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Liyaghatdar Z, Pezeshkian Z, Mohammadi-Dehcheshmeh M, Ebrahimie E. Fast school closures correspond with a lower rate of COVID-19 incidence and deaths in most countries. Inform Med Unlocked 2021; 27:100805. [PMID: 34849394 PMCID: PMC8607689 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
School closures have been used as one of the main nonpharmaceutical interventions to overcome the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Different countries use this intervention with a wide range of time intervals from the date of the first confirmed case or death. This study aimed to investigate whether fast or late school closures affect the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases or deaths. A worldwide population-based observational study has been conducted and a range of attributes were weighted using 10 attribute weighting models against the normalized number of infected cases or death in the form of numeric, binominal and polynomial labels. Statistical analysis was performed for the most weighted and the most common attributes of all types of labels. By the end of March 2021, the school closure data of 198 countries with at least one COVID-19 case were available. The days before the first school closure were one of the most weighted factors in relation to the normalized number of infected cases and deaths in numeric, binomial, and quartile forms. The average of days before the first school closure in the lowest quartile to highest quartile of infected cases (Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4) was -6.10 [95% CI, -26.5 to 14.2], 9.35 [95% CI, 2.16 to 16.53], 17.55 [95% CI, 5.95 to 29.15], and 16.00 [95% CI, 11.69 to 20.31], respectively. In addition, 188 countries reported at least one death from COVID-19. The average of the days before the first school closure in the lowest quartile of death to highest quartile (Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4) was -49.4 [95% CI, -76.5 to -22.3], -10.34 [95% CI, -30.12 to 9.44], -18.74 [95% CI, -32.72 to -4.77], and -12.89 [95% CI, -27.84 to 2.06], respectively. Countries that closed schools faster, especially before the detection of any confirmed case or death, had fewer COVID-19 cases or deaths per million of the population on total days of involvement. It can be concluded that rapid prevention policies are the main determinants of the countries' success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Liyaghatdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding author
| | - Zahra Pezeshkian
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Manijeh Mohammadi-Dehcheshmeh
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5371, Australia,Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- La Trobe Genomics Research Platform, School of Life Sciences, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia,Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Liang XH, Tang X, Luo YT, Zhang M, Feng ZP. Effects of policies and containment measures on control of COVID-19 epidemic in Chongqing. World J Clin Cases 2020; 8:2959-2976. [PMID: 32775378 PMCID: PMC7385616 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i14.2959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging, rapidly evolving disease that spreads through the respiratory system and is highly contagious. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. In China, the pandemic was controlled after 2 mo through effective policies and containment measures. Describing the detailed policies and containment measures used to control the epidemic in Chongqing will provide a reference for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in other areas of the world. AIM To explore the effects of different policies and containment measures on the control of the COVID-19 epidemic in Chongqing. METHODS Epidemiological data on COVID-19 in Chongqing were prospectively collected from January 21 to March 15, 2020. The policies and prevention measures implemented by the government during the epidemic period were also collected. Trend analysis was performed to explore the impact of the main policy measures on the effectiveness of the control of COVID-19 in Chongqing. RESULTS As of March 15, the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in Chongqing was 1.84/100000 (576 cases) and the infection fatality rate was 1.04% (6/576). The spread of COVID-19 was controlled by effective policies that involved establishing a group for directing the COVID-19 epidemic control effort; strengthening guidance and supervision; ensuring the supply of daily necessities and medical supplies and equipment to residents; setting up designated hospitals; implementing legal measures; and enhancing health education. Medical techniques were implemented to improve the recovery rate and control the epidemic. Policies such as "the lockdown of Wuhan", "initiating a first-level response to major public health emergencies", and "implementing the closed management of residential communities" significantly curbed the spread of COVID-19. Optimizing the diagnosis process, shortening the diagnosis time, and constructing teams of clinical experts facilitated the provision of "one team of medical experts for each patient" treatment for severe patients, which significantly improved the recovery rate and reduced the infection fatality rate. CONCLUSION The prevention policies and containment measures implemented by the government and medical institutions are highly effective in controlling the spread of the epidemic and increasing the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hua Liang
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Center of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Xian Tang
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Center of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Ye-Tao Luo
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Center of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Center of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Ze-Pei Feng
