Limited Outdoor Activities Research Articles

Juvenile Myopia: The Silent Vision Understanding, Preventing, and Managing Childhood Myopia

Juvenile myopia, a significant visual impairment characterized by blurred distance vision, is increasingly prevalent among Indian children. This review explores the multifactorial etiology of myopia, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and lifestyle factors such as prolonged near work and limited outdoor activities. The pathophysiology involves abnormal eye elongation driven by genetic and environmental factors, leading to refractive errors. Clinical manifestations include blurry distance vision, squinting, eye strain, and headaches, impacting academic performance and quality of life. Emphasis on early detection, parental awareness, and adherence to treatment protocols is crucial in controlling myopia progression and preventing long-term complications such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma. This review underscores the need for comprehensive public health strategies to address the growing burden of juvenile myopia in India. Juvenile myopia is rapidly becoming a significant public health concern in India, with increasing prevalence driven by lifestyle changes, urbanization, and academic pressures. This systematic review aims to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for childhood myopia, with a focus on understanding the silent nature of this condition, identifying early prevention strategies, and outlining management techniques to curb its progression.

The impact of COVID-19 on hay fever treatment in Japan: A retrospective cohort study based on the Japanese claims database.

Hay fever (HF) presents with various symptoms, including allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis, and requires cross-organ treatment. This study assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on HF treatment trends. This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the JMDC database collected between January 2018 and May 2021. Patients with HF were identified based on the relevant International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision diagnosis codes and the prescription of HF-related medications. The treatment approaches were compared during the cedar and cypress pollen allergy season (January to May in Japan) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2018 and 2019, and 2020 and 2021, respectively). This study included 2,598,178 patients with HF. The numbers of prescribed HF-related claims in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 were 3,332,854, 3,534,198, 2,774,380, and 2,786,681 times, respectively. Oral second-generation antihistamine prescriptions decreased by >10% from 2019 to 2020, with a <10% change in the subsequent year. Anti-allergic eye drop prescriptions also decreased by >10% from 2019 to 2020 but increased by >10% from 2020 to 2021. Compared with 2018, 2019, and 2020, the number of claims in the rhinitis symptoms dominant group was significantly decreased in 2021 (p<0.001, all). In contrast, the number of claims in the eye symptoms dominant group and the rhinitis and eye symptoms dominant group increased in 2021 compared with that in 2018, 2019, and 2020 (p<0.001, all). Changes in HF treatment and related outcomes could be attributed to lifestyle modifications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures, such as limiting outdoor activities and adopting mask-wearing practices may have influenced HF symptoms, preventive behaviors, and the overall approach to treating HF.

A comprehensive review of binocular vision in myopia control

Myopia is a growing problem worldwide and is particularly common among young people. Myopia is a disease that affects the retina responsible for detail in the middle eye and can lead to permanent vision loss. Myopia, a prevalent refractive error causing distant objects to appear blurred, is increasingly affecting global populations, particularly children. By 2050, it's projected that half the world's population will be myopic, largely due to genetic predispositions and environmental factors like excessive near work and limited outdoor activities. A promising approach to managing myopia is binocular vision training, which involves using both eyes to create a single, clear image, potentially slowing myopia progression. Understanding the benefits of this method is critical as we move forward, especially considering the surge in myopia cases during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased digital device use. Research underscores the importance of addressing lifestyle and promoting outdoor activities and mitigating the impact of near work can help manage myopia progression and associated binocular vision disorders. Binocular vision training shows promise for myopia control by enhancing eye coordination, potentially slowing progression. Key factors include accommodation, AC/A ratios, and phoria, which are essential for effective diagnostics and therapy. Recent research emphasizes a holistic assessment of these elements for precise management of myopia and related binocular vision disorders in children. Understanding the mechanisms and innovative approaches of binocular vision in controlling myopia, highlighting the significance of continuous research and patient education in improving eye health.

