1,721,087 research outputs found
Head lice and the impact of knowledge, attitudes and practices- a social science overview
No full text[Extract] The social science investigation of head lice infestations is extremely limited. The neglect of this area of research is mainly due to the fact that this organism has not caused mortality or any significant morbidity in developed societies in contemporary history [1]. From a biomedical point of view it is therefore not a high priority health issue but more a nuisance infection. Research on Pediculus capitis focuses overwhelmingly on insect biology, ecology, epidemiology and treatment rather than the sociological impact [2]. Publications for various interest groups create a short list of social science research around this insect for physicians, parents, teachers, school nurses [2].
This chapter presents published and unpublished information from an internet survey conducted by the authors and provides an overview of research on knowledge, attitudes and practices of those who encounter head lice and considers questions yet to be answered
High Effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Reducing COVID-19-Related Deaths in over 75-Year-Olds, Ceará State, Brazil
Full text linkNo Brasil, o programa de vacinação contra SARS-CoV-2 priorizou até agora pessoas com mais de 75 anos
de idade. Até o final de março de 2021, no estado do Ceará, um total de 313.328 idosos haviam recebido pelo menos
uma dose de vacina (45% Oxford-AstraZeneca/Fiocruz e 55% CoronaVac-Sinovac/Butantan), e
159.970 haviam recebido duas doses (83% CoronaVac-Sinovac/Butantan e 17% Oxford-AstraZeneca/
Fiocruz). Após uma única dose, já houve uma redução significativa nas mortes relacionadas à COVID-19
(razão de proteção: 19,31 (IC 95%: 18,20–20,48), razão de proteção atribuível: 94,8%); maiores taxas de proteção
foram observadas após a aplicação de duas doses da vacina (132,67; IC 95%: 109,88–160,18),
com uma taxa de proteção atribuível de 99,2%. As vacinas SARS-CoV-2 são altamente eficazes na redução
do número de mortes relacionadas à COVID-19 em maiores de 75 anos no Brasil, um dos países mais atingidos
pela atual pandemia.In Brazil, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program has so far prioritized people over 75 years
of age. By the end of March 2021, in Ceará State, a total of 313,328 elderly people had received at least
one dose of vaccine (45% Oxford-AstraZeneca/Fiocruz and 55% CoronaVac-Sinovac/Butantan), and
159,970 had received two doses (83% CoronaVac-Sinovac/Butantan and 17% Oxford-AstraZeneca/
Fiocruz). After a single dose, there was already a significant reduction in COVID 19-related deaths
(protection ratio: 19.31 (95% CI: 18.20–20.48), attributable protection ratio: 94.8%); higher protection
ratios were observed after the application of two doses of the vaccine (132.67; 95% CI: 109.88–160.18),
with an attributable protection ratio of 99.2%. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are highly effective in reducing
the number of COVID-19-related deaths in over 75-year-olds in Brazil, one of the hardest hit countries
by the current pandemic
Head lice repellents
No full text[Extract]
The failure of pediculicide products in many countries
(Chapter 6.4.) has resulted in increased consideration of preventative methods, which most commonly involve the use of repellents. In general, insect repellents are used as a means of personal protection against biting arthropods. At
present, one of the most effective methodologies to prevent transmission of insect-borne disease is to use repellents, which over-sensitise the chemoreceptive organs of the vector and disorient it from seeking a blood meal from a human host. Lice repellents were thus initially drawn from the arsenal of chemicals commonly found to be effective
against other insects such as mosquitoes and biting flies; however little empirical evidence exists. Herbal lore often promotes the use of essential oils, however, in most cases, little more than anecdotal evidence exists and empirical evidence does not tend to substantiate claims of efficacy or is contradictory. With increasing global prevalence of pediculosis and accompanying increasing awareness, the number of head lice repellents and preventatives available over the counter has increased dramatically without any quality assurance or control. Although synthetic chemicals require scrutiny before they reach the market, botanical formulations and phytochemicals require no testing for either efficacy or toxicity
The Social and Environmental Determinants of the Leishmaniases in the Americas
