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BA.2 is a subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, recombinants of the BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sublineages, were circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in July 2023 (1,2), but [...]

This study analyzed food security status of rural households in North Eastern Nigeria. Secondary data were employed. The data were accessed from the General Household Survey (GHS) for years 2013 and 2016, waves 2 and 3. 451 households were considered in each wave. The objective of the study was to determine the food security status of rural households, analyze factors influencing their food security and compare the output of different methodologies used to measure food security during the periods. Frequency and Percentages were used to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents. Mean per Capita Food Expenditure (MPCE), Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) index were used to analyze household food security status while Logit regression model was used to analyze factors influencing household food security status. Results from the descriptive statistics showed that male household heads, married household heads and literate household heads were food secure in both waves. Results from Mean per Capita Food Expenditure (MPCE), and Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) showed that more than half of the selected households were food secure in both waves but reverse was the case with Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). Age, level of education, and household size were found to be factors influencing food security in both waves and models. The results from the logistic regression showed that an increase in age of household head and household size will reduce the food security status of the North-Easterner's rural households. Also, the result revealed that the food security status was higher in Borno, Gombe and Yobe compared to Taraba and tertiary education increased the level of food security status for MPCE but reduced the same for DDS. Based on these findings, the study recommends sensitizations on the importance of education and family planning for the rural household in North Eastern states of Nigeria. Key words: Food security status, rural household, North Eastern Nigeria, INTRODUCTION Global food security is a major concern of our time and this is a reflection of the effects of food insecurity on human development particularly the health and productive [...]

: Objectives: To study COVID?19 (Delta Variant) cases and close contacts co?located within households. Focusing on epidemiology of transmission of COVID?19, quarantine duration and utilisation of infection control behaviours under a telehealth model of care in an elimination setting. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis examined household spread of infection, duration of quarantine and change in PCR CT value during illness. A survey explored infection control behaviours used by household members during isolation and quarantine. Results: The cohort was 141 individuals in 35 households. Thirty?seven were index cases, and 48 became positive during quarantine, most within 10 days. Whole?household infection occurred in 12 households with multiple members. Behaviours focused on fomite transmission reduction rather than preventing aerosol transmission. The median duration of close contact household quarantine was 25 days. The majority of COVID?19 cases were de?isolated after 14 days with no evidence of further community transmission. Conclusion: Intrahousehold transmission was not universal and, if it occurred, usually occurred quickly. Behaviours utilised focused on fomites, suggesting a need for improved education regarding the potential utilisation of strategies to prevention the transmission of aerosols. Households experienced long durations of home?based quarantine. Implications for public health: The impact of long quarantine durations must be considered, particularly where most community benefit from quarantine is achieved within 10 days from exposure in the setting of the Delta Variant. Education of households regarding aerosol risk reduction is a potential strategy in the household setting of individuals at risk of disease progression., The incursion of SARS?CoV?2 into the Australian community from returning travellers and subsequent community transmission has required a significant public health response since the commencement of the pandemic. In the [...]

Monkeypox, a zoonotic infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV; genus Orthopox-virus [OPXV]), is endemic to West and Central Africa. After its discovery in 1958, the virus had not been [...]

Dengue virus (DENV) causes an estimated 390 million infections each year, 96 million of which manifest as clinical disease (2). Dengue is endemic in >100 countries. An estimated 3.9 billion [...]

Background: Centralized chlorination of urban piped water supplies has historically contributed to major reductions in waterborne illness. In locations without effective centralized water treatment, point-of-use (POU) chlorination for households is widely promoted to improve drinking water quality and health. Realizing these health benefits requires correct, consistent, and sustained product use, but real- world evaluations have often observed low levels of use. To our knowledge, no prior reviews exist on adoption of chlorine POU products. Objectives: Our objectives were to identify which indicators of adoption are most often used in chlorine POU studies, summarize levels of adoption observed, understand how adoption changes over time, and determine how adoption is affected by frequency of contact between participants and study staff. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of household POU chlorination interventions or programs from 1990 through 2021 that reported a quantitative measure of adoption, were conducted in low- and middle-income countries, included data collection at households, and reported the intervention start date. Results: We identified 36 studies of household drinking water chlorination products that met prespecified eligibility criteria and extracted data from 46 chlorine intervention groups with a variety of chlorine POU products and locations. There was no consensus definition of adoption of household water treatment; the most common indicator was the proportion of household stored water samples with free chlorine residual >0.1 or 0.2 mg/L. Among studies that reported either free or total chlorine-confirmed adoption of chlorine POU products, use was highly variable (across all chlorine intervention groups at the last time point measured in each study; range: 1.5%-100%; sample size-weighted median = 47%; unweighted median = 58%). The median follow-up duration among intervention groups was 3 months. On average, adoption declined over time and was positively associated with frequency of contact between respondents and study staff. Discussion: Although prior research has shown that POU chlorine products improve health when correctly and consistently used, a reliance on individual adoption for effective treatment is unlikely to lead to the widespread public health benefits historically associated with pressurized, centralized treatment of piped water supplies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10839, Introduction Chlorination of urban piped water supplies contributed to substantial declines in waterborne disease in major cities in the early 1900s. (1) Today the addition of chlorine-based disinfectants is a [...]

