Race and Antibiotic Use for Children Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Infections.

We sought to evaluate whether children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections experienced differences in antibiotic use by race and ethnicity. We found that likelihood of broad-spectrum antibiotic receipt differed across racial and ethnic groups. Future work should confirm this finding, evaluate causes, and ensure equitable antibiotic use.

Implementation of a strategy to facilitate effective medical follow-up for Australian First Nations children hospitalised with lower respiratory tract infections: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: First Nations children hospitalised with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) are at increased risk of future bronchiectasis (up to 15-19%) within 24-months post-hospitalisation. An identified predictive factor is persistent wet cough a month after hospitalisation and this is likely related to protracted bacterial bronchitis which can progress to bronchiectasis, if untreated. Thus, screening for, and optimally managing, persistent wet cough one-month post-hospitalisation potentially prevents bronchiectasis in First Nations' children. Our study aims to improve the post-hospitalisation medical follow-up for First Nations children hospitalised with ALRIs and thus lead to improved respiratory health. We hypothesize that implementation of a strategy, conducted in a culturally secure manner, that is informed by barriers and facilitators identified by both parents and health care providers, will improve medical follow-up and management of First Nations children hospitalized with ALRIs. METHODS: Our trial is a multi-centre, pseudo-randomized stepped wedge design where the implementation of the strategy is tailored for each study site through a combined Participatory Action Research and implementation science approach informed by the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research. Outcome measures will consist of three categories related to (i) health, (ii) economics and (iii) implementation. The primary outcome measure will be Cough-specific Quality of Life (PC-QoL). Outcomes will be measures at each study site/cluster in three different stages i.e., (i) nil-intervention control group, (ii) health information only control group and (iii) post-intervention group. DISCUSSION: If our hypothesis is correct, our study findings will translate to improved health outcomes (cough related quality of life) in children who have persistent wet cough a month after hospitalization for an ALRI. Trial registration ACTRN12622000224729, prospectively registered 8 February 2022, URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=382886&isReview=true .

Housing conditions and respiratory morbidity in Indigenous children in remote communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among First Nations (FN) children living in Canada are elevated. We aimed to quantify indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in the homes of FN children in isolated communities and evaluate any associations with respiratory morbidity. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of 98 FN children (81 with complete data) aged 3 years or younger, living in 4 FN communities in the Sioux Lookout region of Northern Ontario. We performed medical chart reviews and administered questionnaires. We performed a housing inspection, including quantifying the interior surface area of mould (SAM). We monitored air quality for 5 days in each home and quantified the contaminant loading of settled floor dust, including endotoxin. We analyzed associations between IEQ variables and respiratory conditions using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 1.6 years and 21% had been admitted to hospital for respiratory infections before age 2 years. Houses were generally crowded (mean occupancy 6.6 [standard deviation 2.6, range 3-17] people per house). Serious housing concerns were frequent, including a lack of functioning controlled ventilation. The mean SAM in the occupied space was 0.2 m2. In multivariable modelling, there was evidence of an association of LRTI with log endotoxin (p = 0.07) and age (p = 0.02), and for upper respiratory tract infections, with SAM (p = 0.07) and age (p = 0.03). Wheeze with colds was associated with log endotoxin (p = 0.03) and age (p = 0.04). INTERPRETATION: We observed poor housing conditions and an association between endotoxin and wheezing in young FN children living in Northern Ontario.

Ambient air pollution and risk of respiratory infection among adults: evidence from the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND: Air pollution may affect the risk of respiratory infection, though research has focused on uncommon infections or infections in children. Whether ambient air pollutants increase the risk of common acute respiratory infections among adults is uncertain, yet this may help understand whether pollutants influence spread of pandemic respiratory infections like COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between ambient air pollutant exposures and respiratory infections in adults. METHODS: During five study examinations over 12 years, 6536 participants in the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA) reported upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, pneumonia or febrile illness in the preceding 2 weeks. Using a validated spatiotemporal model, we estimated residential concentrations of ambient PM2.5, NOx and NO2 for the 2-6 weeks (short-term) and year (long-term) prior to each examination. RESULTS: In this population aged 44-84 years at baseline, 10%-32% of participants reported a recent respiratory infection, depending on month of examination and study region. PM2.5, NOx and NO2 concentrations over the prior 2-6 weeks were associated with increased reporting of recent respiratory infection, with risk ratios (95% CIs) of 1.04 (1.00 to 1.09), 1.15 (1.10 to 1.20) and 1.21 (1.10 to 1.33), respectively, per increase from 25th to 75th percentile in residential pollutant concentration. CONCLUSION: Higher short-term exposure to PM2.5 and traffic-related pollutants are associated with increased risk of symptomatic acute respiratory infections among adults. These findings may provide an insight into the epidemiology of COVID-19.

