bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Future challenges in hospital hygiene and public health due to air-associated health hazards
Authors: Döhla M , Döhla C , Exner M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Issue
In recent decades, hospital hygiene has focused on effective control strategies against contact or waterborne transmissions. Outside operating theatres or infection wards, airborne pathogens have played a minor role so far. For public health, the airborne route of transmission also played a subordinate role. Apart from bioterrorism, the focus here is more on chemical and physical hazards. In future, air-associated health hazards will increase. Besides airborne pathogens, examples include insects, heatwaves, particulate matter as well as pollen, mould and radon.

Description of the problem
No attention has been paid to systematic risk regulation of the transmission mode air. Hospital hygiene is ‘micro-level public health' with a particularly vulnerable population. The experience of hospital hygiene measures can help to develop appropriate public health interventions. Which air hygiene measures have we taken to counter SARS-CoV-2 and how can these be more efficient in the future?

Results
In response to SARS-CoV-2, face masks were introduced. This has reduced the risk of transmission both in hospitals and in public, but has not completely prevented indirect transmission through aerosols indoors. Ventilation rules further reduced the risk of transmission, but were not applicable everywhere. Since most buildings do not have central air filtration units, the use of decentralised air filters increased, with unknown relevance.

Lessons
Breathing air cannot be substituted. Therefore, air hygiene is a primary prevention and needs to become more structured to be effective against future air-associated health hazards. Future construction projects for hospitals and public buildings must be adapted to prevention of air-associated health hazards. Hazard and risk analyses, technical, organisational and personal control measures, their monitoring and an incident management should be combined into an ‘Air Safety Plan' as part of a hygiene plan for hospitals and the public.

Key messages
Breathing air is increasingly polluted by natural or anthropogenic chemical, biological and physical influences and thus becomes a carrier of health hazards, especially for vulnerable groups. Since air cannot be replaced, primary preventive air hygiene based on “Air Safety Plans” will be important in the future as an efficient measure against air-associated hazards such as SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19, Stress and Behavioral Aspects Among Students of the University of Georgia
Authors: Lobjanidze M , Jikia T , Antia Kh , Lobjanidze T 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Pandemics, state of emergency, restrictions and new regulations, new ways of thinking, teaching, learning, working and communicating. Transforming social environment, Covid-19 pandemics has greatly affected lifestyle of all people around the globe. In this matter, students are not an exception. The aim of the study was to describe self-reported stress and behaviors of students at the University of Georgia during Covid-19 pandemics.

Methods
In frame of online survey design, self-administrative semi-structured Questionnaires (Geo/Eng) were disseminated via UG's intranet. Target population was BA, MA and One-Cycle Program students with active status (6545). Questionnaires were available during two weeks.

Results
In result, 446 (CL = 95%; CI = 5) students participated in online survey. Students reported physiological, emotional, and cognitive symptoms they never noticed before moving to online learning due to Covid-19 pandemics. Both, local and foreign students reported headaches (30%) and Feeling of being depressed (25%). Fatigue (25%) and irritation (28%) was marked by local students, nearly 20% of foreign students marked hardness of dealing with the life problems. Changing of sleep and physical activity patterns were highlighted by both local and international students. In average, 55% students evaluated their sleep as deteriorated or very deteriorated. 60% of students could recall only 3 days or less when they walked for at least 10 minutes without break. 35% noticed increase or significant increase of body weight. Nearly 30% of students evaluated their stress level as 8; 9; or 10 at ten-point scale (0=no stress; 10=high stress level).

Conclusions
Study hasn't shown significant differences between local and international students. Negative changes were reported in physical and emotional level, physical activity and sleep patterns. Study results underlined importance of Further research and strengthening of supportive services for students during pandemics.

Key messages
Creating/strengthening of supportive services for students during pandemics. Integrate physical activity training into online lectures.
Antivaccination attitudes and intention to take COVID-19 vaccine in Croatian adult population
Authors: Miskulin M , Gavranic K , Domacinovic T , Pavlovic N , Vukoja I , Miskulin I 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 vaccine is an effective choice to stop the pandemic. To improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage the better understanding of factors influencing individual intention of vaccination is needed. Antivaccination attitudes (AAs) are important predictors of vaccination behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the intention to take COVID-19 vaccine in Croatian adult population and to evaluate factors that influence such intention with emphasis on AAs.

Methods
This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted during the June 2020 to December 2020 in convenient sample of adults from Split-Dalmatia County at the primary health care setting. Vaccination Attitudes Examination scale (VAX) was used to assess AAs.

