Public Health Commons^™

Piloting Carestart™ Rapid Diagnostic Test (Rdt) To Promote Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6pd) Screening In Malaria Endemic Community In Cambodia, Bertha Nyagaya-Wojnarski, +Several Additional Authors

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Primaquine (PQ) is the only FDA-approved drug for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax (P.v) malaria, but treatment can result in life-threatening hemolysis if given to a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) patient. Therefore, the G6PD status of the patient with P.v must be known prior to prescribing PQ. However, a patient’s G6PD status in rural malaria endemic settings is generally unknown, illuminating the need for reliable point of care G6PD diagnostic tests as a prerequisite to safely administer PQ. To increase community PQ access in Cambodia, performance of CareStart™ G6PD rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) needs to …

Occupational Exposure To Solvents And Associated Neurotoxicity In Construction Painters: A Systematic Review, Allison Cailliau

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Existing evidence suggests that occupational exposure to solvents can have devastating and adverse effects on cognitive function. Individuals in the construction industry, specifically construction painters, often come in contact with these harmful chemicals on a regular basis. A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve, suspend, or extract other materials without chemical change to the solvent itself. They are present in a wide range of industries and can be used for extraction of fats and oils, degreasing, or manufacturing of paints and plastics. Their main routes of exposure are through inhalation and skin absorption, and they have a tendency …

An Assessment Of Cultural Perceptions And Recognition Of Ebola Virus Disease, And Its Correlation With Traditional Burial Practice In Rural Guinea, Chulwoo Park, Amira Roess, Sally Lahm, Mamadou Kally Bah, Mohamed Campel Camara, John Sandberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background:

In the midst of the unprecedented Ebola outbreak in West Africa during 2014-2016, the humanitarian response to control the disease was hampered in part because there was a limited understanding of local traditional rituals or indigenous medicine (ethnomedicine) on the part of the responders. The Ebola outbreak claimed 11,310 lives, more than all other outbreaks combined. West African burial funeral ceremonies and surrounding rituals may have hindered interventions that included the forceful removal of the sick or dead from the community.

Objective:

Our objective was to understand transmission associated with traditional burial practices in rural Guinea. Through the lens …

Etiology And Management Of Hospitalized And Outpatient Diarrhea Among Children Less Than 5 Years Of Age In Lambaréné, Gabon, Christina Pugliese, Natalie Byrne, Frederique Nguema, Kafui Vodounou, Mirabeau Mbong Ngwese, Gedeon Manouana, Jean Edoa, Bayode Adegbite, Jeannot Zinsou, Ayola Adegnika, Martin Grobusch, David Diemert

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Objectives: Diarrhea remains a significant cause of global under-5 mortality, particularly in SubSaharan Africa (SSA). To reduce morbidity and mortality, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends oral rehydration salts (ORS), zinc supplementation, and continued feeding or breastfeeding for all children with diarrhea to prevent dehydration and malnutrition; antibiotics only for bloody diarrhea (i.e. probable shigellosis), suspected cholera, or severe non-intestinal infections (e.g. pneumonia or sepsis); and avoidance of antidiarrheals and antiemetics owing to lack of benefit and potential for harm in young children. Gabon is an upper-middle income country in SSA for which there is a lack of recent, high …

Shigellosis And Giardiasis Among People Living With Hiv In Washington, Dc, 2012-2016, Kimesha Linton, Kerri Dorsey, Sasha Mcgee, Preetha Iyengar, Garret Lum, Rupali Doshi

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Shigellosis and giardiasis are transmitted via food, water, and fecal-oral contact. CDC has recently reported increased shigellosis among men who have sex with men (MSM) and among people living with HIV (PLWH), particularly stage 3. Our goal was to characterize the incidence and risk factors associated with shigellosis and giardiasis among PLWH in Washington, DC, in an era of robust availability of antiretroviral treatment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of HIV, shigellosis and giardiasis cases reported to the District of Columbia Department of Health from 2012 to 2016. We used LinkPlus to probabilistically match individuals with reported …

Breastfeeding As A Predictor Of Serum Concentrations Of Per- And Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances In Reproductive-Aged Women And Children: A Rapid Systematic Review, Brianna N. Vannoy, Juleen Lam, Ami R. Zota

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose of Review: Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals widely detected in human serum, and at low levels in breast milk. We conducted a rapid systematic review on breastfeeding practices and serum concentrations of PFASs – specifically PFOS and PFOA - among reproductive-aged women and young children using the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology.

