Case fatality rates (CFR) and recovery rates are important readouts during epidemics and pandemics. In this article, an international analysis was performed on the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 ...(COVID-19) pandemic.
Data were retrieved from accurate databases according to the user's guide of data sources for patient registries, CFR and recovery rates were calculated for each country. A comparison of CFR between countries with total cases ≥ 1,000 was observed for 12
and 23
March.
Italy's CFR was the highest of all countries studied for both time points (12
March, 6.22% versus 23
March, 9.26%). The data showed that even though Italy was the only European country reported on 12
March, Spain and France had the highest CFR of 6.16 and 4.21%, respectively, on 23
March, which was strikingly higher than the overall CFR of 3.61%.
Obtaining detailed and accurate medical history from COVID-19 patients, and analyzing CFR alongside the recovery rate, may enable the identification of the highest risk areas so that efficient medical care may be provided. This may lead to the development of point-of-care tools to help clinicians in stratifying patients based on possible requirements in the level of care, to increase the probabilities of survival from COVID-19 disease.
Introduction: Case fatality rates (CFRs) and case recovery rates (CRRs) are frequently used to define health consequences related to specific disease epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic. This ...study aimed to compare various methods and models for calculating CFR and CRR related to COVID-19 based on the global and national data available as of April 2020.Methods: This analytical epidemiologic study was conducted based on detailed data from 210 countries and territories worldwide in April 2020. We used three different formulas to measure CFR and CRR, considering all possible scenarios.Results: We included information for 72 countries with more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19. Overall, using first, second, and third estimation models, the CFR were 6.22%, 21.20%, and 8.67%, respectively; similarly, the CRR was estimated as 23.21%, 78.86%, 32.23%, respectively. We have shown that CFRs vary so much spatially and depend on the estimation method and timing of case reports, likely resulting in overestimation.Conclusion: Even with the more precise method of CFRs estimation, the value is overestimated. Case fatality and recovery rates should not be the only measures used to evaluate disease severity, and the better assessment measures need to be developed as indicators of countries’ performance during COVID-19 pandemic.
Health impact of exposure to air pollution is a public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate an extended parallel process model (EPPM)-based mobile phone text message intervention ...for improving protective behaviors against air pollution among pregnant women. In this randomized controlled trial (IRCT2016102810804N8), 130 pregnant women were randomly assigned into either experimental or control groups. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. Experimental group received mobile phone intervention on a daily basis for 2 months. Control group received usual care, only. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15 applying
t
test, chi-square, and Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney
U
test. Although before intervention, there were no significant differences between different structures of EPPM (
P
> 0.05), after intervention, there were statistically significant differences between perceived severity, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and protective behaviors between two groups (
P
< 0.05). Implementing EPPM based-mobile phone intervention could promote protective behaviors against air pollution among pregnant women. The present study might be used as a framework for evidence-based health promotion regarding air pollution risk communication and self-care behaviors. Trial registration: IRCT2016102810804N8
Vision plays an important role in supporting efficient locomotion. The present study aimed to measure the physiological cost index (PCI) and some kinematic parameters of preferred walking and jogging ...in blind and sighted students.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among blind (n=18) and sighted (n=27) students aged 8-16 years. The following parameters were measured during a standard test procedure: step length (meter), cadence (steps/min), mean speed (meter/min), and the PCI of preferred walking (PCI
) and jogging (PCI
) over a distance of 100 meters.
Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that the weight of an individual as well as the test duration were significant predictors of heart rate (HR) and PCI. Overall, the PCI (beats/meter) of sighted (PCI
=0.22±0.08 and PCI
=0.24±0.07) and blind students (PCI
=0.27±0.07 and PCI
=0.31±0.08) were significantly different (all P≤0.05). In addition, the speed of preferred walking (PW) in sighted students was significantly higher than that of the blind students (67±8 versus 62.8±9 m/min; all P≤0.05), while this difference was insignificant in jogging mode (105±9 versus 102±11 m/min).
Although the blind students were familiar with the ambient environment and the walking route, they demonstrated a different pattern of PW and jogging modes with respect to kinematic parameters. We also demonstrated that the blind students spent more energy (i.e., PCI) to achieve a lower or equal gait kinematics compared to the sighted students.
Background: Dust particles are one of the most important environmental problems that are threatening many countries, and patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a vulnerable group in this ...respect. The present study was conducted to examine the protective strategies among patients with CVDs against exposure to dust phenomenon based on the protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 183 patients with CVDs who referred to health care centers in Ahvaz city, Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. Participants were selected from patients with CVDs recruited for routine national Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease (IRA-PEN) through random cluster sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on the PMT. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regressions by SPSS version 22. Results: The mean scores of the constructs of perceived response efficacy (4.06 ± 20.06) and sensitivity (19.89 ± 4.30) were higher than those of other constructs. Correlation coefficient test showed a significant positive correlation between risk behaviors of exposure to dust phenomenon and self-efficacy, response efficacy and protection motivation, but negatively correlated with cost response. Also, self-efficacy variable, type of health insurance, and protection motivation were the predictive indicators of behavior. Conclusion: The constructs of the PMT explained the risk reduction behaviors of exposure to dust phenomenon in patients with CVDs. Therefore, this theory can be used as a framework for designing educational programs to increase the motivation of patients with CVDs to adopt risk reduction behaviors for exposure to dust.
