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Gamal-AbdelNaser A, A Elsabour MAA, Khattab NMA. Caries in orphan children: prevalence and determinants-a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:381. [PMID: 38528487 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04125-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orphan children represent a category of children who lost their family support. Their health status is poorer when compared to their parented counterparts. As the most prevalent disease in the world, dental caries is expected to affect orphans greatly. Being vulnerable, health status of orphan children must be monitored and studied; so that health improvement plans would be formulated. Therefore, this systematic review focuses on the extent of the dental caries problem among institutionalized orphan children and its determinants. METHODS The review has two outcomes: comparing caries experience of institutionalized children to their parented counterparts, and reviewing the determinants of caries in the exposure group. Two systematic searches (one for each outcome) were run on MedLine via PubMed, Cochrane library, LILACS, Egyptian knowledge bank (EKB) and Google Scholar; beside hand search and searching grey literature. RESULTS The searches yielded 17,760, followed by 16,242 records for the first and second outcomes respectively. The full text was screened for 33 and 103 records for the two outcomes respectively; after translating non-English reports. Finally, the review included 9 records to address the first outcome and 21 records for the second. The pooled results showed that the exposure group may show slightly poorer caries experience regarding permanent teeth (pooled mean difference of DMF = 0.09 (-0.36, 0.55)); but they have a much poorer caries experience regarding primary teeth health (pooled mean difference of dmf = (0.64 (-0.74, 2.01)). Meta-analysis of the caries determinants showed that institutionalization increases the risk of caries by 19%. Gender showed slight effect on caries risk with males being more affected; while primary teeth revealed higher risk of caries when compared to permanent teeth. CONCLUSION Limited by the heterogeneity and risk of bias of the included studies, meta-analyses concluded that institutionalized orphan children have higher risk of caries. Yet, the institutionalization circumstances were not well-documented in all the included studies. So, the complete picture of the children's condition was not possibly sketched. TRIAL REGISTRATION Protocol has been registered online on the PROSPERO database with an ID CRD42023443582 on 24/07/2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayat Gamal-AbdelNaser
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Ahram Canadian University, 4th Industrial Zone, Banks Complex, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt.
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Ng SL. Who will survive in the next disaster? The associations between sociodemographics and typhoon protective behaviors. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15492. [PMID: 37128303 PMCID: PMC10148039 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Personal protective behaviors play an important role in disaster management because they can effectively reduce the damage caused by disasters. Understanding the relations and differences in protective behaviors among different social classes can help improve disaster management. This study conducted a street questionnaire survey in a typhoon-prone district of Hong Kong. Data were analyzed to understand how sociodemographic parameters (i.e., gender, age, education level, and income) influenced typhoon protective behaviors (i.e., preparedness before typhoons and emergency response during typhoons) of Hong Kong residents. The results showed that the level of preparedness of the respondents was low before the arrival of the typhoon. When the typhoon is approaching Hong Kong, they become more responsive. The higher the intensity of the typhoon, the higher the level of the adoption of emergency response. Among four sociodemographic parameters, only age and income significantly affected protective behaviors. This study supplements the existing literature on typhoon disaster management and provides a reference for improving typhoon disaster management in Hong Kong and other coastal cities affected by typhoons.
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Mendes MF, Pereira LR, Lima TM, Melani VF, Palamim CVC, Boschiero MN, Marson FAL. COVID-19 pandemic evolution in the Brazilian Indigenous population. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022; 9:921-37. [PMID: 33782907 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01031-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several neglected populations such as the Indigenous peoples, which have suffered a high impact from the pandemic. OBJECTIVES To analyze the impact on the health and disease process according to the COVID-19 evolution in the Brazilian Indigenous population. METHODS Data was collected from press releases by the Health Ministry and a descriptive analysis of the numbers of Indigenous individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil was carried out. RESULTS In February 2021, there were 41,855 confirmed cases of Indigenous individuals infected by the SARS-CoV-2, including 4,387 active cases, 36,809 recovered cases, and 549 deaths. The Brazilian Indigenous population is distributed in over 300 ethnic groups and, due to the high number of deaths by the COVID-19, many of these groups are endangered. The elderly are the most affected age group, and they play a fundamental role among the Indigenous population for transmitting their customs mainly orally. Indigenous populations do not have proper access to transport to specialized health centers, since many areas are inaccessible and other cases require air or river transportation, which many times results in late assistance. When managing the COVID-19, it is important to emphasize the need for social isolation to prevent the virus from spreading among the Indigenous groups, mainly due to their contact with other ethnic groups represented by missionaries, hunters, and wood explorers, among others. CONCLUSION The adoption of practices that can reduce the virus transmission among the Indigenous population and provide them with better access to treatment, mainly for the elderly, must be prioritized in Brazil.
