We aimed to estimate the household secondary infection attack rate (hSAR) of SARS‐CoV‐2 in investigations aligned with the WHO Unity Studies Household Transmission Investigations (HHTI) protocol. We ...conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and medRxiv/bioRxiv for “Unity‐aligned” First Few X cases (FFX) and HHTIs published 1 December 2019 to 26 July 2021. Standardised early results were shared by WHO Unity Studies collaborators (to 1 October 2021). We used a bespoke tool to assess investigation methodological quality. Values for hSAR and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted or calculated from crude data. Heterogeneity was assessed by visually inspecting overlap of CIs on forest plots and quantified in meta‐analyses. Of 9988 records retrieved, 80 articles (64 from databases; 16 provided by Unity Studies collaborators) were retained in the systematic review; 62 were included in the primary meta‐analysis. hSAR point estimates ranged from 2% to 90% (95% prediction interval: 3%–71%; I2 = 99.7%); I2 values remained >99% in subgroup analyses, indicating high, unexplained heterogeneity and leading to a decision not to report pooled hSAR estimates. FFX and HHTI remain critical epidemiological tools for early and ongoing characterisation of novel infectious pathogens. The large, unexplained variance in hSAR estimates emphasises the need to further support standardisation in planning, conduct and analysis, and for clear and comprehensive reporting of FFX and HHTIs in time and place, to guide evidence‐based pandemic preparedness and response efforts for SARS‐CoV‐2, influenza and future novel respiratory viruses.
Corona Virus Disease 2019 is a novel respiratory disease commonly transmitted through respiratory droplets. The disease has currently expanded all over the world with differing epidemiologic ...trajectories. This investigation was conducted to determine the basic clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the disease in Ethiopia. A prospective case-ascertained study of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and their close contacts were conducted. The study included 100 COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed cases reported from May 15, 2020 to June 15, 2020 and 300 close contacts. Epidemiological and clinical information were collected using the WHO standard data collection tool developed first-few cases and contacts investigation. Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal samples were collected by using polystyrene tipped swab and transported to the laboratory by viral transport media maintaining an optimal temperature. Clinical and epidemiological parameters were calculated in terms of ratios, proportions, and rates with 95% CI. A total of 400 participants were investigated, 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 300 close contacts of the cases. The symptomatic proportion of cases was 23% (23) (95% CI: 15.2%-32.5%), the proportion of cases required hospitalization were 8% (8) (95%CI: 3.5%-15.2%) and 2% (95%CI: 0.24% - 7.04%) required mechanical ventilation. The secondary infection rate, secondary clinical attack rate, median incubation period and median serial interval were 42% (126) (95% CI: 36.4%-47.8%), 11.7% (35) (95% CI: 8.3%-15.9%), 7 days (IQR: 4-13.8) and 11 days (IQR: 8-11.8) respectively. The basic reproduction number (R.sub.O) was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.0-1.5). The proportion of asymptomatic infection, as well as secondary infection rate among close contacts, are higher compared to other studies. The long serial interval and low basic reproduction number might contribute to the observed slow progression of the pandemic, which gives a wide window of opportunities and time to control the spread. Testing, prevention, and control measures should be intensified.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental disorder after traumatic exposure that can have long-lasting physical and mental health consequences. In 2021, Ethiopia saw the highest number ...of internally displaced people (IDP) due to conflict and war with the scope of the internal displacement being very high in the study area and less attention has been given to mental health.
To determine the prevalence and associated factors of PTSD among internally displaced people in camps at Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1-30, 2021 among 406 IDPs, who were selected by random systematic sampling from the registration and proportionally allocated to three IDP camps in Debre Berhan. Post-traumatic stress disorder was measured by the PTSD checklist (DSM-5). Data were collected through an interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaire, entered into EpiData version 3.1, and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Bivariate binary logistic regression was used to select candidate variables with p < 0.25. Multicollinearity was checked by using the variance inflation factor and it was less than 10. Model adequacy was checked by Hosmer & Lemeshow goodness of test (p > 0.05). In the multivariable binary logistic regression, the association between outcome and independent variables was declared at p < 0.05 with its adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence level.
