Common Preventive Measure Research Articles

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward leishmaniasis and one health: a cross-sectional study among medical and veterinary professionals

Leishmaniasis is a significant zoonotic infection with global health implications, particularly in regions where human and animal health are closely interconnected. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 5,074 participants regarding leishmaniasis and the One Health concept. The socio-demographic data revealed that most respondents were young (82.6%), male (82.3%), and from rural areas (50.8%), with a majority based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (57.4%). Veterinary professionals (42.1%) and students (27.4%) constituted the primary respondents, with 32.4% working in government hospitals. Knowledge about leishmaniasis was high, with 97.5% of participants recognizing Leishmania and 86% correctly identifying it as a protozoan disease. The majority (71.8%) believed in the zoonotic transmission of Leishmania from animals to humans. Attitudes toward the One Health concept were positive, with 90.2% of respondents aware of it, and 95.5% acknowledged the zoonotic nature of the disease. Practices for controlling sandfly populations were observed by 56.4% of participants, with bed nets (44.9%) being the most common preventive measure. Results showed that younger participants had significantly better knowledge, attitude, and perception regarding leishmaniasis and One Health compared to older individuals. Veterinarians and government hospital staff demonstrated better KAP toward VL. This study underscores the importance of educational interventions and community-based control measures to enhance understanding and prevention of leishmaniasis, with the One Health approach playing a crucial role.

The spread and prevention of varicella in China

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a common infectious disease in children, is the cause of varicella, a highly contagious illness. The infectious disease is more prevalent in youngsters, although it affects adults, pregnant women, and people with impaired immune systems more severely. The illness frequently manifests as itchy blisters and scabs, and it may start with a low-grade temperature and pain. Understanding the infectious mechanisms that contribute to varicella and the fundamental prevention actions is therefore essential. This essay will study the relationship between Varicella infectivity and temperature in meteorological factors as well as gender and age in personal factors through the way of paper review, and propose that the most common preventive measure is the way of vaccination. Finally, the result of the study is that the infection is indeed related to the change in temperature, and the temperature change in different regions makes the infection situation of Varicella at different temperatures different. In addition, Varicella infection is particularly high in infants and young children with low immunity, and the infection rate is slightly higher in men than in women.

Innovative Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technique: Early Experience of Inverted Spiral Closure Technique.

Simultaneous closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) during cardiac procedures has become a common preventive measure against cardiogenic embolic events associated with atrial fibrillation. However, this strategy encounters limitations during minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through a right minithoracotomy because access to the LAA is limited. The use of endocardial sutures for surgical exclusion of the LAA is also well established but has a notable rate of closure failure. We introduced a new surgical LAA closure technique called the inverted spiral closure technique (ISCT). Between July 2020 and August 2021, 26 patients underwent LAA closure with ISCT concomitant to mitral valve surgery in our hospital. Early postoperative outcomes and any stroke or thromboembolic event during the follow-up were evaluated. Transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to assess LAA patency. The ISCT procedure was performed successfully in all cases. No significant persistent flow between the left atrium and LAA was observed on intraoperative TEE. During a median follow-up of 1.1 years, no patients experienced stroke, myocardial infarction, or death. Postoperative echocardiography showed no significant residual flow within the LAA. One patient was incidentally found to have recanalization between the left atrium and LAA several months after surgery on an enhanced computed tomography scan during coronary evaluation. The ISCT can be performed reliably through the same left atriotomy for mitral valve surgery and is a useful and effective technique for surgical LAA exclusion. There are still not enough patients and modalities for postoperative evaluation.

Dynamical Behaviors of Stochastic SIS Epidemic Model with Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Process

Controlling infectious diseases has become an increasingly complex issue, and vaccination has become a common preventive measure to reduce infection rates. It has been thought that vaccination protects the population. However, there is no fully effective vaccine. This is based on the fact that it has long been assumed that the immune system produces corresponding antibodies after vaccination, but usually does not achieve the level of complete protection for undergoing environmental fluctuations. In this paper, we investigate a stochastic SIS epidemic model with incomplete inoculation, which is perturbed by the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process and Brownian motion. We determine the existence of a unique global solution for the stochastic SIS epidemic model and derive control conditions for the extinction. By constructing two suitable Lyapunov functions and using the ergodicity of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence of stationary distribution, which means the disease will prevail. Furthermore, we obtain the exact expression of the probability density function near the pseudo-equilibrium point of the stochastic model while addressing the four-dimensional Fokker–Planck equation under the same conditions. Finally, we conduct several numerical simulations to validate the theoretical results.

