bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever (cchf) outbreaks: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Sartaj M G , Tahir M R , Ali M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), a viral tick-borne zoonotic disease with high mortality rates, poses a particular threat in Pakistan during religious event of Eid-ul-Azha as increased livestock contact. This study aims to analyze CCHF cases from three outbreaks, to identify transmission and disease patterns. Understanding these patterns can inform targeted interventions for future outbreaks.

Methods
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to examine three CCHF outbreak investigations between July 2nd and August 12th, 2023 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Multisectoral teams, including human and animal health departments, investigated these outbreaks. Data was collected through semi-structured case investigation tools. The healthcare providers, patients and family were subjects. During active case surveillance, 41 probable contacts were traced.

Results
Among positive cases, male predominance (71.4%) was observed. The highest proportion of cases occurred in the 15-29 year age group (42.9%, n = 6). Individuals involved in animal handling professions had the highest prevalence (50%, n = 7), followed by students (21.4%, n = 3). Common clinical manifestations included high-grade fever (100%), muscle pain (92.9%), and bleeding symptoms (85.7%), with 64.3% of cases reporting vomiting blood. The average recovery time was 7.1 days, while fatal cases had an average of 6.8 days from symptom onset to death. Recovery was observed in 64.3% of cases, with a mortality rate of 35.7%. Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between gender, occupation, and disease outcome (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
This study identified a higher risk of CCHF in males, young adults, and individuals involved in animal handling during outbreaks. Public health interventions targeting occupations, demographics, particularly education and protective measures for animal handlers during Eid-ul-Azha days, are crucial to mitigate future outbreaks

Key messages
• Young male adults, and individuals involved in animal handling are on greater risk of higher risk of CCHF infections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
• One Health community can leverage these findings to develop better prevention and control strategies through collaboration between human and animal health sectors.
Enhancing cross-border contact tracing in Europe: Lessons learned from COVID-19 and future directions
Authors: Cesuroglu T , Baron R , van der Meer A , Lewis O , Molnar A , van der Steen S , Buis J , Swaan C , Stein M , Hansen J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Health systems in the EU operate at the national level, granting Member States autonomy for outbreak preparedness and response within their territories whilst coordinating at EU level to combat serious cross-border threats. The EU’s Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) provides the platform to exchange personal data for contact tracing across 30/EEA countries and was extensively utilized during COVID-19. This study examines insights from EU/EEA countries and assesses the feasibility of integrating national digital systems with EWRS to increase its effectiveness.

Methods
A comparative case study surveyed representatives from 24 countries and interviewed nine, analyzing contact tracing processes, actors, digital technologies, and challenges/facilitators during COVID-19. Thematic analysis was complemented by two webinars engaging EU/EEA countries to validate findings and gather additional perspectives.

Results
EWRS was valued for safety and efficiency but faced challenges during peak pandemic periods due to the heavy manual workload. Integrating national digital systems with EWRS could enhance data quality, timeliness, and coordination between countries. However, countries have varied and incompatible digital contact tracing systems, limiting the feasibility of their integration with EWRS. Moreover, most countries organize contact tracing at the subnational level, with regional entities developing and managing their own digital technologies under national guidance. Smaller countries excluded, subnational contact tracing case management systems were often not integrated with each other to exchange personal data in an automated way at a national level.

Conclusions
While integrating national digital systems with EWRS could bolster efficiency of contact tracing across EU/EEA, the presence of diverse technologies and decentralized governance poses feasibility challenges. Other improvements are needed to enhance cross-border contact tracing during outbreaks.

Key messages
• Integrating national digital systems with EWRS promises enhanced efficiency for contact tracing across EU/EEA in line with Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health.
• Diverse technologies and decentralized governance pose feasibility challenges, underscoring the need for further enhancements in cross-border contact tracing in EU/EEA during large outbreaks.
Insights from a hospital database: injuries among children under 6 years old due to falls
Authors: Pitskhelauri N , Akhobadze K , Chikhladze N 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Pediatric injuries represent a significant public health concern globally, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality among children. In Georgia, limited data exists regarding pediatric injuries. The aim of the study was to analyze epidemiological characteristics and trends of pediatric injuries among children aged under 6 years who received treatment in hospitals across whole country.

Methods
NCDC hospitalization database for 2015-2022 was used for the study.

