bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence of association between gender and physical fitness in physically active people in Colombia
Authors: Morales Eraso N S , Caviativa Castro Y P , Murcia Doncel M P , Rubiano Espinosa O F , Jaramillo Guzmán V 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Physical Condition (PC) is an important health marker (Colley, 2019), as a predictor of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, among other causes (Cruz, 2018).

Aim
To perform association tests between gender (G) and CP in physically active people in Colombia. This study is observational cross-sectional, 1,503 people participated, 1,019 Women (W) (68.6%) and 485 Men (M) (31.4%) in Colombia, mean age 52±16.2 in W and 42±17.8 in M. Data were analyzed with Rstudio v2022.12.0. The statistical protocol was: 1- Empirical distribution. 2- Normality tests with Kolmogorov-Smirnov. 3- Tests of independence with Chi-square (χ²). The mean (X¯), percentage (%) and standard deviation (±) were taken into account. PC was measured in body composition variables; Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and Abdominal Circumference (AC), Grip Strength (GS) and Maximal Oxygen Consumption (Vo2max).

Results
In W, 38.3% (27.2±1.37) were overweight (Ow) and 19.1% (33.0±2.83) obese (Ob), 69.6% (90.9±8.14) cardiovascular risk (CVR) for AC and 50.4% (32±4.73) risk for BAI. Regarding GS 43.4% (15.8±6.38) is weak and 54.6% (27.7±4.98) Vo2max is low. In M 35.6% (26.9±1.48) presented Ow and 10.6% (32.7±2.39) in Ob, 39.7% (98.4±6.8) with Rcv by AC and 24.3% (29.7±3.45) at risk by BAI. As for GS 41.5% (27.1±6.39) are weak and 32.3% (33.3±6.33) under Vo2max. According to independence tests with χ² there is association between the G and BMI (χ²=1452.1, df = 1427, p-value=0. 315), G and AC (χ²=394.9, df = 382, p-value=0. 313), G and Vo2max (χ²=155.5, df = 6, p-value&lt;2. 2e-16), G and BAI (χ²=2970.3, df = 1502, p-value&lt;2.2e-16), G and GS (χ²=6015.5, df = 1502, p-value&lt;2.2e-16). This project has been approved by the bioethics committee.

Conclusions
Test of independence with (χ²), being a non-homogeneous sample, there is a strong association between G and PC with BMI, BAI, AC, GS and Vo2max, each variable depending on the others, evidencing higher Rcv in women with respect to men.

Key messages
• Several studies consider Physical Condition (PC) is an important health marker (Colley, 2019), as a predictor of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease, among other causes (Cruz, 2018).
• There is a strong association between G and the levels of BMI, BAI, AC, SG and Vo2max variables, each variable depending on the others, showing a higher Rcv in women compared to men.
Strengthening data management skills amongst public health professionals during the war in Ukraine
Authors: Kostetska O , Boyko V , Caillaud M , Matthys B , Koch D , Delvento G , Dumcheva A , Vernyhor Y , Bugaienko N , Karkishchenko O 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The current war in Ukraine has led to disturbances in public health surveillance and epidemiological data flow, which impacts timely decision-making at regional and national levels. The five-year USAID project “Public Health System Recovery and Resilience Activity” (PHS R&R) aims to strengthen the Public Health system of Ukraine, including through the training of specialists in data management and disease surveillance.

Objectives
An innovative mixed-method, multi-module course was piloted in January 2023 to provide epidemiologists and other public health professionals with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills in disease surveillance and data management. The course was designed based on a needs assessment study carried out across the regional Centres for Disease Control (CDCs) in 2022. Modules were delivered both in person and online to reach a wider audience.

Results
1,540 public health specialists attended the first module on Excel skills, online. A further 26 completed a second module, covering disease surveillance methods, data management, and data flow across regions, in person. Over 85% of participants in the second module reported that it was highly relevant to their day-to-day work, especially practical sessions on data analysis and reporting. The second module is currently under revision based on participants’ feedback before being scaled up. A more advanced module on data management is being developed and aimed to launch at the end of 2024.

Conclusions
The course was timely and relevant for Ukrainian public health specialists in need of enhanced surveillance and data management skills to detect and respond to public health threats. Its innovative format allowed it to train a large cohort of specialists across a variety of essential public health functions despite the full-scale war. This experience would be relevant for any country aiming to strengthen its preparedness for potential public health emergencies, especially in fragile settings.

