Preventive Health Measures Research Articles

Degree of pain, most frequent musculoskeletal disorders and sociodemographic characteristics of patients treated at a physical therapy and rehabilitation center located in Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

Objective: To describe the socioeconomic characteristics of, the most frequent pathologies and symptoms of, and the subjective pain assessment by patients treated at a physical therapy and rehabilitation center located in the district of Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru.Materials and methods: A descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study conducted in 366 patients over 18 years of age, of both sexes, who attended their first physical therapy. Results: The patients reported moderate pain intensity in the pre-physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions assessment. Low back pain was the most frequent pathology, followed by neck pain and painful shoulder. Regarding the education level, most patients had secondary and technical education. Moreover, a statistical association was found between pain intensity and sex (p = 0.049), as well as between pain intensity and profession/occupation (p = 0.012).Conclusions: The patients who attended the physical therapy and rehabilitation service reported moderate pain before beginning their sessions. Based on the results of the socioeconomic characteristics, it is necessary to keep up preventive and promotional health measures to avoid possible risk factors that exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders which may interfere with patients’ future recovery and possible relapse.

Behavioral compliance with preventive health measures for students with and without hearing disability during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundHearing loss affects over 1.5 billion individuals worldwide. Their disability and limited access to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic information make them suffer a greater degree than ordinary people. However, the quantitative studies on the implementation of behavior compliance with preventive health measures for vulnerable groups such as people with hearing disability were limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the compliance with pandemic-related protective health measures among people with hearing disability.DesignA cross-sectional survey, population-based cohort study of students aged 12–26 years with and without hearing disability was conducted. Behavioral compliance with preventive health measures was collected from the general education institutions and special education schools using an online questionnaire. Logistic regression and structural equation model were used to determine the associations among the demographic variables, different degrees of mental health status and psychological impacts, and preventive health behaviors.ResultsAmong 1,589 participants, 485 (30.5%) students are with hearing disability (SHD), and 1,104 (69.5%) students with normal hearing (SNH). The SHD has a significantly lower degree of behavioral compliance with the preventive health measures than SNH has. Hearing disability and anxiety [odds ratio (OR) = 1.54–1.76, p < 0.05] are risk factors for avoiding sharing of utensils during mealtime. Hearing disability, male sex, father's education level, mother's profession, bedtime after 11:00 p.m., anxiety, and depression (OR = 1.45–2.95, p < 0.05) are risk factors for hand hygiene. Male sex (OR = 2.13, p < 0.001) is risk factor and being aged below 18 years old (OR = 0.62, p = 0.03) is protective factor for wearing masks. Exercise (OR = 0.32–0.70, p < 0.01) is the most protective factor for preventive health behaviors. Mediating effect of mental health status and psychological impacts between hearing level and the compliance with the preventive health measures was −0.044 (95% CI: −0.068 to −0.027).ConclusionsTo reduce the risk of contraction, update pandemic information, essential communication services, extra assistance, and support should be provided to these disabled persons who are more susceptible to a public health emergency.

Investigation of the Microbial Contamination of the Hands of Healthcare Workers in Different Wards of Sheikh Hospital in Mashhad

Background: Many nosocomial infections, which cause death and cost society, may be transmitted through healthcare workers’ contacts. Preventive health measures greatly reduce their prevalence. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the microbial contamination of healthcare workers’ hands in different wards of Sheikh Hospital. In addition, the alcohol-based hand sanitizers’ ability to reduce microbial load of nosocomial infections was evaluated. Methods: The present study was performed in spring 2019. Thirty-two nurses’ hand samples were obtained from different wards of the hospital, including emergency, ICU, surgery, peritoneal dialysis, nephrology, and hematology-oncology. Biochemical tests determined the isolates. Participants’ hands were cleaned using a standard procedure using soap and 70% isopropyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Results: Different species, including coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia complex were isolated. Following hand hygiene procedure, the most effective decontamination for a wide variety of organisms was observed. Conclusion: Separation of dangerous pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli from healthcare workers may be a great warning sign for these infections in the hospital. Therefore, hand hygiene procedures may be considered an appropriate method to decrease nosocomial infections.