Vitamin D plays an important role in etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). We aimed to evaluate the serum 25 - hydroxyl vitamin D level among children with ASDs in Ahvaz city, Iran.
It was a ...cross-sectional study which had conducted on 62 subjects in two groups: a case group (n = 31) consisted of ASD children who study in especial schools; and a control group (n = 31) of healthy children who were selected by simple random sampling from regular schools in Ahvaz city, Iran during 2016. Maching between two groups has done regarding Socioeconomic status, type and amount of food intake, place of living and age. The levels of serum 25 - hydroxyl vitamin D were assessed in early morning means fasted state and also measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The significant level was considered < 0.05.
In ASD children, the average serum 25-hydroxyvitamine D level was 9.03 ± 4.14 ng/mg. In ASD group, 96.8% (30 subjects) had vitamin D deficiency. In healthy children group, average serum 25-hydroxyvitamine D level was 15.25 ± 7.89 ng/mg. Average serum 25-hydroxyvitamine D level in intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (P > 0.001). Although the parents of patients in control group reported longer exposure to sun (27.42 m per day against 33.06 m per day), no significant difference was observed between these groups in terms of exposure to sun (P < 0.05).
A significant difference was observed between serum 25-hydroxyvitamine D levels between the healthy and ASD children. It is recommended to use vitamin D supplement in children with ASDs under medical care.
This study evaluated the effects of different operating conditions and the air-to-water ratio (G/L) on the kinetics and the mass transfer coefficient of ammonia (KL) in the air stripping method for ...removing ammonium ions (NH4+) from wastewater with low concentrations in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The impact of operating conditions including the temperature, initial ammonium ion concentration, pH, and air-to-water ratio (G/L) of <2000:1 (60:1, 70:1, and 80:1) on KL in the air stripping method was investigated using artificial wastewater at laboratory scale. The NH4+ concentrations in the wastewater samples were determined with the Nesslerization method (the standard method for the examination of water and wastewater). According to the results, the minimum (0.0528 h-1) and maximum (0.64825 h-1) of KL were obtained within 1 to 4 h in the operating status that included an initial ammonium ion concentration of 33.63-52.81 mg/l, a temperature of 34-45.7 °C, a pH of 9.48-12.2, and an air-to-water ratio of 60:1-80:1. A comparison of the results of three regression models showed that the air-to-water ratio was the most effective factor on KL. Furthermore, in Model 3 (multivariate linear regression model/comparing four parameters), the effects of the air-to-water ratio, pH, and temperature increased, leading to the acceleration and conversion of ammonium ions (NH4+) to a gaseous form (NH3). Also, the initial NH4+ concentration and pH in Model 4 (multivariate linear regression model by subgroup) at a low (60:1) and high (80:1) G/L ratio were the most influential factors on KL, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the air-to-water ratio (60:1, 70:1, and 80:1) could be used successfully for the elimination of ammonium ions from municipal WWTPs, leading to lower energy costs for the required aeration in the air stripping method.
Background:
Transmission routes of COVID-19 have been well identified and documented. Considering the high prevalence of the Covid-19 and its impacts on the population, this study aimed to assess the ...status of preventive behaviors against coronavirus infection and estimate the odds of its transmission routes among people.
Methods:
A comparative study was conducted from March to April 2021. A total of 1256 participants were randomly selected, including 262 COVID-19 patients and 994 healthy people from 10 counties in Khuzestan, southwest Iran. A two-part questionnaire was used for data collection that included items on demographic and adherence to preventive behaviors. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS 18.0.0 applying logistic regression.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 37.60±11.48 years (female: 36.49±11.15 years; male: 38.86±11.74 years). The results showed that having contact with infected patient at home (OR = 4.90, 95%CI = 3.32-7.25), going to the hospital for not-necessary medical reasons (OR = 4.47, 95%CI = 3.05-6.55), leaving home for essential daily services (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.63-3.81), and going to doctors' office (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.20-2.63) could increase the odds of infection.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that different factors are responsible for the increased spread of the Covid-19. Indeed, since the intervention for every single factor will have a small contribution to reducing the prevalence of the disease, it seems essential to design comprehensive interventions while emphasizing isolation and contacts tracing. The study provides evidence for multi-level and multi-faceted policy and interventions for promoting adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors.
Country Quarantine During COVID-19: Critical or Not? Samieefar, Noosha; Yari Boroujeni, Reza; Jamee, Mahnaz ...
Disaster medicine and public health preparedness,
08/2021, Letnik:
15, Številka:
4
Journal Article
PDF
