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Development and validation of a 5-year risk model using mammogram risk scores generated from screening digital breast tomosynthesis medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-18 Shu Jiang, Debbie Lee Bennett, Graham A Colditz
Screening digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) aims to identify breast cancer early when treatment is most effective leading to reduced mortality. In addition to early detection, the information contained within DBT images may also inform subsequent risk stratification and guide risk reducing management. We obtained a 5-year area under the curve (AUC) = 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75, 0.80)
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Causes of Pediatric Deaths in Lusaka, Zambia: A Quantitative Geographic Information Systems Approach medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-18 Kristen Sportiello, Mina Shah, Alexandra Buda, Isaiah Mwanza, Manoj Mathews, David R Bearden
Background While childhood mortality has been declining in Zambia, it remains high at 58 per 1000 live births. Importantly, many leading causes of mortality in Zambia are preventable. This study was conducted to identify clusters of childhood mortality, causes of death of recently deceased children, barriers to care, and risk factors for mortality in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods This study was conducted
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A Qualitative Study of User Experiences in Harm Reduction Programs medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-18 Olasehinde Ben Adebayo, Teresa Innis
The ongoing Canadian opioid crisis has resulted in alarming rates of overdoses and related harms. Harm reduction programs have emerged as a crucial public health strategy to mitigate these risks. The Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre (NYFC) offers harm reduction programs that provide a safe injection site and clean supplies to reduce substance use-associated harm. Researchers have not extensively studied
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Lifestyles and their relative contribution to biological aging across multiple organ systems: change analysis from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-18 Yuan Zhang, Dan Tang, Ning Zhang, Yi Xiang, Yifan Hu, Wen Qian, Yangji Baima, Xianbin Ding, Ziyun Wang, jianzhong yin, Xiong Xiao, Xing Zhao
Background Biological aging exhibits heterogeneity across multi organ systems. However, it remains unclear how is lifestyle associated with overall and organ-specific aging and which factors contribute most in Southwest China. Objective To examine the associations of healthy lifestyle with comprehensive and organ-specific biological ages and which lifestyle factors contribute most. Methods This study
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A systematic review of psychological factors influencing attitudes and intentions toward, and uptake of, Covid-19 vaccines in adolescents medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-17 Angie Pitt, Richard Amlot, Catherine Heffernan, Gideon James Rubin, Louise E Smith
Vaccination was a key measure to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, however adolescents were less likely than adults to accept the vaccine. Low vaccine uptake reduces the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and threatens global public health. Understanding why adolescents are hesitant to accept new vaccines is therefore crucial to support the development of novel vaccine uptake interventions. Prior reviews
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Prenatal Exposure of Pesticide Mixtures and the Placental Transcriptome: Insights from Trimester-specific, Sex-Specific and Metabolite-Scaled Analyses in the SAWASDEE Cohort medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-17 Yewei Wang, Karen Hermetz, Amber Burt, Corina Lesseur, Parinya Panuwet, Nancy Fiedler, Tippawan Prapamontol, Panrapee Suttiwan, Pimjuta Nimmapirat, Supattra Sittiwang, Warangkana Naksen, Volha Yakimavets, Dana Boyd Barr, Ke Hao, Jia Chen, Carmen Marsit
We investigated the effect of exposure to pesticide mixtures during pregnancy on the placental transcriptome, to link these exposures and placental functions. The Study of Asian Women and their Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE) enrolled pregnant farmworkers from Thailand (n=248), who were primarily exposed to organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid pesticides. We measured maternal
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Health professionals beliefs and attitudes towards preconception care: A systematic review medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-17 Cherie Caut, Danielle Schoenaker, Erica McIntyre, Amie Steel
Background Health professionals have previously identified various barriers and factors that would help facilitate preconception care services in healthcare settings. Clinically relevant preconception information and clinical practice guidelines have since been developed to aid health professionals in preconception care delivery. This systematic review aimed to 1) synthesise recent literature (past
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Ich-Mupong, a swollen stomach: An ethnographic study of the daily lived experiences of schoolchildren in schistosomiasis high transmission areas along Lake Albert, Hoima District medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-17 Paskari Odoi, Stella Neema, Fred Bateganya, Birgitte Vennervald, Shona Wilson
Background: Our primary focus was Schistosoma mansoni infection and schoolchildren. Within communities the social environment may promote individual risk of infection for the school-aged children. There will also be demographic groups who are not targeted or reached by preventive chemotherapy campaigns. The behaviours of these other groups will interact with those of school-aged children, resulting
