The influence of social norms in the context of reducing sugar-sweetened beverages consumption.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the factors associated with low sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and intention to avoid these products as well as investigate the role of different types of social norms in the adoption of this behaviour. STUDY DESIGN: This study reports the results of a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional telephone survey. METHODS: A total of 1000 adults were randomly recruited in the province of Québec, Canada, using a random-digit dialling procedure. Eligibility criteria were to be aged between 18 and 64 years; able to answer a questionnaire in French or English; and to reside in the province of Québec. SSB consumption, social norms and variables from the theory of planned behaviour were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine factors associated with behaviour and intention. RESULTS: Consuming <1 SSB per day was significantly associated with intention, perceived behavioural control, and risk perception about tooth decay. Descriptive (perceived prevalence in the close surroundings of one person) and perceived societal norms (perceived broad societal approval/disapproval of the behaviour) were associated with behaviour. All theory of planned behaviour variables (including injunctive norm) and risk perception pertaining to chronic diseases predicted intention to avoid the consumption of ≥1 SSB per day. Sex, age, income, and risk perception pertaining to chronic diseases were associated with perceived societal disapproval of SSB consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of social norms in the prediction of SSB consumption but also highlights the need to address motivation and capacities in public health interventions to reduce SSB consumption.

Impact of a mass vaccination campaign against Serogroup B meningococcal disease in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec four years after its launch.

In the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, 83% of the population ≤20 years (n ≅ 59,500) was immunized in 2014 with the four-component Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine to control a long-lasting outbreak caused by a virulent ST-269 Serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis clone. Following the campaign, invasive meningococcal B disease (B-IMD) incidence fell sharply in the target population from 11.4/100,000 in 2006-2014 to 0.4/100,000 in 2014-2018 (p < 0.0001). Five B-IMD cases occurred in the region from July 2014 to June 2018, including one vaccinated child, one unvaccinated young adult and 3 unvaccinated elderly adults. Estimate of direct vaccine protection was 79% [95%CI:-231%;99%]. The overall campaign impact in the region taking into account the decrease in B-IMD incidence at provincial level was a 86% [95%CI:-2%;98%] decrease in B-IMD risk. The campaign impact was mostly seen in the target age-group suggesting no herd effect among unvaccinated older adults.

Middle ear abnormalities at age 5 years in relation with early onset otitis media and number of episodes, in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Quebec, Canada.

Otitis media (OM) and their sequelae are a major health issue in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Quebec. Hypotheses of the study were: (i) early onset OM leads to repeated OM; (ii) repeated OM episodes leads to middle ear abnormalities (MEA) at age 5 years, (iii) pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) may reduce multiple OM and MEA. Immunisation cards, medical records and audiology screening tests at age 5 years in a sample of 610 children born in 1994-2010 in 3 communities were reviewed. Children were classified into three categories using a score based on audiology screening tests: no abnormality, minor, or major MEA. The average number of OM episodes before age 5 years was 5.0 and 30% had minor and 17% major MEA at age 5 years. Community residency predicted both frequent (≥ 8) OM episodes and MEA. Early onset OM (age <6 months) was a predictor of frequent OM (RR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.50-1.95) whereas PCV (≥1 dose ≥ age 2 months) has no significant effect. Frequent OM episodes were associated with major MEA (RR = 2.16; 95%CI: 1.20-3.85). Although associations were not statistically significant, there was a trend towards a protective effect of PCV administration on frequent OM and minor MEA, but not major MEA. In conclusion, results support an association between early onset OM, frequent OM and MEA that could represent a causal pathway.

Prevalence of middle ear abnormalities from otitis media in relation with pneumococcal vaccine use in the Inuit population of Nunavik, province of Quebec, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media (OM) constitutes an important public health problem in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Northern Quebec. One of the objectives of the childhood pneumococcal vaccination program is to reduce OM burden. The program was implemented in 2002, and 7-, 10-, and 13-valent conjugate vaccines were used sequentially, with doses offered at 2, 4, 6 and 12-18 months, respectively. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of middle ear abnormalities at age 5 years in relation with exposure to different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. METHODS: Immunization cards and audiology screening tests at age 5 years of children born in 1994-2010 were reviewed. Children were classified according to the vaccine schedule recommended for their birth cohort or to the vaccines they actually received. Log-linked binomial regression models were used to assess the relative abnormalities risk according to different vaccination schedules. RESULTS: Among 3517 children with complete documentation, the prevalences of minor and major abnormalities were 29% and 18%, respectively. Minor abnormalities frequency was higher in unvaccinated children (34%) and lower in children vaccinated with PCV7 (22%), PCV7 + PCV10 (17%), PCV10 (15%) and PCV10 + PCV13 (18%). No substantial differences among vaccine schedules were observed for major abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination was associated with a decreased frequency of middle ear abnormalities although no effect was seen for major abnormalities which may be trigger by OM with early onset. Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT01694329.

