Performance Of A Sars-Cov-2 Rt-Pcr Assay With Non-Traditional Specimen Types, Subathra Marimuthu, Holly Aliesky, Heather Ness, Daniya Sheikh, Sathya Rashmit, Dawn Balcom, Leslie A. Wolf

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

During the first two years of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens were the gold standard for clinical diagnostic testing. As information about the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the pandemic continued to be shared, it was clear that the virus could be detected in other specimen types during an active infection. The University of Louisville Infectious Diseases Laboratory accepted non-traditional specimen types, most without a paired, positive NP result, for research purposes only to support local epidemiology efforts. A real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay originally validated for NP specimens was used …

What? Now A Respiratory Syncytial Virus Epidemic, Aya Allam, Steven B Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Investigating Stigma During The Early Stages Of A Pandemic Through The Lens Of Covid-19, Zach Thornton, Bethany Hodge, Sheridan Langford

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: Individuals face stigma associated with numerous health conditions. Stigma can arise rapidly during the early spread of a new disease, adding to the burden felt by those affected. COVID-19 can be used as an example to study stigma during the early phases of a pandemic. This narrative review is a descriptive analysis that tracks the ways in which COVID-19 stigma was discussed in the scholarly literature during the first year of the pandemic to understand how stigma was viewed in the context of a rapidly spreading pandemic.

Methods: PubMed was used as a non-exhaustive sample of the literature. Searches …

Psychometric Properties Of The Persian Version Of Consideration Of Future Safety Consequence (Cfsc) Scale, Fazel Rajabi, Hamidreza Mokarami, Payam Farhadi, Sean Banaee, Mehdi Jahangiri

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Personality traits, due to having a relative stability, are important factors for predicting employees’ safety behavior. Consideration of Future Safety Consequence (CFSC) is a personality trait that was recently introduced to predict the safety behaviors. The purpose of this study was to translate and assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the CFSC scale.

Methods: In the first stage of this cross-sectional study, the instrument was prepared by the forward-backward forward translation technique and evaluated by 487 employees of a gas refinery. The validity of the scale was evaluated through face, concurrent, validity, and construct validity. The …

Vertical Transmission Of Sars-Cov-2 In A Twin Pregnancy, Tiffany C. Chang, Rebecca F. Herbert, Stacey N. Tran, Victoria M. Weprinsky, Bhaskari Burra, Chi Dola

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in 2019 and rapidly evolved into the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The emergence of a highly morbid disease has posed ongoing challenges in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COVID-19. The uncertainty underlying medical decision making is further compounded by preexisting conditions, including pregnancy. Here, we report a twin pregnancy complicated by maternal COVID-19 and the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We hope that our experiences contribute to a better understanding of the disease in pregnancy and, ultimately, guide the development of effective treatment and prevention …

Microalbuminuria And Hypertension Among Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Shiryn D. Sukhram, Gustavo Zarini, Lemia H. Shaban, Joan A. Vaccaro, Fatma G. Huffman

Publications and Research

Purpose: This study examined the association of microalbuminuria (MAU), as determined by albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), with hypertension (HTN) among Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in deprived neighborhoods of The Hague, Netherlands.

Methods: A total of 110 participants, physician-diagnosed with T2D, aged 30 years were recruited from multiple sources from The Hague, Netherlands in a cross-sectional design. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using automated office blood pressure equipment. Urine albumin was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. Urine creatinine was determined using the Jaffe method. MAU was defined as ACR 3.5 mg/mmol for females …

The 3p Framework: A Comprehensive Approach To Coping With The Emerging Infectious Disease Crisis, Orsolya Molnár, Eric Hoberg, Valeria Trivellone, Gábor Földvári, Daniel R. Brooks

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest example of the profound socioeconomic impact of the emerging infectious disease (EID) crisis. Current health security measures are based on a failed evolutionary paradigm that presumes EID is rare and cannot be predicted because emergence requires the prior evolution of novel genetic capacities for colonizing a new host. Consequently, crisis response through preparation for previously emerged diseases and palliation following outbreaks have been the only health security options, which have become unsustainably expensive and unsuccessful. The Stockholm paradigm (SP) is an alternative evolutionary framework that suggests host changes are the result of changing conditions …