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Generative AI for Qualitative Analysis in a Maternal Health Study: Coding In-depth Interviews using Large Language Models (LLMs) medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-16 Shan Qiao, Xingyu Fang, Camryn Garrett, Ran Zhang, Xiaoming Li, Yuhao Kang
Study Objectives: In-depth interviews are one of the most widely used approaches for qualitative studies in public health. The coding of transcripts is a critical step for information extraction and preliminary analysis. However, manual coding is often labor-intensive and time-consuming. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), supported by Large Language Models (LLMs), presents
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Rapid emergence of UV stabilizer Bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate (BTMPS) in the illicit fentanyl supply across the United States in July-August 2024: Results from drug and drug paraphernalia testing medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-16 Chelsea L Shover, Morgan E. Godvin, Meghan Appley, Elise M. Pyfrom, Fernando Montero Castrillo, Karli Hochstatter, Talia Nadel, Neil Garg, Adam Koncsol, Joseph R. Friendman, Caitlin A. Molina, Ruby Romero, Brendan Harshberger, Jordan Spoliansky, Sarah Laurel, Elham Jalayer, Juan Ruelas, John Gonzales, Soma Snakeoil, Sonya Guerra, Oscar Arellano, Candace Winstead, Margaret Rybak, Joanna Champney, Brent
Background: Changes to the US drug supply historically unfold slowly with predictable patterns of geographic diffusion. Here we draw on drug checking results from around the United States to report a rapid shift in the illicit drug supply with important implications for public health. Bis(2,2,6,6–tetramethyl–4–piperidyl) sebacate, or ″BTMPS″ is a hindered amine light stabilizer with various industrial
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Prevalence and real-world effectiveness of popular smoking cessation aids in England: a population-based study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-16 Sarah E Jackson, Jamie Brown, Vera Buss, Lion Shahab
Importance: A wide range of medications, non-combustible nicotine products, behavioural support, and alternative treatments are available in England to help people stop smoking. Understanding their effectiveness in the real world can support informed decision-making. Objectives: To provide up-to-date estimates of the prevalence and real-world effectiveness of different smoking cessation aids and explore
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Association of air pollution from a landfill site with primary care consultation medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-16 Kelvin Jordan, Sara Muller, Muhammad Usman, James Bailey, Claire Burton, Sarah Lawton, Christian Mallen, Kayleigh Mason, Simon Wathall, Danielle van der Windt
Background Waste landfill sites are associated with gaseous emissions and this air pollution can cause unpleasant smells (malodour). This causes concerns about its impact on the health of the local population. This study assessed change in general practice consultation behaviour during a period of increased complaints associated with air pollution at a landfill site in the UK. Methods The study period
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Covidization and decovidization of the scientific literature and scientific workforce medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-15 John Ioannidis, Thomas A. Collins, Eran Bendavid, Jeroen Baas
We examined the growth trajectory and impact of COVID-19-related papers in the scientific literature until August 1, 2024 and how the scientific workforce was engaged in this work. Scopus indexed 718,660 COVID-19-related publications. As proportion of all indexed scientific publications, COVID-19-related publications peaked in September 2021 (4.7%) remained at 4.3-4.6% for another year and then gradually
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Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Association Between Abnormal Immune Responses in the Pathogenesis of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy in Ethiopian Women: A Hospital-based Study at Saint Paul Hospital medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-14 Azarreia Paulos, Leul Mulu, Kalab Metiku
Background- Postpartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a condition that is characterized by the weakening of heart muscles which is known as left ventricular dysfunction and occurs during the later stages of pregnancy or during the early stages of postpartum. Objective- To evaluate the role of abnormal immune responses and risk factors such as advanced age, high parity, and presence of gestational diabetes
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Developing and validating modular surveys for vector-borne diseases: a study protocol medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-13 Skyler Finucane, Alexandria Renault, Mary Hayden, Kacey Ernst, Sarah Yeo
Vector-borne diseases are an increasing threat to human health and well-being in the United States. Understanding public perception and practices taken to reduce vector abundance and vector-human contact can guide effective interventions that can mitigate health risks. Nevertheless, vector-borne disease surveys, which are widely used in the field to understand public perception and practices, are often
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The Impacts of Neighborhood Disparities on US Population Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review and Policy Analysis for Future Response medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-13 Brianna M White, Whitney S Brakefield, Olufunto A Olusanya, Rameshwari Prasad, Fekede A Kumsa, Soheil Hashtarkhani, Arash Shaban-Nejad
