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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1965.v1

Enhancing User Experience through Optimization Design Method for Elderly Medication Reminder Mobile Applications: A QFD-Based Research Approach

Meichen Fang, Wei Yang, Hui Li, Younghwan Pan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: elderly medication reminder application; Kano model; AHP; QFD; PUGH decision matrix

Online: 29 May 2023 (04:42:27 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1958.v1

Motivation for Behavior Change among Women with Recent Gestational Diabetes and Their Partners – a Qualitative Investigation among Participants in the Face-It Intervention

Anne Timm, Karoline Kragelund Nielsen, Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Dorte Møller Jensen, Helle Terkildsen Maindal

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Gestational diabetes; health promotion; behavior change; process evaluation; diabetes prevention; diet; physical activity; intervention; couple interviews

Online: 29 May 2023 (04:12:43 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1948.v1

Quality of Electronic TB Register Data Compared With Paper-Based Records in the Kyrgyz Republic

Daniil Shauer, Ofelya Pertrosyan, Manik Gemilyan, Edward Mberu Kamau, Pruthu Thekkur, Bolot Kyrbashov, Olga Goncharova, Kylychbek Istamov, Ewan Wilkinson

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Kyrgyz Republic; drug-sensitive pulmonary TB; electronic register system; paper-based records; completeness; concordance; treatment initiation; treatment outcomes; SORT IT; operational research

Online: 29 May 2023 (02:49:28 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1943.v1

The Extent and Impact of COVID-19 Infection among Family and Friends: A Scoping Review

Michael Wiblishauser, Tori Chapa, K'Ondria Ellis, Jagdish Khubchdandani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19 victims; family members; friends; psychosocial impacts; emotional health; Informal caregiving

Online: 29 May 2023 (02:08:03 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1935.v1

Comparison of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Results of Stool and Sputum in Children with Presumptive Tuberculosis in Southern Ethiopia

Yohannes Babo, Bihil Seremolo, Mamush Bogale, Yasin Wabe, Haba Churako, Alemu Bilat, Tamiru Degaga, Ahmed Oumer, Petra Haas, Edine Tiemersma, Degu Jerene

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Simple One-Step (SOS) stool processing method stool; Xpert MTB/RIF (Ultra) assay and children

Online: 26 May 2023 (13:38:35 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1904.v1

Patient-Oriented Research to Improve Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for People of Diverse Ethnocultural Groups in Routine Practice

Ram P. Sapkota, Emma Valli, Andrew Wilhelms, Kelly Adlam, Lee Bourgeault, Vanessa Heron, Kathryn Dickerson, Marcie Nugent, Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: internet-delivered therapy; depression; anxiety; cultural adaptation; patient-oriented research; digital health

Online: 26 May 2023 (09:46:55 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1856.v1

The COVID-19 Impact on Accidental Deaths and Suicide Incidence in India- A Comparative Study (1967-2022)

Piyush Kumar, Advocate Anupama

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19; suicide; accident; pandemic; impact

Online: 26 May 2023 (05:07:16 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1832.v1

A Review of CAD systems for Breast Mass Detection in Mammography Based on Deep Learning

Shahriar Mohammadi, Mohammad Ahmadi Livani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Breast cancer; convolution neural networks; computer-aided diagnosis systems; segmentation; classification

Online: 26 May 2023 (03:50:59 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1793.v1

An Integrated Geographical Approach of the Spatiotemporal Distribution of COVID-19 in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Elivelton Da Silva Fonseca, Laira Cristina da Silva, Igor Silva, Izabela Perrisato Borges, Jean Ezequiel Limongi, Stefan Vilges de Oliveira, Samuel do Carmo Lima, Kefyalew Addis Alene

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19; Clusters; Multivariate geospatial model; Minas Gerais state

Online: 25 May 2023 (10:12:34 CEST)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1734.v1

Prevalence of Enterococci and Vancomycin Resistance in the Throat of Non-Hospitalized Individuals Randomly Selected in Central Italy

Annalisa Palmieri, Marcella Martinelli, Agnese Pellati, Francesco Carinci, Dorina Lauritano, Claudio Arcuri, Luigi Baggi, Roberto Gatto, Luca Scapoli

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Enterococcus faecium; vancomycin; prevalence; resistance; antibiotics; oral cavity; screening

Online: 25 May 2023 (04:29:13 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1719.v1

Leishmania Seroprevalence in Dogs: Comparing Shelter and Domestic Communities

Paulo Afonso, Ana Cláudia Coelho, Hélder Quintas, Luís Cardoso

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: dog; domestic; leishmaniosis; Portugal; shelter

Online: 25 May 2023 (03:08:39 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1714.v1

Phenomenological Considerations of the World of the Obsessive Patient

Francesco Demaria, Maria Pontillo, Domenica Bellantoni, Cristina Di Vincenzo, Stefano Vicari

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: obsessive patient; suffering; cognitive patterns; phenomenology

Online: 24 May 2023 (14:36:24 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1702.v1

Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis: a life-threatening emergency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Patricia De Leyva, Cristina Cárdenas-Serres, Álvaro Ranz-Colio, Fernando Almeida, Eduardo Sánchez-Jáuregui, Paula Dios-Díez, Julio Acero

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: necrotizing fasciitis; soft tissue infections; mediastinitis; cervical necrotizing fasciitis; descending necrotizing mediastinitis

Online: 24 May 2023 (05:29:09 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1632.v1

Childhood Asthma Management Practices in Rural Nigeria: Exploring the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Caregivers in Oyo State

Oyindamola Akinso, Atin Adhikari, Jingjing Yin, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Gulzar Shah

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: asthma management behavior; pediatric asthma; childhood asthma management; caregivers; wheezing; asthma triggers; inhaler; rural communities; and Nigeria

Online: 23 May 2023 (09:43:56 CEST)

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Background: Caregivers of asthmatic children have poor knowledge of proper asthma man-agement practices in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors of caregivers in the management of asthma in children under age 5 in Oyo State, Nigeria, using the Health Belief Model. Methods: While a mixed method was used in the original research, this brief describes the quantitative method used in this study to evaluate caregiver’s asthma management practices A 55-item questionnaire investigating childhood asthma knowledge, attitude, and practice was administered during child welfare clinic visits to 118 caregivers. To gain insights into caregivers’ beliefs about asthma management practice behavior, focus group discussions were conducted among two groups of 10 caregivers. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 and 95% CI. Result: More than 70% of caregivers knew that asthma is associated with airway inflammation and about 90% knew that Flu infections triggered asthma attacks in their children. Overall, 70% of caregivers from the focus group discussions found preventive measures including avoidance of common triggers like dust and smoke, wearing warm clothes in cold weather, environmental sanitation, regular visits to the clinic, and medication adherence helpful. Similarly, caregivers reported the use of quick-to-relieve OTC drugs rather than seeking medical attention. Caregivers with higher income (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.558-5.778; P = 0.001) were 3.0 times more likely to practice proper asthma behavior than those with a lesser income. Conclusion: Despite having moderate knowledge of asthma, caregivers of asthmatic children had wrong perceptions and inadequate knowledge about preventive and treatment options. An optimal public health approach is needed to identify and target underserved communities that suffer poorer asthma outcomes and improve caregivers’ knowledge and skills in asthma management practices. The need to pay more attention to the proper management of childhood asthma among caregivers in underserved populations cannot be overemphasized.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1538.v1

Risk Factors for Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods among Brazilian Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Paulo Henrique Guerra, Evelyn Helena Corgosinho Ribeiro, Rafael Fagundes Lopes, Laura Maria Balestreri Nunes, Isis Carolina Viali, Brígida da Penha Ferraz, Inaiá Aparecida Almeida, Milena Huber Garzella, Jonas Silveira

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Industrialized Foods; Epidemiologic Factors; Adolescent; Brazil; Review.