Results
The study sample consisted of 632 subjects (52.7% males and 47.3% females). The median age of all subjects was 38.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 29.0 - 48.0) years. The overall prevalence of intention to take COVID-19 vaccine was 46.8%. Males and subjects living with the partner more frequently expressed intention to take COVID-19 vaccine (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015 respectively). The study revealed fair negative correlation between AAs and intention to take COVID-19 vaccine (rho=-0.453; P &lt; 0.001). Subjects who did not intend to take COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated larger mistrust of vaccine benefits, more worries over unforeseen future effects, more concerns about commercial profit and larger preference for natural immunity (P &lt; 0.0001, P &lt; 0.0001, P &lt; 0.0001, P &lt; 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions
The study showed fairly low proportion of subjects who intended to take COVID-19 vaccine. The study revealed that gender, marital status, and AAs are good predictors of intention to take COVID-19 vaccine in study population. The good predictors of intention to take COVID-19 vaccine in Croatian adult population should be considered during COVID-19 vaccination popularization strategies development.

Key messages
The structured communication campaigns on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines should be developed and directed specifically to all target groups for vaccination. Understanding the factors that could improve the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is crucial to design effective vaccination program.
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet during COVID-19 national lockdowns: a systematic review
Authors: Della Valle PG , Mosconi G , Nucci D , Gianfagna F , Iacoviello L , Bonaccio M , Odone A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is one of the healthy eating plans recommended to promote health and prevent chronic diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries adopted restrictive measures to mitigate infection spread, which might have influenced people's lifestyle and dietary habits. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the impact of stay-at home orders' implementation on adherence to MD.

Methods
Studies were identified searching Medline, Embase, and Web Of Science, the search strategy was developed using a combination of free text and mesh terms referring to COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, and MD. Studies published until March 31st, 2021 were included. We only considered studies reporting original data from quantitative analysis and assessing modifications of adherence to the MD through validated dietary scores or any change in consumption of food categories that are typically ascribed to the MD. Data extraction, pooling and quality appraisal of the included studies, were conducted applying PRISMA guidelines.

Results
42 studies were retrieved. After duplicates removal, and in-blind two-step screening, 10 studies met our a priori defined inclusion criteria and were included in the review. 71.4% of the studies reporting a rate of change in adherence, measured through validated questionnaire both before and during lockdown, reported an increase, while 28.6% reported no significative changes. All included studies reporting the percentage of participants having a high adherence to the MD, based on their results on MEDAS questionnaire, before and during the lockdown, found an increase in this percentage.

Conclusions
Adherence to the MD could have raised in people undergoing lockdowns due to COVID-19.

Key messages
The impact of restrictive measures on determinants of health must be monitored. Despite the literature suggests adherence to MD has declined in the last years, this trend may have reversed or, at least, slowed during the initial phases of the current pandemic.
Corona-specific health literacy: a longitudinal study in the German-speaking part of Switzerland
Authors: Guggiari E , De Gani SM , Berger F , Jaks R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by an infodemic, i.e. a flood of conflicting infor-mation through numerous channels and mis-/disinformation. To cope with these challenges and to make sound health-decisions, people need skills that enable them to access, under-stand, appraise, and use health-related information, i.e. adequate health literacy (HL). Thus, the present study investigates how people in the German-speaking part of Switzerland handle with Corona-specific information, what their difficulties are and what potential improvement measures could be.

Methods
Three representative samples of 1'000 individuals each were interviewed online in early sum-mer, autumn and winter 2020 using a modified version of the HLS-EU-Q16 questionnaire. Da-ta were analyzed using descriptive methods and an index for Corona-specific HL was built.

Results
In early summer, 55% of the German-speaking Swiss population reported adequate Corona-specific HL, with a tendency to increase with the duration of the pandemic (autumn: 62%; winter: 63%). Nonetheless, a great proportion reported difficulties, especially with assessing the trustworthiness of information from the media. With the progress of the pandemic, partici-pants felt less informed and the proportion of (very) poorly informed increased from 8% in early summer to 16% in winter 2020.

Conclusions
Participants often found it difficult to assess the trustworthiness of information on COVID-19 and to derive consequences for their own behavior. Hence, it is important that all relevant stakeholders such as health organizations, authorities and media support the population with tools to facilitate the use of health information and to empower them to take responsibility for their own health as well as for their community.