Myopia Prevalence in Latin American Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although myopia is a growing global concern, comprehensive studies on its prevalence among Latin American (LATAM) children and adolescents are still lacking. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of myopia in LATAM children and adolescents aged three to 20. The study conducted a thorough literature search from January 1, 1975, to February 28, 2023, identifying 24 studies on the prevalence of myopia in LATAM that met the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment and standardized data collection were performed. The meta-analysis used a random-effects model due to heterogeneity and calculated prevalence rates. Finally, the analysis of data from 24 eligible studies revealed a myopia prevalence of 8.61% (range 0.80-47.36%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.22-13.87%, p < 0.05) among 165,721 LATAM children and adolescents. No significant age-based associations or temporal trends were observed in this study. Studies with non-cycloplegic or objective assessment exhibited a numerically higher, although statistically non-significant, myopia prevalence (10.62%, 95% CI: 4.9-21.6%) compared to studies using cycloplegia (7.17%, 95% CI: 3.40-14.50%). In conclusion, myopia affects approximately one in 11 LATAM children and adolescents. Given the increasing exposure of LATAM youth to known myopia risk factors, such as extensive near-work, online learning, and limited outdoor activities, it is crucial to monitor myopia trends in this region. Further research is imperative to address and prevent myopia in LATAM.

Where does Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) really breed in a Mediterranean residential area? Results from a field study in Valencia, Eastern Spain.

Since its introduction in Spain in 2004, Aedes albopictus has rapidly spread across the country. Its aggressive biting behaviour causes nuisance, limiting outdoor activities. Also, its role as a vector of several arboviruses implies a major public health risk, with several cases of autochthonous dengue having been reported nationwide over the past few years. Control strategies usually focus on interventions in breeding sites. As such, accurate knowledge of the main larval habitats becomes a major priority in infested areas. A detailed identification of breeding sites of Ae. albopictus was carried out in the outdoors of 60 residential properties during July-August 2022 in El Vedat de Torrent (Valencia, Eastern Spain), an area recently colonised by this species. A total of 1444 real and potential breeding sites were examined. The most abundant potential larval habitat were plant pot plates (6.48 units/house), although a low infestation level was found, both for larvae (2.06% positivity, x̄ = 30.5 larvae/container), and pupae (0.51%, x̄ = 2.5 pupae/container). A total of 7715 larvae and 205 pupae were found in a disused flooded water pool depuration system. Animal drinkers, buckets and irrigation water containers were found to be the most common positive containers. No statistical difference was observed among the different container materials. A general statistical increase of 1 larva per 11.7 ml of water in breeding sites was detected. Breeding sites of other species such as Culex pipiens (n = 2) and Culex modestus (n = 1) were also rarely found in this residential area. To our knowledge, this is the first aedic index study carried out in Europe, and it provides valuable information about the main domestic breeding habitats of Ae. albopictus, which can greatly improve control programmes.

Life and disease status of patients with Parkinson’s disease during and after zero-COVID in China: an online survey