Online: 23 May 2023 (03:02:36 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1535.v1

The Frequency and Patterns of Age- and Gender-Specific Neurogastroenterological Consequences in Saudi Millennial Women Imply Potential Post-COIVD-19 Dysbiosis

Ahmed Alsolami, Ziyad A. Melibari, Yaseer H Alharbi, Ali A. Almutlag, Rana Aboras, Fayez Saud Alreshidi, Anas Fathuddin, Fawwaz Alshammari, Fawaz Alrashid, Sara S. Osman, Kamaleldin B. Said

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: IBD; GERD; Mental-health; POST-SARS-CoV2-symdromes

Online: 23 May 2023 (02:37:42 CEST)

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Abstract: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and mental health issues are significant public health concerns in globally. Although rising peaks observed post-COVID-19, there is a sever paucity in high quality data. Using descriptive analysis, we identified the frequency and associations of age- and gender, sport, genetic, and psychiatric consequences in the coexistence of GERD and IBD in 2067 participants 18 to >60 years with mean age of 26.8 ± 12.9 years. Most were 18 -29 years old (66%, n=1364) of which majority were young Saudi females (72.4%, n=1496). Estimated 1099 (53.2%) were students, 428 (20.7%) were unemployed, and 540 (26.1%) were. The majority were Saudis (94.7%, n= 1957). Psychological syndromes anxiety (60.7%), stress (60.7%), and depression (60.6%) were most frequent; whereas, IBD (48.7%) and GERD (36.3%), respectively were the second and third. In 51 % respondents depression, anxiety, and stress occurred first while in 33.9%, and 24.3% IBD and GERD, respectively, were the first signs. In most respondents (59.2%, n=1178), these signs first appeared recently and 33.6% (n=669) reported occurrence during adult life, and only in 7.2% (n=144) the signs noticed during childhood (7.2%, n=144)). Aggravating factors were 32.9% (n=681) genetic and other factors of which 476 (69.9%) inherited IBD while 215(31.6%) and 175 ((25.7), respectively, inherited psychological (depression, anxiety, and stress) and GERD. However, only 18.3% sought treatment (n=378) and only 66 (3.2%) had colectomy or a colostomy bag. Little over half of the studied population (58.1%, n=1201) were active in outdoor. GERD or IBS and psychological factors (anxiety, depression, and stress), were significantly associated with age (P value =.001).; GERD with old age, IBD with mid-age 40-49 years, and psychological disorders among younger ages. Thus, while mental health issues predispose young millennial women to neurogastroenterological disorders, the IBD and GERD initiate psychological problems in old and mid-ages, respectively. Intriguingly, despite the significantly mosaic global genetic population structures, their lifestyles, and nutritional habits, the pattern of these disorders remains similar. Thus, this is potentially consistent with notion that the gut nerve cells are conserved and that the changes in gut dysbiosis of gut microbiome signatures are responsible. These findings have significant clinical implications in the patient treatment strategies and tailored educational and awareness programs in lifestyle medicine. Future microbiome studies would reveal more insight into the mechanisms of disorders.

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1504.v1

Nipping at the Bud Stage: Controlling Future Diabetes Burden by Preventive Oral Health Care Approach for Early Childhood Dental Caries

Sachee Gallaba, Irosha Perera, Uthpala Gunasekara, Pushpa Gamlathge

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Diabetes; pre-diabetes; early childhood dental caries; refined sugar; dietary counseling; Sri Lanka

Online: 22 May 2023 (10:42:40 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1474.v1

Effects of Bioactive Compounds in Foods on Metabolic Diseases

Jankajova Monika, Ram B. Singh, Dominik Pella, Ghizal Fatima, Yaluri Nagrenda, Zenuch Pavol, Zenuchova Zuzana, Kalanin Peter, Jan Fedacko

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Functional foods; healthy diet; diseases; micronutrient

Online: 22 May 2023 (08:35:57 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1469.v1

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Post-prostatectomy Patients- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mudassir Wani, Abdullah Al-Mitwalli, Subhabrata Mukherjee, Ghulam Nabi, Bhaskar K. Somani, Jayasimha Abbaraju, Sanjeev Madaan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Prostate cancer; Radical prostatectomy; Venous thromboembolism,; Mechanical prophylaxis; Pharmacological prophylaxis

Online: 22 May 2023 (07:12:49 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1425.v1

Anaemia in Preschool-Aged Children in DR. Congo: Finding from a Nationally Representative Survey

Ngianga II (Shadrack) Kandala

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Haemoglobin; Anaemia; Dietary, Diversity; Random-effect

Online: 19 May 2023 (10:06:34 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1397.v1

Treating Cylindrically Populated Endometrial Cancers With High Dose Rate Vaginal Cuff Brachytherapy: Should We Use a MulTi-Channel or Single-Channel Cylinder?

Hualin Zhang, Andrew Lim, Zhuang Kang, Eric D Donnelly, Lijun Ma, Eric L. Chang

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: high dose rate brachytherapy; vaginal cuff brachytherapy; single channel cylinder; multiple channel cylinder, endometrial cancer.

Online: 19 May 2023 (07:42:29 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1394.v1

Neuropsychology and EEG in Rural Children at Neurodevelopmental Risk: Meta-Analysis

Gilberto Galindo Aldana, Cynthia Torres González

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Rural; well-being; infant welfare; risk factors

Online: 19 May 2023 (07:35:31 CEST)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1381.v1

Chronic Viral Hepatitis in Children: Socio-Economic Implications in Romania

Irina Dijmărescu, Alexandra Coroleuca, Adrian Dumitru Dijmarescu

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: chronic viral hepatitis; socio-economic status; children

Online: 19 May 2023 (05:07:14 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1334.v1

Interpersonal and Intimate Violence in Mexican Youth: Drug Use, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Silvia Morales Chainé, Gonzalo Bacigalupe, Rebeca Robles García, Alejandra Lopez Montoya, Violeta Felix Romero, Mireya Atzala Imaz Gispert

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: victimizing and perpetrating violence; interpersonal and intimate violence; harmful alcohol and drug use; mental health symptoms; paths of violence; gender

Online: 18 May 2023 (10:46:13 CEST)

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The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased interpersonal and intimate violence, harmful use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and mental health problems. The present study uses a valid path model to describe relationships between these conditions of young Mexicans during the second year of the pandemic. A sample of 7,420 young Mexicans ages 18 to 24—two-thirds of whom were women—completed the Life Events Checklist, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test, the Major-Depressive-Episode Checklist, the Generalized Anxiety Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist. Young Mexicans reported higher rates of victimization and perpetration of interpersonal and intimate violence and mental health symptomatology than those noted pre-pandemic and in the first year of the pandemic. Harmful use of AOD rates were like those reported by adolescents before. Findings suggested asymmetric victimization and perpetration of intimate violence by gender (with women being at a higher risk than men, p≤.05). More men than women engaged in the harmful use of AOD (except for sedatives, which more women abuse). In contrast, more women than men were at risk of all mental health conditions. The path model indicates that being a victim of intimate violence predicts harmful use of tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and sedatives, depression, anxiety, and specific PTSD symptoms (such as re-experimentation and avoidance symptoms). Being a victim of interpersonal violence resulted in severe PTSD symptoms (including avoidance, negative alterations in cognition-mood, and hyperarousal signs). Harmful use of sedatives predicted depressive symptoms. Men´s victimizing intimate violence model contrasted with that of women, which also included being the victim of interpersonal violence and severe PTSD symptoms. The high school youth model had three paths -victimizing-intimate violence, victimizing-interpersonal abuse, and sedative use, which predicted depression. The findings of this study could serve as the basis for future studies exploring mechanisms that predict violence patterns to develop the most cost-effective preventive programs and public policies and to address mental health conditions during community emergencies.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1292.v1

Vascular Risk Factors and Carotid Atheromatous Disease in Patients over 65 Years of Age

Sónia Mateus, Vanda Pós-de-Mina, Patrícia Coelho, Francisco Rodrigues, Irene Mendes

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Carotid atherosclerosis [C10,228,140,300,200]; cardiovascular risk factors [E05,318,740,600,800,725,500,500]; carotid intima-media thickness [E01,370,350,850,150]

Online: 18 May 2023 (07:52:00 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1270.v1

Guidelines for Prevention and the Contrast of Overweight and Obesity: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Raffaella Cancello, Luisella Vigna, Antonella Di Maggio, Paolo Capodaglio, Simona Bertoli, Amelia Brunani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Obesity; overweight; prevention; lifestyle; diet; physical activity

Online: 18 May 2023 (05:08:25 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1265.v1

How Technology-Based Interventions Can Sustain Ageing Well in the New Decade through the User-Driven Approach

Magdalen Velciu, Luiza Spiru, Mircea Dan Marzan, Eva Reithner, Simona Geli, Barbara Borgogni, Oana Cramariuc, Irina G. Mocanu, Jerzy Kołakowski, Jaouhar Ayadi, Margherita Rampioni, Vera Stara

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: active and healthy ageing; intrinsic capacity; user-centered design; eHealth literacy; technology-based interventions

Online: 18 May 2023 (04:48:50 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1206.v1

Mission of Polio Eradication in Pakistan-A Review on Challenges and Future Recommendations