Medicinal plants used to treat "African" diseases by the local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri District, Western Uganda.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Africa, traditional medicine encompasses a diverse range of practices, including herbalism and spiritualism, where some diseases are believed to be "African" since they can only be traditionally treated. Indigenous knowledge on the management of "African" diseases using medicinal plants is still handed down orally from generation to generation by tribal societies of tropical Africa, and with the rapid westernization of these societies there is a pressing need to record local knowledge before it is lost forever. AIM: This study documented medicinal plant species associated with the management of "African" diseases by the local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district, Western Uganda. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. The data collected included names of plant species, plant parts used, diseases treated, methods of preparation, and mode of administration of the herbal remedies. A total of 196 informants participated in the study. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics and the Informant consensus factor. RESULTS: We documented 67 medicinal plant species distributed over 27 families and 62 genera. The most commonly reported species belong to Asteraceae family. The most frequently used medicinal species were Chenopodium opulifolium (27), Sesbania sesban (26), Thevetia peruviana (25), Leonotis nepetifolia (23), Momordica foetida (23), Euphorbia hirta (21) and Cassia mimosoides (20). Leaves were the most commonly used plants parts and decoctions were the main method of preparation. Water was the main medium used for the preparation of the remedies which were administered orally while petroleum jelly was the main medium for those which were used as ointments. The medicinal plant species reported are used to treat 39 conditions which were clustered into 10 International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) disease categories. There is a high degree of consensus among the informants on which medicinal plant species they use for different diseases especially disorders in the following categories: neurological (FIC = 0.90), general and unspecified (FIC = 0.87), digestive (FIC = 0.86) and female genital (FIC = 0.82). CONCLUSION: Local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district, Western Uganda use a rich diversity of medicinal plant species in the management of various "African" diseases. Therefore, collaboration between users of medicinal plants and scientists is paramount, to help in the discovery of new drugs based on indigenous knowledge.

Burden of respiratory infections and otitis media in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Quebec, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory infections are a major health problem in the Inuit population of Nunavik, province of Quebec, Canada. OBJECTIVES: A study was undertaken to assess the burden of lower (LRTI) and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and otitis media (OM) and to explore some of their determinants including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) status. METHODS: The reference population includes children less than 5 years of age born in 1994-2010 and a sample of 825 children was selected for this study. Outpatient medical records were reviewed. Visits with a diagnosis of LRTI, URTI and OM were extracted. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors of disease risk. RESULTS: The average number of LRTI, URTI and OM episodes were, respectively, 2.6, 6.2 and 5.9 from birth up to the 5th birthday. Seasonal patterns were similar for URTI and OM, but was different for LRTI. Children who received the recommended 4 PCV doses had a lower LRTI and OM risk than unvaccinated children. There was a trend towards a lower OM risk associated with a mixed PCV10+ PCV13 schedule compared with PCV7. CONCLUSION: Results suggest a lower LRTI and OM risk associated with PCV use in this high-risk population but respiratory disease risk remains high compared with the general population in Quebec.

The traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial respiratory diseases: A review of the ethnobotany and scientific evaluations.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Multiple plant species were used traditionally in southern Africa to treat bacterial respiratory diseases. This review summarises this usage and highlights plant species that are yet to be verified for these activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: This manuscript reviews the traditional usage of southern African plant species to treat bacterial respiratory diseases with the aim of highlighting gaps in the literature and focusing future studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive review of ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary scientific studies was undertaken to identify southern African plants which are used in traditional southern African medicine to treat bacterial respiratory diseases. We also searched for southern African plants whose inhibitory activity against bacterial respiratory pathogens has been conmfirmed, to highlight gaps in the literature and focus future studies. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-seven southern African plant species are recorded as traditional therapies for bacterial respiratory infections. Scientific evaluations of 178 plant species were recorded, although only 42 of these were selected for screening on the basis of their ethnobotanical uses. Therefore, the potential of 146 species used teraditionally to treat bacterial respiratory diseases are yet to be verified. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory properties of southern African medicinal plants against bacterial respiratory pathogens is relatively poorly explored and the antibacterial activity of most plant species remains to be verified.

[Ethnic and racial inequalities in hospital admissions due to avoidable causes in under-five Brazilian children, 2009-2014]. / Iniquidades étnico-raciais nas hospitalizações por causas evitáveis em menores de cinco anos no Brasil, 2009-2014.