BackgroundLittle is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at different stages of the pandemic. This study aims to assess the lives and disease status of PD patients during the zero-COVID policy period and after ending the zero-COVID policy.MethodsThis multicenter cross-sectional study included two online surveys among PD patients in China, from May 30 to June 30 in 2022 and from January 1 to February 28 in 2023, respectively. The survey questionnaires contained four sections: (1) status of COVID-19 infection; (2) impact on motor and non-motor symptoms; (3) impact on daily and social lives; and (4) impact on PD disease management.ResultsA total of 1764 PD patients participated in the first online survey, with 200 patients having lockdown experience and 3 being COVID-19-positive (0.17%). In addition, 537 patients participated in the second online survey, with 467 patients having COVID-19 infection (86.96%). (1) During zero-COVID, all of the COVID-19-positive patients had mild symptoms of COVID-19 and no death was reported. After zero-COVID, 83.51% of the COVID-19-positive patients had mild symptoms. The overall death rate and inpatient mortality rate of COVID-19-positive PD patients were 3.21% and 30.00%, respectively. (2) During zero-COVID, 49.43% of PD patients reported worsening of PD-related symptoms (lockdown vs. unlockdown, 60.50% vs. 48.02%, P = 0.0009). After zero-COVID, 54.93% of PD patients reported worsening of PD-related symptoms (COVID-19 positive vs. COVID-19 negative, 59.31% vs. 25.71%, P < 0.0001). (3) During zero-COVID, 62.36% of patients felt worried, and ‘limited outdoor activities’ (55.39%) was the top reason for mental health problems. After zero-COVID, 59.03% of patients felt worried, with ‘poor health’ (58.10%) being the top reason. The PD patients tended to change their daily activities from offline to online, and their economic and caregiver burdens increased both during and after zero-COVID. (4) Most PD patients would like to choose online rehabilitation during (69.56%) and after zero-COVID (69.27%). The demand for online medication purchasing also increased during (47.00%) and after zero-COVID (26.63%).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD patients either during or after the zero-COVID policy period. The PD patients also experienced prominent mental health problems, changes in daily activities, and increases in economic and caregiver burdens. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed ways of PD management with increasing demands for online medication purchasing and rehabilitation.

Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality Open-Air Bath Program in Reducing Loneliness and Improving Brain Function for Dementia Prevention in Older Adults: Protocol for a Prospective Randomized Crossover Study.

Older adults often face loneliness due to chronic illness or loss of close ones, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased loneliness heightens the risk of diseases, especially dementia, necessitating urgent action. This study aims to assess the impact of a virtual reality (VR)-based open-air bath program on depression and loneliness in older individuals with subjective cognitive decline/mild cognitive impairment attending the Dementia Medical Center in Kyoto, Japan. We further aim to evaluate the feasibility of the program (participant recruitment and adherence) and to measure program enjoyment and satisfaction. The study design is a crossover trial with a 1:1 ratio, wherein 12 participants will be randomly assigned to groups 1 and 2, with group 2 serving as a waitlist control and group 1 receiving the VR program from the onset for 6 months; the VR program will be conducted 6 times (monthly). Program completion for group 1 will be followed by an observation period from months 7 to 12. Group 2 will participate in the VR program from months 7 to 12, with an observation period from months 1 to 6. Cognitive tests, psychiatric assessments, and the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale will be conducted before the study, at 6 months, and at 12 months. Results will be analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Head magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography scans will be performed before and after the VR program to evaluate changes and effects on brain regions. Recruitment began in September 2023 and data collection is expected to be completed by March 2025. Complete study results will be published by September 2025. This study examines the preliminary effects of VR on loneliness in older adults with predementia through open-air bath simulations. VR experiences could benefit this population, particularly those with limited outdoor activities. Quantifying VR's impact will aid in determining the size for a larger clinical trial. Qualitative results will inform participation mechanisms and guide the implementation and design of future trials. University hospital Medical Information Network UMIN000052667; https://tinyurl.com/3yaccay5. DERR1-10.2196/57101.

Evaluation of the applicability of hospital-affiliated green spaces to patient recovery using the entropy weight method and grey relational analysis.