Noninferiority of Silver Diamine Fluoride vs Sealants for Reducing Dental Caries Prevalence and Incidence

Dental caries is the world's most prevalent noncommunicable disease and a source of health inequity; school dental sealant programs are a common preventive measure. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) may provide an alternative therapy to prevent and control caries if shown to be noninferior to sealant treatment. To determine whether school-based application of SDF is noninferior to dental sealants and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in the prevalence of dental caries. The Silver Diamine Fluoride Versus Therapeutic Sealants for the Arrest and Prevention of Dental Caries in Low-Income Minority Children (CariedAway) study was a pragmatic noninferiority cluster-randomized clinical trial conducted from February 2018 to June 2023 to compare silver diamine fluoride vs therapeutic sealants for the arrest and prevention of dental caries. Children at primary schools in New York, New York, with at least 50% of the student population reporting as Black or Hispanic and at least 80% receiving free or reduced lunch were included. This population was selected as they are at the highest risk of caries in New York. Students were randomized to receive either SDF or sealant with ART; those aged 5 to 13 years were included in the analysis. Treatment was provided at every visit based on need, and the number of visits varied by child. Schools with preexisting oral health programs were excluded, as were children who did not speak English. Of 17 741 students assessed for eligibility, 7418 were randomized, and 4100 completed follow-up and were included in the final analysis. Participants were randomized at the school level to receive either a 38% concentration SDF solution or glass ionomer sealants and ART. Each participant also received fluoride varnish. Primary study outcomes were the prevalence and incidence of dental caries. A total of 7418 children (mean [SD] age, 7.58 [1.90] years; 4006 [54.0%] female; 125 [1.7%] Asian, 1246 [16.8%] Black, 3648 [49.2%] Hispanic, 153 [2.1%] White, 114 [1.5%] multiple races or ethnicities, 90 [1.2%] other [unspecified], 2042 [27.5%] unreported) were enrolled and randomized to receive either SDF (n = 3739) or sealants with ART (n = 3679). After initial treatment, 4100 participants (55.0%) completed at least 1 follow-up observation. The overall baseline prevalence of dental caries was approximately 27.2% (95% CI, 25.7-28.6). The odds of decay prevalence decreased longitudinally (odds ratio [OR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.83) and SDF was noninferior compared to sealants and ART (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.80-1.11). The crude incidence of dental caries in children treated with SDF was 10.2 per 1000 tooth-years vs 9.8 per 1000 tooth-years in children treated with sealants and ART (rate ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12). In this school-based pragmatic randomized clinical trial, application of SDF resulted in nearly identical caries incidence compared to dental sealants and ART and was noninferior in the longitudinal prevalence of caries. These findings suggest that SDF may provide an effective alternative for use in school caries prevention. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03442309.

Perubahan Nilai Gizi dan Alergenisitas Produk Olahan Intermediat Surimi dan Otak-Otak Ikan Tenggiri Siap Santap

Fish is one of the nine major food allergens. Avoiding consumption of fish is a common preventive measure to mitigate fish allergies. On the other hand, food processing may potentially alter the allergenicity of fish, and thus, it is important to identify the most effective fish processing methods that can reduce its allergenicity. This research aimed to characterize the nutritional value, intensity of allergens, and allergenicity from the processing of tenggiri fish processing to produce surimi as intermediate food and ready to eat (RTE) otak-otak. The processing steps consisted of washing and adding cryoprotectant during surimi processing, and using deep and air frying methods in RTE otak-otak processing. Changes in the nutritional value and intensity of allergens of fish meat and its processed products were measured using proximate analysis and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, respectively. The alterations in the allergenicity were investigated using immunoblotting and ELISA. The results revealed changes in the nutritional value due to the processing. Surimi production successfully removed a protein band of 10-–13 kDa, which is suspected to be an allergen. Additionally, both deep and air frying methods effectively removed allergenic proteins with molecular weights above 100 kDa. Immunoblotting assay showed the allergen only appeared in fish meat absent in all of the processed products. The allergenicity rates of surimi and otak-otak was reduced by 90.78 and 98.68%, respectively, as compared to the fish meat. In conclusion, the nutritional value of air-fried otak-otak is superior while the allergenicity is lower than the deep-fried ones. Therefore, air frying processing method for tenggiri fish can be potently used to produce hypoallergenic fish products.

COVID-19 Pandemic-Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviours, and Actions among Faculty of Health Sciences Students.

