Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jun-Jian Qin, Yan-Fang Xing, Jian-Hua Ren, Yong-Jian Chen, Ying-Fei Gan, Yan-Qiu Jiang, Jie Chen, Xing Li
Summary: The study indicated an association between mandatory mask-wearing and reinforced hand hygiene education and decreased respiratory, catheter-related, and digestive tract infection episodes in the hemodialysis unit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lars Andrup, Karen A. Krogfelt, Kristian Schultz Hansen, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the literature on the transmission routes of human rhinoviruses. The results showed that indirect transmission through hands and fomites is the dominant route of transmission in indoor settings, while airborne transmission is also a major route of transmission.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shiyang Wu, Richard Szewei Wang, Yu-Ni Huang, Thomas T. H. Wan, Tao-Hsin Tung, Bing-Long Wang
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of hand hygiene interventions on the overall hand hygiene status in kindergarten teaching. The intervention program successfully increased teachers' awareness of disease susceptibility, reduced bacterial colonization on children's hands, and improved the hand hygiene environment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
You Hyun Joung, Tae Su Jang, Jae Kyung Kim
Summary: The outbreak of new infectious diseases poses a threat to human survival, with climate being a crucial factor in disease transmission. Research conducted in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, found a high correlation between infectious disease occurrence and seasonal changes in meteorological factors, especially with viral diseases showing distinct seasonality. Further studies on how climate influences infectious diseases, particularly viral diseases, are needed to improve prevention and control measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
V Mouajou, K. Adams, G. DeLisle, C. Quach
Summary: The hands of healthcare workers are a primary source of transmission of hospital-acquired infections. Practising hand hygiene and adhering to hand hygiene guidelines can decrease the risk of transmission. However, there is no consensus on the optimal hand hygiene compliance rate for healthcare workers. Studies suggest that lower incidence rates of hospital-acquired infections are achieved with hand hygiene compliance rates of approximately 60%. Due to flaws in study design, causality cannot be inferred, and only general trends can be discussed. High-quality evidence is needed to support the implementation of specified targets for hand hygiene compliance rates.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kelly Bettina Currie, Kashyap Komarraju Tadisina, Susan E. Mackinnon
Summary: Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, de Quervain tenosynovitis, and thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis can be associated with significant disability, and first-line treatment includes steroid injection, immobilization, or both. For patients who do not respond to noninvasive therapy or for progressive disease despite conservative therapy, surgical treatment is safe and effective.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Review
Computer Science, Information Systems
Norina Gasteiger, Dawn Dowding, Syed Mustafa Ali, Ashley Jordan Stephen Scott, Paul Wilson, Sabine N. van der Veer
Summary: The study identified many smartphone apps aimed at supporting hand hygiene practice, but few of them provided content on best practices, and most did not meet minimum quality standards. It is recommended that future apps for hand hygiene are developed in collaboration with experts and incorporate innovative engagement methods.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eli Shapiro, Keren Mahlab-Guri, Eric Scheier, Pnina Ciobotaro, Alex Guri
Summary: The study found that by connecting touchless dispensers of alcohol sanitiser to automatic doors, the hand hygiene compliance when entering an ICU can be significantly improved, contributing to infection control.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Chaofan Wang, Weiwei Jiang, Kangning Yang, Difeng Yu, Joshua Newn, Zhanna Sarsenbayeva, Jorge Goncalves, Vassilis Kostakos
Summary: Electronic hand hygiene monitoring systems utilize various observation methods to monitor hand hygiene compliance and assess hand hygiene quality. However, these systems face challenges such as accuracy, data integration, privacy, and the lack of standardized measurement tools. Further research is needed to explore the implementation of sensing technologies and algorithms, aiming to improve system performance and address other hand hygiene-related issues in the future.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard Shaughnessy, Mark Hernandez, Ulla Haverinen-Shaughnessy
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of enhanced classroom cleaning and disinfecting protocol on surface biocontamination and its associations with student absence due to illnesses. The results showed that enhanced cleaning resulted in a significantly lower level of biocontamination on desktops, and there was a significant association between ATP levels on classroom desks and the probability of absence due to gastrointestinal illness.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Kristin Klar, Dennis Knaack, Stefanie Kampmeier, Anna Katharina Hein, Dennis Goerlich, Siegfried Steltenkamp, Ulrike Weyland, Karsten Becker
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of primary school children about infectious diseases and their prevention measures. The results showed that most children already have some awareness of infections, but their knowledge is not always accurate and adequately supported. The condition of sanitary facilities also has a significant impact on their usage behavior.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jose M. Brum, Roger D. Gibb, David L. Ramsey, Guhan Balan, Bruce R. Yacyshyn
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that bismuth subsalicylate can be beneficial for those at risk or affected by food and waterborne diarrheal disease such as traveler's (infectious) diarrhea, and may decrease the risk of inappropriate antibiotic utilization.