Recent Findings: We included 14 studies examining associations between breastfeeding and PFASs in infants/toddlers or pregnant/postnatal women. Breastfeeding was significantly associated with lower PFASs exposure among women and higher PFASs exposure among children. Summary: We concluded there was “sufficient” evidence supporting an association …

How Climate Effects The Tick Vector Of Lyme Disease: A Critical And Systematic Review Of The Literature, Anita Desikan, Matias Attene Ramos

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Lyme disease (LD) is a common vector-borne disease in North America. Understanding the causes behind inter-annual fluctuations of LD incidence can help warn healthcare providers of upcoming outbreaks.

Objective

Identifying what specific climate variables affects the vector, Ixodes scapularis ticks, and ultimately LD incidence.

Methods

A systematic review was carried out to understand how climate variables affect the tick population variables that are related to LD.

Results

Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was generally rated “low” or “probably low” and quality of evidence was rated “moderate”. Strength of evidence was assessed for tick abundance, a …

(Video) Dirty Cotton: Occupational Pesticide Exposure And Elevated Suicide Risk Among Male Cotton Farmers In India, Bethany Natalia Kondavaty

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose: The aim of this critical analysis was to examine the association (or lack thereof) of occupational pesticide exposure and elevated suicide risk among male cotton farmers in India.

Methods: A literature review was performed using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The review included documents published before and after year 2002. Children were excluded from the search as well as women, with exception to research on gender differences in suicide.

Results: Studies outside India show a positive correlation between work-related pesticide exposure and suicide. Animal studies have shown that pesticides, as organophosphates, are toxic, …

Impact Of Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Interventions On Environmental Enteric Dysfunction In Children In Developing Countries: A Systematic Literature Review, Abdoulaye Bangoura, Susan Anenberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is a global disturbance of intestinal structure and function that has its origin in environmental factors (Owino et al. 2016). As a response to prolonged and persistent inflammation, the intestine morphology is altered. EED is an important contributor to poor child cognitive development, child stunting, poor oral vaccine response, acute infections, and childhood mortality globally (Trehan et al. 2016) in developing countries.

We hypothesized that WASH interventions could reduce the risk of EED, thereby positively impacting children’s overall health. The Navigation Guide review methodology and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE) were followed to …

Occupational Exposure To Organophosphate Pesticides And Its Effects On Human Sperm Parameters: A Systematic Review, Roxana E. Amaya-Fuentes, Melissa J. Perry

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Previous research has indicated there is a decrease in sperm quality in the last 40 years. There have been a few reports that have associated occupational exposure to Organophosphate pesticides with a decrease in sperm count, abnormalities in the head or tail, and motility leading to infertility over time. Organophosphates are the most common pesticides used in the United States and have been classified as toxic to bees, wildlife, and humans by the EPA even at low exposures. Furthermore, Organophosphates are considered endocrine disrupting chemicals altering the normal function of the endocrine system. This occurs by interfering with the …

Designing A Social Norms-Based Intervention To Reduce Anemia In India: A Formative Research Protocol, Aika Aluc, Erica Sedlander, Rajiv N. Rimal, Sameera A. Talegawkar, Hagere Yilma, Wolfgang Munar

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Economic and gender inequalities are important determinants of anemia in low and middle income countries. Gender dimensions of food security contribute to the undernutrition among women. More than half of women of reproductive age in India are anemic. Anemia causes increased risk of preterm delivery, higher maternal mortality and contributes to fatigue, which influences women’s work productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends daily oral iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements during pregnancy and weekly supplements for women of reproductive age. Despite the efforts of government programs and global donors to reduce anemia in India, both initial uptake and …

Does Occupational Exposure To Swine Increase The Risk Of Influenza? A Systematic Literature Review, Courtney Youngbar, Lance Price

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background Workers who have an occupational exposure to swine may have an increased risk of influenza infection.

Objective We conducted a systematic review regarding occupational exposure to swine and influenza infection in humans.