There has been a global increase in hospital admissions for primary care-sensitive conditions (PCSCs) as an indicator of effectiveness in primary health care. This article analyzes ethnic and racial inequalities in cause-related hospitalizations in under-five children in Brazil as a whole and the country's five major geographic regions, with an emphasis on PCSCs and acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Using data from the Hospital Information Systems of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIH/SUS), 2009-2014, the authors calculated proportions, rates, and rate ratios for PCSCs, adjusted by sex and age after multiple imputation of missing data on color/race. The principal causes of hospitalization were respiratory tract infections (37.4%) and infectious and parasitic diseases (19.3%), and indigenous children were proportionally the most affected. Crude PCSC rates (per 1,000) were highest in indigenous children (97.3; 95%CI: 95.3-99.2), followed by brown or mixed-raced children (40.0; 95%CI: 39.8-40.1), while the lowest rates were in Asiandescendant children (14.8; 95%CI: 14.1-15.5). The highest adjusted rate ratios for PCSCs were seen among indigenous children compared to white children - 5.7 (95%CI: 3.9-8.4) for Brazil as a whole, reaching 5.9 (95%CI: 5.0-7.1) and 18.5 (95%CI: 16.5-20.7) in the North and Central, respectively, compared to white children. ARIs remained as important causes of pediatric hospitalizations in Brazil. Alarming ethnic and racial inequalities were observed in PCSCs, with indigenous children at a disadvantage. Improvements are needed in living conditions, sanitation, and subsistence, as well as guaranteed timely access to high-quality primary health care in the more vulnerable population groups, especially the indigenous peoples of the North and Central, in order to mitigate the health inequalities and meet the guidelines of the SUS and the Brazilian Constitution.

Internacionalmente, observa-se um incremento no uso das internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP) como indicador de efetividade da atenção primária à saúde. Este artigo analisa as iniquidades étnico-raciais nas internações por causas em menores de cinco anos no Brasil e regiões, com ênfase nas ICSAP e nas infecções respiratórias agudas (IRA). Com dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH/SUS), 2009-2014, calcularam-se proporções por causas, taxas e razões de taxas de ICSAP ajustadas por sexo e idade após a imputação múltipla de dados faltantes de cor/raça. As principais causas de internação foram doenças do aparelho respiratório (37,4%) e infecciosas e parasitárias (19,3%), sendo as crianças indígenas as mais acometidas. As taxas brutas de ICSAP (por 1.000) foram mais elevadas em indígenas (97,3; IC95%: 95,3-99,2), seguidas das pardas (40,0; IC95%: 39,8-40,1), e as menores foram nas amarelas (14,8; IC95%: 14,1-15,5). As maiores razões de taxas ajustadas de ICSAP foram registradas entre crianças de cor/raça indígena e branca - 5,7 (IC95%: 3,9-8,4) no país, atingindo 5,9 (IC95%: 5,0-7,1) e 18,5 (IC95%: 16,5-20,7) no Norte e Centro-oeste, respectivamente. As IRA permanecem como importantes causas de hospitalização em crianças no Brasil. Foram observadas alarmantes iniquidades étnico-raciais nas taxas de ICSAP, com situação de desvantagem para indígenas. São necessárias melhorias nas condições de vida, saneamento e subsistência, bem como garantia de acesso oportuno e qualificado à atenção primária à saúde das populações mais vulneráveis, com destaque para os indígenas no Norte e no Centro-oeste, a fim de minimizar iniquidades em saúde e fazer cumprir as diretrizes do SUS e da Constituição do Brasil.

Internacionalmente, se observa un incremento en las hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles a la atención primaria (ICSAP), como un indicador de efectividad de la atención primaria a la salud. Este artículo analiza las inequidades étnico-raciales en las hospitalizaciones por causas evitables em menores de cinco años en Brasil y sus regiones, con énfasis en las ICSAP y en las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA). Con datos del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único de Salud (SIH/SUS), 2009-2014, se calcularon porcentajes por causas, tasas y razones de tasas de ICSAP ajustadas por sexo y edad, tras la imputación múltiple de datos faltantes de color/raza. Las principales causas de hospitalización fueron enfermedades del aparato respiratório (37,4%) e infecciosas y parasitarias (19,3%), siendo los niños indígenas los más afectados. Las tasas brutas de ICSAP (por 1.000) fueron más elevadas en indígenas (97,3; IC95%: 95,3-99,2), seguidas de las mulatos/mestizos (40,0; IC95%: 39,8-40,1), mientras que las menores fueron en las de origen asiática (14,8; IC95%: 14,1-15,5). Las mayores razones de tasas ajustadas de ICSAP fueron en los niños indígenas comparados a los niños de color/raza blanca - 5,7 (IC95%: 3,9-8,4) en el país, alcanzando 5,9 (IC95%: 5,0-7,1) y 18,5 (IC95%: 16,5-20,7) en el Norte y Centro-oeste, respectivamente, en comparación con El color/raza blanca. Las IRA permanecen como importantes causas de hospitalización en niños em Brasil. Se observaron alarmantes inequidades étnico-raciales en las tasas de ICSAP, con situación de desventaja para los indígenas. Se necesitan mejoras en las condiciones de vida, saneamiento y subsistencia, así como la garantía de un acceso oportuno y cualificado a la atención primaria a La salud de las poblaciones más vulnerables, destacando los indígenas en el Norte y Centro-oeste, a fin de minimizar inequidades en salud y hacer cumplir las directrices del SUS y de la Constitución de Brasil.

