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Wouters E, van Rensburg AJ, Engelbrecht M, Buffel V, Campbell L, Sommerland N, Rau A, Kigozi G, van Olmen J, Masquillier C. How the 'HIV/TB co-epidemic-HIV stigma-TB stigma' syndemic impacts on the use of occupational health services for TB in South African hospitals: a structural equation modelling analysis of the baseline data from the HaTSaH Study (cluster RCT). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e045477. [PMID: 35383052 PMCID: PMC8984004 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis (TB) has become an occupational health hazard in South African hospitals where healthcare workers (HCWs) are additionally confronted daily with HIV and its associated stigma, causing a syndemic. Early TB diagnosis and treatment are vital, but the uptake of these services through occupational healthcare units (OHUs) is low. The current study hypothesises that (1) the link between HIV and TB and (2) the perceived HIV stigmatisation by colleagues create (3) a double HIV-TB stigma which increases (4) internalised TB stigma and leads to (5) a lower willingness to use OHU services for TB screening and treatment. DESIGN A cross-sectional study using the baseline data from the HIV and TB Stigma among Healthcare workers Study (HaTSaH Study). SETTING Six hospitals in the Free State province of South Africa. PARTICIPANTS 820 HCWs of the six selected hospitals. RESULTS The study results demonstrate that the co-epidemic (β=0.399 (screening model) and β=0.345 (treatment model)) combined (interaction effect: β=0.133 (screening) and β=0.132 (treatment)) with the persistent stigmatisation of HIV is altering the attitudes towards TB (β=0.345 (screening) and β=0.400 (treatment)), where the stigmatising views of HIV are transferred to TB-illustrating the syndemic impact. Our model demonstrated that this syndemic not only leads to higher levels of internal TB stigma (β=0.421 (screening) and β=0.426 (treatment)), but also to a lower willingness to use the OHU for TB screening (probit coefficient=-0.216) and treatment (probit coefficient=-0.160). Confidentiality consistently emerged as a contextual correlate of OHU use. CONCLUSIONS Theoretically, our results confirm HIV as a 'syndemic generator' which changes the social meaning of TB in the hospital context. Practically, the study demonstrated that the syndemic of TB and HIV in a highly endemic context with stigma impacts the intended use of occupational TB services. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Pre-results of the trial registered at the South African National Clinical Trials Register, registration ID: DOH-27-1115-5204.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Wouters
- Centre for Population, Family & Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | | | - Michelle Engelbrecht
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Veerle Buffel
- Centre for Population, Family & Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linda Campbell
- Centre for Population, Family & Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Asta Rau
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - G Kigozi
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
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Compliance of Healthcare Worker's toward Tuberculosis Preventive Measures in Workplace: A Systematic Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010864. [PMID: 34682604 PMCID: PMC8536031 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite several guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national authorities, there is a general increase in the number of healthcare workers (HCWs) contracting tuberculosis. This review sought to evaluate the compliance of the HCWs toward tuberculosis preventive measures (TPMs) in their workplace. Both electronic databases and manual searches were conducted to retrieve articles regarding the compliance of HCWs in the workplace published from 2010 onwards. Independent reviewers extracted, reviewed, and analyzed the data using the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) 2018, comprising 15 studies, 1572 HCWs, and 249 health facilities. The results showed there was low compliance toward TPMs in the workplace among HCWs and health facilities from mostly high-burden tuberculosis countries. The failure to comply with control measures against tuberculosis was mainly reported at administrative levels, followed by engineering and personnel protective control measures. In addition, low managerial support and negative attitudes of the HCWs influenced the compliance. Further studies are needed to elucidate how to improve the compliance of HCWs toward the preventive measures against tuberculosis in order to reduce the disease burden among HCWs worldwide.