Key messages
People need adequate HL to handle the amount and complexity of COVID-19-related information. Relevant stakeholders need to take over responsibility to empower the population and to enhance their HL.
The implementation of health promotion on health professionals practice and public policy managers
Authors: Casamitjà MT , Ventura N , Mantas S , Sunyer J , Mallolas J , Bou A , Parreño R , Turró O 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Reorientation in interventions aimed at implementing Health Promotion (HP) on health professionals and public policy managers is a key issue on the political agenda. It is crucial to know which factors influence the process of implementing HP between both fields. The aim of this study was to identify barriers, facilitators and proposals for the implementation of HP and to know which were the differences and similarities between health professionals and public policy managers.

Methods
A qualitative study was carried out to determine which were the barriers, facilitators and recommendations for the implementation of HP programmes. Between March 2017 -December 2018 six focus groups, purposively selected, were formed (32 women & 20 men). The study was completed with three semi-structured interviews to public policy managers of our area between January 2020-February 2020. Theorical saturation was reached and validity of the study was ensured by triangulation.

Results
Globally, health professionals and public policy managers identified shortage of global actions, lack of coordination between different health agents and the complexity of social determinants in the implementation of HP as the main barriers. Common facilitators were belief in the effectiveness of social prescription and the tasks related to HP and the existence of new professionals oriented towards the individual and their assets in health. Greater intersectoral relationship with a vision of health in all policies, redistribution of public resources and increase in social prescription were the most valued proposals.

Conclusions
Prioritize HP strategies in the agenda of all professionals. Health in all policies from all health agents and from interdisciplinary work. Identify and deepen in the study of these factors to develop new proposals for the implementation of HP.

Key messages
Greater intersectoral relationship is needed. Prioritize HP strategies in the agenda of all professionals.
Public health lessons from the soda taxes enacted in France in 2012 and modified in 2018
Authors: Le Bodo Y , Etilé F , Julia C , Friant-Perrot M , Breton E , Lecocq S , Boizot-Szantai C , Bergeran C , Jabot F 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
In 2016, the WHO officially recommended sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation as a strategy to reduce consumption, stimulate product reformulation and generate revenues for health-related programmes. This recommendation was based on a number of studies and experiments amongst them the 2012 French SSB tax that was redesigned in 2018. In this presentation, we summarize the lessons learnt from the soda taxes in France and offer insights on their potential public health benefits.

Methods
Our rationale is structured according to the interdisciplinary perspective of the Soda-Tax research consortium (2019-2023), addressing: (1) the soda tax policy change process; (2) the impact on price and purchases; (3) the consumer receptiveness to the tax and; (4) its legal framework and potential application to other foods/nutrients.

Results
Our overview of evidence highlights that the process leading to the enactment of the 2012 tax was initially based on a public health justification that was later set aside in favour of budgetary concerns. The tax, whose rate was flat and low and whose scope was extended to artificially-sweetened drinks containing no added sugar, generated modest effects on SSB consumption. Yet, it was ground breaking and offered an opportunity to appreciate its equity, to document its acceptance through a population-based survey and its legal viability. Six years later, the new tax comes closer to international recommendations: it is framed within the scope of public health action, focuses on SSBs and its rate is indexed to the quantity of added sugar in the drink.

Conclusions
The Soda-Tax project will study the degree of policy learning that may have contributed to the evolution of the 2018 tax, as well as the conditions of its implementation, administratively more complex than the previous one. It will also explore the social acceptability of this new tax and the extent to which it results in higher SSB prices, lower consumption and changes in the market.

Key messages
The design of the 2012 French soda tax was not optimal for public health, but it set a precedent. The 2018 soda tax, closer to international recommendations, deserves further investigation.
Tackling bad air and promoting prevention and care for chronic lung diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ku GMV , Da Silveira VC , Kegels G , Develtere P , Nemery B , Doussou JP , Bossyns P , Gyselinck K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are de facto neglected diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) although prevalences are significantly rising and more women and young people are affected. Disabilities from CRD lead to decreased productivity and steep increases in direct and indirect costs for individuals, families, and society. The wide implications are recognized but serious challenges to effective action remain. We conducted scoping reviews of literature and policy documents on CRD and interviewed key informants to identify specific determinants and current health system responses in SSA to formulate targeted and feasible strategies that could inspire future interventions to address the issue. In SSA, air quality is poor and worsening (100% exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guideline value), affecting development of and damaging lungs. Poor air quality is driven by socio-demographic phenomena with accelerated rural-to-urban migration and mobility needs; industrial and agricultural pollution; fossil fuel driven transport; inadequate waste management; electric power generation. A large component is indoor air pollution from inefficient burning technologies of unclean fuels and tobacco smoke, combined with insufficient ventilation. Health systems responses to CRDs are poor/non-existent. Medications are rarely available, CRD knowledge is low among healthcare professionals and the population, prevention activities are lacking. Holistic approaches to tackle outdoor & indoor air pollution and labour regulations for decent work can be part of the solutions. “Basic CRD care packages” can be introduced and decision-support to healthcare professionals offered. Engagement of stakeholders (communities; civil society, e.g., women's organisations, professional associations) can be commenced. Sporadic/scattered projects/programs can be stimulated towards synergistic actions. An assessment tool determining contextual applicability of strategies can help tailor appropriate responses.