The association between pneumococcal vaccination, ethnicity, and the nasopharyngeal microbiota of children in Fiji.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant global pathogen that colonises the nasopharynx of healthy children. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, which reduce nasopharyngeal colonisation of vaccine-type S. pneumoniae, may have broader effects on the nasopharyngeal microbiota; however, data are limited. In Fiji, nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence of S. pneumoniae and other colonising species differ between the two main ethnic groups. Here, we examined the association between the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and the nasopharyngeal microbiota of children in Fiji, including for each of the two main ethnic groups-indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) and Fijians of Indian descent (FID). METHOD: The nasopharyngeal microbiota of 132 Fijian children was examined using nasopharyngeal swabs collected from 12-month-old iTaukei and FID children who were vaccinated (3 doses PCV7) or unvaccinated in infancy as part of a phase II randomised controlled trial. Microbiota composition was determined by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Species-specific carriage of S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus was determined using real-time quantitative PCR. Associations between microbiota composition and other host and environmental factors were considered in the analysis. RESULTS: PCV7 had no overall impact on microbial diversity or composition. However, ethnic differences were observed in both diversity and composition with iTaukei children having higher relative abundance of Moraxella (p = 0.004) and Haemophilus (p = 0.004) and lower relative abundance of Staphylococcus (p = 0.026), Dolosigranulum (p = 0.004) and Corynebacterium (p = 0.003) compared with FID children. Further, when we stratified by ethnicity, associations with PCV7 could be detected: vaccinated iTaukei children had a lower relative abundance of Streptococcus and Haemophilus compared with unvaccinated iTaukei children (p = 0.022 and p = 0.043, respectively); and vaccinated FID children had a higher relative abundance of Dolosigranulum compared with unvaccinated FID children (p = 0.037). Children with symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) had a significantly different microbiota composition to children without symptoms. The microbiota composition of iTaukei children without URTI symptoms was most similar to the microbiota composition of FID children with URTI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between PCV7 and nasopharyngeal microbiota differed within each ethnic group. This study highlights the influence that ethnicity and URTIs have on nasopharyngeal microbiota.

[Analysis of the epidemiological profile of the indigenous community of Hueyapan, Morelos]. / Análisis del perfil epidemiológico de la comunidad indígena de Hueyapan, Morelos.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological transition is a phenomenon that has had a different impact between urban and rural settings. The WHO points out that the population with the lowest socioeconomic status is the most adversely affected for the unequal distribution of resources, indigenous people are a part of this population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profile of the indigenous people of Hueyapan, Morelos during the months of March to June 2017. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in the indigenous community of Hueyapan, belonging to the municipality of Morelos, in 2017. A sample of 338 households was calculated; as inclusion criteria, those dwellings where the age of residence in Hueyapan was equal to or greater than four years were taken; a systematic sampling was carried out every three households, in addition, Mexico's INEGI and Health Department databases were analyzed from 2011 to 2015. RESULTS: In relation to morbidity, an upward trend was found in the crude rate, from 119.7 per 1,000 in 2011 to 270.7 per 1000 in 2015, among the most prevalent diseases in those years, infectious diseases were identified as major and the appearance of noncommunicable diseases began to be observed. In relation to mortality, a linear trend was observed in the crude rate of 5.7 per 1000 in 2011 to 6.6 per 1000 in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological profile of Hueyapan coincides with a process of epidemiological transition where there is a double burden of disease. This suggests a challenge for the public health area that should be addressed from the creation of health strategies, programs and policies aimed at this population from an intercultural approach.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la transición epidemiológica es un fenómeno que se ha presentado de forma distinta entre sectores urbanizados y rurales. OBJETIVO: analizar el perfil epidemiológico de la comunidad indígena de Hueyapan, Morelos, durante el periodo de marzo a junio de 2017. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico transversal en la comunidad indígena de Hueyapan, perteneciente al municipio de Morelos, en 2017. Se calculó un tamaño de muestra de 338 viviendas; como criterios de inclusión se tomaron aquellas viviendas dónde la edad de residencia en Hueyapan fuera igual o mayor a cuatro años; se realizó un muestreo sistemático cada tres viviendas, además se analizaron bases de datos de INEGI y Secretaría de Salud de 2011 a 2015. RESULTADOS: en relación con la morbilidad, se encontró una tendencia ascendente en la tasa bruta. Dentro de las enfermedades más prevalentes se identificaron las enfermedades infecciosas como principales y se empezó a observar la aparición de enfermedades no transmisibles. En relación con la mortalidad, se observó una tendencia lineal en su tasa bruta. CONCLUSIONES: el perfil epidemiológico de Hueyapan coincide con un proceso de transición epidemiológica, donde existe una doble carga de enfermedad. Esto sugiere un reto para el área de la salud pública que debiera enfrentarse desde la creación de estrategias, programas y políticas de salud dirigidas a esta población desde un enfoque intercultural.

