcohol influence emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to address the common risk factors and implement effective school-based screening strategies to identify the risk groups, educate them, and prevent the burden of risky sex under alcohol intoxication.


Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Risk-Taking , Students , Humans , Adolescent , Male , Female , Thailand/epidemiology , Prevalence , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Students/psychology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology , Alcoholic Intoxication/psychology , Health Surveys , Coitus/psychology , Schools , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Southeast Asian People
9.
Int J Adolesc Med Health ; 36(3): 291-298, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38833625

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to address a critical gap in understanding adolescent sexual health risks in Argentina, a country that has undergone substantial socio-economic changes that made significant strides in education and healthcare. METHODS: A secondary data analysis of the 2018 Argentina Global School-based Student Health Survey was performed. In this study, 23,262 sexually active adolescents were categorized into four risk groups based on the predicted granular risk: number of sexual partners and condom use in their last sexual encounter. RESULTS: Males and older adolescents were more prone to high-risk sexual behaviors. Additionally, key psychosocial factors such as loneliness, anxiety, experiences of violence, and school absenteeism were significantly associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Early alcohol use and recent experiences of hunger were also identified as strong predictors of heightened sexual risk behaviors. Conversely, positive parental engagement and awareness exhibited protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the necessity for policy interventions that focus on mental health support, parental involvement, and awareness of adolescent issues and activities.


Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior , Humans , Adolescent , Argentina , Male , Female , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Health Surveys , Students/psychology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Schools , Condoms/statistics & numerical data
10.
Curr HIV Res ; 22(3): 195-201, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38798214

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV (PLWH) are more susceptible to acquiring and having serious consequences from COVID-19. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between COVID-19 infection and other risk factors in these patients. METHODS: This is a descriptive-analytical study recruiting 160 PLWH referred to the Behavioral Disease Counselling Centre of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran in 2021. The patients were selected through convenient sampling. A checklist was used to collect the necessary data. Descriptive statistical tests, such as mean and standard deviation, were employed alongside inferential statistics, including chi-square, Fisher, independent t-tests, and logistic regression, all evaluated at a significance level of p<0.05 using the R software. RESULTS: The patients' average age was 43.15 ± 11.23. Forty-four women and 116 men were present. A notable association was observed between the incidence of COVID-19 and variables such as hepatitis C and the duration of time since HIV diagnosis (p<0.001). Moreover, a strong correlation was found between the amount of COVID-19 vaccination doses given to patients and their probability of acquiring the disease. The first vaccination dose was linked to a 5.45 percent increase in COVID-19 incidence in patients, whereas the second and third doses (t=2.95, t=7.57) reduced the risk of getting COVID-19. Furthermore, no discernible link (p>0.05) was found between the use of various antiretroviral medications and COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION: This study finds that vaccine type does not impact COVID-19 outcomes in HIV-positive patients, but receiving more doses decreases the probability of occurrence of COVID-19, advocating for multiple vaccinations. However, PLWH, especially those non-compliant with antiretrovirals, need strict adherence to health protocols due to heightened vulnerability to viral illnesses.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , HIV Infections , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Male , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Risk Factors , Middle Aged , Incidence , Iran/epidemiology , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
11.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1332425, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38655258

ABSTRACT

Objective: Spirulina (arthrospira platensis) is a cyanobacterium proven to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. However, the effect of high-dose Spirulina supplementation on hospitalized adults with COVID-19 is currently unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose Spirulina platensis for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Study Design: We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label trial involving 189 patients with COVID-19 who were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an experimental group that received 15.2g of Spirulina supplement plus standard treatment (44 non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) and 47 ICU), or to a control group that received standard treatment alone (46 non-ICU and 52 ICU). The study was conducted over six days. Immune mediators were monitored on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. The primary outcome of this study was mortality or hospital discharge within seven days, while the overall discharge or mortality was considered the secondary outcome. Results: Within seven days, there were no deaths in the Spirulina group, while 15 deaths (15.3%) occurred in the control group. Moreover, within seven days, there was a greater number of patients discharged in the Spirulina group (97.7%) in non-ICU compared to the control group (39.1%) (HR, 6.52; 95% CI, 3.50 to 12.17). Overall mortality was higher in the control group (8.7% non-ICU, 28.8% ICU) compared to the Spirulina group (non-ICU HR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.97; ICU, HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.48). In non-ICU, patients who received Spirulina showed a significant reduction in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IP-10 as intervention time increased. Furthermore, in ICU, patients who received Spirulina showed a significant decrease in the levels of MIP-1α and IL-6. IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in the intervention group in both ICU and non-ICU subgroups as intervention time increased. No side effects related to Spirulina supplements were observed during the trial. Conclusion: High-dose Spirulina supplements coupled with the standard treatment of COVID-19 may improve recovery and remarkably reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Clinical Trial Registration: https://irct.ir/trial/54375, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials number (IRCT20210216050373N1).


