Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Modeling An Infection Outbreak With Quarantine: The Sibkr Model, Mikenna Dew, Amanda Langosch, Theadora Baker-Wallerstein

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

Influenza is a respiratory infection that places a substantial burden in the world population each year. In this project, we study and interpret a data set from a flu outbreak in a British boarding school in 1978 with mathematical modeling. First, we propose a generalization of the SIR model based on the quarantine measure in place and establish the long-time behavior of the model. By analyzing the model mathematically, we determine the analytic formulas of the basic reproduction number, the long-time limit of solutions, and the maximum number of infection population. Moreover, we estimate the parameters of the model based …

269 Years Of Homoeopathy: The Healing Continues, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

As we gear up to celebrate 269 years of homoeopathy, it is a matter of pride for the homoeopathic fraternity that homoeopathy continues to evolve globally. Homoeopathy is now a widely used medical system with over 200 million users in 100+ countries. If factors such as strong evidence, wide, global usage, and economic viability can be considered as the pillars that make a healthcare model legitimate for a nation, Homoeopathy, indeed, makes the cut. Given its well-acclaimed abilities of permanent, effective, and safe treatment, homoeopathy went on to be a fundamental part of Indian healthcare. However, despite the relevance and …

County-Level Trends And Potential Disparities In The Suicide Rates In Virginia, 2020 – 2022, Sharon A. Olowoyo, Oluwatosin M. Oduneye, Glodi B. Bokanya, Ayooluwa G. Olowoyo, Coralie E. Mugenga, Yuhan Yan, Robyn L. Anderson

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the influence of social determinants of health (SDH) on suicide patterns in the state of Virginia.

Methods

A secondary statistical analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps database for Virginia. Data from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed, focusing on age-adjusted suicide rates and SDH factors, including % rural, mental health provider rate, median household income, high school completion, and unemployment rates. Multiple regression analysis and visualizations were employed for data interpretation.

Results

The analysis revealed that SDH factors significantly predicted suicide rates across the study period. …

Influenza Prevalence And Risk Factors: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Kiran Ganesh Balakrishnan, Mohd Rizal Abd Manaf, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Mohd Kamarul Imran Musa, Azizul Rahman Mohamad Jamil, Norhaslira Abdul Rahim, Umi Kalsom Satariah Ali, Rahman Jamal

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Influenza infection can lead to mortality and morbidity. In densely populated Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the transmission of influenza-like illness (ILI) is high. This study assessed the prevalence and epidemiology of influenza in the target population.

Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample study was conducted in government clinics of Cheras, Malaysia, from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. Consent was sought from patients older than 18 years with symptoms of ILI (fever, cough, and onset within 10 days). A nasopharyngeal swab preceded an influenza rapid test. Logistic regression was used in SPSS 22.0 to evaluate the data.

Results …

Physical Therapy Professionals’ Opioid Knowledge And Attitudes In A Midwestern State: A Cross Sectional Survey, Steven G. Kinney, John D. Kiesel

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To determine perspectives towards opioid use, knowledge on managing an opioid overdose, and awareness towards individuals who use opioids of Indiana physical therapy (PT) professionals. Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated to PT professionals in Indiana from various practice settings. This questionnaire included two standardized measures, the Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) and the Opioid Overdose Attitude Scale (OOAS). An additional 12 questions regarding the role of PT and other groups in the opioid crisis as well as opioid education were included. These questions were developed by discussion between investigators as well as feedback from another rehabilitation professional. Descriptive …

Predictors Of Lung Cancer Screening Recommendation In Virginia Using The Community Health Assessment Survey, Aashish Batheja, Carrie Miller, Sunny Jung Kim, Bernard Fuemmeler F., Rajsh Balkrishnan

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to determine the factors that may influence the probability of being recommended a lung cancer screening by a health professional in Virginia.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Community Health Assessment Survey conducted by the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System and Cancer System in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Cancer Center. SAS software was used to conduct a logistic regression with the following variables: age, sex, race, current smoking status, cancer history, education level, income level, insurance, and rurality.