Iniquidades étnico-raciais nas hospitalizações por causas evitáveis em menores de cinco anos no Brasil, 2009-2014 / Ethnic and racial inequalities in hospital admissions due to avoidable causes in under-five Brazilian children, 2009-2014 / Inequidades étnico-raciales en las hospitalizaciones por causas evitables en menores de cinco años en Brasil, 2009-2014

Resumo: Internacionalmente, observa-se um incremento no uso das internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP) como indicador de efetividade da atenção primária à saúde. Este artigo analisa as iniquidades étnico-raciais nas internações por causas em menores de cinco anos no Brasil e regiões, com ênfase nas ICSAP e nas infecções respiratórias agudas (IRA). Com dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH/SUS), 2009-2014, calcularam-se proporções por causas, taxas e razões de taxas de ICSAP ajustadas por sexo e idade após a imputação múltipla de dados faltantes de cor/raça. As principais causas de internação foram doenças do aparelho respiratório (37,4%) e infecciosas e parasitárias (19,3%), sendo as crianças indígenas as mais acometidas. As taxas brutas de ICSAP (por 1.000) foram mais elevadas em indígenas (97,3; IC95%: 95,3-99,2), seguidas das pardas (40,0; IC95%: 39,8-40,1), e as menores foram nas amarelas (14,8; IC95%: 14,1-15,5). As maiores razões de taxas ajustadas de ICSAP foram registradas entre crianças de cor/raça indígena e branca - 5,7 (IC95%: 3,9-8,4) no país, atingindo 5,9 (IC95%: 5,0-7,1) e 18,5 (IC95%: 16,5-20,7) no Norte e Centro-oeste, respectivamente. As IRA permanecem como importantes causas de hospitalização em crianças no Brasil. Foram observadas alarmantes iniquidades étnico-raciais nas taxas de ICSAP, com situação de desvantagem para indígenas. São necessárias melhorias nas condições de vida, saneamento e subsistência, bem como garantia de acesso oportuno e qualificado à atenção primária à saúde das populações mais vulneráveis, com destaque para os indígenas no Norte e no Centro-oeste, a fim de minimizar iniquidades em saúde e fazer cumprir as diretrizes do SUS e da Constituição do Brasil.

Abstract: There has been a global increase in hospital admissions for primary care-sensitive conditions (PCSCs) as an indicator of effectiveness in primary health care. This article analyzes ethnic and racial inequalities in cause-related hospitalizations in under-five children in Brazil as a whole and the country's five major geographic regions, with an emphasis on PCSCs and acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Using data from the Hospital Information Systems of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIH/SUS), 2009-2014, the authors calculated proportions, rates, and rate ratios for PCSCs, adjusted by sex and age after multiple imputation of missing data on color/race. The principal causes of hospitalization were respiratory tract infections (37.4%) and infectious and parasitic diseases (19.3%), and indigenous children were proportionally the most affected. Crude PCSC rates (per 1,000) were highest in indigenous children (97.3; 95%CI: 95.3-99.2), followed by brown or mixed-raced children (40.0; 95%CI: 39.8-40.1), while the lowest rates were in Asiandescendant children (14.8; 95%CI: 14.1-15.5). The highest adjusted rate ratios for PCSCs were seen among indigenous children compared to white children - 5.7 (95%CI: 3.9-8.4) for Brazil as a whole, reaching 5.9 (95%CI: 5.0-7.1) and 18.5 (95%CI: 16.5-20.7) in the North and Central, respectively, compared to white children. ARIs remained as important causes of pediatric hospitalizations in Brazil. Alarming ethnic and racial inequalities were observed in PCSCs, with indigenous children at a disadvantage. Improvements are needed in living conditions, sanitation, and subsistence, as well as guaranteed timely access to high-quality primary health care in the more vulnerable population groups, especially the indigenous peoples of the North and Central, in order to mitigate the health inequalities and meet the guidelines of the SUS and the Brazilian Constitution.