Hospital affiliated green spaces can help patients recover and recover their physical functions, promote physical and mental relaxation, enhance health awareness, and improve overall health. However, there are still significant questions about how to scientifically construct hospital affiliated green spaces. This study examines the impact of hospital green spaces on patient rehabilitation through scientific evaluation methods, providing reference for the scientific construction of hospital affiliated green spaces. Applicability evaluation was conducted on the affiliated green spaces of three hospitals in Harbin. An evaluation system covering plants, space, accessibility, rehabilitation functions, and promotional and educational functions has been constructed. The entropy weight method is used to determine the weight of indicators, and the grey correlation analysis method is used to evaluate the suitability of green space for patient rehabilitation. The experimental results showed that the landscape accessibility index had the highest weight (0.3005) and the plant index had the lowest weight (0.1628), indicating that caring for special needs is the foundation of hospital landscapes, and plants have subtle and long-term effects on physical and mental health. In the evaluation of the rehabilitation applicability of the affiliated green spaces of various hospitals, the second hospital has the highest grey correlation degree (0.8525), followed by the tumor hospital (0.5306) and the fifth hospital (0.4846). It can be seen that the green space of the second hospital has high applicability for patient rehabilitation, but the green space of the tumor hospital and the fifth hospital needs to be improved and developed. The evaluation criteria used in this study are comprehensive. The landscaping at the Third Hospital is well-planned with good plant configuration and reasonable spatial layout. However, there is insufficient consideration for accessibility in the landscape design, and the details are lacking. The rehabilitation and educational functions of the landscape are inadequate, with limited outdoor activities and low road safety. The hospital's affiliated green spaces should adhere to the principle of "appropriate scale, comprehensive functionality, and educational leisure," integrating rehabilitation and educational functions while increasing the variety of outdoor activities. In the future, emphasis should be placed on exploring the integration of landscape and rehabilitation to provide a functional site that is convenient for visiting, with improved rehabilitation facilities and an educational and enjoyable environment. The design should incorporate elements that contribute to a sense of well-being, including roads and.

Pre-service Teachers’ Reflections on Prior Experiences of Learning Social Studies

Reflection on prior learning experience is important for the professional development of pre-service teachers. Yet, little attention has been paid to how prior learning experiences influence pre-service teachers’ instructional practices. The purpose of this study was to examine pre-service teachers’ prior learning experiences of social studies and how they influence their instructional practices. This study involved a sample of 108 pre-service teachers in one teacher education institution in Oman. Qualitative data were gathered through online open-ended surveys and unstructured interviews. The findings indicated that pre-service teachers had been subject to a wide range of positive and negative experiences relating to their teachers, teaching and learning, and the subject. Given some issues in participants’ statements on memorization, overloaded content, and limited outdoor activities, it appeared that textbook-centered instruction dominated social studies classrooms. The findings from the interviews revealed that prior learning experiences influenced pre-service teachers’ instructional practices in three ways, encouraging them to: implement student-centered approaches, care about student engagement, and develop student interest in the subject. The study showed evidence that although participants associated their teachers with both positive and negative learning experiences, the teacher played a key role in shaping their prior learning experience and instructional practices.

Unveiling the Path to Resilience: Prioritizing Mental Health, Sleep, and Nutrition in the Post-COVID Era.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life, impacting relationships, work, and education. This has led to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, along with altered sleep patterns and eating behaviors. Quarantine and isolation have worsened mental health, especially in children and the elderly, due to the loss of activities and physical contact. Sleep disorders and negative dreams perpetuate poor sleep quality, increasing the risk of health issues. Sedentary lifestyles and emotional effects contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and obesity, exacerbated by disrupted routines and limited outdoor activities. Addressing these challenges requires prioritizing mental health, promoting healthy sleep habits, and addressing obesity factors. The pandemic has profoundly affected human well-being, but resilience, mental health, sleep, and nutrition can enhance overall well-being and adaptability in the post-COVID era. This comprehensive opinion aims to raise awareness of the wide-ranging impacts of this pandemic on various aspects of human well-being and to emphasize the importance of implementing strategies that prioritize mental health, improve sleep habits, address eating behaviors, and foster resilience to navigate and thrive in the face of future challenges.

