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ABSTRACT Objective Method Results Conclusion Factors such as the risk of the spread of infectious diseases, global health crises, and disasters are among the major health and security challenges facing societies. Informed protective measures and effective risk awareness are necessary to cope with these challenges. As young adults, university students represent a significant segment of society, making studies conducted on this group critical for implementing effective measures against infectious disease risks. This study aimed to investigate university students' awareness and prevention behaviors regarding communicable diseases, their perception of disaster risk, and the role of social support networks.The descriptive study was conducted with a total of 372 undergraduate students studying at a university in Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics form, the Communicable Disease Risk Awareness and Prevention Scale, the Disaster Risk Perception Scale for University Students, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0, employing independent sample t‐tests, one‐way ANOVA tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis.The mean age of the university students participating in the study was 21.19 ± 2.08 years (min. 18.00–max. 32.00), with 64.5% (n = 240) being female. Participants generally exhibited high levels of awareness and preventive behaviors regarding communicable diseases. Significant contributors to awareness included gender (β = 9.51, p < 0.05), increased disaster risk perception (β = 8.80, p < 0.01), obtaining information from health organization websites (β = 7.90, p < 0.01), preparing an emergency kit (β = 5.56, p < 0.05), and obtaining information from news websites (β = 4.81, p < 0.05). It was found that an increase in perceived social support positively impacted students' awareness and prevention levels (β = 0.48, p < 0.01). Additionally, an increase in disaster risk perception was positively correlated with communicable disease risk awareness (β = 0.01, p < 0.05).The study concludes that robust social support networks enhance students' health awareness and protective health behaviors. Universities should organize educational programs and drills to increase student disaster awareness and preparedness. Such training will help students better prepare for and effectively cope with disaster situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a vaccination education module to improve vaccine expectations and behaviors among college freshmen. Participants: The participants were 177 college freshmen at one private Utah university. Participants were eligible for this study if admitted as new freshmen during the 2019–2020 school year. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional pre- and post-education evaluation assessing vaccine expectations and behaviors using Likert-type and open-ended questions. Results: After completing the vaccination education module, participants' vaccine expectations and behavioral intentions improved. Participants reported they were more likely to be up-to-date on personal vaccines and more likely to expect other students to be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Participants were more likely to ask other students to vaccinate and were also more likely to ask their family members to be vaccinated. Conclusions: This online vaccination education module effectively improved participants' vaccine expectations and behavioral intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, low-wage public-facing frontline workers (FLWs), such as grocery store clerks, were required to monitor retail customers and enforce COVID-19 protocols. OBJECTIVE: This analysis aimed to examine FLWs experiences of enforcing COVID-19 pandemic measures. METHODS: Between September 2020 and March 2021, in Ontario and Quebec (Canada), we conducted in-depth interviews about customer-related work and health risks with FLWs who interacted with the public (n = 40) and their supervisors (n = 16). Using a lens of situational analysis, verbatim transcripts were coded according to recurring topics. RESULTS: We found that enforcing public health measures placed already-precarious workers in difficult occupational health circumstances. Enforcement of measures created additional workplace responsibilities, stress, and exposed them to potentially negative reactions from customers. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to better support these workers and improved methods of protection are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly decentralized nature of global health governance presents significant challenges to conceptualizing and systematically measuring the agenda status of diseases, injuries, risks and other conditions contributing to the collective disease burden. An arenas model for global health agenda setting was recently proposed to help address these challenges. Further developing the model, this study aims to advance more robust inquiry into how and why priority levels may vary among the array of stakeholder arenas in which global health agenda setting occurs. We analyse order and the magnitude of changes in priority for eight infectious diseases in four arenas (international aid, scientific research, pharmaceutical industry and news media) over a period of more than two decades in relation to five propositions from scholarship. The diseases vary on burden and prominence in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 for health and well-being, including four with specific indicators for monitoring and evaluation (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis) and four without (dengue, diarrhoeal diseases, measles, meningitis). The order of priority did not consistently align with the disease burden or international development goals in any arena. Additionally, using new methods to measure the scale of annual change in resource allocations that are indicative of priority reveals volatility at the disease level in all arenas amidst broader patterns of stability. Insights around long-term patterns of priority within and among arenas are integral to strengthening analyses that aim to identify pivotal causal mechanisms, to clarify how arenas interact, and to measure the effects they produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia among toddlers is still considered a serious health problem in Indonesia. It can be seen from the high-level coverage of pneumonia cases spread among toddlers. The continued sustainability of life being the key to healthcare development, access to healthcare services for this early-age group is very important. Purpose: This research aims to find out the coverage correlation between healthcare services on the occurrence of pneumonia among toddlers in the city of Surabaya. Methods: The researchers utilize an ecological study design for all districts in the city of Surabaya within the year 2019,2020, and 2021 with the district as the unit of the analysis. The data was analyzed by using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation. QGIS application is also used to map and visualize the extent of pneumonia issues and toddler healthcare coverage. Results: The results of the Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis show that toddler healthcare coverage did not correlate with the occurrence of toddler pneumonia in the city of Surabaya. However, several districts in Surabaya City exhibit disparities between toddler healthcare coverage and toddler pneumonia occurrence rates. Conclusion: In the years 2019-2021, the cases of toddler pneumonia fluctuated, whereas in 2020 the number of cases decreased compared to 2019 and then increased again in 2021. The same trend also occurred in toddler healthcare services coverage.

