COVID-19 recovery and the health argument for climate action. Commentary on the WHO COP26 special report on climate change and health

Significance: • Critical climate change and health action needs to be considered globally post the COVID-19 pandemic.• The WHO Climate Change and Health Special Report outlines 10 priority recommendations to be considered by nations and adopted at COP26.• The special report provides South Africa with the opportunity to consider how the priority recommendations can be implemented locall

Rapid assessment response (RAR) study: drug use and health risk - Pretoria, South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Within a ten year period South Africa has developed a substantial illicit drug market. Data on HIV risk among drug using populations clearly indicate high levels of HIV risk behaviour due to the sharing of injecting equipment and/or drug-related unprotected sex. While there is international evidence on and experience with adequate responses, limited responses addressing drug use and drug-use-related HIV and other health risks are witnessed in South Africa. This study aimed to explore the emerging problem of drug-related HIV transmission and to stimulate the development of adequate health services for the drug users, by linking international expertise and local research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) methodology was adopted for the study. For individual and focus group interviews a semi-structured questionnaire was utilised that addressed key issues. Interviews were conducted with a total of 84 key informant (KI) participants, 63 drug user KI participants (49 males, 14 females) and 21 KI service providers (8 male, 13 female).</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Adverse living conditions and poor education levels were cited as making access to treatment harder, especially for those living in disadvantaged areas. Heroin was found to be the substance most available and used in a problematic way within the Pretoria area. Participants were not fully aware of the concrete health risks involved in drug use, and the vague ideas held appear not to allow for concrete measures to protect themselves. Knowledge with regards to substance related HIV/AIDS transmission is not yet widespread, with some information sources disseminating incorrect or unspecific information.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The implementation of pragmatic harm-reduction and other evidence-based public health care policies that are designed to reduce the harmful consequences associated with substance use and HIV/AIDS should be considered. HIV testing and treatment services also need to be made available in places accessed by drug users.</p

Preliminary psycometric assessment of the Brazilian version of the DISABKIDS Atopic Dermatitis Module

OBJECTIVE: To assess preliminary psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of a questionnaire for measuring health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a sample consisting of 52 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, and their parents or caregivers, selected at the dermatology department of a university hospital in the city of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, in 2009. Construct validity, internal consistency and agreement between the responses of children and adolescents and their parents or caregivers were assessed in the Brazilian Portuguese version of the DISABKIDS-Atopic Dermatitis Module (ADM). RESULTS: Adequate internal consistency was found with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.7024/0.8124 and 0.7239/0.8604. The multitrait multimethod analysis for assessing convergent validity showed measures higher than 0.30 for all items. The analysis showed good discriminant validity. Agreement between child self-report and parent proxy-report was evaluated using intra-class correlation with measures impact and social stigma of disease of 0.8173 and 0.7629, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that the DISABKIDS-ADM can be used by Brazilian researchers after its complete validation as it showed adequate preliminary psychometric properties and can be considered a valid, reliable instrument.OBJETIVO: Analizar las propiedades psicométricas iniciales de la versión brasileña de instrumento de evaluación de cualidad de vida relacionada con la salud de niños y adolescentes con dermatitis atópica. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado con muestra de 52 niños y adolescentes, con edades entre ocho y 18 años, diagnosticados con dermatitis atópica, y sus responsables, reclutados en servicio de dermatología de hospital universitario en la ciudad de Sao Paulo, Sureste de Brasil, en 2009. Se evaluaron la validez del constructo, la confiabilidad de consistencia interna y la correlación entre las respuestas de niños y adolescentes y sus responsables de la versión brasileña del Atopic Dermatitis Module (DISABKIDS-ADM). RESULTADOS: La confiabilidad de consistencia interna fue satisfactoria, con coeficiente alfa de Cronbach aceptables para las dimensiones constantes en el instrumento (0,7024/0,8124 y 0,7239/0,8604). El análisis multitrazo-multimétodo para validez convergente mostró valores mayores a 0,30 para todos los ítems. Con relación a la validez discriminante, el análisis reveló resultados satisfactorios. La concordancia entre las versiones self y proxy fue evaluada por el coeficiente de correlación intraclase, con valores de 0,8173 para impacto y 0,7629 para estigma. CONCLUSIONES: Frente a los resultados encontrados, se considera que el instrumento DISABKIDS-ADM puede ser utilizado por investigadores brasileños después de finalizar su proceso de validación, dado que sus resultados iniciales apuntan propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias, que permiten considerarlo un instrumento valido y confiable.OBJETIVO: Analisar as propriedades psicométricas iniciais da versão brasileira de instrumento de avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de crianças e adolescentes com dermatite atópica. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com amostra de 52 crianças e adolescentes, com idades entre oito e 18 anos, diagnosticados com dermatite atópica, e seus responsáveis, recrutados em serviço de dermatologia de hospital universitário na cidade de São Paulo, SP, em 2009. Foram avaliadas a validade de construto, a confiabilidade de consistência interna e a correlação entre as respostas de crianças e adolescentes e seus responsáveis da versão brasileira do Atopic Dermatitis Module (DISABKIDS-ADM). RESULTADOS: A confiabilidade de consistência interna foi satisfatória, com coeficiente alfa de Cronbach aceitável para as dimensões constantes no instrumento (0,7024/0,8124 e 0,7239/0,8604). A análise multitraço-multimétodo para validade convergente mostrou valores maiores que 0,30 para todos os itens. Quanto à validade discriminante, a análise revelou resultados satisfatórios. A concordância entre as versões self e proxy foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de correlação intra-classe, com valores de 0,8173 para impacto e 0,7629 para estigma. CONCLUSÕES: Diante dos resultados encontrados, considera-se que o instrumento DISABKIDS-ADM pode ser utilizado por pesquisadores brasileiros depois de finalizado seu processo de validação, por seus resultados iniciais apontarem propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias, que permitem considerá-lo um instrumento válido e confiável

