Search Subject Areas | Preprints.org

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.0428.v1

Quality of Life in Cancer Patients: The Modern Psycho-Oncologic Approach for Romania – a Review

Monica Licu, Sorin Paun, Claudiu Gabriel Ionescu

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: quality of life; health-related quality of life; psychosocial factors; psycho-oncology

Online: 6 June 2023 (09:36:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.0380.v1

A Novel Global Medicines Agency (GMA) Formation Proposal for Making Biotechnology Drugs Affordable: Starting with the League of Arab States.

F Sarfaraz K. Niazi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Biosimilars 1; Arab states 1; regulatory guideline 3; harmonization 4; centralized approval 5; EMA 6; FDA 7; Global Medicine Authority (GMA) 8.

Online: 6 June 2023 (08:49:00 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.0311.v1

Patient Attitudes Regarding Audio-Only Telemedicine in Rural Minnesota

Samuel Nelson, Nicholas Battis, Ryan Harden

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Rural; Telemedicine; Telehealth; Patient-Centered; Attitudes; Perceptions; Audio-only

Online: 5 June 2023 (10:51:10 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.2153.v1

Centralization and Sharing of Information to Improve Local Decision-Making in a Home Health Care Center

Guillaume Dessevre, Cléa Martinez, Liwen Zhang, Christophe Bortolaso, Franck Fontanili

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: home health care routing & scheduling problem; resilience; discrete event simulation; optimization

Online: 2 June 2023 (03:32:02 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.2070.v1

Karniza Khalid, Kun Yun Lee, Nur Farihan Mukhtar, Othman Warijo

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: quality improvement; systematic review; papillomavirus vaccine; vaccination coverage; adolescent

Online: 30 May 2023 (07:47:30 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1783.v1

PDSIM: An Agent-Based Framework with Human Behavior Modeling for Pandemic Impact Assessment to Build Sustainable Communities

Harshana Weligampola, Lakshitha Ramanayake, Yasiru Ranasinghe, Gayanthi Ilangarathna, Neranjan Senarath, Bhagya Samarakoon, Roshan Godaliyadda, Vijitha Herath, Parakrama Ekanayaka, Janaka Ekanayake, Muthucumaru Maheswaran, Sandya Theminimulle, Anuruddhika Rathnayake, Samath Dharmarathne, Mallika Pinnawala, Sakunthala Yatigammana Ekanayake, Ganga Thilakaratne

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Covid-19; Pandemic; Agent-Based Models (ABM); Human Movement Modeling; Envi-ronment modeling; Disease Propagation and Containment

Online: 25 May 2023 (09:01:44 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1463.v1

Parental Triangulation in Separated & Divorced Families: Causes and Impact on the Intergenerational Parent-Child Conflict

Alessandra Salerno, Iolanda Raciti, Monica Tosto, Aluette Merenda

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: parental triangulation; marital conflict; coparenting; adolescent; intergenerational family bond; divorced couples

Online: 22 May 2023 (04:59:36 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1279.v1

Optimal Allocation Mechanism for Scarce Public Goods: A Cross-Country Analysis and Key Lessons from COVID-19 Vaccines

Viet Hoang

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Optimal Allocation; Vaccine; Scarce Public Goods; COVID-19; Pandemic; COVAX

Online: 18 May 2023 (05:36:22 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0472.v1

Progress toward Health System Readiness for Genome-Based Testing in Canada

Don Husereau, Eva Villalba, Vivek Muthu, Michael Mengel, Craig Ivany, Lotte Steuten, Daryl S. Spinner, Brandon Sheffield, Stephen Yip, Philip Jacobs, Terrence Sullivan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: diagnostic molecular pathology; genetic testing; diagnostic services; technology assess- ment; biomedical; genetic services; financial support; clinical governance; health technology; healthcare innovation

Online: 8 May 2023 (08:36:59 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0010.v1

Has COVID-19 Affected DTP Vaccination Trends in Africa? A Joinpoint Regression Analysis Reveals the Impact

Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso, Sara Guillen-Aguinaga, Laura Guillen-Aguinaga, Rosa Alas-Brun, Luc Onambele, Enrique Aguinaga-Ontoso, Francisco Guillen-Grima

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: DTP vaccine,; Africa; COVID-19; Vaccine coverage; Joinpoint regression; Health care system; Vaccination rates

Online: 1 May 2023 (03:49:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1266.v1

Physicians’ Trust in Relevant Institutions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Binary Logistic Model

Tudor-Ștefan Rotaru, Aida Puia, Ștefan Cojocaru, Ovidiu Alexinschi, Cristina Gavrilovici, Liviu Oprea

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: responsibility; trust; willingness to work

Online: 30 April 2023 (05:27:09 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0957.v1

Semantic Interoperability of EHRs: Review of Approaches for Enhancing the Goals of European Health Data Space

Sari Palojoki, Riikka Vuokko

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: electronic health record; European Union; health care data; health data space; review; semantic interoperability; standardization

Online: 26 April 2023 (04:41:03 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0823.v1

The Continuous Adaptive Challenge Played by Arboviruses: An In Silico Approach to Define Relevant Molecular Interactions with the Host

Massimiliano Chetta, Anna Lisa Cammarota, Margot De Marco, Nenad Bukvic, Liberato Marzullo, Alessandra Rosati

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: bioinformatic analysis; arboviruses; vector-borne disease (VBD), RNA binding proteins (RBPs)

Online: 24 April 2023 (04:51:12 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0806.v1

Running Return of Service Schemes in Southern Africa: Lessons from Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho

Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda, Andrea Durbach, Wezile W. Chitha, Oduetse Moaletsane, Blake Angell, Rohina Joshi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: health system; health workforce; human resources; health policy; bursary

Online: 23 April 2023 (14:22:53 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0567.v1

How Can We Promote COVID-19 Vaccination? - Comparison of the Potential Influence between Opt-out and Opt-in Defaults

Masaki Takebayashi, Mira Namba, Yudai Kaneda, Tatsuya Koyama, Soichiro Miyashita, Kurenai Takebayashi, Motoki Oonishi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Vaccination; Default; Opt-Out; Cancellation Rate

Online: 19 April 2023 (08:06:33 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0533.v1

Impact of Integrating Family planning with Maternal and child health on uptake of contraception: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Rural Pakistan

Zahid Ali Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Talib Hussain Lashari, Muhammad Jawwad, Sophie Reale, Racheal Spencer, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Hora Soltani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Family Planning; Modern Contraceptive Methods; Integrated Service Model

Online: 19 April 2023 (03:56:17 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Study aimed to evaluate the impact of integrating family planning with maternal, newborn, and child health (FP-MNCH) on uptake of modern contraceptive methods and related health outcomes in two districts of the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Impact of intervention was evaluated using a quasi-experimental control before-after study design. Intervention included capacity building of healthcare providers and outreach workers, ensuring sustained supplies of family planning commodities, data-driven decision-making, and community engagement activities. Data was collected through household surveys at baseline (December2020) and endline (December 2022). The sample size was estimated as 880 married women of reproductive age (MWRA) in each district. The Difference and Difference(DiD) analytical method was used to estimate the impact of intervention adjusted for potential confounding factors. There was statistically significant increase of 11.3% in the current use of MCM in the intervention group compared to the control group (p value <0.001), with increases observed in the uptake of injection , implants, and condoms. Additionally, there was an increase in the proportion of women who had ANC visits (DiD 10.5% p value 0.003), FP counselling during ANC (DiD 15.6% p value < 0.001), LHW visits during pregnancy (DiD 15.1% p value 0.021), PNC check-ups for mother (DiD 25.2% p value <0.001), LHW visits after delivery (DiD 20.4% p value <0.001), and LHW advised for family planning at PNC visit n (DiD 14.5% p value 0.030). This study provides strong evidence for the scaling-up of integrated interventions through existing health care platforms utilizing human resources deployed by the government. This FP-MNCH model has the potential to be adopted in other provinces and at federally administered areas for both health and population planning. This model should be considered for replication in other districts of Sindh to accelerate current level of integration already existing.