Methods We searched articles published within the past ten years at the time of writing, and included original studies that quantified exposures to swine and resulting influenza infections in swine farm workers, including veterinarians. We evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies and the overall quality and strength of the evidence according to the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. We …

How Collective Norms And Media Use Affect Attitudes About Violence Against Women And Contraception Use In Sub-Saharan Africa, Erica Sedlander, Rajiv N. Rimal

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Contraceptive use and attitudes about violence against women, though enacted at the individual level, are also driven by factors at the interpersonal and social levels. The role of mass media in promoting social norms surrounding these attitudes and behaviors has not received much scholarly attention but can be helpful to illuminate areas for intervention.

Hypothesis: We proposed and tested the hypothesis that collective norms (defined as a groups aggregate behavior or attitudes) would be associated with individual level attitudes (tolerance towards violence against women) and behaviors (contraception use). This relationship was further hypothesized to vary by media use, such …

Cross-Sectional Comparison Of Behavioral Risk Factors For Hiv/Hcv In People Who Inject Drugs (Pwid) In Egypt, Sarah Martinez, Amira A. Roess, Monica S. Ruiz, Atef Bakhoum, Ehab El Kharrat

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Egypt has the greatest HCV prevalence worldwide at 15% and a concentrated HIV epidemic in male people who inject drugs (PWID) at 6.8%, who are at a high risk for HCV infection as well. Injection drug use is criminalized in Egypt, and there is limited availability of harm reduction programs. Drug-use and sexual risk behaviors between PWID and the general population have not been studied there.

Methods

To address this gap, a cross-sectional HIV/HCV epidemiological study of 632 consenting injection drug users in Cairo and Alexandria was conducted. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to evaluate the associations between …

(Video) Outreach Services To Treat Women Living With Obstetric Fistula: A Systematic Review, Pauline Pamela Pratt, Rashida Muhammad

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Obstetric fistula is a condition experienced by women who because of prolonged labor become incontinent forming one or more holes in between the rectum and the vagina or the vagina and the bladder (Heller, A., 2017). The hole causes uncontrollable stool and urine to leak from the woman. For most women with obstetric fistula, the duration of the labor leading to fistula varied between 5 hours and 9 days, averaging 3.0 days long (Heller, A., 2017). Women who suffer from this from this condition are do not have access to quality medical care. While prevention is the priority and …

Evaluation Of Pm Emissions Of A Diesel Engine Fueled With Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel: A Systematic Review, Omobolanle H. Oshinusi, George M. Gray

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: The Navigation Guide developed by Johnson et al was used to conduct a robust systematic review of six experimental intervention studies looking at particulate matter (PM)emissions from conventional petroleum diesel and a biodiesel alternative utilizing waste cooking oil in heavy-duty petroleum diesel engines. Waste cooking oil biodiesel is thought to be a more sustainably sourced alternative to its fossil fuel counterpart.

Objectives: Application of the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology to answer the question: Does the replacement of petroleum diesel with waste cooking oil biodiesel reduce hazardous PMemissions? Methods: The study question was specified, evidence was selected and the …

Systematic Literature Review Of Indoor School Exposure To Pm2.5 In Children, Brittany Wagner, Ami Zota

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that puts a strain on lung function and breathing. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism and hospitalization for American children. Genetics play a major role in allergy related disease development such as asthma, but environmental exposures are proving to be a potential contributor to childhood asthma. Despite the sufficient data regarding air pollution, there is a huge knowledge gap regarding indoor air quality and its relationship with health outcomes such as asthma. Many of the studies available only look at outdoor air pollution levels, while children spend the majority of their time …

Assessing Psychophysiological Effects Of Malodorous Pollutants In Residents Of Leandrinho, Bahia, Brazil: A Pilot Study Using A Whatsapp-Based Questionnaire, Shanell Folger, Courtney Woods, Rita Franco Rego, Carlos Henrique Amaral, Washington Ramos, Amanda Northcross

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Leandrinho is located in the region that is home to the largest industrial chemical complex in the southern hemisphere that covers approximately 49 km². Leandrinho residents have reported experiencing adverse health effects that co-occur during periods of malodor emitted by the petrochemical industry. However, there is currently no tool for the residents to systematically record incidents of malodor. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of using a questionnaire designed through Whatsapp, a text-messaging application commonly used among residents.

