bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dilemma, an innovative public health scientific animation for the youth, France, 2022
Authors: Arsandaux J , Savès M , Ouaraz C , El Hajj Z , Moulin C , Prévot-Held M , Joly P , Montagni I , Pariente A , Mathoulin-Pelissier S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The spread of disinformation and institutions distrust increases individuals difficulty to adhere to public health recommendations. How citizens can critically appraise health information is a major public health matter and a need to favor health democracy. In this field, to both enhance curiosity and critical thinking, young people represent a population with specific needs for innovative approaches.

Objectives
To provide 15-24y people a space for experimentation and discussion on public health concepts, a multidisciplinary experts team created the “Dilemma” scientific animation that uses a playful approach. Trained young facilitators guide participants through four games (on proportions, risk/protective factors, scientific estimation, benefit/risk ratio). We assessed the program using mixed method (self-questionnaires; focus groups) to answer the following questions: can the approach generate curiosity and participation among young people? Is it effective in improving health literacy and confidence in control over one's own well-being?

Results
Dilemma was launched in a French region in Nov 2022 targeting high-school students; preliminary results are presented for 67 participants from a Bordeaux technical high school (extended results are awaiting). Of these, 76% were satisfied, 82% felt they improved their critical thinking skills and 79% their curiosity. Facilitators’ fun and friendly nature was an important aspect in participants’ satisfaction. However, they reported difficulties in remembering the messages behind the games and asked for more calm and shorter texts. No effect was found on health literacy or internal locus of control.

Conclusions
Dilemma shown promising results on how science animations on public health could interest young people. It should develop more games and closer collaboration with school teachers to improve its effectiveness. Fun aspects and peer support needs to be considered for future actions.

Key messages
• The scientific public health animation Dilemma shows promising results in increasing curiosity and critical thinking of the youth.
• Using playful scenarios could contribute to favor health democracy.
Monitoring the healthiness of food environments in supermarkets and out-of-home settings
Authors: Poelman M P , Dijkstra S C , Djojosoeparto S K , Winkel D , Linnebank C , Seidell J C , de Vet E , Kamphuis CBM 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Food environment transformations are needed to improve population diets. Systems to monitor food environment transformations are often lacking, but can be useful to assess retail and food-service performances over time. Therefore, we aimed to measure the healthiness of supermarkets and out-of-home settings, including the assortment, price promotions, in-store promotions, and food marketing to children.

Methods
Web-scraping techniques were used to collect data on food assortment (n = 37761 products) for 6 supermarket chains (market value=72%). All products were categorized by food group and whether they contributed to a healthy diet (yes/no). During 8 weeks, price-promotions were collected for 8 supermarket chains (n = 23239 promotions). To identify instore promotions (n = 7757 products) and food marketing to children (14 product categories, n = 2,681 products), 40 supermarkets (8 chains) were visited. Similar data was gathered for out-of-home settings.

Results
80% of the food assortment and 80% of the products featuring in supermarkets’ price- and in-store promotions were not supportive of a healthy diet. In addition, 73% of the check-outs offered snacks, but lacked healthy options. 97% of the food marketing to children was for products not supporting healthy diets. The top five most available food products in supermarkets were: non-alcoholic beverages, alcohol, sweets, biscuits, meat, and poultry (36% of the entire assortment). Non-alcoholic drinks, sweets and confections, alcoholic beverages, dairy, and ready-to-eat meals were the most featured products in price-promotions. Even less supportive observations were found for out-of-home settings.

Conclusions
Dutch food environments primarily consist of products and promotions that do not contribute to a healthy diet. Regular monitoring is needed to identify whether policies are effective to improve food environments.

Key messages
• The current food assortment, price promotions, in-store promotions, and food marketing to children of supermarkets and out-of-home settings are not supportive of healthy food choices.
• Monitoring food environments can be useful to assess retail and food-service performances over time, and to identify whether policies are effective to improve food environments.
SARS-CoV-2 in freshwaters used for irrigation in the agro-urban environment of Milan (Northen Italy)
Authors: Tesauro M , Terraneo M , Consonni M , Fappani C , Gori M , Colzani D , Amendola A , Lai A , Masseroni D , Tanzi E 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, water has played a key role in epidemiological monitor of SARS-CoV-2. Our study aimed to verify if ﬂood spillways activity during heavy rain events could be a source of SARS-CoV-2 contamination of a rural canal and consequently of human infection.