The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about COVID-19 disease and preventive behaviour of undergraduate students of nursing, midwifery, and emergency medicine. Material and Methods: An electronic survey was conducted among students of nursing, midwifery, and emergency medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 8 April 2021 to 6 June 2021 in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Results: A total of 37 men and 238 women participated in the study. A moderate level of knowledge was found in 88% and high in 11% of students Midwifery students had a higher level than nursing students (p = 0.002) and students of emergency medicine (p = 0.003). The female gender is much more afraid of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection (p = 0.021). The most common preventive measure was to avoid people who coughed or had a cold (93%). Only 84% of students were vaccinated. Students who had a high level of knowledge more often avoided people who coughed or had a cold (p = 0.03) and gave up on meeting with friends (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Constant education of students on the principles of dealing with the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is necessary. It is important to continually motivate students to adhere to the principles of prevention. In the face of the existing epidemiological threat, there is a need to change the curricula for the fields of health sciences by adding the subject infectious diseases—clinic and nursing, with special attention to practical aspects.

Oral Care in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Noninvasive Ventilation: An Evidence-Based Review.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia commonly develops after 48 hours of hospitalization and can be divided into non-ventilator-acquired and ventilator-acquired pneumonia. Prevention of non-ventilator-acquired pneumonia requires a multimodal approach. Implementation of oral care bundles can reduce the incidence of ventilator-acquired pneumonia, but the literature on oral care in other populations is limited. Use of noninvasive ventilation is increasing owing to positive outcomes. The incidence of non-ventilator-acquired pneumonia is higher in patients receiving noninvasive ventilation than in the general hospitalized population but remains lower than that of ventilator-acquired pneumonia. Non-ventilator-acquired pneumonia increases mortality risk and hospital length of stay. To familiarize nurses with the evidence regarding oral care in critically ill patients requiring noninvasive ventilation. No standard of oral care exists for patients requiring noninvasive ventilation owing to variation in study findings, definitions, and methods. Oral care decreases the risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia and improves comfort. Nurses perform oral care less often for nonintubated patients, as it is perceived as primarily a comfort measure. The potential risks of oral care for patients receiving noninvasive ventilation have not been explored. Further research is warranted before this practice can be fully implemented. Oral care is a common preventive measure for non-ventilator-acquired pneumonia and may improve comfort. Adherence to oral care is lower for patients not receiving mechanical ventilation. Further research is needed to identify a standard of care for oral hygiene for patients receiving noninvasive ventilation and assess the risk of adverse events.

Features of free skin grafting to correct post-burn neck deformities in children

BACKGROUND: In the literature, various methods of reconstructive plastic surgery for neck cicatricial contractures, from free skin grafting to expander dermotension and microsurgical tissue complex autotransplantation, are widely covered. However, very little attention has been paid to conservative measures aimed at stabilizing surgical treatment results.
 AIM: This study aims to evaluate the long-term results of free skin grafting of neck granulating wounds after burns and secondary relapsing scar contracture correction. The study also aims to analyze the causes of poor results and demonstrate the possibility of using free skin grafting to correct neck contractures with basic preventive measures.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with neck burn cicatricial sequelae were treated at the clinic of trauma sequelae in H. Turner National Medical Research Center from 2017 to 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 patients with neck contractures after plasty of granulating wounds with free skin autografts, and group 2 patients with a relapse of neck contracture after corrective reconstructive surgery.
 Anamnestic data analysis enabled establishing the actual volume of preventive rehabilitation measures in both patient groups. The classification by N.E. Povstyany (1973) was used to determine the severity of contracture.
 RESULTS: The most severe neck contractures, grade III and IV, developed in group 1 patients (grade III 41.2%). In group 2 patients, there was a limitation of neck extension, corresponding to grades I (33.3%) and II (58.3%).
 Conservative preventive measures as immobilization and compression therapy were absent in group 1 in 100% of cases. The most common preventive measure was the prescription of topical anti-scar drugs.
 Two-stage skin grafting with full-thickness skin autografts combined with conservative measures made it possible to correct neck contractures of grade I-IV completely and obtain good aesthetic results.
 CONCLUSION: The main reason for neck contractures development is the retraction of skin autografts, which inevitably develops in the absence of appropriate preventive measures.
 Correction of neck contractures using free skin grafting combined with preventive immobilization using a Schantz collar and a compression half-mask allows obtaining good functional and aesthetic results.

