The impact of pertussis vaccine programme changes on pertussis disease burden in Manitoba, 1992-2017-an age-period-cohort analysis.

Background: Changes to pertussis vaccination programmes can have impacts on disease burden that should be estimated independently from factors such as age- and period-related trends. We used age-period-cohort (APC) models to explore pertussis incidence in Manitoba over a 25-year period (1992-2017).

Methods: We identified all laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis from Manitoba's Communicable Diseases Database and calculated age-standardized incidence rates.

Comparing the Ecological Niches of Chlamydial and Gonococcal Infections in Winnipeg, Canada: 2007-2016.

Background: Previous studies have shown substantial differences in geographic clustering of sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NG), conditional on epidemic phase. Chlamydia and NG have recently shown resurgent epidemiology in the northern hemisphere. This study describes the recent epidemiology of CT and NG in Winnipeg, Canada, combining traditional surveillance tools with place-based analyses, and comparing the ecological niches of CT and NG, in the context of their evolving epidemiology.

Lower prevalence of multiple sclerosis in First Nations Canadians.

Background: We compared the incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) between First Nations (FN) and non-FN populations in Manitoba.

Methods: We applied previously validated algorithms to population-based administrative (health claims) data from Manitoba, Canada, to identify all persons with MS from 1984 to 2011. We identified FN individuals using the Municipality of Registration field held at Manitoba Health.

Physical comorbidities increase the risk of psychiatric comorbidity in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Risk factors for psychiatric comorbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS) are poorly understood.

Objective: We evaluated the association between physical comorbidity and incident depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder in a MS population relative to a matched general population cohort.

Methods: Using population-based administrative data from Alberta, Canada we identified 9624 persons with MS, and 41,194 matches.

Chronic lung disease and multiple sclerosis: Incidence, prevalence, and temporal trends.

Objectives: We aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence of chronic lung disease (CLD), including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in the MS population versus a matched cohort from the general population.

Methods: We used population-based administrative data from four Canadian provinces to identify 44,452 persons with MS and 220,849 age-, sex- and geographically-matched controls aged 20 years and older. We employed a validated case definition to estimate the incidence and prevalence of CLD over the period 1995-2005, and used Poisson regression to assess temporal trends.

Infectious syphilis in women: what's old is new again?

The aim of this study was to examine trends in infectious syphilis epidemiology among women in Winnipeg, Canada. A descriptive study of syphilis among Winnipeg residents between 2003 and 30 June 2015 was undertaken. Adjusted rate ratios (ARR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) from Poisson regression analyses are reported.

Did the H1N1 Vaccine Reduce the Risk of Admission with Influenza and Pneumonia during the Pandemic?

Background: The extent to which A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza vaccines prevented hospital admissions with pneumonia and influenza (P&I) during the 2009 pandemic remains poorly understood. We evaluated the effectiveness of the A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza vaccines (TIV) used during the 2009 mass vaccination campaign in Manitoba (Canada) in preventing P&I hospitalization.

Methods: A population-based record-linkage nested case-control study.

Epidemiology of incident chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections and population attributable fractions associated with living in the inner-core of Winnipeg, Canada.

Population attributable fractions help to convey public health significance of differential disease risk for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Geographical residence serves as a useful proxy for complex processes creating ill health. Using population-based data, Poisson regression models were used to examine factors associated with chlamydia and gonorrhoea incidence.

Between a rock and a hard place: Smoking trends in a Manitoba First Nation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare smoking prevalence over two time periods in a Manitoba First Nation community.

Methods: Data fromtwo independent Diabetes Screening Studies in Sandy Bay First Nation, collected in 2002/2003 (n = 482) and 2011/2012 (n = 596),were used. Crude prevalence of current and ever smoking as well as current smoke exposure was estimated.

High incidence and increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis in British Columbia, Canada: findings from over two decades (1991-2010).

Province-wide population-based administrative health data from British Columbia (BC), Canada (population: approximately 4.5 million) were used to estimate the incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and examine potential trends over time. All BC residents meeting validated health administrative case definitions for MS were identified using hospital, physician, death, and health registration files.