Preprint SHORT NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0497.v2

Avoidable Intensive Care Resource Use of Unvaccinated COVID-19 Patients: Interpretation and Policy Implications

Ari Joffe, Chris Milburn

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; intensive care unit; policy; resource use; vaccination

Online: 18 April 2023 (11:02:35 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0485.v1

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Prostate Cancer 5-Year Survival: The Role of Health-Care Access and Disease Severity

Christiane J. El Khoury, Sean A. P. Clouston

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Survival, Disparities, Geographic, Multilevel, Healthcare Access

Online: 18 April 2023 (04:49:50 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Introduction Prostate Cancer (PCa) exhibits one of the widest racial and socioeconomic disparities. PCa disparities have also been widely linked to location as living in more deprived regions was associated with lower healthcare access and worse outcomes. This study aims to examine PCa survival across various US counties in function of different socioeconomic profiles and discuss the role of potential intermediary factors. Methods The SEER database linked to county-level SES was utilized. Five-year PCa-specific survival using the Kaplan Meier method was performed for 5 racial/ethnic categories in function of SES quintiles. Multilevel Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to assess the relationship between county-level SES and PCa survival. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine the role of healthcare utilization and severity. Results 279,000 PCa records were extracted, 5-year PCa-specific survival was 94%. Overall, living in counties with worst poverty/income quintile and highest proportions of foreign-born/language-isolated increased PCa mortality by 23% each. No association was observed with county-level High-School education, while Bachelor’s-level education decreased mortality risk by 23%. Associations varied considerably upon racial/ethnic stratification. Multilevel analyses showed varying contributions of individual and area-level factors to survival within minorities. The relationship between SES and PCa survival appeared to be influenced by healthcare utilization and disease stage/grade. Discussion Racial/ethnic categories responded differently under similar county-level SES and individual-level factors to the point where disparities reversed in Hispanics. The inclusion of Healthcare utilization and severity factors may provide partial early support for their role as intermediaries. Healthcare access (insurance) might not necessarily be associated with better PCa survival, through performing biopsy and or/surgery. County-level education plays an important role in PCa decision-making as it might elucidate discussions of other non-invasive management options. Conclusion Findings of this study demonstrate that interventions need to be tailored according to each group's needs. This potentially informs the focus of public health efforts in terms of planning and prioritizing. This study could also direct further research delving into pathways between area-level characteristics with PCa survival.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0202.v1

Developing a Model for Integrating of Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Primary Healthcare Services in Oliver Reginald (O.R) Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Ntandazo Dlatu, BENJAMIN LONGO-MBENZA, Kelechi Elizabeth Oladimeji, Teke Apalata

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: model developement, TB–HIV integrated model, TB and HIV, model, quantitative and qualitative data

Online: 11 April 2023 (05:39:06 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0147.v1

A Maturity Model for the Scientific Review of Clinical Trial Designs and Their Informativeness

Shawn Dolley, Thea Norman, Doug McNair, Dan Hartman

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: clinical trial; informativeness; design review; trial methods maturity model

Online: 10 April 2023 (04:56:37 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0055.v1

Protocols for transitioning to adult mental health services for adolescents with ADHD

Elisa Roberti, Francesca Scarpellini, Rita Campi, Michele Giardino, Antonio Clavenna, Maurizio Bonati

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Transition care; ADHD; Protocols

Online: 5 April 2023 (10:22:42 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0514.v1

Detecting the Unseen: Understanding the Mechanisms and Working Principles of Earthquake Sensors

Bingwei Tian, Wenrui Liu, Haozhou Mo, Wang Li, Tenglong Quan, Yuting Wang, Basanta Raj Adhikari

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: sensors; earthquake DRR; monitoring; early warning; search and rescue

Online: 29 March 2023 (16:36:57 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0409.v1

Out-of-Pocket Costs Related to Chagas Disease: The Experience in Endemic Municipalities in Colombia

Rafael Herazo, Adriana Rey, Diogo Galvao, Manuel Medina Camargo, Nini Johana Cobos Pinzón, Alba Cecilia Rodriguez Sanchez, Andrea Marchiol, María Jesus Pinazo

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: out-of-pocket cost; primary healthcare; specialized reference hospital; Chagas

Online: 23 March 2023 (04:29:57 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Background Out-of-pocket costs are key expenses that many individuals incur in order to receive health services. They have been identified as a key access barrier for vulnerable populations, in particular for populations affected by neglected diseases with a chronic progression, such as Chagas disease. It is important to understand the costs of accessing healthcare services that are borne by patients with T. cruzi infection. Methodology We prepared a structured survey for patients with T. cruzi infection/Chagas disease who were all treated by the healthcare system in endemic municipalities in Colombia. The results were analyzed according to three categories: 1. the socioeconomic profiling of the patients; 2. the costs of and time spent on transportation; and 3. the opportunity costs (money that was not earned) related to treatment at the local primary care hospital or at the high-complexity reference hospital. Main findings Ninety-one patients answered the survey voluntarily. The data revealed that, when treated at the specialized reference hospital, patients spent 5.5 times more on food and accommodation, transportation costs were five times higher, and the loss of earnings was three times higher than when they were treated at the local primary care hospital. Moreover, the amount of time spent on transportation was 4 times higher at the reference hospital. Conclusions Providing comprehensive healthcare services for Chagas management at local primary healthcare hospitals would allow the most vulnerable patients to save on expenses related to medical and non-medical costs (out-of-pocket costs), in turn leading to higher adhesion to treatment thus benefiting the health system as a whole. These findings are in alignment with the WHO’s World Health Assembly 2010 Resolution on the importance of treating Chagas at local primary care hospitals, thereby saving patients time and money, allowing for timely care, and promoting access to healthcare.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0367.v1

Factors Associated with Competence in Preventing Non-communicable Diseases among Community Health Workers in Japan

Yuki Imamatsu, Etsuko Tadaka

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Community health workers; Competence in prevention of non-communicable diseases; Associated factors literacy; Community commitment

Online: 21 March 2023 (02:39:23 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Background Community health workers (CHWs) drawn from the general population are an important human resource in health care systems, preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and contributing to an increase in healthy life expectancy in Japan. Thus, we have developed the COmmunity health workers perceptual and behavioral Competency Scale for preventing Non-communicable diseases (COCS-N) to measure CHWs’ competence in preventing NCDs. The purpose of this study is to examine individual and community factors affecting CHWs’ COCS-N scores. Methods Municipal public health nurses and other public health professionals are responsible for training and supporting CHWs in Japan. Therefore, the existence of CHWs and their willingness to participate in the study were confirmed with the municipalities, who were asked to distribute the self-administered questionnaire to CHWs where consent was obtained (N = 6,480). Variables used included demographic characteristics, COCS-N scores, and individual- and community-related factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between variables. Results A total of 3,120 people completed the questionnaire, a valid response rate of 48.1%. The respondents’ mean age was 67.0 years (standard deviation = 9.0), and 88.0% were female. Comparison of the high- and low- competence groups in terms of NCD prevention based on COCS-N scores identified 13 factors associated with significant differences, including years spent working as a CHW (p < 0.001), subjective sense of health (p = 0.005), European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) scores (p < 0.001), and community commitment scale (CCS) scores (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that HLS-EU-Q47 scores (odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.03) were a significant individual factor, while CCS scores (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.11–1.16) were a significant community factor. Conclusions We found that the COCS-N score was associated with the individual factors overall health literacy (HL), perceptions of HL, and subjective sense of health, and with the community factor CCS scores. These results suggest that strengthening individual factors such as HL and subjective sense of health, and community factors such as sense of community is an effective strategy for increasing CHWs’ competence in preventing NCDs.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0071.v1