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Garcia R, Spiegel JM, Yassi A, Ehrlich R, Romão P, Nunes EA, Zungu M, Mabhele S. Preventing Occupational Tuberculosis in Health Workers: An Analysis of State Responsibilities and Worker Rights in Mozambique. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7546. [PMID: 33081345 PMCID: PMC7589114 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Given the very high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) among health workers in Mozambique, a low-income country in Southern Africa, implementation of measures to protect health workers from occupational TB remains a major challenge. This study explores how Mozambique's legal framework and health system governance facilitate-or hinder-implementation of protective measures in its public (state-provided) healthcare sector. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined international, constitutional, regulatory, and policy frameworks. We also recorded and analysed the content of a workshop and policy discussion group on the topic to elicit the perspectives of health workers and of officials responsible for implementing workplace TB policies. We found that despite a well-developed legal framework and national infection prevention and control policy, a number of implementation barrier persisted: lack of legal codification of TB as an occupational disease; absence of regulations assigning specific responsibilities to employers; failure to deal with privacy and stigma fears among health workers; and limited awareness among health workers of their legal rights, including that of collective action. While all these elements require attention to protect health workers from occupational TB, a stronger emphasis on their human and labour rights is needed alongside their perceived responsibilities as caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regiane Garcia
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Jerry M. Spiegel
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Annalee Yassi
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Rodney Ehrlich
- Division of Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa;
| | - Paulo Romão
- International Labour Organization, 688 Av. do Zimbábwe, Maputo, Mozambique;
| | - Elizabete A. Nunes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maputo Central Hospital, 364 Av. Agostinho Neto, Maputo 1100, Mozambique;
| | - Muzimkhulu Zungu
- National Institute for Occupational Health, 25 Hospital St, Constitution Hill, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa;
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Simphiwe Mabhele
- International Labour Organization, Block C, Crestway Office Park, 20 Hotel St. Persequor, Pretoria 0020, South Africa;
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Workplace Biological Risk Assessment: Review of Existing and Description of a Comprehensive Approach. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11070741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Biological risks potentially affect workers in multiple occupational sectors through their exposure to pathogenic agents. These risks must be carefully assessed to prevent adverse health effects. This article identifies and critically analyzes approaches that manage the qualitative evaluation of biological risk (EvBR) as part of occupational health and safety prevention, for which no standard method yet exists. Bibliographic and computing references were searched to identify qualitative EvBR approaches, which were then analyzed based on defined criteria, such as the risks studied and the type of assessment. Approaches proposing the most representative types of assessment were analyzed. EvBR approaches in an occupational setting were identified in 32 sources. “Workstation analysis” combined with “assessment by risk level” were the most common approaches. The predominant risk descriptors (RDs) were defined in a characterized and quantifiable way, and a variety of hazard levels and exposure indices were created. Overall, the risk was determined by summing or multiplying the hazard level and exposure indicators. The results confirmed that no methodological consensus currently exists regarding the EvBR and no approach has yet been described that integrates all the parameters to allow for a full assessment of biological risk. Based on the detailed analysis of the existing data, the present paper proposes a general approach.
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Ehrlich R, Spiegel JM, Adu P, Yassi A. Current Guidelines for Protecting Health Workers from Occupational Tuberculosis Are Necessary, but Not Sufficient: Towards a Comprehensive Occupational Health Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E3957. [PMID: 32503223 PMCID: PMC7313452 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17113957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Health workers globally are at elevated occupational risk of tuberculosis infection and disease. While a raft of guidelines have been published over the past 25 years on infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare, studies in different settings continue to show inadequate implementation and persistence of risk. The aim of this commentary is to argue, based on the literature and our own research, that a comprehensive occupational health approach is an essential complement to IPC guidelines. Such an approach includes a health system framework focusing on upstream or mediating components, such as a statutory regulation, leadership, an information system, and staff trained in protective disciplines. Within the classical prevention framework, primary prevention needs to be complemented by occupational health services (secondary prevention) and worker's compensation (tertiary prevention). A worker-centric approach recognises the ethical implications of screening health workers, as well as the stigma perceived by those diagnosed with tuberculosis. It also provides for the voiced experience of health workers and their participation in decision-making. We argue that such a comprehensive approach will contribute to both the prevention of occupational tuberculosis and to the ability of a health system to withstand other crises of infectious hazards to its workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney Ehrlich
- Division of Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
| | - Jerry M. Spiegel
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (J.M.S.); (P.A.); (A.Y.)
| | - Prince Adu
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (J.M.S.); (P.A.); (A.Y.)
| | - Annalee Yassi
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (J.M.S.); (P.A.); (A.Y.)
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Ehrlich R, van de Water N, Yassi A. Tuberculosis in health workers as an occupational disease. ANTHROPOLOGY SOUTHERN AFRICA 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/23323256.2018.1539624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodney Ehrlich
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nick van de Water
- Division of Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Annalee Yassi
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Wouters E, Rau A, Engelbrecht M, Uebel K, Siegel J, Masquillier C, Kigozi G, Sommerland N, Yassi A. The Development and Piloting of Parallel Scales Measuring External and Internal HIV and Tuberculosis Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in the Free State Province, South Africa. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 62 Suppl 3:S244-54. [PMID: 27118854 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ1185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dual burden of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is severely impacting the South African healthcare workforce. However, the use of on-site occupational health services is hampered by stigma among the healthcare workforce. The success of stigma-reduction interventions is difficult to evaluate because of a dearth of appropriate scientific tools to measure stigma in this specific professional setting. METHODS The current pilot study aimed to develop and test a range of scales measuring different aspects of stigma-internal and external stigma toward tuberculosis as well as HIV-in a South African healthcare setting. The study employed data of a sample of 200 staff members of a large hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis produced 7 scales, displaying internal construct validity: (1) colleagues' external HIV stigma, (2) colleagues' actions against external HIV stigma, (3) respondent's external HIV stigma, (4) respondent's internal HIV stigma, (5) colleagues' external tuberculosis stigma, (6) respondent's external tuberculosis stigma, and (7) respondent's internal tuberculosis stigma. Subsequent analyses (reliability analysis, structural equation modeling) demonstrated that the scales displayed good psychometric properties in terms of reliability and external construct validity. CONCLUSIONS The study outcomes support the use of the developed scales as a valid and reliable means to measure levels of tuberculosis- and HIV-related stigma among the healthcare workforce in a resource-limited context. Future studies should build on these findings to fine-tune the instruments and apply them to larger study populations across a range of different resource-limited healthcare settings with high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Wouters