Resumen: Internacionalmente, se observa un incremento en las hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles a la atención primaria (ICSAP), como un indicador de efectividad de la atención primaria a la salud. Este artículo analiza las inequidades étnico-raciales en las hospitalizaciones por causas evitables em menores de cinco años en Brasil y sus regiones, con énfasis en las ICSAP y en las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA). Con datos del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único de Salud (SIH/SUS), 2009-2014, se calcularon porcentajes por causas, tasas y razones de tasas de ICSAP ajustadas por sexo y edad, tras la imputación múltiple de datos faltantes de color/raza. Las principales causas de hospitalización fueron enfermedades del aparato respiratório (37,4%) e infecciosas y parasitarias (19,3%), siendo los niños indígenas los más afectados. Las tasas brutas de ICSAP (por 1.000) fueron más elevadas en indígenas (97,3; IC95%: 95,3-99,2), seguidas de las mulatos/mestizos (40,0; IC95%: 39,8-40,1), mientras que las menores fueron en las de origen asiática (14,8; IC95%: 14,1-15,5). Las mayores razones de tasas ajustadas de ICSAP fueron en los niños indígenas comparados a los niños de color/raza blanca - 5,7 (IC95%: 3,9-8,4) en el país, alcanzando 5,9 (IC95%: 5,0-7,1) y 18,5 (IC95%: 16,5-20,7) en el Norte y Centro-oeste, respectivamente, en comparación con El color/raza blanca. Las IRA permanecen como importantes causas de hospitalización en niños em Brasil. Se observaron alarmantes inequidades étnico-raciales en las tasas de ICSAP, con situación de desventaja para los indígenas. Se necesitan mejoras en las condiciones de vida, saneamiento y subsistencia, así como la garantía de un acceso oportuno y cualificado a la atención primaria a La salud de las poblaciones más vulnerables, destacando los indígenas en el Norte y Centro-oeste, a fin de minimizar inequidades en salud y hacer cumplir las directrices del SUS y de la Constitución de Brasil.

Clinical course of chronic suppurative lung disease and bronchiectasis in Alaska Native children.

INTRODUCTION: Alaska Native (AN) children from the Yukon Kuskokwim (YK) Delta region have high rates of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), including bronchiectasis. We characterized the clinical progress of an AN adolescent cohort with CSLD/bronchiectasis, and estimated bronchiectasis prevalence trends in this region. METHODS: The original cohort comprised 41 AN children (originally aged 0.5-8 years) with CSLD/bronchiectasis, recruited between 2005 and 2008, with follow-up in 2015-2016. Clinical assessments, lung function, radiography, medical chart review, and spirometry were obtained. We also conducted data queries of bronchiectasis diagnoses in YK individuals born between 1990 and 2010 to estimate prevalence. RESULTS: Thirty-four (83%) of the original cohort aged 7.3-17.6 years were reviewed, of whom 14 (41%) had high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)-confirmed bronchiectasis, eight (24%) had no evidence of bronchiectasis on HRCT scans, while 12 (35%) had not undergone HRCT scans. Annual lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) frequency decreased with age, although 27 (79%) still had respiratory symptoms, including all with HRCT-confirmed bronchiectasis, who were also more likely than those without confirmed bronchiectasis to have recent wheeze (80 vs 25%, P = 0.005), auscultatory crackles (60 vs 0%, P < 0.001), and lower mean forced expiratory volume in 1-second/forced vital capacity ratio (73 vs 79%, P = 0.03). The bronchiectasis prevalence for YK AN people born during 2000-2009 was 7 per 1000 births, which was lower than previously reported. CONCLUSION: Despite reduced LRTI frequency, most AN children with CSLD/bronchiectasis had symptoms/signs of underlying lung disease as they entered adolescence. Close clinical follow-up remains essential for managing these patients as they transition to adulthood.

Mortality estimates among adult patients with severe acute respiratory infections from two sentinel hospitals in southern Arizona, United States, 2010-2014.

BACKGROUND: From October 2010 through February 2016, Arizona conducted surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) among adults hospitalized in the Arizona-Mexico border region. There are few accurate mortality estimates in SARI patients, particularly in adults ≥ 65 years old. The purpose of this study was to generate mortality estimates among SARI patients that include deaths occurring shortly after hospital discharge and identify risk factors for mortality. METHODS: Patients admitted to two sentinel hospitals between 2010 and 2014 who met the SARI case definition were enrolled. Demographic data were used to link SARI patients to Arizona death certificates. Mortality within 30 days after the date of admission was calculated and risk factors were identified using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 258 SARI patients, 47% were females, 51% were white, non-Hispanic and 39% were Hispanic. The median age was 63 years (range, 19 to 97 years) and 80% had one or more pre-existing health condition; 9% died in hospital. Mortality increased to 12% (30/258, 30% increase) when electronic vital records and a 30-day post-hospitalization time frame were used. Being age ≥ 65 years (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.6-9.9) and having an intensive care unit admission (OR = 7.4; 95% CI: 3.0-17.9) were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The use of electronic vital records increased SARI-associated mortality estimates by 30%. These findings may help guide prevention and treatment measures, particularly in high-risk persons in this highly fluid border population.