Key messages
• The comprehensive training course on epidemiological surveillance and data management will equip Ukrainian public health specialists with data-driven decision-making skills in the war context.
• The described training approach would be relevant for the countries which seek sustainable workforce development solutions to strengthen public health systems in fragile settings.
How much digital public health is taught in German public health programs? A qualitative analysis
Authors: Maass L , Albrecht J , Tokgöz P , Hrynyschyn R , Wrona K J , Stark A L , Dunsche C , Fischer F , Schmidt A , Dockweiler C 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Digital public health (DiPH) professionals are crucial for a successful digital transformation in social and health care. However, the extent to which academic professionals are taught DiPH-related content in their public health studies in Germany remains unclear.

Methods
We used a systematic module handbook analysis to assess accredited full-time public health-oriented degree programs at German Universities for DiPH-related modules. Programs were identified through the Hochschulkompass platform and among the German Public Health Association member programs. We used MAXQDA for the content analysis of the included module handbooks.

Results
We identified 79 public health programs. Of these, 10 Bachelor’s and 6 Master’s offered at least one DiPH module, all being highly heterogeneous in their overall addressed public health subfields. Regarding DiPH, 6 programs lectured on the ethics of digitalizing health and data protection, 5 programs each offered modules on DiPH in health policy, on data science in healthcare and software used for eHealth, or on the digital determinants of health. 4 programs each included modules on digital health promotion and alternative evaluation methods. 3 programs each addressed digital science communication and health technology assessment. Finally, 2 programs had modules on digital epidemiology. We found differences between the common understanding of DiPH in academia and the content in the module handbooks. The content identified in the analysis focused mainly on technical areas. Social and health science content was only marginally present.

Conclusions
The diverse DiPH study programs allow academic public health specialists in Germany to develop specific profiles. There is a need for further development of modules with relevance to the respective degree program to achieve comprehensive competencies in DiPH. We encourage the uptake of our analysis to develop a core curriculum in DiPH among European public health programs.

Key messages
• Digitalization affects all areas of life, including healthcare systems and public health. Preparing the future workforce already during their training is crucial to enable them to lead the change.
• German public health programs are not fit to prepare students for their professions. Developing DiPH curricula with pre-defined and updated competencies will strengthen programs in Germany and beyond.
Assessment of healthy worker survivor bias among middle-aged manufacturing employees in Korea
Authors: Yun B , Oh J , Sim J , Park H , Lee J , Yoon J-H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Healthy Worker Survivor Bias (HWSB) describes a selection bias where those continuously employed tend to exhibit superior health outcomes compared to their unemployed counterparts. This bias challenges for adjustments due to its time-dependent nature. This study aims to evaluate the extent of HWSB related to changes in employment status among middle-aged manufacturing workers using comprehensive national data from Korea.

Methods
The study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service, targeting individuals aged 40-49 who maintained consistent insurance coverage-either as manufacturing employees or non-employees (self-employed or unemployed)-from 2008 to 2010. The observation period spanned from January 2011 to December 2022, with all-cause mortality as the primary outcome. We employed landmark analysis to quantify HWSB related to employment status by comparing age-standardized mortality ratios between employees and the general population from the initial assessment to the last landmark period (up to 7 years), calculating 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Poisson distribution.

Results
The cohort included 4,621,983 participants (726,616 manufacturing employees and 3,895,367 (84.3%) non-employees). Throughout an average follow-up of 10.9 years (43.1% male; median age of 44), there were 116,418 deaths (11,530 (1.6%) among manufacturing employees and 104,888 (2.7%) among non-employees). Analysis revealed a consistent linear increase in HWSB over time. Notably, the bias was more pronounced among females (7-year HWSB-ES [95% CI]: 0.27 [0.17-0.37]) compared to males (7-year HWSB-ES [95% CI]: 0.18 [0.14-0.22]).

Conclusions
This study quantifies the extent of HWSB among middle-aged manufacturing workers in Korea, highlighting its significant impact, notably in females. These findings are vital for occupational health research, emphasizing the necessity to consider HWSB to prevent the underestimation of health risks associated with hazardous exposures.

Key messages
• Findings suggest HWSB is more pronounced in female manufacturing workers, indicating the need for targeted occupational health interventions.
• The study underscores the importance of accounting for HWSB in occupational health studies to avoid underestimating health risks associated with workplace exposures.
General Practitioner Availability and Accessibility in Serbia Before and During the Pandemic
Authors: Šantrić Milićević M , Stevanović A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, state-owned primary health centres’ general practitioners (GPs) served as the first point of care for adults (the population aged 19 years and older) and gatekeepers of the health system. The study highlights changes in the overall availability, accessibility, and workload of GPs during the pandemic.