Abstract Background Viral hepatitis, particularly B and C, is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, leading to about 1.4 million deaths annually. Alarmingly, less than 20% of those with hepatitis are aware of their status, with only 6.3% receiving treatment. School children can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and preventing the spread of infections. This intervention study focuses on understanding and enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B and C, among school children in Delhi NCR to foster dialogue and awareness. Methods An intervention study was conducted in selected schools across Delhi NCR between September and October 2022 to assess baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B and C. Three of seven schools were randomly selected by probability sampling, representing 9–12 grade students, and 901 students participated. Following this, an educational interventional program was conducted using educational material, interactive sessions, and audiovisual aids. Post-intervention assessments were done to measure the impact on knowledge improvement. Results The study is expected to provide insights into the current level of awareness regarding Hepatitis B and C. Furthermore, the intervention’s effectiveness was analysed using the pre-formed questionnaire. The average pre-test knowledge score was 8.9 ± 3.2, while the post-test average was 15.6 ± 4.4, indicating a substantial increase of 6.7 ± 4.7 points (+ 75.2%). There was a positive correlation of 0.240 between pre and post-test scores. Attitude change before and after the session showed a positive percentage change of + 38.0% with a correlation of 0.351. The study indicated substantial improvements in knowledge about hepatitis B and C, notably regarding awareness about transmission methods and risk factors. Conclusion This interventional study seeks to bridge the knowledge gap among school children regarding Hepatitis B and C in Delhi NCR, fostering a proactive approach towards prevention, detection, and treatment. The considerable rise in awareness and favourable changes in perspectives post-intervention say that specific health education initiatives are pivotal in raising awareness and comprehension of infectious diseases, ultimately contributing to improving community health.

Abstract Communicable disease risk is high in refugee camps and reception centers. To better understand the risks for communicable disease diagnoses among refugees and asylum seekers, this study assesses individual- and camp-level risk factors among individuals utilizing Médecins du Monde clinics in four large refugee camps—Elliniko, Malakasa, Koutsochero, and Raidestos—on mainland Greece between July 2016 and May 2017. Descriptive statistics are reported for the demographic characteristics of the study population and for communicable disease burdens within the four camps—Elliniko, Malakasa, Raidestos, and Koutsochero. A hierarchical generalized linear model was used to assess risk factors for communicable disease diagnoses while accounting for individual-level clustering. This study shows marginal patterns in risk factors for communicable disease. Males had marginally higher risk of communicable disease diagnosis than females (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.97—1.29), and increased age was more protective against communicable disease for females (OR = 0.957; 95% CI 0.953—0.961) than for males (OR = 0.963; 95% CI 0.959—0.967). Communicable disease risk was significantly different between camps, with Elliniko (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.40–1.79) and Malakasa (OR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.25–1.63) having higher odds of communicable disease than Raidestos. The demographic and epidemiologic profiles of displaced populations differ across settings, and epidemiologic baselines for displaced populations are fundamental to evidence-informed provision of humanitarian aid. Further, while influences and risks for negative health outcomes in complex emergencies are broadly, the causal mechanisms that underpin these relationships are not as well understood. Both practitioners and researchers should engage with further research to elucidate the mechanisms through which these risks operate among displaced populations, including multilevel analyses.