Abdul Rehman Shah Syed, Syeda Sadia Masood Raza, Muhammad Abubakar Shahid Chishti, Shahzaib Ahmad, Hadin Darain Khan, Zain ul Abadeen, Asif Khaliq

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Pandemics; Immunization Programs; Poliovirus; Pakistan; World Health Organization

Online: 17 May 2023 (07:58:04 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0688.v2

Thinking beyond Vaccination: Promising Add-On Strategies to Active Immunization and Vaccination in Pandemics - a Mini-Review

Franz Tatzber, Willibald Wonisch, Ulrike Resch, Wolfgang Strohmaier, Meinrad Lindschinger, Sabrina Mörkl, Gerhard Cvirn

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: hypertonic salt solution; impregnation; filtering face piece; human monoclonal antibody; dry blood spot

Online: 17 May 2023 (04:33:54 CEST)

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There is little doubt that final victories over pandemics, such as COVID-19, are attributed to herd immunity, either through post-disease convalescence or active immunization of a high percentage of the world's population with vaccines, demonstrating protection from infection and transmission, being available in large quantities and at reasonable prices. However, it is assumable that humans with immune defects or immune suppression, e.g., as a consequence of allograft transplantation, cannot be immunized actively nor produce sufficient immune responses to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. These subjects desperately need other strategies, such as sophisticated protection measures and active immunization. Hypertonic salt solutions attack vulnerable core areas of viruses, i.e., salt denatures surface proteins and thus prohibits virus penetration of somatic cells. It has to be ensured that somatic proteins are not affected by denaturation regarding this unspecific virus protection. Impregnating filtering facepieces with hypertonic salt solutions is a straightforward way to inactivate viruses and other potential pathogens. As a result of the contact of salt crystals on the filtering facepiece, these pathogens become denatured and inactivated almost quantitatively. Such a strategy could be easily applied to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other ones that may occur in the future. Another possible tool to fight the COVID-19 pandemic is passive immunization with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, preferably from human origin. Such antibodies can be harvested from patients´ human sera, which have successfully survived their SARS-CoV-2 infection. The disadvantage of a rapid decrease of the immunoglobulin titer after infection ends can be overcome by immortalizing antibody-producing B-cells via fusion with, e.g., mouse myeloma cells. The resulting monoclonal antibodies are then of human origin and available in, at least theoretically, unlimited amounts. Finally, dry blood spots are a valuable tool for surveilling the population´s immunity.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1181.v1

Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Prognostic Factors Among Health Professionals in Italy: Results From the Nationwide Sur-Veillance PASSI 2015–2018

Valentina Minardi, Rosaria Gallo, Valentina Possenti, Benedetta Contoli, Davide Di Fonzo, Elvira D’Andrea, Maria Masocco

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: influenza vaccination; health personnel; health care worker; surveillance system; epidemiology; prevention; public health

Online: 17 May 2023 (04:27:18 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1109.v1

Factors Associated with Depression in Infertile Couples: A Study in Thailand

Tong Yang, Nahathai Wongpakaran, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Ubol Saeng-Anan, Charuk Singhapreecha, Rewadee Jenraumjit, Carmelle Peisah

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: actor-partner interdependence model; depression; couple; dyadic analysis; infertility; mental health

Online: 16 May 2023 (05:45:35 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0874.v2

Co-Design/Co-Development and Evaluation of an Online Frailty Check Application for Older Adults: Participatory Action Research with Older Adults

Bo-Kyung Son, Takahiro Miura, Ken-ichiro Yabu, Yuka Sumikawa, Dongyool Kim, Weida Lyu, Yingxue Yang, Moeko Tanaka, Tomoki Tanaka, Yasuyo Yoshizawa, Katsuya Iijima

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: online frailty check application; older adults; co-design; co-development; reliability; participatory action research

Online: 16 May 2023 (05:25:59 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1061.v1

Artificial Intelligence in Cardiovascular Medicine: A Comprehensive Clinical Review

Vijay Durga Pradeep Ganipineni, Sai Dheeraj Gutlapalli, Jananthan Paramsothy, Ikpechukwu J Okorie, Derek Ugwendum, Meena A Farid, Daniel Fabian, Tharunjan Kailayanathan, GianPaolo Piccione, Ajay Sai Krishna Kumar Idavalapati, Ziteste Azeze, Muhammed Atere, Sean Galligan, Jay Nfonoyim, Francesco Rotatori

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; A.I Cardiology; A.I in Cardiovascular Medicine; Machine Learning in Cardiology

Online: 15 May 2023 (16:03:01 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1052.v1

Sorafenib in Molecularly Selected Cancer Patients: Final Analysis of the MOST-Plus Sorafenib Cohort

Olivier Trédan, Maud Toulmonde, Christophe Le Tourneau, Laure Montane, Antoine Italiano, Isabelle Ray-Coquard, Christelle De La Fouchardière, François Bertucci, Anthony Gonçalves, Carlos Gomez-Roca, Benoit You, Valéry Attignon, Sandrine Boyault, Philippe Cassier, Armelle Dufresne, Séverine Tabone-Eglinger, Alain Viari, Emilie Sohier, Maud Kamal, Gwenaelle Garin, Jean-Yves Blay, David Pérol

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: personalized medicine; biologically-driven trial; sorafenib; randomised discontinuation design

Online: 15 May 2023 (14:22:29 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1050.v1

“Together Against Tuberculosis”: Cascade of Care of Patients Referred by the Private Health Care Providers in The Kyrgyz Republic, 2021-22

Dinara Madybaeva, Aimgul Duyshekeeva, Anna Meteliuk, Aizat Kulzhabaeva, Abdullaat Kadyrov, Natalia Shumskaya, Ajay M. V. Kumar

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Kyrgyz Republic; TB presumptive; failure; operational research; SORT IT; key population; private sector

Online: 15 May 2023 (14:09:10 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1023.v1

First Presentation of Atypical Anorexia Nervosa in Asian Adolescents

Chu Shan Elaine Chew, E Eric Tay, Mei En Hannah Marian Lie, Khairunisa Binte Khaider, Courtney Davis

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Atypical anorexia nervosa; anorexia nervosa; Asian adolescents; eating disorders

Online: 15 May 2023 (10:33:45 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1011.v1

Prevalence of Vitamin B₁₂ and Folate Deficiencies in Indian Children and Adolescents

Tattari Shalini, Raghu Pullakhandam, Santu Ghosh, Bharati Kulkarni, Hemalatha Rajkumar, Harshpal S Sachdev, Anura V Kurpad, Geereddy Bhanuprakash Reddy

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Vitamin B12 deficiency; Folate deficiency; School-age children; Adolescents; CNNS

Online: 15 May 2023 (09:45:12 CEST)

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Deficiencies of vitamin B12 (B12) and folate (FA) are of particular interest due to their pleiotropic role in 1-carbon metabolism. In addition to adverse birth outcomes, deficiencies of B12 and FA, or an imbalance in FA/B12 status, are linked to metabolic disorders. Indian diets that are predominantly plant food-based could be deficient in these vitamins, but there are no national estimates of the prevalence of B12 and FA deficiency in Indian children and adolescents, nor of their associations with age, sex, and growth indicators. The recent Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS-2016-18) provided estimates of the prevalence of B12 and FA deficiency at the national and state level among preschool (1-4y: 9,976 and 11,004 children respectively), school-age children (5-9y: 12,156 and 14,125) and adolescents (10-19y: 11,748 and 13,621). Serum B12 and erythrocyte FA were measured by the direct chemiluminescence method and their deficiency was defined using WHO cut-offs. The prevalence of B12 and FA deficiency was high among adolescents (31.0%, CI: 28.7-33.5 and 35.6%, CI: 33.1-8.2), compared to school-age (17.3%, CI: 15.4-19.3 and 27.6%, CI: 25.5-29.9) and preschool children (13.8%, CI: 11.7-16.2 and 22.8%, CI: 20.5-25.2, respectively). The prevalence of both B12 and FA deficiency was significantly higher by 8 and 5% points respectively, in adolescent boys compared to girls. The prevalence of B12 deficiency was higher in moderately stunted school children (by 18.9% points) than in normal children, but no such difference was observed for FA deficiency. There was wide regional variation in the prevalence of B12 and FA deficiency, but no rural-urban differences were observed across all age groups. The national prevalence of B12 deficiency among preschool or school-age children was <20% (the cut-off that indicates a public health problem). However, FA deficiency in these age groups and both FA and B12 deficiencies in adolescents were >20%, which warrants further investigation.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0874.v1

Co-Design/Co-Development and Evaluation of an Online Frailty Check Application for Older Adults: Participatory Action Research With Older Adults