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Maji KJ, Li VO, Lam JC. Effects of China's current Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan on air pollution patterns, health risks and mortalities in Beijing 2014-2018. Chemosphere 2020; 260:127572. [PMID: 32758771 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Beijing is one of the most polluted cities in the world. However, the "Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan" (APPCAP), introduced since 2013 in China, has created an unprecedented drop in pollution concentrations for five major pollutants, except O3, with a significant drop in mortalities across most parts of the city. To assess the effects of APPCAP, air pollution data were collected from 35 sites (divided into four types, namely, urban, suburban, regional background, and traffic) in Beijing, from 2014 to 2018 and analyzed. Simultaneously, health-risk based air quality index (HAQI) and district-specific pollution (PM2.5 and O3) attributed mortality were calculated for Beijing. The results show that the annual PM2.5 concentration exceeded the Chinese national ambient air quality standard Grade II (35 μg/m3) in all sites, ranging from 88.5 ± 77.4 μg/m3 for the suburban site to 98.6 ± 89.0 μg/m3 for the traffic site in 2014, but was reduced to 50.6 ± 46.6 μg/m3 for the suburban site, and 56.1 ± 47.0 μg/m3 for the regional background in 2018. O3 was another most important pollutant that exceeded the Grade II standard (160 μg/m3) for a total of 291 days. It peaked at 311.6 μg/m3 in 2014 for the urban site and 290.6 μg/m3 in 2018 in the suburban site. APPCAP led to a significant reduction in PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2 and CO concentrations by 7.4, 8.1, 2.4, 1.9 and 80 μg/m3/year respectively, though O3 concentration was increased by 1.3 μg/m3/year during the five-years. HAQI results suggest that during the high pollution days, the more vulnerable groups, such as the children, and the elderly, should take additional precautions, beyond the recommendations currently put forward by Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center (BJMEMC). In 2014, PM2.5 and O3 attributed to 29,270 and 3,030 deaths respectively, though in 2018 their mortalities were reduced by 5.6% and 18.5% respectively. The highest mortality was observed in Haidian and Chaoyang districts, two of the most densely populated areas in Beijing. Beijing's air quality has seen a dramatic improvement over the five-year period, which can be attributable to the implementation of APPCAP and the central government's determination, with significant drops in the mortalities due to PM2.5 and O3 in parallel. To further improve air quality in Beijing, more stringent regulatory measures should be introduced to control volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reduce O3 concentrations. Consistent air pollution control interventions will be needed to ensure long-term prosperity and environmental sustainability in Beijing, China's most powerful city. This study provides a robust methodology for analyzing air pollution trends, health risks and mortalities in China. The crucial evidence generated forms the basis for the governments in China to introduce location-specific air pollution policy interventions to further reduce air pollution in Beijing and other parts of China. The methodology presented in this study can form the basis for future fine-grained air pollution and health risk study at the city-district level in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Jyoti Maji
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | - Victor Ok Li
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jacqueline Ck Lam
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Energy Policy Research Group, Judge Business School, The University of Cambridge, Hong Kong, SAR, China; Department of Computer Science and Technology, The University of Cambridge, Hong Kong, SAR, China; CEEPR, MIT Energy Initiative, MIT, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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Kim JY, Han JO, Lee H. Recommendation for response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Korean context of "distancing in daily life," considering vulnerable population. Int J Equity Health 2020; 19:198. [PMID: 33158449 PMCID: PMC7646719 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-020-01309-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing worldwide, including South Korea (hereinafter Korea), it is impossible to predict the duration of the pandemic. To stop the spread of COVID-19, “social distancing,” which included mandatory lockdown, and attention to personal hygiene are being adopted globally as non-pharmaceutical preventive strategies. In Korea, after maintaining strong social distancing rules for a while, the government transitioned to implementing “distancing in daily life” since May 6, 2020. The distancing in daily life was combined with infection prevention activities to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, while guaranteeing one’s daily life and economic activities. In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea disclosed key rules for personal quarantine. The five key rules for individual infection control are as follows: to stay at home for 3–4 days if you feel unwell, keep a distance of two arms’ length from others, to wash your hands for 30 s and cough or sneeze into your sleeves, ventilate at least twice a day and disinfect regularly, and stay connected while physically distancing. However, for vulnerable populations, it is very difficult to follow such rules. Thus, we attempted to recommend how the society could support such vulnerable populations who may face difficulties in following these individual infection control rules. Through our recommendations for the weakest part of our society, we expect to strengthen the overall social structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ja Young Kim