Healing the dragon : heroin use disorder intervention

The history of heroin use disorder intervention has been characterised by fads and fashions. Some of the treatments that have been used have been, at best ineffective, and at worst harmful, and occasionally even dangerous. It is a sad reflection upon the field that practices and procedures for the treatment of heroin use disorders can so easily be introduced and applied without (or even contrary to) evidence. In South Africa, the field of heroin use disorder intervention has been `in transition' since the outbreak of the heroin epidemic. Yet despite growing evidence of an association between heroin dependents use of supplementary intervention services (such as psychosocial and pharmacological/medical care) and intervention outcomes, and the fact that international emerging standards for substance use disorder intervention have called upon treatment intervention providers to enhance traditional substance use disorder services with services that address clients' psychological and social needs, heroin use disorder intervention programmes in South Africa generally fail to meet these research-based intervention standards. Much of what is currently delivered as intervention is based upon current best guesses of how to combine some science-based (for example, cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapies) and self-help (12-step programmes) approaches into optimal intervention protocols. As progression is made in the twenty-first century, scientific information is now beginning to be used to guide the evolution and delivery of heroin use disorder care internationally. Regrettably, a scarcity of heroin use disorder intervention research is noted in South Africa. The present study delved into the insights of ten heroin use disorder specialists, and synthesised the findings with the results of a previous study undertaken by the author relating to forty long-term voluntarily abstinent heroin dependents. In terms of theory and practice, findings of the study suggest that the field is less in transition now than it was in 1995. It is an imperative that law-enforcement action be followed by an integrated programme of psychological, social and pharmacological outreach. These programmes will have to be expanded to address new demands and will need to include specialised skills training. Many interventions and procedures have begun to be integrated routinely into clinical practice.Psychology(D. Phil. (Psychology)

Adaptation of the generic DISABKIDS® module for Brazilian children and adolescents with chronic disorders

