The application of environmental management methods in combating dengue: a systematic review

Among several vector control methods commonly used, environmental management is one of the control measures to mitigate dengue in such vulnerable communities. Since there is no curative treatment for dengue yet, targeted environmental and ecosystem management is increasingly relevant. Hence, this review was conducted to identify the effectiveness of environmental management intervention strategy to reduce dengue cases. We searched PUBMED, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CIJE, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to January 2021. A total of 521 articles were screened. Only 16 studies were included in this review. There were 6 studies that applied all three types of environmental management interventions (manipulation, modification and behavior), 8 studies applied two types of interventions (manipulation and behavior) and 2 studies applied one type of intervention (manipulation or behavior). All included studies reported reduction of Aedes entomological indices. The studies showed reduction in dengue cases and density of Aedes population through environmental interventions. It is recommended for the health authority to incorporate environmental management intervention in dengue control activities and enhanced the community involvement to ensure sustainability with high impact on dengue reduction.

The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Malaysia: 7 August to 11 October 2020

Background

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until mid-October 2020, Malaysia recorded ~15,000 confirmed cases. But there could be undiagnosed cases due mainly to asymptomatic infections. Seroprevalence studies can better quantify underlying infection from SARS-CoV-2 by identifying humoral antibodies against the virus. This study was the first to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in  Malaysia's general population, as well as the proportion of asymptomatic and undiagnosed infections.

Methods

This cross-sectional seroprevalence study with a two-stage stratified random cluster sampling design included 5,131 representative community dwellers in Malaysia aged ≥1 year. Data collection lasted from 7 August to 11 October 2020 involving venous blood sampling and interviews for history of COVID-19 symptoms and diagnosis. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as screened positive using the Wantai SARS-CoV-2 Total Antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed positive using the GenScript SARS-CoV-2 surrogate Virus Neutralization Test. We performed a complex sampling design analysis, calculating sample weights considering probabilities of selection, non-response rate and post-stratification weight.

Results

The overall weighted prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 0.49% (95%CI 0.28-0.85) (N = 150,857). Among the estimated population with past infection, around 84.1% (95%CI 58.84-95.12) (N = 126 826) were asymptomatic, and 90.1% (95%CI 67.06-97.58) (N = 135 866) were undiagnosed.

Conclusions

Our study revealed a low pre-variant and pre-vaccination seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Malaysia up to mid-October 2020, with a considerable proportion of asymptomatic and undiagnosed cases. This led to subsequent adoption of SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test kits to increase case detection rate and to reduce time to results and infection control measures.

Evaluation of 2 Artificial Intelligence Software for Chest X-Ray Screening and Pulmonary Tuberculosis Diagnosis: Protocol for a Retrospective Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

According to the World Bank, Malaysia reported an estimated 97 tuberculosis cases per 100,000 people in 2021. Chest x-ray (CXR) remains the best conventional method for the early detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) infection. The intervention of artificial intelligence (AI) in PTB diagnosis could efficiently aid human interpreters and reduce health professionals' work burden. To date, no AI studies have been evaluated in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the performance of Putralytica and Qure.ai software for CXR screening and PTB diagnosis among the Malaysian population.

METHODS

We will conduct a retrospective case-control study at the Respiratory Medicine Institute, National Cancer Institute, and Sungai Buloh Health Clinic. A total of 1500 CXR images of patients who completed treatments or check-ups will be selected and categorized into three groups: (1) abnormal PTB cases, (2) abnormal non-PTB cases, and (3) normal cases. These CXR images, along with their clinical findings, will be the reference standard in this study. All patient data, including sociodemographic characteristics and clinical history, will be collected prior to screening via Putralytica and Qure.ai software and readers' interpretation, which are the index tests for this study. Interpretation from all 3 index tests will be compared with the reference standard, and significant statistical analysis will be computed.