- Gyeonggi Public Health Policy Institute, 7th Floor, 172, Dolma-ro, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13605, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ok Han
- Gyeonggi Public Health Policy Institute, 7th Floor, 172, Dolma-ro, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13605, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyoung Lee
- Gyeonggi Public Health Policy Institute, 7th Floor, 172, Dolma-ro, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13605, Republic of Korea. .,Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea.
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Zhao SZ, Wong JYH, Luk TT, Wai AKC, Lam TH, Wang MP. Mental health crisis under COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, China. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 100:431-433. [PMID: 32947051 PMCID: PMC7492140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To compare the mental health burden before and during the COVID-19 outbreak and identify the vulnerable groups by sociodemographic factors. Methods We analyzed repeated cross-sectional data from the Hong Kong Family and Health Information Trend Survey (FHInTS) in 2016 (N = 4036) and 2017 (N = 4051) and the COVID-19 Health Information Survey (CoVHInS) in April 9–23, 2020 (N = 1501) using population-based random samples of general adults by landline telephone and online panel. Stress (Perceived Stress Scale 4), anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorders 2), depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), subjective happiness (4-point Likert item), and sociodemographic factors were collected. Results Compared with 2016 and 2017, the stress level increased by 28.3%, prevalence of anxiety increased by 42.3%, and the depression symptoms and unhappiness have doubled (all P for trends <0.001) during the COVID-19 outbreak. The increases in stress levels were significantly larger among older and less educated respondents (P for interactions <0.001). Conclusion Hong Kong had a mental health emergency even with no lockdown and well-managed outbreaks. Older and under-privileged people will suffer most. Public mental health interventions are urgently needed particularly for the older adults and individuals with primary or lower education attainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhi Zhao
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Janet Yuen Ha Wong
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tzu Tsun Luk
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Abraham Ka Chung Wai
- Emergency Medicine Unit, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tai Hing Lam
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Man Ping Wang
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Willems R, Pil L, Lambrinou CP, Kivelä J, Wikström K, Gonzalez-Gil EM, De Miguel-Etayo P, Nánási A, Semánová C, Van Stappen V, Cardon G, Tsochev K, Iotova V, Chakarova N, Makrilakis K, Dafoulas G, Timpel P, Schwarz P, Manios Y, Annemans L. Methodology of the health economic evaluation of the Feel4Diabetes-study. BMC Endocr Disord 2020; 20:14. [PMID: 32164685 PMCID: PMC7066818 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-019-0471-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical and economic burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus on society is rising. Effective and efficient preventive measures may stop the increasing prevalence, given that type 2 diabetes mellitus is mainly a lifestyle-driven disease. The Feel4Diabetes-study aimed to tackle unhealthy lifestyle (unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and excess weight) of families with a child in the first grades of elementary school. These schools were located in regions with a relatively low socio-economic status in Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary and Spain. Special attention was paid to families with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS The aim of this paper is to describe the detailed methodology of the intervention's cost-effectiveness analysis. Based on the health economic evaluation of the Toybox-study, both a decision analytic part and a Markov model have been designed to assess the long-term (time horizon of 70 year with one-year cycles) intervention's value for money. Data sources used for the calculation of health state incidences, transition probabilities between health states, health state costs, and health state utilities are listed. Intervention-related costs were collected by questionnaires and diaries, and attributed to either all families or high risk families only. CONCLUSIONS The optimal use of limited resources is pivotal. The future results of the health economic evaluation of the Feel4Diabetes-study will contribute to the efficient use of those resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Willems
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Entrance 42 – Floor 4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lore Pil
