Bridging the vitamin A and deworming coverage gap among underserved populations in India through government and civil society organization partnerships.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in India, where approximately 62% of children under five have low retinol levels (< 70 µmol/L). This study aims to (1) evaluate vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and deworming (VAS + D) coverage in Nagaland state through government and civil society organization (CSO) partnerships, (2) examine socio-demographic barriers and facilitators to VAS + D coverage, (3) examine associations between socio-demographic characteristics and source of VAS coverage (i.e., government vs. CSOs), and (4) estimate the impact of VAS on health outcomes due to increased coverage through government and CSO partnerships. METHODS: A cross-sectional statewide coverage survey was conducted in Nagaland, India with 1,272 caregivers of children 6-59 months. Household socio-demographic data and VAS + D exposure variables were collected via quantitative survey. Univariate analyses were used to assess the associations between the independent and outcome variables; odds ratios were computed to measure the strength of the association at a significance level of < 0.05. The Lives Saved Tool (LiST) was used to estimate the impact of increased VAS coverage on child undernutrition, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Most children (77.2%) received VAS in the past six months, with 28.1% receiving VAS in capsule form (provided primarily by CSOs) and 70.2% received VAS in syrup form (provided primarily by government). Total deworming coverage was 74.2%, with 43.5% receiving both VAS and deworming. Lower pre-school enrollment was a barrier to receiving VAS (47.4% not enrolled vs. 80.9% enrolled, p < 0.001). A barrier to receiving VAS + D was lack of knowledge of benefits (p < 0.001). Based on LiST modeling, increasing VAS coverage by 22% through CSOs resulted in an estimated 114 stunting cases averted, 25,017 diarrhea cases averted, and 9 lives saved in 2019 in Nagaland State. CONCLUSIONS: Government and CSO partnerships can reduce disparities in VAS coverage and decrease under-five child morbidity and mortality.

Aplicación de escala de Brighton y su asociación con las características clínicas y demográficas de pacientes con patologías respiratorias en un hospital de tercer nivel en Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá

Introducción: La escala de alerta temprana pediátrica (PEWS) es un conjunto de parámetros analizados en pacientes pediátricos, puntuados de forma aleatoria, que determinan la probabilidad de deterioro clínico. Material y métodos: Estudio de tipo observacional, retrospectivo, analítico en pacientes de 1 mes a 15 años de edad con patología respiratoria, trasladados de sala de hospitalización general a unidad de terapia intensiva en el Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel, del 1 de enero 2020 al 31 de diciembre 2021, para los cuales calculamos dos puntajes de la Escala de alerta temprana en pediatría (PEWS), con la información consignada en las dos notas de evolución, en el expediente clínico, previas al traslado. Resultados: De 75 pacientes trasladados, 61% correspondieron al sexo masculino; y 72% fueron lactantes. La media de edad de ingreso fue de 30.1 meses (2 años y 6 meses). El principal rango de PEWS encontrado fue de 3-4 para ambos sexos. La mayoría de los pacientes presentaron comorbilidades y la principal fue la cardiopatía congénita, en un 12% de éstos. Del total de patologías respiratorias estudiadas, 70% correspondieron a casos de Neumonía, con predominio de PEWS de 3-4. Se obtuvo medias de 8.2 días de estancia hospitalaria en sala, 10.8 días en unidad de terapia intensiva y 29.1 días de estancia hospitalaria total, sin existir asociación estadísticamente significativa entre éstos y los valores de PEWS obtenidos. Fallecieron 14% (n=11) de los pacientes admitidos en el lapso estudiado. Conclusiones: La principal patología respiratoria admitida a la unidad de terapia intensiva es la neumonía, el principal grupo etario y sexo son los lactantes masculinos. La principal comorbilidad encontrada fue la cardiopatía congénita. PEWS de 0-2 presentaron mayores medias de estancia en todas las salas. No encontramos asociación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables estudiadas y los valores de PEWS obtenidos. (provisto por Infomedic International)