No full textThe leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases caused by protozoan parasites of thegenus Leishmania and transmitted by the bite of female phlebotomine sand flies.In the Americas, the transmission cycle is primarily zoonotic both for Americancutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) endemic in 18 countries and American visceralleishmaniasis (AVL) endemic to 13 countries. The range of parasites, vectors,reservoirs, and epidemiological scenarios involved in the transmission ofleishmaniases, their distribution, and geographical expansion are challenges fortheoretical analysis as well as for the design of control strategies. Therefore, tocontribute to knowledge but also to the preventive program interventions, in thischapter we will focus on the environmental and socioeconomic determinants ofthe spatial and temporal distribution of the leishmaniases in the Americas, fromthe eco-epidemiology as conceptual framework to remote sensing image analysisas an analytical tool, approaching the theme by looking at the main elementsinvolved in the transmission cycle: vectors, reservoirs, and humans.Fil: Salomón, Oscar Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán". Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; ArgentinaFil: Loureiro Werneck, Guilherme. Universidade do Estado de Rio do Janeiro; Brasi
Migration and leprosy in Brazil
Full text linkBackground: Leprosy is among the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and is an endemic public health problem in high-risk clusters throughout Brazil. Leprosy is caused by the intracellular bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the skin and peripheral nerve function. The disease can cause significant disabilities through nerve damage and secondary infection. Nasal mucosa is considered the primary transmission site due to the presence of active bacilli. However, transmission continues to remain unclear. Environmental risk has also been considered, as leprosy has been found in local water and soil sources in endemic areas, and leprosy mycobacteria can survive outside of the body for up to 60 days.
While household contact with multibacillary cases (>5 lesions) remains the primary risk factor for leprosy, genetic relationships are thought to be a risk independent of physical contact. Socioeconomic factors and conditions of poverty, such as inadequate housing and sanitation, poor nutrition and household density, also related to leprosy contact proximity, have been found to be risk factors in Brazil and other countries. These factors can increase the risk for both leprosy transmission and onset of leprosy symptoms, particularly when factors associated with poverty compromise immune response.
Migration is considered to be a social determinant of NTDs, including leprosy. Social disparities and conditions associated with migration place non-immune migrants at risk for infection when exposed to disease. Migration can additionally influence the distribution of disease through movement of baciliferous individuals into previously non-endemic areas. Thus, leprosy control may be hindered by increased transmission and distribution due to migration. In Brazil, leprosy new case incidence at 1.77/10.000 inhabitants nationally remains above the World Health Organization elimination goal of <1 case per 10,000, with some states exceeding 5.0 cases per 10,000 in the North, Central West and Northeast areas of the country.
Objectives: The overarching goal of this PhD research was to support the Brazilian Leprosy Control program to improve targeted service delivery towards migrating populations, by investigating social, behavioral and other factors associated with migration and leprosy in the Northeast of Brazil.
There were four primary objectives: 1) to identify motives and determinants for residence change after leprosy diagnosis; 2) to describe factors influencing migration before and after diagnosis among those infected with leprosy; 3) to identify social, environmental and behavioral factors associated with migration in individuals newly diagnosed with leprosy, compared to an uninfected reference population; and 4) to determine patterns of migration and migration risks associated with leprosy infection among past five year migrants.
Methods: This study entailed two comprehensive population-based epidemiological studies conducted in areas identified by the Brazilian Ministry of Health as highly endemic clusters for leprosy transmission, in the states of Tocantins and Maranhão in the Northeast of Brazil. In four municipalities of Maranhão, individuals newly diagnosed with leprosy in 2009 and 2010 and an uninfected reference population matched by age, sex and geographic location were interviewed. In Tocantins, individuals newly diagnosed with leprosy in 79 municipalities between 2006 and 2008 were interviewed, using structured questionnaires.
Results: Leprosy was found to be associated with migration, and more severe multibacillary leprosy was prominent among migrants. Among past five year migrants, leprosy was associated with household and family leprosy contact, past five year alcohol consumption and poverty. Many of the factors associated with leprosy infection were also associated with migration among those with leprosy. Migration was largely facilitated through familial relationships and was associated with poverty and indicators of poverty, and past five year alcohol consumption. These factors were unique to those with leprosy in comparison to an uninfected reference population. Family separation was also associated with migration, although this was significant among all migrants and not only those with leprosy. Limited access to health services was a barrier that was associated with migration among those with leprosy, although the majority of residence change after diagnosis was for lifestyle changes and not for the purpose of seeking medical care.