Memories of COVID-19: The Types of Fitted Face Masks Between Public Health Advice and Personal Choice

Dirk HR Spennemann

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; fitted face masks; museum collections; personal protective equipment; public health measures

Online: 3 March 2023 (10:22:56 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202212.0240.v1

Proposal for a National Diagnostics Action Plan for the United States

Gigi Gronvall, Sujeet Rao, Susan Van Meter, Adam Borden, Tom Inglesby

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: diagnostics, manufacturing, pandemic preparedness,

Online: 14 December 2022 (01:17:31 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Rapidly providing a definitive diagnostic test that can be used broadly by healthcare providers and members of the public in the setting of a disease emergency is critical to limit pathogen spread, develop and deploy medical countermeasures, and mitigate the social and economic harms of a serious epidemic or pandemic. There is extraordinary expertise within and outside of government working on these issues, and major accomplishments have been made to accelerate test development, expand laboratory testing capacity, and establish widespread point-of-care testing. Still, the United States does not have a plan to rapidly respond, to develop, manufacture, or deploy at national scale diagnostic testing in the earliest days of a new infectious disease crisis. Nor does the nation have a plan to sustain testing capacity at high volume over the course ofan enduring epidemic or pandemic. To address this gap, we are proposing a National Diagnostics Action Plan that describes the steps that are urgently needed to prepare for future infectious disease emergencies, as well as the actions we must take at the first signs of such events. These recommendations require substantial collaboration between the US government (USG) and the private sector to solve a series of challenges now, as well as to prepare for the massive and rapid scale-up of laboratory and point-of-care test development and testing capacity in future emergencies. The recommendations include establishing pre-event contracts; ensuring rapid access to clinical samples; creating a permanent public-private testing coordinating body to allow for rapid information sharing and improved cooperation among the USG, test developers, and clinical laboratories; and accelerating testing rollout at the beginning of an event—andthus, the effective public health management of a disease crisis. These recommendations were informed by extensive discussion with people who managed the COVID-19 and monkeypox responses, review of past reports written on diagnostic challenges, and the experiences of the authors.

Preprint SHORT NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0497.v1

Avoidable Intensive Care Resource Use of Unvaccinated COVID-19 Patients: Interpretation and Policy Implications

Ari Joffe, Chris Milburn

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; intensive care unit; resource use; vaccination

Online: 28 November 2022 (06:38:08 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0487.v1

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions towards COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Cross-sectional Survey in Pakistan

Asima Bibi, Sameen Abbas, Saima Mushtaq, Atika Mansoor, Ivan R. Green, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Yusra Habib Khan, Amjad Khan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Vaccine; Knowledge; Attitude; perception; Survey; Questionnaire

Online: 28 November 2022 (02:48:18 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0480.v1

Global COVID-19 Pandemic Outcomes: Dissecting a Failed Strategy

James A Thorp, Margery M. Thorp, Elise M. Thorp, Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor, K.E. Thorp

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19 death rates; COVID-19 vaccines; hydroxychloroquine; ivermectin; rates of COVID-19 testing; containment measures; social distancing; travel restriction,

Online: 25 November 2022 (10:16:41 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Objectives to assess COVID-19 mortality rates per country population. To determine what if any independent country-specific variables from 9 different databases were correlated. Design population based retrospective cohort study. Setting analysis of global COVID-19 treatment and containment strategies using data from 9 worldwide websites. Participants 108 countries worldwide. Interventions none. Main Outcome Measures were COVID-19 death rates per country population analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. The main outcome parameters were to determine if there are any correlations between the percentage of countrywide COVID-19 deaths/population by the countries’ percent vaccinated. Secondary outcome measures include the effect of other independent variables on COVID-19 death rates per country population including: health expenditures per capita, annual income per capita, COVID-19 tests per 1000 people, stringency index (a measure of each countries containment strategies), hydroxychloroquine score (a measure of each countries use), ivermectin score (a measure of each countries use), hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and specific countries and geographic locations. Results COVID-19 vaccination rates ranged from 0-99% in 108 countries. Univariate analysis demonstrates the following independent variables to correlate with COVID-19 deaths/population (correlation coefficient, p value): countrywide COVID-19 vaccination rates (+0.2936, p=0.002); healthcare costs per capita (+0.3212, p=0.0007), income per capita (+0.3051, p=0.0013), COVID-19 tests per 1000 population (+0.6981 p=0.0307); stringency index (+0.3098, p=0.0011); hydroxychloroquine index (-0.1337, p=0.0678); and ivermectin index (-0.1383, p=0.1535). Conclusions Increasing rates of COVID-19 vaccination are associated with increase COVID-19 death rates per country population (p=0.002). Other variables associated include healthcare costs per capita (+0.3212, p=0.0007), income per capita (+0.3051, p=0.0013), COVID-19 tests per 1000 population (+0.6981 p=0.0307); and stringency index (+0.3098, p=0.0011).

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0148.v1

Diffusion and Prediction of Covid-19 Pandemic: Limits of Models and Strategies to Improve Outlook and Preparedness to Face Next Pandemics

Mario Coccia

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Infectious diseases; Global diffusion; Environmental factors; Compartmental models; Epidemiologic models; Outlook; Prediction; Preparedness; Surveillance; Health policy; Crisis management; Strategies.

Online: 8 November 2022 (08:40:47 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0087.v1

Freedom of Choice to Vaccinate and Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Italy

Mawulorm K. I. Denu, Alberto Montrond, Rachael Piltch-Loeb, Marco Bonetti, Veronica Toffolutti, Marcia A. Testa, Elena Savoia

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; vaccine hesitancy; vaccine freedom

Online: 4 November 2022 (04:12:38 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Despite the availability of effective vaccines that lower mortality and morbidity associated with COVID-19, many countries including Italy adopted strict vaccination policies and mandates to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Such mandates have sparked debates on the freedom to choose whether or not to get vaccinated. In this study, we examined the people’s belief in vaccine choice as a predictor of willingness to get vaccinated among a sample of unvaccinated individuals in Italy. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Italy in May 2021. The survey collected data on respondents’ demographics and region of residence, socioeconomic factors, belief in the freedom to choose to be vaccinated or not, risk perception of contracting and transmitting the disease, previous vaccine refusal, opinion on adequacy of government measures to address the pandemic, experience in requesting and being denied government aid during the pandemic, and intent to accept COVID-19 vaccination. The analysis employed binary logistic regression models using a hierarchical model building approach to assess the association between intent to accept vaccination and belief in the freedom to choose to vaccinate, while adjusting for other variables of interest. 984 unvaccinated individuals were included in the study. Respondents who agreed that people should be free to decide whether or not to vaccinate with no restrictions on their personal life had 85% lower odds of vaccine acceptance (OR=0.15 ;95% CI,0.09,0.23) after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors and their risk perception of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. Belief in the freedom to choose whether or not to accept vaccinations was a major predictor of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a sample of unvaccinated individuals in Italy in May 2021. This understanding of how individuals prioritize personal freedoms and the perceived benefits and risks of vaccines, when making health care decisions can inform the development of public health outreach, educational programs and messaging.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0002.v1