Introduction: The Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) is a set of parameters analyzed in pediatric patients that determine the probability of clinical deterioration. Material and methods: Observational, retrospective, analytical study in patients with respiratory disease from 1 month to 15 years of age, transferred from the general hospitalization ward to the intensive care unit at Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021, for which we calculated two Pediatric Early Warning Scale (PEWS) scores, with the information recorded in the two medical notes, prior to transfer. Results: 61% transferred patients were males; and 72% were infants. The mean age at admission was 30 months (2 years and 6 months). The main PEWS range found was 3-4 for both sexes. Most of the patients presented comorbidities and the main one was congenital heart disease (12%). 70.7% patients had pneumonia with a predominant PEWS of 3-4. Means of 8.2 days of hospital stay in the ward, 10.8 days in the intensive care unit, and 29.1 days of total hospital stay were obtained, with no statistically significant association between these and the PEWS values ​​obtained. 14% (n=11) of the patients died. Conclusions: The main respiratory pathology, sex, and age group transferred to the intensive care unit were pneumonia, males, and infants, respectively. The main comorbidity was congenital heart disease. A 0-2 PEWS range was associated with longer means of stay. We did not find a statistically significant association between the studied variables and the ​​obtained PEWS. (provided by Infomedic International)

Understanding why racial/ethnic inequities along the HIV care continuum persist in the United States: a qualitative exploration of systemic barriers from the perspectives of African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV.

BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic inequities along the HIV care continuum persist in the United States despite substantial federal investment. Numerous studies highlight individual and social-level impediments in HIV, but fewer foreground systemic barriers. The present qualitative study sought to uncover and describe systemic barriers to the HIV care continuum from the perspectives of African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV (PLWH) with unsuppressed HIV viral load, including how barriers operated and their effects. METHODS: Participants were African American/Black and Latino PLWH with unsuppressed HIV viral load (N = 41). They were purposively sampled for maximum variability on key indices from a larger study. They engaged in semi-structured in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. RESULTS: Participants were 49 years old, on average (SD = 9), 76% were assigned male sex at birth, 83% were African American/Black and 17% Latino, 34% were sexual minorities (i.e., non-heterosexual), and 22% were transgender/gender-nonbinary. All had indications of chronic poverty. Participants had been diagnosed with HIV 19 years prior to the study, on average (SD = 9). The majority (76%) had taken HIV medication in the six weeks before enrollment, but at levels insufficient to reach HIV viral suppression. Findings underscored a primary theme describing chronic poverty as a fundamental cause of poor engagement. Related subthemes were: negative aspects of congregate versus private housing settings (e.g., triggering substance use and social isolation); generally positive experiences with health care providers, although structural and cultural competency appeared insufficient and managing health care systems was difficult; pharmacies illegally purchased HIV medication from PLWH; and COVID-19 exacerbated barriers. Participants described mitigation strategies and evidenced resilience. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce racial/ethnic inequities and end the HIV epidemic, it is necessary to understand African American/Black and Latino PLWH's perspectives on the systemic impediments they experience throughout the HIV care continuum. This study uncovers and describes a number of salient barriers and how they operate, including unexpected findings regarding drug diversion and negative aspects of congregate housing. There is growing awareness that systemic racism is a core determinant of systemic barriers to HIV care continuum engagement. Findings are interpreted in this context.

A virtual pilot optimization trial for African American/Black and Latino persons with non-suppressed HIV viral load grounded in motivational interviewing and behavioral economics.