Methods
A total of 12 water samples (2L) were collected in four sampling campaigns conducted in 2022 (April, September, November, and December) during heavy rainfall. An automated sampler located in an irrigation stream collected 250mL of water at intervals of 10’ for 80’ since the spillways activation (sample A), then every 20’ for 160’ (sample B), and finally every 30’ for 240’ (sample C). Each sample was pre-filtered and concentrated by tangential flow ultrafiltration according to an in-house protocol. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV, internal control) RNA was investigated by real time RT-PCR. SARS-CoV-2 viability was tested on VERO E6 cell culture, verifying the cytopathic effects and the viral load by real time RT-PCR every 24 hours for 7 days.

Results
PMMoV RNA was detected in all specimens assessing RNA quality. Although SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all samples, except in those of November and in April sample C, there was no evidence of cytopathic effect or active replication in cell culture. RNA concentrations were generally low (0.27-6.95 gc/µL) but slightly higher in samples A than in B and C.

Conclusions
Despite the limited number of samples collected during the experimental campaign and due to the severe drought that affected Northen Italy, our results suggest that spillways activation could be a source of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in freshwaters, but there was no evidence of risk to human health. The detection of small concentrations may be associated with the circulation, during the monitoring, of the Omicron variants, which rarely cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

Key messages
• Spillways activation could be a source of SARS-CoV-2 contamination.
• Both environmental diffusion and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 were investigated to better understand the risk of disease for humans.
Improving vector-borne disease control in Albufeira
Authors: Sá R , Dinis V , Edmundo A , Carvalho Costa I , Figueiredo V , Almeida S , Fonseca A , Lopes C , Rodrigues V , Correia M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The Albufeira Health Centre (CSA) comprises various functional units within primary healthcare. Recognizing the limited awareness of colleagues regarding the Vector Surveillance Network (REVIVE), responsible for entomological surveillance of mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies, the Public Health Unit (USP) initiated a project to improve coordination and knowledge sharing. Implemented in April 2023, the project involved a multidisciplinary team. Informational materials on vector surveillance and control, clinical guidance for common vector-borne diseases (VBDs), tick collection protocols, and specimen registration forms were distributed. A video highlighting entomological surveillance and strategies for prevention and control was disseminated. To date, the project has recorded 45 views of the video (51%). A questionnaire distributed among the target population revealed that only 20% had knowledge of the epidemiological importance of vectors in the Algarve region. None were familiar with REVIVE or its work. Furthermore, participants were not acquainted with the Aedes albopictus mosquito species. Regarding ticks, 20% felt confident in tick removal, but none were aware of the tick genera in the Algarve region. Only 20% were aware of notifiable vector-borne diseases through SINAVE. Training sessions on this topic were suggested. The project emphasized the significance of communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals in the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. It highlighted the need for continuous education on VBDs, surveillance techniques, and control measures. This innovative project can serve as a model for healthcare centres and countries, contributing to global efforts to improve the response to vector-borne diseases. The project's outreach extended to the Municipal Albufeira Animal Welfare Centre. A new questionnaire will be distributed to gather additional insights and enhance the impact of the project.

Key messages
• The project aims to improve integration of primary healthcare services for vector-borne diseases, increasing awareness and training for healthcare professionals.
• This innovative project promotes prevention culture and replicable adaptations for improved response to vector-borne diseases.
Outbreak economic analysis of six imported hemorrhagic fevers following detection at 24 hours
Authors: Learoyd T , Yeo K 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

A ten-language search found no economic analysis of symptomatic hemorrhagic fever importation for Crimean Congo (CCHF), Hantavirus (HV), Lassa (LV), Marburg (MARV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or Nipah (NV) into the USA/EU/UK. This study used available literature to calculate the cost of importation of the six selected fevers with each outbreak detected at 24 hours. A PRISMA search of Pubmed and grey literature was undertaken to uncover respective R0, case fatality ratios, average hospital stay, time to death, frontline casualty frequency and contact histories. A simulated breakout, t24 intervention, Borel distribution contact model, with R0 determined infection (0-1.59) and death rate (CFR: 0.01-0.5) was formed. Treatment inc. plasma therapy, and PPE best prices were determined. ICU median operational costs were factored with contact tracing. Indirect admin costs, based on national mean values, frontline replacement, GNI per capita productivity losses through isolation (21 days as standard), hospitalisation and death were factored. Mean patient discharge ranged 4.4 - 28 days (CCHF to MERS). Time to death ranged 2 - 15 days (HV, NV). The number infected at t48 ranged 1 - 9.59 (CCHF/HV to MARV). Contacts ranged 27 - 169 (CCHF to MARV/NV/MERS). Direct costs of outbreak care, labour, and tracing ranged €424707 - €2850083.07 (CCHF - MARV). Indirect costs, attributed to administrative burdens ranged €5264 -€32800.02 (CCHF to MARV). Productivity losses, attributed separately to the isolated, treated, and dead totaled €2042613 - €26198606 (CCHF - MARV). The total outbreak cost ranged €2488512.78 - €29081489.72 (EU, CCHF - MARV). Significant direct, indirect and productivity costs were attributed to the importation of a single case of six hemorrhagic fevers when detected at t24. The significant societal cost of MARV in particular highlights the importance of continued hemorrhagic fever research and preparedness to healthcare systems in protecting future budgets.