Introduction/Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted major aspects of daily life since its emergence in late 2019, impacting health and well-being worldwide. Aside from genetic predisposition, numerous external factors play key roles in determining levels of disease susceptibility and overall health status. Aim/Objectives: This review and policy analysis sought to examine literature focused
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The public health co-benefits of strategies consistent with net-zero emissions: a systematic review of quantitative studies medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-13 Léo Moutet, Paquito Bernard, Rosemary Green, James Milner, Andy Haines, Rémy Slama, Laura TEMIME, Kévin Jean
Moving toward net-zero emission societies is projected to provide health co-benefits, yet their magnitude is not well documented and may be context-specific. Synthesizing the evidence on these co-benefits could enhance the engagement of decision-makers and populations in climate mitigation actions. We performed a systematic review including 58 quantitative studies exploring 125 scenarios. Across air
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Digital Exclusion as a barrier to accessing healthcare: A summary composite indicator and online tool to explore and quantify local differences in levels of exclusion. medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-13 Paul Mee, Mark Gussy, Phil Huntley, Amanda Kenny, Theo Jarratt, Nigel Kenward, Derek Ward, Aiden Vaughan
Existing disparities in digital access were exacerbated with the accelerated shift to online provision of services during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for already disadvantaged groups. Metrics to quantify relative local differences in levels of digital exclusion are a necessary pre-requisite for the targeting of interventions to address these disparities. In this study we developed a composite
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Assessing the Impact of Haulage drivers in Uganda's COVID-19 Delta Wave medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-12 Adrian Muwonge, Paul R Bessell, Barend Mark de Clare Bronsvoort, Ibrahim Mugerwa, Erisa Mwaka, Emmanuel Ssebaggala, Wee Aidan Bryan, Aggelos Kiayias, Christine Mbabazi Mpyangu, Moses Lutakome Joloba
Abstract Background: Haulage truck drivers can quickly connect distant communities, with risks of potential disease introduction. However, interventions to limit such risk must balance public health protection, economic continuity, and individual rights. Here distinguishing between their role in disease introduction and its onward spread is crucial for achieving this balance. Methods: To investigate
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The Practice of Gender and Protection Mainstreaming in Health Response in Humanitarian Crisis - A Case Study from the Refugee Camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-11 Charls Erik Halder
Background: The health system is required to be safe, equitable, and accessible to all ages, gender, and vulnerable groups, including older persons and persons with disability, and address their specific needs and concerns. However, limited evidence is available on the effectiveness and practicality of gender and protection mainstreaming interventions in health response in humanitarian crises. Objective:
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Development of a cost-effective multiplex quantitative RT-PCR assay for early detection and surveillance of Dengue, Chikungunya, and co-infections from clinical samples in low-resource settings medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-11 Shruthi Uppoor, Samruddhi Walaskar, Ritika Majji, Deepanraj SP, Thrilok Chandra K.V, Madhusudan H.N, Balasundar A.S, Rakesh kumar Mishra, Farah Ishtiaq, Mansi Rajendra Malik
Abstract Background Dengue and Chikungunya are Aedes-borne diseases that are predominantly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting public health globally. Dengue is caused by multiple antigenically different Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) in the Flaviviridae family and Chikungunya (CHIKV) in the Togaviridae family. Both viral diseases can produce similar clinical
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Quality measures of two-stage newborn hearing screening: Systematic review with a Bayesian meta-analysis medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-11 Kirsi Manz, Uta Nennstiel, Carola Marzi, Ulrich Mansmann, Inken Brockow
Background: Newborn Screening for hearing impairment (NHS) is a crucial public health issue worldwide. Often, a two-stage screening with two different testing approaches is used. We aimed to investigate the optimal screening algorithm, based on data from the literature published in the last 30 years. A particular focus of the study was to synthesize the existing evidence on two-stage newborn hearing
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Non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce influenza transmission in households: a systematic review and meta-analysis medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-10 Jessica Y. Wong, Wey Wen Lim, Justin K. Cheung, Caitriona Murphy, Eunice Y.C. Shiu, Jingyi Xiao, Dongxuan Chen, Yanmin Xie, Mingwei Li, Hualei Xin, Michelle Szeto, Sammi Choi, Benjamin J. Cowling
Background: Influenza pandemic plans often recommend non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in household settings, including hand hygiene and face masks. We reviewed the evidence supporting the recommendations of these measures to prevent the spread of influenza in households. Methods: We performed systematic reviews between 26 May and 30 August 2022 in Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL to identify
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Antibiotic prescribing patterns by age and sex in England: why we need to take this variation into account to evaluate antibiotic stewardship and AMR selection medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-10 Naomi R Waterlow, Tom Ashfield, Gwenan M Knight