RESULTS

Data collection is expected to commence in August 2023. It is anticipated that 1 year will be needed to conduct the study.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will measure the accuracy of Putralytica and Qure.ai software and whether their findings will concur with readers' interpretation and the reference standard, thus providing evidence toward the effectiveness of implementing AI in the medical setting.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/36121.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infection in Malaysia : A scoping review protocol (Preprint)

Background

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection is 1 of the 20 notable neglected tropical diseases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. In 2010, it is estimated that 1.73 billion people are infected with STH globally, of which 70% of cases occur in Asia. To date, there is a dearth of published literature on the prevalence of STH infection throughout Malaysia.

Objective

The objectives of this study are to review research activity on STH infection in Malaysia, to estimate the prevalence of STH infection among Malaysians, and to identify significant risk factors associated with the infection. This review aims to provide the current state of evidence pertaining to STH infections, focusing on the main areas, limitations, and biases of research and mapping out the morbidity distribution of the diseases and their causative agents, and to identify significant risk factors for preventive measures.

Methods

We will conduct a scoping review based on the 6-stage structured framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. A comprehensive search strategy focusing on STH infection will be executed using electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase). A systematic approach for searching, screening, reviewing, and data extraction will be applied based on the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Mendeley software and Microsoft Excel will be used to manage the references and to remove duplicates. Relevant data from selected articles will be extracted using a standardized data extraction form.

Results

A total of 164 potential manuscripts were retrieved. Data extraction is currently in progress and completion is expected by the end of 2022.

Conclusions

Our scoping review will summarize the current state of research in this field and provide comprehensive information regarding STH infections in Malaysia for future reference.

Trial Registration

National Medical Research Register NMRR-20-2889-54348; https://nmrr.gov.my/research-directory/e52ea778-d31c-4eb4-9163-a45bb3680bbf

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/36077

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection among Malaysian population

Malaysia is a country with an intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B. As the country moves toward hepatitis B and C elimination, population-based estimates are necessary to understand the burden of hepatitis B and C for evidence-based policy-making. Hence, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Malaysia. A total of 1458 participants were randomly selected from The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) aged 35 to 70 years between 2006 and 2012. All blood samples were tested for hepatitis B and C markers including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Those reactive for hepatitis C were further tested for HCV RNA genotyping. The sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities were used to evaluate their associated risk factors. Descriptive analysis and multivariable analysis were done using Stata 14. From the samples tested, 4% were positive for HBsAg (95% CI 2.7–4.7), 20% were positive for anti-HBc (95% CI 17.6–21.9) and 0.3% were positive for anti-HCV (95% CI 0.1–0.7). Two of the five participants who were reactive for anti-HCV had the HCV genotype 1a and 3a. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection in Malaysia is low and intermediate, respectively. This population-based study could facilitate the planning and evaluation of the hepatitis B and C control program in Malaysia.

The burden of typhoid fever in Klang Valley, Malaysia, 2011-2015

BACKGROUND

Typhoid fever causes global morbidity and mortality and is a significant health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The direct fecal-oral route is the main transmission mode, but indirect environmental transmission could occur, particularly in urban settings. This study aimed to investigate the burden and trend of typhoid fever, reporting the coverage system between government and private practice and pattern of multidrug-resistant (MDR) typhoid cases in the urban Klang Valley area from 2011 to 2015.

METHODS

The data from a cross-sectional study retrieved from the e-Notifikasi System, a national reporting system for communicable diseases provided by the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia and secondary data of all the typhoid cases were obtained from the public and private hospitals and laboratories in Klang Valley. Descriptive analysis was performed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, spatial mapping was conducted to examine trends, and the crude incidence rates of confirmed typhoid cases and percentage of reporting coverage were calculated. Significant differences between MDR and non-MDR Salmonella typhi were determined in the patient's sociodemographic characteristics, which were analyzed using χ2 test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In total, 507 typhoid fever cases were reported in Klang Valley; however, only 265 cases were confirmed by culture tests. The crude incidence rates of confirmed cases were between 0.5 to 0.7 but peaked at 1.42 per 100,000 population in 2015. Most typhoid fever cases were observed among men (55.6%), individuals aged 21 to 30 years (27.6%), Malaysians (86.3%) and individuals of Malay ethnicity (52.1%). The reporting coverage of confirmed cases was 78.9% and non-reporting coverage of unconfirmed typhoid cases was 79.5%. The predictive value positive (PVP) was 89.3, and 7.5% were detected as MDR Salmonella typhi. Statistical significance was found in gender, citizenship and ethnicity regarding MDR Salmonella typhi (p = 0.004, p = 0.008 and p = 0.034, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The local transmission of typhoid is still prevalent in the Klang Valley despite rapid urbanization and development in recent years. These findings are essential for policy makers to plan and implement focused and effective preventative activities to curb typhoid infection in urban areas.