Introduction: Virtual and low-touch behavioral interventions are needed for African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV (PLWH) with barriers to HIV viral suppression, particularly during COVID-19. Guided by the multiphase optimization strategy, we explored three components for PLWH without viral suppression, grounded in motivational interviewing and behavioral economics: (1) motivational interviewing counseling, (2) 21-weeks of automated text messages and quiz questions about HIV management, and (3) financial rewards for viral suppression (lottery prize vs. fixed compensation). Methods: This pilot optimization trial used sequential explanatory mixed methods to explore the components' feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evidence of effects using an efficient factorial design. The primary outcome was viral suppression. Participants engaged in baseline and two structured follow-up assessments over an 8-month period, and provided laboratory reports to document HIV viral load. A subset engaged in qualitative interviews. We carried out descriptive quantitative analyses. Then, qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Data integration used the joint display method. Results: Participants (N = 80) were 49 years old, on average (SD = 9), and 75% were assigned male sex at birth. Most (79%) were African American/Black, and the remainder were Latino. Participants were diagnosed with HIV 20 years previously on average (SD = 9). Overall, components were feasible (>80% attended) and acceptability was satisfactory. A total of 39% (26/66) who provided laboratory reports at follow-up evidenced viral suppression. Findings suggested no components were entirely unsuccessful. The lottery prize compared to fixed compensation was the most promising component level. In qualitative analyses, all components were seen as beneficial to individual wellbeing. The lottery prize appeared more interesting and engaging than fixed compensation. However, structural barriers including financial hardship interfered with abilities to reach viral suppression. The integrated analyses yielded areas of convergence and discrepancy and qualitative findings added depth and context to the quantitative results. Conclusions: The virtual and/or low-touch behavioral intervention components tested are acceptable and feasible and show enough potential to warrant refinement and testing in future research, particularly the lottery prize. Results must be interpreted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial registration: NCT04518241 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04518241).

Behavioral intervention grounded in motivational interviewing and behavioral economics shows promise with Black and English-speaking Latino persons living with HIV with unsuppressed HIV viral load in New York City: A mixed methods pilot study.

Introduction: Sustained HIV viral suppression is the ultimate goal of HIV treatment. African American/Black and Latino persons with HIV (PWH) in the United States are less likely than their White peers to achieve and sustain viral suppression. To address these disparities, we developed a "low-touch" behavioral intervention drawing on motivational interviewing and behavioral economics. The intervention had three main components: (1) a motivational interviewing counseling session, (2) 16 weeks of automated text messages and quiz questions about HIV management, where participants earned points by answering quiz questions, and 3) a lottery prize, based on viral suppression status, number of points earned, and chance (max. $275). Materials and methods: The intervention was tested in a pre-test/post-test design. The present pilot study used mixed methods to explore the intervention's feasibility, acceptability, impact, and ways it could be improved. Participants engaged in a baseline assessment, qualitative interview, and two structured follow-up assessments over an 8-month period, and provided laboratory reports to document HIV viral load. We carried out descriptive quantitative analyses. Qualitative data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Data integration was carried out using the joint display method. Findings: Participants (N = 40) were 50 years old, on average (SD = 11), and approximately half (58%) were male. Close to two-thirds (68%) were African American/Black and 32% were Latino. Participants were diagnosed with HIV 22 years ago on average (SD = 8). The intervention was feasible (e.g., mean number of quiz questions answered = 13/16) and highly acceptable. While not powered to assess efficacy, the proportion with suppressed HIV viral load increased from baseline to follow-up (46% participants at the first, 52% participants at the second follow-up evidenced HIV viral suppression). In qualitative analyses, perspectives included that overall, the intervention was acceptable and useful, it was distinct from other programs, lottery prizes were interesting and appreciated but not sufficient to motivate behavior change, and the structure of lottery prizes was not sufficiently clear. Regarding data integration, qualitative data shed light on and extended quantitative results, and added richness and context. Conclusion: This low-touch intervention approach is sufficiently promising to warrant refinement and study in future research.

Rickettsiosis: La importancia de realizar un diagnóstico precoz y manejo temprano / Rickettsiosis: The importance of making an early diagnosis and early management

La rickettsia es una bacteria transmitida por vectores como la garrapata, piojos, ácaros entre otros. El ser humano es un hospedero accidental, la rickettsia se transmite al ser humano por medio de la saliva de la garrapata infectada inoculando la bacteria a la piel. Existen diferentes especies de rickettsia, la especie más importante en América es la Rickettsia rickettsii, reportándose casos en diferentes partes del mundo. Esta enfermedad se caracteriza por un daño al endotelio de los vasos sanguíneos de pequeño calibre, ocasionando lesiones en piel, a nivel pulmonar, cerebral y renal principalmente. Sus manifestaciones clínicas iniciales son inespecíficas y se pueden confundir con otras enfermedades por lo cual una historia clínica detallada es lo que nos puede llevar a una sospecha diagnóstica temprana. Esta patología se considera una enfermedad reemergente, debido a que en muchos lugares existe un subregistro de la misma, esto como resultado de una falta de sospecha clínica y aplicación de medidas de prevención. En Panamá desde los años 1950 se diagnosticaron los primeros casos. En este año en curso (2021), se diagnosticaron dos casos pediátricos en el Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renan Esquivel, los cuales serán objetos de revisión en este artículo.