Trends in psychotropic drug consumption among French military personnel during the COVID-19 epidemic

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may have had significant mental health consequences for military personnel, which is a population already exposed to psychological stress. To assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed the dispensing of three classes of psychotropic drugs (anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants) among French military personnel.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using the individualized medico-administrative data of persons insured by the National Military Social Security Fund from the National Health Data System. All active French military personnel aged 18–64 who received outpatient care and to whom drugs were dispensed between January 1, 2019, and April 30, 2021, were included from the French national health database. Rate ratios of dispensed anxiolytics, hypnotics and antidepressants (based on drug reimbursement) were estimated from negative binomial regressions before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThree hundred eighty-one thousand seven hundred eleven individuals were included. Overall, 45,148 military personnel were reimbursed for anxiolytics, 10,637 for hypnotics, and 4328 for antidepressants. Drugs were dispensed at a higher rate in 2020 and 2021 than in 2019. There was a notable peak at the beginning of the first lockdown followed by a decrease limited to the duration of the first lockdown. During the first lockdown only, there were temporary phenomena including a brief increase in drug dispensing during the first week followed by a decrease during the rest of lockdown, possibly corresponding to a stocking-up effect. For the study period overall, while there was a significant downward trend in psychotropic drug dispensing before the occurrence of COVID-19 (p < 0.001), the pandemic period was associated with an increase in dispensed anxiolytics (rate ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02–1.04, p < 0.05), hypnotics (rate ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.11–1.16, p < 0.001) and antidepressants (rate ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.10–1.13, p < 0.001) in the military population.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has probably had a significant impact on the mental health of French military personnel, as suggested by the trends in dispensed psychotropic drugs. The implementation of mental health prevention measures should be investigated for this population.

Association of Age and Gender with the BMI of Obese Subjects in Pakistan

Obesity is a rapidly increasing public health concern which is globally associated with chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the current study was to find the association among age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of obese individuals residing in Lahore, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was carried out in January 2021. Data was collected through an electronic questionnaire. A total of 868 individuals (84.3% female and 15.7% male) of ages between 18 to 60 years participated in the current study. Convenient sampling method was used. Anthropometrics including weight, height, and age were taken in kilograms (kg), centimeters (cm) and years, respectively. The standard equation to calculate BMI was used (weight in kg/height in m²). WHO BMI cut-points for Asians were used to assess the BMI status of the selected individuals. Statistical analysis was carried out through Microsoft Excel and SPSS. It was found that the prevalence of obesity was 17.2% (12% type I obesity, while 2.6% type II and type III obesity), while 15.1% participants were found to be overweight, 22.7% were underweight, and 44.9% were determined to be normal. It was also determined that the prevalence of underweight, overweight, type I, type II, and type III obesity is more common among women (20.6%, 12.3%, 9.2%, 2.3%, and 2%, respectively) than men (2.1%, 2.8%, 2.8%, 0.3%, and 0.7%, respectively) (p-value &lt;0.05). The highest prevalence of underweight, overweight, type I, type II, and type III obesity was observed in age group 19-21 years (11.1%, 7.3%, 7.4%, 1.5%, and 2.1%, respectively) (p-value &lt;0.05). These results would help to develop public health programs and preventive measures to reduce the prevalence of the above risk factors for obesity and other non-communicable diseases.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Analysis of the effect of temperature on tuberculosis incidence by distributed lag non-linear model in Kashgar city, China.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of temperature on tuberculosis (TB) incidence using the distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) from 2017 to 2021 in Kashgar city, the region with higher TB incidence than national levels, and assist public health prevention and control measures. From January 2017 to December 2021, a total of 8730 cases of TB were reported, with the higher incidence of male than that of female. When temperature was below 1 °C, it was significantly correlated with TB incidence compared to the median observed temperature (15 °C) at lag 7, 14, and 21, and lower temperatures showed larger RR (relative risk) values. High temperature produced a protective effect on TB transmission, and higher temperature from 16 to 31 °C has lower RR. In discussion stratified by gender, the maximum RRs were achieved for both male group and female group at − 15 °C with lag 21, reporting 4.28 and 2.02, respectively. At high temperature (higher than 20 °C), the RR value of developing TB for female group was significantly larger than 1. In discussion stratified by age, the maximum RRs were achieved for all age groups (≤ 35, 36–64, ≥ 65) at − 15 °C with lag 21, reporting 3.20, 2.07, and 3.45, respectively. When the temperature was higher than 20 °C, the RR of the 36–64-year-old group and the ≥ 65-year-old group was significantly larger than 1 at lag 21, while significantly smaller than 1 for cumulative RR at lag 21, reporting 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.01, 0.83) and 0.06, 95% CI (0.01, 0.44), respectively. In conclusion, low temperature, especially in extreme level, acts as a high-risk factor inducing TB transmission in Kashgar city. Males exhibit a significantly higher RR of developing TB at low temperature than female, as well as the elderly group in contrast to the young or middle-aged groups. High temperature has a protective effect on TB transmission in the total population, but female and middle-aged and elderly groups are also required to be alert to the delayed RR induced by it.