Bo-Kyung Son, Takahiro Miura, Ken-ichiro Yabu, Yuka Sumikawa, Dongyool Kim, Weida Lyu, Yingxue Yang, Moeko Tanaka, Tomoki Tanaka, Yasuyo Yoshizawa, Katsuya Iijima

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: online frailty check application; older adults; co-design; co-development; reliability; participatory action research

Online: 12 May 2023 (03:33:46 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0855.v1

Suspected Suicide Attempt and Intentional Misuse Cases Age 50+ Involving Amphetamine or Methylphenidate and Medical Outcomes: Associations with Co-used Other Substances

Namkee G. Choi, Bryan Y. Choi, S. David Baker

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Amphetamine; Methylphenidate; Suicide attempt; Intentional misuse; Older adults

Online: 11 May 2023 (13:23:41 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0779.v1

The Psychological Impact of Covid-19: A National Survey among Iranian Citizens

Yadollah Abolfathi Momtaz, Nasibeh Zanjari, Ahmad Delbari, Mahshid Forughan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic; Emotions; Iran; National Survey; Online Study; Psychological Impact

Online: 11 May 2023 (04:17:09 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0757.v1

Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19. A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University

Elona Kongo, Kleva Shpati, Aida Dama, Sibela Ymeraj, Ema Murati, Uels Veliaj, Sonela Xinxo

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Covid-19; Vaccine; Medical Science Students; Mandatory Policy

Online: 10 May 2023 (14:01:57 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0688.v1

Thinking beyond Vaccination: Promising Add-On Strategies to Active Immunization and Vaccination in Pandemics - a Mini-Review

Franz Tatzber, Willibald Wonisch, Ulrike Resch, Wolfgang Strohmaier, Meinrad Lindschinger, Sabrina Mörkl, Gerhard Cvirn

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: hypertonic salt solution; impregnation; filtering face piece; human monoclonal antibody; dry blood spot

Online: 10 May 2023 (04:49:51 CEST)

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There is little doubt that final victories over pandemics, such as COVID-19, are attributed to herd immunity, either through post-disease convalescence or active immunization of a high percentage of the world's population with vaccines, demonstrating protection from infection and transmission, being available in large quantities and at reasonable prices. However, it is assumable that humans with immune defects or immune suppression, e.g., as a consequence of allograft transplantation, cannot be immunized actively nor produce sufficient immune responses to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. These subjects desperately need other strategies, such as sophisticated protection measures and active immunization. Hypertonic salt solutions attack vulnerable core areas of viruses, i.e., salt denatures surface proteins and thus prohibits virus penetration of somatic cells. It has to be ensured that somatic proteins are not affected by denaturation regarding this unspecific virus protection. Impregnating filtering facepieces with hypertonic salt solutions is a straightforward way to inactivate viruses and other potential pathogens. As a result of the contact of salt crystals on the filtering facepiece, these pathogens become denatured and inactivated almost quantitatively. Such a strategy could be easily applied to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other ones that may occur in the future. Another possible tool to fight the COVID-19 pandemic is passive immunization with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, preferably from human origin. Such antibodies can be harvested from patients´ human sera, which have successfully survived their SARS-CoV-2 infection. The disadvantage of a rapid decrease of the immunoglobulin titer after infection ends can be overcome by immortalizing antibody-producing B-cells via fusion with, e.g., mouse myeloma cells. The resulting monoclonal antibodies are then of human origin and available in, at least theoretically, unlimited amounts. Finally, dry blood spots are a valuable tool for surveilling the population´s immunity.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0679.v1

Factors Informing the Development of a Clinical Pathway and Quality of Life Post Non-union Fractures of the Lower Limb

Nontembiso Magida, Hellen Myezwa, Witness Mudzi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: clinical pathways; lower limbs; quality of life; non-union fractures

Online: 10 May 2023 (04:00:12 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0555.v1

Antimicrobial Resistance: A Growing Serious Threat for Global Public Health

Md. Abdus Salam, Md. Yusuf Al-Amin, Moushumi Tabassoom Salam, Jogendra Pawar, Naseem Akhter, Ali A. Rabaan, Mohammed A. A. Alqumber

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial resistance; Mechanisms of resistance; Drivers of resistance; Measures to combat resistance

Online: 9 May 2023 (03:50:03 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0493.v1

Treatment Outcomes and Associated Factors among Tuberculosis Patients from Selected Rural Eastern Cape Hospitals: An Ambidirectional Study

Lindiwe M. Faye, Mojisola Clara Hosu, Joshua Iruedo, Sandeep Vasaikar, Kholisa Amanda Nokoyo, Urgent Tsuro, Teke Apalata

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: treatment outcomes; DR-TB; MDR-TB; TB-HIV co-infection; treatment success rate

Online: 8 May 2023 (09:36:25 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0494.v1

Public Mental Health Approaches to Online Radicalisation: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Rabya Mughal, Valerie DeMarinis, Maria Nordendahl, Hassan Lone, Veronica Phillips, Eolene Boyd-MacMillan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Radicalisation; Social Media; Public Mental Health; Online Radicalisation

Online: 8 May 2023 (09:36:22 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0376.v1

Monkeypox: Re-emerging Infectious Disease and One Health Strategy

Cheryl Ann Ann Alexander, Lidong Wang

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: monkeypox; One Health; Big Data analytics; deep learning; blockchain; cybersecurity; vaccine; sexually transmitted diseases; HIV

Online: 6 May 2023 (04:50:56 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0366.v1

How Accurate Should a Medical Test be to Meet Cost-Effectiveness

Ermo Chen

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: medical tests, accuracy, cost-effectiveness analysis, matching intervention, lower bound

Online: 5 May 2023 (11:48:27 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0363.v1

Voices from Service Providers Who Supported Young Caregivers throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Canadian Context

Kristine Newman, Heather Chalmers, Sarah Ciotti, Arthur Ze Yu Wang, Luxmhina Luxmykanthan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: young caregivers; pandemic; service providers; qualitative; social determinants of health

Online: 5 May 2023 (11:37:18 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0353.v1

Impact of COVID-19 on Quality of Life in Long-term Advanced Rectal Cancer Survivors

Daniel Anton Blasko, Claudia Schweizer, Tim Fitz, Christoph Schröter, Christopher Sörgel, Annett Kallies, Rainer Fietkau, Luitpold Valentin Distel

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: quality of life; COVID-19; pandemic; rectal cancer; radiochemotherapy; age; sex; stage

Online: 5 May 2023 (10:39:38 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0083.v2

Detection of Mutations and Genotyping of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Isolated from Patients in Rural Eastern Cape Province

Lindiwe Modest Faye, Robin Warren, Sandeep Vasaikar, Mojisola C. Hosu, Ncomeka Sineke, Selien Oostvogels, Anzaan Dippenaar, Teke Apalata

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Drug-resistant TB; heteroresistance; mutations; spoligotyping

Online: 5 May 2023 (07:26:31 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0261.v1

The Interplay Between Immune and Metabolic Pathways in Kidney Disease

BAIHAI JIAO, Lili Qu

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Immune; Metabolic; Inflammation; Kidney Disease

Online: 4 May 2023 (10:47:27 CEST)

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Kidney disease is a significant health problem worldwide, affecting an estimated 10% of the global population. Kidney disease encompasses a diverse group of disorders that vary in their underlying pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes. These disorders include acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, and many others. Despite their distinct etiologies, these disorders share a common feature of immune system dysregulation and metabolic disturbances. The immune system and metabolic pathways are intimately connected and interact to modulate the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. The dysregulation of immune responses in kidney diseases includes a complex interplay between various immune cell types, including resident and infiltrating immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and complement factors. These immune factors can trigger and perpetuate kidney inflammation, causing renal tissue injury and progressive fibrosis. In addition, metabolic pathways play critical roles in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases, including glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered nutrient sensing. Dysregulation of these metabolic pathways contributes to the progression of kidney disease by inducing renal tubular injury, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Recent studies have provided insights into the intricate interplay between immune and metabolic pathways in kidney diseases, revealing novel therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases. Potential therapeutic strategies include modulating immune responses through targeting key immune factors or inhibiting pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, improving mitochondrial function, and targeting nutrient-sensing pathways such as mTOR, AMPK, and SIRT1. This review highlights the importance of the interplay between immune and metabolic pathways in kidney diseases and the potential therapeutic implications of targeting these pathways.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0190.v1

Exploring New Tools to Risk Classification Among Adults with Several Degrees of Obesity