Objectives The drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) likely vary substantially by different demographics. However, few complete open national detailed data exist on how antibiotic use (ABU) varies by both age and sex. Methods Here, prescriptions of antibiotics from General Practices in England for 2015-2023 disaggregated by 5-year age bands and sex were analysed at the national and Integrated Care
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The impact of tobacco control policies on illicit tobacco trade: A scoping review medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-10 Isabel Meciar, Coral E Gartner, Ariel McLay, Cheneal Puljevic
Introduction: There are concerns that progressively stringent tobacco control policies will result in increased illicit tobacco trade (ITT). We reviewed the international evidence base to identify studies examining the impact of tobacco control polices on ITT. Methods: Guided by JBI scoping review methodology, we searched six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science)
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Public health actions in response to pathogen detection in sewage: a scoping review protocol medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-10 Maarten de Jong, Jolinda de Korne-Elenbaas, Ewout Fanoy, Gertjan Medema, Miranda de Graaf, Amrish Y Baidjoe, Maria Prins, Maarten F. Schim van der Loeff, Joost Daams, Ana Maria de Roda Husman, Janneke Heijne
Background Infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigations have significantly benefited from sewage monitoring as an indicator for pathogen circulation in human populations. The use of sewage surveillance accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic with the quantification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in sewage providing predictions of SARS-CoV-2 infections
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Interventions that could mitigate the adverse effects of household overcrowding: A rapid realist review with stakeholder participation from urban contexts in England medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-10 Kristoffer Halvorsrud, Elizabeth Eveleigh, Mathilda O'Donoghue, Pratima Singh, Rose-Marie McDonald, Marcella Ucci, Jessica Sheringham
Household overcrowding has increased in England. However, there is limited synthesis of evidence about what can be done to reduce the impact of overcrowding on health/well-being. We undertook a rapid realist review of English language peer-reviewed and grey literature of interventions from comparable settings to urban contexts in England that addressed household overcrowding/health outcomes. A search
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A Comprehensive Study on the Impact of Hypertension on Bone Metabolism Abnormalities Based on NHANES Data and Machine Learning Algorithms medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-10 Jinyao Li, Mingcong Tang, Ziqi Deng, Yanchen Feng, Xue Dang, Lu Sun, Yunke Zhang, Jianping Yao, Min Zhao, Feixiang Liu
Background: Hypertension (HTN), a globally prevalent chronic condition, poses a significant public health challenge. Concurrently, abnormalities in bone metabolism, such as reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis (OP), profoundly affect the quality of life of affected individuals. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the relationship between HTN and bone metabolism abnormalities
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Associated factors of acculturation strategies and mental health outcomes among international students in China medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-09 Chenchang Xiao, Jingyan Yan, Hanjia Li, Changmian Ding, Bin Yu
Abstract Objectives: There is an increasing number of international students in China. Acculturation strategies are the way students cope with different cultures, including integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalization. This study aims to investigate the acculturation strategies and associated factors, and the effect of these strategies on mental health status among international students
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Predicting 30-Day Hospital Readmission in Medicare Patients: Insights from an LSTM Deep Learning Model medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-09 Xintao Li, Sibei Liu
Background Readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries are a major problem for the US healthcare system from a perspective of both healthcare operations and patient caregiving outcomes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) to tackle the problem of readmission by penalizing to hospitals with excessive 30-day readmissions. Our
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Implementation of a national oxygen distribution network in Lesotho: a longitudinal analysis medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-09 Melino Ndayizigiye, Afom Andom, Palesa Thabane, Mphatso Tsoka, Francis Sambani, Tumelo Monyane, Juliana Lawrence, Ninza Sheyo, Mpho Pholoanyane, Jessica Parker, William Haggerty, Emily Gingras, Tiara Calhoun, Joia Mukherjee, Paul Sonenthal
Background Despite its essential and life-saving role in the treatment of many medical conditions, access to medical oxygen remains limited in many countries. In 2021, Partners In Health established an oxygen distribution network in Lesotho to increase medical oxygen access. Methods We conducted a longitudinal analysis of the implementation of an oxygen distribution network in Lesotho from November
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Dietary burden of phosphorus and aluminum concentrations of ready-to-eat wheat flour tortillas exceed that of corn tortillas: Implications for patients with renal or cardiovascular disease medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-09 Kate C. Chiang, Robert A. Yokel, Jason M. Unrine, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Ajay Gupta