Method: Leandrinho residents were randomly recruited to complete a daily questionnaire using either paper (n=24) or Whatsapp (n=24) over …

(Video) Characterizing The Exposome: Critical Analysis Of Exposome-Wide Association Studies, Marlee Nelson, Matias Attene Ramos

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose: The exposome is a conceptual framework of all exposures encountered by an individual in his or her lifetime. Studying the exposome is thereby a monumental feat that may require extensive research, conceptualization, and proof-of-concept analyses. Researchers have begun studying the exposome by developing exposome- and environment-wide association studies (EWAS). Since EWAS is such a novel technique, this critical analysis of existing EWAS in the literature sought to determine whether the studies utilized common research methods, how the data were analyzed, and whether the analyses were similar. The analysis also sought to explore ways in which these studies could inform …

Disparities In Diabetes Rates And Quality Of Care Within Immigrants In The Usa, Anyun Chatterjee, Martin Blanco, George Gray

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Immigrants to the USA present an interesting opportunity to test the classical public health question of the impact of place on a health outcome. Diabetes is a prevalent disease in the USA which is slated to rise in rate in the future. Currently, 9.4% of the country is diabetic, and another 28% of the country is prediabetic. We posed the question - is this impact felt disproportionately by immigrants as they live in the US for a decade or more? Our preliminary literature search indicated that this has not been studied extensively, although the impact of American fast food on …

Toolkits To Help Women Who Have Experienced Or Are At Risk Of Female Genital Cutting: A Review, Hina Shaikh, Karen Mcdonnell, Nadia Kalley, Christine Hedstrom, Ghada Khan

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

In recent years, written guidance and other tools to assist professionals in multiple sectors has been issued to increase their awareness about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), knowledge of how to respond appropriately, and means of delivering optimal care to women who have undergone FGM/C. A long-standing human rights-framed issue, FGM/C is a global health concern and is most often carried out on young girls. Apart from practicing origin countries, increased international migration has given rise to FGM/C in countries in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, and compelled domestic legislation to outlaw FGM/C. This prohibition makes FGM/C an area in which …

Implications Of Foodborne Bacteria On Human Health: Isolation And Antibiotic Resistance Of Salmonella Enterica And Campylobater Spp. On Retail Chicken Sold In California, Grace Rahman, Lance Price, Hanna-Grace Rabanes

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which continues to be a growing threat to human health. In the United States, industrial food animal production (IFAP) is a formidable driver for antibiotic use. Prior work has focused on the link between antimicrobial use in poultry and human AMR infections. Common foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) along with Campylobacter coli (C. coli) and Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) are commonly associated with human gastroenteritis. However, it has been shown that these pathogens are capable of causing disease outside of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically urinary tract infections (UTIs). …

Environmental Degradation In Baía De Todos Os Santos, Brazil: A Review Of The Evidence, Amanda Chen, Amanda Northcross, Shanell Folger

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

The communities living in Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS) has been subjected to toxicants released into the environment by the growing petrochemical industry surrounding the area. Community members are concerned about the effects that these chemicals have on the health and wellbeing of the people, as well as the natural environment. Many of the communities are artisanal fishers and rely on the fish and shellfish produced by the bay for a living. Working in collaboration with the Movement of Artisanal Fisher People (MPP), this research aims to summarize previous research conducted in the BTS. The research describes the environmental …

(Video) Differences In Psychosocial And Behavioral Risk Profiles Of Cigarette Smokers And E-Cigarette Users Among Minnesota Adolescents: 2016, Tara E. Jenson

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background/Objectives: Rates of cigarette smoking among adolescents have been trending downward, however rates of adolescent e-cigarette use rates are now twice those of adolescent cigarette smoking nationally. The objective of this study was to examine the association of demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial and health behavioral factors as surveyed by the Minnesota Student Survey with cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among Minnesota adolescents.

Methods: This study analyzed the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), an anonymous, school-based, cross-sectional survey of students in grades five, eight, nine and eleven. The 2016 MSS contains a total of 168,733 records, 118,198 of which were …

An Exploration Of Global Women’S Health: Findings From A Pilot Online Course Elective For Health Sciences Studies At Gw, Marisa Cordon, Maranda Ward, Leslie Davidson

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

In 1995, 189 countries endorsed the Platform for Action, designed to address issues of gender equality, including health. Despite this 23 year old initiative, women’s health issues continue to be a global crisis (WHO, 2015). The SMHS piloted an 8-week online 1-credit course in Fall 2017 to educate GW students on the top ten issues for women’s health delineated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Each of the eight weeks covered a core women’s health WHO issue while tying in a global human rights perspective. Issues included but were not limited to reproductive health, STIs, violence against women, to name …