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jorgen Engberg, Laus Krems Vejrum, Tina Vasehus Madsen, Xiaohui Chen Nielsen
Summary: This study assessed and compared the performance of two syndromic panel-based testing systems, QIAstat-Dx (R) Gastrointestinal Panel V2 (QGI) and Novodiag (R) Bacterial GE+ V2-0 (NGE) in detecting microbial species causing acute diarrhoea. QGI demonstrated higher sensitivity in identifying C. difficile, while NGE showed suboptimal detection in certain bacteria.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fangxiong Wang, Ziqian Tan, Zaihui Yu, Siqi Yao, Changfeng Guo
Summary: The study found that the migration volume is influenced by the geographical proximity, relationship, and economic development of the source region, while the severity of the epidemic mainly depends on the migration volume and the severity of the epidemic in the source region. The epidemic risk is related not only to the severity of the epidemic in the source region but also to the degree of urban traffic development and the degree of urban openness. After the resumption of work, the pressure of epidemic prevention and control is mainly concentrated in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with lower pressure in regions farther away from the core cities, and the mass migration of the population makes it difficult to control the epidemic effectively.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Barcenilla-Guitard, Anna Espart
Summary: Among young adults, females aged between 22 and 25 years old who studied in the field of Health Sciences are more likely to perform hand hygiene correctly, however, a significant proportion of young people have not received related training. Concern for personal and others' safety is the main motivation for hand hygiene, while forgetfulness is the main reason for not performing hand hygiene.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nimer Ortuno-Gutierrez, Aboubacar Mzembaba, Abdallah Baco, Sofie M. Braet, Assoumani Younoussa, Zahara Salim, Mohamed Amidy, Saverio Grillone, Aouladi Said, Bouke C. de Jong, Jan Hendrik Richardus, Epco Hasker
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Belen Lardizabal Dofitas, Sherjan P. Kalim, Camille B. Toledo, Jan Hendrik Richardus
Summary: This study confirmed that the Philippines is endemic for yaws but at a low level in the schools surveyed. This is an under-estimation due to the limited sampling. The lack of proper disease surveillance after the eradication campaign in the 1960's has made yaws a forgotten disease and has led to its resurgence. Yaws surveillance is needed to determine the extent of yaws in the Philippines and to help develop a strategy to eradicate yaws by 2030.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Yudhy Dharmawan, Ahmad Fuady, Ida J. Korfage, Jan Hendrik Richardus
Summary: This systematic review identified healthcare factors related to delays in case detection in leprosy, including structural factors, health service factors, and intermediate factors. The study found that delays in leprosy case detection were mainly due to misdiagnosis. Improving the training and capacity of healthcare staff and ensuring the sustainability of leprosy control within integrated health services are crucial in reducing detection delays.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nimer Ortuno-Gutierrez, Pin-Wei Shih, Aashish Wagh, Shivakumar Mugudalabetta, Bijoy Pandey, Bouke C. de Jong, Jan Hendrik Richardus, Epco Hasker
Summary: In India, leprosy shows a clustering pattern at the hamlet level. This study aimed to identify high-incidence hamlets for targeted screening and prophylaxis. Home visits and data collection were conducted, and high-risk clusters were identified. The findings highlight the importance of focusing screening efforts on high-incidence hamlets to increase efficiency.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dominique L. A. Lescure, Alike W. van der Velden, Natascha Huijser van Reenen, Jan Hendrik Richardus, Helene A. C. M. Voeten
Summary: This study explored the perceptions of antibiotics among immigrants and native Dutch participants through focus group discussions. The findings showed that both immigrants and native Dutch participants had a relatively cautious attitude towards antibiotics, and within-group differences were more significant than between-group differences. Native Dutch participants also faced similar difficulties in communication with their doctors. Immigrants who encountered language barriers experienced even greater communicational challenges.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Belen Dofitas, Maria Christina Batac, Jan Hendrik Richardus
Summary: Yaws cases were confirmed in the Liguasan Marsh, Mindanao Island group, Southern Philippines in 2017, but no cases were confirmed in the Luzon and Visayas Island groups. A surveillance and case detection program was conducted in remote villages and among indigenous peoples in Luzon and Visayas. Among the participants screened, only the Aetas in Quezon province, Luzon, had confirmed yaws cases, including active, latent, and past cases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anneke T. Taal, Akshat Garg, Suchitra Lisam, Ashok Agarwal, Josafa G. Barreto, Wim H. van Brakel, Jan Hendrik Richardus, David J. Blok