Background: Ready-to-eat, shelf-stable tortillas contain several phosphorus- and aluminum- containing additives that may increase risk of adverse events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Aim: The present study analyzes and compares the elemental content of wheat flour and corn tortillas with special reference to dietary aluminum and phosphorus burden. Methods: Twenty-one elements were
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Development and calibration of a mathematical model of HIV outcomes among Rwandan adults: informing equitable achievement of targets in Rwanda medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-07 April Kimmel, Zhongzhe Pan, Ellen Brazier, Gad Murenzi, Benjamin Muhoza, Marcel Yotebieng, Kathryn Anastos, Denis Nash, Central Africa International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (CA-IeDEA)
Background: We developed and calibrated the Central Africa-International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (CA-IeDEA) HIV policy model to inform equitable achievement of global goals, overall and across sub-populations, in Rwanda. Methods: We created a deterministic dynamic model to project adult HIV epidemic and care continuum outcomes, overall and for 25 subpopulations (age group, sex, HIV
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The global pattern of centenarians highlights deep problems in demography medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-06 Saul Justin Newman
Accurate age data is fundamental to medicine, social sciences, epidemiology, and good government. However, recent and heavily disputed debates on data quality have raised questions on the accuracy of demographic data at older ages. Here, we catalogue late-life survival patterns of every country in the world from 1970-2021 using comprehensive estimates of old-age populations provided by global governments
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Exploratory Validation of a Survey Instrument Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior to Assess Vaping Attitude and Perceptions medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-06 Muna Barakat, Roa’a Abuarab, Baraah Alkharabsheh, Nada Budair, Mais Fareed, Rahma Kharabsheh, Dana Oshroq Laban, Malik Sallam
The prevalence of vaping (e-cigarette use) surged among young individuals, especially university students, highlighting the necessity to explore the factors influencing this behavior. This study aimed to develop and validate the Vaping Attitude and Perceptions Scale (VAPeS), based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-administered electronic questionnaire
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Religion and COVID 19 Pandemic for better or for worse? medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-06 Sameera Upashantha Ranasinghe, Lakshitha Iroshan Ranasinghe, Indika Pathiraja
COVID-19 has negative repercussions on psychological aspects of the individual. Provision of personalized assistance to each individual is a task which cannot be fulfilled by the health system. In this context religion remains to be an effective tool. A qualitative study was conducted to find the spiritual practices and coping mechanisms of COVID-19 infected people(N=15, mean age =46.3 years) in Kurunegala
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Modelling the impact of behavioural interventions during pandemics: A systematic review medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-06 Tsega Kahsay Gebretekle, Casper Albers
Background Many studies examined the impact of behavioural interventions on COVID-19 outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to gain insight into transmission models, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We included peer-reviewed studies published in English until December 31, 2022, focusing on human subjects, modelling, and examining behavioural interventions during COVID-19 using real data across
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Why has the United States of America Not Ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child? The Veto Fulcrum as a New Health Policy Analysis Framework medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-05 Lia Harris
Background The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) enshrines health as a human right among other rights for children, the fulfillment of which can be advanced by each member state legally endorsing the principles through ratification of the Convention. The most rapidly and widely ratified human rights treaty in history, only the United States of America of all of the UN state
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Academic institution extensive, building-by-building wastewater-based surveillance platform for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring, clinical data correlation, and potential national proxy medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-05 Arnoldo Armenta-Castro, Mariel Araceli Oyervides-Muñoz, Alberto Aguayo-Acosta, Sofia Liliana Lucero-Saucedo, Alejandro Robles-Zamora, Kassandra O. Rodriguez-Aguillón, Antonio Ovalle-Carcaño, Roberto Parra-Saldívar, Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández
Wastewater-based surveillance has been proposed as a cost-effective toolset to generate data about public health status by detecting specific biomarkers in wastewater samples, as shown during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we report on the performance of an extensive, building-by-building wastewater surveillance platform deployed across 38 locations of the largest private university system in
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Changes in the prevalence of the common risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Uganda between 2014 and 2023: Informed by nationally representative cross-sectional surveys medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-05 Ronald Kusolo, Gerald Mutungi, Mary Mbuliro, Richard Kajjura, Ronald Wesonga, Silver K. Bahendeka, David Guwatudde
