Public Health Commons^™

Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Children Under Five Years Of Age With Emphasis On Schistosoma Mansoni In Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia, Yirgalem G/Hiwot, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Intestinal parasite infections are major public health problems of children in developing countries causing undernutrition, anemia, intestinal obstruction and mental and physical growth retardation. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among children under five years of age with emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in under-five children living in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate Ethiopia, April, 2013. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using single Kato-Katz and single Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) solution concentration methods. Out of 374 children examined using single …

Day-To-Day Fluctuation Of Point-Of-Care Circulating Cathodic Antigen Test Scores And Faecal Egg Counts In Children Infected With Schistosoma Mansoni In Ethiopia, Abraham Degarege, Mengistu Legesse, Girmay Medhin, Tilahun Teklehaymanot, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Determining the variation of circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) in urine and egg counts variation in stool between days in Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infected individuals is vital to decide whether or not to rely on a single-sample test for diagnosis of Schistosomiasis. In this study, the magnitude of day-to-day variation in urine-CCA test scores and in faecal egg counts was evaluated in school children in Ethiopia.

METHODS: A total of 620 school children (age 8 to 12 years) were examined for S. mansoni infection using double Kato-Katz and single urine-CCA cassette methods (batch 32727) on three consecutive days.

RESULTS: …

Cancer Trends And Risk Factors In Cyprus, Evi A. Farazi

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Cyprus, a European Union member state, is a small island in the Mediterranean with a population approaching 900,000 people. Cancer is the second leading cause of death; more therapeutic options for any patient with the disease are available in a central oncology centre in the capital of the island (Nicosia) and fewer therapeutic options (e.g. chemotherapy and hormone therapy only) in a few other public hospitals. Palliative care is offered in several hospices and hospitals, although the field needs improvement. With regards to screening, a national breast cancer screening programme has been in place countrywide since 2007 and is offered …

Community Awareness Of Intestinal Parasites And The Prevalence Of Infection Among Community Members Of Rural Abaye Deneba Area, Ethiopia, Liza Nyantekyi, Mengistu Legesse, Girmay Medhin, Abebe Animut, Konjit Tadesse, Chanda Macias, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of Abaye Deneba community members regarding intestinal parasites and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.

METHODS: Knowledge about intestinal parasites was assessed by administering a questionnaire to 345 randomly selected household heads. Parasitological stool examination of 491 randomly selected individuals was done using the formol ether concentration technique.

RESULTS: Knowledge of the Abaye Deneba community about parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, amoebiasis, ascariasis and taeniasis was very low. However, 204 (59.3%) members correctly responded that the cause of giardiasis is related to contaminated water and 176 (51.2%) knew how to prevent it. In some cases, respondents …

Men At Risk; A Qualitative Study On Hiv Risk, Gender Identity And Violence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Report High Risk Behavior In Kampala, Uganda., Rachel King, Joseph Barker, Sylvia Nakayiwa, David Katuntu, George Lubwama, Danstan Bagenda, Tim Lane, Alex Opio, Wolfgang Hladik

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

In Uganda, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV. Between May 2008 and February 2009 in Kampala, Uganda, we used respondent driven sampling (RDS) to recruit 295 MSM≥18 years who reported having had sex with another man in the preceding three months. The parent study conducted HIV and STI testing and collected demographic and HIV-related behavioral data through audio computer-assisted self-administered interviews. We conducted a nested qualitative sub-study with 16 men purposively sampled from among the survey participants based on responses to behavioral variables indicating higher risk for HIV infection. Sub-study participants were interviewed …

Trends In Retail And Urgent Care Clinics In Nebraska, Jim P. Stimpson, Marlene Deras

Reports: Center for Health Policy

There is considerable interest nationwide in the growth of retail clinics (kiosks located inside a retail store, supermarket, or pharmacy that treat simple illnesses and provide preventive care services) and urgent care clinics (walk-in clinics that treat injuries or illnesses requiring immediate attention). These clinics have the potential to improve access to healthcare by providing more convenient care and transparent prices (compared to a typical physician office visit). This brief describes the trend in the number of retail and urgent care clinics in Nebraska. We found a 40% increase in the number of urgent care clinics from 2008 to 2013, …

Underage Drinking In Nebraska, Sarbinaz Bekmuratova, Nicole Carritt, Tim Kaldahl, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

This brief describes the prevalence of underage drinking in Nebraska and its associated outcomes, as well as state policies pertinent to underage drinking and evidence-based strategies that can prevent underage drinking. We defined underage drinking as alcohol consumption by persons younger than 21 years. In 2010, Nebraska’s underage drinking costs, including medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering, totaled more than an estimated $423 million, which translates to a cost of $2,309 per year for each youth in Nebraska or $2.92 per drink. Underage customers consumed about a quarter of all alcohol sold in Nebraska. In a ranking of …

The Good, The Bad, And The Unknown: Quality Of Clinical Laboratories In Kampala, Uganda., Ali M. Elbireer, J. B. Jackson, Hakim Sendagire, Alex Opio, Danstan Bagenda, Timothy K. Amukele

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Clinical laboratories are crucial in addressing the high rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases seen in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the most basic information, such as the number and quality of clinical laboratories in SSA, is not available. The objective of this study was to create a practical method for obtaining this information in SSA towns and cities using an initial survey in Kampala, Uganda.