OBJECTIVES: to describe the process of cultural adaptation to Brazil Generic Module DISABKIDS for Chronic Conditions (DCGM-37), a generic instrument for measuring the quality of life of children and adolescents with chronic conditions. METHODS: a cross-cutting methodological study was carried out in pediatric outpatients clinics in Brazil, covering 118 children/adolescents with asthma or diabetes and their parents or carers. Translation, back-translation and cultural adaptation were carried out to obtain conceptual and semantic equivalence at the level of individual items.Equivalence was measured statistically by describing the initial psychometric properties, using validity and reliability criteria. RESULTS: most of the items were considered relevant and 14 of them were modified following the semantic validation phase. Values for Cronbach's alpha were α=0.92 and α=0.93, for the version for children and adolescents and the version for parents and carers, respectively. Analysis of correlations between items and dimensions revealed a satisfactory degree of convergent and discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: the initial phase indicates that DISABKIDS module is a valid and reliable tool for measuring quality of life in a Brazilian context.OBJETIVOS: descrever o processo de adaptação cultural para o Brasil do Módulo Genérico DISABKIDS para Condicões Crônicas (DCGM-37), um instrumento genérico para mensuração da qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes com condições crônicas. MÉTODOS: estudo metodológico, transversal, conduzido em ambulatórios pediátricos brasileiros, incluindo 118 crianças/adolescentes com asma ou diabetes e seus pais/cuidadores. Os processos de tradução-retrotradução e adaptação cultural foram realizados visando a obter equivalência conceitual e semântica em nível de itens. A equivalência de medida foi avaliada por análise estatística, realizada para descrição das propriedades psicométricas iniciais, segundo os critérios de validade e confiabilidade. RESULTADOS: a maioria dos itens foi considerada relevante e 14 deles foram modificados após a fase de validação semântica. Valores para a estatística alfa de Cronbach foram α=0,92 e α=0,93, para a versão crianças/adolescentes e pais/cuidadores respectivamente. A análise das correlações entre itens e dimensões mostrou validade convergente e discriminante satisfatórias. CONCLUSÕES: a fase inicial indica que o instrumento deverá constituir ferramenta válida e confiável para mensuração da qualidade de vida na realidade brasileira.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Departamento de Odontologia Preventiva e SocialUniversidade de São Paulo Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão PretoUniversitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Instituto e Policlínica de Medicina PsicológicaUNIFESPSciEL

Glucagon-like peptide 1 aggregates into low-molecular-weight oligomers off-pathway to fibrillation

The physical stability of peptide-based drugs is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a 31-amino acid peptide hormone, the analogs of which are frequently used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We investigated the physical stability of GLP-1 and its C-terminal amide derivative, GLP-1-Am, both of which aggregate into amyloid fibrils. While off-pathway oligomers have been proposed to explain the unusual aggregation kinetics observed previously for GLP-1 under specific conditions, these oligomers have not been studied in any detail. Such states are important as they may represent potential sources of cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Here, we identified and isolated stable, low-molecular-weight oligomers of GLP-1 and GLP-1-Am, using size-exclusion chromatography. Under the conditions studied, isolated oligomers were shown to be resistant to fibrillation or dissociation. These oligomers contain between two and five polypeptide chains and they have a highly disordered structure as indicated by a variety of spectroscopic techniques. They are highly stable with respect to time, temperature, or agitation despite their noncovalent character, which was established using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These results provide evidence of stable, low-molecular-weight oligomers that are formed by an off-pathway mechanism which competes with amyloid fibril formation

Adaptación cultural y propiedades psicométricas iniciales del instrumento DISABKIDS ® – Cystic Fibrosis Module – versión brasileña

