Journal of Community Health Research
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Jan-Mar 2022

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Ondo State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with mortality among confirmed LF cases.

A cross sectional study design was used by conducting a retrospective review of the records of all patients who had been treated for LF at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo since 2017 till March 2019. Descriptive statistics were done, case fatality rate was calculated. Chi square tests were used to explore associations. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of death. Data were analysed with SPSS version 23.0. P values ≤0.05 were statistically significant.

The median age was 34 years, and the inter-quartile range was 24-48 years. A total of 30 deaths (case fatality rate [CFR] = 10.9%) were recorded, of which 24 (15.5%) were males. Also, the fatality rate increased from 1.6% in 2017 to 10.5% in 2018 and 16.7% in 2019. During peak period, mortality recorded was 15(8.5%) and non-peak periods (April to December), 14(14.9%) was recorded (p=0.104). Fatality was 12.5% (1 out of 8) among pregnant women with 100% foetal death. Patients aged 18-45 years had 0.25 odds of dying (AOR = 0.25; 95%CI= 0.08, 0.76) compared to those aged ≥ 46 years. Those who commenced ribavirin ≥7 days (AOR 4.1; CI = 1.06, 15.42) and those with elevated urea level (AOR 7.5; CI = 2.5, 23.1) have more odds of dying.

A well-coordinated LF outbreak response is needed both at LF peak non-peak periods.

Individuals living with HIV navigate the health implications of HIV and HIV discrimination. This study aimed to examine changes in internalized stigma and avoidant coping among African American adults living with HIV and serious mental illness (SMI) following a peer-led intervention.

In this quasi-experimental study, 16 patients were recruited using convenience sampling from an HIV clinic in an urban hospital setting in the United States for a community-based participatory research (CBPR) developed peer-led intervention pilot. Participants answered questions about their experiences of HIV-related discrimination, internalized stigma, and cognitive escape coping before and after participating in four 90-minute peer-led weekly group sessions. For data analysis, paired-samples t-test and linear regression with Hayes’ PROCESS Macro in SPSS 27 were used at a 5% significance level.

There was a significant indirect effect of HIV-related discrimination on cognitive escape coping through internalized stigma (b = 0.28, 95% CI [0.03, 0.61]). Post-intervention non-significant associations suggest that a CBPR-developed peer-led intervention may buffer against the effects of HIV-related discrimination.

Our study provides initial support that community and peer support approaches may buffer against the effects of discrimination on internalized stigma and avoidant coping among African American individuals living with HIV and SMI.

Full-service sex workers (FSSWs) are relatively prevalent in the U.S. and are known to face criminalization, stigma, and other factors relating to poor health. The main aim of this study was compare the mental and physical health of full-service sex workers in the United States in 2019-2020

In this prospective cohort study, participants were recruited through national community samples from U.S.-based FSSW advocacy and community organizations. Data were collected from November 2019 to February 2020. The study sample (n=83) included mostly of the white (81.9%), cisgender females (66.3%), who were relatively young (28.01 [4.25]), and identified as a sexual minority (57.8%). Participants completed an online survey on mental (e.g., depression, anxiety) and physical (e.g., sleep, fatigue) health, using the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS-29). Mean (SD) and Frequency (%) were used for description and for data analysis z-tests in SPSS version 27 with 5% significant level were used.

The sample of FSSWs reported significantly poorer health in all health domains compared to the U.S. general population reference indices. FSSWs showed higher levels of depression (p <.001), anxiety (p <.001), fatigue
(p <.001), sleep difficulties (p <.001), lower levels of physical functioning
(p <.001) and the ability to participate in social activities (p =.03) compared with the U.S. reference indices.

FSSWs experience significant mental and physical health disparities compared to general population.  the need for further investigation of the social-ecological determinants of health for members of this marginalized community, many of whom are known to face health inequities.

The present study aims to identify the death awareness and spiritual experience of the health care workers in Iran.

Eleven health care workers involved with Coronavirus patients were selected through purposeful sampling and had in-depth semi-structured interviews. Conventional content analysis was utilized to analyze the data.

The conventional content analysis revealed four themes: 1- Increasing death awareness 2- Effective spiritual strategies; 3- Effective spiritual beliefs;
4- Pleasant and unpleasant existential experiences.

We can conclude that health care workers in dealing with epidemics such as coronavirus as a front-line force need spiritual heath to help themselves and the patients.

Yazd province is the center of Iran and the highway for travelers to other cities. This province is susceptible to disease transmission in Iran.   this study aimed to spatial analysis of corona virus prevalence,  predicting the spread and determination of hot spot  areas in Yazd province, central part of Iran.

  This analytical Cross-sectional study was conducted in Yazd province from February 2020 to January 2021. Patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Yazd province were selected by census. Required information includes the number of patients as well as their place of residence were collected through the hospital information system (HIS)  of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran. The inclusion criteria were positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 and registration of patient information in the hospital emergency department. After collecting the data, it was entered into the ArcGIS software is 9.3.1. software. Moran's I measure and chi square test were used to data analysis. Significant level were considered 5 %.

Overall disease prevalence in Yazd province was equal to 0.0053. The prevalence of disease was higher in men  (55.7%  , 3412 cases). The highest prevalence of the disease occurred in Yazd city (0.0096) and the highest death occurred in Meybod city (20.8%). Bahabad city also had the highest number of transfer (2.7%). Areas one (15.2% and 932 patients) and two (15.9% and 975 patients) of Yazd city were the most infected areas. There was no significant spatial pattern between the prevalence of the disease in the cities (Moran's Index: 0.18, P-value = 0.58).

There was no spatial pattern in the prevalence of the disease and only in the city of Yazd, regions one and two need the special attention of policymakers.

Media literacy can be considered as strengthening media experiences. The media has a great impact on the health of people, including children. However, so far this issue has been understudied and scientific evidence is needed to make a decision.This study aimed to investigate roles of students’ media literacy on their health.

This study is a literature review with systematic search. Different electronic databases were used for a comprehensive literature search, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE to identify the records that match the mentioned inclusion criteria published from Januray 1st of 1990 to December 2020. The search resulted in 32 articles, of which 22 articles were removed (3 were not available, 12 were irrelevant, 7 were duplicates). Ten articles met the selection criteria and were included in the review. Exclusion criteria were those not published in peer reviewed journals, articles that address only one of the topics of media literacy or student health, and the age group of the subjects was over 18 years old or the students were not studied in primary and high school.

This study showed that media literacy is effective on students' behaviors. These behaviors promote health or high-risk behaviors.  the main studies have been conducted on nutrition, obesity, health tips, smoking, drug addiction and alcohol consumption.

It is concluded   that the media has a great role in the health of students and this issue has been proven in previous studies. These effects both improve students' health and increase risky behaviors. Therefore, there is enough evidence for managers to decide to launch.