Hospitalisation for lower respiratory tract infection in children in the province of Quebec, Canada, before and during the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) may reduce this burden. This study's goal was to analyse trends in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) hospitalisations before and during a routine vaccination programme targeting all newborns with PCV was started in the province of Quebec, Canada in December 2004. The study population included hospital admissions with a main diagnosis of LRTI among 6-59 month-old Quebec residents from April 2000 to December 2014. Trends in proportions and rates were analysed using Cochran-Armitage tests and Poisson regression models. We observed a general downward trend in all LTRI hospitalisations rate: from 11·55/1000 person-years in 2000-2001 to 9·59/1000 in 2013-2014, a 17·0% reduction, which started before the introduction of PCV vaccination. Downward trends in hospitalisation rates were more pronounced for all-cause of pneumonia (minus 17·8%) than for bronchiolitis (minus 15·4%). There was also a decrease in the mean duration of hospital stay. There was little evidence that all-cause pneumonia decreased over the study period due mainly to the introduction of PCVs. Trends may be related to changes in clinical practice. This study casts doubt on the interpretation of ecological analyses of the implementation of PCV vaccination programmes.

The Quebec experience in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing obesity: how can we do better?

Over the last years, many actions have been implemented in the Canadian province of Quebec to prevent health issues related to diet, physical activity and obesity. As a new public health programme is being launched, the 'How can we do better?' project aimed to identify priority areas for further action. An exhaustive search led to identify 166 interventions rolled out in Quebec between 2006 and 2014. We compared it with evidence-based recommendations. Findings were challenged during a 2-d deliberative forum gathering 25 key stakeholders. At the crossroads of these analyses, 50 proposals emerged to sustain/bolster current efforts or to implement new initiatives. Specific improvements were recommended, e.g. about food supply quality monitoring, healthy food accessibility and affordability, physical activity promotion through land use policies, schools and childcare facilities retrofit and urban planning. Crosscutting proposals stress the importance to implement a new governmental prevention strategy and to reinforce evaluation at all levels. This call for action takes place at a critical period for political commitment and should be maintained until and after curbing the prevalence of obesity and related diseases. Although Quebec-focused, 'How can we do better?' project outcomes may be informative for other jurisdictions, and the methods may be inspiring for those interested in combining knowledge syntheses and deliberative processes to inform decision makers in a limited time frame.

Forecasting Trends in Invasive Pneumococcal Disease among Elderly Adults in Quebec.

Background. In Canada, the current recommendation is to offer PPV23 to adults ≥ 65 years. PCV13 is now licensed for adults. Methods. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases in adults 65-74 years of age in the Quebec notifiable diseases registry were classified into five serotype categories. Poisson regression models were fitted to monthly rates observed in 2000-2014 and predictions were made for 2015-2024, using theoretical assumptions regarding indirect effects of childhood vaccination and serotype replacement. Results. IPD rates caused by PCV7 serotypes decreased markedly since PCV7 introduction for children in December 2004. This trend is also underway for additional PCV13 serotypes except serotype 3. Additional PPV23 serotypes and nonvaccine serotypes have been on rise since 2004 and this is expected to continue. A small decrease in overall IPD incidence in the next decade is predicted. The proportion of PCV13 serotypes represented 33% of IPD cases in 2014 and would be 20% (95% CI: 15% to 28%) in 2024. PPV23 coverage was 53% in 2014 and is expected to be 47% (95% CI: 26% to 85%) in 2024. Conclusion. The potential usefulness of a combined PCV13 + PPV23 program for elderly adults would decrease over time but PCV13 would be the only option to prevent serotype 3 IPD.

Predictors of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infection in children aged <2 years in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Young age, adverse environmental conditions and infectious agents are established risk factors of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), whereas pneumococcal conjugate vaccines may be protective. To explore their relative role as predictors of hospitalizations under the continental climate prevailing in the province of Quebec, Canada, an ecological study was performed. Records with a main diagnosis of LRTI in children born during 2007-2010 and observed up to their second-year anniversary were extracted from the provincial hospital administrative database. Respiratory virus surveillance data and statistics on ambient air temperature were obtained. Vaccine use in different birth cohorts was derived from the Quebec City Immunization Registry. Additive and multiplicative Poisson regression models were applied to estimate attributable fractions. Age, month of birth, ambient temperature, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and influenza-positive test proportions were significant predictors of LRTI hospitalizations. No substantial differences were observed in cohorts exposed to the 7-valent or 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. In the additive model, the fraction of hospitalizations explained by temperature variation was 37%, whereas RSV circulation explained 28%, hMPV 4% and influenza 1%. Complex interplay between biological, environmental and social mechanisms may explain the important role of ambient air temperature in predicting LRTI hospitalization risk in young children.