Background: Pneumonia among toddlers is still considered a serious health problem in Indonesia. It can be seen from the high-level coverage of pneumonia cases spread among toddlers. The continued sustainability of life being the key to healthcare development, access to healthcare services for this early-age group is very important. Purpose: This research aims to find out the coverage correlation between healthcare services on the occurrence of pneumonia among toddlers in the city of Surabaya. Methods: The researchers utilize an ecological study design for all districts in the city of Surabaya within the year 2019,2020, and 2021 with the district as the unit of the analysis. The data was analyzed by using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation. QGIS application is also used to map and visualize the extent of pneumonia issues and toddler healthcare coverage. Results: The results of the Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis show that toddler healthcare coverage did not correlate with the occurrence of toddler pneumonia in the city of Surabaya. However, several districts in Surabaya City exhibit disparities between toddler healthcare coverage and toddler pneumonia occurrence rates. Conclusion: In the years 2019-2021, the cases of toddler pneumonia fluctuated, whereas in 2020 the number of cases decreased compared to 2019 and then increased again in 2021. The same trend also occurred in toddler healthcare services coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the intricate relationship between the health literacy and the awareness of risks and prevention awareness of infection disease among prisoners. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1350 prisoners at an L Type Closed Penal Execution Institution in Turkey, using comprehensive criteria to ensure the inclusion of a diverse participant pool. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews using the "personal information form," "health literacy scale (HLS)," and "communicable diseases risk awareness and protection Scale (CDRAPS)." Both scales exhibited high reliability. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and linear regression, were conducted to evaluate the relationships between the dimensions of these scales. The study was completed with 1031 prisoners. The participants' mean age was 38.65 with a majority being single (69.2%) and high school graduates (46.3%). A weak positive correlation (r = 0.448, P = 0.000) was observed between the CDRAPS (mean score 135.98 ± 24.00) and the HLS (mean score 89.85 ± 22.30), indicating health literacy explained a 20% variance in communicable diseases risk awareness and prevention. Furthermore, a significant relationship was established considering multiple variables including age, marital and educational status, family health personnel presence, smoking and alcohol use, and comorbidities, showing a combined effect on disease risk awareness and prevention (R2 = 0.203, β = 0.458, P = 0.000). These findings highlight the importance for governments and policy makers to implement preventive and educational programs that are focused on public health, aiming to increase prisoners' health literacy and awareness of infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viral hepatitis, particularly B and C, is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, leading to about 1.4 million deaths annually. Alarmingly, less than 20% of those with hepatitis are aware of their status, with only 6.3% receiving treatment. School children can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and preventing the spread of infections. This intervention study focuses on understanding and enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B and C, among school children in Delhi NCR to foster dialogue and awareness. Methods: An intervention study was conducted in selected schools across Delhi NCR between September and October 2022 to assess baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B and C. Three of seven schools were randomly selected by probability sampling, representing 9–12 grade students, and 901 students participated. Following this, an educational interventional program was conducted using educational material, interactive sessions, and audiovisual aids. Post-intervention assessments were done to measure the impact on knowledge improvement. Results: The study is expected to provide insights into the current level of awareness regarding Hepatitis B and C. Furthermore, the intervention's effectiveness was analysed using the pre-formed questionnaire. The average pre-test knowledge score was 8.9 ± 3.2, while the post-test average was 15.6 ± 4.4, indicating a substantial increase of 6.7 ± 4.7 points (+ 75.2%). There was a positive correlation of 0.240 between pre and post-test scores. Attitude change before and after the session showed a positive percentage change of + 38.0% with a correlation of 0.351. The study indicated substantial improvements in knowledge about hepatitis B and C, notably regarding awareness about transmission methods and risk factors. Conclusion: This interventional study seeks to bridge the knowledge gap among school children regarding Hepatitis B and C in Delhi NCR, fostering a proactive approach towards prevention, detection, and treatment. The considerable rise in awareness and favourable changes in perspectives post-intervention say that specific health education initiatives are pivotal in raising awareness and comprehension of infectious diseases, ultimately contributing to improving community health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communicable disease risk is high in refugee camps and reception centers. To better understand the risks for communicable disease diagnoses among refugees and asylum seekers, this study assesses individual- and camp-level risk factors among individuals utilizing Médecins du Monde clinics in four large refugee camps—Elliniko, Malakasa, Koutsochero, and Raidestos—on mainland Greece between July 2016 and May 2017. Descriptive statistics are reported for the demographic characteristics of the study population and for communicable disease burdens within the four camps—Elliniko, Malakasa, Raidestos, and Koutsochero. A hierarchical generalized linear model was used to assess risk factors for communicable disease diagnoses while accounting for individual-level clustering. This study shows marginal patterns in risk factors for communicable disease. Males had marginally higher risk of communicable disease diagnosis than females (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.97—1.29), and increased age was more protective against communicable disease for females (OR = 0.957; 95% CI 0.953—0.961) than for males (OR = 0.963; 95% CI 0.959—0.967). Communicable disease risk was significantly different between camps, with Elliniko (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.40–1.79) and Malakasa (OR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.25–1.63) having higher odds of communicable disease than Raidestos. The demographic and epidemiologic profiles of displaced populations differ across settings, and epidemiologic baselines for displaced populations are fundamental to evidence-informed provision of humanitarian aid. Further, while influences and risks for negative health outcomes in complex emergencies are broadly, the causal mechanisms that underpin these relationships are not as well understood. Both practitioners and researchers should engage with further research to elucidate the mechanisms through which these risks operate among displaced populations, including multilevel analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision public health using genomic sequencing is a new field that has gained interest from public health practitioners for prevention and control measures. This study aims to identify the various applications of genomic sequencing for the prevention of communicable diseases in public health practice. Articles containing relevant keywords were determined using a systematic search strategy applied in Medline, Scopus, and Springer electronic databases. Full text included in the study was retrieved and categorised. A total of 24 articles were included in the final review. The main themes regarding the application of genomic sequencing in the prevention of communicable disease that were found in the articles were describing transmission patterns, investigating outbreaks, diagnosing infection, developing and evaluating interventions including vaccines, outcomes response treatment, and monitoring antimicrobial resistance. In conclusion, genomic sequencing has the potential to enhance the prevention and control of communicable diseases globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), adding to the disease burden from communicable infectious diseases and thus increasing the burden on the healthcare system in a low-resource setting. The aim of this review was to identify health and nutrition promotion programs conducted in PNG and the enablers and barriers to these programs. Four electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Two reviewers completed screening and data extraction. This review included 23 papers evaluating 22 health and nutrition promotion programs, which focused on the Ottawa Charter action areas of developing personal skills (12 programs), reorienting health services (12 programs) and strengthening community action (6 programs). Nineteen programs targeted communicable diseases; two addressed NCDs, and one addressed health services. Enablers of health promotion programs in PNG included community involvement, cultural appropriateness, strong leadership, and the use of mobile health technologies for the decentralisation of health services. Barriers included limited resources and funding and a lack of central leadership to drive ongoing implementation. There is an urgent need for health and nutrition promotion programs targeting NCDs and their modifiable risk factors, as well as longitudinal study designs for the evaluation of long-term impact and program sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Junk food intake has increased many folds in the last two decades. India is still struggling with communicable diseases, though the incidence of non communicable diseases, including metabolic syndrome, has increased several times in the younger age group. There is a scarcity of data and a limited number of international studies on decreasing junk food intake, especially in India. Aim: To assess eating habits, nutritional status, and the effect of behavioural therapy on junk food intake in medical undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted in medical students of a tertiary care hospital in Northern India (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Haryana, India) over a duration of six months, from October 2021 to March 2022. All students were given a pretest in the form of an electronic questionnaire. Students then received four educational sessions based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), one session per week, each lasting 30 minutes. At the end of the four sessions, all students were assessed through a post-test following the same protocol as the pretest. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 The Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was applied for comparison within pre and post-interventions. Results: Most of the students, 302 (68%), included in the study were less than 20 years of age, with a minimum age of 17 years and a maximum age of 25 years. A total of 443 students were included in the study. Of these, 178 out of 443 had a Body Mass Index (BMI)>25 kg/m2, classifying them as overweight (40.18%). The majority of students were not aware of the major side effects of junk food intake, but a significant improvement was noted in the post-test conducted four weeks later. A significant change (p