Formulation of Deconcentration Fund Budget Allocation in Indonesia

Ristrini Ristrini, Gurendro Putro, Wawan Ridwan, Nita Rahayu, Dede Anwar Musadad, Rustika Rustika, Lukman Hakim, Tin Afifah, Sri Sulasmi, Made Ayu Lely Suratri

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: formulation; deconcentration fund; health development

Online: 1 November 2022 (01:09:28 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202210.0397.v1

A Practical Guidance for Biosimilars Approval--Strategy for the ROW

Sarfaraz K. Niazi, Waleed Mohammed Al-Shaqha, Zafar Mirza

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: biosimilars; regulatory process; animal studies; clinical efficacy testing; interchangeability; FDA; EMA; MHRA; MENA; cGMP

Online: 26 October 2022 (03:58:16 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202210.0318.v1

Financing Benefits and Barriers to Routine HIV Screening in Clinical Settings: A Scoping review

Hani Serag, Isabel Clark, Cherith Naig, David Lakey, Yordanos M. Tiruneh

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: HIV; routine screening; financial benefits; Opt-out approach

Online: 21 October 2022 (03:45:01 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202210.0040.v1

Co-created Decision Making: From Co-production to Value Co-creation in Health Care

Jason Amorim, Andréa Ventura

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Value co-creation; Shared decision making; Stakeholder theory; Service-dominant logic; Co-created decision making

Online: 5 October 2022 (12:19:01 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202209.0116.v1

Determinants of Parents’ Motive to Vaccinate their 12–17 Years Old Children against COVID-19 in North Kivu (DRC)

Stephane Hans Bateyi Mustafa, Michel Kabamba Nzaji, Rosebella Onyango O

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: parents’ motive to vaccinate; coronavirus disease; children

Online: 8 September 2022 (03:11:45 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202208.0333.v1

COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices and Vaccine Acceptability in Rural Western Kenya and an Urban Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, May 2021: A Cross-sectional Survey

Carolyne Nasimiyu Wanyonyi, Allan Audi, Clifford Oduor, Cynthia Ombok, Dismas Oketch, George Aol, Alice Ouma, Eric M. Osoro, Isaac Ngere, Ruth Njoroge, Peninah M. Munyua, Terrence Lo, Amy Herman-Roloff, Godfrey Bigogo, Patrick K. Munywoki

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Urban; rural; COVID-19; Knowledge; Attitudes; Practices; vaccine acceptability; Vaccine hesitancy; Kenya

Online: 18 August 2022 (07:46:00 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202208.0279.v1

Planetary Health Education and Capacity Building for Healthcare Professionals in Global Context: Current Opportunities, Gaps and Future Directions

Muhammad Asaduzzaman, Rifat Ara, Sadia Afrin, James E. Meiring, K.M. Saif-Ur-Rahman

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: global health; planetary health education; climate change; healthcare professionals; curriculum development; sustainable healthcare education; mini review

Online: 16 August 2022 (05:36:28 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0254.v1

Scoping Review of National Antimicrobial Stewardship Activities in Eight African Countries and Adaptable Recommendations

Nduta Kamere, Sandra Tafadzwa Garwe, Oluwatosin Olugbenga Akinwotu, Chloe Zabrina Tuck, Eva M. Krockow, Sara Yadav, Agbaje Ganiyu Olawale, Ayobami Hassan Diyaolu, Derick Munkombwe, Eric Muringu, Eva Prosper Muro, Felix Kaminyoghe, Hameedat Taiye Ayotunde, Love Omoniyei, Mashood Oluku Lawal, Shuwary Hughric Adekule Barlatt, Tumaini J. Makole, Winnie Nambatya, Yvonne Esseku, Victoria Rutter, Diane Ashiru-Oredope

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance; CwPAMS; National Action Plans; Pharmacy; One Health

Online: 18 July 2022 (09:03:53 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0140.v1

Estimation of the Stage-Wise Costs of Breast Cancer in Germany Using a Modeling Approach

Khan Shah Alam, Karla Hernandez-Villafuerte, Diego Andres Hernandez Carreno, Schlander Michael

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: breast cancer; stage-wise costs; direct medical costs; modeling

Online: 8 July 2022 (10:50:29 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease representing a substantial economic burden. In order to develop policies that successfully decrease this burden, the factors affecting costs need to be fully understood. Evidence suggests that early detection in Stage I has a lower cost than late detection. We aim to provide conservative estimates of BC's stage-wise medical costs from German healthcare and the payer's perspective. To this end, we conducted a literature review of articles evaluating stage-wise costs of BC in Germany through PubMed, Web of Science, and Econ Lit databases supplemented by Google Scholar. We developed a decision tree model to estimate BC related medical costs in Germany using available treatment and cost information. The review generated seven studies; none estimated the stage-wise costs of BC. The studies were classified into two groups: (1) case scenarios (five studies) and two studies based on administrative data. The first sickness funds data study (Gruber, Stock, et al. 2012) used 1999 information to approach BC attributable cost; their results suggest a range between €3,929 and €11,787 depending on age. The second study (Kreis, Plöthner, et al. 2020) used 2011-2014 data and suggested an initial phase incremental cost of €21,499, an intermediate phase cost of €2,620, and a terminal phase cost of €34,513 per incident case. Our decision tree model based BC stage-wise cost estimates were €21,523 for Stage I, €25,679 for Stage II, €30,156 for Stage III, €42,086 for Stage IV. Alternatively, the modeled cost estimates are €20,284 for the initial phase of care, €851 for the intermediate phase of care, and €34,963 for the terminal phase of care. Our estimates for phases of care are consistent with recent German estimates provided by Kreis and Plöthner et al. Furthermore, the data collected by sickness funds are collected primarily for reimbursement purposes, where the German ICD-10 classification system defines a cancer diagnosis. As a result, claims data lack the clinical information necessary to understand stage-wise BC costs. Our model-based estimates fill the gap and inform future economic evaluations of BC interventions.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0099.v2

Analysis of Perception, Reasons, and Motivations for COVID-19 Vaccination in People with Diabetes across Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mixed-Method Approach

Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, Raymond Langsi, Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo, Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, Emmanuel Kwasi Abu, Esther Awazzi Envuladu, Piwuna Christopher Goson, Bernadine Nsa Ekpenyong, Richard Oloruntoba, Miner Asabe Chundung, Deborah Donald Charwe, Chikasirimobi Goodhope Timothy, Tanko Ishaya, Onyekachukwu Mary-Anne Amiebenomo, David Lim, Kingsley E Agho

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: diabetes; survey; sub-Saharan Africa; coronavirus; vaccine; hesitancy; refusal; qualitative; lockdown

Online: 15 June 2022 (05:56:25 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0091.v1

Assessing the Effectiveness of Tobacco 21 Laws to Reduce Underage Access to Tobacco: Protocol for a Repeated Multi-Site Study

Mary Hrywna, Amanda Kong, Christopher Ackerman, Shawna Hudson, Cristine Delnevo

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: tobacco age of sale; tobacco policy; youth; young adults

Online: 7 June 2022 (03:44:33 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0130.v1

Decision-takers’ Attitudes Towards SARS-CoV-2 Self-Testing in Kenya: A Qualitative Inquiry

Sophie Chabeda, Sonjelle Shilton, Griffins Manguro, Sharon Omenda, Patricia Owira, And Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Kenya; COVID-19; community representatives; self-testing; diagnostics; qualitative research

Online: 10 May 2022 (09:38:58 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0061.v1

Sustainable Transformation of Digital Health Services- A Stakeholder Exploratory Case Study

Siyu Zhou, Ziling Ni, Atsushi Ogihara, Xiaohe Wang

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: sustainability; digital transformation; suitable for aging; service ecological theory; health service

Online: 6 May 2022 (07:45:20 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0185.v3

How Risky if China Moves Away from Its Zero-COVID Policy?