Objective and perceived acoustic environments during the COVID-19 lockdown: An overview of evidence

The COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on population health directly, but also triggered profound changes to social life, daily mobility patterns, and activity spaces. At the beginning, public health measures for limiting the spread of the virus mandated home confinement and limited outdoor activities, which in turn reshaped typical acoustic environments for many people. Traffic noise levels reportedly declined across various settings, allowing for nature sounds, hitherto masked, to become more prominent. On the other hand, prolonged home confinement made indoor sounds, such as mechanical sounds, human voices, and noise generated by neighbors, even more relevant for the well-being of building occupants. This overview will provide a synopsis of the evidence of changes to residential noise exposure and perceived soundscape quality and components across different contexts, with implications for residents' well-being. The observed changes will be discussed through the lens of stress and restoration theories.

Climate and weather-related factors limiting outdoor activities and impacting tourism: Case studies in Slovenia

Tourism must adapt to climate change while doing its part to help fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals. In scientific literature, climate services for tourism are under-researched. Slovenia (Central Europe), with its diverse climate and topography, was chosen as a case study to investigate climate change’s effects on the country as a tourist destination. Using publicly available meteorological data, the Tourism Climate Index and the Holiday Climate Index were estimated. The two indices show a weak relation to the statistical data on overnight stays in selected municipalities for the period 2019-2021. The climate change impact on ski tourism in nine ski areas in Slovenia was estimated using statistically significant negative trends of annual number of days with snow cover. The negative trends were more pronounced for the period 1961-1990 over 1991-2020; 1987 was determined as a turning point in the trend detection. Typical outdoor activities on the Soča River in western Slovenia include rafting and canoe rafting. The trends in river discharges were used to estimate the impact of climate change on the number of navigable days per year and per season (March 15 – October 31), and no clear trends were found in this case study. Further investigations are needed to support tourism adaptation strategies and investigate climate-tourism interaction.

Objective evaluation of the first post-lockdown on physical activity, sedentary behavior and food choice in a sample of French young adult students

From mid-March through early May 2020, France limited outdoor activities to one hour per day because of the Covid-19 epidemic. This inside lockdown could have a lasting impact on post-lockdown sedentary and physical activities and food choice. The aim of this study is to compare behaviors before and after the lockdown in a sample of French young adult students (sex ratio = 1:1, 22 ± 3 y old). Over a period of 4 days in both April and after mid-May 2020, 50 students used the WellBeNet smartphone application to record accelerometry data to evaluate their sedentary behavior and physical activity, and food consumption. Some behaviors remained stable for both periods: sedentary behavior, light-intensity activity, the number of meals per day, the number of portions of fruits, nuts, dairy products, vegetables, legumes and meat-fish-egg. Moderate-intensity activity duration was higher (+1.4%, p < 0.0001), whereas the food balance score was lower (−0.3, p = 0.06) during the return to free-living conditions. Different food behaviors in male and female students were observed between the two periods. The total daily number of food portions and of whole starchy products post lockdown was lower in female students (−1.07 and −0.47 portion/d, p = 0.07 and 0.04) but remained stable in male students, post-lockdown. The consumption of snacks was similar in men and women during the lockdown, whereas it was higher in men post-lockdown (+0.8 portion/d, p = 0.01). During the COVID-19 lockdown, food consumption choice was better overall and the moderate-intensity physical activity level was lower compared with the free-living subsequent period.

Children’s vision health during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the peak months of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries elected to close schools and adapted to online learning. The aim of the article is to review the impact of lockdown measures instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s vision health and to make recommendations for mitigating potential visual impairment. Methods: We reviewed studies focused on digital device usage, near work, and outdoor time in relation to myopia onset and progression in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies focused on the relation between screen time, asthenopia and dry eyes in children during COVID-19. Results: Increased digital screen time, near work and limited outdoor activities were found to be associated with the onset and progression of myopia during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Screen time was positively associated with asthenopia and dry eye in children during COVID-19. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatic changes in many aspects of daily life. Online learning has become the mainstream public learning mode during the pandemic. Several studies indicate accelerated myopic progression during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and the increase has been found to be related to excessive use of digital screen devices and the decrease of outdoor activities duration. Also prolonged screen time, and online-course time can significantly increase asthenopia and dry eye risk. Several studies have recommended to decrease screen time and to increase outdoor activities. Key words: Myopia progression, digital screen time, near work, outdoor activity time, asthenopia and dry eye

Students' negative emotions and their rational and irrational behaviors during COVID-19 outbreak.