Apolipoprotein J (clusterin) activates rodent microglia in vivo and in vitro.

Apolipoprotein J (apoJ; also known as clusterin and sulfated glycoprotein (SGP)-2) is associated with senile plaques in degenerating regions of Alzheimer's disease brains, where activated microglia are also prominent. We show a functional link between apoJ and activated microglia by demonstrating that exogenous apoJ activates rodent microglia in vivo and in vitro. Intracerebroventricular infusion of purified human plasma apoJ ( approximately 4 microg over 28 days) activated parenchymal microglia to a phenotype characterized by enlarged cell bodies and processes (phosphotyrosine immunostaining). In vitro, primary rat microglia were also activated by apoJ, with changes in morphology and induction of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) antigen. ApoJ increased the secretion of reactive nitrogen intermediates in a dose-dependent manner (EC(50) 112 nm), which was completely blocked by aminoguanidine (AG), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. However, AG did not block the increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by apoJ (EC(50) 55 nm). Microglial activation by apoJ was also blocked by an anti-apoJ monoclonal antibody (G7), and by chemical cleavage of apoJ with 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoate. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and protein kinase C inhibitors PD98059 and H7 inhibited apoJ-mediated induction of reactive nitrogen intermediate secretion from cultured microglia. As a functional measure, apoJ-activated microglia secreted neurotoxic agents in a microglia-neuron co-culture model. We hypothesize that ApoJ contributes to chronic inflammation and neurotoxicity through direct effects on microglia.

An analytical framework for immunization programs in Canada.

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of new vaccines available on the Canadian market, and increasing divergence in provincial and territorial immunization programs as jurisdictions must choose among available health interventions with limited funding. We present an analytical framework, which we have developed to assist in the analysis and comparison of potential immunization programs. The framework includes 58 criteria classified into 13 categories, including the burden of disease, vaccine characteristics and immunization strategy, cost-effectiveness, acceptability, feasibility, and evaluability of program, research questions, equity, ethical, legal and political considerations. To date this framework has been utilized in a variety of different contexts, such as to structure expert presentations and reports and to examine the degree of consensus and divergence among experts, and to establish priorities. It can be transformed for a variety of other uses such as educating health professionals and the general public about immunization.

Complications of meningococcal disease in college students.

A retrospective study was conducted to provide a description of the risk, complications, fatality, and sequelae associated with invasive meningococcal disease in college students admitted in the Allegheny county (Pennsylvania) hospital system from January 1990 to May 1999.

Cost-effectiveness of a lottery for increasing physicians' responses to a mail survey.

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a lottery on physicians' responses to a mail survey, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with a random sample of 1,000 members of the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners in 1997. For the first mailing of this survey, each respondent was randomly assigned to the control or experimental group, which was offered participation in a lottery upon return of the questionnaire. Response rate was 41.2% in the experimental group and 34.8% in the control group, a 6.4% difference (CI95%: 0.6%-12.6%). The additional cost of the lottery was about Can$500, giving an incremental cost of Can$16 per questionnaire returned. In conclusion, a lottery resulted in a small but statistically significant increase in the response rate of physicians to a mail survey. This method may be a cost-effective option when applied to large surveys.

Effectiveness of a mass immunization campaign against serogroup C meningococcal disease in Quebec.