Key messages
• The importation of hemorrhagic fevers has significant direct and indirect budgetary, and productivity, impacts.
• Besides human cost, financial costs demand public health enhanced surveillance and response plans for hemorrhagic fever importation.
The approach to developing Ireland’s first national health protection strategy and lessons learnt
Authors: Kelly C , Doherty L , Gallagher J , Odewumi L , Black M E , Concannon K , Conway R , Marron L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Health protection is recognised as an essential public health function by the World Health Organization. It includes the prevention and control of infectious disease, environmental and radiation risks, and the emergency response to major incidents. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of strengthening this function worldwide. To address this as a public health priority in Ireland, between January and October 2022 the first national first Health Protection Strategy (2022-2027) for the Health Service Executive (HSE) was developed. This was led by the then National Clinical Director for Health Protection supported by a Project Working Group (PWG), with governance and oversight from a multi-disciplinary Steering Committee (SC). Key steps in strategy formation included detailed stakeholder analysis, exploration of the policy context for the strategy, and development of a consultation plan with guidance of an external facilitator. Two SC consultation workshops were held (March and June 2022). Workshop 1 focused on defining strategic vision, aim, and objectives. Workshop 2 verified objectives and identified enablers. A subsequent e-consultation invited feedback from wider stakeholders (July 2022). The strategy, published 13th October 2022, outlines 10 strategic objectives and 11 associated enablers. Progression of strategy implementation will require further stakeholder engagement, development of implementation plans, and establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework, including annual review of implementation. Strengths of the strategy development approach included multidisciplinary SC input and oversight, review of the national and international policy context, detailed stakeholder analysis and engagement, and the comprehensive consultation plan developed with external facilitator input. Lessons from our experience can support colleagues internationally to strategically set out their priorities for health protection beyond COVID-19.

Key messages
• The development of the first HSE Health Protection Strategy 2022-2027 is a critical step to ensure a clear framework for the delivery of national health protection functions going forward.
• As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public health bodies should strategically set out priorities for health protection beyond COVID-19 – lessons from our experience in doing so can inform this work.
Attitudes toward vaccination in the Croatian adult population
Authors: Miskulin I , Pavic Z , Dmitrovic B , Barac J , Sabadi D , Barac I , Miskulin M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized vaccine hesitancy as one of the major threats to global health. Attitudes toward vaccination are important predictors of vaccination behaviour. This study aimed to investigate attitudes toward vaccination and factors which influence them in the Croatian adult population.

Methods
This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from June 2020 to December 2020 in the convenience sample of adults from Split-Dalmatia County in the primary healthcare setting. The Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale (VAX) was used to assess attitudes toward vaccination. The higher scores on the VAX scale reflect more negative attitudes toward vaccination.

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 29.0 - 48.0) years. The median VAX scale score was 42.0 (interquartile range 35.0-50.0). The more negative attitudes towards vaccination were found in females (p = 0.015), subjects aged 25-44 years (p = 0.026) and subjects living in suburban areas (p = 0.040).

Conclusions
The Croatian adult population displayed quite negative attitudes toward vaccination. The study showed that some sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age group and place of living had influenced attitudes towards vaccination in the studied population. Bearing in mind that attitudes are closely connected with the practices the development of public health programs created to promote vaccination should take into consideration the sociodemographic characteristics of the population for which they are intended.

Key messages
• It is highly important to improve attitudes towards vaccination in the Croatian adult population.
• Understanding the factors that influence attitudes towards vaccination is crucial to design an appropriate public health program that promotes vaccination in selected population groups.
Level of sanitary preparedness of European facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kaziuk M B , Kosiba W 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Introduction
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the series of COVID-19 cases a pandemic. A series of sanitary and epidemiological restrictions were introduced in most countries.

Aim
The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of sanitary and epidemiological preparedness of European accommodation and catering facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic by Polish tourists and their perception of safety in selected destinations.

Material and methods
300 Polish tourists (125 women, 175 men, age 46.5+/-12.9 years) travelling to southern European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the study. The five most common destinations were selected: Italy, Austria, Greece, Croatia and Mediterranean islands. Tourists rated accommodation and catering establishments on the basis of a proprietary questionnaire on sanitary and epidemiological preparedness and their perception of safety. 70% of the respondents had a COVID passport, and 50% of them had additional health insurance in case of a COVID-19 infection.