Use of Insecticides in Agriculture and the Prevention of Vector-Borne Diseases: Population Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Beliefs in Elibou, South Côte d'Ivoire.

People’s knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs (KAPB) pertaining to malaria are generally well described. However, little is known about population knowledge and awareness of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate KAPB related to insecticide resistance in malaria vectors due to the use of insecticides in agriculture and the prevention against mosquitoes. In mid-2017, we carried out a cross-sectional survey in Elibou, South Côte d’Ivoire, employing a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were obtained with a questionnaire addressed to household heads. Interviews were conducted with key opinion leaders, including village chiefs, traditional healers, heads of health centres and pesticide sellers. Focus group discussions were conducted with youth and elders. A total of 203 individuals participated in the questionnaire survey (132 males, 65%). We found that people had good knowledge about malaria and mosquitoes transmitting the disease, while they felt that preventing measures were ineffective. Pesticides were intensively used by farmers, mainly during the rainy season. Among the pesticides used, insecticides and herbicides were most commonly used. While there was poor knowledge about resistance, the interviewees stated that insecticides were not killing the mosquitoes anymore. The main reason given was that insecticides were diluted by the manufacturers as a marketing strategy to sell larger quantities. More than a third of the farmers used agricultural pesticides for domestic purposes to kill weeds or mosquitoes. We observed a misuse of pesticides among farmers, explained by the lack of specific training. In the community, long-lasting insecticidal nets were the most common preventive measure against malaria, followed by mosquito coils and insecticide sprays. The interviewees felt that the most effective way of dealing with insecticide resistance was to combine at least two preventive measures. In conclusion, population attitudes and practices related to insecticides used in agriculture and the prevention against mosquitoes could lead to resistance in malaria vectors, while people’s knowledge about insecticide resistance was limited. There is a need to raise awareness in communities about the presence of resistance in malaria vectors and to involve them in resistance management.

Patient safety in a Resource-constrained Context: A cross-sectional study of experience, drivers, barriers and preventive measures for safety incidents and accidents amongst medical doctors in South-east Nigeria.

Globally, safety of patients in healthcare environment has been an issue of the decade, especially in resource-constrained settings. The Hippocratic maxim primum non nocere requires medical practitioners to give utmost importance to the principle of beneficence and safety in attending to patients. It is a current paradigm in quality of care metrics that determines what happens to patients who interface with the healthcare system. The study was aimed at describing the experience, drivers, barriers and preventive measures for patient safety incidents and accidents in a cross-section of medical practitioners in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 185 physicians in Southeast Nigeria. Data collection was done using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire that elicited information on experience, drivers, barriers and preventive measures for patient safety incidents. The mean age ± standard deviation of the respondents was 36 ± 5.6 years, with a range of 25-72 years. There were 163 (88.1%) males and 22 (11.9%) females. Lifetime and previous 1-year committal of patient safety incidents were 100% (185/185) and 61.0% (113/185), respectively, with the most committed safety incident being medication errors. The most common driver of patient safety incidents was physician stress and burnout (100%) (185/185), whereas the most common barrier was communication (100%) (185/185). The most common preventive measure was patient safety incident reporting system (100%) (185/185). One-year committal of patient safety incidents was associated with duration of practice <10 years (P = 0.00001) and sex (P = 0.011). Patient safety incidents occurred amongst the study participants, with the most committed safety incident being medication errors. The most common driver was physician stress and burnout. The most common barrier was communication and feedback barrier, whereas the most common preventive measure was patient safety incident reporting system. Patient safety information, education and training should be the target for continuing professional development in order to safeguard the health of the patients in healthcare environment.

Effect of pen design on tail biting and tail-directed behaviour of finishing pigs with intact tails