Greice Westphal-Nardo, Jean-Philippe Chaput, César Faúndez-Casanova, Carlos Alexandre Molena Fernandes, Eliane Cristina de Andrade Gonçalves, Raquel Tomiazzi Utrila, Karine Oltramari, Felipe Merchan Ferraz Grizzo, Nelson Nardo-Junior

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: obesity; risk assessment; metabolic syndrome; AIP; HOMA-IR; risk stratification

Online: 4 May 2023 (04:32:38 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0149.v1

Acute Liver Failure Attributable to Viral Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review

Larry N Tangie, Brice Njobe, Mickael Essouma

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Acute liver failure; viral hepatitis; sub-Saharan Africa

Online: 3 May 2023 (12:40:38 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0115.v1

PPChain: A Blockchain for Pandemic Prevention and Control Assisted by Federated Learning

Cao Tianruo, Pan Yongqi, Chen Honghui, Zheng Jianming, Hu Tao

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: blockchain; federated learning; pandemic prevention and control; privacy-preserving

Online: 3 May 2023 (08:16:57 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0089.v1

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among University Community members in Otukpo, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Suleiman Zakari, Celestine O. Ogbu, Hajara Zakari, Chioma Eze Sabina, Samuel Bawa Ijimbili, Jennifer Ene Idoko, Andrew Oche Emmanuel, Amuji Doris Nnenna, Bright Chiaka Agbwara, Efere Sarah Adokiye, Ayodeji Oluwafemi Idowu, Ovie Austine Edegbene, Joseph Anejo-Okopi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Acceptance; COVID-19; Cross-sectional study; Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo; Vaccine hesitancy; Nigeria

Online: 3 May 2023 (02:51:50 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0061.v1

Evaluating the Benefits of a Novel Community-based Social Engagement Organization for Improving Mental Health and Reducing Clinical Visits

Barbara Lee VanHorssen, Travis Andrews, Gloria Lee

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Social engagement; social rehabilitation; community-based; financial analysis; Momentum Center

Online: 2 May 2023 (05:28:57 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0054.v1

Effects of Oral Health Education Experience, Knowledge, and Practice Behaviors on Oral Health Care Self-efficacy Among College Students

Su-Jin Jung

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: college students; oral health education experience; oral health knowledge; oral health practice behaviors; oral health care self-efficacy

Online: 2 May 2023 (04:32:07 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1273.v1

Quality of Life among Parents of Children and Adolescents with Diabetes: A Literature Review

Paraskevi Theofilou, Dimitrios Vlastos

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Diabetes; parents; children; adolescents; quality of life; stress; family burden

Online: 30 April 2023 (10:11:40 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1223.v1

Effects of Molecular Hydrogen in the Pathophysiology and Management of Metabolic and Non-communicable Diseases

Ram B. Singh, Alex Tarnava, Jan Fedacko, Ghizal Fatima, Sunil Rupee, Zuzana Sumbalová, Arsha Moshiri

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Hydrogen; cardiovascular; metabolic diseases; diet; oxidative stress; inflammation

Online: 29 April 2023 (07:44:53 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1202.v1

The Impact of Public Health Restrictions on Young Caregivers and How They Navigated a Pandemic: Baseline Interviews from a Longitudinal Study Conducted in Ontario, Canada

Kristine Newman, Heather Chalmers, Arthur Ze Yu Wang, Sarah Ciotti, Luxmhina Luxmykanthan, Nicole Mansell

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: young caregiver; baseline interviews; pandemic; qualitative; COVID-19; longitudinal; social determinants of health

Online: 29 April 2023 (04:09:48 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1171.v1

Air Pollutants Impacts Asthma via the Tricellular Tight Junction Protein, LSR

Da-Yeon Hwang, Min-Hyeok An, Pureun-Haneul Lee, Jung-Hyun Kim, Yunha Nam, Shinhee Park, Ae-Rin Baek, An-Soo Jang

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Tricellular tight junction protein; LSR; RAGE; Bronchial asthma; Titanium dioxide

Online: 28 April 2023 (11:07:00 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1164.v1

Feasibility, Uptake, and Results of COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests Among Refugees and Migrants in a Pilot Project in Northwest Syria

Hassan Ghawji, Mohamad Nihad ALYOUSFI, Srinath Satyanarayana, Nevin Wilson, Laila Tomeh, Hussam Alkhellov, Sali Hasan, Sanjay Sarin, Kekeletso Kao

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19; rapid diagnostic tests; refugees; prevention; Ag-RDTs; PCR

Online: 28 April 2023 (10:33:29 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1149.v1

Primary Cardiac Sarcoma: Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors Over the Past 2 Decades.

Ayrton Bangolo, Pierre Fwelo, Kritika M Iyer, Sarah Klinger, Lorena Tavares, Shraboni Dey, Angel Ann Chacko, Myat Hein, Samyukta Gudena, Gbenga Lawal, Barath P. Sivasubramanian, Zekordavar Rimba, Kinjal Hirpara, Merajunnissa Merajunnissa, Swathi Veliginti, Georgemar Arana, Dily T. Sathyarajan, Sachin Singh, Tanvi Shetty, Kshitij Bhardwaj, Sayed Hashemy, Roberto L. Duran, Sung H. Kim, Candice M. Hipolito, Kibo Yoon, Vrusha Patel, Aseel Alshimari, Pugazhendi Inban, Saaniya Yasmeen, Krushika Devanaboyina, Gulshan Kumar, Saran Preet, Mishgan Akhtar, Ayanleh Abdi, Navya Nalajala, Syed F.M. Rizvi, Bhavna Gupta, Simcha Weissman

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Primary cardiac sarcoma; SEER database; prognostic factors; clinical characteristics

Online: 28 April 2023 (08:42:14 CEST)

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Background: Primary cardiac sarcomas (PCS) are extremely rare malignant tumors involving the heart. Only isolated case reports have been described. There is a paucity of data on the epidemiological characteristics of PCS. This study has the objective of investigating the epidemiologic characteristics, survival outcomes, and independent prognostic factors of PCS. Methods: We enrolled a total of 362 patients with PCS, between 2000 and 2017, by retrieving the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We analyzed demographics, clinical characteristics, and overall mortality (OM) as well as cancer-specific mortality (CSM) of PCS. Variables with a p-value < 0.1 in the univariate Cox regression were incorporated into the multivariate Cox model to determine the independent prognostic factors, with a hazard ratio (HR) of greater than 1 representing adverse prognostic factors. Results: Crude analysis revealed a high OM in age 80+ (HR=5.958, 95% CI 3.357-10.575, p=0), followed by age 60-79 (HR=1.429, 95% CI 1.028-1.986, p=0.033); and PCS with distant metastases (HR=1.888, 95% CI 1.389-2.566, p=0). Patients that underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor and patients with malignant fibrous histiocytomas (HR=0.657, 95% CI 0.455-0.95, p=0.025) had a better OM (HR=0.606, 95% CI 0.465-0.791, p=0). The highest cancer-specific mortality was observed in age 80+ (HR=5.037, 95% CI 2.606-9.736, p=0) and patients with distant metastases (HR=1.953, 95% CI 1.396-2.733, p=0). Patients with malignant fibrous histiocytomas (HR=0.572, 95% CI 0.378-0.865, p=0.008) and those who underwent surgery (HR=0.581, 95% CI 0.436-0.774, p=0) had a lower CSM. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed higher OM in the age group 80+ (HR=13.261, 95% CI 5.839-30.119, p=0) and advanced disease with distant metastases (HR=2.013, 95% CI 1.355-2.99, p=0.001). Lower OM was found in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (HR=0.364, 95% CI 0.154-0.86, p=0.021) and widowed patients (HR=0.506, 95% CI 0.263-0.977, p=0.042). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses of CSM also revealed higher mortality in the same groups, and lower mortality in patients with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Conclusion: In this United States population-based retrospective cohort study using the SEER database, we found that cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma was associated with the lowest CSM and OM. Furthermore, as expected, age and advanced disease at diagnosis were independent factors predicting poor prognosis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor showed lower CSM and OM in the crude analysis but when adjusted for covariates in the multivariate analysis, it did not significantly impact the overall mortality or the cancer-specific mortality. These findings allow for treating clinicians to recognize patients that should be referred to palliative/hospice care at the time of diagnosis and avoid any surgical interventions as they did not show any differences in mortality. Surgical resection in patients with poor prognoses should be reserved as a palliative measure rather than an attempt to cure the disease.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1047.v1