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19 , Dietary Supplements , SARS-CoV-2 , Spirulina , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/therapy , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Aged , Hospitalization , Adult , Treatment Outcome , Intensive Care Units , Cytokines/blood
12.
Front Psychiatry ; 15: 1374731, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38516262

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This study elucidates the complex journey of adolescents toward smoking cessation, investigating the association of relevant demographic factors, advertising, promotion, anti-cigarette messages, and individual knowledge and attitudes with being in different smoking cessation stages. Methods: Utilizing data from the 2019 Indonesia Global Youth Tobacco Survey, this secondary analysis included adolescents who reported ever smoking. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) guided the categorization of the outcome variable into three smoking cessation stages based on the responses to two questions related to the intention and timing of the smoking cessation. This included contemplation, action, and maintenance stages. Multinomial logistic regression analyzed the associations between each independent variable and being in each stage of smoking cessation. The study comprised 3596 Indonesian adolescents from grades 7-12, of which 2484 responded to two questions related to intention and timing of smoking cessation and were included in regression analysis. Results: Findings indicate that males and those aged ≥16 were predominantly in contemplation phase. Early smoking initiation, usage of other tobacco products, and exposure to various forms of smoke increased the likelihood of being in contemplation and action phases. Parental smoking, school smoking exposure, and second-hand smoke were significant contemplation phase predictors. Exposure to tobacco advertising was linked to an increased likelihood of being in contemplation and action phases, whereas anti-cigarette messages showed no significant impact. Awareness of cigarette and second-hand smoke harms reduced the odds of being in the contemplation phase, while enjoying smoking and willingness to accept cigarettes from friends increased the odds of being in contemplation and action phases rather than in maintenance phase. Conclusion: Addressing age, gender, cultural influences, environmental factors, and attitudes towards smoking through tailored interventions is vital for aiding smoking cessation in Indonesian adolescents. Strengthened tobacco control in schools and public places is recommended to bolster these efforts. Longitudinal studies are required to explore the evolving patterns of smoking cessation behaviors over time, enhancing our understanding of the factors influencing sustained cessation.

13.
SAGE Open Med ; 12: 20503121241238147, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38516644

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Afghanistan is experiencing an escalating burden of noncommunicable diseases, with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose being of particular concern. To explore the prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose and associated factors among adult Afghans. Methods: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from a nationally representative survey, conducted in 2018 in Afghanistan. A blood sample was collected from the fingertip and tested through a strip to measure blood glucose. The complex sampling design and sampling weights were accounted for in all analyses to produce representative estimates of the target population in Afghanistan. Results: Of 3890 Afghan adults aged 18-69 years who participated in this survey, 11.07% and 10.32% had diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, respectively. For overweight individuals with abdominal obesity, the risk for diabetes became significantly elevated, with an adjusted relative risk ratio of 2.12 (95% CI: 1.10-4.09). However, the most pronounced effect was observed among individuals classified as having obesity with abdominal obesity with an adjusted relative risk ratio of 2.54 (95% CI: 1.37-4.70). Moreover, high cholesterol level was significantly associated with both impaired fasting glucose (ARRR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.55-4.12) and diabetes (ARRR: 4.12, 95% CI: 2.59-6.56), whereas high blood pressure was significantly associated with only diabetes (ARRR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.16-2.86). Conclusions: This investigation provides critical insight into the prevalence of diabetes and IFG among Afghan adults aged 18-69 years. Relative to the global average, the higher prevalence observed calls for specifically designed interventions targeting individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, such as elevated body mass index, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.

14.
Infect Disord Drug Targets ; 24(7): e050324227686, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38445691

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. In early 2020, the disease spread rapidly around the world. Since the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved dramatically into a wide variety of variants endowed with devastating properties. As of March 6, 2022, five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron strains have been identified. Due to the crucial importance of understanding the differences between the Omicron and Delta variants, this systematic review was conducted. METHODS: This systematic review investigated new variants of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 based on current studies. Online databases were searched for English articles as of January 03, 2023. Selection of publications was a two-step process of title/abstract and full-text assessment against eligibility criteria. The relevant data from the included articles were systematically collected and organized in a designed table for analysis. To ensure the quality of the review, the PRISMA checklist and Newcastle- Ottawa Scale (NOS) of quality assessment were utilized. RESULTS: The data extracted from 58 articles were analyzed, including 10003 pieces of evidence. Lower risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality after vaccination were reported in the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant. Additionally, the Delta variant led to more severe clinical symptoms in comparison to the Omicron variant. CONCLUSION: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 results in less severe disease outcomes as compared to Delta. Nevertheless, it remains crucial to maintain ongoing monitoring, implement containment measures, and adapt vaccination protocols to effectively address the evolving variants.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
15.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 24(1): 398, 2024 Mar 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38553691