Ji-Ming Chen, Guo-Hui Li, Yu-Fei Ji, Ming-Hui Sun, Huan-Yu Gong, Rui-Xu Chen, Ji-Wang Chen

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: case fatality rate; co-infection; control; COVID-19; pandemic; policy; risk; vaccination

Online: 6 May 2022 (03:38:30 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0213.v2

Local Sociostructural Predictors of COVID-19 Incidence in Germany

Alisha I. Qamar, Leonie Gronwald, Nina Timmesfeld, Hans H. Diebner

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19 incidence; SARS-CoV-2; socioeconomic risk factors; social determinants of health; public health policy

Online: 5 May 2022 (10:20:36 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Socioeconomic conditions and social attitudes are known to represent epidemiological determinants. Credible knowledge on socioeconomic driving factors of the COVID-19 epidemic is still incomplete. Based on a linear random effects regression, a predictive model is derived to estimate COVID-19 incidence in German rural districts from local socioeconomic factors and popularity of political parties in terms of their share of vote. Thereby, time series provided by Germany's public health institute (Robert Koch Institute) of weekly notified 7-day incidences per 100,000 inhabitants per district from the outset of the epidemic in 2020 up to December 1, 2021, have been used to construct the dependent variable. Local socioeconomic conditions including share of votes, retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, have been used as potential risk factors. Popularity of the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) bears a considerable risk of increasing COVID-19 incidence both in terms of predicting the maximum incidences during three epidemic periods (alternatively, cumulative incidences over the periods are used to quantify the dependent variable) and in a time-continuous sense. Thus, districts with high AfD popularity rank on top in the time-average regarding COVID-19 incidence. The impact of the popularity of the Free Democrats (FDP) is markedly intermittent in the course of time showing two pronounced peaks in incidence but also occasional drops. A moderate risk emanates from popularities of the Green Party (GRÜNE) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) compared to the other parties with lowest risk level. Socioeconomic parameters like \emph{per capita} income, proportions of protection seekers and social benefit claimants, and educational level have negligible impact. To the contrary, incidence significantly increases with population density. In order to effectively combat the COVID-19 epidemic, public health policymakers are well advised to account for social attitudes and behavioural patterns reflected in local popularities of political parties, which are conceived as proper surrogates for these attitudes. Whilst causal relations between social attitudes and the presence of parties remain obscure, the political landscape in terms of share of votes constitutes at least viable predictive "markers" relevant for public health policy making.

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0287.v1

Evaluation of Wearing Masks Would Reduce the Impact on Influenza and Pneumonia. – Learned Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Hamza Mirza, Mansoor Mirza

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Influenza; Morbidity; Mortality; Flu; Pneumonia; Virus Infections; Preventive Medicine; Hospitalization; Internal Medicine; Respiratory illness.

Online: 29 April 2022 (04:22:05 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0247.v1

Percentages of Vaccination Coverage Required To Establish Herd Immunity Against SARS-Cov-2

Pedro Plans-Rubió

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Covid-19 vaccination coverage; anti-SARS-CoV-2 herd immunity; Covid-19 vaccination strategy; SARS-CoV-2

Online: 27 April 2022 (05:04:20 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0185.v2

How Risky if China Moves Away from Its Zero-COVID Policy?

Ji-Ming Chen, Guo-Hui Li, Yu-Fei Ji, Ming-Hui Sun, Huan-Yu Gong, Rui-Xu Chen, Ji-Wang Chen

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; case fatality rate; risk; co-infection; control; policy; pandemic

Online: 25 April 2022 (03:30:28 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0185.v1

How Risky if China Moves Away from Its Zero-COVID Policy?

Ji-Ming Chen, Guo-Hui Li, Yu-Fei Ji, Ming-Hui Sun, Huan-Yu Gong, Rui-Xu Chen, Ji-Wang Chen

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; case fatality rate; risk; co-infection; control measures

Online: 20 April 2022 (08:24:20 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0172.v1

Living Well As A Muslim Through The Era of Pandemic - A Japan Qualitative Study

Ahmad Ishtiaq, Gaku Masuda, Sugishita Tomohiko, Chaudhry Ahmed shabbir

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Migrants; COVID-19 pandemic; Public Health; Islam

Online: 19 April 2022 (03:49:32 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0358.v1

Environmental Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of Bogotá, 2020

Jeadran Malagón-Rojas, Daniela Méndez, Julia Almentero, Yesith G. Toloza-Pérez, Eliana L. Parra-Barrera, Claudia P Gómez-Rendón

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; global environment; solid waste; air quality; transport

Online: 28 March 2022 (09:30:56 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0213.v1

Local Sociostructural Predictors of COVID-19 Incidence in Germany

Alisha I. Qamar, Leonie Gronwald, Nina Timmesfeld, Hans H. Diebner

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19 incidence; SARS-CoV-2; socioeconomic risk factors; social determinants of health; public health policy

Online: 15 March 2022 (11:40:15 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Socioeconomic conditions and social attitudes are known to represent epidemiological determinants. Credible knowledge on socioeconomic driving factors of the COVID-19 epidemic is still incomplete. Based on a linear random effects regression, a predictive model is derived to estimate COVID-19 incidence in German rural districts from local socioeconomic factors and popularity of political parties in terms of their share of vote. Thereby, time series provided by Germany’s public health institute (Robert Koch Institute) of weekly notified 7-day incidences per 100,000 inhabitants per district from the outset of the epidemic in 2020 up to December 1, 2021, have been used to construct the dependent variable. Local socioeconomic conditions including share of votes, retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, have been used as potential risk factors. Popularity of the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) bears a considerable risk of increasing COVID-19 incidence both in terms of predicting the maximum incidences during three epidemic periods and in a time-continuous sense. Thus, districts with high AfD popularity rank on top in the time-average regarding COVID-19 incidence. The impact of the popularity of the Free Democrats (FDP) is markedly intermittent in the course of time showing two pronounced peaks in incidence but also occasional drops. Socioeconomic parameters like per capita income, proportions of protection seekers and social benefit claimants, and educational level have negligible impact. A moderate risk emanates from popularities of the Green Party (GRÜNE) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) compared to the other parties with lowest risk level. In order to effectively combat the COVID-19 epidemic, public health policymakers are well advised to account for social attitudes and behavioural patterns reflected in local popularities of political parties, which are conceived as proper surrogates for these attitudes.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0197.v1

Mat-O-Covid: Validation of a SARS-CoV-2 Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) Using Data from a National Compensation System for Occupational Covid-19

Alexis Descatha, Grace Sembajwe, Fabien Gilbert, Marc Fadel

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: public health; occupational; Covid; SARS-CoV-2; work; job exposure matrix; JEM; compensation; predictivity; validity; accuracy