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Entrance 42 – Floor 4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christina-Paulina Lambrinou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El Venizelou Ave, 176 71 Kallithea, Athens, Greece
| | - Jemina Kivelä
- Department of Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mannerheimintie 166, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Wikström
- Department of Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mannerheimintie 166, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esther M. Gonzalez-Gil
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Pilar De Miguel-Etayo
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragon (IA2), Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragon), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERObn), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Anna Nánási
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 400 Hungary
| | - Csilla Semánová
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 400 Hungary
| | - Vicky Van Stappen
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Dunant, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Greet Cardon
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Dunant, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kaloyan Tsochev
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical University Varna, 1 Hr. Smirnenski Blvd, 9010 Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Violeta Iotova
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical University Varna, 1 Hr. Smirnenski Blvd, 9010 Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Nevena Chakarova
- Department of Diabetology, Clinical Center of Endocrinology, Medical University Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - George Dafoulas
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17 Ag. Thoma St, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Patrick Timpel
- Department for Precention and Care of Diabetes, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department for Precention and Care of Diabetes, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Yannis Manios
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El Venizelou Ave, 176 71 Kallithea, Athens, Greece
| | - Lieven Annemans
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Entrance 42 – Floor 4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Heathfield LJ, Maistry S, Martin LJ, Ramesar R, de Vries J. Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Med Ethics 2017; 18:66. [PMID: 29187190 PMCID: PMC5708083 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. MAIN BODY This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. CONCLUSION It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Heathfield
- Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
- MRC/UCT Human Genetics Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sairita Maistry
- Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Lorna J. Martin
- Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
| | - Raj Ramesar
- MRC/UCT Human Genetics Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jantina de Vries
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural and man-made disasters, especially those occurring in large scales not only result in human mortality, but also cause physical, psychological, and social disabilities. Providing effective rehabilitation services in time can decrease the frequency of such disabilities. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review related to rehabilitation of vulnerable groups in emergencies and disasters. METHODS The systematic review was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The key words "recovery", "rehabilitation", "reconstruction", "transformation", "transition", "emergency", "disaster", "crisis", "hazard", "catastrophe", "tragedy", "mass casualty incident", "women", "female", "children", "pediatric", "disable", "handicap", "elder", "old" and "vulnerable" were used in combination with Boolean operators OR and AND. ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Ovid, ProQuest, Wiley, Google Scholar were searched. RESULTS In this study a total of 11 928 articles were considered and 25 articles were selected for final review of rehabilitation of vulnerable groups based on the objective of this study. Twenty-five studies including six qualitative, sixteen cross-sectional and three randomized controlled trials were reviewed for rehabilitation of vulnerable groups in emergencies and disasters. Out of the selected papers, 23 were studied based on rehabilitation after natural disasters and the remaining were man-made disasters. Most types of rehabilitation were physical, social, psychological and economic. CONCLUSION The review of the papers showed different programs of physical, physiological, economic and social rehabilitations for vulnerable groups after emergencies and disasters. It may help health field managers better implement standard rehabilitation activities for vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojjat Sheikhbardsiri
- Department of Emergency Operation Center (EOC), Disasters and Emergencies Management Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad H Yarmohammadian
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Faculty of Management and Medical Informatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Faculty of Management and Medical Informatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Maracy
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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