Key messages
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, commonly caused by outdoor air pollution (bronchial asthma) & use of biomass fuels (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Contextualized multisectoral actions are needed to tackle bad air and its causes (rapid urbanization; industrial, agricultural pollution; unclean fuels, etc) and address CRDs and risk factors.
Inequalities in incidence and prevalence from arthropathy in Lithuania by age and gender
Authors: Knystautas S , Andriuškevičiūtė D , Meščeriakova-Veliulienė O 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Arthropathy is a collective term for any disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is characterized by joint pain and functional impairment which results in a negative impact on quality of life. The aim of the study is to analyze inequalities in prevalence and incidence from arthropathy by gender and age groups and their changes in Lithuania in 2001-2019.

Methods
The data (aged 0+) on incidence and prevalence from arthropathy (ICD-10 codes M00-M25) in 2001-2019 was obtained from Hygiene Institute. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess trends of rates during 2001-2019.

Results
In 2001-2019 incidence rates of arthropathy changes were similar in females (by 6.5% per year, P &lt; 0.001) and males (by 6.6% per year, P &lt; 0.001). However, prevalence was higher in males (by 5.6% per year, P &lt; 0.001) than in females (by 4.1% per year, P &lt; 0.001). Incidence of arthropathy increased on average by 6.6% per year (P &lt; 0.001) in the age group 18-44 years. Besides, incidence rates increased: by 6.1% per year (P &lt; 0.001) among adults aged 45-64 years and by 6.2% per year (P &lt; 0.001) among adults ≥65 years. According to statistical data in 2001-2019 prevalence rates increased the most among adults aged 18-44 years (on average by 5.9% per year, P &lt; 0.001). Prevalence increased: in the age group 45-64 years by 4.0% per year (P &lt; 0.001); ≥65 years by 2.3% per year (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
In 2001-2019 incidence rates of arthropathy among females and males were similar and prevalence rates were higher in males compared to females. Moreover, the highest incidence and prevalence rates were in age group 18-44 years.

Key messages
In 2001-2019 the prevalence of arthropathy was higher in males than females in Lithuania. In all age groups prevalence and incidence increased (notably among adults aged 18-44 years).
Follow-up of the diabetic patient: experience of a district of the city of Casablanca
Authors: Tsoumbou-Bakana G , Kissi D , Hassoune S , Nani S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Diabetes is a chronic disease with a significant socioeconomic impact, especially in developing countries. In Morocco, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated at 12.4% and there are nearly 12,000 deaths/year related to this disease and its complications.

Objectives
To describe the epidemiological, therapeutic and follow-up profile of diabetic patients.

Patients and Methods
This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted from 20 to 22 March 2018, in the Mers Sultan-Fida district of the city of Casablanca, in the context of mass consultation of diabetic patients. The collected data were obtained through data collection and the obtained results were analyzed by SPSS v.16 software.

Results
A total of 228 patients were included in this study, the median age was 62 years [13-88], the median age of diabetes was 10 years [0.25-36]. The most frequent circumstance of discovery was the appearance of functional signs (31.6%). Regarding family history, 43.9% had a history of diabetes and 49.1% a history of hypertension. The median blood pressure was 150/80 mmhg, the median body mass index was 33.54 [21.16-42.72]; the mean HbA1c level was 8 +/- 1.81 g/l [5-15]. In the follow-up of these patients, 14.5% admitted to regular check-ups. Regarding treatment, 52.6% were on oral antidiabetic drugs and 22.8% on insulin therapy, 37.3% declared to take their treatment regularly.

Conclusions
It seems important to continue to raise awareness among diabetic patients in these three districts about the importance of diabetes control and regular monitoring of this condition in order to prevent or delay the occurrence of possible complications.

Key messages
Diabetes is a major public health issue in Morocco. Patient education on the importance of diabetes management is systematic.