An Assessment of Household and Individual-Level Mosquito Prevention Methods during the Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in the United States Virgin Islands, 2014-2015.

Recent large-scale chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus epidemics in the Americas pose a growing public health threat. Given that mosquito bite prevention and vector control are the main prevention methods available to reduce transmission of these viruses, we assessed adherence to these methods in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We interviewed 334 USVI residents between December 2014 and February 2015 to measure differences in mosquito prevention practices by gender, income, presence of CHIKV symptoms, and age. Only 27% (91/334) of participants reported having an air conditioner, and of the 91 with air-conditioners, 18 (20%) reported never using it. Annual household income > $50,000 was associated with owning and using an air conditioner (41%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 28-53% compared with annual household income ≤ $50,000: 17%; 95% CI: 12-22%). The majority of participants reported the presence of vegetation in their yard or near their home (79%; 265) and a cistern on their property (78%; 259). Only 52 (16%) participants reported wearing mosquito repellent more than once per week. Although the majority (80%; 268) of participants reported having screens on all of their windows and doors, most (82%; 273) of those interviewed still reported seeing mosquitoes in their homes. Given the uniformly low adherence to individual- and household-level mosquito bite prevention measures in the USVI, these findings emphasize the need for improved public health messaging and investment in therapeutic and vaccine research to mitigate vector-borne disease outbreaks.

[Costs of reusable and disposable aprons in a public teaching hospital]. / Custos de aventais de tecido reutilizáveis e de descartáveis em hospital universtário público.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the direct cost of reusable and disposable aprons in a public teaching hospital. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of quantitative approach, focusing on the direct cost of reusable and disposable aprons at a teaching hospital in northern Paraná. The study population consisted of secondary data collected in reports of the cost of services, laundry, materials and supplies division of the institution for the year 2012. RESULTS: We identified a lower average cost of using disposable apron when compared to the reusable apron. The direct cost of reusable apron was R$ 3.06, and the steps of preparation and washing were mainly responsible for the high cost, and disposable apron cost was R$ 0.94. CONCLUSION: The results presented are important for hospital managers properly allocate resources and manage costs in hospitals
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Costs of reusable and disposable aprons in a public teaching hospital / Costos de delantales de tejido reutilizables y de desechables en hospital universitario público / Custos de aventais de tecido reutilizáveis e de descartáveis em hospital universitário público

Objective To analyze the direct cost of reusable and disposable aprons in a public teaching hospital. Method Cross-sectional study of quantitative approach, focusing on the direct cost of reusable and disposable aprons at a teaching hospital in northern Paraná. The study population consisted of secondary data collected in reports of the cost of services, laundry, materials and supplies division of the institution for the year 2012 Results We identified a lower average cost of using disposable apron when compared to the reusable apron. The direct cost of reusable apron was R$ 3.06, and the steps of preparation and washing were mainly responsible for the high cost, and disposable apron cost was R$ 0.94. Conclusion The results presented are important for hospital managers properly allocate resources and manage costs in hospitals
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Objetivo Analizar el costo directo de delantales de tejido reutilizables y de desechables en hospital universitario público. Método Estudio transversal de abordaje cuantitativo, con énfasis en el costo directo de los delantales de tejido reutilizables y desechables, realizado en hospital universitario del norte de Paraná. La población de estudio estuvo compuesta de datos secundarios recogidos en informes de los servicios de costo, lavandería, división de material y provisiones de la institución, referentes al año de 2012. Resultados Se identificó un menor costo medio de utilización del delantal desechable cuando comparado con el costo del delantal de tejido reutilizable. El costo directo de utilización del delantal de tejido fue de R$3,06, siendo las etapas de confección y lavado las principales responsables de la elevación del costo, y el delantal desechable costó R$0,94. Conclusión Los resultados presentados constituyen herramientas para que los gestores hospitalarios puedan destinar adecuadamente los recursos y gestionar los costos en instituciones hospitalarias. .

Objetivo Analisar o custo direto de aventais de tecido reutilizáveis e de descartáveis em hospital universitário público. Método Estudo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, com enfoque no custo direto de aventais de tecido reutilizáveis e de descartáveis, realizado em hospital universitário do norte do Paraná. A população de estudo foi composta por dados secundários coletados em relatórios dos serviços de custo, lavanderia, divisão de material e suprimentos da instituição, referentes ao ano de 2012. Resultados Identificou-se um menor custo médio de utilização do avental descartável quando comparado ao do avental de tecido reutilizável. O custo direto de utilização do avental de tecido foi de R$ 3,06, sendo as etapas de confecção e lavagem as principais responsáveis pela elevação do custo, e o avental descartável custou R$ 0,94. Conclusão Os resultados apresentados constituem ferramentas para que os gestores hospitalares possam alocar adequadamente os recursos e gerenciar custos em instituições hospitalares.


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