Results
Over the study period, a total of 5979 children under the age of 6 received treatment in all hospitals across Georgia. The highest number of hospital admissions were registered in 2019. 60% were boys and 40% were girls of the hospitalized patients. Boys were predominant across all age groups, with the highest proportion among children aged 5 years old. There was a significant variation in hospital admissions according to the seasons, with the highest admissions occurrence in summer. As for the cause of admission, 37% resulted from falls on the same level, 10% from falls between different levels, 7% involved falling from a bed, 4% from falling out or through a building, and 4% from falling down stairs. The cause of falls was unspecified in 23%. In 72% of cases, the injured body part was the head, 17% were upper extremity injuries, and 7% were lower extremity injuries. Of the patients, 90% recovered, 2% discontinued treatment, 8% were transferred, and the outcome was fatal for 0.23% of patients. Among the fatal cases, 36% resulted from falls from, out of, or through a building, 29% from falls between different levels, 14% from falling or jumping, 7% from falls involving a bed, and 7% from falls on the same level.

Conclusions
These findings underscore the importance of preventive measures, especially regarding fall prevention, to reduce the incidence of pediatric injuries in Georgia.

Key messages
• There was a significant variation in hospital admissions according to the seasons, with the highest admissions occurrence in summer.
• These findings underscore the importance of preventive measures, especially regarding fall prevention, to reduce the incidence of pediatric injuries in Georgia.
Innovative Approaches for Personalized Cardiovascular Prevention: the INNOPREV multicentric trial
Authors: Proto L , Russo L , Maio A , Farina S , Mazzucco W , Agodi A , De Waure C , Liuzzo G , Pastorino R , Boccia S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a major global health concern, requiring innovative primary prevention strategies. Personalized prevention, through the use of digital technologies and genetic risk scores (PRS), holds promise but requires further investigation to assess clinical efficacy. Consequently, the INNOPREV trial aims to investigate the efficacy of PRS and/or digital technologies in the uptake of CV preventive behaviors uptakes.

Methods
The INNOPREV trial is a multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted in Italy across three hospital centers in Rome, Catania, and Palermo. It aims to recruit 1020 participants aged 40-69 with a high 10-year CVD risk. Participants are allocated to traditional CVD risk assessment, or genetic testing, or digital interventions, or a combination of both. The study involves comprehensive CV risk assessments at baseline and follow-up visits at one, five, and twelve months. Data analysis will utilize mixed-effects models to analyze longitudinally collected data and explore potential moderators and mediators of behavior change.

Results
Preliminary results indicate good progress in recruitment, which currently stands at 250 participants (25% of expected). Recruited females have a mean age of 59 ± 6 years, while males have a mean age of 58 ± 6 years. Currently, PRS analyses indicate that 77% of participants have intermediate scores, and 23% have low scores. Follow-up will be essential to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed interventions.

Conclusions
We expect that the INNOPREV trial will provide evidence towards integration of innovative approaches based on PRS and digital devices, in the traditional preventive approaches for CVDs. Expectations are high based on the limited effectiveness of the current approaches in CV risk reduction based on lifestyle advice.

Key messages
• INNOPREV trial examines PRS and digital technology for CVD prevention, aiming to enhance preventive efficacy. Initial findings suggest promising potential for innovative CVD prevention strategies.
• The INNOPREV trial aims to investigate the efficacy of personalized prevention strategies, including PRS and digital technologies, in improving cardiovascular preventive behaviors.
Maternal employment characteristics as a structural social determinant of breastfeeding duration
Authors: Brugailleres P , Deguen S , Lioret S , Haidar S , Delamaire C , Counil E , Vandentorren S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The European Region exhibits the world’s lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months. Addressing work-related breastfeeding challenges is crucial, particularly for women navigating precarious work situations, compounding their adversity. This scoping review surveys research on maternal employment characteristics facilitating breastfeeding continuation post-return to work in the European Region.

Methods
Studies from 2013 to 2023 were gathered from Scopus, PubMed, and PsycInfo. Inclusion criteria comprised English or French quantitative/qualitative studies exploring links between maternal employment characteristics and breastfeeding status, duration, or experience. Participants were employed mothers of healthy children sustaining breastfeeding post-resumption of work. Key determinants included work-related factors contributing to socially diverse working conditions, encompassing type of employment, working conditions, and work environment. Geographic scope included World Health Organization European Region countries.

Results
Among 693 hits, 13 studies met criteria. Eight focused on work and breastfeeding, others explored broader breastfeeding determinants. Represented countries: Spain (n = 4), France (n = 4), UK (n = 2), Ireland (n = 2), Netherlands (n = 1). Findings highlighted methodological heterogeneity, indicating a lack of conceptual framework linking work, breastfeeding, and social health inequalities. Nonetheless, self-employment, non-manual professions with time flexibility, workplace breastfeeding facilities, coworker support, and breastfeeding workplace policies emerged as pivotal factors supporting working mothers’ breastfeeding.

