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International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2022Inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) among urban poor women is a major urban policy concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There was a paucity... (Review)
Review
Inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) among urban poor women is a major urban policy concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There was a paucity of systematic information on WASH among the urban poor during the pandemic. We reviewed the opportunities and challenges faced by the urban poor in LMICs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used the PRISMA guidelines to conduct a comprehensive search of 11 databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL, between November 2019 and August 2021. We used thematic analysis to synthesize the qualitative data and meta-analyses to estimate the pooled prevalence. We screened 5008 records, conducted a full-text review of 153 studies, and included 38 studies. The pooled prevalence of shared water points was 0.71 (95% CI 0.37-0.97), non-adherence to hygiene practices was 0.15 (95% CI 0.08-0.24), non-adherence to face masks was 0.27 (95% CI 0.0-0.81), and access to shared community toilets was 0.59 (95% CI 0.11-1.00). Insufficient facilities caused crowding and long waiting times at shared facilities, making physical distancing challenging. Women reported difficulty in maintaining privacy for sanitation, as men were present due to the stay-at-home rule. Due to unaffordability, women reported using cloth instead of sanitary pads and scarves instead of masks.
Topics: COVID-19; Developing Countries; Female; Humans; Hygiene; Male; Pandemics; Sanitation; Water; Water Supply
PubMed: 36231147
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911845 -
Contact Dermatitis Dec 2022The use of masks for infection control was common in the COVID-19 pandemic. As numerous cross-sectional studies have suggested a link between the use of such masks and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The use of masks for infection control was common in the COVID-19 pandemic. As numerous cross-sectional studies have suggested a link between the use of such masks and various facial dermatoses, a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies was conducted to evaluate this association, as well as potential risk factors for the development of such facial dermatoses. Observational studies were searched for in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register. Thirty-seven observational studies with a total of 29 557 study participants were identified. This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist and quality was assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale., Overall prevalence of facial dermatoses was 55%. Individually, acne, facial dermatitis, itch and pressure injuries were consistently reported as facial dermatoses, with a pooled prevalence of 31%, 24%, 30% and 31%, respectively. Duration of mask-wear was the most significant risk factor for the development of facial dermatoses (95% CI: 1.31-1.54, p < 0.001). Overall, facial dermatoses associated with mask wear are common, and consist of distinct entities. They are related to duration of use. Appropriate and tailored treatment is important to improve the outcomes for these affected patients.
Topics: Humans; Masks; Pandemics; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Facial Dermatoses
PubMed: 35980367
DOI: 10.1111/cod.14203 -
Modifications of auditory feedback and its effects on the voice of adult subjects: a scoping review.CoDAS 2023The auditory perception of voice and its production involve auditory feedback, kinesthetic cues and the feedforward system that produce different effects for the voice.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The auditory perception of voice and its production involve auditory feedback, kinesthetic cues and the feedforward system that produce different effects for the voice. The Lombard, Sidetone and Pitch-Shift-Reflex effects are the most studied. The mapping of scientific experiments on changes in auditory feedback for voice motor control makes it possible to examine the existing literature on the phenomenon and may contribute to voice training or therapies.
PURPOSE
To map experiments and research results with manipulation of auditory feedback for voice motor control in adults.
METHOD
Scope review following the Checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension (PRISMA-ScR) to answer the question: "What are the investigation methods and main research findings on the manipulation of auditory feedback in voice self-monitoring of adults?". The search protocol was based on the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) mnemonic strategy, in which the population is adult individuals, the concept is the manipulation of auditory feedback and the context is on motor voice control. Articles were searched in the databases: BVS/Virtual Health Library, MEDLINE/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online, COCHRANE, CINAHL/Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE.
RESULTS
60 articles were found, 19 on the Lombard Effect, 25 on the Pitch-shift-reflex effect, 12 on the Sidetone effect and four on the Sidetone/Lombard effect. The studies are in agreement that the insertion of a noise that masks the auditory feedback causes an increase in the individual's speech intensity and that the amplification of the auditory feedback promotes the reduction of the sound pressure level in the voice production. A reflex response to the change in pitch is observed in the auditory feedback, however, with particular characteristics in each study.