The prevalence of PTSD among the respondents was 67.5% (95% CI: 63-72). Being a merchant (AOR = 0.41 95% CI: 0.02-0.85), witnessing the destruction of property (AOR = 1.67 95% CI: 1.01-2.74), facing trauma during displacement (AOR = 6.00 95% CI: 2.75-13.10), frequency of displacement (AOR = 0.31 95% CI: 0.11-0.85), being distressed (AOR = 5.42 95% CI: 3.25-9.05), and unemployment (AOR = 2.09 95% CI: 1.24-3.54) were factors significantly associated with PTSD.
This study provides evidence of the high prevalence of PTSD among internally displaced people. Therefore, mental health and psychosocial support are urgently required to address the identified factors and help the displaced people against long-term avoidable suffering.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Platelet parameters alterations are one of the most commonly identified hematological changes in preeclampsia (PE). However, their functions as a tool for prediction and prognosis of PE have not been ...extensively studied in developing countries. The aim of this study was to compare platelet count (PC), and platelet indices (mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (PLCR)) between preeclamptic and normotensive (NT) pregnant women and assess their role in diagnosis and prediction of PE development.
A cross sectional comparative study was conducted at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital (ACSH) and Mekelle general hospital (MGH) from January to March 2017. Platelet parameters of mild preeclamptic (mPE) (n = 35), severe preeclamptic (sPE) (n = 44) and NT pregnant women (n = 140) were analyzed using SYSMEX-XT 4000i automated hematology analyzer. One-way ANOVA supplemented with post-hoc test, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and pearson correlation test statistical analyses were performed. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Pregnant women with sPE had lower PC as compared with that of mPE and NT women (p<0.05). All platelet indices showed significant increment with severity of PE. PC was negatively correlated with platelet indices. There was a positive correlation among platelet indices. ROC analysis revealed that MPV had the largest area under the ROC curve (0.85; 95%CI (0.79, 0.89)) with cutoff value >9.45fl, sensitivity of 83.5%, specificity of 86.4%, positive predictive value of 77.6% and negative predictive value of 90.3%.
MPV and PC were identified as good candidates for sPE diagnosis. Because evaluation of platelet parameters is rapid, reliable and economical, they can be utilized as an alternative biomarker for prediction and prognosis of PE.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Available evidences suggest that podoconiosis is triggered by long term exposure of bare feet to volcanic red clay soil particles. Previous genome-wide studies in Ethiopia showed association between ...the HLA class II region and disease susceptibility. However, functional relationships between the soil trigger, immunogenetic risk factors and the immunological basis of the disease are uncharted. Therefore, we aimed to characterise the immune profile and gene expression of podoconiosis patients relative to endemic healthy controls. Peripheral blood immunophenotyping of T cells indicated podoconiosis patients had significantly higher CD4 and CD8 T cell surface HLA-DR expression compared to healthy controls while CD62L expression was significantly lower. The levels of the activation markers CD40 and CD86 were significantly higher on monocytes and dendritic cell subsets in patients compared to the controls. RNA sequencing gene expression data indicated higher transcript levels for activation, scavenger receptors, and apoptosis markers while levels were lower for histones, T cell receptors, variable, and constant immunoglobulin chain in podoconiosis patients compared to healthy controls. Our finding provides evidence that podoconiosis is associated with high levels of immune activation and inflammation with over-expression of genes within the pro-inflammatory axis. This offers further support to a working hypothesis of podoconiosis as soil particle-driven, HLA-associated disease of immunopathogenic aetiology.
Globally, the Tuberculosis treatment success rate was worse for HIV-positive TB patients compared with HIV- negative TB patients. This study aimed at determining the impact of HIV-AIDS and factors ...associated with TB treatment outcomes.
This study was a retrospective cohort study of five years of tuberculosis data from four public health facilities in Hosanna Town. A total of 604 study participants were included using a systematic random sampling technique. Descriptive analysis of ratios, rates, and proportions was done and binary logistic regression, bivariable and multivariable, analysis was also done.
A total of 604 TB patients were enrolled in this study. 302 (50%) were HIV co-infected. The overall treatment success rate was 90.1% (544/604). Treatment success rates are 86.4% (261/302) for TB-HIV co-infected patients and 93.7% (283/302) for non-co-infected patients. TB-HIV co-infected patients had a higher risk of an unsuccessful treatment outcome (Adjusted Relative Risk ARR: 2.7; 95% Confidence Interval CI: 1.4 – 5.2). The risk of unsuccessful treatment outcome is also higher among rural residents (ARR: 3.3; CI: 1.4 – 5.0), patients on the re-treatment category (ARR: 2.7; CI: 1.4 – 5.1), and with chronic disease (ARR: 3.3; CI: 1.3 – 8.1).
