Epidemiological Survey Research Research Articles

A survey of the current status of research on the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C virus antibody-positive pregnant women

Objective: To analyze the screening, diagnosis, epidemiology, pregnancy outcomes and treatment status in hepatitis C virus antibody-positive pregnant women, in order to provide clinical evidence for further improving prevention and control of maternal and infant safety. Methods: Data of 246 HCV antibody-positive pregnant women admitted to the Second Hospital of Nanjing from January 2014 to December 2019 were analyzed by epidemiological survey research method. Statistical analysis was performed according to different data using t-test, χ2 test, corrected χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results: 80 of 246 HCV antibody-positive women had confirmed infection before pregnancy. Of these, 85% were HCV RNA positive, and 16 became pregnant after antiviral therapy. Prenatal examination during pregnancy found that 166 cases were HCV RNA positive, and the HCV RNA positive rate was 81.93%. In the relationship between infection route and birth cohort in HCV antibody-positive pregnant women, there was a statistically significant differences in the proportions of transmission route among birth cohort (χ2=115.6, P＜0.001). With the delay of birth cohort, the proportion of infection through drug use was decreased (P＜0.001), while the proportion of acupuncture-associated infection (P=0.043) and infant hospitalization history were increased (P=0.005). Among pregnancy complications, HCV antibody-positive pregnant women in HCV RNA＜5.0 E+02 IU/ml and ≥5.0 E+02 IU/ml groups had intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (χ2=4.73, P=0.030) and gestational hypertension (χ2=8.65, P=0.003), and the difference in incidence was statistically significant. Postpartum treatment strategy data analysis showed that the treatment rate was highest in the first year of postpartum, and then showed an upward trend year by year, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=17.26,P =0.004). Conclusion: Anti-HCV screening rates are lower among pregnant and reproductive age women. HCV screening should be used as an important supplementary means to strengthen maternal safety and health education management during pregnancy. Active postpartum antiviral therapy, with particularly emphasis on management within the first year after delivery, can significantly improve the treatment rate among women of child bearing age.

Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium and Its Intermediate Hosts in Makurdi Metropolis

Introduction: Urinary Schistosomiasis (US) is a chronic water-borne infection caused by digenetic trematode belonging to the genus schistosoma, it is generally caused by Schistosoma haematobium. Bulinus globosus is a species of a tropical freshwater snail that acts as an intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium. Aim: The study was aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection and to describe its intermediate hosts among school children in Makurdi.
 Methodology: Snails were collected by hand picking and scooping net methods. An epidemiological survey research on urinary Schistosomiasis was undertaken from September to November 2017 among students that volunteered in the selected schools within Makurdi metropolis. A total of 97 freshwater snails were collected and 200 urine samples involving pupils aged between 5 to 18 years were collected and analyzed for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium by microscopy using Urine Syringe Filtration Technique (USFT). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20. Chi-square test was used to determine the significant difference between variables.
 Results: Out of the 97 species of freshwater snails that were caught 41(42.3%) was Bulinus spp. Of the 200 urine samples analyzed, 49(24.5%) were found to be infected with ova of S. haematobium. The infection was higher among males 30(25.6%) than females 19(22.9%) although the difference was not statistically significant (χ2CAL=0.19, χ2TAB=3.84). The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school children in relation to age showed that ages 15-19 years had the highest prevalence 13(38.2%) and ages 5-9 had the lowest prevalence 3(8.5%). The statistical analysis also revealed that there is no significant difference (8.302) in Schistosoma haematobium infection among the four schools in the study area. The presence of many snail species especially the Bulinus spp and increased contact time with the Schistosoma haematobium infested freshwater habitat was thought to be responsible for the prevalence of the disease in the area. Finding of this study shows that urinary Schistosomiasis was found to have a low prevalence in the area studied and there is the need to intensified integrated control measures to reduce or completely eradicate the disease.

Development of a Short Self-Report Disability Questionnaire for Health Conditions.