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the biggest contributor to global mortality. Although communicable diseases still contribute highest to mortality in the African region, the proportion contributed by NCDs continues to rise. An important way to control NCDs is to focus on reducing the prevalence of the common NCD risk factors. As such, monitoring changes in the prevalence of these
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Exploring COVID-19 Pandemic Perceptions and Vaccine Uptake among Community Members and Primary Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A Mixed Methods Study. medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-05 Abiodun Sogbesan, Ayobami Adebayo Bakare, Sibylle Herzig Van Wees, Julius Salako, Damola Bakare, Omotayo E Olojede, Kofoworola Akinsola, Oluwabunmi Roseline Bakare, Adegoke G Falade, Carina King
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global health, with diverse perceptions about the disease and control measures, including vaccination. Understanding these perceptions can help inform public health and vaccination strategies in future outbreaks. This study examined community members and healthcare workers' (HCWs) perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines in Nigeria,
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Prevalence, awareness and factors associated with hypertension among adults in rural south-western Uganda: a cross-sectional study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-04 Grace Kansiime, Edwin Nuwagira, Paul Stephen Obwoya, Joseph Baruch Baluku, Michael Kanyesigye, Christine Twesiime, Peter Ssebutinde, Rose Muhindo, Anthony Muyingo, Keneth Kananura, Pliers Denis Tusingwire, Esther C. Atukunda, Robert Kalyesubula, Francis Bajunirwe, Anthony Muiru
Background Hypertension is the leading cause of preventable deaths globally, yet there have been inconsistent reports on its burden and risk factors in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, awareness, and risk factors associated with hypertension among adults in a rural community in southwestern Uganda.
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Understanding the primary healthcare context in rural South and Southeast Asia: a village profiling study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-04 Rusheng Chew, Sazid Ibna Zaman, Mst. Asfat Ara Joly, Didar Uddin, Md Nurullah, James J Callery, Carlo Perrone, Thomas J Peto, Koukeo Phommasone, Aung Pyae Phyo, Wanlapa Roobsoong, Aninda Sen, Moul Vanna, Arjun Chandna, Tiengkham Pongvongsa, Lek Dysoley, Nicholas PJ Day, Yoel Lubell, Richard J Maude
The use of comprehensive village profiles is one way of characterising contextual factors important for the implementation of primary healthcare interventions and service planning in rural areas. However, there are few such data available at the village level in rural South and Southeast Asia. This study aimed to address this gap, as well as compare high-level data from representative under-served
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A Cross-Sectional Study on HPV Vaccine Awareness, Vaccination Willingness and Associated Factors among Male Healthcare Workers in Ethnic Minority-populated Areas in Southern China medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-04 Chunlin Qin, Nian Jiang, Guorong Tang, Yun Zhou, Qingqing Liang
Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) with a very high prevalence in the male population, resulting in an increasing burden of HPV-related diseases. HPV vaccines are the most effective measure to control HPV infection. However, male HPV vaccine has not been approved for mainland China.
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Impacts of Global School Feeding Programmes on Children’s Health and Wellbeing Outcomes: A Scoping Review medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-04 Amy Locke, Michaela James, Hope Jones, Rachel Davies, Francesca Williams, Sinead Brophy
Background School feeding programmes (SFP) are one of the world’s most extensive interventions to alleviate child poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. Schools are ideal settings to promote healthy eating habits early in life since children have access to at least one main meal per day at school. However, there is a lack of clear evidence for the effectiveness of school feeding programmes on child
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Patient and Public involvement in the design of an international clinical trial: Real world experience medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-03 Gwenda Simons, Helen Jones, Ian Clarke, Firoza Davies, Stacey Grealis, Elspeth Insch, Hameed Kahn, Joanne Lloyd, Al Richards, Hayley Rose, Ruth Williams, Maarten de Wit, Clarissa Woodcock, Leigh Romaniuk, Michelle Bardgett, Arthur G Pratt, Marie Falahee
Background The value of patient and public involvement (PPI) during the earliest stages of clinical trial development, and prior to the award of substantive funding, is widely recognised. However, it is often under resourced and PPI processes during this phase are rarely reported in detail. Having benefitted from seed funding to develop an international clinical trial proposal, we sought to describe
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Acceptance of an Mpox Vaccine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Results from a Nationwide Phone Survey medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-04 Skylar Petrichko, Jason Kindrachuk, Dalau Nkamba, Megan Halbrook, Sydney Merritt, Handdy Kalengi, Leonard Kamba, Michael Beya, Nicole A. Hoff, Christophe Luhata, Didine K. Kaba, Anne W. Rimoin
We report general acceptance of an mpox vaccine (61.0%) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (n=5226) with higher acceptance among healthcare workers and respondents in historic mpox-endemic regions. These data highlight the need for increased community engagement and sensitization before widespread deployment of the mpox vaccine.
