Publications by authors named "Jennifer Hatfield"

Background and objective Butter coffee drinks, mainly a form of a saturated fat diet, are widely accepted as a "healthy energy-boosting drink", especially in the young and healthy military population. The objective of our study was to determine the effects of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil and butter on lipid profile, especially apolipoprotein B (ApoB), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-C), and other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as BMI, BP, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in healthy adults. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective study of 60 subjects who were randomized to one of the two following regimens: (1) coffee or (2) coffee with butter plus MCT oil combination.

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During July-September 2023, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 illness among children in city A, Utah, caused 13 confirmed illnesses; seven patients were hospitalized, including two with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Local, state, and federal public health partners investigating the outbreak linked the illnesses to untreated, pressurized, municipal irrigation water (UPMIW) exposure in city A; 12 of 13 ill children reported playing in or drinking UPMIW. Clinical isolates were genetically highly related to one another and to environmental isolates from multiple locations within city A's UPMIW system.

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We report a 48-year-old female patient with various stress fractures of extremities, musculoskeletal pain, and tooth loss. Hypophosphatasia was diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings and ALPL genetic results. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis of hypophosphatasia in adults and appropriate treatment to prevent further complications.

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Background: In Tanzania, maternal and newborn deaths can be prevented via quality facility-based antenatal care (ANC), delivery, and postnatal care (PNC). Scalable, integrated, and comprehensive interventions addressing demand and service-side care-seeking barriers are needed.

Objective: Assess coverage survey indicators before and after a comprehensive maternal newborn health (MNH) intervention in Misungwi District, Tanzania.

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We report 5 clustered acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Utah, USA, that were linked to healthcare employees working at multiple facilities. Four outbreaks were caused by norovirus genotype GIX. We recommend continued norovirus surveillance and genotyping to determine contributions of this genotype to norovirus outbreaks.

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Background: Maternal and newborn mortality is high immediately after childbirth and up to 42 days postnatally despite the availability of interventions. Postnatal care is crucial in preventing mortality and improving the health of women and newborns. This prospective cohort study investigated the initiation and utilization of postnatal care at health facilities and explored users' and providers' perspectives on utilization of postnatal care services.

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Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis is a neglected tropical disease, thriving in environments of poverty and disadvantage. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and intensity of four soil transmitted helminths (STH) among primary school children in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between May 15 and June 2, 2014.

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Background: Endogenous testosterone increases with weight loss from diet, exercise, and bariatric surgery. However, little is known about testosterone levels after weight loss from medication.

Objectives: Uncover the effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) therapy on serum testosterone.

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Background: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is associated with release of neurotoxic metallic or metalloid chemical elements including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As).

Objective: To examine associations between prenatal exposure and co-exposure to total lead (T-Pb), total mercury (T-Hg), total cadmium (T-Cd) and total arsenic (T-As) and infant neurodevelopment at 6 to 12 months of age in areas with ASGM activities in Tanzania.

Methods: Women in their second trimester of pregnancy who resided in ASGM areas were enrolled from 2015 to 2017 (n = 883).

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Background: In low and middle-income countries, pregnancy and delivery complications may deprive women and their newborns of life or the realization of their full potential. Provision of quality obstetric emergency and childbirth care can reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Underutilization of maternal and childbirth services remains a public health concern in Tanzania.

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Little is known about the impact medical trainees undertaking global health electives (GHEs) have on host institutions and their communities in low-and middle-income countries. The goal of this study was to explore the relationship dynamics associated with GHEs as perceived by host stakeholders at three sites in sub-Saharan Africa. This case-based interpretive phenomenological study examined stakeholder perspectives in Mwanza, Tanzania, and Mbarara and Rugazi, Uganda, where the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada has long-standing institutional collaborations.

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Background: Exposure to arsenic and mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities is an issue that predominantly affects low and middle-income countries. Large epidemiology studies in these communities are rare, and the impact of such exposures on reproductive outcomes are not well understood.

Objective: To examine associations between prenatal maternal arsenic and mercury exposure and birth outcomes in both ASGM and non-ASGM communities in Northern Tanzania.