Methods
We used routine health facility data at the national level to describe the changes in GPs over the past three years, before the pandemic (2017-2019) and during the pandemic (2020-2022). Specifically, we looked at the total number of GPs, the percentage of specialists, the average number of citizens per GP, the services used per capita, the average number of visits per GP, and the leading causes of morbidity.

Results
The study found a decrease in the total number of GPs in both periods (before: -10%, during: -9%) and in the number of specialists (before: -2%, during: -3%). During the pandemic, the average number of citizens per GP varied. In 2022, the average number of visits per GP decreased noticeably to 3557 GPs, of which 37% were specialists. In the same year, each GP received 6661 annual visits and served 1509 citizens on average. However, these figures exhibit considerable regional and geographical differences. Circulatory and respiratory diseases were the most common reasons for visiting a GP (about 14% and 13% of all visits, respectively). Up to 10% of all visits resulted in either a diagnosis of external factors that influence health status or in ill-defined symptoms, clinical and laboratory findings.

Conclusions
This study’s findings underscore the critical reductions in availability, accessibility, and workload of general practitioners in the Serbian public sector and emphasize the importance of strengthening the primary healthcare system to better respond to future challenges.

Key messages
• Public health officials should prioritize the development of effective strategies and policies that focus on improving the quality and accessibility of primary health care services in Serbia.
• A greater investment in general practice is necessary to ensure it can effectively meet the population’s needs during health emergencies.
Global insights of AMR education within One Health
Authors: Nowbuth A A , Charani E , Jere S , Makashinyi M , Mwanza M M , Tazinkeng N , Asombang A W , Parmar V S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Amidst rising concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR), traditional educational models fall short in addressing the complexities of AMR which spans environmental, animal, and human health. Education plays a key role in equipping students with skills to combat AMR effectively. We analyzed the difference in knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding AMR across medical, dental, and veterinary students, in relation to the quality of AMR education they receive.

Methods
Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for articles related to KAP and education until 3 August 2023. The inclusion criterion was the presence of KAP data related to AMR, and details on the AMR education curriculum. Meta-analysis is currently being performed.

Results
We retrieved 1301 articles, and 90 articles met inclusion criteria for final analysis. Articles spanned 42 countries, first to final year, sample sizes ranging from &lt;100 to &gt; 3000 participants. Across medicine and dentistry, 79% of studies were done, compared to 17% in the veterinary sector and 5% that adopted a One Health approach. HICs prioritize improving current educational frameworks with practical skills and innovative teaching methods. LMICs deal with challenges like raising awareness about AMR and addressing educational deficiencies at a basic level. Findings indicate a wide variance in AMR knowledge levels, with some studies reporting as low as 32.4% of participants having “good knowledge” on AMR. Attitudes towards antibiotic use and resistance were casual, with a significant number of students expressing the need for more education. Practices varied widely, from high rates of self-medication to better-informed antibiotic use in regions with more comprehensive AMR curricula.

Conclusions
Enhancing the quality of AMR education across medical, dental, veterinary, and environmental health is imperative to equip future health professionals with the knowledge and attitudes necessary to combat AMR.

Key messages
• Traditional educational models are insufficient for addressing the complexities of AMR which crosses multiple health sectors.
• Improving AMR education quality is crucial to equip future health professionals to effectively combat AMR.
Health workers’ perceptions on refugees’ access to healthcare and right to health in Turkiye
Authors: Mardin F D , Ozgulnar N , Karabey S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

In Turkey, over the past decade, the influx of refugees has significantly influenced migration policy and consequently, health policy for refugees, shaping the perspectives of healthcare workers towards refugees. To gauge healthcare workers’ perceptions regarding refugees’ access to healthcare and their right to health, a survey was conducted across three hospitals in two cities (n = 547). The drop-collect methodology was used, obtaining consent in advance. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were classified into four groups: doctors (n: 139), nurses and midwives (n: 201), other healthcare professionals (n: 58) and non-healthcare professional (n: 137). Additionally, twelve people who did not want to disclose their profession were excluded from the statistics when comparing responses by profession. According to HCWs’ experiences, the most common obstacles faced by refugees included language barriers due to not knowing Turkish, the absence of interpreters in hospitals, cultural disparities, and financial constraints. Among HCWs, 89.8% (n = 491) believe that health constitutes a fundamental human right, yet only 55.8% (n = 305) advocate for free emergency services for all. Furthermore, 43.1% express concerns that providing healthcare to refugees might attract more refugees, and 38% suggest that only individuals deemed healthy through health screening upon entry should be permitted into the country. Responses to inquiries about the prevalent issues varied across cities and occupational groups. Despite the majority of HCWs adopting a right-based approach to health, it is evident that some lean towards a deservingness perspective regarding refugees’ access to healthcare. Consequently, there is a pressing need for collaboration among various sectors to furnish adequate information and training for HCWs on migrants’ rights and prejudice. This should be a part of migration policy, leading to a more migrant-friendly health system.