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Center of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing 400014, China
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Roca-Barceló A, Crabbe H, Ghosh R, Freni-Sterrantino A, Fletcher T, Leonardi G, Hoge C, Hansell AL, Piel FB. Temporal trends and demographic risk factors for hospital admissions due to carbon monoxide poisoning in England. Prev Med 2020; 136:106104. [PMID: 32353574 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020106104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Unintentional non-fire related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological data on UNFR CO poisoning can help monitor changes in the magnitude of this burden, particularly through comparisons of multiple countries, and to identify vulnerable sub-groups of the population which may be more at risk. Here, we collected data on age- and sex- specific number of hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of UNFR CO poisoning in England (2002-2016), aggregated to small areas, alongside area-level characteristics (i.e. deprivation, rurality and ethnicity). We analysed temporal trends using piecewise log-linear models and compared them to analogous data obtained for Canada, France, Spain and the US. We estimated age-standardized rates per 100,000 inhabitants by area-level characteristics using the WHO standard population (2000-2025). We then fitted the Besag York Mollie (BYM) model, a Bayesian hierarchical spatial model, to assess the independent effect of each area-level characteristic on the standardized risk of hospitalization. Temporal trends showed significant decreases after 2010. Decreasing trends were also observed across all countries studied, yet France had a 5-fold higher risk. Based on 3399 UNFR CO poisoning hospitalizations, we found an increased risk in areas classified as rural (0.69, 95% CrI: 0.67; 0.80), highly deprived (1.77, 95% CrI: 1.66; 2.10) or with the largest proportion of Asian (1.15, 95% CrI: 1.03; 1.49) or Black population (1.35, 95% CrI: 1.20; 1.80). Our multivariate approach provides strong evidence for the identification of vulnerable populations which can inform prevention policies and targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Roca-Barceló
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Crabbe
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK
| | - Rebecca Ghosh
- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, London, UK
| | - Anna Freni-Sterrantino
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tony Fletcher
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK; London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, London, UK
| | - Giovanni Leonardi
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK
| | - Courtney Hoge
- Asthma and Community Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, USA
| | - Anna L Hansell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Frédéric B Piel
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK.
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Roca-Barceló A, Crabbe H, Ghosh R, Freni-Sterrantino A, Fletcher T, Leonardi G, Hoge C, Hansell AL, Piel FB. Temporal trends and demographic risk factors for hospital admissions due to carbon monoxide poisoning in England. Prev Med 2020; 136:106104. [PMID: 32353574 PMCID: PMC7262581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Unintentional non-fire related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological data on UNFR CO poisoning can help monitor changes in the magnitude of this burden, particularly through comparisons of multiple countries, and to identify vulnerable sub-groups of the population which may be more at risk. Here, we collected data on age- and sex- specific number of hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of UNFR CO poisoning in England (2002-2016), aggregated to small areas, alongside area-level characteristics (i.e. deprivation, rurality and ethnicity). We analysed temporal trends using piecewise log-linear models and compared them to analogous data obtained for Canada, France, Spain and the US. We estimated age-standardized rates per 100,000 inhabitants by area-level characteristics using the WHO standard population (2000-2025). We then fitted the Besag York Mollie (BYM) model, a Bayesian hierarchical spatial model, to assess the independent effect of each area-level characteristic on the standardized risk of hospitalization. Temporal trends showed significant decreases after 2010. Decreasing trends were also observed across all countries studied, yet France had a 5-fold higher risk. Based on 3399 UNFR CO poisoning hospitalizations, we found an increased risk in areas classified as rural (0.69, 95% CrI: 0.67; 0.80), highly deprived (1.77, 95% CrI: 1.66; 2.10) or with the largest proportion of Asian (1.15, 95% CrI: 1.03; 1.49) or Black population (1.35, 95% CrI: 1.20; 1.80). Our multivariate approach provides strong evidence for the identification of vulnerable populations which can inform prevention policies and targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Roca-Barceló
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Crabbe
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK
| | - Rebecca Ghosh
- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, London, UK
| | - Anna Freni-Sterrantino
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tony Fletcher
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK; London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, London, UK
| | - Giovanni Leonardi
- Environmental Epidemiology Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK
| | - Courtney Hoge
- Asthma and Community Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, USA
| | - Anna L Hansell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Frédéric B Piel
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Health Impact of Environmental Hazards, UK.