Objectives Many developing countries currently face a double burden of malnutrition (DBM) at the household level, defined by the World Health Organization, as when a mother may be overweight or anemic, and a child or grandparent is underweight, in the same household. For the present study, we defined it as the coexistence of overweight or obesity in the mother, and at least one child under the age of 5 undernourished, within the same household. Although underweight has long been considered a major issue in South and Southeast Asia, overweight and obesity have also been identified as a growing problem. The main aim of this study was to assess the DBM at the household level and its major determinants in South and Southeast Asia. Methods We used population-representative cross-sectional data from the Demographic and Health Survey, conducted between 2007 and 2017, for eight South and Southeast Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Timor, Maldives, and Cambodia. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with DBM. Results A total of 798,961 households were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of overweight or obesity for the mother and stunted child was 10.0% (95% CI: 8.0.0-12.0), for OBM and wasted child, it was 7.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.0-8.0), and for overweight or obese mother (OBM) and underweight child, it was 7.0% (95% CI: 6.0-8.0). The prevalence of any of these DBM coexistences was 12.0% (95% CI: 10.0-13.0) in all households. Statistically significant positive associations (p < 0.05) were found for each of these coexistences, and a higher age of the mother, mothers with a lower education, the richest household quintile, and households with more than four members. Conclusion It is imperative that 'double duty' action policies are developed that tackle the DBM, rather than targeting undernutrition or overnutrition separately. The findings from this study suggest that the promotion of education for women may aid in tackling the double burden on a household level., Author(s): Tuhin Biswas [sup.1] [sup.2] , Nick Townsend [sup.3] , R. J. Soares Magalhaes [sup.4] [sup.5] , Mehedi Hasan [sup.1] [sup.2] , Abdullah Mamun [sup.1] [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) Institute [...]

Naturally occurring human-to-animal transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus was reported during 2003 when viral RNA was detected in oropharyngeal and rectal swab specimens from healthy domestic cats [...]

After decades of decline (1,2) and despite high vaccination coverage, the incidence of pertussis has increased substantially in Catalonia, Spain (3,4); Spain (5); and other regions and countries with well-established [...]

Members of older households face the prospect of living longer than expected and incurring large medical expenses. My research on old age aims at better quantifying these risks, studying their [...]

Background: Both chronic and acute heat result in a substantial health burden globally, causing particular concern for at-risk populations, such as older adults. Outdoor temperatures are often assessed as the exposure and are used for heat warning systems despite individuals spending most of their time indoors. Many studies use ecological designs, with death or hospitalizations rates. Individual-level outcomes that are directly related to heat-symptoms should also be considered to refine prevention efforts. Objectives: In this longitudinal study, we assessed the association between indoor temperature and proximal symptoms in individuals >60years of age living in non-air-conditioned households in Monteregie, Quebec, during the 2017-2018 summer months. Methods: We gathered continuously measured indoor temperature and humidity from HOBO sensors and repeated health- related questionnaires about health-related symptoms administered across three periods of increasing outdoor temperatures, where the reference measurement (T1) occurred during a cool period with a target temperature of 18-22[degrees]C and two measurements (T2 and T3) occurred during warmer periods with target temperatures of 28-30[degrees]C and 30-33[degrees]C, respectively. We used generalized estimating equations with Poisson regression models and estimated risk ratios (RRs) between temperature, humidity, and each heat-related symptom. Results: Participants (n = 277) had an average age (mean [+ or -] standard deviation) of 72.8[+ or -]7.02 y. Higher indoor temperatures were associated with increased risk of dry mouth (T3 RR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8, 3.5), fatigue (RR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.8, 3.0), thirst (RR = 3.4; 95% CI: 2.5, 4.5), less frequent urination (RR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.8, 7.3), and trouble sleeping (RR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6, 3.2) compared with T1. We identified a nonlinear relationship with indoor temperatures across most symptoms of interest. Discussion: This study identified that increasing indoor temperatures were associated with various health symptoms. By considering the prevalence of these early stage outcomes and indoor temperature exposures, adaptation strategies may be improved to minimize the burden of heat among vulnerable communities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10291, Introduction Heat waves are one of the most hazardous types of natural disasters, causing a range of health consequences across various populations. (1,2) It is particularly important to better understand [...]

