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Payne P, Hayward SE, Pareek M, Smyth A, Kerr L, Clemente NS, Hargreaves S, Nellums LB. Distribution of tuberculosis in migrant children and young people in Europe: a retrospective database analysis of European data. Public Health 2024; 233:100-107. [PMID: 38865826 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in migrant children and young people (CYP) is commonly overlooked, despite the increasing incidence of TB in migrant populations in the European region. This study aimed to examine the distribution and disease characteristics of TB among migrant and native-born CYP through analysis of data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) surveillance system (TESSy). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective database analysis. METHODS A retrospective database analysis was conducted on all CYP TB cases (0-17 years) reported to TESSy (1995-2017), exploring distribution, site of TB, and presence of MDR-TB using multivariate analysis in R statistical software. RESULTS Of the 73,176 CYP TB cases reported in the EU/EFTA (1995-2017), 24.4% (n = 17,879) occurred in migrant CYP and 75.6% (n = 55,297) occurred in native-born CYP. Migrant CYP were more likely (P < 0.001) to have pulmonary TB (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.74-2.09) and unsuccessful treatment outcomes (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.74-2.40) compared to native-born CYP. The proportion of extrapulmonary TB, compared to pulmonary TB across total CYP cases was higher than the existing evidence base. CONCLUSIONS Overall, there were significant differences in the site of TB and treatment outcomes between migrant and native-born CYP. To improve outcomes, TB screening and detection practices should focus on facilitating care in migrant CYP. However, to better understand the implications of these findings on broader TB control, TB among CYP should be addressed more frequently in reports and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Payne
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - S E Hayward
- Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's Hospital University of London, UK
| | - M Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Leicester, UK
| | - A Smyth
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - L Kerr
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - N S Clemente
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - S Hargreaves
- Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's Hospital University of London, UK.
| | - L B Nellums
- College of Population Health, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, USA
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Kordel P, Rządeczka M, Studenna-Skrukwa M, Kwiatkowska-Moskalewicz K, Goncharenko O, Moskalewicz M. Acute Stress Disorder among 2022 Ukrainian war refugees: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1280236. [PMID: 38550313 PMCID: PMC10976942 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1280236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fleeing from war can be terrifying and result in Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), a mental health condition that can occur in the first month after a traumatic event. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of ASD among Ukrainian refugees and identify its risk factors to create a profile of the most vulnerable refugees. Methods This cross-sectional study of 637 Ukrainian war-displaced persons and refugees in 2022 used the Acute Stress Disorder Scale. Results The prevalence of ASD among participants was high (93.5%). Several factors increasing the risk of developing ASD in the sample were identified, e.g., witnessing Russian attacks (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.26-6.78), insufficient financial resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.61-7.91), and feeling of loneliness in the host country (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.58-8.69). Pre-existing depression and the death of a close person, among others, were found to significantly (p < 0.05) exacerbate the ASD symptoms. At the same time, neither age, the distance traveled, time spent on fleeing the country, nor the type of companionship during refuge (escaping alone, with children, pets or the older adults) correlate with the severity of symptoms. Conclusion The study shows extreme levels of trauma among Ukrainian war refugees and displaced persons. Knowledge regarding ASD vulnerabilities in the present conflict may facilitate prompt and adequate psychological help. Since ASD can be an antecedent of PTSD and several autoimmune disorders, these results may also serve as a predictor of future challenges for Ukrainian society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kordel
- Philosophy of Mental Health Unit, Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Rządeczka
- Institute of Philosophy, Marie Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
- IDEAS NCBR, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Olga Goncharenko
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Social Technologies, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Marcin Moskalewicz
- Philosophy of Mental Health Unit, Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Institute of Philosophy, Marie Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
- IDEAS NCBR, Warsaw, Poland
- Psychiatric Clinic, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Martin R, Maleche A, Gay J, Fatima H. Lessons learnt from COVID-19 to reduce mortality and morbidity in the Global South: addressing global vaccine equity for future pandemics. BMJ Glob Health 2024; 9:e013680. [PMID: 38167259 PMCID: PMC10773420 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, which killed more than 6 million people, will not be the last pandemic. Vaccines are key to preventing and ending pandemics. Therefore, it is critical to move now, before the next pandemic, towards global vaccine equity with shared goals, intermediate steps and long-term advocacy goals. Scientific integrity, ethical development, transparency, accountability and communication are critical. Countries can draw on lessons learnt from their response to the HIV pandemics, which has been at the vanguard of ensuring equitable access to rights-based services, to create shared goals and engage communities to