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biobank.cy: The Biobank of Cyprus past, present and future medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-03 Eleni M. Loizidou, Maria Kyratzi, Maria A. Tsiarli, Andrea C. Kakouri, Georgia Charalambidou, Stella Antoniou, Stylianos Pieri, Panagiota Veloudi, Michaela Th. Mayrhofer, Andrea Wutte, Lukasz Kozera, Jens Habermann, Heimo Muller, Kurt Zatloukal, Karine Sargsyan, Alexandros Michaelides, Maria Papaioannou, Christos Schizas, Apostolos Malatras, Gregory Papagregoriou, Constantinos Deltas
Background The Cyprus Biobank collects biosamples, medical and lifestyle information with the aim of reaching 16,500 Cypriots aged ≥18-years, by year 2027, as part of a multitasked EU funded project. Volunteers are both from the general population and from disease cohorts of focused research projects, who amongst others will contribute to canvas the architecture of the Cyprus human genome and study
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Developing an evaluation framework for public health environmental surveillance: Protocol for an international, multidisciplinary e-Delphi study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-03 Douglas G. Manuel, Carol Bennett, Emma Brown, David L. Buckeridge, Yoni Freedhoff, Sarah Funnell, Farah Ishtiaq, Matthew J. Wade, David Moher, the PHES-EF Executive Group
Introduction Public health environmental surveillance has evolved, especially during the coronavirus disease pandemic, with wastewater-based surveillance being a prominent example. As surveillance methods diversify and expand, it is essential to have a robust evaluation of surveillance systems. This electronic Delphi study will propose an evaluation framework for public health environmental surveillance
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Global Health Security Index Scores are associated with Covid-19 Pandemic Health and Macroeconomic Outcomes medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-03 Matt Boyd, Michael G Baker, Nick Wilson
Background Past studies show a mixed relationship between the Global Health Security (GHS) Index and Covid-19 pandemic health outcomes. While some recent work suggests higher GHS Index scores are associated with better mortality outcomes there remains scope for additional analyses considering island nations and macroeconomic outcomes of the pandemic.
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Wastewater testing during the South African 2022-2023 measles outbreak demonstrates the potential of environmental surveillance to support measles elimination medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-02 Nkosenhle Ndlovu, Victor Mabasa, Chenoa Sankar, Nosihle Msomi, Emmanuel Phalane, Natasha Singh, Sipho Gwala, Fiona Els, Mokgaetji Macheke, Sibonginkosi Maposa, Mukhlid Yousif, Kerrigan M. McCarthy
Background Sensitive clinical surveillance and high vaccination coverage are required to meet the WHO 2030 measles elimination target. Whilst wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) has proven usefulness in polio surveillance, it has not been applied to measles control. We describe the development of digital RT-PCR (RT-dPCR) for detection and quantification of measles virus (MeV) in wastewater
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The awareness and practice of female genital mutilation in Lagos State, Nigeria medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-09-02 Esther T. Joshua-Raji, Itunu O. Dave-Agboola
Background The extensive practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is common in Nigerian societies, and it is generally done on infants as early as eight days after giving birth to them in early childhood, but it is usually done before marriage or before the first child is delivered. FGM has apparently caused pain to women, varying from infection, haemorrhage to difficulty in childbirth, even emotional
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Evaluation of a One Health public health program based on minimum inputs to control Taenia solium in Madagascar medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-31 Diana Edithe Andria-Mananjara, Modestine Raliniaina, Mihaja Rakotoarinoro, José A Nely, Nivohanitra Razafindraibe, Sylvia Noromanana Ramiandrasoa, Betthelhein Ramahefasoa, Valisoa Claude Rakotoarison, Paul R. Torgerson, Eric Cardinale, Harena Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo, Glenn Edosoa, Agnès Fleury, Kabemba E. Mwape, Bernadette Abela, Marshall W. Lightowlers, Meritxell Donadeu
Cysticercosis in humans caused by the parasite Taenia solium is one of the World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Diseases. The parasite is transmitted between the human host and pigs. Efforts to prevent the disease have relied mainly on treatment of people with anthelmintics. However to date there is no practical and effective control method that has been delivered as a public health program
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Insufficient Water, Sanitation, and Healthcare Facilities Hinder Schistosomiasis Control in Endemic Areas: A Mixed Methods Study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-31 Aspire Mudavanhu, Rachelle Weeda, Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho, Linda Mlangeni, Luc Brendonck, Tawanda Manyangadze, Tine Huyse
Introduction Schistosomiasis remains a significant public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in resource-limited settings. This mixed-methods study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to schistosomiasis in two communities in Zimbabwe’s Chiredzi district: Hippo Valley Estate (HVE) and Chipimbi.