During 2014, England and Wales had a sharp increase in the incidence of scarlet fever, which by 2016 had reached 33.2 cases/100,000 person-years, the highest rate in almost 50 years [...]

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic human pathogens. Several species of NTM, including members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), can cause potentially life-threatening pulmonary infections that are difficult to treat [...]

Pseudorandomized cluster sampling was used to select households from an initial pool of households geographically clustered in two Michigan counties, Ottawa and Kent. In Ottawa County and Kent County, 17.6% of 346 households sampled were above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) action level for radon (4 pCi/L). In Ottawa County, approximately 22.9% (N = 131) of sampled households exceeded U.S. EPA limits, and in Kent County, approximately 14.4% (N = 215) had indoor radon concentrations greater than U.S. EPA limits. Elevated indoor radon levels are broadly correlative with two bedrock formations, the Marshall and Michigan Formations, and areas where these two bedrock formations are overlain by glacial outwash and postglacial alluvium. More detailed mapping using GIS can help educate and motivate homeowners. This information will inform homeowners of radon risk and allow them to implement preventive measures in cooperation with local health departments and other stakeholders., Background Michigan's geology consists of marine sedimentary rocks that have been deformed into a structural basin. Six bedrock formations occur in Kent County and Ottawa County (Table 1). All of [...]

U.S. income inequality is increasing at a rate not seen in over a decade, which could further fuel health inequities between the rich and poor, according to a new report [...]

Background Reactive malaria strategies are predicated on the assumption that individuals infected with malaria are clustered within households or neighbourhoods. Despite the widespread programmatic implementation of reactive strategies, little empirical evidence exists as to whether such strategies are appropriate and, if so, how they should be most effectively implemented. Methods and findings We collated 2 different datasets to assess clustering of malaria infections within households: (i) demographic health survey (DHS) data, integrating household information and patent malaria infection, recent fever, and recent treatment status in children; and (ii) data from cross-sectional and reactive detection studies containing information on the household and malaria infection status (patent and subpatent) of all-aged individuals. Both datasets were used to assess the odds of infections clustering within index households, where index households were defined based on whether they contained infections detectable through one of 3 programmatic strategies: (a) Reactive Case Detection (RACD) classifed by confirmed clinical cases, (b) Mass Screen and Treat (MSAT) classifed by febrile, symptomatic infections, and (c) Mass Test and Treat (MTAT) classifed by infections detectable using routine diagnostics. Data included 59,050 infections in 208,140 children under 7 years old (median age = 2 years, minimum = 2, maximum = 7) by microscopy/rapid diagnostic test (RDT) from 57 DHSs conducted between November 2006 and December 2018 from 23 African countries. Data representing 11,349 infections across all ages (median age = 22 years, minimum = 0.5, maximum = 100) detected by molecular tools in 132,590 individuals in 43 studies published between April 2006 and May 2019 in 20 African, American, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries were obtained from the published literature. Extensive clustering was observed-overall, there was a 20.40 greater (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.35-20.45; P < 0.001) odds of patent infections (according to the DHS data) and 5.13 greater odds (95% CI 3.85-6.84; P < 0.001) of molecularly detected infections (from the published literature) detected within households in which a programmatically detectable infection resides. The strongest degree of clustering identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/ loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was observed using the MTAT strategy (odds ratio [OR] = 6.79, 95% CI 4.42-10.43) but was not significantly different when compared to MSAT (OR = 5.2, 95% CI 3.22-8.37; P-difference = 0.883) and RACD (OR = 4.08, 95% CI 2.55-6.53; P-difference = 0.29). Across both datasets, clustering became more prominent when transmission was low. However, limitations to our analysis include not accounting for any malaria control interventions in place, malaria seasonality, or the likely heterogeneity of transmission within study sites. Clustering may thus have been underestimated. Conclusions In areas where malaria transmission is peri-domestic, there are programmatic options for identifying households where residual infections are likely to be found. Combining these detection strategies with presumptively treating residents of index households over a sustained time period could contribute to malaria elimination efforts., Author(s): Gillian Stresman 1,*, Charlie Whittaker 2, Hannah C. Slater 3,4, Teun Bousema 5, Jackie Cook 6 Introduction Malaria transmission is highly heterogeneous between and within populations. Spatial variation in [...]