The pandemic has posed an intense threat to the mental health of younger adults. Despite significant efforts in studying various aspects of COVID-19, there is a dearth of evidence on how negative emotions are associated with behaviors. A comparison across associated factors to different negative emotions by means of a unified model is especially missing from the literature. This study was conducted by using the results of a survey conducted across 2,534 students enrolled in 7 states in the US. Various feelings such as sad, irritable, stress and guilt were analyzed in a unified model by means of seemingly unrelated regression (SUR). Questions were asked related to rationally limiting the spread of virus, and questions related to behaviors that seem to be extreme. Irrational behaviors, such as limiting exercise at home due to COVID-19 could be due to experiencing negative emotions, which distort the meaning of events for the students. That behavior, for instance, was found to be positively associated with various negative feelings. In addition, the results highlighted significant differences across emotions in terms of demographic characteristics such as gender and age, and various precautionary actions that students take, such as limiting outdoor activities or limiting social gathering. For instance, it was highlighted while avoiding a large group of people, in spite of its importance in curbing the spread of virus, is negatively associated with various negative emotions, taking a possible nonconsequential precaution of completely limiting all people outside the immediate family result in a higher level of negative emotions. Also, it was found that having a higher body mass index (BMI), self-rated worse health conditions, and limiting outdoor activities have detrimental effects on the mental health of students.

Personnel Monitoring System Using Mobile Application during the COVID 19

Corona virus disease(COVID-19) is a disease caused by the new corona virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS CoV-2). This disease has infected almost the entire world with a total of 47.5 million sufferers and a death total of 1.2 million people, WHO categorizes it as a global pandemic. Proven efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include limiting physical interactions between humans or physical distance, maintaining the cleanliness of hands and limbs by washing with soap, and limiting outdoor activities by staying at home. Government and private agencies have required employees to report their health conditions via web pages. Real-time and accurate mobile applications can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This research will develop a real-time monitoring and command system using mobile applications and cloud computing technology. The application will collect GPS-based location data and the user's body condition in the form of temperature and oxygen levels in the blood. User data is stored and processed in a real-time database in cloud computing which can be accessed through an application on the user's smart phone. The database also stores data on COVID-19 sufferers and where they live. Advice is given by the app when the recording of the body condition points to the early symptoms of COVID-19.

Greenspace and park use associated with less emotional distress among college students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people's psychological health. Impacts may be particularly severe among socially vulnerable populations such as college students, a group predisposed to mental health problems. Outdoor recreation and visits to greenspaces such as parks offer promising pathways for addressing the mental health challenges associated with COVID-19. During the early stages of the pandemic (March–May 2020), we surveyed 1280 college students at four large public universities across the United States (U.S.) to assess how, and why, outdoor recreation and park use changed since the emergence of COVID-19. We also measured students' self-reported levels of emotional distress (a proxy for psychological health) and assessed potential demographic and contextual correlates of distress, including county-level per capita park area and greenness, using generalized linear models. We found that 67% of students reported limiting outdoor activities and 54% reported reducing park use during the pandemic. Students who reduced their use of outdoor spaces cited structural reasons (e.g., lockdowns), concerns about viral transmission, and negative emotions that obstructed active lifestyles. Students who maintained pre-pandemic park use levels expressed a desire to be outdoors in nature, often with the explicit goal of improving mental and physical health. Emotional distress among students was widespread. Models showed higher levels of emotional distress were associated with reducing park use during the pandemic and residing in counties with a smaller area of parks per capita. This study of U.S. college students supports the value of park-based recreation as a health promotion strategy for diverse populations of young adults during a time of crisis.