- Department of Sociology and Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Belgium Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Asta Rau
- Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Michelle Engelbrecht
- Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Kerry Uebel
- Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacob Siegel
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Caroline Masquillier
- Department of Sociology and Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gladys Kigozi
- Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Nina Sommerland
- Department of Sociology and Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annalee Yassi
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Yassi A, Zungu M, Spiegel JM, Kistnasamy B, Lockhart K, Jones D, O’Hara LM, Nophale L, Bryce EA, Darwin L. Protecting health workers from infectious disease transmission: an exploration of a Canadian-South African partnership of partnerships. Global Health 2016; 12:10. [PMID: 27036516 PMCID: PMC4818531 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-016-0145-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health workers are at high risk of acquiring infectious diseases at work, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) with critical health human resource deficiencies and limited implementation of occupational health and infection control measures. Amidst increasing interest in international partnerships to address such issues, how best to develop such collaborations is being actively debated. In 2006, a partnership developed between occupational health and infection control experts in Canada and institutions in South Africa (including an institute with a national mandate to conduct research and provide guidance to protect health workers from infectious diseases and promote improved working conditions). This article describes the collaboration, analyzes the determinants of success and shares lessons learned. METHODS Synthesizing participant-observer experience from over 9 years of collaboration and 10 studies already published from this work, we applied a realist review analysis to describe the various achievements at global, national, provincial and hospital levels. Expectations of the various parties on developing new insights, providing training, and addressing service needs were examined through a micro-meso-macro lens, focusing on how each main partner organization contributed to and benefitted from working together. RESULTS A state-of-the-art occupational health and safety surveillance program was established in South Africa following successful technology transfer from a similar undertaking in Canada and training was conducted that synergistically benefitted Northern as well as Southern trainees. Integrated policies combining infection control and occupational health to prevent and control infectious disease transmission among health workers were also launched. Having a national (South-South) network reinforced by the international (North-south) partnership was pivotal in mitigating the challenges that emerged. CONCLUSIONS High-income country partnerships with experience in health system strengthening - particularly in much needed areas such as occupational health and infection control - can effectively work through strong collaborators in the Global South to build capacity. Partnerships are particularly well positioned to sustainably reinforce efforts at national and sub-national LMIC levels when they adopt a "communities of practice" model, characterized by multi-directional learning. The principles of effective collaboration learned in this "partnership of partnerships" to improve working conditions for health workers can be applied to other areas where health system strengthening is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalee Yassi
- />Global Health Research Program (GHRP), The University of British Columbia (UBC), Rm. 430, 2206 East Mall, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Muzimkhulu Zungu
- />National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa
- />University of Pretoria, School of Health Systems and Public Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jerry M. Spiegel
- />Global Health Research Program (GHRP), The University of British Columbia (UBC), Rm. 430, 2206 East Mall, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Barry Kistnasamy
- />Department of Health, Compensation Commissioner, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Karen Lockhart
- />Global Health Research Program (GHRP), The University of British Columbia (UBC), Rm. 430, 2206 East Mall, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - David Jones
- />National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lyndsay M. O’Hara
- />Global Health Research Program (GHRP), The University of British Columbia (UBC), Rm. 430, 2206 East Mall, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Letshego Nophale
- />Provincial Occupational Health Unit and Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth A. Bryce
- />Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Lincoln Darwin
- />National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa
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O’Hara NN, Roy L, O’Hara LM, Spiegel JM, Lynd LD, FitzGerald JM, Yassi A, Nophale LE, Marra CA. Healthcare Worker Preferences for Active Tuberculosis Case Finding Programs in South Africa: A Best-Worst Scaling Choice Experiment. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26197344 PMCID: PMC4511419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Healthcare workers (HCWs) in South Africa are at a high risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) due to their occupational exposures. This study aimed to systematically quantify and compare the preferred attributes of an active TB case finding program for HCWs in South Africa. Methods A Best–Worst Scaling choice experiment estimated HCW’s preferences using a random-effects conditional logit model. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to explore heterogeneity in preferences. Results “No cost”, “the assurance of confidentiality”, “no wait” and testing at the occupational health unit at one’s hospital were the most preferred attributes. LCA identified a four class model with consistent differences in preference strength. Sex, occupation, and the time since a previous TB test were statistically significant predictors of class membership. Conclusions The findings support the strengthening of occupational health units in South Africa to offer free and confidential active TB case finding programs for HCWs with minimal wait times. There is considerable variation in active TB case finding preferences amongst HCWs of different gender, occupation, and testing history. Attention to heterogeneity in preferences should optimize screening utilization of target HCW populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan N. O’Hara
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lilla Roy
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lyndsay M. O’Hara
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jerry M. Spiegel
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Larry D. Lynd
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - J. Mark FitzGerald
- Institute for Heart and Lung Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Annalee Yassi
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Letshego E. Nophale
- Department of Community Health, Faculty Of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Carlo A. Marra
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
- * E-mail:
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