Conclusion: The relationship between internal migration and leprosy, and social and behavioral aspects influencing migration among those with leprosy has been investigated. Leprosy was associated with migration, and further investigation identified social and behavioral factors unique to migrants such as poverty, alcohol consumption, as well as lifestyle stressor separation from family and friends’ which was associated with both migration and leprosy infection. Additionally, late diagnosis is evident in migrants with multibacillary leprosy. Future research should assess the role of alcohol consumption and life stressors in leprosy transmission and symptom onset.
National control efforts should take into account factors which distinguish migrants from non-migrant and uninfected populations. Based on these, interventions targeting risk factors, i.e. substance abuse and stress in affected populations, could help to reduce leprosy transmission. The extension of clinic hours and health service availability that meet the needs of migrating populations is recommended in order to increase early leprosy diagnosis and reduce disability
Tungíase
No full textTungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by the permanent penetration of the female sand flea (also called jigger flea) Tunga penetrans into the skin of its host. After penetration, most commonly on the feet, the flea undergoes an impressing hypertrophy, and some days later the abdominal segments of the flea have enlarged up to the size of about 1 cm. The flea infestation is associated with poverty and occurs in many resource-poor communities in the Caribbean, South America and Africa. In this review, a historical overview on tungiasis is given. The natural history, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and control of the parasitic skin disease are discussed. It is concluded that tungiasis is an important parasitosis causing considerable morbidity in affected populations. Future studies are needed to increase the knowledge on the biology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, therapy and control of the ectoparasite.A tungíase é uma ectoparasitose negligenciada causada pela penetração permanente da pulga Tunga penetrans (também chamada de bicho de pé) na pele de seu hospedeiro. Depois da penetração, mais comumente localizada nos pés, a pulga se hipertrofia, e alguns dias depois seus segmentos abdominais atingem o diâmetro de até 1 cm. A infestação pela pulga está associada à pobreza e ocorre em muitas comunidades economicamente desfavorecidas no Caribe, na América do Sul e na África. Nesta revisão, é apresentada uma visão histórica da tungíase. A história natural, patologia, epidemiologia, diagnóstico, terapia e controle dessa ectoparasitose são discutidos. Conclui-se que a tungíase é uma importante parasitose causadora de morbidade considerável em populações afetadas. Estudos futuros serão necessários para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a biologia, patofisiologia, epidemiologia, terapia e controle do ectoparasita
Tungiasis
No full textA tungíase é uma ectoparasitose negligenciada causada pela penetração permanente da pulga Tunga penetrans (também chamada de bicho de pé) na pele de seu hospedeiro. Depois da penetração, mais comumente localizada nos pés, a pulga se hipertrofia, e alguns dias depois seus segmentos abdominais atingem o diâmetro de até 1 cm. A infestação pela pulga está associada à pobreza e ocorre em muitas comunidades economicamente desfavorecidas no Caribe, na América do Sul e na África. Nesta revisão, é apresentada uma visão histórica da tungíase. A história natural, patologia, epidemiologia, diagnóstico, terapia e controle dessa ectoparasitose são discutidos. Conclui-se que a tungíase é uma importante parasitose causadora de morbidade considerável em populações afetadas. Estudos futuros serão necessários para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a biologia, patofisiologia, epidemiologia, terapia e controle do ectoparasita.Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by the permanent penetration of the female sand flea (also called jigger flea) Tunga penetrans into the skin of its host. After penetration, most commonly on the feet, the flea undergoes an impressing hypertrophy, and some days later the abdominal segments of the flea have enlarged up to the size of about 1 cm. The flea infestation is associated with poverty and occurs in many resource-poor communities in the Caribbean, South America and Africa. In this review, a historical overview on tungiasis is given. The natural history, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and control of the parasitic skin disease are discussed. It is concluded that tungiasis is an important parasitosis causing considerable morbidity in affected populations. Future studies are needed to increase the knowledge on the biology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, therapy and control of the ectoparasite
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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