Rickettsia are bacteria transmitted by vectors such as ticks, lice, mites. The human being is an accidental host, the rickettsia is transmitted to the human being through the saliva of the infected tick inoculating the bacteria to the skin. There are different species of Rickettsia, the most important species in America is Rickettsia rickettsii. This disease is characterized by damage to the endothelium of small caliber blood vessels, causing lesions mainly in the skin, lung, brain, and kidney. Its initial clinical manifestations are nonspecific and can be confused with other diseases, which is why a detailed clinical history is what can lead us to an early diagnostic. This disease is considered a reemerging disease in spite of having a wide distribution and knowledge of the disease due to lack of suspicion and prevention. In Panama, the first cases were diagnosed in the 1950s and this year 2021 two cases were diagnosed in children at the Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel.

Vida PURA: results from a pilot randomized trial of a culturally adapted screening and brief intervention to reduce unhealthy alcohol use among Latino day laborers.

Latino immigrant men are at increased risk for unhealthy alcohol use. Vida PURA is a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention that consists of promotores providing screening and brief intervention to reduce unhealthy alcohol use among Latino immigrant men. The purpose was to assess the efficacy of Vida PURA in a pilot randomized control trial. Participants were screened for eligibility at a day labor worker center using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Those with an AUDIT score ≥ 6 (N = 121) were randomized into an intervention (N = 77) or control group (N = 44). Participants in the intervention group received a brief intervention from a promotor including personalized feedback, motivational interviewing to assess their readiness to change, and referral to services. Participants in the control group received information about local substance use treatment services. We assessed changes in AUDIT scores, drinks per drinking day, drinking days, and frequency of heavy episodic drinking at 2 and 8 weeks following the baseline survey using a mixed-effects regression model. Many men had high AUDIT scores, indicating dependence. Both the intervention and control groups reduced their alcohol-related behaviors over time, but there were no significant differences between the groups. A culturally adapted brief intervention may not be enough to significantly reduce alcohol use among Latino day laborers, especially among those that are dependent. We discuss lessons learned from this trial, including the value of community-based approaches to reaching high-risk and underserved populations.

Vida PURA: An assessment of the fidelity of promotor-delivered screening and brief intervention to reduce unhealthy alcohol use among Latino day laborers.

We assessed the fidelity of promotores conducting screening and brief intervention (SBI) to reduce unhealthy alcohol use among Latino immigrant day laborers in the Vida PURA study. We reviewed 32 audio-recorded brief interventions to assess promotor adherence to the intervention protocol and to evaluate their motivational interviewing (MI) technique with the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) 4.2.1 tool. Promotores delivered three core intervention steps in 78% of recordings and achieved basic MI competence across all domains and proficiency in 50% of measures. Our results suggest that promotores can be trained to deliver SBI in community settings with fidelity.

Patterns of Unhealthy Alcohol Use among Latino Day Laborers.

Objective: We sought to describe patterns of unhealthy alcohol use among Latino immigrant day laborers and identify correlates of these behaviors. Methods: Participants (N = 104) completed surveys on substance use, alcohol-related problems, mental health, and demographics. We assessed differences in unhealthy alcohol use by subject characteristic using chi-square tests of independence and 2-sample tests of proportions. Results: Unhealthy alcohol use was common with 65% having an AUDIT score of 8 or higher. Living situation and income were significantly associated with unhealthy alcohol use and high levels of depression and anxiety were associated with increased alcohol-related problems. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce unhealthy alcohol use should consider the role of stable housing, income and mental health.

Historical ambient airborne asbestos concentrations in the United States - an analysis of published and unpublished literature (1960s-2000s).