METHODS: Kampala city was divided into 5 partially-overlapping regions. Each region was assigned to 2-3 surveyors who identified and surveyed laboratories in their respective regions; in person and on foot. A modified version of …

Public Health Aspects Of The Daugherty Water For Food Institute Strategic Plan, Eleanor G. Rogan, Bruce Grogan, Terry Huang, Alan Kolok, Risto Rautiainen, Oscar Araz, Christopher Fisher, Andrew Jameton, Ashish Joshi, Sharon Meaker-Medcalf, Jim P. Stimpson, Melissa Tibbits

Reports: College of Public Health

The University of Nebraska College of Public Health is committed to contributing to the research, service and education programs of the Daugherty Water for Food Institute. The College can offer a wide variety of expertise that can contribute to programs related to water, food and health. This document has been written to highlight the areas in which College faculty have particular interests, knowledge and experience to contribute.

Health Reform Funding In Nebraska, Kelly Shaw-Sutherland, Yang Wang, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act was passed into law with the aim to solidify the nation’s health care safety net and expand access to care through new and existing programs. Of the estimated $200 billion dollars in mandatory and discretionary spending set to be appropriated by 2019, approximately $18.3 billion in total funding has been allocated to the states. Ranking 46 out of 51, Nebraska has received approximately 0.5% ($85.4 million) of total US funding, almost a full percent lower than the national median of 1.4%. In total funding per capita, Nebraska ranks slightly higher, at 38 out …

Health Profile Of Nebraska's Latino Population, Athena K. Ramos, Shireen Rajaram, Lourdes Gouveia, Yuriko Doku, Drissa Toure, Anthony Zhang, Sondra Manske

Reports: Health Promotion, Social & Behavioral Health

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Health Reform On Latinos And Immigrants In The Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area, Jim P. Stimpson, Kelly Shaw-Sutherland, Yang Wang

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Molecular Epidemiology Of Early And Acute Hiv Type 1 Infections In The United States Navy And Marine Corps, 2005–2010, Richard A. Heipertz, Eric Sanders-Buell, Gustavo Kijak, Shana Howell, Michelle Lazzaro, Linda L. Jagodzinski, John Eggleston, Sheila Peel, Jennifer Malia, Adam Armstrong, Nelson L. Michael, Jerome H. Kim, Robert J. O'Connell, Paul T. Scott, David Brett-Major, Sodsai Tovanabutra

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

The U.S. military represents a unique population within the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) pandemic. The last comprehensive study of HIV-1 in members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (Sea Services) was completed in 2000, before large-scale combat operations were taking place. Here, we present molecular characterization of HIV-1 from 40 Sea Services personnel who were identified during their seroconversion window and initially classified as HIV-1 negative during screening. Protease/reverse transcriptase (pro/rt) and envelope (env) sequences were obtained from each member of the cohort. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on these regions to determine relatedness within the cohort and …

Combating Sti Epidemic: Community Perspectives Learned From Mixed-Gender Focus Group Study, K. M. M. Islam, Laura C. Vinson, Sherri Nared, Ira Combs, Melissa Tibbits, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Ruth Margalit

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Background. Since 2004, Douglas County in Nebraska has been experiencing higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than the rest of the state. Northern Omaha has been considered to be one of the “hot spots” for STIs in the county. In 2011-2012, a focus group study was conducted to investigate the community’s perception of STIs and to identify strategies to increase the testing and treatment of STIs. Methods. Fourteen young adults were recruited to participate in two mixed-gender focus group sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours. Sessions covered various topics on STIs. Audio-recorded sessions were transcribed and analyzed by …

Community Knowledge, Attitude And Practice About Malaria In A Low Endemic Setting Of Shewa Robit Town, Northeastern Ethiopia, Andargie Abate, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Since malaria is one of the foremost public health problems in Ethiopia, assessment of situation of the disease, and communities' knowledge and perceptions about malaria is necesary to institute appropriate preventive and control measures. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess malaria prevalence and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about the disease among ShewaRobit Town community, northeastern Ethiopia.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Shewa Robit Town from October to November 2011. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A total of 425 individuals were examined for malaria using thin …

Gaps In Survey Data On Cancer In American Indian And Alaska Native Populations: Examination Of Us Population Surveys, 1960-2010, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Tinka Duran, Jim P. Stimpson, Corey Smith

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

INTRODUCTION: Population-based data are essential for quantifying the problems and measuring the progress made by comprehensive cancer control programs. However, cancer information specific to the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population is not readily available. We identified major population-based surveys conducted in the United States that contain questions related to cancer, documented the AI/AN sample size in these surveys, and identified gaps in the types of cancer-related information these surveys collect.

