COVID-19 hotspots through clusters analysis in France (may-October 2020): where should we track the virus to mitigate the spread?

Background: In France, the lifting of the lockdown implemented to control the COVID-19 first wave in 2020 was followed by a reinforced contact-tracing (CT) strategy for the early detection of cases and transmission chains. We developed a reporting system of clusters defined as at least three COVID-19 cases, within seven days and belonging to the same community or having participated in the same gathering, whether they know each other or not. The aim of this study was to describe the typology and criticality of clusters reported between the two lockdowns in France to guide future action prioritisation.

Early assessment of the impact of mitigation measures to control COVID-19 in 22 French metropolitan areas, October to November 2020.

In France, measures including curfew and lockdown were implemented to control the COVID-19 pandemic second wave in 2020. This study descriptively assesses their possible effects, also relative to their timing. A considerable decrease in incidence of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions was observed 7 to 10 days after mitigation measures were put in place, occurring earlier in metropolitan areas which had implemented these first.

Mental Healthcare Utilization among Homeless People in the Greater Paris Area.

The healthcare utilization of homeless people is generally considered insufficient, and studies often suffer from methodological bias (institutionalized vs. street samples). To adapt public health policies in France, epidemiological data on this population are scarce.

The efficacy of a compounded micronutrient supplement on the incidence, duration, and severity of the common cold: A pilot randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Purpose: Viral upper respiratory infections are associated with significant health and economic impact. This study sought to determine the efficacy of routine immune system micronutrient supplementation on the incidence, duration and severity of common cold symptoms.

Methods: This pilot study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of N = 259 with asymptomatic participants aged 18 to 65 in two cold seasons of 2016 and 2017.

[Establishing a public policy for migrant health].

Based on nursing reports and interviews, a public health program was set up in the Paris region in order to respond to the health needs of thousands of refugees with the goal of steering them, if necessary toward medical care. Elaborated gradually and interfacing with refugee social policies, this organization seems effective. Although subject to certain conditions, this experience provides lessons that could be generalized to other areas of public health and other populations.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Addictions among Homeless People in the Greater Paris Area, France.

The Samenta study was conducted in 2009 in the Greater Paris area to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in homeless people. A cross-sectional survey was performed with a three-stage random sample of homeless people ( = 859), including users of day services, emergency shelters, hot meal distribution, long-term rehabilitation centres, and social hotels. Information was collected by a lay interviewer, using the and completed by a psychologist through an open clinical interview.

Changes in sexual behaviours: from secular trends to public health policies.

Objective: To explore the relative contribution of secular trends and public health policies to changes in sexual behaviour.

Design: Three random probability surveys of the sexual behaviour of people aged 18-69 years were conducted in 1970, 1992 and 2006 in France.

Methods: Data of the 2006 survey (n = 12,364) were compared with those from two surveys carried out in 1970 (n = 2625) and 1992 (n = 20,055).

Prevalence and characteristics of diabetes among homeless people attending shelters in Paris, France, 2006.

Chronic diseases are frequent in homeless people. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in people living in shelters and to describe the characteristics of homeless people previously diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes screening was systematically performed in nine shelters in Paris, from October to December 2006.

Cost-effectiveness of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in France.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in France.

Methods: We used a decision tree to evaluate, from a society's perspective, the cost of PEP per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved. We used 1999-2003 PEP surveillance data and literature-derived data on per event transmission probabilities, PEP efficacy and quality of life with HIV.

Epilepsy among the homeless: prevalence and characteristics.

Homelessness is associated with several risk factors for epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is a stigmatizing condition, which can lead to problematic social adjustment and competence. We found a markedly higher prevalence of seizures among the homeless than that estimated in the general population, with a large majority of non-alcoholic etiology.

Development and validation of an immunoassay for identification of recent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infections and its use on dried serum spots.

The objective was to develop and to validate an immunossay to identify recent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections that can be used on dried serum spots (DSS). A single, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to quantify antibodies toward four HIV-1 antigens: consensus peptides of the immunodominant epitope of gp41 (IDE), consensus V3 peptides, recombinant integrase, and recombinant p24. The parameters of the logistic regression used to classify the samples were estimated on a training sample (210 serum samples) using resampling techniques to get stable estimates and then applied to a validation sample (761 serum samples).

Post-exposure prophylaxis after non-occupational HIV exposure: impact of recommendations on physicians' experiences and attitudes.

Objective(s): To evaluate the impact of official recommendations for non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), issued in France in 1998, on physicians' prescriptions and attitudes and the occurrence of severe PEP side-effects.

Design: Two surveys were carried out among hospital physicians involved in HIV care, before (1997) and after (1999) the publication of recommendations.

Methods: Questionnaires explored, for the last 12 months, description of PEP requests and prescriptions, detailed description of the latest treated exposure, prescription attitudes towards five exposure scenarios and types of severe side-effects of antiretroviral drugs (in 1999 only).