Health-adjusted life expectancy in residents in Guangzhou, 2010-2019

Objective: To analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of life expectancy (LE) and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2019, and quantize the comprehensive impact of different causes and sequelae on health. Methods: The LE, HALE, and cause-excluded health adjusted life expectancy (CEHALE) were estimated using cause-of-death surveillance datasets from Guangzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2010 to 2019 and open data from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Joinpoint log-linear regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend and described spatial distribution. Results: In 2019, the LE in residents in Guangzhou was 82.9 years (80.1 years in men and 85.9 years in women), and the HALE was 75.6 years (74.0 years in men and 77.3 years in women). Compared with the urban fringe, the central urban area had higher LE and HALE, and the differences between LE and HALE were small. The LE and HALE in Guangzhou showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2019. The LE increased by 2.8 years (AAPC=0.4, 95%CI: 0.3-0.4), with the increase of 2.8 years in men and 2.9 years in women. The HALE increased by 2.4 years (AAPC=0.3, 95%CI: 0.3-0.4), with the increase of 2.5 years in men and 2.2 years in women. The median healthy life lost due to communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases was 6.2 years (AAPC=-4.2, 95%CI: -5.3--3.1), while the median healthy life lost due to non-communicable diseases was 14.7 years (AAPC=1.6, 95%CI: 0.9-2.3), the median healthy life expectancy reduced by injury was 6.3 years (AAPC=-3.5, 95%CI: -4.5--2.6). Musculoskeletal disorders, skin and subcutaneous diseases, cardiovascular diseases, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes and kidney diseases were the top five diseases causing healthy life expectancy loss. Conclusion: The LE and HALE in residents in Guangzhou increased steadily from 2010 to 2019, but the quality of life in the urban fringe was lower than that of the central urban area. Non-communicable diseases were the leading causes of healthy life expectancy loss. Health policies and prevention measures should be developed according to area specific characteristics, and social medical resources should be rationally allocated to key diseases to reduce their disease burden.