In-Depth Reasons for the High Proportion of Zero-Dose Children in a Remote Rural District in Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Yauba Saidu, Pietro Di Mattei, Nchinjoh Sangwe Clovis, Nkwain Jude Muteh, Nadege Edwige Nnang, Andreas Ateke Njoh, Adidja Amani, Shalom Tchofke Ndoula, Songo Emmanuel Ancel, Calvin Tonga, Owens Wiwa, Emanuele Montomoli, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Chen Stein Zamir, Sveta Roberman

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: zero-dose; childhood vaccination; missed communities; Cameroon

Online: 27 April 2023 (05:05:59 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.1020.v1

Pediatric Diabetes Technology Management: Italian Health Care Workers' Point of View

Annamaria Tupputi, Lucia Giardinieri, Silvia Monaco, Michela Di Trani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Diabetes; Paediatric Psychology; Health And Well-Being; Health Care Service; Psychology Of Health; Health Professionals

Online: 27 April 2023 (03:51:24 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0999.v1

Signaling Pathways in Pathogenesis of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Ksenia Maslenkina, Liudmila Mikhaleva, Maxim Naumenko, Rositsa Vandysheva, Michail Gushchin, Dmitri Atiakshin, Igor Buchwalow, Markus Tiemann

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Barrett’s esophagus; inflammatory signaling pathways; intestinal metaplasia; mutational load; p53; dysplasia; carcinogenesis; esophageal adenocarcinoma

Online: 26 April 2023 (15:01:48 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0997.v1

Milk Microbiota of Clinical Mastitic Cows: An Etiological Approach

Simone Baldini Lucheis, Anelise Salina, Samea Fernandes Joaquim, Simony Trevisan Guerra, Felipe Freitas Guimarães, Marcio Garcia Ribeiro, Vera Lúcia Mores Rall, Rodrigo Tavanelli Hernandes, Domingos da Silva Leite, Vera Cláudia Lorenzetti Magalhães Curci, Helio Langoni

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: bovine mastitis; milk pathogens; environmental agents; microbiological diagnosis; clinical severity scores; days in milk

Online: 26 April 2023 (14:22:53 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0939.v1

Systemic Health Factors Related to Rapid Oral Health Deterioration Among Older People

Gert-Jan Van der Putten, Cees De Baat

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: oral health care; older people; multimorbidity; polypharmacy; frailty; sarcopenia; disability; care dependency

Online: 26 April 2023 (03:23:46 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0900.v1

Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Status: Wuchereria bancrofti Infections in Human Populations After Five Effective Rounds of Mass Drug Administration in Zambia

Belem Blamwell Matapo, Evans Mwila Mpabalwani, Patrick Kaonga, Martin Chitolongo Simuunza, Nathan Bakyaita, Freddie Masaninga, Namasiku Siyumbwa, Seter Siziya, Frank Shamilimo, Chilweza Muzongwe, Enala T Mwase, Chummy Sikalizyo Sikasunge

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Lymphatic Filariasis; pre-TAS; Prevalence; Antigenaemia; Microfilariae; Zambia

Online: 25 April 2023 (08:30:08 CEST)

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Lymphatic filariasis (LF), also commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by filarial parasites. The disease is transmitted by a bite from infected mosquitoes. The bites of these infected mosquitoes deposit filarial parasites, Wuchereria or Brugia whose predilection site is the lymphatic system. The damage to the lymph system causes swelling in the legs, arms, and genitalia. A mapping survey conducted between 2003 and 2010 determined LF that LF was endemic in Zambia in 96 out of 116 districts. Elimination of LF is known to be possible by stopping the spread of the infection through large-scale preventive chemotherapy. Therefore, mass drug administration (MDA) with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) (6 mg/kg) and Albendazole (400 mg) for Zambia has been conducted and implemented in all endemic districts with five effective rounds. Post-MDA pre-transmission assessment survey (pre-TAS) was conducted between 2021 and 2022 in 80 districts to determine the LF prevalence rate. We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study involving 600 participants in each Evaluation Unit (EU) or each district. The study sites (sentinel and spot-check sites) were the districts that were the Implementation Unites (IUs) where MDA, preventive chemotherapy against LF was conducted. These included 80 districts from the 9 provinces. A total of 47,235 people from sentinel and spot-check locations were tested. Of these, valid tests were 47,052 of which 27,762 (59%) were females and 19,290 (41%) were males. The survey revealed in the 79/80 endemic district a prevalence of Wb anti-gens of 0.14% and 0.0% prevalence of microfilariae. All the surveyed districts had an optimum prevalence of less than 2 percent, except for Chibombo district. The majority of participants that tested positive for Wb Ag were those that had 2, 3, and 4 rounds of MDA. Surprisingly, individuals that had 1 round of MDA were not found to have circulating antigens of Wb. The study showed that all the surveyed districts except for Chibombo, passed Pre-TAS. This further implies that there is a need to conduct a TAS in these districts in order to decide whether to stop MDA or not. Keywords: Lymphatic Filariasis; pre-TAS; Prevalence; Antigenaemia; Microfilariae; Zambia

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0895.v1

The Function of Bed Management in Pandemic Times. A Case Study of Reaction Time and Bed Reconversion

Chiara Barchielli, Milena Vainieri, Chiara Seghieri, Eleonora Salutini, Paolo Zoppi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Covid pandemic; Bed Management; system solidness.

Online: 25 April 2023 (07:13:13 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0853.v1

A Cross Sectional Study in Greece to Investigate Burnout, Anxiety and Depression in Medical and Nursing Staff during the Pandemic Crisis: The Impact of Occupational and Demographic Factors

Paraskevi Theofilou, Angeliki Chasapi, Dimitris D. Vlastos, Maria Tsironi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: burnout; anxiety; depression; health professionals; medical staff; nursing staff

Online: 24 April 2023 (10:52:35 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0810.v1

Design Recommendation of Care Center to Overcome the Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Infectious Diseases on Humans

Shifana Fatima Kaafil, Shamim Shaukat Khan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Covid; Psychological effect; Behavioral; Face mask; Care center

Online: 24 April 2023 (03:33:53 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0787.v1

Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Irregular Migrant Women: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Data

José Granero-Molina, Ariadna Sara Gómez-Vinuesa, Gonzalo Granero-Heredia, Alba Fernández-Férez, María Dolores Ruiz-Fernández, Isabel María Fernández-Medina, María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: irregular migrant women,; metasynthesis; qualitative data; public health

Online: 23 April 2023 (07:41:00 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0780.v1

The Impact of Sociodemographic, Macroeconomic, and Health Status and Resources on Infant Mortality Rates in Oman: Evidence from 1980 to 2022

Rawaa Abubakr Abuelgassim Eltayib, Mohammed Al-Azri, Moon Fai Chan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Infant mortality rate; Macroeconomic; Sociodemographic; Health status and resources; Oman; Partial least squares structural equation model.

Online: 23 April 2023 (07:14:43 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0763.v1

The Primary Healthcare Physician's Awareness and Engagement in Community-Based Medical Education: a mixed qualitative and quantitative study

Elhadi Miskeen, Abdullah M. Al-Shahrani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Community-based medical education; primary healthcare physicians; Bisha; Saudi Arabia

Online: 23 April 2023 (04:17:14 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0680.v1

Stochastic Cost-Effectiveness Analysis on Global Benefits

Ermo Chen

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: cost-effectiveness analysis, global benefits, risk-adjusted ICER

Online: 21 April 2023 (08:06:58 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0667.v1

Global Perspectives on Race in Health Research: Neocolonial Extraction and Local Marginalization

Akhenaten Siankam Tankwanchi, Emmanuella Ngozi Asabor, Sten H Vermund

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Global health; human subjects research; international health; medical racism; research ethics; research neocolonialism; tropical medicine

Online: 21 April 2023 (03:40:31 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0558.v1

Socio-Demographic Correlates of Barriers to Access Healthcare Services Among Children in Post-Communist Albania

Iris Mone, Suela Vasil, Albano Alia, Sonela Xinxo, Kliton Muça, Genc Burazeri

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: access to healthcare; Albania; barriers; children; schoolchildren; sociodemographic factors

Online: 19 April 2023 (07:23:09 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0465.v1

Perspectives of and Experience Towards the Abuse of Antidiar-Rheal Drug (Loperamide) Among Community Pharmacists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Muna Barakat, Amal Akour, Diana Malaeb, Sarah Cherri, Walaa Al Safadi, Ala’a Al Safadi, Mayyada Wazaify

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: abuse; community pharmacists; Jordan; Loperamide

Online: 18 April 2023 (03:16:16 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0451.v1