Results: Statistically significant positive predictors included being a current smoker (OR: 3.504, …

Social Determinants Of Health, Telehealth, And Hiv/Aids: Implications For Public Health Research And Practice In The State Of Virginia, Sonal S. Sathe, Adati Tarfa

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: The purpose of this commentary is to assert the importance of addressing the social determinants of health to support HIV/AIDS control efforts, to describe the importance of telehealth in HIV/AIDS control, and to recommend courses of action to support HIV/AIDS control efforts within the state of Virginia.

Discussion: We provide an overview of the social determinants of health and their role in HIV/AIDS control, telehealth and its uptake within the HIV/AIDS community, and issues in Virginia facing HIV/AIDS control.

Conclusion and Recommendations: We conclude that addressing social determinants of health, especially stigma, is an important measure of HIV/AIDS control …

The Social Determinants Of Health And Genocide: Towards A Public Health Integrated Framework Of Genocide And Mass Violence, Sian Persad, Cheng Xu

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

This paper makes a normative argument about transformations of public health as a necessary condition required in any transitional justice process. We seek to bridge the gap between the fields of genocide and public health to understand the recursive relationship between genocide and the social determinants of health. We show that structures and institutions established during genocide create enduring impacts on the public health outcomes of victim and survivor groups even after the ousting of the original perpetrators. Our comparative analysis of the Rwandan Genocide and the colonial genocide of Indigenous communities in Canada surveys the available public health literature …

Conference Proceedings: Select Abstracts Presented At 2023 Advocate Aurora Scientific Day

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

This abstract supplement includes findings presented at the 49th annual Advocate Aurora Scientific Day on May 24, 2023. The Scientific Day symposium provides a virtual forum for the sharing of preliminary results from research and case studies conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, and other health professionals associated with Illinois-based Advocate Health Care and Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care.

The Prevalence Of Covid-19 Misinformation Among High School Students And Its Influence On National Public Health Perception, Isha Patel

International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities

The global COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to national public health perception and the detriments of medical misinformation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent to which susceptibility to common COVID-19 virus and vaccine misconceptions correlate with the high school students’ perception of public health. A survey was distributed to 61 high school students, and it was found that there is a weak negative correlation between acceptance of COVID-19 virus and vaccine misconceptions and national public health perception. The results, however, indicated a prevalence of misconceptions surrounding COVID-19 among participants. Overall, 52.5% of participants rate public health as …

Locked Up: A Look Into Healthcare Behind Bars, Ella Davis

BUHealth

The United States incarceration rate is the highest in the world. Incarcerated individuals are guaranteed a right to healthcare but, it falls short in many correctional facilities, as systemic barriers and inadequate funding often result in substandard care and poor health outcomes. There are multiple challenges that come with providing healthcare in prisons such as limited resources, lack of funding, and staff shortages. Prisoners at every level of the correctional system are known to be less healthy than the general population, and despite multiple efforts to improve healthcare, many prisoners still receive inadequate healthcare. Improving prison healthcare and increasing funding …

Patient And Provider Perceptions Of Rapid Telehealth Implementation During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ryan G. Seibert, Amanda K. Stephenson, Aubrey Podell, Yuxiu Lei, Sheri Keitz

The Lahey Journal

Introduction: Despite unprecedented telehealth adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic, its post-pandemic preservation remains uncertain. Understanding key stakeholders’ perspectives on telehealth during the pandemic can inform evidence-based policies and promote effective, sustainable virtual-based care.

Methods: Patients and providers who completed telehealth visits during the early pandemic in primary care, subspecialty, and surgical outpatient clinics at a large community-based academic medical center in New England were surveyed via telephone interviews or electronic surveys. Thematic analyses of qualitative comments further characterized experiences.

