Racial demographics and COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths: a correlational analysis of 2886 US counties.

BACKGROUND: Recent news reports state that racial minority groups, such as African-Americans, are experiencing a greater COVID-19 burden, as measured by confirmed cases and deaths. Limited racial data is available on a national level. METHODS: We conducted the first nationwide analysis to examine COVID-19 and race on a county level. We obtained datasets on COVID-19 cases and deaths, and racial population totals, by US county. We examined if correlations exist between the racial percentages and percentages of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths by county. RESULTS: A positive correlation existed between percentages of African-Americans living in a county and who have COVID-19 (r = 0.254, P < 0.0001), who have died from COVID-19 (r = 0.268, P < 0.0001), and case mortality (r = 0.055, P = 0.003). Positive correlations also existed between percentages of Asian-Americans living in counties and these factors. Negative correlations existed between percentages of Whites living in counties and these factors. CONCLUSIONS: A weak, albeit very significant, positive relationship exists between the percentage of African-Americans living in a county and the percentage of COVID-19 confirmed cases, confirmed deaths and case mortality in the county. This is in support of many city and statewide analyses, and we urge for targeted resources towards work that further examine these racial associations.

Oral HPV infection and sexuality: a cross-sectional study in women.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main risk factor for cervical cancers and is associated with close to 36% of oropharyngeal cancers. There is increasing evidence that oral HPV transmission is related to sexual behavior but to our knowledge studies that involve women who have sex with women have not been performed. We examined the prevalence of oral HPV according to sexual behavior among a population-based sample of 118 women and have made some inferences of possible predictors of oral HPV infection. Women were categorized as heterosexual (history of vaginal sex and/or oral sex with males only, n = 75), bisexual (history of vaginal sex and oral sex with females, n = 32) and other (no history of vaginal sex but oral sex with females [homosexuals], virgins and women with incomplete sexual exposure data, n = 11) The prevalence of oral HPV infection was 12/118 (10.2%) for the overall study population and was not significantly different between heterosexual and bisexual women (10.7% (8/75) vs. 12.5% (4/32), p = 0.784). There was no oral HPV detected among homosexual women, virgins or among women where sexual exposure was unknown. Never smokers were more likely to be oral HPV+ compared to former smokers (Adjusted Odds Ratio (Adj OR) = 0.1, 95% CI, 0.0-1.1) and there was no difference in risk between never smokers and current smokers (Adj OR = 0.7, 95% CI, 0.1-4.6). Twenty-five percent (3/12) of oral HPV+ women had a history of HPV and/or genital warts compared to 9% (10/106) of oral HPV-women (p = 0.104). For the women with a history of vaginal sex (n = 110), oral HPV status was statistically significantly different according to oral sex exposure (p = 0.039). A higher proportion of oral HPV-positive women reported that they had no history of oral sex exposure compared to oral HPV-negative women (4/12, 33% vs. 7/98, 8%). The prevalence of cervical HPV infection did not vary between heterosexuals and bisexuals (35.7% (25/70) vs. 35.5% (11/31), p-value 0.411) and for all other women the cervical HPV prevalence was significantly lower (11.1%, 1/9). Our study suggests that smoking and sexual behavior involving males rather than female partners may be possible predictors of oral HPV infection in women. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.

Retroperitoneal Ectopic Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancies are rare and have a tendency to implant along major vessels of the abdomen and pelvis. Clinical manifestations can vary from no symptoms to hypovolemic shock and death. CASE: A 30-year-old woman presented in hypovolemic shock with left flank and abdominal pain after attempting to medically terminate her first-trimester pregnancy. Intraoperative findings revealed normal pelvic organs with a massive retroperitoneal hematoma containing chorionic villi confirmed on histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: In a woman with a pregnancy of unknown location presenting with worsening flank pain, a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy must be considered. Prompt diagnosis and management in a low-resource setting presents additional challenges.

Competency-Based Objectives in Global Underserved Women's Health for Medical Trainees.

The Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Committee on Global Health developed an inclusive definition of global women's health and competency-based objectives that reflected work internationally, as well as with U.S. vulnerable and underserved populations, such as refugee and immigrant populations or those who would otherwise have compromised access to health care. The knowledge, skill, and attitude-based competencies required to fulfill each learning objective were mapped to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Outcomes Project's educational domains and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health competency domains. The proposed global women's health definition and competency-based learning objective framework is a first step in ensuring quality standards for educating trainees to address global women's health needs. By proposing these objectives, we hope to guide future program development and spark a broader conversation that will improve health for vulnerable women and shape educational, ethical, and equitable global health experiences for medical trainees.

Barriers to Global Health Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

BACKGROUND: The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery includes obstetrics and gynecology as an area needing international strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. Despite interest, a majority of participants in US residency programs graduate with little exposure to global health or preparation to work abroad. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the level of interest of obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residents in gaining global health training and to identify perceived barriers to receiving training. METHODS: Residents in accredited Ob/Gyn programs were identified using a national residency database. The survey was online and anonymous. FINDINGS: A total of 278 residents completed the survey. A high level of motivation to participate in a global health elective was associated with interests in preparation for future global work, desire for activism in maternal health and social determinants of health, and becoming better informed on global health policy. Eighty-two percent of respondents stated they would participate in a global health curriculum if it were offered, and 54.8% would use their vacation time. There were associations between personal safety, family, lack of resources, and lack of interest from faculty and motivational level as perceived barriers. Eighty-one percent strongly agreed that scheduling conflicts and time constraints pose barriers; more than 80% either agreed or strongly agreed that funding such endeavors and a lack of mentorship are major deterrents to pursuing global health. CONCLUSIONS: Because resident motivation is clearly high and international need persists, we determined that most barriers to training abroad are related to the structure and budget of residency programs.

Special populations critical care considerations of the morbidly obese pregnant patient.

The critically ill pregnant patient poses a unique challenge to the clinician, requiring a thorough understanding of normal and abnormal maternal and fetal physiology associated with pregnancy. The morbidly obese patient presents even greater challenges to the clinician, and morbidity and mortality are proportionately increased. Because increased numbers of obese pregnant women are now admitted to intensive care units, practitioners must be aware of the physiology associated with both pregnancy and obesity. A multidisciplinary approach is imperative to prevent both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality for these very complex patients, especially when they are admitted to the ICU with critical illness.