One Single Tube Reaction of Aptasensor-Based Magnetic Sensing System for Selectively Fluorescent Detection of VEGF in Plasma

Hwang-Shang Kou, Shao-Tsung Lo, Chun-Chi Wang

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: VEGF; Aptasensor; Streptavidin magnetic bead; Plasma; Hybridization probe

Online: 17 April 2023 (10:43:37 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0419.v1

Intimate Partner Violence in the Khaliji Women: A Review of Frequency and Associated Factors

Maisa H Al Kiyumi, Asma Said Al Shidhani, Hana Al Sumri, Yaqoub Al Saidi, Amira Al Harrasi, Maryam Al Kiyumi, Sanaa Al Sumri, Aseel Al Toubi, Maithili Shetty, Samir Al-Adawi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Intimate partner violence; Domestic violence; Prevalence rates, forms of IPV (physical, sexual, emotional, economic); Risk factors; cultural attitudes towards violence and gender roles, GCC, Arab, Khaliji

Online: 17 April 2023 (07:22:16 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0281.v1

The Effect of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Food Intake, Anthropometric Indices, and Metabolic Biomarkers among Pre-and Post-menopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nada Alzunaidy, Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Khalifa, Maha Hussain Alhussain, Mohammed Awad alkareem Mohammed Ahmed, Hani A. Alfheeaid, MoezAlIslam E. Faris, Sami A. Althwab

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Intermittent fasting; Caloric restriction; Time-restricted eating; Menopausal; Women’s health

Online: 13 April 2023 (02:59:21 CEST)

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By shifting eating hours from daytime to nighttime, Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) illustrates how religious beliefs influence human dietary behavior and subsequent anthropometric and metabolic measures. This study aimed to investigate socioeconomic characteristics and examine how observing RIF affects dietary intake, anthropometric indices, and metabolic markers in healthy premenopausal (PRE-M) and post-menopausal (POST-M) Saudi women. Before starting the study, the authors hypothesized that the RIF improves some nutritional aspects and health in respondents, but not after breaking the fast.. The study includes 62 women (31 PRE-M, 21-43 years, and 31 POST-M, 44-68 years). A structured questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic data. Physical activity, anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical assessments were undertaken before RIF and at the end of the third week of Ramadan fasting month. Socioeconomic data varied among respondents. Observing RIF was associated with significantly (at either p ≤ 0.01 or p ≤ 0.05) lower intake of calories, macronutrients, minerals (except for Na), and vitamins than before RIF for both groups. In terms of body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) for PRE-M, the percentage of overweight decreased significantly (p≤0.01) while obesity remained unchanged. In contrast, for POST-M, the percentage of overweight increased significantly (p≤0.05), but obesity decreased after RIF. Both groups' waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat (BF), and fat mass (FM) decreased after RIF. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), and blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were generally maintained at acceptable normal levels in most responders before and after RIF. However, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was significantly decreased during RIF than before, especially for POST-M. Age, occupation, and monthly income were the most important factors influencing women’s nutritional status and body fat. In conclusion, observing RIF by PRE- and POST-M Saudi women was associated with significant improvements in variable health indicators, with a few exceptions, particularly POST-M, and may help lower risk factors for chronic diseases.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0248.v1

Effect of Age, Sex, and COVID-19 Vaccination History on All-Cause Mortality: Unexpected Outcomes in a Complex Biological and Social System

Rodney P Jones, Andrey Ponomarenko

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID–19; vaccination; all-cause mortality; age; gender; complex system; pathogen interference; seasonality; miRNAs; nonspecific vaccine effects

Online: 12 April 2023 (07:06:23 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0238.v1

Social Support Among Older Persons and Its Association With Smoking and Associated Factors: Findings From the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018

Ambigga Krishnapillai, Chee Cheong Kee, Suthahar Ariaratnam, Mohd Azahadi Omar, Ridwan B Sanaudi, Rajini Sooryanarayana, Ho Bee Kiau, Sazlina Shariff Ghazali, Noorlaili B Mohd Tohit, Sheleaswani Inche Zainal Abidin

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Social support; older persons; smokers; NHMS 2018; community survey

Online: 12 April 2023 (04:17:11 CEST)

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Background Globally the average age of the worlds’ population of older persons continues to upsurge and social support becomes increasingly relevant. Overall, in Malaysia, social support and networking prevalence was found to be lower among older persons at 30.76%. In view of the scarce data on social support and its association with smoking status and its associated factors among the older Malaysian population this study was conducted. Methods Data from the National Health and Morbidity (NHMS) 2018 survey on health of older Malaysian adults was analyzed. This was a cross sectional population-based study using a two-stage stratified random sampling design. Elderly population aged 60 years and above was selected. Data were collected were sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, and social support. A validated Malay language, interviewer-administered questionnaire of 11-item Duke Social Support Index was applied for assessing social support among the elderly. A complex sampling design analysis was used for the descriptive statistics. The associated risk factors for social support were identified using Multiple Logistic Regression analysis. Results A total of 3923 elderly respondents participated in the study. The prevalence of good social support was significantly higher among the 60-69 years old respondents compared to the > 80 years old (73.1%, 95% CI :69.3% -76.5% vs 50.1 %, 95% CI:41.7 %- 58.6%).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of poor social support were 1.7 times (aOR: 1.72 % ,95%CI: 1.19 -2.48) higher for the respondents aged > 80 years old, than those aged 60-69 years. Respondents with no formal education were 1.93 higher odds of poor social support than the respondents with tertiary education (aOR: 1.93%, 95%CI: 1.13,3.30). Respondents with income < RM 1000 were 1.94 times more likely to have poor social support compared to respondents with income > RM 3000 (aOR: 1.94, 95% CI : 1.21 -3.13). Former smokers have good social support compared to current smokers (73.6% ,95% CI: 67.7-78.7 vs 65.1 %, 95%CI:58.4 -71.2). For current smokers, the odds of poor social support were 42.0% higher than for non-smokers (aOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.05 -1.91. Conclusion There is poor social support among the older persons who are current smokers, advancing age, no formal education and low income However, further longitudinal studies are needed to determine the exact effects of the studied variables. These findings could assist the policymakers to develop strategies at the national level to enhance social support among the older smokers to ensure cessation of smoking.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0225.v1

A Mixed Method Study to Assess the Knowledge and Perceptions around Polio and Its Immunization in Pakistan

Muhammad Atif Habib, Farhana Tabassum, Imtiaz Hussain, Tooba Jawed, Nazia Syed, Fariha Shaheen, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Polio; polio immunization; knowledge and perceptions; Pakistan

Online: 12 April 2023 (02:25:39 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0200.v1

COVID-19 Attitudes and Vaccine Hesitancy Among an Agricul-Tural Community in Southwest Guatemala: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Neudy Carolina Rojop, Diva Mirella Calvimotes, Edgar Barrios, Molly Lamb, Maria Alejandra Paniagua-Avila, Jose Carlos Monzon, Lindsey Duca, Chelsea Iwamoto, Anna Chard, Melissa Gomez, Kareen Arias, Guillermo Antonio Bolanos, Emily Zielinksi-Gutierrez, Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, Maria Renee Lopez, Celia Cordon-Rosales, Edwin Jose Asturias, Daniel Olson

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: hesitancy; Guatemala; agricultural worker; COVID-10; SARS-CoV-2; access

Online: 11 April 2023 (05:24:35 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0177.v1

The Usage of Digital Health Mobile-based Applications Among Saudi Population

Naif AlAli, Yasser AlKhudairy, Khalid AlSafadi, Bandar Abduljabbar, Nawfal Aljerian, Abdulrahman M Albeshry, Najim Z. Alshahrani

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Digital Health; Mobile; mobile-based applications; medical apps; Saudi Arabia

Online: 11 April 2023 (02:58:44 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0122.v1

Intervention to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Behavior Among Medically Underserved Women: Effectiveness of 3R Communication Model

Matthew Asare, Anjelica Elizondo, Mina Dwumfour-Poku, Carlos Mena, Mariela Gutierrez, And Hadii M. Mamudu

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: 3R communication model; Self-sampling; medically underserved women; cervical cancer screening

Online: 7 April 2023 (09:49:43 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0095.v1

Improving Quality of Life in Chronic Patients: A Pilot Study on the Effectiveness of a Health Recommender System and Its Usability

Alberto del Rio, Jennifer Jimenez, Rodrigo Medina-García, Cristina Lozano-Hernández, Federico Alvarez, Javier Serrano

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: health recommender system; recommender system; sensorial ecosystem; continuous monitoring; chronic diseases; integrated care; quality of life; elderly care