Conclusions
Backing breastfeeding choices for working mothers is crucial amid adversities faced by mothers and children. These results underscore the need for targeted workplace interventions, including time flexibility, breastfeeding facilities, and promotion of breastfeeding-friendly policies.

Key messages
• Self-employment, non-manual occupations, time flexibility, breastfeeding facilities, support of co-workers and breastfeeding workplace policies promote continuation of breastfeeding.
• Policy directives targeting low skilled or precarious jobs are needed to reduce social health inequalities broadly, and in particular, in relation to breastfeeding practices.
Children eight to twelve years of age have clear opinions about Positive Health
Authors: De Bot C , Dierx J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Positive Health (PH) focuses on the ability to maintain control over one’s own health, also for children. This study explores how primary school children eight to twelve years of age think about the concept of PH and the dimensions of PH as described in the child tool.

Methods
A qualitative research method was applied, in which 25 semi-structured interviews consisting of eight questions were conducted.

Results
Children mainly think of nutrition, exercise and ‘feeling good’ when asked what PG means. More specifically on the different dimensions, for ‘My body’ they mainly think about sleeping, healthy eating and exercise. For ‘My feelings and thoughts’, they mainly mention being happy, sad or angry and also for ‘feeling good about yourself’ they mainly talk about emotions and feeling good where appearance is important. The dimension ‘Now and later’ is mainly about occupation later, according to the children. Friends and bullying are terms mentioned in the dimension ‘Participation’ and being able to do what they feel like is most important in the dimension ‘Daily life’. For children, the dimensions ‘Feeling good about yourself’ and ‘My feelings and thoughts’ are most important. In addition, ‘Participating’ is important where having fun with friends is particularly mentioned by all children.

Conclusions
Children aged eight to twelve years of age perceive PH more than just the physical component and recognise all the dimensions of PH be it in their own words. Where children of all ages value the dimensions ‘Feeling good about yourself’, ‘My feelings and thoughts’ and ‘Participating’ most, these dimensions become even more important with increasing age. For teachers, youth health professionals and parents/carers this might imply, first, that the concept of Positive Health could be used as a tool when talking about being and staying healthy. Second, interventions might be more effective when aligned to children’s perceptions and language.

Key messages
• The concept of Positive Health could be used as a tool when talking about being and staying healthy.
• Interventions might be more effective when aligned to children’s perceptions and language.
Factors associated with the consumption of ultra-processed among Brazilian and Portuguese pregnant
Authors: de Lima M C , Sartorelli D S , Rodrigues SSP 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Considering the recent evidence about the negative effect of the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on current and future generations, and pointing to the development of public food policies adapted to the needs of pregnant women, it is important to identify the factors associated with high consumption of UPF. Cross-sectional comparative study that used data from: 1) a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted with pregnant women treated at Health Units in a city in São Paulo (n = 350), Brazil; and 2) the National Dietary and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016, Portuguese pregnant women (n = 226). Two 24-hour recall surveys were collected. The UPF were classified according to the Nova. Usual consumption was estimated using the Multiple Source Method software. The percentage of energy coming from UPF was calculated using the mean (±SD) and 95%CI. Adjusted and crude linear regression models were used. The analysis were conducted in SPSS (version 21), considering p &lt; 0.05 as significant. The average age of the total sample was 29.4(±6.3) years and the BMI corresponded to 27.8(±3.4)kg/m². The average daily energy consumption from UPF among Brazilian pregnant women was 449.6(±207.6) kcal, representing 24.2(±8.8)% of the total energy consumed on a usual day; among Portuguese women the average corresponded to 484.2(±242.4)kcal and 22.3(9.3)%, respectively. In crude and adjusted linear regression models, the participation of UPF in total energy was higher among single Brazilian pregnant women compared to married women (3.2[0.8-5.5]p=0.009); Among Portuguese women, an inverse relationship was observed between weekly physical activity (PA) ≥150 minutes and UPF energy consumption (-3.2[-6.0 - -0.3]p= 0, 03). In the studied pregnant women, results showed that being single and practicing less than 150 minutes of PA weekly were factors associated with greater consumption of UPF, characterizing a priority group to receive nutritional interventions during prenatal care.