Introduction: Junk food intake has increased many folds in the last two decades. India is still struggling with communicable diseases, though the incidence of non communicable diseases, including metabolic syndrome, has increased several times in the younger age group. There is a scarcity of data and a limited number of international studies on decreasing junk food intake, especially in India. Aim: To assess eating habits, nutritional status, and the effect of behavioural therapy on junk food intake in medical undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted in medical students of a tertiary care hospital in Northern India (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Haryana, India) over a duration of six months, from October 2021 to March 2022. All students were given a pretest in the form of an electronic questionnaire. Students then received four educational sessions based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), one session per week, each lasting 30 minutes. At the end of the four sessions, all students were assessed through a post-test following the same protocol as the pretest. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 The Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was applied for comparison within pre and post-interventions. Results: Most of the students, 302 (68%), included in the study were less than 20 years of age, with a minimum age of 17 years and a maximum age of 25 years. A total of 443 students were included in the study. Of these, 178 out of 443 had a Body Mass Index (BMI)>25 kg/m2, classifying them as overweight (40.18%). The majority of students were not aware of the major side effects of junk food intake, but a significant improvement was noted in the post-test conducted four weeks later. A significant change (p<0.0001) was observed in the frequency of intake of junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages, and energy drinks, decreasing significantly after the four educational sessions. Conclusion: Short educational intervention programs, as part of cognitive-behavioural theory, have a significant impact on improving awareness and reducing the intake of junk food. More studies of longer duration and involving other components of CBT should be conducted to assess their impact on physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rabies is a severe viral infection that causes acute encephalomyelitis and has a case fatality rate of almost 100%. There is no cure for symptomatic rabies, but postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which comprises vaccines and anti-rabies immunoglobulins (RIGs), can successfully prevent the development of irreversible clinical symptoms. In a situation with low resources, the primary PEP protocol confronts significant access and implementation challenges that could be successfully overcome using RIGs instead of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The current study focuses on the important characteristics of mAbs against rabies that are currently under development and emphasizes their potential as a cutting-edge therapeutic strategy. Methods: BALB/c mice were vaccinated using immunizing Freund's adjuvanted emulsions of the inactivated purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV, VERORAB) made by Aventis Pasteur. The created hybrids were subjected to an ELISA 12 days after fusion to check for the presence of antibodies specific to the rabies virus. Results and conclusion: There are 4 adequately formed murine hybridomas that secrete mAbs that are specific to the rabies virus. These 4 stable hybrids, designated 1E4, 1E9, 2F3, and 4E1, were successfully cloned into four stable clones. The specificity of the generated hybrids was validated using the western blot. The effectiveness of the mAbs cocktail made from the 4 hybridomas was assessed along with the neutralizing capacity of the generated mAbs. Mice challenged with 1000 LD50 of the rabies virus strain were completely protected by the mAbs cocktail given to them 24 hours after infection, while all control mice contracted the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In emergency situations, particularly complicated ones including the collapse of health services and disease control programs, a major cause of mortality and morbidity is limited access to health care and communicable diseases. The aim of the study is to assess the primary school teachers' knowledge of communicable illness control in Mosul City. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing a purposeful sample of 149 teachers. The study was carried out at Mosul City primary schools in the first quarter of 2024. A survey was made specifically for this purpose. It was made up of two parts. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: Findings of the current study showed that 7 (4.7%) teachers only had excellent knowledge of communicable disease prevention and control, while the majority of teachers, 105 (70.5%), had poor knowledge of these topics. Conclusion: The majority of elementary school teachers in Mosul City lack sufficient information on managing communicable diseases. The study advised the essential to work with the Ministry of Health and Environment to implement educational programs on communicable diseases and preventive measures to raise their level of awareness regarding the prevention and control of communicable illnesses. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Practice-based learning and improvement, Systems-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the potential benefits of barberry consumption on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension and its effects on various non-communicable diseases. Barberry was chosen for investigation due to its historical use in traditional medicine and emerging evidence suggesting its positive impact on health. Barberry contains bioactive compounds like berberine, which have been associated with cardiovascular health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Given the rising prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases globally, understanding the potential therapeutic effects of barberry could offer novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. Through the systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant literature, this study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the efficacy of barberry in managing blood pressure and its implications for public health interventions targeting noncommunicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundHarm reduction is an accumulation of strategies aimed at preventing adverse health outcomes associated with illicit substance use. Several harm reduction programs and services exist within Los Angeles County (LAC), however their success relies in part on the application of harm reduction principles by local primary care providers serving patients with substance use disorders. This study aims to assess the readiness of patient-centered medical homes in the San Fernando Valley to provide effective harm reduction to patients who use injection drugs and identify barriers to doing so.MethodsAn online survey was distributed to primary care providers and social workers via email at federally qualified health centers and LAC Department of Health Services clinics in the San Fernando Valley between May and June 2019. It consisted of 22 multiple-choice, Likert scale, and short answer questions. The survey assessed knowledge of injection drug use (IDU), familiarity and utilization of harm-reduction and resources, and self-evaluation of attitudes and skills.ResultsThere were a total of 41 survey respondents across all clinics. Of respondents, 98% correctly identified heroin as a drug typically injected, and 93% identified Hepatitis C as an infectious risk of IDU. 63% of respondents use harm reduction strategies every few months or less. 34% prescribe buprenorphine routinely, and 76% prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis to those at risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 76% are comfortable discussing IDU with their patients, but 59% indicate that they lack the necessary skills, and 42% agree that they lack the time to address it.ConclusionKnowledge of IDU was adequate among those surveyed, although overall utilization of harm reduction was infrequent. There is a perceived deficit in skills and time to effectively provide harm reduction to primary care patients in the San Fernando Valley.

Objectives: The importance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via the eyes is unknown, with previous studies mainly focusing on protective eyewear in healthcare settings. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that wearing eyeglasses is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19. Methods: Participants from the Virus Watch prospective community cohort study responded to a questionnaire on the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Infection was confirmed through data linkage, self-reported positive results, and, for a subgroup, monthly capillary antibody testing. Multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, income, and occupation, were used to identify the odds of infection depending on frequency and purpose of eyeglasses or contact lenses use. Results: A total of 19,166 participants responded to the questionnaire, with 13,681 (71.3%, CI 70.7-72.0) reporting they wore eyeglasses. Multivariable logistic regression model showed a 15% lower odds of infection for those who reported using eyeglasses always for general use (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% 0.77-0.95, P = 0.002) compared to those who never wore eyeglasses. The protective effect was reduced for those who said wearing eyeglasses interfered with mask-wearing and was absent for contact lens wearers. Conclusions: People who wear eyeglasses have a moderate reduction in risk of COVID-19 infection, highlighting that eye protection may make a valuable contribution to the reduction of transmission in community and healthcare settings.