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Understanding the clinical characteristics and timeliness of diagnosis for patients diagnosed with Long COVID: A retrospective observational cohort study from North West London medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-31 Denys Prociuk, Jonathan Clarke, Nikki Smith, Ruairidh Milne, Cassie Lee, Simon de Lusignan, Ghazala Mir, Johannes De Kock, Erik Mayer, Brendan C Delaney, LOCOMOTION Consortium
Background Long COVID is a multisystem condition first identified in the COVID-19 pandemic characterised by a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness and cognitive impairment. Considerable disagreement exists in who is most at risk of developing Long COVID, driven in part by incomplete coding of a Long COVID diagnosis in medical records.
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Can Place-Based Modifications Make a Difference to Local Health Inequalities in Urban Essex: An Evaluation Protocol medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-30 K. Cusimano, P. Freeman, A. Pettican, A. J. Brinkley
Stemming from a complex picture of compositional, contextual and wider determinants, health inequalities are presented at the level in which people reside (i.e., their place). Examples of this exist within Essex, England, where despite seeming affluence, pockets of high multiple deprivation exist. Programmes delivered across the system representing each place may provide a solution to these complex
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Race and Ethnicity Disparities in the Life’s Essential 8 Ever-Pregnant Adults in the United States: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2020 medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-30 Khadijat Adeleye, Tosin Tomiwa, Yaa Adoma Kwapong, Ellen Boakye, Oluwalonimi Adebowale, Brenda Owusu, Ruth-Alma Turkson-Ocran, Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Oluwabunmi Ogungbe
Background Cardiometabolic conditions are among the leading causes of maternal mortality in the US. The American Heart Association (AHA) Life’s Essential 8TM (LE8) provides an actionable summary measure for assessing cardiovascular health.
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Quantitative Multi-pathway Assessment of Exposure to Fecal Contamination for Infants in Rural Ethiopia medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-30 Yuke Wang, Yang Yang, Crystal M. Slanzi, Xiaolong Li, Amanda Ojeda, Fevi Paro, Löıc Deblais, Habib Yakubu, Bahar Mummed Hassen, Halengo Game, Kedir Teji Roba, Elizabeth Schieber, Abdulmuen Mohammed Ibrahim, Jeylan Wolyie, Jemal Yusuf Hassen, Gireesh Rajashekara, Sarah L. McKune, Arie H. Havelaar, Christine L. Moe, Song Liang
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), enteric infections pose a significant threat to children’s health. However, understanding the specifics of when, where, and how young children in LMICs are exposed to enteric pathogens and the roles of animal reservoirs, environmental media, and human hosts play during exposure remains limited. This study systematically evaluates infants’ exposure to E.
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Expanding Hepatitis B Screening with Point-of-Care Rapid Testing in Primary Care: An Implementation Science Study medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-30 Trang N. D. Pham, Long B. Hoang, Diem V. B Dao, Thao T. Dang, Van T. Nguyen, Duc H. Le, Thai N. Truong, Toan T. Le, Bao Q. Duong, Tram T. Trinh, Hang V. Dao, Doan Y Dao
Background Vietnam faces a significant burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with around 10% of the population living with HBV and up to 80% unaware of their infection status. This study implemented a strategy using point-of-care rapid testing (POC-RT) for early HBV detection and linkage to care in primary care settings. The EPIS frameworks guided implementation, assessing barriers, enablers, feasibility
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Factors Associated with Acceptance of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) among Residents of Luwingu District, Northern Province of Zambia medRxiv. Public Glob. Health Pub Date : 2024-08-29 Moses Mkosha, Brown Ngenda, Mukumbuta Nawa
Introduction Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is a crucial intervention for malaria control, yet its acceptability in urban areas remains understudied, particularly in Luwingu District, Zambia. This research aimed to estimate acceptance of IRS and identify the factors associated with its acceptability in an urban setting of this area that has holoendemic transmission of malaria.