Results: Of 1,729 eligible patients called, 969 were contacted and 778 participated (response rate 80.3% among contacted patients). Among 753 eligible …

A Logistics Approach To Improve Medication Reconciliation In The Outpatient Clinic Setting, Aysha Khan, Demetra Antimisiaris, Madison Perkins, Luz Fernandez

The Cardinal Edge

Medication reconciliation (MR) is the process of determining the most accurate account of medication the patient is taking. Although MR seems simple, research has shown that 25% of medical errors are related to lack of medication reconciliation [1]. In the community clinic setting, the task of medication reconciliation falls on the Medical Assistants (MAs). A preliminary study of MR accuracy in an outpatient clinic found an average of 5.8 discrepancies in the chart medication list [2]. The most notable were incomplete directions, wrong directions, or wrong frequency of dosing. Unoptimized medication use is estimated to result in 275,869 deaths per …

Adaptability In Community-Based Participatory Research: Comparisons Of Coalitions In The Deep South, Candace Forbes Bright Phd

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Health inequities in the Gulf states are complex issues to resolve, and no single solution or strategy can improve the health rankings in each state. Yet, using grassroots approaches and building community partnerships are promising strategies to identify important health issues and opportunities for policy change. Purpose: This paper illustrates how the Gulf States Health Policy Center coalitions in four different locations used the same community-based participatory research model, but with distinct differences in processes, across nine projects to address issues that negatively affected population health. Methods: Recognizing that communities have unique needs, resources, and complementary health efforts, we …

Study Of Efficacy, Safety And Complications Of Covid 19 Vaccine On Adults And Elderly With And Without Chronic Diseases, Nasser Alhamshary, Abdullah Hendawy El Shahat, Mohamed Gharib Mohamed, Abdel Kareem Mohammad Abdel Rahim

Al-Azhar International Medical Journal

Background: Anti-CoV-2 vaccines were developed in a much shorter time than previous vaccines. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine on adult and elderly with and without chronic diseases and evaluate safety, side effects and complications of COVID19 vaccine on adult and elderly with and without chronic diseases.

Methods: Prospective observational cohort study was carried out on 100 subjects received COVID-19 vaccine. Subjects were divided into three groups: Group (1): thirty healthy young persons aging 18-45 years old, who received COVID-19 vaccine (5 subjects received Pfizer vaccine, 9 received AstraZeneca, and 16 received Sinopharm. …

A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Obesity, Body Image, And Mental Health Of British-Born Afro-Caribbean Male Students At A West Yorkshire University In England, Johnson Mbabazi, Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso, Fiona Macgregor, Jeff Breckon, Edward Kunonga, Barry Tolchard, Rosemary Dawson, Jennifer Teke, Josette Bettany Saltikov, George William Kagugube, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Obesity, body image, and depression are all biopsychosocial phenomena that are frequently misunderstood across cultures. Body dissatisfaction is a psychological aspect of obesity that has been associated with disordered eating, low self-esteem, and depression. Nevertheless, body image dissatisfaction may affect non-obese individuals too. Those with a positive body image are more likely to participate in physical activity than those with a negative body image. Individuals who are satisfied with their body image are more likely to possess high self-esteem, confidence, and healthy eating habits. Obesity prevention among the black population is increasingly important. This study sought to examine the perceptions …

The Physical Activity Of Spanish Speleologists: Accomplishment Of Recommendations And Differences By Sociodemographic Variables, Miquel Pans, Laura Antón-González, Maite Pellicer-Chenoll

International Journal of Speleology

Outdoor adventure activities are becoming more popular due to their potential health benefits, although there is little scientific information on speleology as a physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study is to expand the scientific evidence in this field in two ways: (a) describe the PA performed by speleologists, taking into account the variables of interest such as gender, age, education, speleological level, participation in ‘Alpine’ explorations and body mass index (BMI) and (b) identify how far the World Health Organization’s (WHO) PA recommendations were accomplished (i.e.,150 min of moderate-intensity aerobic PA or 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic). A …

Review Of Gynaecological Cancer Among Aboriginal And/Or Torres Strait Islander People In Australia, Aime Powell, Ami Morseu-Diop, Maya Morton Ninomiya, Uday Narayan Yadav, Emily Phillips, Devendra Raj Singh, Tamara Butler, Emma Allanson, Lisa J. Whop

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Gynaecological cancers bear a significant burden on the health of Australians. Whilst Australia has made great strides in reducing the overall gynaecological cancer burden nationally, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women continue to experience disproportionately high rates of gynaecological cancers.