• Eyeglasses are associated with a protective effect against COVID-19. • Protective effect was reduced if wearing glasses interfered with mask-wearing. • There was no protective effect for those who wore contact lenses. • There was still a protective association after adjusting for age, sex, occupation, and income. The importance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via the eyes is unknown, with previous studies mainly focusing on protective eyewear in healthcare settings. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that wearing eyeglasses is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19. Participants from the Virus Watch prospective community cohort study responded to a questionnaire on the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Infection was confirmed through data linkage, self-reported positive results, and, for a subgroup, monthly capillary antibody testing. Multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, income, and occupation, were used to identify the odds of infection depending on frequency and purpose of eyeglasses or contact lenses use. A total of 19,166 participants responded to the questionnaire, with 13,681 (71.3%, CI 70.7-72.0) reporting they wore eyeglasses. Multivariable logistic regression model showed a 15% lower odds of infection for those who reported using eyeglasses always for general use (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% 0.77-0.95, P = 0.002) compared to those who never wore eyeglasses. The protective effect was reduced for those who said wearing eyeglasses interfered with mask-wearing and was absent for contact lens wearers. People who wear eyeglasses have a moderate reduction in risk of COVID-19 infection, highlighting that eye protection may make a valuable contribution to the reduction of transmission in community and healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BackgroundIn a prior study at the start of the pandemic, we reported reduced numbers of Google searches for the term "conjunctivitis" in the United States in March and April 2020 compared with prior years. As one explanation, we conjectured that reduced information-seeking may have resulted from social distancing reducing contagious conjunctivitis cases. Here, after 1 year of continued implementation of social distancing, we asked if there have been persistent reductions in searches for "conjunctivitis," and similarly for other communicable disease terms, compared to control terms.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine if reduction in searches in the United States for terms related to conjunctivitis and other common communicable diseases occurred in the spring-winter season of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compare this outcome to searches for terms representing noncommunicable conditions, COVID-19, and to seasonality.MethodsWeekly relative search frequency volume data from Google Trends for 68 search terms in English for the United States were obtained for the weeks of March 2011 through February 2021. Terms were classified a priori as 16 terms related to COVID-19, 29 terms representing communicable conditions, and 23 terms representing control noncommunicable conditions. To reduce bias, all analyses were performed while masked to term names, classifications, and locations. To test for the significance of changes during the pandemic, we detrended and compared postpandemic values to those expected based on prepandemic trends, per season, computing one- and two-sided P values. We then compared these P values between term groups using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher exact tests to assess if non-COVID-19 terms representing communicable diseases were more likely to show significant reductions in searches in 2020-2021 than terms not representing such diseases. We also assessed any relationship between a term's seasonality and a reduced search trend for the term in 2020-2021 seasons. P values were subjected to false discovery rate correction prior to reporting. Data were then unmasked.ResultsTerms representing conjunctivitis and other communicable conditions showed a sustained reduced search trend in the first 4 seasons of the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic compared to prior years. In comparison, the search for noncommunicable condition terms was significantly less reduced (Wilcoxon and Fisher exact tests, P

Background and Objectives: Anxiety manifests as feelings of worry, stress, and physical changes such as rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. According to the coronavirus prevention protocols, home quarantine is necessary to control the disease in the society, but doing it causes a feeling of social isolation and ultimately different psychological effects such as mood disorders, depression, anxiety and mental disorders. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between religious attitude and anxiety caused by the disease of Covid-19 in the general population of South Khorasan province. Methods:Using a web-based descriptive-analytical study, data from 507 people were collected voluntarily using a demographic information questionnaire, religious attitudes of Sirajzadeh (26 questions) and anxiety caused by covid-19 disease (18 questions). Multivariate linear regression was used to identify the effect of factors affecting anxiety related to the disease. Results: The results of this study showed that there is no significant relationship between religious attitudes and anxiety in two-variable analysis (P>0.05), but in the presence of other variables in multivariate linear regression analysis, there is a significant relationship between the dimension of consequence of religious attitudes and physical anxiety (P=0.006). Also, the level of anxiety among women (p

Background: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a communicable disease with rapid spread and the potential to cause death. In 2019, Kediri District had the fourth-highest number of DHF cases in East Java Province and was reported to have experienced a DHF outbreak. Objective: This study aimed to describe dengue cases in Kediri District in 2017-2021 under non-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Methods: Using a total sampling technique, descriptive research with a case series design was conducted using secondary data from the Health Profiles and the Central Bureau of Statistics of Kediri District in 2017-2021. The studied variables included the number of dengue cases, sex, age, area, population, population density, morbidity rate, Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFI), and rainfall. Data were analyzed using an epidemiological approach based on people, places, and times and visualized with tables and diagrams. Results: The majority of DHF cases occurred in males and the 5-14 years age group in both the COVID-19 non-pandemic (52.88%; 55.96%) and COVID-19 pandemic conditions (51.14%; 58.56%). The incidence rate (IR) increased with population density and the number of dengue cases in the non-COVID-19 pandemic. It decreased with a decrease in dengue cases when the population density increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under all conditions, high dengue cases were found in months with high rainfall. Conclusion: The pattern of DHF incidence in Kediri District in 2017-2021 is mostly in males and the age group of 5-14 years, when there is an increase in population density, and in January.