For use in mental epidemiological survey research, a short self-report questionnaire measuring current disability is needed to assess the severity of health symptoms of respondents. A questionnaire, measuring current disability at the somatic, mental, and social domains in the environments of work, family (social) life, and leisure time was made along guidelines issued at the 54th World Health Assembly regarding the acceptance of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. This article presents the reliability and validity of the Self-Report Disability Questionnaire (SRDQ). A short self-report questionnaire was designed and completed by an adult population sample of a Dutch health region, participating in a mental health survey. The SRDQ measures current disability independent from disorder entity. The data show good reliability. Study outcomes confirm the validity of the SRDQ. Positive correlations were found between the score on the SRDQ and amount of medical and mental health consumption, as well as evidence for divergent validity. Positive correlations emerged with the number of symptoms on various mental health measures and psychiatric comorbidity. Nonretired respondents dependent on social services, elderly respondents, and low-educated respondents are populations commonly at risk, scoring higher on the SRDQ than other populations. The SRDQ is usable both as a disability screener and as an effect instrument for treatments and community interventions because its reliability and validity are found to be good. The combined use of the SRDQ with specific symptom screeners downsizes the proportion of persons who actually need help.

Aboriginal worldviews and epidemiological survey methodology: Overcoming incongruence

Tension remains between Western and Aboriginal (Indigenous) approaches to knowledge, in part due to Western science's historically positivist tradition. Epidemiological survey methodology emphasizes the concepts of validity and reliability in empirical measurement, which are rooted in positivism; accordingly, some have suggested that epidemiological survey research is incongruent with Aboriginal ontologies and epistemologies. Following an examination of this apparent incongruence and a discussion of its implications for Aboriginal health research, this paper will argue that the apparent incongruence need not signify incompatibility or inutility; rather, it marks the need for reframing of the research approach. Many Aboriginal scholars have argued that Aboriginal research must be research that ultimately brings benefit to Aboriginal communities. Methodologically-sound epidemiological survey research that is reframed to employ principles of cultural safety and social justice, and that is conducted in partnership with the community, can contribute meaningfully to promoting Aboriginal population health and healing.

Reliability and validity of K10 and K6 in screening depressive symptoms in Hong Kong adolescents

The current study examined the reliability and validity of Kessler 10 (K10) and Kessler 6 (K6) in screening adolescents at risk of suffering from depression. In total, 2325 Hong Kong secondary school students aged between 12 and 19 years completed a questionnaire consisting of Chinese-language versions of K10 (which includes K6) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Confirmatory factor analyses results supported that both K10 and K6 were unidimensional and had high internal consistency when used with Hong Kong adolescents. When BDI II was used as the gold standard, the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) supported that both K10 and K6 have good validity, using optimal cutoffs of 27 for K10 and 17 for K6. The results in this Hong Kong sample suggest that both K10 and K6 are reliable and valid tools to screen for adolescents’ depressive mood in epidemiological survey research.

Understanding British youth behaviors on holiday in Ibiza

PurposeThe behavior of British youth abroad has caused considerable concern over recent years. This is because many British youth engage in binge drinking, drug use, sex behavior and other risk behaviors – especially in the Balearics, Spain. While research has documented levels of alcohol use, drug use, risk and sex behaviors on these islands, it tends to rely on survey data. This article aims to offer some contextualization to the British youth holiday experience and to examine why such behaviors might take place.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses ethnographic methods (observation, open‐ended focus groups) with British youth in San Antonio, Ibiza. Over the course of one week in July 2010, 17 focus groups were undertaken (n=97 aged between 17 and 31). Observations were conducted in bars, clubs, beaches, and general tourist areas.FindingsThe data suggest that young people engage in these behaviors not only to escape the constraints of work and family but also because they are exciting. The data also indicate that these behaviors appeared to help British youth construct life biographies which were integral to their identity construction. The findings are also considered within the social context of Ibiza which also played a role in promoting these behaviors.Originality/valueNo ethnographic research exists on the topic of British youth and their behaviors abroad. Previous research is mostly epidemiological survey research which does not adequately consider the social meaning and context for the behavior of British youth abroad.

Policy and practice implications of epidemiological surveys on co-occurring mental and substance use disorders

This article describes factors that influence national policy and practice, with particular focus on the implications of epidemiological survey research. Examples of areas of concern to policymakers include treatment-seeking patterns, access to care at points of service in public health and social service systems, evidence-based practices, workforce development, and the complexities of reimbursement. In responding to data on systemic barriers to care, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has sought to promote a no wrong door strategy to address the needs of persons with co-occurring disorders (CODs) involving their mental health and substance use. Examples of SAMHSA programs and policies addressing CODs discussed in this article include targeted partnerships with the states, mechanisms to enhance system infrastructure, technical assistance, and initiatives with special populations.