Results
The higher the sanitary regime, the greater the feeling of safety in the group of female respondents aged 45-50 years (p &lt; 0.005), while the higher the sanitary and epidemiological standards, the shorter the stay (p &lt; 0.001). Milder restrictions provided a greater sense of freedom and mental rest in the group of male respondents than in the group of female respondents (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
The respondents’ opinions revealed that the highest level of safety with regard to sanitary and epidemiological requirements was observed in Austria and Italy, while shorter length of the stay in these countries resulted from high prices, particularly in catering establishments. According to the respondents, less stringent restrictions, among others lack of the necessity to own the COVID passport, were linked to Croatia and Mediterranean islands. The sense of safety was satisfying while the sense of freedom and mental rest was high.

Key messages
• Most of the sanitary-epidemiological procedures used during the pandemic could have prevented many other infectious diseases, including gastrointestinal diseases.
• Sanitary regimes should correlate with a sense of security.
Post COVID-19 Condition in adults: results from a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Damiani G , Heidar Alizadeh A , Raspolini G M , Altamura G , Santoli G , Pasca GFM , Pascucci D , Nurchis M C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) in adults, as defined by the WHO, is a newly discovered syndrome consisting of symptoms persisting for at least two months and arising usually three months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among the over 200 symptoms reported, the most common ones (fatigue, dyspnoea, cognitive dysfunction) significantly affect everyday life. PCC is an urgent and complex public health issue; therefore, we aimed at estimating the impact of published studies on the matter through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods
Pertinent papers on adult PCC were retrieved from three databases (PubMed, Scopus and WebOfScience), according to eligibility criteria based on a Population-Intervention-Context-Outcome (PICO) model. The relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and non-MeSH search terms regarding PCC in adults were combined in a Boolean search string. A bibliometric analysis of the collected studies was conducted, consisting of citation counts and a linear regression analysis to investigate the research trends. The dependent variable was the number of articles per year.

Results
According to our inclusion criteria, 1975 papers were screened. Twenty-seven percent of the studies were published in European countries, 48% in Asia and 25% in America. Preliminary results on the pattern of publications from 2020 to 2023 show an increase by 14% [(CI 95%) 10%-17%] from 2020 to 2021, by 17% [(CI 95%) 13%-20%] from 2021 to 2022, and by 22% [(CI 95%) 19%-25%] from 2022 to 2023 as of January.

Conclusions
An increasing number of individuals are reportedly suffering from ongoing PCC, and research trends are escalating accordingly. Implementing appropriate care pathways and management should rely on extensive and updated knowledge on the clinical, social and organizational challenges of PCC; thus, our research aimed at partially broadening the literature, although further research is required and should focus on investigating the complexity of PCC symptoms and impact.

Key messages
• Post COVID-19 Condition is a complex and still partially explored syndrome.
• Public health policies should rely on robust and vast scientific literature.
Exposure to multiple sources of accessible, cheap, energy dense fast foods in a deprived community
Authors: Saunders P , Middleton J 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

This study assesses the levels of fats, including trans-fatty acids, and salt in common takeaway fast foods in a deprived urban community in the West Midlands England and implications in the context of the spatial distribution of fast food takeaways. The results of the compositional analysis of over 250 take out foods were compared with established and derived standards. 70% of products exceeded the recommendation that a meal should contain less than 30% of a Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA). More than half exceeded 50% GDA for at least one metric including 81% of all analyses for saturated fatty acids (SFA). Over 30% samples exceeded the children's GDA for total fat or SFA. 27% of salt analyses exceeded the GDA. For poorer social groups avoiding the expense of cooking entirely is a cost effective way of sourcing calories. These are the same populations experiencing high levels of unemployment and limited opportunities to develop businesses. People in Sandwell are exposed to large portion sizes and high levels of fats and salt in takeaway foods. Given this population's limited options to break out of a highly compromising environment of living simultaneously in a ‘swamp’ of unhealthy, readily accessible and cheap takeaways, and a ‘desert’ of healthy options, an innovative package of interventions is required. There are strong political, social and economic reasons for not considering a blanket restriction on takeaways given the role such businesses play in entry-level employment and business opportunities for disadvantaged communities Rather than trying to ban such foods, a more realistic and effective intervention is to challenge and change what's on offer, how much is on offer, and how it's been prepared, ‘change the menu not the venue', while at the same time enabling communities to access, prepare and cook good quality ingredients for a healthier diet.

Key messages
• This population is living simultaneously in a ‘swamp’ of unhealthy, readily accessible and cheap takeaways, and a ‘desert’ of healthy options.
• A package of interventions is required including local planning and regulatory powers, educational interventions and working with industry to promote healthy and affordable food preparation techniques.