Objectives: The study aims to explore the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of mpox infection in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at two communicable disease centers in Abu Dhabi, UAE and patients admitted with confirmed mpox infections between May 01, 2022 and December 31, 2022 were included in our study. Results: A total of 176 mpox patients were admitted, of which 93% (n = 164) were men and mean age was 30.4 ± 7 years. Individuals presented with mucocutaneous lesions, most commonly on the genital and anal regions (n = 157; 89%). Only 70 (39.8%) gave a history of sexual exposure. The most common systemic symptoms reported were fever (n = 91; 52%), exanthema (n = 92; 52%), and inguinal lymphadenopathy (n = 60; 34%). Median timeframe from systemic symptoms to appearance of lesions was 4 days (interquartile range 4-6 days). Complications were observed in seven (4%) participants; two (1.1%) individuals developed conjunctivitis, four (2.3%) patients developed penile edema, and one (0.6%) case of myocarditis was reported. In 60% (n = 106) of patients, a potential source of sexual exposure was not identified. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of mpox cases in the UAE are similar to those in other countries. However, cultural and religious factors likely prevent patient disclosure of sexual exposure and symptoms, contributing to the limited information about the disease in the Middle East.

Abstract As one of the largest alliances of middle-income countries, the BRICS, known as an acronym for five countries including “Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa”, represents half of the global population. The health cooperation among BRICS countries will benefit their populations and other middle- and low-income countries. This study aims to summarize the current status of health cooperation in BRICS countries and identify opportunities to strengthen BRICS participation in global health governance. A literature review was conducted to analyze the status, progress, and challenges of BRICS' health cooperation. Content analysis was used to review the 2011–2021 annual joint declarations of the BRICS Health Ministers Meetings. The priority health areas were identified through segmental frequency analysis. Our research suggested that communicable diseases, access to medicine, and universal health coverage appeared most frequently in the content of declarations, indicating the possible top health priorities among BRICS' health collaboration. These priority areas align with the primary health challenges of each country, including the threats of double burden of diseases, as well as the need for improving health systems and access to medicines. Respective external cooperation, inter-BRICS health cooperation, and unified external cooperation are the main forms of health cooperation among BRICS countries. However, challenges such as the lack of a unified image and precise position, lack of practical impact, and weak discourse power have impeded the impact of BRICS on health governance. This study suggests that the BRICS countries should recognize their positioning, improve their unified image, and establish cooperative entities; at the same time, they should increase their practical strength, promote non-governmental cooperation, and expand the cooperation space through the “BRICS Plus” mechanism with countries with similar interests to join.

Introduction: COVID-19 spreads quickly, especially in densely populated countries like Indonesia. Understanding transmission factors can support in reducing transmission rates. The purpose of this study is to analyze the various factors that may contribute to the transmission of COVID-19 in Indonesia, especially in the first wave of pandemic. Methods: This was a cross sectional study design. The sample was selected from the new all record data or the database for recording COVID-19 cases at the health office at the research location by online system. The research was conducted in seven districts and cities across three provinces to obtain an overview of transmission in each regional characteristic. The number of samples was as high as 2,010, with confirmed cases and close contacts in Banda Aceh City, Aceh Besar District, Semarang City, Magelang District, Ternate City, South Halmahera District, and Tidore Islands City. Data analysis was done descriptively and were analyzed using Chi-square and logistic regression with SPSS software. Results: The multivariate analysis shows that five dominant factors the risk of COVID-19 transmission, there are, age, employment status, activities outside the home, medical history, and vaccination status. Age group of 20-39 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.6-1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-2.71), working of employment status (OR=1.51; 95% CI 1.10-2.07), have a comorbid in medical history (OR=2.39; 95% CI 1.67-3.4), have activities outside home (OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.39-2.39), and have not been vaccinated of COVID-19 (OR=3.03; 95% CI 3.37-3.87) were significantly related with an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission. Conclusions: productive age, work and activities outside the home, having comorbidities, and not having received COVID-19 vaccination are all risk factors for COVID-19 exposure. Eliminating all of these factors at the same time will undoubtedly be difficult. As a result, cross-sectoral collaboration is needed to control the spread of COVID-19 at the community and individual levels, as well as to support policy interventions to accelerate the elimination of COVID-19 cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of infectious disease transmission is an important public health tool. We sought to evaluate how positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases, identified within 14 days of admission to a jail setting, are linked to local county incidence. Data were extracted from the electronic health record and publicly accessible websites. We compared positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 identified in the Santa Clara County (SCC) jail within 14 days of admission (250 cases) with positive cases reported in SCC (141,841 cases) between March 15, 2020, and October 2, 2021. There was a strong, positive correlation between cases of SARS-CoV-2 identified within 14 days of jail admission and SCC cases the following week (r = .785). Our findings show that admission SARS-CoV-2 testing data from jails may be useful for detecting disease transmission in the surrounding community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canadian clinical practice guidelines currently recommend risk-based screening for HCV in pregnant individuals. However, no provinces or territories have ever compared the effectiveness of risk-based vs. universal screening for the prenatal diagnosis of HCV. We aimed to evaluate and compare HCV screening programs after implementing a universal population-level pilot program among prenatal patients in Alberta, Canada. The Alberta Prenatal Screening Program for Select Communicable Diseases was amended to include universal HCV antibody screening. Cohorts of pregnant individuals screened for HCV through risk-based or universal programs were generated over 1-year periods. HCV screening rates and prevalence were analyzed and compared between cohorts to evaluate the effectiveness of screening methods. Social and demographic risk factors for HCV-positive individuals were compared between screening cohorts to identify which populations may be overlooked with risk-based guidelines. HCV antibody screening rates were 11.9% and 99.9% among pregnant individuals in the risk-based and universal cohorts, respectively. HCV prevalence among the cohorts was 0.07% and 0.11% (difference = 0.04%, p = 0.032), with an average of 21 additional HCV-positive pregnant individuals identified annually with universal screening. HCV-positive pregnant patients diagnosed through universal screening were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviours/sex work compared to those diagnosed through risk-based screening (47.6% vs. 12.5%, respectively p = 0.035), suggesting that these high-risk cases are being missed by risk-based screening. Universal HCV screening diagnoses significantly higher numbers of pregnant individuals infected with HCV compared to risk-based screening. Universal HCV screening or amending risk-based guidelines to incorporate more proxy variables for risk factors should be considered to improve prenatal HCV screening guidelines in Canada and help achieve HCV elimination in the next decade. HCV is a bloodborne pathogen that can cause severe liver disease and be vertically transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals in Alberta are currently only tested for HCV if they disclose engaging in activities that put them at risk of acquiring the infection (risk-based screening). Using a population-wide universal prenatal HCV screening program, our work shows that testing based on patient disclosed risk alone leads to the significant underdiagnosis of HCV in pregnant individuals and suggests individuals engaging in sex work or risky sexual behaviours are being overlooked by the current risk-based program. Our outcomes represent the first province-wide study to evaluate and compare prenatal HCV risk-based and universal screening programs in Canada and provide evidence to support the update of prenatal HCV screening policies across the country and in similar jurisdictions. [Display omitted] • Risk-based screening leads to significant underdiagnosis of prenatal HCV. • Universal screening captures more individuals engaging in high-risk sex behaviours. • Significantly more new HCV cases are identified with universal screening. • The prenatal prevalence of HCV is similar to that of HBV and double that of HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant travellers are often unaware of the various infections that can be acquired during travel and that pregnant people may be at increased risk of severe disease compared to their non‐pregnant counterparts. Pregnant people often seek pre‐travel counselling from their obstetrician or primary care physicians, who may not be well versed in travel medicine. This paper aims to provide information for maternity care providers regarding important travel‐related food, water and mosquito‐borne illnesses, including their prevention and treatment methods, equipping maternity care providers to confidently counsel prospective travellers during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face delivery of education in schools across Wales was disrupted with repeated school closures to limit risk of infection. Evidence describing the incidence of infection amongst school staff during times when schools were open is limited. A previous research study found infection rates were higher in English primary school settings when compared with secondary. An Italian study suggested teachers weren’t at greater risk of infection in comparison to the general population. The aim of this study was to identify whether educational staff had higher incidence rates than their counterparts in the general population in Wales, and secondly whether incidence rates amongst staff differed between primary and secondary school settings and by teacher age. Methods We performed a retrospective observational cohort study using the national case detection and contact tracing system implemented during the COVID pandemic. Age stratified person-day COVID-19 incidence rates amongst teaching staff linked to primary or secondary schools in Wales were calculated for the autumn and summer terms during 2020–2021. Results The observed pooled COVID-19 incidence rates for staff across both terms was 23.30 per 100,000 person days (95% CI: 22.31–24.33). By comparison, the rate in the general population aged 19–65, was 21.68 per 100,000 person days (95%: CI 21.53–21.84). Incidence among teaching staff was highest in the two youngest age groups (