Online: 6 April 2023 (12:23:55 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0078.v1

Personalizing Digital Health: Adapting Health Technology Systems to Meet the Needs of Different Older Populations

Jennifer Jimenez, Alberto del Rio, Arianna N. Berman, Miriam Grande

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: aging population; healthcare systems; healthcare system evaluation; chronic illness; digital healthcare; personalization; healthcare usability; healthcare satisfaction

Online: 6 April 2023 (08:48:56 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0536.v1

High Effectiveness of a Smoking Cessation Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aleksandra Kruk, Celina Czerwińska, Justyna Dolna-Michno, Elżbieta Broniatowska, Emanuel Kolanko

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: smoking cessation program; COVID-19; interventions; Poland

Online: 31 March 2023 (03:13:55 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0474.v1

Infection and Social Dislocation: Wellbeing Impacts of COVID-19 on Children and Young People - Perspectives of Rwandan Leaders

Pamela Abbott, Agnes Bingwaho, Eilidh Cowan, Lucia D'Ambruoso

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Covid-19; children and adolescents; Rwanda; structural inequalities; post colonialism

Online: 28 March 2023 (05:33:08 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0450.v1

Effect of a Smartphone-Based Stress Management Program on Depression and Other Health- and Work-Related Outcomes among Hospital Nurses in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam and Thailand: A Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial of the COCONATS Project

Norito Kawakami, Huong Thanh Nguyen, Orawan Kaewboonchoo, Kotaro Imamura, Thuy Thi Thu Tran, Plernpit Boonyamalik, Natsu Sasaki, Narisara Sripo, Thanate Tienthong, Hiroki Asaoka, Mako Iida, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Asuka Sakuraya, Quynh Thuy Nguyen, Nguyen Thi Nga, Vu Thai Son, Thuy Thi Ngo, Tham Thi Luyen, Long Duc Nguyen, Nga Thi Viet Nguyen, Binh Thanh Nguyen, Yutaka Matsuyama, Yukie Takemura, Daisuke Nishi, Akizumi Tsustumi

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: digital mental health intervention; unguided program; universal prevention; health care workers; new coronavirus

Online: 27 March 2023 (07:53:18 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0426.v1

Phenotypic Characterization and Prevalence of Carbapenemase-Producing Acinetobacter baumanii Isolates in Four Health Facilities in Cameroon

Cécile Ingrid Djuikoue, Benhamed Nadjia, Paule Dana DJOUELA DJOULAKO, Celianthe Guegang, Cedric Seugnou Nana, Rodrigue Kamga Wouambo, Christiane Kiyang Possi, Hélène Valérie Same Njanjo, Yemina Grace Kombeu, Merimé Joel Tchinda Talokou, Benjamin D. Thumamo Pokam, Teke Apalata

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; Resistance; carbapenemases; Health Facilities

Online: 24 March 2023 (06:49:01 CET)

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Carbapenems have long been considered as treatment of choice for Gram-Negative Bacteria (GNB) infections, and today the clinical utility of this class is threatened by the emergence and spread of resistance favored by its increasing use. According to the WHO, Acinetobacter baumannii, nosocomial infection agent, tops the list of priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens, considered to be the most risky for humans. This study sought to determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii strains producing carbapenemases in four health facilities in the Center and Littoral regions of Cameroon and the associated risk factors. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period from January to June 2022. All Acinetobacter baumanii or suspected strains isolated from pathological samples at the bacteriology laboratory of different health facilities were systematically collected and underwent a re-identification. After successfully subculturing and growing on nutrient agar, re-identification and antimicrobial susceptibility Testing (AST) were performed using the VITEK 2 System and the Kirby-Bauer method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Detection and phenotypic characterization of carbapenemases was performed according to adequate standard procedures. A total of 168/226 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were confirmed after re-identification of which 52.69% came from male patients, and 55.09% from participants aged between 10-39 years old and 46.71% from pus samples. A very high resistance rates to all families of antibiotics was noted except to colistin (10.2%). About 40.12% of these strains produced carbapenemases with 62.69% of class B and 37.31% of class A. In addition, frequent hospitalisation was significantly associated to the production of carbapenemase among Acinetobacter baumanii (Ajusted-OR=16.53, P-value<0.0001). This study highlighted the emergence of carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii which is increasingly growing. Continuous drug-resistant monitoring and preventive measures could help to prevent and curb the dissemination of A.baumanii resistance genes, especially in hospital settings.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202302.0356.v1

The Utility of ChatGPT as an Example of Large Language Models in Healthcare Education, Research and Practice: Systematic Review on the Future Perspectives and Potential Limitations

Malik Sallam

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: machine learning; digital health; artificial intelligence; healthcare; ethics

Online: 21 February 2023 (08:58:06 CET)

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An artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational large language model (LLM) was launched in November 2022 namely, “ChatGPT”. Despite the wide array of potential applications of LLMs in healthcare education, research and practice, several valid concerns were raised. The current systematic review aimed to investigate the possible utility of ChatGPT and to highlight its limitations in healthcare education, research and practice. Using the PRIMSA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted to retrieve English records in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar under the term “ChatGPT”. Eligibility criteria included the published research or preprints of any type that discussed ChatGPT in the context of healthcare education, research and practice. A total of 280 records were identified, and following full screening, a total of 60 records were eligible for inclusion. Benefits/applications of ChatGPT were cited in 51/60 (85.0%) records with the most common being the utility in scientific writing followed by benefits in healthcare research (efficient analysis of massive datasets, code generation and rapid concise literature reviews besides utility in drug discovery and development). Benefits in healthcare practice included cost saving, documentation, personalized medicine and improved health literacy. Concerns/possible risks of ChatGPT use were expressed in 58/60 (96.7%) records with the most common being the ethical issues including the risk of bias, plagiarism, copyright issues, transparency issues, legal issues, lack of originality, incorrect responses, limited knowledge, and inaccurate citations. Despite the promising applications of ChatGPT which can result in paradigm shifts in healthcare education, research and practice, the embrace of this application should be done with extreme caution. Specific applications of ChatGPT in health education include the promising utility in personalized learning tools and shift towards more focus on critical thinking and problem-based learning. In healthcare practice, ChatGPT can be valuable for streamlining the workflow and refining personalized medicine. Saving time for the focus on experimental design and enhancing research equity and versatility are the benefits in scientific research. Regarding authorship in scientific articles, as it currently stands, ChatGPT does not qualify to be listed as an author unless the ICJME/COPE guidelines are revised and amended. An initiative involving all stakeholders involved in healthcare education, research and practice is urgently needed to set a code of ethics and conduct on the responsible practices involving ChatGPT among other LLMs.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202302.0226.v1

Characteristics of High-Resource Health System Users in Rural and Remote Regions: A Scoping Review

Michele LeBlanc, Tomoko McGaughey, Paul A Peters

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: health care; rural health; healthcare inequalities; public health systems research; health care costs; health services research

Online: 14 February 2023 (03:06:55 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202302.0136.v1

Fear of COVID-19, Risk Perception and Preventive Behavior in Health Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Middle-Income Latin American Countries

Cesar Antonio Bonilla-Asalde, Oriana Rivera-Lozada, Miguel Ipanaqué-Zapata, Elvis Siprian Castro-Alzate, Robinson Pacheco López, Isabel Cristina Rivera-lozada, FELIX CHONG, Lucrecia Ramirez Sagastume

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; health personnel; fear to COVID-19

Online: 8 February 2023 (02:34:46 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202301.0204.v2

Forgotten “Primum Non Nocere” and Increased Mortality after Covid-19 Vaccination

Srecko Šorli, Tomaz Makovec

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: Covid-19 vaccination; death rate; sick status days

Online: 26 January 2023 (03:53:33 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202301.0433.v1

Risk Factors for Mortality of Adult Patients With COVID-19: A Two-Year Cohort Study in a Private Tertiary Care Center in Mexico

Carlos Axel López Pérez, Francisco Javier Santa Cruz Pavlovich, Juan Eduardo Montiel Cortés, Adriana Nuñez Muratalla, Ruth Bibani Morán González, Ricardo Villanueva Gaona, Xochitl Franco Mojica, Denisse Gabriela Moreno Sandoval, Joselyn Anacaren González Bañuelos, Alan Ulises López Pérez, Marily Flores González, Cristina Grijalva Ruiz, Edna Daniela Valdez Mendoza, Luis Renee González Lucano, Martín López Zendejas

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: COVID-19; Cohort; Mortality; Mexico

Online: 24 January 2023 (13:21:09 CET)

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Public Health and Healthcare