In South Asia and Africa, an estimated 88.5 million diarrhea episodes are attributed to Shigella infections annually (1). Shigellosis occurs most often in children < 5 years of age (2,3). [...]

Malnutrition in the Southern province of Rwanda is a significant public health concern. According to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2010, chronic malnutrition in children under 5 years was widespread 44% children having stunting (insufficient height for age), 11 % underweight (weight for age) and 3% wasting (weight for height). Ruhango district (Southern Rwanda) had the highest malnutrition prevalence (23.5%) in 2009. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of malnutrition among Ruhango children in 2012 and to identify relationship between co-morbidities occurrence, food intake and their nutrition status. A multistage sampling was done across four hierarchical levels: district, sector, cell and village, where households (N=294) with children under five years were purposively selected to form the sampling units in which the survey was conducted. The study showed that Ruhango has improved in prevention of malnutrition as compared to 2010 study. However, stunting was still a problem with those aged between 24 and 35 months being most affected. Wasting did not affect large population of the target group. Better educated household members had less malnourished kids (3%) than those who did not attend school (12%). Co-morbidities occurrence was significantly higher in malnourished children (P = 0.006). Acute Respiratory Tract Infection had the highest occurrence (52%). The children reported to have been sick had significantly lower weight than those who were normal (P Key words: Prevalence, malnutrition, diseases, 24hr recall, INTRODUCTION Malnutrition among children under five years in Southern Rwanda is high and was of public concern since many years. According to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (Rwanda DHS) [...]

This paper aims to establish whether there is a significant difference in nutritional status of children in male-headed households, de jure female-headed households and de facto female-headed households. The study uses a sample of 199 children aged 6 to 60 months, of mothers in reproductive age, derived from 499 smallholder households in rural Kenya. The sample was selected using multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Three indices namely; height/length-for-age z-scores (stunting), weight-for-age z-scores (underweight) and weight-for-height (wasting) z-scores were examined on children in two regions (Vihiga and Busia) in western Kenya. However, for the purpose of testing hypothesis, stunting is used due to its strength in measuring long term effect of food scarcity as compared to wasting and underweight which may vary depending on the period the data is collected (seasonal variation). Two-way (between groups) Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is used to analyse the height/length-for-age z-scores against household headship. Household headship is stratified according to whether the husband is present and active in decision making (male-headed household), the husband lives away from the household but maintains regular contact with the family including sending remittances (de facto female-headed household), or the woman is recognized as head of household because she is a widow, divorced or separated (de jure female-headed household). Western Kenya is characterized by relatively high levels of undernutrition despite being classified as a region of high agricultural potential. In addition, there is increasing trend of female-headed households in the region hence the need to demonstrate the effect of household headship on nutritional status of the children. The results indicate that household headship has a large and significant effect on stunting of under five children [F (1, 93) = 4.675, p=.0.012]. More boys (37 %) than girls (33%) were stunted and Busia had more children who were stunted (37%) than Vihiga (25%). The study reaffirms the need to enhance women's control over household resource allocation as one way of enhancing child nutrition in western Kenya. Key words: Intrahousehold, Nutrition, under-five, Kenya, INTRODUCTION Malnutrition is a serious problem affecting nearly one third of all pre-school children in developing countries [1]. More than half of child deaths are due to diseases associated with [...]

Table 1 in: Kerley B, Tan L, Marshall D, O'Neill C, Bialachowski A, Pereira J. COVID-19 personal protective equipment in the home: navigating the complexity of donning and doffing. Ann [...]

The study described in this article evaluated sources of contamination of children's food and drinking water in rural households in the highlands of Peru. Samples from children's meals, drinking water, kitchen utensils, and caregivers' and children's hands were analyzed for total coliforms and E. coli counts using Petrifilm EC. Thermotolerant coliforms in water were measured using DelAgua test kits while diarrheagenic E. coli was identified using polymerase chain reaction methods (PCR). Thermotolerant coliforms were found in 48% of all water samples. E. coli was found on 23% of hands, 16% of utensils, and 4% of meals. Kitchen cloths were the item most frequently contaminated with total coliforms (89%) and E. coli (42%). Diarrheagenic E. coli was found in 33% of drinking water, 27% of meals, and on 23% of kitchen utensils. These findings indicate a need to develop hygiene interventions that focus on specific kitchen utensils and hand washing practices, to reduce the contamination of food, water, and the kitchen environment in these rural settings., Introduction Diarrheal diseases are among the leading causes of childhood illness and death in developing countries, killing an estimated 1.3 million children less than five years of age annually (Black [...]