Outdoor concentrations of airborne asbestos have been measured throughout the US over time. However, a thorough review and analysis of these data has not been conducted. The purpose of this study is to characterize asbestos concentrations in ambient air by environment type (urban, rural) and by decade, using measurements collected in the absence of known asbestos emission sources. A total of 17 published and unpublished studies and datasets were identified that reported the results of 2058 samples collected from the 1960s through the 2000s across the US. Most studies did not report asbestos fiber type, and data based on different analytical methods (e.g. Phase Contrast Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, etc.) were combined in the dataset; however, only fibers ≥5 µm in length were considered. For a small subset of the measurements (n = 186, 9.0%), a conversion factor was used to convert mass-based data (e.g. ng/m(3)) to count-based values (i.e. f/cc ≥5 µm). The estimated overall mean and median ambient asbestos concentrations for the 1960s through 2000s were 0.00093 f/cc and 0.00022 f/cc, respectively. Concentrations generally increased from the 1960s through the early 1980s, after which they declined considerably. While asbestos use decreased throughout the 1970s, these results indicate that ambient concentrations peaked during the early 1980s, which suggests the possible contribution of abatement or demolition activities. Lastly, ambient asbestos concentrations were higher in urban than rural settings, which is consistent with the greater use of asbestos-containing materials in more densely populated areas.

Dietary phthalate exposure in pregnant women and the impact of consumer practices.

Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are contaminants in food and contribute to significant dietary exposures. We examined associations between reported consumption of specific foods and beverages and first trimester urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in 656 pregnant women within a multicenter cohort study, The Infant Development and Environment Study (TIDES), using multivariate regression analysis. We also examined whether reported use of ecofriendly and chemical-free products was associated with lower phthalate biomarker levels in comparison to not following such practices. Consumption of one additional serving of dairy per week was associated with decreases of 1% in the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolite levels (95% CI: -2.0, -0.2). Further, participants who reported sometimes eating homegrown food had monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP) levels that were 16.6% lower (95% CI: -29.5, -1.3) in comparison to participants in the rarely/never category. In contrast to rarely/never eating frozen fruits and vegetables, participants who reported sometimes following this practice had monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) levels that were 21% higher (95% CI: 3.3, 41.7) than rarely/ever respondents. Future study on prenatal dietary phthalate exposure and the role of consumer product choices in reducing such exposure is needed.

Phthalates and diet: a review of the food monitoring and epidemiology data.

Phthalates are associated with a variety of health outcomes, but sources that may be targeted for exposure reduction messaging remain elusive. Diet is considered a significant exposure pathway for these compounds. Therefore, we sought to identify primary foods associated with increased exposure through a review of the food monitoring survey and epidemiological data. A search in PubMed and Google Scholar for keywords "phthalates" and "diet" "food" "food stuffs" "dietary intake" "food intake" and "food concentration" resulted in 17 studies measuring phthalate concentrations in United States (US) and international foods, three epidemiological association studies, and three interventions. We report on food groups with high (≥300 µg/kg) and low (<50 µg/kg) concentrations and compare these to foods associated with phthalate body burden. Based on these data, we estimated daily intakes of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) of US women of reproductive age, adolescents and infants for typical consumption patterns as well as healthy and poor diets. We consistently observed high DEHP concentrations in poultry, cooking oils and cream-based dairy products (≥300 µg/kg) across food monitoring studies. Diethyl phthalate (DEP) levels were found at low concentrations across all food groups. In line with these data, epidemiological studies showed positive associations between consumption of meats, discretionary fat and dairy products and DEHP. In contrast to food monitoring data, DEP was found to be associated with intake of vegetables in two studies. DEHP exposure estimates based on typical diets were 5.7, 8.1, and 42.1 µg/kg-day for women of reproductive age, adolescents and infants, respectively, with dairy as the largest contributor to exposure. Diets high in meat and dairy consumption resulted in two-fold increases in exposure. Estimates for infants based on a typical diet exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's reference dose of 20 µg/kg-day while diets high in dairy and meat consumed by adolescents also exceeded this threshold. The review of the literature demonstrated that DEHP in some meats, fats and dairy products is consistently found in high concentrations and can contribute to exposure. Guidance on future research in this area is provided that may help to identify methods to reduce dietary phthalate exposures.