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) has a convincing evidence base, although variable retention rates suggest that it may not be beneficial for all. One of the options to include more patients is the introduction of heroin-assisted treatment (HAT), which involves the prescribing of pharmaceutical heroin in a clinical supervised setting. Clinical trials suggest that HAT positively affects illicit drug use, criminal behavior, quality of life, and health. The results are less clear for longer-term outcomes such as mortality, level of function and social integration. This protocol describes a longitudinal evaluation of the introduction of HAT into the OAT services in Norway over a 5-year period. The main aim of the project is to study the individual, organizational and societal effects of implementing HAT in the specialized healthcare services for OUD. METHODS: The project adopts a multidisciplinary approach, where the primary cohort for analysis will consist of approximately 250 patients in Norway, observed during the period of 2022-2026. Cohorts for comparative analysis will include all HAT-patients in Denmark from 2010 to 2022 (N = 500) and all Norwegian patients in conventional OAT (N = 8300). Data comes from individual in-depth and semi-structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, clinical records, and national registries, collected at several time points throughout patients' courses of treatment. Qualitative analyses will use a flexible inductive thematic approach. Quantitative analyses will employ a wide array of methods including bi-variate parametric and non-parametric tests, and various forms of multivariate modeling. DISCUSSION: The project's primary strength lies in its comprehensive and longitudinal approach. It has the potential to reveal new insights on whether pharmaceutical heroin should be an integral part of integrated conventional OAT services to individually tailor treatments for patients with OUD. This could affect considerations about drug treatment even beyond HAT-specific topics, where an expanded understanding of why some do not succeed with conventional OAT will strengthen the knowledge base for drug treatment in general. Results will be disseminated to the scientific community, clinicians, and policy makers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the Norwegian Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK), ref.nr.:195733.


Subject(s)
Heroin , Opioid-Related Disorders , Humans , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Heroin/therapeutic use , Norway , Opioid-Related Disorders/therapy , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Quality of Life , Clinical Studies as Topic
16.
Front Psychiatry ; 15: 1351629, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38501081

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bullying, both in person and online, is a significant risk factor for a range of negative outcomes including suicidal behaviors among adolescents and it is crucial to explore the protective effects of parental, school, and peer connectedness on suicidal behaviors among victims. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of the Argentina Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS 2018). Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age and sex, determines the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and attempts among bullying victims. To explore the modifying effect of school, parental, and peer connectedness on the association between bullying and suicide behaviors, the interaction term was included. Sampling design and weights were applied in all analyses in STATA 17. Results: The study included 56,783 students in grades 8-12, with over half being female. Adolescents aged 14-15 exhibited the highest prevalence of bullying, cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, and attempts, with females displaying a higher prevalence in all measured categories. The study found that adolescents who reported being bullied or cyberbullied demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts and attempting suicide. Furthermore, protective factors such as school, parental, and peer connectedness were found to play a critical role in mitigating the adverse impacts of bullying and cyberbullying on suicidal thoughts and attempts. Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical prevalence of both bullying and cyberbullying among school-going Argentinian adolescents and their profound association with suicidal behaviors. The study emphasizes the importance of supportive family environments and peer and school connectedness in mitigating the negative effects of bullying and cyberbullying on mental health and suicide risk among adolescents.

17.
BMC Prim Care ; 25(1): 102, 2024 Mar 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38539098

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Village health volunteers (VHVs) engaging in community-based COVID-19 prevention and control measures played a key role in mitigating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey study to investigate factors affecting VHVs' COVID-19 self-protective behaviors and social distancing in Songkhla Province during the first COVID-19 outbreak. Such information may help to understand how to support VHVs in future pandemics. METHODS: A total of 152 VHVs from 13 sub-districts participated in the study, completing a 54-item questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The questionnaire included items assessing susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, social distancing, and self-protective behavior. Stepwise multiple regression analysis determined which aspects of the HBM could explain VHVs' self-protective behavior. RESULTS: The VHV population sampled broadly reflected the main demographic characteristics of the local population, although VHVs were predominantly female. Self-protective behavior was significantly associated with VHVs' role (higher perceived compliance for village leaders than non-leaders) but not with other demographic characteristics. Most VHVs reported high levels of self-efficacy (80.5%), adherence to social distancing measures (70.9%), and engagement in self-protective behavior (72.8%) against COVID-19. However, compliance with hand hygiene appeared to be suboptimal, suggesting room for improvement. Self-efficacy and perceived social distancing showed strong and moderate correlations with self-protective behavior against COVID-19 (r = 0.917, ß = 0.819; and r = 0.561, ß = 0.173 respectively; p < 0.001). The final HBM-based regression model accounted for 87.2% of the variance in VHVs' self-protective behavior. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of VHVs' self-efficacy for achieving self-protective behavior during a COVID-19 outbreak, and suggests that self-efficacy may help to overcome barriers that might otherwise hinder behaviors to mitigate against COVID-19. Policies that support self-efficacy should be implemented in any future pandemic, and steps to support VHVs with hand hygiene compliance and empower non-leaders to increase their self-protective behavior may also be helpful. Whilst the HBM provided a useful framework for interpretation, the final model was driven mainly by self-efficacy.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Female , Male , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Thailand/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Pandemics/prevention & control , Healthy Volunteers , Health Belief Model
18.
Prev Med Rep ; 38: 102608, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38375172

