Factors Associated With COVID-19 Infection Among Thai Health Care Personnel with High Risk Exposures: The Important Roles of Double Masking and Physical Distancing While Eating.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Pienthong T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8987642 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Thai healthcare personnel with high-risk exposures: The important roles of double masking and physical distancing while eating.
Pienthong Thanus T Khawcharoenporn Thana T Apisarnthanarak Piyaporn P Weber David J DJ Apisarnthanarak Anucha A
Infection control and hospital epidemiology 20220318 12
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Project description:During the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of mandatory face mask usage triggered a heated debate. A major point of controversy is whether community use of masks creates a false sense of security that would diminish physical distancing, counteracting any potential direct benefit from masking. We conducted a randomized field experiment in Berlin, Germany, to investigate how masks affect distancing and whether the mask effect interacts with the introduction of an indoor mask mandate. Joining waiting lines in front of stores, we measured distances kept from the experimenter in two treatment conditions - the experimenter wore a mask in one and no face covering in the other - in two time spans - before and after mask use becoming mandatory in stores. We find no evidence that mandatory masking has a negative effect on distance kept toward a masked person. To the contrary, masks significantly increase distancing and the effect does not differ between the two periods. However, we show that after the mandate distances are shorter in locations where more non-essential stores, which were closed before the mandate, had reopened. We argue that the relaxations in general restrictions that coincided with the mask mandate led individuals to reduce other precautions, like keeping a safe distance.
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Project description:Given the continued burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) across the U.S., there is a high unmet need for data to inform decision-making regarding social distancing and universal masking. We examined the association of community-level social distancing measures and individual masking with risk of predicted COVID-19 in a large prospective U.S. cohort study of 198,077 participants. Individuals living in communities with the greatest social distancing had a 31% lower risk of predicted COVID-19 compared with those living in communities with poor social distancing. Self-reported masking was associated with a 63% reduced risk of predicted COVID-19 even among individuals living in a community with poor social distancing. These findings provide support for the efficacy of mask-wearing even in settings of poor social distancing in reducing COVID-19 transmission. In the current environment of relaxed social distancing mandates and practices, universal masking may be particularly important in mitigating risk of infection.
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Project description:There is strong evidence associating the indoor environment with transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 can spread by exposure to droplets and very fine aerosol particles from respiratory fluids that are released by infected persons. Layered mitigation strategies, including but not limited to maintaining physical distancing, adequate ventilation, universal masking, avoiding overcrowding, and vaccination, have shown to be effective in reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the indoor environment. Here, we examine the effect of mitigation strategies on reducing the risk of exposure to simulated respiratory aerosol particles within a classroom-style meeting room. To quantify exposure of uninfected individuals (Recipients), surrogate respiratory aerosol particles were generated by a breathing simulator with a headform (Source) that mimicked breath exhalations. Recipients, represented by three breathing simulators with manikin headforms, were placed in a meeting room and affixed with optical particle counters to measure 0.3-3 µm aerosol particles. Universal masking of all breathing simulators with a 3-ply cotton mask reduced aerosol exposure by 50% or more compared to scenarios with simulators unmasked. While evaluating the effect of Source placement, Recipients had the highest exposure at 0.9 m in a face-to-face orientation. Ventilation reduced exposure by approximately 5% per unit increase in air change per hour (ACH), irrespective of whether increases in ACH were by the HVAC system or portable HEPA air cleaners. The results demonstrate that mitigation strategies, such as universal masking and increasing ventilation, reduce personal exposure to respiratory aerosols within a meeting room. While universal masking remains a key component of a layered mitigation strategy of exposure reduction, increasing ventilation via system HVAC or portable HEPA air cleaners further reduces exposure.
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Project description:ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevention of early childhood caries (ECC) amongst medical personnel in well-baby clinics (WBC).MethodsParticipants were 152 health care professionals, including public health officers, nurses, and physicians, working in WBC in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Participants completed a 6-part online questionnaire asking about demographic data, knowledge and attitudes related to ECC, ECC prevention practices, collaboration, referral systems, and suggestions for improving collaboration between dental and medical personnel in WBC.ResultsWhilst most participants had high levels of knowledge about oral care instructions, tooth brushing frequency, and cariogenic foods and beverages, they knew less about recommendations for timing of the first dental visit, fluoride concentration in toothpaste, and the time for exfoliation of primary teeth. There were significant differences in the proportions of correct answers to questions related to the first dental visit and bottle feeding and in total knowledge scores between physicians and other health care professionals. Most participants demonstrated a positive attitude towards ECC prevention. More than 70% of participants always advise parents on oral hygiene and nutrition related to ECC prevention, but only 29% always refer patients to see dental personnel. Attitudes, collaboration, and referral systems were significantly associated with ECC prevention practices, but not knowledge.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that attitudes, collaboration, and referral systems are key contributors to ECC prevention amongst Thai medical personnel. In addition to training programmes, consistent interprofessional policy and referral systems should be formulated, especially in primary care settings.