What? Is Epstein–Barr Virus Infection Linked To Multiple Sclerosis?, Asha Mahajan, Steven B Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Ghanaian Healthcare Research And Reflection (Poster), Alexandra Bladholm

Honors Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Ghanaian Healthcare Research And Reflection (Paper), Alexandra Bladholm

Honors Capstone Projects

Objectives: The primary objectives of this extended literature review were to provide a basic overview of the Ghanaian healthcare system and breakdown some of its complexities, analyze what aspects of the Ghanaian healthcare system are effective with specific focus on accessibility, affordability, increased education, and government involvement, and recognize room for improvement within the Ghanaian healthcare system with specific focus on major disparities, barriers in rural areas, and government involvement.
Background: The healthcare system in Ghana is quite complex as there are many different routes for patients to seek care. This can be done via public health facilities through the …

The Clusters Of Health-Risk Behaviours And Mental Wellbeing And Their Sociodemographic Correlates: A Study Of 15,366 Asean University Students, Apichai Wattanapisit, Hanif Abdul Raman, Josip Car, Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin, Ma. Henrietta Teresa O. De La Cruz, Michael Chia, Michael Rosenberg, Moon-Ho Ringo Ho, Surasak Chaiyasong, Trias Mahmudiono

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background

This study investigated, through cluster analysis, the associations between behavioural characteristics, mental wellbeing, demographic characteristics, and health among university students in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) member universities.

Methods

Data were retrieved from a cross-sectional self-administered online survey among undergraduate students in seven ASEAN countries. A two-step cluster analysis was employed, with cluster labels based on the predominant characteristics identified within the clusters. The ‘healthy’ cluster was assigned as the reference group for comparisons using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

The analytic sample size comprised 15,366 university students. Five clusters …

Do You Know The Pathophysiology Of Cytokine Storm During Covid-19?, Shameera Shaik Masthan, Deekshitha Turaka, Ahmed Abdelhaleem, Mounica Vorla, Steven B. Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Ten Years Of National Essential Public Health Services Programs Implementation: Challenges And Recommendations, Lili You, Xinyue Chen, Linghe Yang, Jinhong Zhao, Yuting Pan, Siqi Zhang, Yuanli Liu

General Practice in China

As an important measure to deepen the reform of the medical and pharmaceutical health system, the national essential public health services programs has been carried out for more than ten years. Therefore, it is of great significance to evaluate the effect and remaining problems of the programs over the decade of implementation period (2009-2019) and to further promote the country's basic public health services. With reference to Donabedian quality theory, this paper summarized and analyzed the key problems existing in China's basic public health services from the aspects of project objectives, project contents, operation mechanisms, implementation processes and effects, and …

Progress And Achievements Of The Implementation Of National Essential Public Health Services Programs Over The Past Decade, Lili You, Jinhong Zhao, Xinyue Chen, Linghe Yang, Meicen Liu, Yuting Pan, Siqi Zhang, Yuanli Liu

General Practice in China

As an important measure to deepen the reform of the medical and pharmaceutical health system, the national essential public health services programs has been carried out for more than ten years. Therefore, it is of great significance to evaluate the effect and remaining problems of the programs over the decade of implementation period (2009-2019) and to further promote the country's basic public health services. With reference to Donabedian quality theory, this paper summarized and analyzed the key problems existing in China's basic public health services from the aspects of project objectives, project contents, operation mechanisms, implementation processes and effects, and …

The Significance And Experience Of Implementing National Essential Public Health Programs, Lili You, Yuanli Liu

General Practice in China

The National Essential Public Health Services Programs (NEPHSP) is a systematic and overall basic public service system arrangement made by the Chinese government at the national level aiming at the main health problems existing in urban and rural residents and targeting at key population key diseases and the whole population. Year of 2019 is the tenth anniversary of the NEPHSP implementation. This article summarized the significance of implementing NEPHSP based on a 10-year evaluation of NEPHSP from four aspects: universal health coverage, Healthy China 2030 strategy, China's deepening health system reform and major institutional innovation. At the same time, several …