CONCLUSION
The material and method of the experiments are different, there are no standardizations in the tasks, the samples are varied and often reduced. The methodological diversity makes it difficult to generalize the results. The main findings of research on auditory feedback on voice motor control confirm that in the suppression of auditory feedback, the individual tends to increase the intensity of the voice. In auditory feedback amplification, the individual decreases the intensity and has greater control over the fundamental frequency, and in frequency manipulations, the individual tends to correct the manipulation. The few studies with dysphonic individuals show that they behave differently from non-dysphonic individuals.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Feedback; Pitch Perception; Voice; Speech; Auditory Perception
PubMed: 38126424
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20232022202pt -
BMJ Open Dec 2021The four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC; Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) identified by May 2021 are highly transmissible, yet little is known about their impact on...
OBJECTIVES
The four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC; Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) identified by May 2021 are highly transmissible, yet little is known about their impact on public health measures. We aimed to synthesise evidence related to public health measures and VOC.
DESIGN
A rapid scoping review.
DATA SOURCES
On 11 May 2021, seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Central Register of Controlled Trials, Epistemonikos' L-OVE on COVID-19, medRxiv, bioRxiv) were searched for terms related to VOC, public health measures, transmission and health systems. No limit was placed on date of publication.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies were included if they reported on any of the four VOCs and public health measures, and were available in English. Only studies reporting on data collected after October 2020, when the first VOC was reported, were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Titles, abstracts and full-text articles were screened by two independent reviewers. Data extraction was completed by two independent reviewers using a standardised form. Data synthesis and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.
RESULTS
Of the 37 included studies, the majority assessed the impact of Alpha (n=32) and were conducted in Europe (n=12) or the UK (n=9). Most were modelling studies (n=28) and preprints (n=28). The majority of studies reported on infection control measures (n=17), followed by modifying approaches to vaccines (n=13), physical distancing (n=6) and either mask wearing, testing or hand washing (n=2). Findings suggest an accelerated vaccine rollout is needed to mitigate the spread of VOC.
CONCLUSIONS
The increased severity of VOC requires proactive public health measures to control their spread. Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence for continued implementation of public health measures in conjunction with vaccine rollout. With no studies reporting on Delta, there is a need for further research on this and other emerging VOC on public health measures.
Topics: COVID-19; Hand Disinfection; Humans; Public Health; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34857582
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055781 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Nov 2010Cardiorespiratory arrest outside hospital occurs in approximately 1/10,000 children a year in resource-rich countries, with two-thirds of arrests occurring in children... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Cardiorespiratory arrest outside hospital occurs in approximately 1/10,000 children a year in resource-rich countries, with two-thirds of arrests occurring in children under 18 months of age. Approximately 45% of cases have undetermined causes, including sudden infant death syndrome. Of the rest, 20% are caused by trauma, 10% by chronic disease, and 6% by pneumonia.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review aiming to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of treatments for non-submersion out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest in children? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to December 2009 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 15 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: airway management and ventilation (bag-mask ventilation and intubation), bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, direct-current cardiac shock, hypothermia, intravenous sodium bicarbonate, standard dose of intravenous adrenaline (epinephrine), and training parents to perform resuscitation.
Topics: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Child; Heart Arrest; Humans
PubMed: 21406131
DOI: No ID Found -
Advanced Biomedical Research 2023Recently published researches show that 59% of all transmission came from asymptomatic transmission and at the time of diagnosis health-care workers (HCWs) tend to... (Review)
Review
Recently published researches show that 59% of all transmission came from asymptomatic transmission and at the time of diagnosis health-care workers (HCWs) tend to present without respiratory symptoms. These evidences have raised questions on whether an essential policy for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is the best approach in HCW and other people or not. Therefore, this study conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using face masks and PPE in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in health-care and non-health-care settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis study was prepared according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statement and guided by meta-analysis of observational studies recommendations. Searches in databases were conducted from December 2019 to July 2021. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effect of using face masks and PPE on spread of COVID-19. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using Cochran's Q test and the metrics. In total, 9920 individuals from 14 studies were included in this study. In all settings, application of PPE or any type of masks was associated with reduction in risk of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.29, 0.65]; = 85.21%). In the HCW subgroup, the protective effect had a combined OR of 0.33 (95% CI: (0.15,0.73), = 82.61%). Six studies were found protective effects of wearing mask in non-HCWs (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: (0.31, 1.06), = 85.63%). Results suggest that there is association between face mask/PPE use and reduction of COVID-19.
