Seroprevalence and participatory epidemiology of camelpox in Afar region of Ethiopia

Camelpox is endemic in most camel rearing regions of the world, causing significant economic losses. However, its epidemiology is not extensively investigated. We conducted a cross sectional seroprevalence study of camelpox in Amibara and Awash Fentale districts in Afar region of Ethiopia from November 2014 to May 2015. In addition, participatory epidemiology (PE) was conducted to identify seasonal occurrence of the disease in the study districts. Blood samples were collected from 384 dromedary camels from 31 herds distributed in five pastoral associations (PAs) in the two districts. Serum samples were separated from the blood samples and tested for the presence of viral antibodies using virus neutralization test. Seroprevalence data were analyzed using multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models accounting for the 4-level hierarchical data structure (camels nested in herds-herds in PA, and PA in district). For the participatory data, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to assess agreements between the informants in identifying seasonal occurrences of the top five camel diseases. Camelpox antibodies were detected in 19.3% of camels (n = 384), 81% of herds (n = 31), and in all five PAs from the two districts in the Gabi Rasu zone of Afar region, Ethiopia. The seroprevalence did not significantly vary between herds, PAs or districts suggesting the widespread occurrence of the disease. Estimated age stratified basic reproduction number (R0) was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.62–2.19). Camelpox was identified as one of the top five common camel diseases in the area. The widespread occurrence of the disease can be attributed mainly to the commingling of camels from many herds during seasonal migration in search of feed and water, a practice very common under pastoral production systems. Although the PE informants indicated the clinical disease to be more common in young animals, seropositivity was higher in older animals. Camelpox commonly occurs during the minor and major rainy seasons. In conclusion, camelpox is found to be endemic in Afar pastoral region with sporadic outbreaks occurring during rainy seasons. Vaccination and improved camel management practices particularly during the high-risk period can be viable strategies to reduce the burden of the disease

Factors influencing Healthy Eating Habits among Low-Income African Americans in Tennessee

Introduction: Poor nutrition and diet are significant contributors to the development of chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, particularly among individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES).This study examined demographic and lifestyle factors that influenced decisions to engage in healthy eating behaviors among low-income African Americans in three urban Tennessee cities. Methods: As part of the Meharry Community Networks Program (CNP) needs assessment, a 123-item community survey was administered to assess demographic characteristics and eating behaviors among low-income African Americans. The total sample size was 1116. The primary outcome of interest was the healthy eating habits score which was calculated from a 13-item questionnaire that was part of the community survey. Results: Several statistically significant differences were observed between the mean healthy eating habits scores by sociodemographic variables such as marital status, age, education, and geographic location (P \u3c 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were observed by strategies used for maintaining weight including reducing fat and carbohydrate intake and exercising (P \u3c 0.05). There were also significant differences observed by obstacles to eating low fat foods including family habits and food preparation time (P \u3c 0.05). Discussion: Educational interventions aimed at weight-loss and improving healthy eating should incorporate information about obstacles and predictors to healthy eating

Prostate Cancer: Social, Economic and Demographic Correlates of Non Use of Supplemental Diets among Black Men in Florida

Background: Epidemiologic data consistently show that Black men in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. The incidence rate is 60% higher and death rate is 2.1 times more for Black men compared to Whites. There is growing evidence from literature that nutritional supplements, such as selenium, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin D and soy may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, the level of knowledge and usage of these supplemental diets among Black men is low. Therefore, it is important to understand why Black men are low users of the supplemental diets and develop intervention programs to change the underlining conditions. Objectives: Data collected in the state of Florida on prostate cancer disparities show that large proportion of Black men living in the state are nonusers of the supplemental diets. The purpose of this study is to identify socio-economic characteristics of U.S. born and foreign born Black men who are nonusers of the supplemental diets. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on prostate cancer disparity among Black men in five major cities in the State of Florida. Three thousand four hundred and ten valid respondents were included in the analysis. The main outcomes were socio-economic status, access to health care and awareness among Black men in relation to the use of supplemental diets that reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Descriptive statistics and zero-inflated regression models were used for data analysis. Results: The odds of nonuse of the supplemental diets were the highest for African born (Vitamin A OR = 2.32, P-value = 0.0060), for those who pray or do nothing when sick (Vitamin A OR = 2.84, P-value = 0.0367), with no insurance (Selenium OR = 1.32, P-value = 0.0007), and with no regular doctor to visit for medical care (Vitamin A OR = 1.29, P-value = 0.0318). Conclusion: The study data indicates that the usage of supplemental diets among Black men in Florida is very low. The study further provides rich data with regard to demographic characteristics for U.S. born and foreign born Black men that might serve to inform the usage of supplemental diets that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer

A Community-Driven Intervention for Improving Biospecimen Donation in African American Communities

Introduction Human biospecimens are an invaluable resource for addressing cancers and other chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an educational intervention on biospecimen knowledge and attitudes. Methods The participants consisted of 112 African Americans, 18 years and older, and who had not provided biospecimens for any health-related research in the past. A total of 55 participants received the educational brochure, and 57 received the educational video. The main outcomes of the study were knowledge and attitudes for biospecimen donation. This information was collected pre- and post-intervention. Results The average knowledge scores increased (p \u3c 0.0001) and the average attitude scores for biospecimen donation improved (p \u3c 0.0001) post-intervention for both the video and brochure conditions. There was an interaction between the intervention condition and knowledge where the participants who received the educational video showed a greater increase in knowledge pre-to-post compared to those who received the educational brochure (p = 0.0061). There were no significant interactions between the two intervention conditions for attitudes toward biospecimen donation. Discussion The results of this study demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of an academic institution collaborating with the African American community in developing educational tools for biospecimen donation

A finite family of q-orthogonal polynomials and resultants of Chebyshev polynomials

Two problems related to orthogonal polynomials and special functions are considered. For q greater than 1 it is known that continuous q-Jacobi polynomials are orthogonal on the imaginary axis. The first problem is to find proper normalization to form a system of polynomials that are orthogonal on the real line. By introducing a degree reducing operator and a scalar product one can show that the normalized continuous q-Jacobi polynomials satisfies an eigenvalue equation. This implies orthogonality of the normalized continuous q-Jacobi polynomials. As a byproduct, different results related to the normalized system of polynomials, such as its closed form,three-term recurrence relation, eigenvalue equation, Rodrigues formula and generating function will be computed. A discriminant related to the normalized system is also obtained. The second problem is related to recent results of Dilcher and Stolarky on resultants of Chebyshev polynomials. They used algebraic methods to evaluate the resultant of two combinations of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. This work provides an alternative method of computing the same resultant and also enables one to compute resultants of more general combinations of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. Resultants related to combinations of Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind are also considered

Resultants Of Chebyshev Polynomials

Recently, K. Dillcher and K. B. Stolarsky [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 357 (2004), 965-981] used algebraic methods to evaluate the resultant of two linear combinations of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. In this paper we give an alternative method of computing the same resultant and resultants of more general combinations of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. We also consider resultants of linear combinations of Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind

Preparedness for Mass Gathering During Hajj and Umrah

The role of public health preparedness at mass gatherings (MGs) and a framework to ensure a safe and healthy mass gathering are provided in this chapter. The unique aspects of Hajj and Umrah events, including their massive size and the interplay of environmental conditions with the international nature of attendees, require proper and thorough public health preparation.The key aspects of a framework designed to promote public health at mass gatherings are also outlined in this chapter. The key aspects include risk assessment, public health surveillance; regulations, legislation and policy; emergency planning and response; environmental health; public health awareness; strengthening communication; and internal organizational and capacity building. Our search evaluates literatures pertaining to the frameworks of public health concerns at mass gatherings and analyzes the preparedness and effectiveness of such regulations and projections in current models of disaster preparedness and public health promotion. Such a model is crucial for setting the stage for decision-making and ensuring the safety of attendees; it should be implemented before the commencement of the event.Further, the health risks associated with attending a mass gathering such as Hajj/Umrah are discussed. Clinicians and attendees have specific roles to play in ensuring good public health during these pilgrimages. Clinicians have a role in ensuring attendees are well equipped with the knowledge and resources to stay healthy during Hajj/Umrah, which helps to protect the public from infectious disease transmission. Attendees have a role in ensuring personal health and maintaining hygiene standards. Infectious diseases of concern at such mass gatherings include Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), meningococcal disease, diarrheal disease and seasonal influenza. Other diseases of concern include the potential for pilgrims to contract Zika due to local populations of Zika vectors.Specific vaccine requirements and knowledge regarding health warnings are crucial to Hajj attendees when traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In addition, pilgrims are encouraged to seek accurate information related to travel and visas and requirements of Hajj-specific travel visas