Background Older adults (40-70 years) are the most susceptible age group for developing cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders due to a lack of physical activities. The engagement of older adults in physical activities such as badminton can improve their neuromuscular function. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of badminton on cardiovascular & neuromuscular function among older adults with and without non-communicable diseases in the United Arab Emirates. Methods A total of 120 participants were recruited and divided into three groups: Two interventional groups which consisted of participants with non-communicable disease (WCN, N=40), and participants without the non-communicable disease (WICN, n=40), and one non-interventional group (NIC) as healthy control participants. Groups with and without non-communicable diseases engaged in badminton (45-60 minutes per session, thrice a week for two months) as per the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The findings of the study indicated that there was a significant improvement in cardiovascular and many neuromuscular variables within and between the groups (p≤0.05) with maximum changes in participants with non-communicable diseases. Conclusions Engagement in sports like badminton can help to overcome the non-communicable disease burden. The immediate impact can be seen with the introduction of such interventional sports activities on a larger scale. Since the improvement was seen to be much better in the participants with non- communicable diseases, it could help to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. Clinical Trial Registry, India registration REF/2022/02/051455 (08/02/2022)

Background: Hypertension is a serious condition affecting 33 % of urban & 25 % of rural Indian population. It can be controlled by the antihypertensive medications, but self-management approaches also play a very important role in lowering blood pressure. Infographics are one such material which uses visuals to educate the audience. This study assesses the understandability and actionability of the newly developed infographic aimed at self-blood pressure monitoring, medication adherence and lifestyle modifications with dietary approaches and exercise. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to develop an infographic tool for educating the patients with hypertension and to validate the infographic tool using PEMAT A/V. Methodology: “The study was divided into two phases. First phase was to develop an infographic tool. An infographic was designed using Canva and Procreate. In the second phase, the infographic was validated using the Patient Education Material Assessment Tool - Audio visual (PEMAT-A/V) by 10 participants. PEMAT is a systematic method to evaluate and compare patient education materials. Result: Using Canva, the infographic tool was developed, and then PEMAT-A/V was used to validate it. In terms of understandability and actionability, the mean score was 87.8% and 89.2%. The standard deviations for understandability and actionability were 0.12 and 0.14, respectively. Conclusion: The infographic developed in the study scored a mean percentage of more than 70 in both understandability and actionability and hence, it was concluded that it can be easily understandable by the patients.