PubMed: 37057222
DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_337_21 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Face coverings and distancing as preventative measures against the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 may impact communication in several ways that may...
INTRODUCTION
Face coverings and distancing as preventative measures against the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 may impact communication in several ways that may disproportionately affect people with hearing loss. A scoping review was conducted to examine existing literature on the impact of preventative measures on communication and to characterize the clinical implications.
METHOD
A systematic search of three electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL) was conducted yielding 2,158 articles. After removing duplicates and screening to determine inclusion eligibility, key data were extracted from the 50 included articles. Findings are reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews, including the PRISMA-ScR checklist.
RESULTS
Studies fell into three categories: Studies addressing the impacts of personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or distancing on communication in healthcare contexts ( = 20); studies examining the impact of preventative measures on communication in everyday life ( = 13), and studies measuring the impact of face coverings on speech using acoustic and/or behavioral measures ( = 29). The review revealed that masks disrupt verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as emotional and social wellbeing and they impact people with hearing loss more than those without. These findings are presumably because opaque masks attenuate sound at frequencies above 1 kHz, and conceal the mouth and lips making lipreading impossible, and limit visibility of facial expressions. While surgical masks cause relatively little sound attenuation, transparent masks and face shields are highly attenuating. However, they are preferred by people with hearing loss because they give access to visual cues.
CONCLUSION
Face coverings and social distancing has detrimental effects that extend well beyond verbal and non-verbal communication, by affecting wellbeing and quality of life. As these measures will likely be part of everyday life for the foreseeable future, we propose that it is necessary to support effective communication, especially in healthcare settings and for people with hearing loss.
Topics: COVID-19; Communication; Humans; Masks; Quality of Life; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35419343
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.815259 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2023People with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience chronic airway infections as a result of mucus buildup within the lungs. Repeated infections often cause lung damage and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience chronic airway infections as a result of mucus buildup within the lungs. Repeated infections often cause lung damage and disease. Airway clearance therapies aim to improve mucus clearance, increase sputum production, and improve airway function. The active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) is an airway clearance method that uses a cycle of techniques to loosen airway secretions including breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and the forced expiration technique. This is an update of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the clinical effectiveness of ACBT with other airway clearance therapies in CF.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches and handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. We also searched clinical trials registries and the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews. Date of last search: 29 March 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised or quasi-randomised controlled clinical studies, including cross-over studies, comparing ACBT with other airway clearance therapies in CF.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened each article, abstracted data and assessed the risk of bias of each study. We used GRADE to assess our confidence in the evidence assessing quality of life, participant preference, adverse events, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) % predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted, sputum weight, and number of pulmonary exacerbations.
