Increase of scabies infestations, Norway, 2006 to 2018

Between October and December 2018, several clinicians in Norway reported an increase in scabies diagnoses. We compared data from the Norwegian Syndromic Surveillance System on medical consultations for mite infestations with scabies treatment sales data to investigate this reported increase. From 2013 to 2018, consultations and sales of scabies treatments had almost increased by threefold, particularly affecting young adults 15–29 years. We recommend to increase awareness among clinicians to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Antibiotic use and infections in nursing homes

BACKGROUND

Residents in nursing homes have a higher risk of developing infections that require antibiotic treatment than elderly people living at home. Use of antibiotics may cause adverse effects and result in the development of antimicrobial resistance.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Data on healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic use in 540 Norwegian nursing homes were retrieved from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s point prevalence survey in the spring of 2016. Based on information on drug, dosage and indication, we assessed whether the use of antibiotics for the treatment of UTIs was in accordance with the National Guidelines for the Use of Antibiotics in Primary Care.

RESULTS

UTI was the most commonly occurring type of infection, with a prevalence of 2.7 %. Prescription of first-line antibiotics accounted for approximately 60 % of the prescriptions for treatment of this illness. Choice of drug, dosage and microbiological testing when treating lower UTIs was not always in accordance with the national guidelines. The study showed widespread use of methenamine in Norwegian nursing homes.

INTERPRETATION

The survey indicates that compliance with the national guidelines when treating lower UTIs could be improved with regard to the choice of drug, dosage and microbiological testing. Norwegian nursing home doctors should also consider whether their use of methenamine is in accordance with national and international recommendations.

Vaccination coverage for seasonal influenza among residents and health care workers in Norwegian nursing homes during the 2012/13 season, a cross-sectional study

Background

WHO has set a goal of 75% vaccination coverage (VC) for seasonal influenza for residents and also recommends immunization for all healthcare workers (HCWs) in nursing homes (NHs). We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the VC for seasonal influenza vaccination in Norwegian NHs in 2012/2013 since the VC in NHs and HCWs is unknown.

Methods

We gathered information from NHs concerning VC for residents and HCWs, and vaccination costs for HCWs, using a web-based questionnaire. We calculated VC among NH residents by dividing the number of residents vaccinated by the total number of residents for each NH. VC among HCWs was similarly calculated by dividing the number of HCWs vaccinated by the total number of HCWs for each NH. The association between VC and possible demographic variables were explored.

Results

Of 910 NHs, 354 (38.9%) responded. Median VC per NH was 71.7% (range 0-100) among residents and 0% (range 0-100) among HCWs, with 214 (60%) NHs reporting that none of their HCWs was vaccinated. Median VC for HCWs in NHs with an annual vaccination campaign was 0% (range 0-53), compared to when they did not have an annual vaccination campaign 0% (range 0-12); the distributions in the two groups differed significantly (Mann–Whitney U, P = 0.006 two tailed).

Conclusion

Median influenza VC in Norwegian NHs was marginally lower than recommended among residents and exceptionally low among HCWs. The VC in HCWs was significantly higher when NHs had an annual vaccination campaign. We recommend that NHs implement measures to increase VC among residents and HCWs, including vaccination campaigns and studies to identify potential barriers to vaccination.