Risk factors for hospitalizations due to bacterial respiratory tract infections after tracheotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Identify characteristics associated with hospital readmission due to bacterial respiratory tract infections (bRTI) after tracheotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 8009 children 0-17 years undergoing tracheotomy from 2007 to 2013 at 48 children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. The primary outcome was first hospital admission after tracheotomy for bRTI (ie, primary diagnosis of bRTI or a primary diagnosis of bRTI symptom and secondary diagnosis of bRTI). We used Cox-proportional hazard modeling to assess associations between patient demographic and clinical characteristics and bRTI hospital readmission. RESULTS: Median age at tracheotomy admission was 5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-50 months). Thirty-six percent (n = 2899) had at least one bRTI admission. Median time-to-readmission for bRTI was 275 days (IQR: 141-530). Factors independently associated with increased risk for bRTI readmission were younger age (eg, age < 30 days vs 13-17 years [aHR 1.32; 95%CI: 1.11-1.58]), Hispanic race/ethnicity (vs non-Hispanic White; aHR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.20-1.50), government insurance (vs private; aHR 1.21; 95%CI: 1.10-1.33), >2 complex chronic conditions (vs zero; aHR 1.96; 95%CI: 1.34-2.86) and discharge to home (vs post-acute care setting; aHR 1.19; 95%CI: 1.08-1.32). Trauma diagnosis at tracheotomy (aHR 0.83; 95%CI: 0.69-1) and ventilator dependency (aHR 0.88; 95%CI: 0.81-0.97) were associated with decreased risk. CONCLUSIONS: Young, Hispanic children with multiple complex chronic conditions who use Medicaid insurance and are not discharged to post-acute care are at the highest risk for hospital readmission for bRTI post-tracheotomy. Future research should investigate strategies to mitigate this risk for these children.

The global burden of respiratory infections in indigenous children and adults: A review.

This review article focuses on common lower respiratory infections (LRIs) in indigenous populations in both developed and developing countries, where data is available. Indigenous populations across the world share some commonalities including poorer health and socio-economic disadvantage compared with their non-indigenous counterparts. Generally, acute and chronic respiratory infections are more frequent and more severe in both indigenous children and adults, often resulting in substantial consequences including higher rates of bronchiectasis and poorer outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Risk factors for the development of respiratory infections require recognition and action. These risk factors include but are not limited to socio-economic factors (e.g. education, household crowding and nutrition), environmental factors (e.g. smoke exposure and poor access to health care) and biological factors. Risk mitigation strategies should be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner and targeted to educate both individuals and communities at risk. Improving the morbidity and mortality of respiratory infections in indigenous people requires provision of best practice care and awareness of the scope of the problem by healthcare practitioners, governing bodies and policy makers.

Health profiles of foreigners attending primary care clinics in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: The world population has become more globalised with increasing number of people residing in another country for work or other reasons. Little is known about the health profiles of foreign population in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of the health problems presented by foreigners attending primary care clinics in Malaysia. METHODS: Data were derived from the 2012 National Medical Care Survey (NMCS), a cross sectional survey of primary care encounters from public and private primary care clinics sampled from five regions in Malaysia. Patients with foreign nationality were identified and analysed for demographic profiles, reasons for encounter (RFEs), diagnosis, and provision of care. RESULTS: Foreigners accounted for 7.7 % (10,830) of all patient encounters from NMCS. Most encounters were from private clinics (90.2 %). Median age was 28 years (IQR: 24.0, 34.8) and 69.9 % were male. Most visits to the primary care clinics were for symptom-based complaints (69.5 %), followed by procedures (23.0 %) and follow-up visit (7.4 %). The commonest diagnosis in public clinics was antenatal care (21.8 %), followed by high risk pregnancies (7.5 %) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (6.8 %). Private clinics had more cases for general medical examination (13.5 %), URTI (13.1 %) and fever (3.9 %). Medications were prescribed to 76.5 % of these encounters. CONCLUSIONS: More foreigners were seeking primary medical care from private clinics and the encounters were for general medical examinations and acute minor ailments. Those who sought care from public clinics were for obstetric problems and chronic diseases. Medications were prescribed to two-thirds of the encounters while other interventions: laboratory investigations, medical procedures and follow-up appointment had lower rates in private clinics. Foreigners are generally of young working group and are expected to have mandatory medical checks. The preponderance of obstetrics seen in public clinics suggests a need for improved access to maternal care and pregnancy related care. This has implication on policy and health care provision and access for foreigners and future studies are needed to look into strategies to solve these problems.