This study aimed to perform the cultural adaptation and describe the initial psychometric properties of the DISABKIDS®−Cystic Fibrosis Module instrument to measure health-related quality of life for children and adolescents and their parents/caregivers. Methodological study of sequential development, including 126 participants in four Brazilian states. Involved translation and back translation of items, semantic and conceptual equivalence, face validity and description of the initial psychometric properties related to the construct and reliability. For semantic equivalence of the adapted version, there were adjustments in the phrasing of an item. The instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.70 and 0.85, convergent validity with correlation values above 0.40 in 85% of the items and divergent validity with scale fit higher than 75%. The Brazilian version of DISABKIDS® – CFM will certainly constitute a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the quality of life of Brazilian children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo adaptar culturalmente y describir las propiedades psicométricas iniciales del instrumento de medida de la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud, DISABKIDS® – Cystic Fibrosis Module para niños/adolescentes y sus padres/cuidadores. Estudio metodológico de desarrollo secuencial, incluyendo 126 participantes en cuatro estados brasileños. Envolvió la traducción y retro-traducción de los ítems, la equivalencia conceptual y semántica, la validez externa y la descripción de las propiedades psicométricas iniciales con relación al constructo y la confiabilidad. Para la equivalencia semántica de la versión adaptada hubo ajustes en la redacción de un ítem. El instrumento presentó consistencia interna satisfactoria con valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,70 y 0,85, validez convergente con valores de correlación superiores a 0,40 en 85% de los ítems y validez divergente con valores de ajuste superiores a 75%. La versión brasileña del DISABKIDS® - CFM ciertamente será un instrumento válido y confiable para medir la Calidad de Vida de niños y adolescentes con fibrosis quística.Este estudo objetivou adaptar culturalmente e descrever as propriedades psicométricas iniciais do instrumento de mensuração de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde DISABKIDS® − Cystic Fibrosis Module para crianças e adolescentes e seus pais/cuidadores. Estudo metodológico de desenvolvimento sequencial, incluindo 126 participantes em quatro estados brasileiros. Envolveu tradução e retrotradução dos itens, equivalência conceitual e semântica, validade de face e descrição das propriedades psicométricas iniciais relacionadas ao construto e fidedignidade . Para equivalência semântica da versão adaptada houve ajustes na redação de um item. O instrumento apresentou consistência interna satisfatória com valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,70 e 0,85, validade convergente com valores de correlação acima 0,40 em 85% dos itens e validade divergente com valores de ajuste superiores a 75%. A versão brasileira do DISABKIDS® - CFM certamente se constituirá em um instrumento válido e confiável para a mensuração da qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes brasileiros com fibrose cística.Universidade de São Paulo Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirao PretoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Departamento de Odontologia Preventiva e SocialHospital das Clinicas Hospital das ClinicasFaculdade de Medicina Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade de São PauloUniversitatsklinikim Hambug-EppendorfUNIFESPSciEL

Children and adolescents on hemodialysis: attributes associated with quality of life


Estudio de corte transversal, realizado en un Hospital docente, con una muestra de 735 internaciones, cuyo objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la ocurrencia de incidentes relacionados a la medicación, registrados en las historias clínicas de los pacientes hospitalizados en el Servicio de Cirugía, en el año de 2010. Se realizó la categorización de los tipos de incidentes y fueron presentados la frecuencia absoluta y relativa, calculando la prevalencia y realizando el análisis multivariante. La prevalencia de los incidentes relacionados a la medicación se estimó en 48,0% y fueron identificados como factores relacionados a la ocurrencia de estos incidentes: tiempo de la hospitalización igual o superior a cuatro días, prescripción de tres o más medicamentos por día y realización de la intervención quirúrgica. Se espera haber contribuido para que los profesionales y administradores del área puedan identificar situaciones de riesgo y revisar su actuación.Objetivo: Identificar atributos impactantes da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de crianças e adolescentes com insuficiência renal crônica, em hemodiálise, como etapa inicial para a construção do módulo específico DISABKIDS®. Método: Estudo exploratório descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, cujos dados foram coletados entre agosto de 2011 e março de 2013, por meio da técnica do grupo focal, com 42 participantes, entre 8 e 18 anos, e seus pais ou cuidadores. Os dados foram analisados segundo análise de conteúdo temática, com a utilização do programa Qualitative Data Analysis Software. Resultados: Foram identificados sete temas: restrições hídricas e alimentares, limitações impostas pelo tratamento, tempo dedicado ao tratamento, alteração da imagem corporal relacionada ao acesso vascular e crescimento, estigma, autocuidado e esperança do transplante renal. Conclusão: Aspectos relevantes da vivência dos participantes em relação à doença e ao tratamento foram apreendidos, buscando compreender de que forma esse processo associa-se à sua qualidade de vida.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the occurrence of incidents related to medication, registered in the medical records of patients admitted to a Surgical Clinic, in 2010. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at a university hospital, with a sample of 735 hospitalizations. Was performed the categorization of types of incidents, multivariate analysis of regression logistic and calculated the prevalence. The prevalence of drug-related incidents was estimated at 48.0% and were identified, as factors related to the occurrence of these incidents: length of hospitalization more than four days, prescribed three or more medications per day and realization of surgery intervention. It is expected to have contributed for the professionals and area managers can identify risky situations and rethink their actions.