Background Older adults (40-70 years) are the most susceptible age group for developing cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders due to a lack of physical activities. The engagement of older adults in physical activities such as badminton can improve their neuromuscular function. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of badminton on cardiovascular & neuromuscular function among older adults with and without non-communicable diseases in the United Arab Emirates. Methods A total of 120 participants were recruited and divided into three groups: Two interventional groups which consisted of participants with non-communicable disease (WCN, N=40), and participants without the non-communicable disease (WICN, n=40), and one non-interventional group (NIC) as healthy control participants. Groups with and without non-communicable diseases engaged in badminton (45-60 minutes per session, thrice a week for two months) as per the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The findings of the study indicated that there was a significant improvement in cardiovascular and many neuromuscular variables within and between the groups (p≤0.05) with maximum changes in participants with non-communicable diseases. Conclusions Engagement in sports like badminton can help to overcome the non-communicable disease burden. The immediate impact can be seen with the introduction of such interventional sports activities on a larger scale. Since the improvement was seen to be much better in the participants with non- communicable diseases, it could help to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. Clinical Trial Registry, India registration REF/2022/02/051455 (08/02/2022)

Background: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a communicable disease with rapid spread and the potential to cause death. In 2019, Kediri District had the fourth-highest number of DHF cases in East Java Province and was reported to have experienced a DHF outbreak. Objective: This study aimed to describe dengue cases in Kediri District in 2017-2021 under nonpandemic and COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Methods: Using a total sampling technique, descriptive research with a case series design was conducted using secondary data from the Health Profiles and the Central Bureau of Statistics of Kediri District in 2017-2021. The studied variables included the number of dengue cases, sex, age, area, population, population density, morbidity rate, Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFI), and rainfall. Data were analyzed using an epidemiological approach based on people, places, and times and visualized with tables and diagrams. Results: The majority of DHF cases occurred in males and the 5-14 years age group in both the COVID-19 non-pandemic (52.88%; 55.96%) and COVID-19 pandemic conditions (51.14%; 58.56%). The incidence rate (IR) increased with population density and the number of dengue cases in the non-COVID-19 pandemic. It decreased with a decrease in dengue cases when the population density increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under all conditions, high dengue cases were found in months with high rainfall. Conclusion: The pattern of DHF incidence in Kediri District in 2017-2021 is mostly in males and the age group of 5-14 years, when there is an increase in population density, and in January. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First study from the United Arab Emirates on 176 mpox cases diagnosed in 2022. • Clinical characteristics of mpox in the United Arab Emirates are similar to cases in other countries. • Rare complications of mpox infection include myocarditis. • Cultural and religious factors may limit disclosure of sexual exposure. • Stigma of mpox may pose a barrier to diagnosis. The study aims to explore the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of mpox infection in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A prospective cohort study was conducted at two communicable disease centers in Abu Dhabi, UAE and patients admitted with confirmed mpox infections between May 01, 2022 and December 31, 2022 were included in our study. A total of 176 mpox patients were admitted, of which 93% (n = 164) were men and mean age was 30.4 ± 7 years. Individuals presented with mucocutaneous lesions, most commonly on the genital and anal regions (n = 157; 89%). Only 70 (39.8%) gave a history of sexual exposure. The most common systemic symptoms reported were fever (n = 91; 52%), exanthema (n = 92; 52%), and inguinal lymphadenopathy (n = 60; 34%). Median timeframe from systemic symptoms to appearance of lesions was 4 days (interquartile range 4-6 days). Complications were observed in seven (4%) participants; two (1.1%) individuals developed conjunctivitis, four (2.3%) patients developed penile edema, and one (0.6%) case of myocarditis was reported. In 60% (n = 106) of patients, a potential source of sexual exposure was not identified. The clinical characteristics of mpox cases in the UAE are similar to those in other countries. However, cultural and religious factors likely prevent patient disclosure of sexual exposure and symptoms, contributing to the limited information about the disease in the Middle East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lymphadenitis is the most common manifestation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection in children. We describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of NTM lymphadenitis, determine diagnostic yield from tissue sampling, and review management and outcomes. Methods This was a 10-year retrospective review of children aged 0–16 years diagnosed with NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis who were seen in a pediatric infectious disease clinic in a tertiary public hospital. Data relating to patient demographics, clinical features, surgical and antimicrobial treatment, complications, and outcomes were retrieved from patients' electronic medical records and analyzed. Results There were 48 episodes of NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis in 45 children (17 males and 28 females). Of these episodes, 43.7% manifested as a unilateral single node, mostly parotid (39.6%) and submandibular (29.2%). All patients underwent diagnostic fine-needle aspiration or surgery. Surgical excision more frequently yielded positive histological findings (P =.016). NTM was identified in 22/48 episodes (45.8%) via culture or molecular sequencing. Mycobacterium abscessus was most commonly found (47.8%). Thirty-eight children (79.2%) received antibiotics. Outcomes in 43 episodes revealed full resolution in 69.8%, while 25.6% had de novo disease and 4.6% experienced recurrence at the same site. Overlying skin changes and multiple or bilateral nodal diseases were significantly associated with de novo disease or recurrence (P =.034 and.084, respectively). Complications occurred in 11/70 (15.7%) procedures. Antibiotic-associated adverse effects occurred in 14/38 (36.8%) episodes. Conclusions NTM lymphadenitis remains a challenging condition. More aggressive management with surgical excision and antibiotics is recommended for those with overlying skin changes and extensive nodal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During neoliberalism, cities have increased their social metabolism, investment in the commodity market and the proliferation of conditions of environmental devastation and degradation of the health of the population that inhabits them. The present study explored the levels of spatial concatenation that exist between the cities of the state of Morelos in the form of urban corridors, and those municipalities of the entity where the highest cases of contagion by covid-19 infection occurred. An approximate territorial study was carried out with a descriptive scope, and the relationship of variables was made from the principle of collinearity. The main contribution of the article is to show that the environmental degradation of the territory is a circumstance for the production of conditions for a greater prevalence of morbidities, for which the cases of covid-19 can be considered as environmental patients. It is concluded that the spatial configuration of four urban corridors that totalize the cities of Morelos, ends up articulating an urban circuit that was called Arco Urbano Morelense, taken as a spatial condition for the generation of an epidemiological circuit that concentrates the confirmed cases of covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]