Hospitalizations at Nonfederal Facilities for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in American Indian and Alaska Native Children Younger than 5 Years of Age, 1997-2012.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate hospitalizations at nonfederal facilities for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and to compare associated rates and risk factors in AI/AN children and white children. STUDY DESIGN: We used Kids' Inpatient Database samples from 1997-2012 to identify discharges in non-Hispanic AI/AN and white children ages <5 years with a principal or secondary diagnosis code indicating LRTI. To address systematic underreporting and misclassification of race in administrative databases, population rates were estimated by deriving race- and year-specific denominators from hospital births. RESULTS: During the study period, LRTI-associated discharge rates (per 1000) declined for white children (from 14.8 to 10.9; P < .001 for trend). For AI/AN children, rates varied widely by census region and were highest in the West, where they ranged from 38.6 in 1997 to 26.7 in 2012 (P = .35 for trend). Discharges in AI/AN children were associated with low household income, Medicaid insurance, and rural residence. In a case-cohort analysis of infants hospitalized with LRTI in 2012, discharge rates were higher for AI/AN infants than for white infants only in the West (72.8 vs 22.2; aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.8-3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Among young children who use nonfederal hospitals, LRTI-associated hospitalizations occur at substantially higher rates for AI/AN children than for white children. These hospitalizations occur at rates that are particularly high for AI/AN infants in the West, where rates are comparable with those reported for Indian Health Service enrollees.

Determinants of early childhood morbidity and proper treatment responses in Vietnam: results from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, 2000-2011.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant achievements in health indicators during previous decades, Vietnam lags behind other developing countries in reducing common early childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and respiratory infections. To date, there has been little research into factors that contribute to the prevalence and treatment of childhood morbidity in Vietnam. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the determinants of diarrhea and 'illness with a cough' and treatments for each of the conditions among young children in Vietnam, and describes trends over time. DESIGN: Data from the Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys in 2000, 2006, and 2011 were used. Multivariable logistic regressions were undertaken to investigate factors associated with these childhood illnesses and proper treatment patterns. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2011, the prevalence of diarrhea among children under the age of five declined from 11 to 7%, while having illness with a cough increased to 40% in 2011 after falling from 69 to 28% between 2000 and 2006. During the same period, the prevalence of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) for treating diarrhea increased from 13 to 46%, whereas the rate of seeking formal treatment for illnesses with a cough fell from 24 to 7%. Multivariable models indicated that children who were older than 2 years (odds ration [OR]: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37-0.53, p<0.001), male (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.64-2.37, p<0.05), living in rural areas (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.00-1.64, p<0.05), or of Kinh ethnicity (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56-0.87, p<0.01) were more likely to suffer from diarrhea. Ethnic differences and higher household wealth were factors significantly associated with having illness with a cough. In particular, the effect of level of wealth on illness with a cough varied in each wave. Mothers with higher levels of education had higher odds of seeking ORT compared with mothers with the lowest level of education. Seeking formal treatment for children who have illness with a cough was associated with being in a household in the richest wealth quintile (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.91, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of identifying different risk factors for these two illnesses and also factors associated with healthcare-seeking behaviors in order to reduce the burden of childhood morbidity in Vietnam. Policies aimed at tackling childhood morbidities should include comprehensive strategies that impact on socioeconomic and environmental factors.

Lower respiratory tract infection hospitalizations among American Indian/Alaska Native children and the general United States child population.

BACKGROUND: The lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)-associated hospitalization rate in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children aged <5 years declined during 1998-2008, yet remained 1.6 times higher than the general US child population in 2006-2008. PURPOSE: Describe the change in LRTI-associated hospitalization rates for AI/AN children and for the general US child population aged <5 years. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of hospitalizations with discharge ICD-9-CM codes for LRTI for AI/AN children and for the general US child population <5 years during 2009-2011 was conducted using Indian Health Service direct and contract care inpatient data and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, respectively. We calculated hospitalization rates and made comparisons to previously published 1998-1999 rates prior to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction. RESULTS: The average annual LRTI-associated hospitalization rate declined from 1998-1999 to 2009-2011 in AI/AN (35%, p<0.01) and the general US child population (19%, SE: 4.5%, p<0.01). The 2009-2011 AI/AN child average annual LRTI-associated hospitalization rate was 20.7 per 1,000, 1.5 times higher than the US child rate (13.7 95% CI: 12.6-14.8). The Alaska (38.9) and Southwest regions (27.3) had the highest rates. The disparity was greatest for infant (<1 year) pneumonia-associated and 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza-associated hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the LRTI-associated hospitalization rate declined, the 2009-2011 AI/AN child rate remained higher than the US child rate, especially in the Alaska and Southwest regions. The residual disparity is likely multi-factorial and partly related to household crowding, indoor smoke exposure, lack of piped water and poverty. Implementation of interventions proven to reduce LRTI is needed among AI/AN children.