increase access to and delivery of safe, quality vaccines. Access can be increased by: fostering the spread of mRNA intellectual property (IP) rights, with mRNA vaccine manufacturing on more continents; creating price transparency for vaccines; creating easily understandable, accessible and transparent data on vaccines; creating demand for a new international legal framework that allows IP rights to be waived quickly once a global pandemic is identified; and drawing on scientific expertise from around the world. Delivery can be improved by: creating strong public health systems that can deliver vaccines through the lifespan; creating or strengthening national regulatory agencies and independent national scientific advisory committees for vaccines; disseminating information from reliable, transparent national and subnational surveillance systems; improving global understanding that as more scientific data become available, this may result in changes to public health guidance; prioritising access to vaccines based on scientific criteria during an epidemic; and developing strategies to vaccinate those at highest risk with available vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Martin
- Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Allan Maleche
- Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jill Gay
- Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- J Gay Associates, Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Haram Fatima
- Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Parente P, Melnyk A, Lombardo P, Villani L, Grossi A, Goletti M, Barbara A, Santone G. Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of Ukrainian refugees in an Italian Local Health Authority. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:815-820. [PMID: 37552052 PMCID: PMC10567240 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused millions of Ukrainian refugees to flee to other nations. To provide the most appropriate assistance, host nations necessitate up-to-date information regarding Ukrainian refugee's demographic and epidemiological conditions. We aim to investigate the demographic composition, the COVID-19 vaccinations performed, specialist care provided and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in refugees assisted by an Italian Local Health Authority (LHA). METHODS We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis from March to June 2022, analyzing the demographic and epidemiological status of Ukrainians. Statistical analyses were carried out to assess possible associations between NCDs distribution, age and gender. RESULTS LHA Roma 1 assisted 9349 Ukrainian refugees. Of these, 2784 (29.8%) were males and 6565 (70.2%) were females, with a median age of 25 years. Two thousand four hundred and eighty-five Ukrainian refugees were vaccinated against COVID-19. Among them, 401 (16.1%) had at least one NCD. The most frequent groups of diseases were related to the circulatory system (50.6%), the endocrine system (24.9%), and mental and behavioral disorders (6.5%). CONCLUSION Refugees need healthcare services targeted mainly towards minors and females. It is essential to analyze and monitor the demographic and epidemiological conditions to provide evidence about patient management and the best care integrated into the health service of host countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andriy Melnyk
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Villani
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Rome, Italy
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Barbara
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Rome, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Parente P, Melnyk A, Barone LC, Kohut M, Messina R, Lombardo P, Villani L, Riccardi MT, Martelli MG, Grossi A, Barbara A, Mogini V, Santone G, Goletti M. Ukrainian refugee crisis management in the Local Health Authority Roma 1: the challenges of implementing public health policies and lessons learned. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1318. [PMID: 37430244 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15556-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has strained the health systems of countries that welcome war refugees on all levels, from national to local. Despite the Public Health guidelines regarding assistance being published on the topic, the scientific literature currently lacks evidence on the experience of applying theory in practice. This study aims to describe evidence-based practices that were implemented and to provide a detailed description of emerging problems and solutions pertaining Ukrainian refugee assistance in the context of one of the biggest Local Health Authorities in Italy (LHA Roma 1). METHODS LHA Roma 1 developed a strategic plan based on local expertise, national and international guidelines to ensure infectious disease prevention and control, as well as continuity of care for non-communicable diseases and mental health. RESULTS The insertion of Ukrainian refugees in the National Health System through an identification code assignment and other services such as COVID-19 swab and vaccination were provided either in one of the three major assistance hubs or in local district level ambulatories spread throughout the LHA. Many challenges were faced during the implementation phase of the outlined practice guidelines, which required sensible and timely solutions. These challenges include the necessity of rapid resource provision, overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers, guaranteeing a standard of care across multiple sites and coordination of interventions. Public Private Partnerships, the creation of a centralized multicultural and multidisciplinary team and the mutually beneficial collaboration with the local Ukrainian community were essential to guarantee the success of all operations. CONCLUSIONS The experience of LHA Roma 1 helps shed light on the importance of leadership in emergency settings and how a dynamic relationship between policy and practice would allow each intervention to be modulated according to the local environment, to better realize the potential of local realities to provide appropriate health interventions to all those in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Parente
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
| | - Andriy Melnyk
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy.