This review focuses on the social, cultural, and historical contexts that contribute to inequitable gynaecological cancer rates among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. An in-depth discussion on cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer are described; including the incidence, mortality, survival, and management of these diseases for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women.

It highlights both the persistent barriers …

Review Of: Appalachian Health: Culture, Challenges, And Capacity, Danielle M. Davidov

Journal of Appalachian Health

The Journal of Appalachian Health is committed to reviewing published media that relates to contemporary concepts affecting the health of Appalachia. This is a review of the text Appalachian Health: Culture, Challenges, and Capacity. This book is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in Appalachian history, public health, and health disparities research.

Shared Responsibility: Conceptualising How A Public Health Approach May Enhance Police Response To Missing Persons, Katie Gambier-Ross, Joe Apps Dr, Sarah Wayland Dr

International Journal of Missing Persons

When a person is reported missing there are substantial costs for the individual, their family and society. This paper conceptualises the experience of missing persons episodes, through a public health approach. This then allows police, stakeholders and the community to engage in discussions about who is vulnerable to going missing by intervening in a way that addresses risk. Historically, a missing persons episode involves an absence, typically followed by police involvement in consultation with next of kin with establishing the whereabouts of the missing person being the primary focus. Yet, the risk factors of going missing relate more to the …

Neighborhood Condition Prevalence Rates Correlate With Covid-19 Mortality In Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, George L. Morris Iii

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: We sought to determine if census tract-level (ie, neighborhood) COVID-19 death rates in Milwaukee County correlated with the census tract-level condition prevalence rates (CPRs) for individual COVID-19 mortality risk.

Methods: This study used Milwaukee County-reported COVID-19 death rates per 100,000 lives for the 296 census tracts within the county to perform a linear regression with individual COVID-19 mortality risk CPR, mean age, racial composition of census tract (by percentage of non-White residents), and poverty (by percentage within census tract), followed by multiple regression with all 7 CPRs as well as the 7 CPRs combined with the additional demographic variables. …

Study Of Helicobacter Pylori Infection In Chronic Hepatitis (C) Infection Among Egyptian Patients, Rabei Fathy Abbas, Ahmed Abdul Hameid Abo Zied, Ragab El-Saed El-Dibany

Al-Azhar International Medical Journal

Objectives: Our objective is to assess H. pylori infection in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients and its hepatic impact.

Background: Helicobacter pylori lives mainly on gastric mucosa and is one of the common infections worldwide.

In liver cirrhosis it may lead to impaired liver functions due to fibrosis in chronic liver diseases as HCV.

Patients and Methods: This was a cross sectional prospective study included 40 of HCV infection and 20 health subjects as a control. It was conducted on in the Al-Azhar University Hospitals during the period from 1st Feb 2020 to 30th Sept 2021.

After approval of local …

A Scientific Convention On The World Homoeopathy Day: ‘Homoeopathy: People’S Choice For Wellness’ – A Conference Report, Babita Rani Kondle, Divya Taneja, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Three apex bodies, namely the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, the National Commission for Homoeopathy and the National Institute of Homoeopathy, jointly organised a scientific convention on the occasion of the World Homoeopathy Day to commemorate the 267th birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy, Dr Christian Fredrich Samuel Hahnemann which was held on 9 and 10 April 2022 at New Delhi on the theme ‘Homoeopathy: People’s Choice for Wellness’. Over the 2 days, scientific sessions and interactive meets were held. This convention was an opportunity to review the developments in the field of Homoeopathy and formulate future strategies …

Disparities In Covid-19 Case Counts And Incidence In Florida By Race And Ethnicity At The County And State Level, Elizabeth Weaver

Florida Public Health Review

Background: In 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the United States, reports of disparities in COVID-19 incidence and mortality by race and ethnicity soon followed. This study assessed COVID-19 case counts and incidence by race and ethnicity at county and state levels focusing on Florida.