MAIN RESULTS
Our search identified 99 studies, of which 22 (559 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Eight randomised controlled studies (259 participants) were included in the analysis; five were of cross-over design. The 14 remaining studies were cross-over studies with inadequate reports for complete assessment. The study size ranged from seven to 65 participants. The age of the participants ranged from six to 63 years (mean age 18.7 years). In 13 studies follow up lasted a single day. However, there were two long-term randomised controlled studies with follow up of one to three years. Most of the studies did not report on key quality items, and therefore, have an unclear risk of bias in terms of random sequence generation, allocation concealment, and outcome assessor blinding. Due to the nature of the intervention, none of the studies blinded participants or the personnel applying the interventions. However, most of the studies reported on all planned outcomes, had adequate follow up, assessed compliance, and used an intention-to-treat analysis. Included studies compared ACBT with autogenic drainage, airway oscillating devices (AOD), high-frequency chest compression devices, conventional chest physiotherapy (CCPT), positive expiratory pressure (PEP), and exercise. We found no difference in quality of life between ACBT and PEP mask therapy, AOD, other breathing techniques, or exercise (very low-certainty evidence). There was no difference in individual preference between ACBT and other breathing techniques (very low-certainty evidence). One study comparing ACBT with ACBT plus postural exercise reported no deaths and no adverse events (very low-certainty evidence). We found no differences in lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) % predicted and forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted), oxygen saturation or expectorated sputum between ACBT and any other technique (very low-certainty evidence). There were no differences in the number of pulmonary exacerbations between people using ACBT and people using CCPT (low-certainty evidence) or ACBT with exercise (very low-certainty evidence), the only comparisons to report this outcome.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is little evidence to support or reject the use of the ACBT over any other airway clearance therapy and ACBT is comparable with other therapies in outcomes such as participant preference, quality of life, exercise tolerance, lung function, sputum weight, oxygen saturation, and number of pulmonary exacerbations. Longer-term studies are needed to more adequately assess the effects of ACBT on outcomes important for people with cystic fibrosis such as quality of life and preference.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Child; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Cystic Fibrosis; Quality of Life; Respiratory Therapy; Mucus; Chest Wall Oscillation
PubMed: 36727723
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007862.pub5 -
BMC Public Health Apr 2023In December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged with a high transmissibility rate and resulted in numerous negative impacts on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
In December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged with a high transmissibility rate and resulted in numerous negative impacts on global life. Preventive measures such as face masks, social distancing, and vaccination helped control the pandemic. Nonetheless, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Omega and Delta, as well as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinfection, raise additional concerns. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the overall prevalence of reinfection on global and regional scales.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted across three databases, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest Central, including all articles pertaining to COVID-19 reinfection without language restriction. After critical appraisal and qualitative synthesis of the identified relevant articles, a meta-analysis considering random effects was used to pool the studies.
RESULTS
We included 52 studies conducted between 2019 and 2022, with a total sample size of 3,623,655 patients. The overall prevalence of COVID-19 reinfection was 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.7-4.8%; n = 52), with high heterogeneity between studies. Africa had the highest prevalence of 4.7% (95% CI: 1.9-7.5%; n = 3), whereas Oceania and America had lower estimates of 0.3% (95% CI: 0.2-0.4%; n = 1) and 1% (95% CI: 0.8-1.3%; n = 7), respectively. The prevalence of reinfection in Europe and Asia was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.5%; n = 8) and 3.8% (95% CI: 3.4-4.3%; n = 43), respectively. Studies that used a combined type of specimen had the highest prevalence of 7.6% (95% CI: 5.8-9.5%; n = 15) compared with those that used oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs only that had lower estimates of 6.7% (95% CI: 4.8-8.5%; n = 8), and 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.0%; n = 12) respectively.
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 reinfection occurs with varying prevalence worldwide, with the highest occurring in Africa. Therefore, preventive measures, including vaccination, should be emphasized to ensure control of the pandemic.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Prevalence; Reinfection
PubMed: 37118717
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15626-7 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical and... Jan 2023The current pandemic of the acute severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) killed about 6.4 million and infected more than 600 million individuals by... (Review)
Review
The current pandemic of the acute severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) killed about 6.4 million and infected more than 600 million individuals by august of 2022, and researchers worldwide are searching for fast and selective approaches for this virus detection. Colorimetric biosensors are an excellent alternative because they are sensitive, simple, fast, and low-cost for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 compared to standard Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. This study systematically searched and reviewed literature data related to colorimetric biosensors in detecting SARS-CoV-2 viruses, recovered from the Scopus (n = 16), Web of Science (n = 19), PubMed (n = 19), and Science Direct (n = 17) databases totalizing n = 71 articles. Data were analyzed for the type of nanomaterial, biorecognition material at the detection limit (LOD), and devices designed for diagnostics. The most applied nanomaterial were gold nanoparticles, in their original form and hybrid in quantum dots and core-shell. In addition, we show high specificity in point-of-care (POC) diagnostic devices as a faster and cheaper alternative for clinical diagnosis. Finally, the highlights of the colorimetric biosensor developed for diagnostic devices applied in swabs, surgical masks, and lateral flow immunoassays were presented.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Colorimetry; Gold; COVID-19; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 36206693
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.115087