A comparative clinical evaluation of plaque removal efficacy of a chewable toothpaste tablet with conventional toothpaste in children – A randomized clinical trial

Introduction: One of the most important causative factors in the onset of dental caries and periodontal disorders is dental plaque. Mouthwashes and dentifrices, such as toothpaste, are examples of chemical plaque management treatments. Toothpaste is the most widely utilized oral health preventive measure. Dentifrices containing 950 PPM of fluoride have recently been developed as tablets. Tablets are a promising substitute for toothpaste. Aim: This study aimed to compare the plaque removal efficacy of a novel chewable toothpaste tablet and a traditional toothpaste in children aged 6–12 years old. Materials and Methods: A total of 128 children aged 6–12 years old were randomly split into two equal groups, with 64 subjects were given chewable toothpaste tablets and the other 64 received conventional toothpaste. The efficacy of a novel chewable toothpaste tablet with traditional toothpaste was compared, and the modified plaque index was measured at baseline at 0 weeks and after 4 weeks. Results and Discussion: A total of 127 children were evaluated out of a total of 128. Between baseline and 4 weeks, there was a statistically significant difference in mean plaque scores within groups (P = 0.001). At 4 weeks, there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) between the chewable tablet and toothpaste groups. Conclusion: Due to the convenience of use for children and the unique type of toothpaste, chewable toothpaste tablets show a higher efficacy of plaque removal than conventional toothpaste. A chewable toothpaste tablet could be a viable alternative to conventional toothpaste for children's oral health.

Comparative inequalities in child dental caries across four countries: Examination of international birth cohorts and implications for oral health policy

Child dental caries (i.e., cavities) are a major preventable health problem in most high-income countries. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of inequalities in child dental caries across four high-income countries alongside their child oral health policies. Coordinated analyses of data were conducted across four prospective population-based birth cohorts (Australia, n = 4085, born 2004; Québec, Canada, n = 1253, born 1997; Rotterdam, the Netherlands, n = 6690, born 2002; Southeast Sweden, n = 7445, born 1997), which enabled a high degree of harmonization. Risk ratios (adjusted) and slope indexes of inequality were estimated to quantify social gradients in child dental caries according to maternal education and household income. Children in the least advantaged quintile for income were at greater risk of caries, compared to the most advantaged quintile: Australia: AdjRR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.04-1.34; Québec: AdjRR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.36-2.10; Rotterdam: AdjRR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.36-2.04; Southeast Sweden: AdjRR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.10-1.71). There was a higher risk of caries for children of mothers with the lowest level of education, compared to the highest: Australia: AdjRR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.01-1.38; Southeast Sweden: AdjRR = 2.31, 95%CI = 1.81-2.96; Rotterdam: AdjRR = 1.98, 95%CI = 1.71-2.30; Québec: AdjRR = 1.16, 95%CI = 0.98-1.37. The extent of inequalities varied in line with jurisdictional policies for provision of child oral health services and preventive public health measures. Clear gradients of social inequalities in child dental caries are evident in high-income countries. Policy related mechanisms may contribute to the differences in the extent of these inequalities. Lesser gradients in settings with combinations of universal dental coverage and/or fluoridation suggest these provisions may ameliorate inequalities through additional benefits for socio-economically disadvantaged groups of children.

Emerging real time analytics based health start-ups: opportunities during covid-19

Indian population has potential threat of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The low preventive health measure is a cause of major loss to the economy. Integration of the cloud platform with remote wearable sensors not only helps the health stakeholders to capture the patient vitals but also perform predictive analysis during COVID-19. Raising timely alarms through Internet of Medical Things and Artificial Intelligence has wide application in preventive care through real time analytics. However, Health Merchandise Startups using artificial intelligence and machine learning for timely device delivery face delay in making themselves available and affordable for Remote patients of Tier II and III. This study takes a health service provider perspective and seeks to study problem situation systemically by using a casual loop model. Finally, analysis of the feedback loops is done to be able to come out with suitable strategies for COVID-19 patients of Remote locations

Pelatihan Bekam (Al Hijamah) Sebagai Upaya Mewujudkan Kampung Sehat Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 di Desa Perengge Kabupaten Lombok Barat

This community service activity aims to increase people's knowledge of how to do cupping properly and correctly, to create a healthy village during the pandemic, and as an effort to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by promoting and preventive health measures. The method of implementing this service activity is by combining theories (discussion) 25% and practice 75%, as well as entrepreneurial provisions. There were 25 participants in the training. The evaluation instruments used were interviews, observation, and documentation. After all series of activities were carried out, the results of the service activity showed that the majority of participants had mastered the pre-cupping, cupping, and post-cupping procedures following the rules and procedures for the safety of the medical world.

