Public health
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Vaccination coverage of general practitioners (GPs) is important for their own and for their colleagues' and patients' protection and has been associated with the coverage of the general population. Our study aims to evaluate the vaccination practices of GPs in Crete, Greece. ⋯ This study revealed insufficient vaccination rates and misconceptions among GPs that should be the focus of future evidence-based interventions with potential to significantly improve vaccination coverage of GPs and indirectly of their patients.
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Most African countries have poor maternal and reproductive health outcomes. This is due, in part, to many factors such as accessibility issues, which hinder women in developing countries from using life-saving maternal and reproductive health services. Therefore, this study considered two main objectives: (i) to examine prevalence of delivery care services in Sierra Leone; and (ii) to identify sociodemographic factors associated with the use of the aforementioned health services. ⋯ Use of delivery care services remains low in Sierra Leone. It is possible that the introduction of the Free Healthcare Initiative played a vital role in increasing the use of these services. Further policy debates are needed to ensure universal coverage.
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Sociodemographic disparities in the incidence and mortality of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated conditions have been well documented in the pre-HPV vaccine era. It is still unknown if the introduction of routine vaccination has been effective in reducing these prevaccine era inequalities. The purpose of this review was to determine the utilization of sociodemographic variables to assess for disparities in population-level HPV vaccine impact research and to evaluate the current evidence for disparities in the reduction of HPV-associated conditions after vaccine introduction in the United States (US). ⋯ Although approximately half of the studies that assessed the impact of the HPV vaccine measured sociodemographic characteristics, few presented results in a way that allowed for the identification of potential differences in impact between the relevant subgroups of the population. Determining to what extent, if any, vaccines are reducing known sociodemographic disparities is an important public health priority and an essential step in developing immunization strategies that are beneficial for all.
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To our knowledge, there has been limited description of emergency department (ED) visits involving homeless patients over the last decade. Our study aims to analyze US national survey data to elucidate the differences between homeless and non-homeless patients' ED visits in terms of patient demographics, resource utilization, and diagnoses received. ⋯ Less than one in 100 US ED visits in 2005-2015 were made by homeless patients. Compared with the non-homeless, homeless patients had greatly increased rates of ED care for alcohol-related, substance abuse-related, and mental health-related problems, particularly schizophrenia and personality disorders. Homeless patients were also more likely to be seen in the ED within the past 72 h or the past 12 months. Homeless patients were more likely to be admitted to the hospital and, when admitted, exhibited longer stay times.