Effect of comorbidity on mortality in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: We aimed to compare survival in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population with a matched cohort from the general population, and to evaluate the association of comorbidity with survival in both populations.

Methods: Using population-based administrative data, we identified 5,797 persons with MS and 28,807 controls matched on sex, year of birth, and region. We estimated annual mortality rates.

Barriers and facilitators related to use of prenatal care by inner-city women: perceptions of health care providers.

Background: Socioeconomic disparities in the use of prenatal care (PNC) exist even where care is universally available and publicly funded. Few studies have sought the perspectives of health care providers to understand and address this problem. The purpose of this study was to elicit the experiential knowledge of PNC providers in inner-city Winnipeg, Canada regarding their perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to PNC for the clients they serve and their suggestions on how PNC services might be improved to reduce disparities in utilization.

Perceptions of barriers, facilitators and motivators related to use of prenatal care: A qualitative descriptive study of inner-city women in Winnipeg, Canada.

Objective: The objective of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perceptions of women living in inner-city Winnipeg, Canada, about barriers, facilitators, and motivators related to their use of prenatal care.

Methods: Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted in person with 26 pregnant or postpartum women living in inner-city neighborhoods with high rates of inadequate prenatal care. Interviews averaged 67 min in length.

Comorbidity increases the risk of hospitalizations in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between comorbidity and rates of hospitalization in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population as compared to a matched cohort from the general population.

Methods: Using population-based administrative data from the Canadian province of Manitoba, we identified 4,875 persons with MS and a matched general population cohort of 24,533 persons. We identified all acute care hospitalizations in the period 2007-2011.

Dramatically changing rates and reasons for hospitalization in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: We aimed to describe hospitalizations in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population, and to evaluate temporal trends in hospitalizations in the MS population compared to the general population.

Methods: Using population-based administrative data, we identified 5,797 persons with MS and a matched general population cohort of 28,769 persons. Using general linear models, we evaluated temporal trends in hospitalization rates and length of stay in the 2 populations over the period 1984-2011.

Barriers, motivators and facilitators related to prenatal care utilization among inner-city women in Winnipeg, Canada: a case-control study.

Background: The reasons why women do not obtain prenatal care even when it is available and accessible are complex. Despite Canada's universally funded health care system, use of prenatal care varies widely across neighborhoods in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with the highest rates of inadequate prenatal care found in eight inner-city neighborhoods. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers, motivators and facilitators related to use of prenatal care among women living in these inner-city neighborhoods.

Prevalence and incidence of ischemic heart disease in multiple sclerosis: A population-based validation study.

Background: Studies suggest an altered risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in multiple sclerosis (MS), but data are limited. We aimed to validate and apply administrative case definitions to estimate the incidence and prevalence of IHD in MS.

Methods: Using administrative data we identified persons with incident MS (MSPOP) and a matched general population (GPOP) cohort.

Mental comorbidity and multiple sclerosis: validating administrative data to support population-based surveillance.

Background: While mental comorbidity is considered common in multiple sclerosis (MS), its impact is poorly defined; methods are needed to support studies of mental comorbidity. We validated and applied administrative case definitions for any mental comorbidities in MS.

Methods: Using administrative health data we identified persons with MS and a matched general population cohort.

High rates of physician services utilization at least five years before multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) management has changed over time, but changes in health care utilization by MS patients remain understudied. We estimated physician services utilization in the five-year periods before and after MS diagnosis, and over the period 1984-2008.

Methods: Using administrative data we identified 4092 persons with MS and a matched general population (GPOP) cohort of 21,446 persons.

The utility of administrative data for surveillance of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis: a validation study.

Background: Although comorbidity is important in multiple sclerosis (MS), few validated methods for its assessment exist. We validated and applied administrative case definitions for several comorbidities in MS.

Methods: Using provincial administrative data we identified persons with MS and a matched general population cohort.

The incidence and prevalence of fibromyalgia are higher in multiple sclerosis than the general population: A population-based study.

Objective: Fibromyalgia adversely affects quality of life, yet little is known of the epidemiology of this condition in MS. We aimed to validate and apply administrative case definitions for fibromyalgia in MS.

Methods: Using administrative health data we identified persons with MS and an age-, sex- and geographically-matched general population (GP) cohort.