Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
ReviewUniversal masking during COVID-19 pandemic: Can textile engineering help public health? Narrative review of the evidence.
The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 is spreading very quickly around the world. In less than 7 months since it became known to the international community, the virus has infected 18 million in more than 180 countries and killing more than 700,000 people. Person-to-person transmission through infected respiratory droplets from patients with symptoms and asymptomatic carriers is the main mode of spread in the community. ⋯ To avoid personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage crisis for medical staff and other frontline workers, health authorities are recommending the use cloth masks. Although in theory, cloth masks can be helpful to limit the spread of the COVID-19, serious consideration should be given to the choice of textile, the number of layers of cloth used, pre-treatment of the material with water repellent material and other compounds that can enhance the filtration efficiency of the masks without compromising their breathability. This review uses concepts of textile engineering and the theoretical principles of filtration to make suggestions and recommendations to improve the quality and safety of cloth masks for the general public.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of a lifestyle intervention on cardiovascular risk among high-risk individuals for diabetes in a low- and middle-income setting: Secondary analysis of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program.
We aimed to examine whether a lifestyle intervention was effective in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in individuals at high-risk of developing diabetes in a low- and middle-income setting. The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program was evaluated by a cluster-randomized controlled trial (2013-2016) of 1007 individuals (aged 30-60 years) at high-risk for diabetes (Indian Diabetes Risk Score ≥ 60 and without diabetes) in Kerala state, India. Sixty polling areas in Kerala were randomized to intervention or control groups by an independent statistician using a computer-generated randomization sequence. ⋯ The favorable change in CVD risk with the intervention condition was mainly due to the reduction in tobacco use (change index: -0.25, 95% CI: -0.42 to -0.09). Our findings suggest that a community-based peer-support lifestyle intervention could reduce CVD risk in individuals at high-risk of developing diabetes in India. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000262909.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Prevalence, trends, and distribution of nicotine and marijuana use in E-cigarettes among US adults: The behavioral risk factor surveillance system 2016-2018.
Use of substances other than nicotine in e-cigarettes, especially marijuana, is becoming increasingly popular in the US. However, population-representative data on such poly-use (nicotine and marijuana) remains limited. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional logistic regression analysis of the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System among 16 US states/territories with data on past 30-day marijuana use to describe the emerging dual nicotine and marijuana vaping population. ⋯ Dual nicotine and marijuana vaping is prevalent in the US, and compared to predominantly nicotine vapers such users have higher mean ages, and are more likely to be Blacks, Hispanics, and never cigarette smokers. Marijuana use overall increased from 2016 to 2018. Dual vapers represent a large and important emerging population that will require dedicated study of health effects and tailored regulatory strategies.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
The impact of the Great Recession on California domestic violence events, and related hospitalizations and emergency service visits.
Explore the impact of the Great Recession on domestic violence (DV) related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in California. ⋯ Recessions are frequent in modern economies and are repeated cyclically. Our study provides critical information on the effects of the 2007 financial crisis on DV-related healthcare service utilization in California. Given the current financial crisis associated with COVID-19, which expert predict could extend for years, the results from this study shine a spotlight on the importance of DV-related screening, prevention and response.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialSick days in general hospital patients two years after brief alcohol intervention: Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial.
Little is known about the long-term impact of brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) on health and on sick days in particular. The aim was to investigate whether BAIs reduce sick days in general hospital patients over two years, and whether effects depend on how BAIs are delivered; either through in-person counseling (PE) or computer-generated written feedback (CO). To investigate this, secondary outcome data from a three-arm randomized controlled trial with 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month follow-ups were used. ⋯ Differences between PE and CO, and concerning sick days when any reported, were non-significant. This study provides evidence for the long-term efficacy of BAIs concerning health, and concerning sick days in particular. BAIs have the potential to reduce the occurrence of sick days over 2 years, independent of whether they are delivered through in-person counseling or computer-generated written feedback.