Key messages
• Collaboration among diverse sectors is urgently needed to provide healthcare workers with thorough information and training on the rights of migrants and addressing prejudice.
• Implementing training programs for healthcare workers as a component of migration policy is essential for building a migrant-friendly healthcare system.
Seroepidemiological study of Epstein-Barr virus infection in reproductive age women in Bulgaria
Authors: Petkova T , Pachkova S , Georgieva S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
At the present stage, studies on the involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in neonatal pathology are rare. Establishing seroprevalence among women of reproductive age has important epidemiological significance in order to determine the risk of infection during pregnancy and intrauterine infection of the fetus. The aim of the study is to determine the seroepidemiological status of EBV in reproductive age women.

Methods
We conducted a prospective seroepidemiological study in which 96 healthy women of reproductive age (18 to 49 years) were tested during the period December 2023 - January 2024 in Medical Center “Clinical Institute for Reproductive Medicine”- Pleven, Bulgaria. Participants were surveyed on a voluntary basis. The exclusion criteria were: presence of autoimmune disorder, immunosuppressive states, malignancy and populations at risk such as persons under 18 years of age and pregnant women. The presence of specific antibodies were detected using a standardized Anti-EBV VCA IgM, Anti-EBV VCA IgG and Anti-EBV EBNA-1 IgG ELISA kits. The demographic and anamnestic data were collected for each participant in Case Report Form.

Results
The average age of the women was 34.41±5.44 years. Dominating were women with higher education (76.04%) living in urban areas (91.67%). The results of the seroepidemiological study of markers for EBV show that 98.96% of women of reproductive age are seropositive. There was no significant correlation between the presence of antibodies and socio-demographic indicators (living area, education and number of family members).

Conclusions
The results of this study imply that only 1.04% of the reproductive age women in Pleven region are susceptible to infection with EBV. Although interpretation of the serological status indicates a low risk of primary infection, active monitoring of high-risk groups pregnant women is necessary because of the possibility of EBV reactivation.

Key messages
• On-going monitoring of the seroepidemiological EBV status in reproductive age women is necessary to determining the possibility of EBV reactivation and to reduce the teratogenic risk of the infection.
• Seroepidemiological surveillance of markers for EBV infection in reproductive age women is part of effective preventive measures at the public health level.
Adult Immunization Board: A platform to provide guidelines for implementation of adult immunization
Authors: Pattyn J , Del Riccio M , Hendrickx G , Boccalini S , Bechini A , Van Damme P , Bonanni P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Several organizations, including governments, (inter)national public health organizations and vaccine manufactures are currently considering how adult immunization can be further improved to increase health impact and promote a lifelong approach to vaccination. Despite many organizations thinking about ways to improve adult immunization, there is currently no multidisciplinary discussion platform focusing on this topic at the European level. Therefore, a group of experts in the field of adult immunization established the Adult Immunization Board (AIB).

Methods
AIB is established with the aim of contributing to the reduction of the impact of vaccine-preventable infections and diseases in European adults. AIB works by organizing 2 meetings per year: 1) a technical meeting to discuss specific technical aspects on adult immunization with subject-matter experts, and 2) a country meeting to discuss country specific aspects of adult immunization together with local experts.

Results
In April 2023 and 2024 the AIB organized its first technical meetings on “Assessing the health burden of vaccine-preventable infections in European Adults (2023)” and “Strategies for introducing and implementing vaccines for adults into National Immunization Programs in Europe (2024)”. In December 2023, the AIB organized its first country meeting in Italy with local experts to learn out best practices in adult immunization and address aspects to improve.

Conclusions
AIB is a platform that brings together the different key European stakeholders in adult immunization to effectively contribute towards the implementation and optimization of adult immunization programs in Europe.

Key messages
• Continued efforts to promote research, implementation, awareness, accessibility, and vaccine uptake are crucial to mitigate the burden of (future) infectious diseases in the adult population.
• The AIB represents a significant step towards bolstering adult immunization efforts in the EU.