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Leander EMB, Larsen PL, Munk KP. Children's Doctor Games and Nudity at Danish Childcare Institutions. Arch Sex Behav 2018; 47:863-875. [PMID: 29450663 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-017-1144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the first Danish study of the acceptance of children's nudity and sexuality at Danish childcare institutions. The study revealed an important cultural shift in the attitude toward children's nudity and sexual games, the so-called doctor games. Although these were quite accepted at Danish childcare institutions until the beginning of this century, the study showed that new, pervasive regulations had been established to control the child's body and its sexuality. A new discourse revealed that fear of child sexual abuse, in particular, had influenced views of children's sexual games and nudity and that, at times, the child itself was viewed as a potential threat to other children. This marks a new development in Denmark, internationally known for its broadmindedness, and this article discusses the background to this cultural shift in the institutions, and possible implications for the children.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature offers competing estimates of disease costs, with each study having its own data and methods. In 2007, the Dutch Center for Public Health Forecasting of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment provided guidelines that can be used to set up cost-of-illness (COI) studies, emphasising that most COI analyses have trouble accounting for comorbidity in their cost estimations. When a patient has more than one chronic condition, the conditions may interact such that the patient's healthcare costs are greater than the sum of the costs for the individual diseases. The main objective of this work was to estimate the costs of 10 non-communicable diseases when their co-occurrence is acknowledged and properly assessed. METHODS The French Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires (EGB) database was used to assign all healthcare expenses for a representative sample of the population covered by the National Health Insurance. COIs were estimated in a bottom-up approach, through regressions on individuals' healthcare expenditure. Two-way interactions between the 10 chronic disease variables were included in the expenditure model to account for possible effect modification in the presence of comorbidity(ies). RESULTS The costs of the 10 selected chronic diseases were substantially higher for individuals with comorbidity, demonstrating the pattern of super-additive costs in cases of diseases interaction. For instance, the cost associated with diabetes for people without comorbidity was estimated at 1776 €, whereas this was 2634 € for people with heart disease as a comorbidity. Overall, we detected 41 cases of super-additivity over 45 possible comorbidities. When simulating a preventive action on diabetes, our results showed that significant monetary savings could be achieved not only for diabetes itself, but also for the chronic diseases frequently associated with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS When comorbidity exists and where super-additivity is involved, a given preventive policy leads to greater monetary savings than the costs associated with the single diagnosis, meaning that the returns from the action are generally underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Cortaredona
- Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, 19-21 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France. .,ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
| | - Bruno Ventelou
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS, EHESS, Centrale Marseille, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, Marseille, France
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Suárez C, del Moral G, Musitu G, Sánchez JC, John B. [Effectiveness of institutional policies to prevent adolescent alcohol use: The view of experts and adolescents]. Aten Primaria 2014; 46:326-35. [PMID: 24768656 PMCID: PMC6985597 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2013.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to obtain the views of a sample of adolescents and experts on adolescence, family, school, local policies and media, regarding the effectiveness of institutional policies to prevent adolescent alcohol use. SETTING Four educational centers in the province of Seville. Head office of the Alcohol and Society Foundation in Madrid. DESIGN Qualitative study using the method proposed by Grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). METHODOLOGY Data were collected from 10 discussion groups guided by semistructured interviews. The data were analyzed using Atlas ti 5 software. PARTICIPANTS A total of 32 national experts and 40 adolescents of both sexes aged 15 to 20 years living in the province of Seville, selected by theoretical intentional sampling. RESULTS The experts believed that most of the evaluated preventive actions were effective, while adolescents disputed the preventive impact of most of them. Adolescents proposed actions focused on the reduction of supply of alcohol. Experts proposed a mixed model as the most effective strategy to prevent alcohol consumption in adolescents, combining supply and demand reduction policies, depending on specific short and long term objectives. CONCLUSIONS We have obtained, not only an overview of what is working (or not) from the view of adolescents and experts, but also the key points that should be taken into account for designing effective prevention policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Suárez
- Departamento de Educación y Psicología Social, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, España.
| | - Gonzalo del Moral
- Departamento de Educación y Psicología Social, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, España
| | - Gonzalo Musitu
- Departamento de Educación y Psicología Social, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, España
| | - Juan Carlos Sánchez
- Facultad de Psicología, Campus Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México
| | - Bev John
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Business and Society, University of Glamorgan, South Wales, Reino Unido
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