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Article Synopsis
  • Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Tanzania exposes pregnant women to higher levels of arsenic and mercury, leading to potential health risks for both mothers and their babies.
  • A study involving 1,056 pregnant women found that those living near ASGM sites had significantly higher median levels of arsenic and mercury compared to those in non-ASGM areas.
  • Factors like lower maternal education and socioeconomic status were linked to increased levels of these toxic elements, indicating a need for public health interventions and further investigation into other possible exposure sources.
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Article Synopsis
  • Traditional biomonitoring methods for studying hazardous elements in low-resource settings face challenges, prompting investigation into dried blood spots (DBS) as an alternative.
  • A study conducted in Geita, Tanzania, involved collecting DBS from 44 pregnant women and comparing it to venous blood samples for measuring cadmium, mercury, and lead levels.
  • Results showed that DBS provided reliable and accurate measurements, making it a promising minimally invasive option for monitoring exposure to these elements in vulnerable populations.
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Background: Despite the significant benefits of early detection and management of pregnancy related complications during antenatal care (ANC) visits, not all pregnant women in Tanzania initiate ANC in a timely manner. The primary objectives of this research study in rural communities of Geita district, Northwest Tanzania were: 1) to conduct a population-based study that examined the utilization and availability of ANC services; and 2) to explore the challenges faced by women who visited ANC clinics and barriers to utilization of ANC among pregnant women.

Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed method design was utilized.

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Background: Recognising radical shifts in the global health research (GHR) environment, participants in a 2013 deliberative dialogue called for careful consideration of equity-centred principles that should inform Canadian funding polices. This study examined the existing funding structures and policies of Canadian and international funders to inform the future design of a responsive GHR funding landscape.

Methods: We used a three-pronged analytical framework to review the ideas, interests and institutions implicated in publically accessible documents relevant to GHR funding.

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Background: Diarrheal disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in low and middle income countries with children being disproportionately affected. Project SHINE (Sanitation & Hygiene INnovation in Education) is a grassroots participatory science education and social entrepreneurship model to engage youth and the wider community in the development of sustainable strategies to improve sanitation and hygiene.

Methods: Based in rural and remote Tanzania, this pilot study engaged pastoralist high-school students and communities in the development and evaluation of culturally and contextually relevant strategies to improve sanitation and hygiene.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to determine if maternal mortality data could be collected while keeping local control over the information in a pastoral community, where data scarcity and cultural silence hinder awareness of the issue.
  • A collaborative research project involved traditional birth attendants (TBAs) developing a visual tool called the Pictorial Sisterhood Method, which was tested in a survey with a sample of women.
  • Results indicated a high maternal mortality ratio, suggesting the tool could empower illiterate participants in maternal health discussions and highlight the importance of localized data ownership and awareness.
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Unlabelled: Gender analysis methodology is increasingly being considered as essential to health research because 'women's social, economic and political status undermine their ability to protect and promote their own physical, emotional and mental health, including their effective use of health information and services' {World Health Organization [Gender Analysis in Health: a review of selected tools. 2003; www.who.

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The 13 million nurses worldwide constitute most of the global healthcare workforce and are uniquely positioned to engage with others to address disparities in healthcare to achieve the goal of better health for all. A new vision for nurses involves active participation and collaboration with international colleagues across research practice and policy domains. Nursing can embrace new concepts and a new approach-"One World, One Health"-to animate nursing engagement in global health, as it is uniquely positioned to participate in novel ways to improve healthcare for the well-being of the global community.

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The Maasai pastoralists in sub-Saharan Africa depend on their livestock for income and food. Livestock production can be significantly improved by addressing animal health concerns. We explored the use of photovoice, a participatory action research method, to strengthen our understanding of the Maasai's animal health needs.

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Records at the Endulen Hospital in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania, reveal that soil-transmitted helminth infections and protozoa are consistently in the top ten diagnoses for Maasai pastoralists, indicating a significant public health concern. Nevertheless, Maasai pastoralist adaptations to life in close proximity to livestock and to unreliable access to water raise important questions about experiences of, and resiliency to, parasitic infections. Though these infections are particularly prevalent among youth in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), a focus on resiliency highlights local capacity to recover from and prevent illness.

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To improve health at the human, animal, and ecosystem interface, defined as One Health, training of researchers must transcend individual disciplines to develop a new process of collaboration. The transdisciplinary research approach integrates frameworks and methodologies beyond academic disciplines and includes involvement of and input from policy makers and members of the community. The authors argue that there should be a significant shift in academic institutions' research capacity to achieve the added value of a transdisciplinary approach for addressing One Health problems.

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