CONTEXT: An outbreak of meningococcal disease in Quebec province prompted a mass immunization program. The impact of this campaign on the epidemiology of meningococcal disease has not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of a mass immunization campaign using polysaccharide vaccine on the epidemiology of meningococcal disease (MCD) and to assess serogroup C vaccine effectiveness (VE). DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: Analysis of MCD cases reported in Quebec from 1990 to 1998, before and after the mass immunization campaign was conducted during the winter of 1992-1993, when 84% of residents aged 6 months to 20 years (the target population, approximately 1.9 million individuals) were vaccinated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of MCD in 1990-1998; incidence of culture-proven serogroup C MCD between April 1, 1993, and March 31, 1998, compared among vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in the target population. RESULTS: The incidence of serogroup C disease decreased after the mass immunization campaign, from 1.4 per 100 000 in 1990-1992 to 0.3 per 100 000 in 1993-1998, and the overall incidence of other serogroups remained stable at 0.7 per 100 000, with a small increase in the proportion of cases caused by serogroup Y (P =.009). Protection from serogroup C MCD was indicated in the first 2 years after vaccine administration (VE, 65%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 20%-84%), but not in the next 3 years (VE, 0%; 95% CI, -5% to 65%). Vaccine effectiveness was strongly related to age at vaccination: 83% (95% CI, 39%-96%) for ages 15 through 20 years, 75% (95% CI, - 17% to 93%) for ages 10 through 14 years, and 41% (95% CI, -106% to 79%) for ages 2 through 9 years. There was no evidence of protection in children younger than 2 years; all 8 MCD cases in this age group occurred in vaccinees. CONCLUSIONS: Serogroup C polysaccharide vaccine is effective for controlling outbreaks in teenaged individuals but should not be used in children younger than 2 years. The mass campaign did not induce significant serogroup switching.

Burden of chickenpox on families: A study in Quebec.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the nonhospital costs of treating chickenpox and to ascertain the opinion of parents regarding the usefulness of vaccination. DESIGN: Retrospective postal survey. SETTING: Province of Quebec. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 3333 families with children aged six months to 12 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: For cases of chickenpox that occurred between September 1, 1997 and August 31, 1998, the use of health services, time away from school or work, patient care required, direct and indirect costs for the families and the health care system, and the opinion of parents regarding chickenpox and the vaccine were evaluated. RESULTS: The response rate was 64.7%, and 18.8% of households reported a history of chickenpox, a total of 693 cases. A physician was consulted in 45.8% of these cases, and medication was used in 91.7%. The frequency of hospitalizations was 0.6%. Time away from work or school caused by the disease was 4.1 days on average, with 46.5% of absences being attributed to the risk of contagion. The total average cost of a case of chickenpox was $225. Direct expenses for households accounted for 11% of the total cost, public sector direct costs 7%, indirect costs related to absence from work 38% and caregiving time 45%. A majority of parents (70%) were in favour of a systematic childhood immunization program. CONCLUSIONS: Chickenpox without complications is disruptive for families, but the direct costs for families and the public sector are relatively small.

Vaccination practices of Quebec family physicians. Influenza vaccination status and professional practices for influenza vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: To assess influenza vaccination status and influenza vaccination practices of family physicians in Quebec. DESIGN: Mail survey of a random sample of 1000 family physicians. SETTING: Family practices in the province of Quebec. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1000 Quebec family physicians sent questionnaires, 550 responded. After excluding physicians who worked only in institutions, had no patients older than 65 years, or did clinical work less than 20% of the time, 379 respondents were eligible for the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaccination status of family physicians in 1996 and professional practices based on six clinical and administrative activities pertaining to influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Prevalence of vaccination was 35.5% (95% confidence interval 30.8% to 40.4%) among responding physicians and was higher among those 60 years and older, those with a chronic condition, and those perceiving high peer pressure to get vaccinated. Most respondents frequently assessed the current influenza vaccination status of their patients, risk factors for influenza-related complications, and contraindications to the vaccine. They also frequently provided education about influenza and its vaccine, recommended vaccination, and administered the vaccine. Only a few reported assessing prior influenza vaccinations or recording vaccination status regularly. Finally, vaccinated physicians recommended the vaccine more frequently to their patients than unvaccinated physicians did. CONCLUSION: Promotion programs focusing on peer influence could increase vaccination of family physicians. This could in turn improve vaccination coverage of elderly patients.

Comparative immunogenicity under field conditions of two recombinant hepatitis B vaccines in 8-10-year-old children.

The immunogenicity of two hepatitis B vaccines was compared in 8-10-year-old children immunized in a school program. One year apart, 1129 children received Engerix-B 10 microg vaccine (EB), and 1126 received Recombivax-HB 2.5 microg (RB), following the 0, 1, 6 schedule. Blood samples were collected one month after the third dose. Anti-Hbs were measured by commercial radioimmunoassay. In the EB group, 99.1% of the children seroconverted (>/=2 IU/l) compared to 99.7% in the RHB group (p=0.09). The seroprotection rate (>/=10 IU/l) was similar for both groups: 98.9% in the EB group and 99.2% in the RB group (p=0.66). However, GMCs of anti-HBs were higher in children given EB compared to those given RB (7307 vs. 3800 mIU/ml, p<0.0001). This study showed that both vaccines were highly immunogenic, in the course of a regular field immunization program. However, the difference observed in the antibody levels attained according to the vaccine may play a role in the long-term protection of these children.