Online: 16 February 2022 (09:47:18 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0126.v1

Testing Kissick’s Iron Triangle - Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of a Practical Theory

Brad Beauvais, Clemens Scott Kruse, Lawrence Fulton, Matthew Brooks, Michael Mileski, Kim Lee, Zo Ramamonjiarivelo, Ramalingam Shanmugam

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Cost containment; Quality; Access

Online: 8 December 2021 (14:10:05 CET)

Show abstract| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0435.v2

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination in Catalonia

Francesc López, Martí Català, Clara Prats, Oriol Estrada, Irene Oliva, Núria Prat, Mar Isnard, Roser Vallès, Marc Vilar, Bonaventura Clotet, Jordi Ara

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: cost benefit analysis; vaccination; COVID-19; health economics; economic appraisal; pharmacoeconomics

Online: 25 November 2021 (15:21:36 CET)

Show abstract| Share

(1) Background: in epidemiological terms, it has been possible to calculate the savings in health resources and the reduction in health effects of COVID vaccines. From the point of view of economic evaluation, some studies have estimated its cost-effectiveness with the vaccination showing highly favorable results, which in some cases is cost-saving; (2) Methods: a cost-benefit analysis of the vaccination campaign in the North Metropolitan Health Region (Catalonia). An epidemiological model based on observational data and before and after comparison is used. The information on the doses used and the resources assigned (conventional hospital beds, ICU, number of tests) has been extracted from administrative data from the largest Primary Care provider in the region (Catalan Institute of Health). A distinction is made between the social perspective and the health system; (3) Results: the costs of vaccination are estimated at 137 million euros (€48.05/dose administered). This figure is significantly lower than the positive impacts of the vaccination campaign, which are estimated at 470 million euros (€164/dose administered). Of these, 18% corresponds to the reduction of ICU discharges, 16% to the reduction in conventional hospital discharges, 5% to the reduction in PCR tests and 1% to the reduction of RAT tests. Monetization of deaths and cases with sequelae avoided account for 53% and 5% of total savings, respectively. The benefit/cost ratio is estimated at 3.4 from a social perspective and 1.41 from a health system perspective. The social benefits of vaccination are estimated at €116.67 per dose of vaccine given (€19.93 from the point of view of the health system); (4) Conclusions: the mass vaccination campaign against COVID is cost-saving. From a social perspective, most of these savings come from the monetization of the reduction in mortality and cases with sequelae, although the intervention is equally widely cost-effective from the point of view of the health system thanks to the reduction in the use of resources. It is concluded that, from an economic perspective, the vaccination campaign has high social returns.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0435.v1

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination in Catalonia

Francesc López, Martí Català, Clara Prats, Oriol Estrada, Irene Oliva, Núria Prat, Mar Isnard, Roser Vallès, Marc Vilar, Bonaventura Clotet, Jordi Ara

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: cost benefit analysis; vaccination; COVID-19; health economics; economic appraisal; pharmacoeconomics

Online: 23 November 2021 (15:35:06 CET)

Show abstract| Share

(1) Background: in epidemiological terms, it has been possible to calculate the savings in health resources and the reduction in health effects of COVID vaccines. From the point of view of economic evaluation, some studies have estimated its cost-effectiveness with the vaccination showing highly favorable results, which in some cases is cost-saving; (2) Methods: a cost-benefit analysis of the vaccination campaign in the North Metropolitan Health Region (Catalonia). An epidemiological model based on observational data and before and after comparison is used. The information on the doses used and the resources assigned (conventional hospital beds, ICU, number of tests) has been extracted from administrative data from the largest Primary Care provider in the region (Catalan Institute of Health). A distinction is made between the social perspective and the health system; (3) Results: the costs of vaccination are estimated at 137 million euros (€48.05/dose administered). This figure is significantly lower than the positive impacts of the vaccination campaign, which are estimated at 470 million euros (€164/dose administered). Of these, 18% corresponds to the reduction of ICU discharges, 16% to the reduction in conventional hospital discharges, 5% to the reduction in PCR tests and 1% to the reduction of RAT tests. Monetization of deaths and cases with sequelae avoided account for 53% and 5% of total savings, respectively. The benefit/cost ratio is estimated at 3.4 from a social perspective and 1.2 from a health system perspective. The social benefits of vaccination are estimated at €116.67 per dose of vaccine given (€19.93 from the point of view of the health system); (4) Conclusions: the mass vaccination campaign against COVID is cost-saving. From a social perspective, most of these savings come from the monetization of the reduction in mortality and cases with sequelae, although the intervention is equally widely cost-effective from the point of view of the health system thanks to the reduction in the use of resources. It is concluded that, from an economic perspective, the vaccination campaign has high social returns.

Preprint CONCEPT PAPER | doi:10.20944/preprints202110.0444.v1

Precision Public Health Through Serological Biomarkers: An Integrated Surveillance Platform to Inform Public Health Interventions

Kirsten E. Wiens, Barbara Jauregui, Benjamin F. Arnold, Kathryn Banke, Djibril Wade, Kyla Hayford, Adriana Costero-Saint Denis, Robert H. Hall, Henrik Salje, Isabel Rodriguez-Barraquer, Andrew S. Azman, Guy Vernet, Daniel T. Leung

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: serology; biomarkers; serosurveillance; sero-epidemiology; precision public health

Online: 28 October 2021 (15:51:43 CEST)

Show abstract| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

A Study to Establish Local Healthcare Projects in the with-COVID-19 Age : Based on Health Recognition of Local Residents in the Korea

Bo-Woo Lee

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; with- COVID-19 age; infectious disease; local healthcare projects; healthcare systems

Online: 16 September 2021 (14:59:34 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202105.0447.v1

Public Perceptions about COVID-19 Vaccines: Policy Implications from US Spatiotemporal Sentiment Analytics

G. G. Md. Nawaz Ali, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Md. Amjad Hossain, Md. Shahinoor Rahman, Kamal Chandra Paul, Jean-Claude Thill, Jim Samuel

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Vaccine; Sentiment analysis; Public Sentiment Scenarios framework; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Twitter; Textual analytics; Public policy

Online: 19 May 2021 (13:51:57 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202101.0317.v1

Measuring Health Equity in Emergency Care Using Routinely Collected Data: A Systematic Review

Kevin Morisod, Xhyljeta Luta, Joachim Marti, Jacques Spycher, Mary Malebranche, Patrick Bodenmann

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: health equity; emergency care; determinants of health

Online: 18 January 2021 (11:24:42 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0335.v1

Integrated Impact Assessment of Active Travel: Expanding the Scope of the Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for Walking and Cycling

Thomas Götschi, Sonja Kahlmeier, Alberto Castro Fernandez, Christian Brand, Nick Cavill, Paul Kelly, Christoph Lieb, David Rojas Rueda, James Woodcock, Francesca Racioppi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: active transportation; health impact assessment; physical activity; air pollution; traffic safety; carbon emissions; monetization; online tool

Online: 15 September 2020 (08:40:57 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0381.v1

Bridging the Gap between Theory, Practice, and Policy: A Decision-making Process Based on Public Health Evidence Feasible in Multistage Research on Biology Risk Factors in Poland

Anita Gębska Kuczerowska, Sudakshina Lahiri, Robert Gajda

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: continuous quality improvement; healthcare sector; biology risk control; patient safety; research to practice

Online: 18 August 2020 (10:57:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0143.v1

Income Levels and Mortality Rates in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in South Korea: a Population-Based Cohort Study Using National Health Insurance Data