| S-EPMC10988251 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Metabolic Syndrome is a clustering of obesity, hyperglycemia/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. We aimed to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome among Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel and its risk factors. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from 2017 to 2021. Metabolic syndrome was defined by NCEP ATP III (2005 Revision). A total of 98,264 participants were enrolled in the present study. The overall incidence rate of metabolic syndrome was 3.7 per 100 person-year (95% CI 3.7-3.8). The statistically significant risk factors for metabolic syndrome included male sex (aHR 1.40; 95% CI 1.29-1.51), age > 35 years, current alcohol consumption, and no exercise. When stratified by sex, the incidence rate of metabolic syndrome among participants aged ≥ 45 years was higher than those aged < 35 years with aHR 6.34; 95% CI 6.01-6.70 for males and aHR 9.59; 95% CI 7.55-12.19 for females. Our data demonstrated that metabolic syndrome is a common health issue, especially among RTA personnel over 35 years. Alcohol consumption and sedentary behavior played an essential role in facilitating metabolic syndrome in this study population and are potential targets for intervention to enhance primary prevention of the sequelae of metabolic syndrome.
| S-EPMC9489720 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundHyperuricemia has placed an immense burden on the global healthcare system. Studies have discovered a close correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and insulin resistance (IR). The objective of this investigation is to examine the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a simple surrogate for IR, and the presence of hyperuricemia.MethodsBetween 2017 and 2021, an epidemiologic study was conducted on Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel aged 35-60 years, involving a total of 231,286 participants. In the study, hyperuricemia was defined as a SUA level of 7 mg/dL and 6 mg/dL among male and female participants, respectively. Using linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis, the association between the TyG index and SUA was determined.ResultsA positive relationship was demonstrated between the TyG index and the SUA. Overall, SUA increased by 0.32 per unit of TyG index growth (95% CI: 0.31-0.32). In comparison with the first quartile, employees in the fourth TyG quartile had a greater likelihood of having hyperuricemia [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.45, 95% CI: 2.38-2.52]. Effect modification by obesity on the association between the TyG index and SUA was observed (P-interaction < 0.001). Among individuals with obesity, compared with the first TyG index quartile, the AOR for hyperuricemia was 2.15 (95% CI: 2.06-2.25) and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.81-2.53) for the fourth quartile of the TyG index for males and females, respectively. However, for nonobese personnel, in comparison to the top quartile of the TyG index, the AOR for hyperuricemia was 2.73 (95% CI:2.61-2.84) and 5.03 (95% CI: 4.03-6.29) for the fourth quartile of the TyG index for males and females, respectively. Personnel in the fourth TyG index quartile revealed that the prevalence of hyperuricemia reached 44.2%.ConclusionA robust positive association between the TyG index and SUA was illustrated among active-duty RTA personnel. Obesity was identified as a modifier influencing this relationship. Furthermore, individuals in the fourth quarter of the TyG index, regardless of their obesity status, could be considered appropriate candidates for screening SUA levels.
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Project description:ObjectivesThis study investigated the association between baseline exposures to particulate matter with a diameter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and subsequent temporal changes in PM2.5 exposure with the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Royal Thai Army personnel.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using nationwide health check-up data from 21 325 Thai Army personnel between 2018 and 2021. Multilevel mixed-effects parametric survival statistics were utilized to analyze the relationship between baseline (i.e., PM2.5-baseline) and subsequent changes (i.e., PM2.5-change) in PM2.5 exposure and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess this association while considering covariates.ResultsThere was a significant association between both PM2.5 baseline and PM2.5-change and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in a dose-response manner. Compared to quartile 1, the HRs for quartiles 2 to 4 of PM2.5-baseline were 1.11 (95% CI, 0.74 to 1.65), 1.51 (95% CI, 1.00 to 2.28), and 1.77 (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.93), respectively. Similarly, the HRs for quartiles 2 to 4 of PM2.5-change were 1.41 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.75), 1.43 (95% CI, 1.13 to 1.81) and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.84 to 3.14), respectively.ConclusionsOur findings contribute to existing evidence regarding the association between short-term and long-term exposure to PM2.5 and the incidence of diabetes among personnel in the Royal Thai Army.
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Project description:The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has put the entire world in a pandemic situation. In response, strict screening, quarantine protocols, and contact tracing have been conducted in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of social distancing on the Public Bicycle Sharing System (PBSS) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We used the PBSS public dataset of Seoul, South Korea. Difference-in-differences (DID) analysis was used. In the DID approach, the 2 groups are distinguished based on designated year. Cases of PBSS use were observed in 2 time periods: pre- and post-strict social distancing in Seoul, Korea. Average PBSS usage per day doubled during 2019-2020 (30 697 vs 77 996, P < .001). Commuters and weekend users increased during the social distancing period in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. DID analysis showed statistically significant positive effects of high levels of social distancing on PBSS usage, commuters, weekend users, and new subscribers. In conclusion, social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak increased outdoor physical activity. Meaningful outdoor physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic can be safe from infection and psychologically stabilized as long as keeping meticulous physical distancing, such as hand hygiene, wearing facial masks, and surface cleaning of public resources.
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