| | - Lavinia Camilla Barone
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma, 00185, Italy
| | - Maryana Kohut
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
| | - Rosaria Messina
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Paolo Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma, 00185, Italy
| | - Leonardo Villani
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Riccardi
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | | | - Adriano Grossi
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
| | - Andrea Barbara
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma, 00185, Italy
| | - Valerio Mogini
- Division of Public Health, Italian Red Cross International, Roma, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Santone
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
| | - Mauro Goletti
- Local Health Authority Roma 1, Borgo Santo Spirito, 3, Rome, 00193, Italy
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El Arab RA, Urbanavice R, Jakavonyte-Akstiniene A, Skvarcevskaja M, Austys D, Mateos JT, Briones-Vozmediano E, Rubinat-Arnaldo E, Istomina N. Health and social needs of asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania: A mixed-method protocol. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1025446. [PMID: 36711393 PMCID: PMC9875536 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1025446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants often do not end up in the places they expected. Because of the pandemic impacts, their exposure to COVID-19 may be increased as a result of crowded camps and detention centers. A total of 4,537 undocumented migrants entered Lithuania via Belarus from June 2021 to November 30, 2022. In the period 24 February 2022 to 30 November 2022, Lithuania's Immigration Department registered 71,386 Ukrainian refugees. This study investigates the healthcare and social needs of recent asylum seekers who have crossed the Belarusian border and Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania. This is a study protocol for a mixed-methods study which will involve qualitative interviews with asylum seekers who crossed from Belarus in June 2021 and Ukrainian refugees. During a quantitative phase, refugees and asylum seekers will be asked to complete questionnaires. In this study, validated questionnaires will be used, including the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25), the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Participants will also be asked to self-report sociodemographic information. As a result of the findings of this study, it is possible to provide guidelines for improving access to health care services, including prevention (i.e., vaccination programs) and treatment of chronic and acute illnesses, through primary and secondary healthcare delivery, thereby reducing negative health outcomes. This study may shed light on the social needs of asylum seekers and refugees in Lithuania. In addition, this may provide insight into how they are integrating into the community, such as what their employment and educational prospects are.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabie Adel El Arab
- Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain,Institute for Biomedical Research (IRBLleida), Healthcare Research Group (GRECS), Lleida, Spain,Health and Social Services for Asylum Seekers Research Group, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,*Correspondence: Rabie Adel El Arab ✉
| | - Rita Urbanavice
- Health and Social Services for Asylum Seekers Research Group, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Agne Jakavonyte-Akstiniene
- Health and Social Services for Asylum Seekers Research Group, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marija Skvarcevskaja
- Health and Social Services for Asylum Seekers Research Group, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Donatas Austys
- Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jose Tomas Mateos
- Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain,Institute for Biomedical Research (IRBLleida), Healthcare Research Group (GRECS), Lleida, Spain
| | - Erica Briones-Vozmediano
- Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain,Institute for Biomedical Research (IRBLleida), Healthcare Research Group (GRECS), Lleida, Spain
| | - Esther Rubinat-Arnaldo
- Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain,Institute for Biomedical Research (IRBLleida), Healthcare Research Group (GRECS), Lleida, Spain
| | - Natalja Istomina