The Impact Of The Juntos Conditional Cash Transfer Programme On Foundational Cognitive Skills: Does Age Of Enrollment Matter?, Douglas Scott, Jennifer Lopez, Alan Sánchez, Jere R. Behrman

Population Center Working Papers (PSC/PARC)

This paper studies the relationship between the age of enrolment in Peru’s conditional cash transfer programme, JUNTOS, and the foundational cognitive skills of a sample of children aged between 5 and 12 years old. Using a difference-in-differences approach and exploiting within-household variation, we show that younger siblings in recipient households display significantly higher levels of inhibitory control than their older counterparts (0.11 standard deviations), having benefited from the programme for the first time at a relatively earlier age. In high-income countries, this behavioural trait has been linked to later-life outcomes such as job success, physical health, and even reduced risk …

Global Perspectives For Strengthening Health Education: A Mixed-Methods Study, Mohammad Torabi, Wasantha Jayawardene, Dennis Daniels, Tapati Dutta, Nicola Bragazzi, David K. Lohrmann

Health Behavior Research

This study aimed to identify the knowledge, experiences, and attitudes about current practices of health education (HE) among government-affiliated high-profile health administrators in developed and developing nations. Respondents (N = 21) were purposively selected based on their affiliation as a health administrator at the national level, with roles in high-profile decision-making for devising policies/programs and allocating funding or advocating strategies to advance HE. Information was gathered using a web-based cross-sectional survey in 5 languages, consisting of 14 closed-ended and 8 open-ended questions. A majority were males (70%) and spoke English (57%), 45% had postgraduate degrees, and 57% were from high-income …

Child Health In Darfur, Sudan: Addressing The Effects Of Armed Conflict On Children's Health In Darfur, Judith Natukunda

Master's Projects and Capstones

ABSTRACT

Background: For 19 years, the Darfur region of Sudan has experienced unending civil unrest and war, resulting in more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million displaced persons. The war led to severe food insecurity, clean and safe drinking water shortages, high disease prevalence, destruction of infrastructure, and a broken health care system. Despite the interventions by the global community and various humanitarian agencies, over 2.8 million people are still displaced and living in IDP camps across Darfur. Over 300,000 children are living in neighboring Chad. The armed conflict led to high levels of child malnutrition, a high …

Comparing Outcomes For Community-Acquired Pneumonia Between Females And Males: Results From The University Of Louisville Pneumonia Study, Pavani Nathala, Simrat Sarai, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Mahder A. Tella, Stephen P. Furmanek, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Male sex is currently considered to be a risk factor for worsened community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) outcomes compared to female sex; hence, female sex equates to a lower score on the Pneumonia Severity Index. There is no recent update on sex-based outcomes of patients with CAP. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of CAP between females and males.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the University of Louisville Pneumonia Study database. It was a prospective population-based cohort study of all hospitalized adults with CAP who were residents of Jefferson County in the city of Louisville, …

Community Based Rehabilitation Programs For Resettled Muslim Women Refugees, Lori Maria Walton Phd, Dpt, Mscpt, Mph(S), Renee Hakim, Phd, Pt, Ncs, Veena Raigangar, Phd(C), Mscpt, M.Ed., Jennifer Schwartz, Dpt, Ncs, Sjm Ummul Ambia, Mscpt, Najah Zaaeed, Drph, Lmsw, Bassima Schbley

Journal of Health Ethics

According to the 2021 report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 82.4 million people were forcibly displaced because of violence, wars, or persecution and over 26.4 million are currently living with refugee status. Displacement and resettlement trauma are associated with chronic disease onset and poor cognitive, physical, and mental health outcomes for refugee populations. To mitigate some of the deleterious effects of resettlement trauma, we propose a community-based rehabilitation program (CBRP) framework that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and focused on the vulnerabilities of women. The purpose of this novel CBRP framework is to address health inequities among a …