Young Choi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: chronic kidney disease; low socioeconomic status; mortality

Online: 6 August 2020 (09:46:30 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.3390/sci2030055

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Handling Challenges in Kuwait

Janvier Gasana, Maryam Shehab

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; novel (new) coronavirus; pandemic control

Online: 14 July 2020 (00:00:00 CEST)

Show abstract| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0262.v1

Epidemiological Models of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) to Control the Transmission Based on Current Evidence: A Systematic Review

Swati Arora, Rishabh Jain, Harendra Pal Singh

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: SARS-COV-2; COVID-19; Lockdown; Epidemiological Models; Machine Learning; Transmission

Online: 12 July 2020 (15:18:48 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0517.v2

Dominant Factors Determining Differences of COVID-19 Fatalities Between India and Other Large-Population Regions

Sudhakar Yarlagadda, Satyaki Kar

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Covid-19; Indian scenario; inherent immunity; hot climate; herd immunity

Online: 5 July 2020 (16:41:36 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0087.v1

Covid-19: Back to Classes in Brazil From a Bioecological Perspective

Alberto Abad, Thaís Marques Abad

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Covid-19; bioecological perspective; back to school

Online: 5 July 2020 (15:46:15 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0336.v1

Readymade Garments Sector and COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Md. Lutfor Rahman Shimanta, Hridoy Gope, Israt Jahan Sumaiya

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Readymade Garments; Covid-19; Worker; Employment; Economy; Bangladesh

Online: 28 June 2020 (10:07:58 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0317.v1

Coronavirus-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Public Views, Attitudes, and Beliefs in an Unaffected Area: The Case of the City of Mbujimayi

Benoit Mukinayi Mbiya, Stéphane Loïque Djeugoue, Edouard Lufuluabu Kanda, Denis Kalambayi Mbuyi, Tresor Banza Malundu, Rachel Ciaba Mushiya, Ghislain Tumba Disashi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Public views; Attitudes; Beliefs; Unaffected area; Democratic Republic of Congo

Online: 26 June 2020 (15:44:16 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0229.v1

What Makes the UK Recovery Trial More Pragmatic than the European Discovery Trial?

Ru Han, Shuyao Liang, Malgorzata Biernikiewicz, Yitong Wang, Mondher Toumi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Recovery trial; Discovery trial

Online: 18 June 2020 (09:23:27 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0129.v1

Impact of Lockdown due to COVID-19 Outbreak : Lifestyle Changes and Public Health Concerns in India

Latha Narayanan, Mansi Pandit, Subhro Basu, Arijeet Karmakar, Vanshika Bidhan, Hrithik Kumar, Kousheen Brar

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Lockdown; Lifestyle changes; Public Health; Society

Online: 10 June 2020 (09:22:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0068.v1

On a Coupled Time-Dependent Sir Models Fitting with New York and New-Jersey States COVID-19 Data

Benjamin Ambrosio, M.A. Aziz-Alaoui

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; New York; New Jersey; SIR models; Network

Online: 7 June 2020 (08:28:21 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.3390/sci2020040

Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19): Handling Challenges in Kuwait

Janvier Gasana, Maryam Shehab

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: coronavirus; COVID 19; 2019-nCoV; novel (new) coronavirus; pandemic control

Online: 5 June 2020 (00:00:00 CEST)

Show abstract| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0449.v2

An Updated Primer on SARS-CoV-2 and the Evolving Covid-19 Pandemic

Subramani Mani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Covid-19; pandemic; primer; India; mortality rate; evolution; updated primer; evolving pandemic

Online: 1 June 2020 (11:08:03 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0481.v1

ASSURED-SQVM Diagnostics for COVID-19: Addressing the Why, When, Where, Who, What and How of Testing

Mukesh Kumar, Suri S. Iyer

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; diagnostics; point of care

Online: 31 May 2020 (16:35:25 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0435.v1

Combating COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Memorandum from Developing Country

Abu Tayab Moin, Mohammad Najmul Sakib, Yusha Araf, Bishajit Sarkar, Md. Asad Ullah

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Bangladesh; SARS-CoV-2; Outbreak; Pandemic

Online: 27 May 2020 (04:23:44 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0382.v1

Unravelling the Social Network of COVID-19 in India from 30 January to 6 April 2020

Sarita Azad, Sushma Devi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; India; Indian states; International travels; Local transmission; Community transmission; Delhi religious conference

Online: 24 May 2020 (15:56:44 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0369.v1

COVID-19: Implications for Food, Water, Hygiene, Sanitation, and Environmental Safety in Africa: A Case Study in Ghana

Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; food; water; hygiene; sanitation; environment; Ghana; Africa

Online: 23 May 2020 (10:21:50 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

Modelling SARS-COV2 Spread in London: Approaches to Lift the Lockdown

Lara Goscé, Andrew Phillips, Paula Spinola, Rishi K. Gupta, Ibrahim Abubakar

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; SARS-CoV2; model; transmission model; mathematical model; lockdown; quarantine

Online: 16 May 2020 (18:46:59 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0276.v1

Understanding Mental Health System Governance in India: Perspectives of Key Stakeholders

Shalini Ahuja, Rahul Shidhaye, Azaz Khan, Tessa Roberts, Mark Jordans, Graham Thornicroft, Inge Petersen

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: mental health; governance; India

Online: 16 May 2020 (18:16:48 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0240.v1

Effect of temperature and lockdown on daily growth of active cases of COVID-19 in gujarat, western India.- statistical analysis.

BHAVIN Vasavada

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID19,PANDEMIC

Online: 14 May 2020 (12:08:06 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper REVIEW

Controlled COVID-19 Infection in Hospitals Could Achieve A Safer Exit Strategy in the Near-Term: Assessing Risks and Benefits

Eleftherios Diamandis

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19 infection; immunity; risk of COVID-19 infection; pandemics; outbreaks; voluntary infection

Online: 13 May 2020 (05:53:07 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0203.v1

Evidence Based Suggestions for the Return to Elective Urology Surgery Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sarkhell Radha, Irrum Afzal, Stella Vig

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: urology; COVID-19; return to elective services

Online: 12 May 2020 (05:41:34 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0200.v1

Why Has COVID-19 Spread More Extensively in Europe than Asia?

Chris Kenyon

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 mortality rate; testing intensity; epidemiology; Europe; Asia

Online: 11 May 2020 (13:23:19 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0147.v1

Prediction and Spread Visualization of Covid-19 Pandemic Using Machine Learning

Anit N Roy, Jais Jose, Aswin Sunil, Neha Gautam, Deepa Nathalia, Arjun Suresh

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Machine Learning; Pandemic; Additive regression model; Dynamic Map

Online: 9 May 2020 (04:30:32 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint CONCEPT PAPER | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0137.v1

COVID-19 Management in Spain. Errors to Avoid and the Need of A Post-Confinement Longitudinal Epidemiological Study

Rafael Franco

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; ethics; public health; longitudinal clinical trial; silent virus carrier

Online: 8 May 2020 (07:53:54 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0094.v1

Covid-19 Situation in Bangladesh

Abdul Kader Mohiuddin

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19 Lockdown; Shortage of PPEs; Global Pandemic Crisis; Incentives for Officials at Risk

Online: 6 May 2020 (08:45:39 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

System Engineering and Overshoot Damping for Epidemics Such as COVID-19

Robert L. Shuler, Theodore Koukouvitis, Dyske Suematsu

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Coronavirus; COVID-19; pandemic; partial unlock; social distancing; economic impact; ventilator utilization; SARS-CoV-2; overshoot; SIR; model; simulation; caseload management; undershoot