Methods: Counts of COVID-19 were collected from June through December 2020. Chi square analyses assessed disparities in case distribution and linear regressions assessed disparities in incidence and potential interaction between predictors.

Results: Race and ethnicity were significant predictors of COVID-19 incidence. Mean incidence was 4.9, 6.6, and 14.3 per 1,000 people among White, Black, and Other …

Conference Proceedings: Select Abstracts Presented At Advocate Aurora Scientific Day 2022

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The abstracts published in this supplement were presented at the 48th annual Advocate Aurora Scientific Day on May 25, 2022. This scholarly symposium provides a closed forum for sharing preliminary results from research studies conducted by faculty physicians and nurses, fellows, residents, scientists, and other health professionals associated with U.S. Midwest-based health system Advocate Aurora Health, publisher of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews.

A Moment Of Reflection As We Move Forward, Bruce Morgenstern

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The newly appointed editor-in-chief of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews reflects on the original editorial mission of the journal and its continuing commitment to publish patient-centered scholarly works that exhibit respect for each patient’s values and preferences; coordinated and integrated care; patient and family education; alleviation of pain, fear, and anxiety; continuity through care-site transitions; and access to care. The reasoning behind the pursuit of well-developed patient-centered care models, through the dissemination of peer-reviewed research findings and patient perspectives, has only been reinforced since the journal’s launch in 2014.

Parent And Child Anxiety Evaluated During An Early Period Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study, Karla M. Abela, Darlene Acorda, Stanley Cron, Geri Lobiondo-Wood

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore parent and child anxiety during the pandemic. Unlike previous pandemics, measures implemented to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been much more limiting.

Methods: An explanatory convergent mixed-methods design was used to describe anxiety of children 9–17 years of age and their parents during August–October 2020. Adult and child versions of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to examine levels as measured on STAI’s state-anxiety subscale. Web-based interviews with a subset of patients were conducted qualitatively to analyze anxiety-related themes.

Results: A total of 188 parents …

Understanding Costa Rica's Response To The Covid-19 Pandemic: Competing Explanations, Lise Charles

The Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have major impacts on the world, careful study of successful health systems is essential. Costa Rica has been identified as a country that has responded well to the pandemic with the proportion of death rates compared to infection rates being the lowest in comparison to other countries in Central America. This paper examines Costa Rica’s relatively successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study in good public healthcare management. This study also highlights the importance of theory for addressing urgent, practical development challenges to explore what theoretical frameworks can best explain the …

Wastewater-Informed Public Health Intervention Playbook

Sustain Magazine

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic quickly spread from country to country and continent to continent in 2020, governments and scientists needed a way to track COVID-19 through populations in order to position public health interventions in the most impactful locations. Having a decision-based risk framework may help to guide policy creation that could minimize or prevent possible outbreaks and surges of infection within communities. The University of Louisville in partnership with Louisville’s Department of Public Health and Wellness tested this strategy in 2021 and 2022. This Wastewater-Informed Public Health Intervention Playbook describes the decisions and actions of that academic and public …

Rethinking Tourism And Public Health Policies In International Travel Megahubs For The Post-Covid-19 Era, Jeconiah Louis Dreisbach, Sharon Mendoza-Dreisbach

Journal of Health Research

Background: This article rethinks current public health policies to transdisciplinarily reorient the countries’ tourism policies as a preparation to future pandemics. This adds to the public health discourse that West Asian international travel megahubs could be susceptible spaces to high risks of transnational viral transmissions.

Method: This is a letter to the editor.

Results: The United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Qatar are the world’s leading international travel megahubs, with Saudi Arabia catching up following its efforts in establishing a new national airline to increase international passenger traffic. Collectively, they are connected to more than half of the world’s leading international …