End of the Ebola virus outbreak: time to reinforce the African health system and improve preparedness capacity

Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Review and modelling of malaria crude incidence rate in a low incidence population, Illinois 1990 to 2013

The highest risk of imported malaria in Illinois is associated with travel to countries of origin by immigrants to visit family and friends. We used Join point regression to analyze Malaria crude incidence rate (mCIR) trend from 1990 through 2013. We found join point regression a useful way to summarize mCIR trends because it connected the linear line segments over a fixed time interval (annual) and allowed characterization of the trends using the Annual Percent Change.The Pan African Medical Journal 2016;2

Differential health outcomes of the COVID‐19 pandemic among minority populations: An analysis based on Chicago's neighborhoods

Abstract Background The study examines the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on different ethnic and racial groups. It aims to investigate the existence or nonexistence of significant variations in COVID‐19 health outcomes among two ethnic and racial minorities that resided in Chicago neighborhoods during the onslaught of the pandemic. Researchers have traditionally studied health disparities by comparing the health of minorities representing “underserved” populations and those with adequate healthcare. This study focuses on the heterogeneity of health outcomes between different minority populations, mainly Black and Hispanic, traditionally considered underserved populations. Methods This cross‐sectional study uses secondary data from a public reporting site. The unit of analysis is neighborhood units based on US postal zip codes that are cross‐referenced with the US Census Bureau's zip code tabulation area codes. We used Chicago neighborhood data and applied geographic analyses to describe the patterns of similarities and differences in the outcomes of the COVID‐19 pandemic among neighborhoods with different ethnic and racial minorities residing in them. Using the one‐way analysis of variance technique, we also tested research hypotheses about the COVID‐19 outcome differences and/or similarities among the neighborhoods. Results Our findings show that although Hispanic neighborhoods disproportionately carried a higher burden of infection by the disease, the mortality due to the illness or the case fatality rate was not much higher than in the other neighborhoods. In contrast, African American neighborhoods did experience significantly higher case fatality rates—although their infection rate was not statistically significantly higher than the average infection rates of the other Chicago neighborhoods. Conclusions Minority status creates distinct adverse effects on different minority groups. The patterns of distinct outcomes need to be well understood through further studied and considered by policymakers when health policies are designed to address the impact of health disparities

Factors associated with the over-treatment and under-treatment of gonorrhea and chlamydia in adolescents presenting to a public hospital emergency department

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and the rates and factors associated with their over-treatment (OT) and under-treatment (UT). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients aged 13–24 years who were screened for GC/CT in the emergency department (ED) of a public hospital. Descriptive statistics were obtained for all variables, and multivariate log binomial regression was performed to ascertain the factors associated with OT and UT. Results: Seven hundred and ninety-seven adolescents and young adults were screened for GC/CT. The overall sexually transmitted infection (STI) positivity rate was 21.6%; 136 (21.6%) subjects were over-treated and 74 (43.4%) subjects were under-treated. Patients presenting with STI exposure or genito-urinary symptoms were more likely to be OT. Additionally, females aged 18–19 years or with a prior history of STIs were more likely to be OT. Females (83.6%) were more likely to be UT, while STI exposure, genito-urinary symptoms, and a prior history of STI were protective of UT . Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults screened for STIs have a high prevalence of GC/CT. A significant proportion of these patients end up over-treated and an even higher proportion are under-treated

Health disparities and COVID-19: A retrospective study examining individual and community factors causing disproportionate COVID-19 outcomes in Cook County, Illinois.

Early data from the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that the disease has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color with higher infection and mortality rates within those communities. This study used demographic data from the 2018 US census estimates, mortality data from the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, and testing results from the Illinois Department of Public Health to perform bivariate and multivariate regression analyses to explore the role race plays in COVID-19 outcomes at the individual and community levels. We used the ZCTA Social Deprivation Index (SDI), a measure of ZCTA area level deprivation based on seven demographic characteristics to quantify the socio-economic variation in health outcomes and levels of disadvantage across ZCTAs. Principal findings showed that: 1) while Black individuals make up 22% of Cook County's population, they account for 28% of the county's COVID-19 related deaths; 2) the average age of death from COVID-19 is seven years younger for Non-White compared with White decedents; 3) residents of Minority ZCTA areas were 1.02 times as likely to test positive for COVID-19, (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 1.02, [95% CI 0.95, 1.10]); 1.77 times as likely to die (IRR 1.77, [95% CI 1.17, 2.66]); and were 1.15 times as likely to be tested (IRR 1.15, [95% CI 0.99, 1.33]). There are notable differences in COVID-19 related outcomes between racial and ethnic groups at individual and community levels. This study illustrates the health disparities and underlying systemic inequalities experienced by communities of color

Maternal diabetes mellitus as an independent risk factor for clinically significant retinopathy of prematurity severity in neonates less than 1500g.

BackgroundRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant morbidity in preterm babies. Multiple risk factors for severe ROP have been extensively studied, however, only a few studies have included maternal diabetes mellitus (MDM) in their assessment. ROP and diabetic retinopathy are both retinal vascular diseases in which there is leakage and/or neovascularization from damaged retinal vessels. Diabetes may affect ROP development; however, there are conflicting results on the association between MDM and ROP.ObjectiveTo determine if MDM is an independent risk factor for clinically significant ROP (ROP > Stage II) in neonates weighing less than 1500g.Design/methodWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of neonates weighing ResultsWe extracted 883 paired maternal-neonatal data. The mean (standard deviation) gestational age and birthweight were 28.5 (2.9) weeks and 1052.7 (300.9) grams, respectively. Of the 883 mothers, 72 (8.2%) had DM. The incidence of ROP and severe ROP was 42.4% (374/883) and 6.5% (57/883) respectively. The odds ratio comparing MDM and severe ROP was 3.47 [95% CI: 1.51-7.96]; pConclusionMaternal diabetes is associated with ROP and the strength of association increased with increasing severity of ROP

Qualitative demographical, clinical, and qualitative interview responses among 33 Illinois residents hospitalized with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) — April–December, 2009.

a<p>Intensive care unit.</p>b<p>Over-the-counter.</p