The second year of pandemic in the Arctic: examining spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 “Delta wave” in Arctic regions in 2021

ABSTRACT The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic was dominated by the Delta wave that primarily lasted between July and December 2021 with varied epidemiological outcomes. An analysis of the Arctic’s subnational COVID-19 data revealed a massive increase in cases and deaths across all its jurisdictions but at varying time periods. However, the case fatality ratio (CFR) in most Arctic regions did not rise dramatically and was below national levels (except in Northern Russia). Based on the spatiotemporal patterns of the Delta outbreak, we identified four types of pandemic waves across Arctic regions: Tsunami (Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Northern Norway, Northern Finland, and Northern Canada), Superstorm (Alaska), Tidal wave (Northern Russia), and Protracted Wave (Northern Sweden). These regionally varied COVID-19 epidemiological dynamics are likely attributable to the inconsistency in implementing public health prevention measures, geographical isolation, and varying vaccination rates. A lesson remote and Indigenous communities can learn from the Arctic is that the three-prong (delay-prepare-respond) approach could be a tool in curtailing the impact of COVID-19 or future pandemics. This article is motivated by previous research that examined the first and second waves of the pandemic in the Arctic. Data are available at https://arctic.uni.edu/arctic-covid-19.

Exploring Readiness towards Effective Implementation of Safety and Health Measures for COVID-19 Prevention in Nakhon-Si-Thammarat Community-Based Tourism of Southern Thailand.

Thailand’s community-based tourism (CBT) faces a challenging adaptation in response to COVID-19 prevention. This study aimed to assess the readiness for effective implementation of the Safety and Health Administration (SHA) for COVID-19 prevention in the tourism community. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. Three communities covering all types of CBT in Nakhon-Si-Thammarat province, southern Thailand were purposively chosen. Fifteen key informants were invited to participate in the study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed using the thematic analysis method. The readiness stage was assigned by consensual comprehensive scores. The overall readiness of CBT is pre-planning stage, a clear recognition of the SHA benefit, and there are sufficient resources for implementation. At this stage, there is no planning because the business owners feel that they have inadequate knowledge about the SHA protocol. Another main barrier is having limited accessibility for SHA information which mainly provides through with technology platform. The CBT owner needs to improve public health-based knowledge, technology and cooperation skills to operate SHA efficiently. However, in order to embed SHA to the CBT, tourism and public health organisation should provide suitable methods at the initiation stage by considering the community readiness and need.

Proses Komunikasi PT Garuda Branch Office Padang Dalam Sosialisasi Protokol Kesehatan Di Lingkungan Kerja

The communication process when implementing new normal can be interpreted as the sequence of events that occur when an individual conveys a message to another individual about implementing new habits in the middle of the work environment. New normal is a change in behaviors or habits to keep carrying out activities as usual but by always applying health protocols in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new habits areto use a mask, social distancing, always wash hands and avoid crowds. In the communication process, socialization is needed as a first step to introduce new normal policies. Socialization is done by people, groups, intitutions, who teach others things that must be known in order to become new guidelines. Socialization about the new normal is a form of solution for the efforts of the employees from PT Garuda to be wiser in implementing the new normal health protocol, also be able to develop curiosity and comply with the enactment of new work regulations. The current COVID-19 pandemic requires every company to be more active in socialization and preventive health measures to protect the employees from the COVID-19 transmission chain. In this study, researcher used five informants which were divided into key informats, consisting of general managers, marketing &amp; sales executives, Garuda Branch Office Padang ticketing, and supporting informants, consisting of OB and security. The method used in this study is a qualitative method with Laswell‘s approach theory. The results of this study is that the communication process in the application of new normal un the work environment using WA media groups and email blast and supported by interpersonal communication to all employees.