The Association of Internet Addiction and Perceived Parental Protective Factors Among Malaysian Adolescents

Parental protective factors do play an important role in preventing Internet addiction. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure health risk behaviors among Malaysian adolescents. The prevalence of Internet addiction was significantly higher among adolescents with perceived lack of parental supervision (30.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 28.7-31.4]) and lack of parental connectedness (30.1% [95% CI = 28.5-31.7]), compared with their counterparts. Adolescents who perceived a lack of parental supervision, respect for privacy, connectedness, and bonding were more likely to have Internet addiction: (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.27-1.52), (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.16-1.31), (aOR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.02-1.16), (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.00-1.12), respectively. Among girls, Internet addiction was associated with those who perceived lack in all 4 parental factors, while among boys, those who perceived lack of parental supervision and respect for privacy were more prone to Internet addiction.

Environmental management for dengue control: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Dengue is among the most important mosquito-borne diseases, with more than half of the world's population at risk of infection in dengue endemic countries. Environmental management, which includes any activities that involve environmental modification, environmental manipulation and changes to human behaviour have been used to mitigate the risk of dengue transmission. In this protocol, we will integrate the data from various sources to assess the overall effect of environmental management on the incidence of dengue and other entomological indices.

METHODS AND ANALYSES

We will conduct a systematic review of intervention that assess the effect of environmental management on the incidence of dengue and/or entomological indices. We will include any studies that include intervention through environmental management for dengue control, involving environmental modification, environmental manipulation and changes to human behaviour. A comprehensive search will be performed in electronic databases PUBMED, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science and relevant research websites such as PROPSERO, WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify studies that meet our inclusion criteria. A systematic approach to searching, screening, reviewing and data extraction will be applied based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis. Titles, abstract, keywords for eligibility will be examined independently by researchers. The quality of the included studies will be assessed using quality assessment tool for studies with diverse design and Cochrane risk of bias tool. The characteristics of the selected articles will be described based on the study design, types of intervention and outcomes of the study in various countries. These include the types of environmental management intervention methods and the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing dengue cases or incidence and impact on entomological indices.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

We will register this systematic review with the National Medical Research Register, Ministry of Health Malaysia. This protocol also had been registered with the PROSPERO. No ethical approval is necessary, as there will be no collection of primary data. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018092189.

Environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban settings: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease can cause sporadic epidemics and recent epidemics have become more apparent in urban localities. There is lack of documented evidence on the specific risk factors of leptospirosis infection among the urbanites, thereby impeding initiatives for prevention in urban settings. We aim to systematically search published articles and synthesise evidence on the risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection among the susceptible populations in urban localities, particularly to identify the risk factors of non-recreational leptospirosis infection.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a systematic review of observational studies that investigated environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban localities. The search will be performed for any eligible articles from selected electronic databases from 1970 until May 2018. The study will include any studies that investigated risk factors of confirmed leptospirosis cases who acquired the infection in urban locality, particularly exposures from the non-recreational and non-water-related activities. Study selection and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline. All data will be extracted using a standardised data extraction form and quality of the studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guideline. Descriptive and meta-analysis will be performed by calculating the standardised median ORs and risk ratios for types of the non-recreational risk factors stratified by social, living conditions and environmental exposures, types of reservoirs and transmissions and types of activities and employments associated with leptospirosis infection in urban locality.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No primary data will be collected thus no formal ethical approval is required. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018090820.