Summary: This study proposes a contextualized spatial approach to identify clusters in high-endemic districts more accurately than the standard statistical approach. The contextualized approach includes expert consultation to determine context-specific clusters and is compared to a standard approach. The results show that the contextualized approach can identify clusters more precisely and cover a larger proportion of the population in clusters that need to be targeted for preventive interventions. This approach can be useful for program managers and policy makers in targeting at-risk populations in high-endemic areas while ensuring efficient use of public health resources.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Denise E. Twisk, Abraham Meima, Jan Hendrik Richardus, Hannelore M. Gotz
Summary: This study aimed to compare STI-related risk profiles and STI testing rates by geographical area to determine areas for improvement of sexual healthcare access. The study found strong spatial variation in STI testing, STI positivity, and STI risk. Three clusters were identified based on STI risk and testing rate: high-high, high-low, and low, independently of testing rate. Residents in the high-low cluster had comparable STI-related risk and STI positivity but had a significantly lower testing rate compared to the high-high cluster.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Thomas Hambridge, Luc E. Coffeng, Sake J. de Vlas, Jan Hendrik Richardus
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of leprosy case detection delay data and select a suitable model to describe the variability of detection delays. The results show that the detection delays are best described by a log-normal distribution, influenced by individual factors such as age, sex, and leprosy subtype.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yudhy Dharmawan, Ida J. Korfage, Ulfah Abqari, Bagoes Widjanarko, Jan Hendrik Richardus
Summary: This study aimed to determine the case detection delay (CDD) of leprosy and its associated factors in Indonesia. The mean CDD was found to be 13.0 months, with patient delay contributing the most. Younger age, male gender, passive case detection, and not having a family member with leprosy were associated with longer CDD. It is recommended that the Indonesian National Leprosy Control Program adopts an integrated intervention program to reduce CDD and prevent disabilities in leprosy patients.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
A. T. Taal, J. G. Barreto, G. dos Santos de Sousa, A. Medeiros da Rocha, N. N. Lima Ferreira, J. A. Menezes da Silva, D. C. Hinders, W. H. van Brakel, J. H. Richardus, D. J. Blok
Summary: The geographic distribution of COVID-19, TB, and leprosy varies in Fortaleza, and the associated risk factors are related to wealth. The findings contribute to the development of effective prevention measures.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Timo Louis Boelsums, Inge Anna Theresia van de Luitgaarden, Jane Whelan, Hanna Poell, Charlotte Maria Hoffman, Ewout Fanoy, Maaike Buskermolen, Jan Hendrik Richardus
Summary: A study conducted in the Netherlands found that the addition of manual backward contact tracing (BCT) did not provide added value in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 7,448 cases surveyed, it was found that some sources were already registered in the electronic database of the public health service, and 13% of potential sources were not yet registered. However, through BCT, only a small number of additional source contacts were traced, and no new COVID-19 cases were identified.
Article
Primary Health Care
Denise E. Twisk, Abraham Meima, Jan Hendrik Richardus, Hannelore M. Goetz
Summary: Insight into sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and characteristics of those tested in the Netherlands is limited. This study aimed to fill this gap by linking different registers. Results showed that general practitioners (GPs) performed three times more STI tests than sexual health centres (SHC), and STI positivity varied greatly by subgroup and provider. This study highlights the important role of GPs in STI testing.
Article
Dermatology
Yudhy Dharmawan, Ulfah Abqari, Bagoes Widjanarko, Wulandari Santoso, Astri Ferdiana, Jan Hendrik Richardus, Ida J. Korfage
Summary: This study describes the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process of the CDD questionnaire in Indonesia and evaluates its validity and reliability. The findings suggest that the questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for determining CDD in Indonesia. Implementation of the questionnaire is recommended for monitoring early case detection and preventing leprosy disability in Indonesia.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yudhy Dharmawan, Bagoes Widjanarko, Ida J. Korfage, Jan H. Richardus
Summary: The study found a significant delay in case detection and a relationship between disability grade and health-seeking behavior among leprosy patients in Tegal Regency. Nearly half of the patients used self-medication and did not seek appropriate healthcare before being diagnosed with leprosy. These findings suggest that supporting appropriate health-seeking behavior could help reduce the burden of disability caused by leprosy.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