Tail biting is a welfare and economical concern in modern pig production. One common preventive measure used throughout the world is tail docking, which is generally considered one of the most effective methods for limiting tail biting. However, tail docking is a painful mutilation and systematic tail docking is not allowed in the EU. Therefore, the aim was to compare pig behaviour and the prevalence of tail biting in finishing pigs with intact tails housed in two different pen designs under Danish commercial conditions. PEN1 was a traditional Danish pen and PEN2 was inspired by Swedish finisher pen design and had a larger proportion of solid floor area (PEN1: 1/3 and PEN2: 2/3), reduced group size (PEN1: 15 and PEN2: 12), increased space allowance per head (PEN1: 0.7 m2 and PEN2: 0.89 m2) and straw allocated on the floor (PEN2) whereas straw was provided in a straw rack in PEN1. Tail damage observations were carried out daily by the stockperson and every 2 weeks one trained research technician assessed tail damages according to a tail scoring system. Tail lesions were observed in 51% of PEN1 and in 11% of PEN2 (P < 0.001). PEN1 had higher prevalence of tail damages than PEN2 (23% v. 5%, P < 0.001). Behavioural observations were carried out by the use of video recordings. Pigs in PEN2 tended to spend more time on tail-directed behaviour than pigs in PEN1 (P = 0.07), whereas pigs in PEN1 tended to spend more time on ear-directed behaviour (P = 0.08). Pigs in PEN2 spent more time on straw-directed behaviour compared to pigs in PEN1 (P < 0.001). Pen design did not affect time spent on other penmate-directed behaviour. In addition, the level of welfare between the two pen designs was compared using the Welfare Quality® protocol. PEN2 received an overall score of ‘excellent’ while PEN1 scored ‘enhanced’. PEN2 scored higher on all principles besides ‘good health’, where PEN1 scored better on lameness and wounds. The main measurements accounting for the differences were water supply, huddling, tail biting, social behaviour and fear of humans. In conclusion, the combination of increased space allowance, increased area of solid flooring, straw allocated onto the floor and reduced group size (PEN2) resulted in fewer tail damaged pigs and a better overall welfare assessment, despite a tendency for more tail-directed behaviour.

Clinical use of low-dose aspirin for elders and sensitive subjects.

The use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) has been a common preventive measure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. This is attributed to aspirin’s ability to inhibit platelet activation. On the other hand, the use of LDA in human subjects has been associated with the development of gastrointestinal injuries like ulcer and bleeding, especially for those sensitive subjects such as elder human subjects. This opinion review will summarize the recent clinical reports regarding the use of LDA and the development of gastrointestinal conditions in China. Based on these reports, it seems that the use of LDA is commonly associated with gastrointestinal injuries, and stopping its use leads to recovery in elderly subjects. Therefore, we would like to suggest that gastroduodenal health and conditions should be seriously taken into consideration when LDA is recommended to the elderly, or other alternative means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as nutritional interventions should be suggested.

Prevalence of computer vision syndrome among computer users of Kolar district

Prevalence of computer vision syndrome among computer users of Kolar district - IJCEO- Print ISSN No: - 2395-1443 Online ISSN No:- 2395-1451 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.ijceo.2019.078, Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology-Indian J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

People's perception and cost-effectiveness of home confinement during an influenza pandemic: evidence from the French case.

In France, home confinement is not a common preventive measure against an influenza pandemic, although it is used around the world. Based on a stated method approach, we analyze the attitude that the French would adopt if this measure were put in place. Next, we propose a cost–benefit analysis to discuss the cost-effectiveness of this measure. We find that over three-quarters of respondents report complying with home confinement. Their choice depends on their individual characteristics, the interaction they may have with an infected person and home confinement conditions, but not their experience with preventive measures. We find that behaviors such as sensitivity to certainty, selfishness and altruism emerge. As far as cost-effectiveness is concerned, our study shows that home confinement is a prevention path that should not be neglected and should even be prescribed.

Rastreamento oportunístico do câncer de mama entre mulheres jovens no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil

Although breast cancer is infrequent in women under 40 years of age, it deserves attention, since diagnosis requires a high rate of clinical suspicion. Thus, preventive practices should be emphasized in childbearing-age women, with opportunistic screening as a relevant strategy. This study focused on breast cancer prevention practices adopted by young women in Maranhão State, Brazil. This was a population-based descriptive study conducted from June 2007 to January 2008. The majority of the women had low income (42.1%) and fewer than eight years of schooling (62.6%). Some 30% reported breast self-examination. Among women older than 35, 71.6% had never had a mammogram. The most common preventive measure was clinical examination (35.2%), which had increased by 11.5% in the previous ten years. Such information on opportunistic breast cancer screening in Maranhão should help produce specific public health policies for the State.

Migraine prophylaxis in adult patients.

Migraine headaches can be debilitating if patients cannot control or minimize the symptoms, and they can substantially impair the quality of life. However, migraines can often be successfully controlled by the avoidance of triggers, lifestyle changes, and abortive treatment. In patients in whom these measures prove insufficient or unsatisfactory, prophylactic measures to prevent migraines may be needed.1 A common preventive measure is the use of prophylactic drugs, which will be the focus of this article. I will briefly mention nonpharmacologic or alternative measures.