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, commonly presents with symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath but can also affect other organs. There is growing evidence pointing to potential eye complications. In this article, we aim to systematically review the ocular manifestations of COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to explore the ocular manifestations of COVID-19. We searched online databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to September 4, 2023. After a two-stage screening process and applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, eligible articles were advanced to the data extraction phase. The PRISMA checklist and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used for quality and bias risk assessments. Results: We selected and extracted data from 42 articles. Most of the studies were cross-sectional (n = 33), with the highest number conducted in Turkey (n = 10). The most frequent ocular manifestation was conjunctivitis, reported in 24 articles, followed by photophobia, burning, chemosis, itching, and ocular pain. Most studies reported complete recovery from these manifestations; however, one study mentioned visual loss in two patients. Conclusion: In general, ocular manifestations of COVID-19 appear to resolve either spontaneously or with supportive treatments. For more severe cases, both medical treatment and surgery have been employed, with the outcomes suggesting that complete recoveries are attainable.

19.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1264230, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38406500

ABSTRACT

Background: There is a scarcity of research on discriminatory experiences and their association with health outcomes among Syrian Refugees in Norway. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination, self-rated health (SRH), chronic pain, poor mental health, and healthcare utilization among Syrian refugees resettled in Norway. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Integration for Health project were analyzed, including 154 Syrian refugees who resettled in Norway in 2018-19. Perceived discrimination, SRH, chronic pain, psychological distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and healthcare visits were assessed. Statistical analyses, including Poisson regression and multinomial logistic regression, were conducted. The significant statistical level was set at 0.05. Results: Approximately 30% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, with no significant associations between sociodemographic factors and perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with psychological distress (adjusted PR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.21-3.55), post-traumatic stress symptoms (adjusted PR: 11.54, 95%CI: 1.25-106.16), and 4 or more psychologist visits (adjusted OR: 12.60, 95%CI: 1.72-92.16). However, no significant associations were found between perceived discrimination and SRH; pain symptoms, or general healthcare utilization. Conclusion: Experienced discrimination is highly prevalent and seems to be associated with mental health outcomes, but not clearly with SRH, pain, or general healthcare visits among Syrian refugees living in Norway. Efforts should focus on reducing discrimination, promoting social inclusion, and improving access to mental health services for refugees. Public awareness campaigns, anti-discrimination policies, and cultural training for healthcare professionals are recommended to address these issues and improve the well-being of Syrian refugees in Norway.


Subject(s)
Chronic Pain , Mental Health Services , Refugees , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Humans , Mental Health , Cross-Sectional Studies , Perceived Discrimination , Refugees/psychology , Syria
20.
J Health Popul Nutr ; 43(1): 16, 2024 Jan 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38287379

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A healthy diet play an important role in the prevention and even treatment of various diseases. Proper nutrition plays an important role in boosting of immune system. These include the consumption of macronutrients such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and also micronutrients including vitamins. Here, we aimed to systematically review the effects of macronutrients and micronutrients on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: We searched the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science on December 23, 2023. The records were downloaded into an EndNote file, the duplicates were removed, and the studies underwent a two-phase screening process based on their title/abstracts and full texts. The included articles were screened and underwent inclusion and exclusion criteria. We included the English systematic reviews and meta-analyses that concurred with the aim of our study. The selected articles were assessed by Cochrane's Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews for the quality check. The data of the eligible studies were extracted in a pre-designed word table and were used for the qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 28 reviews were included in this study. Most studies have shown that micronutrients are effective in morbidity and mortality controlling in viral respiratory infections such as COVID-19 but some studies have shown that micronutrients are sometimes not effective in controlling severity. On the other hand, calcifediol was by far the most successful agent in reducing intensive care needs and mortality between studies. CONCLUSION: Individuals without malnutrition had a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease. The administration of Vitamin D is effective in reducing the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 patients. Patients with vitamin D deficiency were more prone to experience severe infection, and they were at higher risk of morbidities and mortality. Other micronutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Zinc also showed some benefits in patients with COVID-19. Vitamin C showed no efficacy in COVID-19 management even in intravenous form or in high doses.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Vitamins , Nutrients/therapeutic use , Vitamin A , Micronutrients/therapeutic use
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