Online: 5 May 2020 (12:32:17 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

Modelling SARS-COV2 Spread in London: Approaches to Lift the Lockdown

Lara Goscé, Andrew Phillips, Paula Spinola, Rishi K. Gupta, Ibrahim Abubakar

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; SARS-CoV2; model; transmission model; mathematical model; lockdown; quarantine

Online: 5 May 2020 (03:06:35 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0051.v1

Mapping the Spread of COVID-19 Outbreak in India

Vanshika Bidhan, Bhavini Malhotra, Mansi Pandit, Narayanan Latha

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Data mining; Infection in India; R package; State- wise analysis; Statistical analysis

Online: 5 May 2020 (02:28:26 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Background & Objectives: The global pandemic caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has claimed several lives worldwide. With the virus gathering rapid spread, the world has witnessed increasing number of confirmed cases and mortality rate, India is not far behind with approximately 37,000 affected individuals as on May 2, 2020. The ongoing pandemic has raised several questions which need to be answered by analysis of transmission of the infection. The data has been collected on daily basis from WHO and other sites. We have represented the data collated graphically using statistical packages, R and other online softwares. The present study provides a holistic overview of the spread of COVID-19 infection in India. Methods: Real-time data query was done based on daily observations using publicly available data from reference websites for COVID-19 and other government official reports for the period (15^th February, 2020 to April 28^th, 2020). Statistical analysis was performed to draw important inferences regarding COVID-19 trend in India. Results: A decrease in growth rate of cases due to COVID-19 in India post lockdown and improvement in recovery rate during the month of April was identified. The case fatality rate was estimated to be 3.22% of the total reported cases. State-wise analysis revealed a deteriorating situation in states of Maharashtra and Gujarat among others as cases continued to increase rapidly there. A positive linear correlation between the number of deaths and total cases and exponential relation between population density and number of cases reported per square km was established. Interpretation & Conclusions: Despite early preventive measures taken up by the Government of India, the increasing number of cases in India is a concern. This study compiles state-wise and district-wise data to report the daily conﬁrmed cases, case fatalities and strategies adopted in the form of case studies. Understanding the transmission spread of SARS-CoV-2 in a diverse and populated country like India will be crucial in assessing the effectiveness of control policies towards the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Working Paper COMMUNICATION

Social Values Are Significant Factors in Control of COVID-19 Pandemic – Preliminary Results

Andrzej Jarynowski, Monika Wójta-Kempa, Daniel Płatek, Vitaly Belik

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; social values; cross-cultural studies

Online: 3 May 2020 (08:24:36 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0033.v1

The Nexus Impacts of the COVID-19: A Qualitative Perspective

Muhamad Bahri

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: system archetypes; the COVID-19; the impacts of the COVID-19; the limits to growth; the success to successful

Online: 3 May 2020 (08:04:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

System Engineering and Overshoot Damping for Epidemics Such as COVID-19

Robert Shuler, Theodore Koukouvitis, Dyske Suematsu

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Coronavirus; COVID-19; pandemic; partial unlock; social distancing; economic impact; ventilator utilization; SARS-CoV-2; overshoot; SIR; model; simulation; caseload management; overshoot

Online: 3 May 2020 (06:33:02 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0517.v1

Comparison Between Covid-19 Scenarios in India and Other Large-Population Regions

Sudhakar Yarlagadda, Satyaki Kar

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Covid-19; Indian scenario; inherent immunity; hot climate

Online: 30 April 2020 (05:56:49 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0513.v1

COVID-19 in Italy: Is the Virus Running Through an Ancient Roman road?

Davide Golinelli, Maria Pia Fantini, Elisa Maietti

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; social distancing; infectious diseases; pandemic

Online: 29 April 2020 (14:16:47 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0497.v1

Taking the Inner Route: Spatial and Demographic Factors Affecting Vulnerability to COVID-19 Among 604 Cities from Inner São Paulo State, Brazil

Carlos Magno Castelo Branco Fortaleza, Raul Borges Guimarães, Gabriel Berg de Almeida, Micheli Pronunciate, Cláudia Pio Ferreira

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID-19; Epidemiology; Ecologic study

Online: 28 April 2020 (10:23:16 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Objectives: The impact of COVID-19 in metropolitan areas has been extensively studied. The geographic spread to smaller cities is of great concern and may follow hierarchical influence of urban centers. With that in mind, we investigated factors that affect vulnerability of inner municipalities in São Paulo State, Brazil, an area with 24 million inhabitants. Methods: Surveillance data for confirmed COVID-19 cases and admissions for severe acute respiratory disease (SARD) up to April 18^th were recorded for each of 604 municipalities that lay outside São Paulo metropolitan area. Vulnerability was assessed in Multivariable models, including sociodemographic indexes, road distance to the State Capital and the municipalities classification proposed by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Municipalities of great regional relevance were used as reference category for that classification. The outcome of interest for Cox regression was having COVID-cases, with time counting from the first report in São Paulo State. For binomial negative regression models, the outcomes of interest were rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases and admissions for SARD.Results: A total of 198 (32.8%) municipalities had autochthonous COVID-19 cases. In Cox models, affected municipalities were likely to have greater population density (Hazard Ratio[HR] for each 100 inhabitants per square kilometer, 1.07; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], (1.05-1.10)), proportion of inhabitants in urban area (HR, 1.02; 95%CI, 1.00-1.04), higher human development index (HDI, HR for 1%, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.00-1.13) and Gini Index for Inequality of income (HR for 1%, 1.04, 95% CI, 1.00-1.07). On the other hand, distance from the Capital was protective (HR for each 100Km, 0.82; 95%CI, 0.74-0.90). The HR95%[95%CI] also varied negatively according to the categories of influence of major centers (0.41 [0.22-0.77], 0.16 [0.09-0.32], 0.07 [0.03-0.15]). The binomial negative regression models for COVID-19 incidence also detected positive association with population density (Incidence Rate Ratio[IRR], 1.13; 95%CI, 1.07-1.18) and proportion of urban population (IRR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.01-1.05), protection for cities distant to the Capital (IRR=0.73; 95%CI, 0.68-0.81) and increasing negative association for categories of influence (0.19 [0.09-0.42], 0.07 [0.03-0.15] and 0.03 [0.02-0.08]). Similar findings were detected when we used SARD incidence as outcome.Conclusion: Municipalities with greater population, density and regional influence were more likely to be affected earlier and more intensely by COVID-19. Non-pharmacological measures should be strengthened in those areas of greater risk.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0495.v1

Preparedness and Responses for Prevention and Control of COVID-19: A Review

Md Shamim Akhter

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: COVID - 19; coronavirus; respiratory syndrome; SARS-CoV; preventive and control measures

Online: 28 April 2020 (10:04:07 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint DATASET | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0263.v1

Coronavirus: Public Arabic Twitter Dataset

Aseel Addawood

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: Twitter; Arabic; COVID-19

Online: 16 April 2020 (08:15:28 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0196.v1

Mathematical Modelling of Social Consciousness to Control the Outbreak of COVID-19

Md. Shahriar Mahmud, Md Kamrujjaman, J. Jubyrea, Md. Shahidul Islam

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Health Policy And Services Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; consciousness; data analysis; mathematical model; control

Online: 12 April 2020 (14:44:42 CEST)

Show abstract| Share

Public Health and Healthcare