Characteristics of study variables.

<p>Characteristics of study variables.</p

Associations between meteorological parameters and influenza activity in a subtropical country: Case of five sentinel sites in Yaoundé-Cameroon

<div><p>Influenza is associated with highly contagious respiratory infections. Previous research has found that influenza transmission is often associated with climate variables especially in temperate regions. This study was performed in order to fill the gap of knowledge regarding the relationship between incidence of influenza and three meteorological parameters (temperature, rainfall and humidity) in a tropical setting. This was a retrospective study performed in Yaoundé-Cameroon from January 2009 to November 2015. Weekly proportions of confirmed influenza cases from five sentinel sites were considered as dependent variables, whereas weekly values of mean temperature, average relative humidity and accumulated rainfall were considered as independent variables. A univariate linear regression model was used in determining associations between influenza activity and weather covariates. A time-series method was used to predict on future values of influenza activity. The data was divided into 2 parts; the first 71 months were used to calibrate the model, and the last 12 months to test for prediction. Overall, there were 1173 confirmed infections with influenza virus. Linear regression analysis showed that there was no statistically significant association observed between influenza activity and weather variables. Very weak relationships (-0.1 < r < 0.1) were observed. Three prediction models were obtained for the different viral types (overall positive, Influenza A and Influenza B). Model 1 (overall influenza) and model 2 (influenza A) fitted well during the estimation period; however, they did not succeed to make good forecasts for predictions. Accumulated rainfall was the only external covariate that enabled good fit of both models. Based on the stationary R², 29.5% and 41.1% of the variation in the series can be explained by model 1 and 2, respectively. This study laid more emphasis on the fact that influenza in Cameroon is characterized by year-round activity. The meteorological variables selected in this study did not enable good forecast of future influenza activity and certainly acted as proxies to other factors not considered, such as, UV radiation, absolute humidity, air quality and wind.</p></div

Summary of model performance and estimated coefficients for influenza cases.

<p>Summary of model performance and estimated coefficients for influenza cases.</p

Map showing location of sentinel sites.

<p>1 = “Centre Médico-Social Ambassade de France” (3.85N, 11.51E), 2 = “Centre Hospitalier d’Essos” (3.87N, 11.53E), 3 = “Centre d'Animation Sociale et Sanitaire de Nkolndongo” (3.86N, 11.53E), 4 = “Centre Médical d’Etoudi” (3.92N, 11.52E), 5 = “Centre Médical d’Arrondissement de Nkomo” (3.84N, 11.55E).</p

Weekly distribution of meteorological variables and influenza cases.

<p>A corresponds to mean temperature, B to accumulated rainfall, C corresponds to average relative humidity, D to overall population, E to proportion of influenza cases, F to proportion of influenza A cases, and G to proportion of influenza B cases.</p

Risk of bias assessment.

Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world. It is still unknown how prevalent HCV infection is among worldwide dialysis patients (including those undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). A review was conducted to estimate the global epidemiology of hepatitis C in dialysis patients. We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Global Index Medicus and Web of Science until October 2022. A manual search of references from relevant articles was also conducted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic, and the sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis. In order to assess publication bias, funnel plots and Egger tests were conducted, and pooled HCV prevalence estimates were generated using a DerSimonian and Laird meta-analysis model. The study is registered with PROSPERO under CRD42022237789. We included 634 papers involving 392160 participants. The overall HCV case fatality rate was 38.7% (95% CI = 28.9–49). The global prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis population group were 24.3% [95% CI = 22.6–25.9]. As indicated by UNSD region, country, dialysis type, and HCV diagnostic targeted; Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of 48.6% [95% CI = 35.2–62], Indonesia had 63.6% [95% CI = 42.9–82], hemodialysis patients had 25.5% [95% CI = 23.8–27.3], and anti-HCV were detected in 24.5% [95% CI = 22.8–26.2]. Dialysis patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, have a high prevalence and case fatality rate of HCV infection. Hemodialysis units need to implement strict infection control measures.</div

Characteristics of included studies.

Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world. It is still unknown how prevalent HCV infection is among worldwide dialysis patients (including those undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). A review was conducted to estimate the global epidemiology of hepatitis C in dialysis patients. We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Global Index Medicus and Web of Science until October 2022. A manual search of references from relevant articles was also conducted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic, and the sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis. In order to assess publication bias, funnel plots and Egger tests were conducted, and pooled HCV prevalence estimates were generated using a DerSimonian and Laird meta-analysis model. The study is registered with PROSPERO under CRD42022237789. We included 634 papers involving 392160 participants. The overall HCV case fatality rate was 38.7% (95% CI = 28.9–49). The global prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis population group were 24.3% [95% CI = 22.6–25.9]. As indicated by UNSD region, country, dialysis type, and HCV diagnostic targeted; Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of 48.6% [95% CI = 35.2–62], Indonesia had 63.6% [95% CI = 42.9–82], hemodialysis patients had 25.5% [95% CI = 23.8–27.3], and anti-HCV were detected in 24.5% [95% CI = 22.8–26.2]. Dialysis patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, have a high prevalence and case fatality rate of HCV infection. Hemodialysis units need to implement strict infection control measures.</div

Case fatality race of hepatitis C virus infections in dialysis population.

Case fatality race of hepatitis C virus infections in dialysis population.</p

Items for risk of bias assessment.

Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world. It is still unknown how prevalent HCV infection is among worldwide dialysis patients (including those undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). A review was conducted to estimate the global epidemiology of hepatitis C in dialysis patients. We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Global Index Medicus and Web of Science until October 2022. A manual search of references from relevant articles was also conducted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic, and the sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis. In order to assess publication bias, funnel plots and Egger tests were conducted, and pooled HCV prevalence estimates were generated using a DerSimonian and Laird meta-analysis model. The study is registered with PROSPERO under CRD42022237789. We included 634 papers involving 392160 participants. The overall HCV case fatality rate was 38.7% (95% CI = 28.9–49). The global prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis population group were 24.3% [95% CI = 22.6–25.9]. As indicated by UNSD region, country, dialysis type, and HCV diagnostic targeted; Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of 48.6% [95% CI = 35.2–62], Indonesia had 63.6% [95% CI = 42.9–82], hemodialysis patients had 25.5% [95% CI = 23.8–27.3], and anti-HCV were detected in 24.5% [95% CI = 22.8–26.2]. Dialysis patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, have a high prevalence and case fatality rate of HCV infection. Hemodialysis units need to implement strict infection control measures.</div

List of included studies.

Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world. It is still unknown how prevalent HCV infection is among worldwide dialysis patients (including those undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). A review was conducted to estimate the global epidemiology of hepatitis C in dialysis patients. We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Global Index Medicus and Web of Science until October 2022. A manual search of references from relevant articles was also conducted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic, and the sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis. In order to assess publication bias, funnel plots and Egger tests were conducted, and pooled HCV prevalence estimates were generated using a DerSimonian and Laird meta-analysis model. The study is registered with PROSPERO under CRD42022237789. We included 634 papers involving 392160 participants. The overall HCV case fatality rate was 38.7% (95% CI = 28.9–49). The global prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis population group were 24.3% [95% CI = 22.6–25.9]. As indicated by UNSD region, country, dialysis type, and HCV diagnostic targeted; Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of 48.6% [95% CI = 35.2–62], Indonesia had 63.6% [95% CI = 42.9–82], hemodialysis patients had 25.5% [95% CI = 23.8–27.3], and anti-HCV were detected in 24.5% [95% CI = 22.8–26.2]. Dialysis patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, have a high prevalence and case fatality rate of HCV infection. Hemodialysis units need to implement strict infection control measures.</div