TB treatment success rate is good as compared to the WHO minimum requirement. Successful treatment outcome is lower among patients with HIV infection, rural residents, patients on re-treatment, and patients with chronic disease. Therefore, due emphasis should be given to these high-risk groups.
Introduction
Vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, a long-term microvascular complication of diabetes in the eye, is a major cause of blindness worldwide. Sleep is regulated by a special area of ...the brain, and poor quality of sleep has been implicated in long-term diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy. The study was aimed at exploring whether poor sleep quality is associated with the likelihood of developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Methods
A matched case–control study was conducted from 6 May 2022 to 6 September 2022. The study was based on patients with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), attending a retina clinic of the referral center. Patients with confirmed vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy were defined as cases and matched with control study subjects. Rating of sleep quality was done by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessment tool. Conditional logistic regression model was applied to assess the effect of overall poor sleep quality on vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Results
The study recruited a total of 126 (63 duration-matched pairs) patients with diabetes. The overall quality of sleep was poor among 71.90% of patients in the case groups, significantly higher compared with those of the control groups (28.10%) (
p
< 0.00). The mean quality of sleep for cases mean (
M
) = 7.10, standard deviation (SD) = 4.30 was higher than the control group (
M
= 3.60, SD = 2.70). The magnitude of the difference
M
difference = 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.25–4.75 was significant. Poor sleep quality predicted the chance of developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy in a diabetic cohort.
Conclusions
This study revealed a significant association between the overall poor quality of sleep and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Co-management of sleep disruption and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, and better sleep advisory are warranted.
Traditional eye medicine is a form of biologically based therapies, practices, or partially processed organic or inorganic agents that can be applied to the eye and lead to a blinding complication. ...Attitude towards those medicines plays a pertinent role in the practice of those traditional eye medicines.
To determine attitude towards traditional eye medicine and associated factors among adult ophthalmic patients attending University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital-Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 417 newly presenting adult ophthalmic patients who were selected by using a systematic random sampling method from June 22 to August 11, 2020. The data from the interview-based structured questionnaire were entered into Epi Info 7 and analyzed by SPSS 20. Frequency and cross-tabulations were used for descriptive analysis. Association between variables was analyzed using binary logistic regression through the enter method with a 95% confidence interval.
A total of 417 subjects with a 98.8% response rate have participated in the study. Of the total study subjects, 60.7% (253) (95% CI: 19-26%) had a positive attitude towards traditional eye medicine. Residing in a rural area (AOR=6.46 (95% CI: 2.89-14.45)), positive family history of traditional eye medicine use (AOR=8.01 (95% CI: 4.17-15.37)) and availability of traditional healer (AOR=19.43 (95% CI: 12.06-31.64)) were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards traditional eye medicine.
Most adult ophthalmic patients had a positive attitude towards traditional eye medicine. Residing in a rural, availability of a traditional healer, and positive family history of traditional eye medicine use had a significant positive association with a positive attitude. Educating the traditional healers on safe practices is crucial in reducing the burden.
Maintaining the accuracy of a sensor system across various operating conditions has always been a challenge, especially for those operating in harsh surroundings such as a radiation environment. ...Concerning frequency-based sensor interfaces, supply voltage drifts and gain shift of the voltage-to-frequency converter (VFC) are critical design issues. These manifest as gain, offset, and linearity errors at the system level and therefore require continuous correction mechanisms. In this paper, dynamic gain and offset error-compensated open-loop frequency-based sensor interface architectures with adaptive clock frequency are proposed, which result in a ratiometric digital output. To address the mismatch issue, two architectures, one with periodic swapping of the VFCs’ inputs and outputs, and the other with the use of a single analog-to-digital converter (ADC) as an analog front end, are developed. The concepts were demonstrated with implementations on a Zynq board (ZYBO). The results of the first architecture showed that for a 25% gain mismatch between the VFCs, the output gain error was reduced from around 7.4% to 0.79% and the offset error was reduced from around 11.8% to 0.01%. Additionally, for the second architecture, a maximum of 0.11% gain error and 0.1% offset error were recorded for an emulated ±25% supply drift.
PDF