Health-Related Self-Care Strategies and Coping Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Complementary medicine (CM) is often used as an opportunity for preventive health measures and supportive self-care practices. This study aimed to explore the use of self-care practices and preventive health strategies and the aspects of the experienced emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic in a population with an affinity for CM. Methods: The authors conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study using an anonymous 41-item online survey in the German language. The survey respondents were recruited among adults with an affinity for CM (e.g., as targeted through their memberships in CM associations) from September 2020 to February 2021. A selection of self-care methods, mainly from CM, was presented in the questionnaire. Numerical rating scales (NRSs), ranging from 0 = minimum to 10 = maximum, were used to measure the intensity of different emotions experienced during the pandemic. Statistical analysis was carried out descriptively. Results: A total of 1605 participants (80.6% female; mean age: 55.4 ± 12.6 [SD] years; 43.9% holding a university degree) were included. The use of self-care methods for health promotion during the pandemic was reported by 86.8% of the respondents. Respondents favored staying in nature (85.6%), healthy nutrition (85.6%), and physical activities (83.6%). More than 60% of the respondents made use of vitamin C and/or D, herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, homeopathy, or meditation for health promotion. The analysis of emotional status by NRS (0-10) revealed the lowest mean ± SD (standard deviation) for "feeling lonely" (2.6 ± 2.9) and "feeling anxious" (2.8 ± 2.6), and the highest mean for "feeling connected to others" (6.2 ± 2.5) and "well-being" (5.8 ± 2.4). Conclusions: Participants used a wide variety of self-care methods and prevention strategies to promote their health during the COVID-19 pandemic and showed, overall, a balanced emotional status. Further research should include a control group representative of the general population, to investigate the possible impact of self-care strategies. Clinical Trial Registration Number: "Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien" (German Clinical Trial Register); registration number: DRKS00022909.

Risk perception research informing recommendations for COVID-19 preventative health measures and public messaging.

ObjectiveTo provide a commentary on evidence-based recommendations for COVID-19 pandemic risk communication for more effective public health measures.MethodWe apply the principles of risk communication to address key issues in the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsRisk perception and communication research usefully informs preventative health education and public messaging during disease outbreaks such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those with severe mental illness.ConclusionsKey recommendations for pandemic public health risk communication are: clear, timely and balanced information from a reputable source; accurate and non-sensationalised depiction of infection, morbidity and mortality rates; awareness of fear as a powerful motivator for adoption of protective measures against the causative virus; promotion of self-efficacy and sense of control in terms of mitigating the health threats associated with a pandemic; correction of mis- and disinformation regarding the pandemic and associated protective measures; and messaging may need to be modified for people with a mental illness to avoid exacerbations of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Examining the Relationship Between Grit and Preventative Behaviors and Well-being

Despite government mandates to wear face masks in some public locations, why do some people still refuse to wear a face mask in public? This paper examines the relationship between grit and well-being outcomes, namely COVID-19 preventative health measure and distress. Further, the mediating role of autonomous and controlled motivation is also investigated. The results suggest that grit is directly related to decreased distress and increased preventative behaviors. Autonomous and controlled motivated mediated the relationship between grit, distress and preventive behaviors, such that autonomous motivation mediated the association between grit and preventive behaviors; while controlled motivation mediated the relationship between grit and psychological distress. These findings suggest that grit can be an important growth mindset in increasing preventative behaviors and individual well-being during the pandemic. Implications for human resource managers in attempting to help employees cope effectively during the pandemic are discussed.

Caries Preventive Interventions and Oral Health Inequalities: A Scoping Review.

Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent but preventable diseases among children worldwide and especially affects children with a lower socioeconomic status or ethnic minority background. It is important that all groups of children are reached by preventive interventions to reduce oral health inequalities. So far, it is unknown whether children from different social and ethnic groups benefit equally from potentially effective oral health interventions. This scoping review aimed to identify European public health interventions that report their effect on dental caries across different social groups. Four databases were searched for studies evaluating the effect of oral health interventions on dental caries among children from 0 to 12 y, and studies were included when results were presented by children of different social groups separately. A total of 14 studies were included, representing 4 different countries: 3 randomized and 11 nonrandomized studies. Most studies were performed at schools. Six studies showed results indicative of a reduction in oral health inequalities, 4 studies showed results that potentially widen oral health inequalities, and 5 studies showed results that were indicative of no impact on oral health inequalities. Interventions that contain early approaches, with a high frequency, approaching multiple levels of influence, and including at least the broader organizational or public policy level, may have the potential to reduce oral health inequalities among children from birth to young adolescence. We recommend researchers to perform high-quality intervention studies and to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health intervention always in different socioeconomic or ethnic groups separately, to better understand their contribution toward oral health (in)equalities. This review offers insight in the differential effects that oral health interventions might have across different social groups. Its results can be used to develop interventions that might reduce oral health inequalities among children. Also, we recommend future researchers to always evaluate the effects of any preventive oral health measure in different social groups separately.

Asia Pacific perspectives on the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A follow-up survey.

BackgroundThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is currently in its third year. This follow‐up survey was commissioned by the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI) Task Force on COVID‐19 to compare and contrast changes in the epidemiology, clinical profile, therapeutics and public health measures of the pandemic in the Asia Pacific region.MethodsA questionnaire‐based survey comprising 32 questions was electronically sent out to all 15 member countries of APAAACI using Survey Monkey® from 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022.ResultsSeventeen responses were received from 14/15 (93.4%) member countries and 3 individual members. Mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19 predominated over severe infection, largely contributed by COVID‐19 vaccination programmes in the region. The incidence of vaccine adverse reactions in particular anaphylaxis from messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines was no longer as high as initially anticipated, although perimyocarditis remains a concern in younger males. Novel therapeutics for mild‐to‐moderate disease including neutralizing antibodies casirivimab/imdevimab (REGEN‐COV®) and sotrovimab (Xevudy®), anti‐virals Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and Molnupiravir pre‐exposure prophylaxis for high‐risk persons with Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab (Evusheld) are now also available to complement established therapeutics (e.g., remdesivir, dexamethasone and baricitinib) for severe disease. In the transition to endemicity, public health measures are also evolving away from containment/elimination strategies.ConclusionsWith access to internationally recommended standards of care including public health preventive measures, therapeutics and vaccines among most APAAACI member countries, much progress has been made over the 2‐year period in minimizing the morbidity and mortality from COVID‐19 disease.

Association between migration and oral health-related quality of life: results from a nationally representative online survey

PurposeTo analyze the link between individuals with and without migration background and oral health-related quality of life (also stratified by sex).MethodsData in this cross-sectional study were taken from a nationally representative survey (n = 3075, August/September 2021). The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G5) was used to measure oral health-related quality of life. Two-part models were calculated, adjusting for various covariates.ResultsIndividuals with migration background had lower oral health-related quality of life (total sample, Cohen’s d = − 0.30; in men, d =− 0.44; in women, d =− 0.22). Two-part models also revealed that the migration background was associated with a higher likelihood of OHIP-G5 scores of one or higher (total sample and in both sexes). Moreover, migration background was positively associated with the extent of oral health-related quality of life (conditional on OHIP-G5 scores of one or higher; total sample and in men). Furthermore, regressions showed that migration background was associated with lower oral health-related quality of life (total sample and in both sexes).ConclusionsOur study emphasized the link between having a migration background and lower oral health-related quality of life among both women and men. Maintaining oral health among individuals with a migration background is a key challenge. Culturally and socially sensitive actions should provide easy accessible oral health information and preventive measures in order to lower access barriers in dental care for individuals with migration background.