- Health and Social Services for Asylum Seekers Research Group, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Dziedzic A, Riad A, Tanasiewicz M, Attia S. The Increasing Population Movements in the 21st Century: A Call for the E-Register of Health-Related Data Integrating Health Care Systems in Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13720. [PMID: 36360600 PMCID: PMC9657646 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The escalating mass influx of people to Europe in the 21st century due to geopolitical and economic reasons as well as food crises ignites significant challenges for national health care services. The lack or disruption of cross-border, e-transferred, health-related data negatively affects the health outcome and continuous care, particularly in medically compromised individuals with an unsettled status. Proposal: The urgent need of a structured database, in the form of a health-related data register funded by the European Union that allows a swift exchange of crucial medical data, was discussed to flag ever-increasing migrants' health problems, with a primary aim to support an adequate health care provision for underserved people who are at risk of deteriorating health. The data security information technology aspects, with a proposed and drafted structure of an e-health register, were succinctly highlighted. Conclusions: Focusing on long-term benefits and considering future waves of mass relocation, an investment in a health-related data register in Europe could vastly reduce health care disparities between minority groups and improve epidemiological situations with regard to major illnesses, including common, communicable diseases as well as oncological and infectious conditions. Commissioners, policymakers, and stakeholders are urged to continue a collective action to ensure vulnerable people can access health services by responding to the ongoing global migration crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Dziedzic
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Abanoub Riad
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Tanasiewicz
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Sameh Attia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Justus Liebig University, 35390 Giessen, Germany
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Are the health systems of EU countries hosting Ukrainian refugees ready to adapt? THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2022; 3:e639-e640. [PMID: 36122580 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(22)00197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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10
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Armitage R. War in Ukraine and the inverse care law. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2022; 17:100401. [PMID: 35721695 PMCID: PMC9198836 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
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Beauté J, Kramarz P. Public health surveillance in countries hosting displaced people from Ukraine. Euro Surveill 2022; 27:2200430. [PMID: 35656833 PMCID: PMC9164672 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.22.2200430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Beauté
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Piotr Kramarz
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
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Binder-Olibrowska KW, Wrzesińska MA, Godycki-Ćwirko M. Is Telemedicine in Primary Care a Good Option for Polish Patients with Visual Impairments Outside of a Pandemic? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116357. [PMID: 35681942 PMCID: PMC9180207 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
With the proliferation of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, attention began to turn to the risk of health disparities associated with its use among people with disabilities. Therefore, the present study investigates the level of interest in using teleconsultations (TCs) in primary healthcare among people with visual impairments (PVIs) and identifies their motivations and needs. A total of 219 Polish PVIs were surveyed using a combination of closed and open questions. About 50% of the respondents expressed interest in using TCs. The factor most closely related to the willingness to use TCs was age. The predominant reason for using TCs was to obtain a prescription or referral, and the most highlighted need was the possibility to choose between a TC and an in-person visit. The blind and poor-sighted participants differed in some regards. Our study indicates that TCs, under some conditions, may be a beneficial option for PVIs, and provides some directions for its effective implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Weronika Binder-Olibrowska
- Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, Lindleya 6, 90-131 Lodz, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Magdalena Agnieszka Wrzesińska
- Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, Lindleya 6, 90-131 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Maciek Godycki-Ćwirko
- Centre for Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcińskiego 20, 90-153 Lodz, Poland;
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Miller A, Burns R, Hargreaves S, Stevenson K. How should the UK respond to the Ukrainian migrant crisis? BMJ 2022; 377:o1191. [PMID: 35577381 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Burns
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
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