METHODS: We conducted an Internet query of US Department of Health and Human Services agency websites and a Medline search to identify population-based surveys conducted in the United States from …

The First Hundred Years Of The Nebraska Public Health Laboratory: A Major Role Played In The Development Of Public Health, Kristin A. Watkins, Peter C. Iwen, Anthony R. Sambol

History of the College of Public Health: Papers and Posters

Public health laboratories are the invisible key to public health. These laboratories have played a significant role in the health of the community since their inception in the late 1800s. They provide confirmation of disease outbreaks and statistics on the health and welfare of the people, with more recent activities in the detection of biological and chemical agents of terrorism. However, the history of these laboratories is mostly unknown. For instance, a recent brief historical account of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services did not include information on the state public health laboratory in the timeline of historical …

Primary Care Physician Assistants In Nebraska, Soumitra S. Bhuyan, Marlene Deras, Tamara S. Ritsema, Michael J. Huckabee, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Primary Care Nurse Practitioners In Nebraska, Soumitra S. Bhuyan, Marlene Deras, Mary E. Cramer, Janet Cuddigan, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Center For Health Policy Inaugural Report, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Multivitamin Supplementation In Hiv Infected Adults Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy In Uganda: The Protocol For A Randomized Double Blinded Placebo Controlled Efficacy Trial., David Guwatudde, Amara E. Ezeamama, Danstan Bagenda, Rachel Kyeyune, Fred Wabwire-Mangen, Henry Wamani, Ferdinand Mugusi, Donna Spiegelman, Molin Wang, Yukari C. Manabe, Wafaie W. Fawzi

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Use of multivitamin supplements during the pre-HAART era has been found to reduce viral load, enhance immune response, and generally improve clinical outcomes among HIV-infected adults. However, immune reconstitution is incomplete and significant mortality and opportunistic infections occur in spite of HAART. There is insufficient research information on whether multivitamin supplementation may be beneficial as adjunct therapy for HIV-infected individuals taking HAART. We propose to evaluate the efficacy of a single recommended daily allowance (RDA) of micronutrients (including vitamins B-complex, C, and E) in slowing disease progression among HIV-infected adults receiving HAART in Uganda.

METHODS/DESIGN: We are using a …

Active Primary Care Physicians In Nebraska: Data Comparison, Supply, And Characteristics, Soumitra S. Bhuyan, Marlene Deras, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Medicaid Expansion In Nebraska Under The Affordable Care Act, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Public Health Department Accreditation In Nebraska, Janelle J. Jacobson, Jim P. Stimpson, Li-Wu Chen, David Palm

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Health Insurance Coverage In Nebraska, Kelly Shaw-Sutherland, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

The Affordable Care Act Of 2010: A Brief Summary, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148) as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA, P.L. 111-152) (referred to hereafter as the ACA) was signed into law as the most comprehensive piece of legislation since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid legislation in 1965 aimed at creating sweeping health care reform. This brief provides a summary of the titles contained in the law, the implementation of the provisions, and the estimated financial impact.

Policy Analysis Of Impaired Driving Laws In Nebraska, Jim P. Stimpson, Kelly Shaw-Sutherland

Reports: Center for Health Policy

In Nebraska, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death, and the second leading cause of injury-related hospitalization. More than a fourth of all motor vehicle deaths in Nebraska involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver. This brief provides a description of Nebraska alcohol-related statutes and regulations as of January 2011, and impaired driving policy recommendations based on the Nebraska Strategic Highway Safety Plan and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Analysis Of National Health Policies Directed At Immigrants In The United States, Jim P. Stimpson

Reports: Center for Health Policy

This brief describes national policy efforts from 1986 to 2010 affecting access to health care for immigrants. An understanding of the policy actions that have affected immigrants’ access to health care will provide context for future policy discussions.

Antibiotics For Leptospirosis, David Brett-Major, Rodney Coldren

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis has a wide-ranging clinical and public health impact. Leptospira are globally distributed. Case attack rates are as high as 1:4 to 2:5 persons in exposed populations. In some settings mortality has exceeded 10% of infected people. The benefit of antibiotic therapy in the disease has been unclear.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterise the risks and benefits associated with use of antibiotic therapy in the management of leptospirosis.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched the The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded …

Tropical Medicine Training In The Department Of Defense, Rodney L. Coldren, David Brett-Major, Patrick W. Hickey, Eric Garges, Peter J. Weina, Paula Corrigan, Gerald Quinnan

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

No abstract provided.