Validity of the DISABKIDS® - Cystic Fibrosis Module for Brazilian children and adolescents

OBJETIVO: validar o instrumento de mensuração de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde DISABKIDS(r) - Módulo Fibrose Cística para crianças e adolescentes (versão self) brasileiros. MÉTODO: estudo metodológico no qual se considerou uma amostra com 113 participantes (54 meninas e 59 meninos, idade média de 11,91 anos e desvio-padrão=2,79) de três Estados brasileiros, São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais e do Distrito Federal, 51 deles provenientes do estudo-piloto e 62 participantes do estudo de campo. As respostas ao instrumento foram analisadas segundo distribuições de frequências em relação aos efeitos floor e ceiling, estatísticas alpha de Cronbach, coeficiente de Correlação Linear de Pearson, análise multitraço-multimétodo e análise fatorial confirmatória, segundo modelos de equações estruturais. RESULTADOS: o instrumento apresentou alto índice de consistência interna (verificado pelo alpha de Cronbach) e validade de construto, segundo análise multitraço-multimétodo. O instrumento DISABKIDS(r) - Módulo Fibrose Cística, versão self, manteve sua estrutura fatorial igual ao modelo originalmente proposto. CONCLUSÃO: a validação do instrumento encontra-se finalizada e aponta que a versão self está validada para o uso no Brasil e pode ser inserida na rotina de seguimento dessa população.OBJETIVOS: validar el instrumento de mensuración de calidad de vida relacionada a la salud DISABKIDS(r)-Módulo Fibrosis Cística para niños y adolescentes (versión self) brasileños. MÉTODO: estudio metodológico en el cual se consideró una muestra con 113 participantes (54 niñas y 59 niños; promedio de edad de 11,91 años y DE=2,79) de cuatro estados brasileños, São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais y del Distrito Federal, 51 provenientes del estudio piloto y 62 participantes del estudio de campo. Las respuestas al instrumento fueron analizadas según distribuciones de frecuencias con relación a los efectos floor y ceiling, estadísticas Alpha de Cronbach, coeficiente de Correlación Linear de Pearson, análisis Multitrazo-multimétodo y análisis factorial confirmatoria según modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. RESULTADOS: el instrumento mostró alto índice de consistencia interna (verificado por el Alpha de Cronbach) y validez de constructo, según el análisis Multitrazo-Multimétodo. El instrumento DISABKIDS(r) - Módulo Fibrosis Cística, versión self, mantuvo su estructura factorial igual al modelo originalmente propuesto. CONCLUSIÓN: la validez del instrumento está finalizada e indica que la versión self está validada para uso en Brasil y puede ser insertada en la rutina de seguimiento de esta población.OBJECTIVES: to validate the health-related quality of life measuring instrument DISABKIDS(r) - Cystic Fibrosis Module (self version) for Brazilian children and adolescents. METHOD: methodological study in which a sample of 113 participants (54 girls and 59 boys; mean age 11.91 years and SD=2.79) was considered, from four Brazilian states, São Paulo, Paraná, Minas Gerais and the Federal District, 51 of whom participated in the pilot study and 62 in the field study. The answers to the questionnaire were analyzed, considering the frequency distributions with regard to the floor and ceiling effects, Cronbach's Alpha statistics, Pearson's Linear Correlation Coefficient, Mulitrait-Multimethod analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis according to Structural Equations Modeling. RESULTS: the instrument showed a high internal consistency coefficient (verified using Cronbach's Alpha) and construct validity, according to the Multitrait-Multimethod analysis. The DISABKIDS(r) - Cystic Fibrosis Module, self version, maintained the same factorial structure as in the originally proposed model. CONCLUSION: the instrument validation has been finished and indicates that the self version is validated for use in Brazil and can be included into the monitoring routine of this population

Misidentification of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by the Cepheid Xpert MRSA NxG assay, the Netherlands, February to March 2021

We describe two false-negative results in the detection of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of sequence type 398 and spa type t011 using the Cepheid Xpert MRSA NxG assay. The isolates were recovered in late February and early March 2021 from two patients in different hospitals in the northern Netherlands. Variations between the two isolate genomes indicate that this MRSA strain might have been spreading for some time and could have disseminated to other regions of the Netherlands and other European countries