Malaria prevalence and associated risk factors in Dembiya district, North-western Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia embarked on combating malaria with an aim to eliminate malaria from low transmission districts by 2030. A continuous monitoring of malaria prevalence in areas under elimination settings is important to evaluate the status of malaria transmission and the effectiveness of the currently existing malaria intervention strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors in selected areas of Dembiya district.MethodsA cross-sectional parasitological and retrospective survey was conducted in the two localities of Dembiya District, selected based on their long standing history of implementing malaria prevention and elimination strategies. Thin and thick blood smears collected from 735 randomly selected individuals between October and December, 2018 were microscopically examined for malaria parasites. Six years (2012–2017) retrospective malaria data was collected from the medical records of the health centres. Structured questionnaires were prepared to collect information about the socio-economic data of the population. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine a key risk factor explaining the prevalence of malaria. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20 and p ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsThe 6-year retrospective malaria prevalence trend indicates an overall malaria prevalence of 22.4%, out of which Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant species. From a total of 735 slides examined for the presence of malaria parasites, 3.5% (n = 26) were positive for malaria parasites, in which P. falciparum was more prevalent (n = 17; 2.3%), Plasmodium vivax (n = 5; 0.7%), and mixed infections (n = 4; 0.5%). Males were 2.6 times more likely to be infected with malaria than females (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.0, 6.4), and individuals with frequent outdoor activity were 16.4 times more vulnerable than individuals with limited outdoor activities (AOR = 16.4, 95% CI 1.8, 147.9). Furthermore, awareness about malaria transmission was significantly associated with the prevalence of malaria.ConclusionsMalaria is still a public health problem in Dembiya district irrespective of the past and existing vector control interventions. Therefore, the authorities should work on designing alternative intervention strategies targeting outdoor malaria transmission and improving community awareness about malaria transmission and control methods in the study area. For this, continuous monitoring of vectors’ susceptibility, density, and behaviour is very important in such areas.

Preconception Care for Men and Women during the Pandemic, an Intervention Proposal.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its measures resulted in limited outdoor activities, reduced group meetings, etc., leading to unhealthy habits. Several studies showed how certain unhealthy habits can lead to serious consequences for both men and women, as well as affect future offspring. (1) Background: Therefore, we present a community intervention at the preconception stage to avoid future risks. The purpose of this intervention is to change lifestyles and beliefs about the health of men and women in the preconception period; (2) Methods: For the design of the intervention, a bibliographic search was performed both in English and Spanish in the main databases of health sciences and nursing (Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, Dialnet), using descriptors in MeSH health for sciences; (3) Results: We proposed that a variety of lifestyles be analyzed, including aspects such as physical activity, nutrition, etc. In addition, stress management should be emphasized through a relaxation workshop, where three different techniques be proposed to reduce anxiety levels in stressful situations; (4) Conclusions: Due to the limited scientific results of interventions carried out in the preconception period simultaneously with men and women, more community interventions that address this topic are needed to assess the impact of these actions on the health of the population.

A case report of psoriasis exacerbation following COVID-19

The article presents a clinical case of severe exacerbation of psoriasis after a novel coronavirus infection. A 60 years old patient who has recovered from Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was admitted to the Republican Skin and Venereal Disease Dispensary of the Republic of Tatarstan for inpatient treatment with a diagnosis Large plaque psoriasis involving palms and soles. Progressive stage. Scalp psoriasis. Nail psoriasis. This was the first time the patient had experienced psoriasis exacerbation of this severity in his medical history. Presumably, exacerbation of psoriasis was due to the use of hydroxychloroquine. The exacerbation of psoriasis during the pandemic outbreak of Coronavirus disease can be explained by the following reasons: use of hydroxychloroquine, excessive inflammatory response to COVID-19, psychological stress, anxiety, depression, the decline in household income, limited outdoor activities. It is necessary to focus attention of physicians to the fact that patients who have suffered from COVID-19 may develop exacerbation of psoriasis.