Key messages
• Public policies and strategies to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods during pregnancy.
• Promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and impact on current and future health.
Cannabis use, mental health and suicide attempts among adolescents in Puerto Rico
Authors: Reyes J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance worldwide, with recent reports estimating an 11.6% annual prevalence of use in North America. Mental health, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and completed suicides, has been the focus of several studies exploring its association with frequent cannabis use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between cannabis use, mental health symptoms and suicide attempts among adolescent students in Puerto Rico. Consulta Juvenil X is a monitoring program that aims to study the prevalence of substance use, mental health and violent behavior as well as the risk factors associated with those practices. The survey was conducted during the 2018-20 academic year. The study utilizes a self-administered questionnaire. The sample included 4,668 (54%) females and 3,977 (46%) males. Half of the sample was between seventh and ninth grade with a median age of 15 years old. The majority of the sample was recruited from the public school system in Puerto Rico (70.3%). The prevalence of marihuana use in the public and private schools participating in the study was 9.4% and the suicide attempts was 7.6%. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that students who use marihuana during the last year were significantly more likely to report depressive and anxiety symptoms after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Moreover, adolescents who use marihuana were significantly more likely to report suicide attempts after controlling for depression symptoms (OR = 3.07; 95%CI: 2.53-3.72). Findings of this study suggest that adolescents who report marihuana use seem to be at higher risk for mental health problems and suicide attempts. Understanding who is most likely to report marihuana use is important in developing interventions to prevent mental health problems and suicidal behaviors.

Key messages
• Findings of this study suggest that adolescents who report marihuana use seem to be at higher risk for mental health problems and suicide attempts.
• Understanding who is most likely to report marihuana use is important in developing interventions to prevent mental health problems and suicidal behaviors.
Breast milk sharing practices in emergency settings
Authors: Tannenbaum-Baruchi C , Harari H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
In emergencies, breast milk sharing becomes essential to sustain infant nutrition when access to maternal breastfeeding is disrupted. This study examines donor motivations and assesses the impact of such initiatives on infant health outcomes during wartime.

Methods
This qualitative study investigated a community of breast milk donors on a Facebook platform for the month following the start of the war on October 7, 2023. We investigated two main groups participating in breast milk sharing through reflective thematic analysis of social media messages.

Results
A count of posts one month before and after October 7 revealed a doubling in post frequency post-7/10, emphasizing the surge in war-related posts. Two main themes emerged concerning the war:
1. Infant needs: Posts addressed various infant needs, including general necessities and those specific to war-related situations. Requests for milk sharing emerged from the second day of the war, particularly for infants whose mothers were missing or injured. Government information from the National Human Milk Bank was shared within these Facebook groups, encouraging donations for these infants.
2. Donor Motivation: Posts reflected both non-war-related and war-related motivations, with a notable emphasis on the latter. Authors, including both women and men, actively promoted the donation of human milk to conflict-affected areas. Suggestions included pumping milk specifically for war-affected infants or offering frozen human milk. Some posts also offered to collect and deliver human milk to needy infants within the affected regions.

Conclusions
Post frequency doubled in both Facebook groups compared to the previous month, mainly focusing on war-related topics, indicating an increased drive to share human milk with those affected by the conflict.

Key messages
• Breast milk sharing, crucial in emergencies, analyzed via social media, sheds light on donor motivations and impacts on infant health during conflicts.
• This qualitative study investigated a community of breast milk donors on a Facebook platform for the month following the start of the war on October 7, 2023.
Risk Factors for Unplanned Readmissions in Paediatric Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sese L V , Guillermo M C 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Unplanned hospital readmission (UHR) after paediatric neurosurgery is an important indicator of surgical outcomes. As this field deals with complex cases, there is an increased likelihood of potential complications and the subsequent need for readmission. Hence, the study aims to identify factors contributing to 30-day and 90-day UHR rates in children undergoing neurosurgical procedures.

Methods
A systematic review (Prospero CRD 42023455779) was conducted, which included studies from Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and Global Index Medicus databases that reported unplanned readmissions within 30-/90-days of an index neurosurgical procedure. Quality and risk of bias assessment was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data extraction and narrative synthesis were performed to identify significant factors associated with UHR.

Results
2593 titles were identified following the search strategy. 52 studies were included after screening and quality appraisal. Most studies were from the United States and are retrospective cohort in nature. Majority were cranial procedures (n = 30), with common ones being shunt procedures for hydrocephalus and cranial tumour resections. Aetiology-related, procedural complexities, and age emerged as the three most common significant risk factors. Age is a significant predictor (9/52), with younger children facing higher odds compared to their older counterparts across different procedures. While early readmissions can be due to disease progression, some are linked to preventable causes. The included studies also exhibited significant heterogeneity. Variations in definitions and examined variables, as well as the inclusion of studies from both national databases and single institutions, contributed to this heterogeneity.

Conclusions
Overall, findings from this study contribute to a collective understanding of factors affecting unplanned readmissions in paediatric neurosurgery.

Key messages
• Identified risk factors can help guide creating and refining surgical protocols for post-operative monitoring and follow-up.
• UHRs reflect the interplay among surgical complexity, patient characteristics such as age, and disease aetiology.