Publications by authors named "Mohsen Malekinejad"
Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, digital exposure notification systems are increasingly used to support traditional contact tracing and other preventive strategies. Likewise, a plethora of COVID-19 mobile applications have emerged. Objective: To characterize the global landscape of pandemic related mobile applications, including digital exposure notification and contact tracing tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study explored how digital Exposure Notification (EN) systems, like California's CA Notify, can enhance traditional contact tracing and support public health during COVID-19.
- Researchers developed a statistical model to predict short-term COVID-19 caseloads by incorporating EN activity, finding that including EN data improved prediction accuracy significantly.
- The results indicate that smartphone-based ENs can effectively serve as early warning systems, helping health officials allocate resources and interventions more efficiently.
Introduction: Socio-cultural norms can either be encouraging or a barrier to addiction treatment. More, rigorous research is needed on nonindigenous models in addiction treatment, to better understand the role of socio-cultural differences.
Methods: The present qualitative study is part of the project, "The Inclusive Assessment of the Barriers of Drug Addiction Treatment Services in Iran," which was conducted in Tehran from 2018 to 2021.
Background: Children represent nearly 40% of forcibly displaced populations and are subject to stressors that affect well-being. Little is known about the effects of interventions to enhance psychological resilience in these children, outside clinical settings.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review, following Cochrane methods.
Objectives: Toward common methods for system monitoring and evaluation, we proposed a key performance indicator framework and discussed lessons learned while implementing a statewide exposure notification (EN) system in California during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Materials And Methods: California deployed the Google Apple Exposure Notification framework, branded CA Notify, on December 10, 2020, to supplement traditional COVID-19 contact tracing programs. For system evaluation, we defined 6 key performance indicators: adoption, retention, sharing of unique codes, identification of potential contacts, behavior change, and impact.
Objective: This investigation explored the barriers and facilitators to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the integrated paradigm.
Methods: A search technique for barriers and facilitators of SUD treatment was applied to the PubMed and Web of Science databases to identify relevant systematic reviews. The eligibility criteria included systematic review (SR) or SR plus meta-analysis (MA) articles published before the end of 2021, human research, and the English language.
Background: Persons who experience homelessness remain at increased risk for three viral blood-borne infections: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the yield of testing and linkage to care programs targeting this population for these infections in the United States (US).
Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central for peer-reviewed articles through August 27, 2020.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to important indirect health and social harms in addition to deaths and morbidity due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. These indirect impacts, such as increased depression and substance abuse, can have persistent effects over the life course. Estimated health and cost outcomes of such conditions and mitigation strategies may guide public health responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMen who have sex with men (MSM) often change sexual behaviors following HIV diagnosis. This systematic review examined such changes, including sero-adaptive behaviors (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Nonviral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase risk of sexually acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Updated risk estimates carefully scrutinizing temporality bias of studies are needed.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42018084299) of peer-reviewed studies evaluating variation in risk of HIV infection among high-risk heterosexuals diagnosed with any of: Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, and/or Trichomonas vaginalis.
Background: Contact investigation, the systematic evaluation of individuals in close contact with an infectious tuberculosis (TB) patient, is a key active case-finding strategy for global TB control. Better estimates of the yield of contact investigation can guide strategies to reduce the number of underreported and underdiagnosed TB cases, approximately three million cases per year globally. A systematic review (Prospero ID # CRD42019133380) and meta-analysis was conducted to update and enhance the estimates of the yield of TB contact investigation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Background Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for persons with current or past sexually transmitted infections (STI). Our aim is to systematically assess the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) sero-markers for current or past infection with syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or unspecified STIs.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) who have bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are at increased risk for HIV infection. We enhanced and updated past summary risk estimates.
Methods: We systematically reviewed (PROSPERO No.
HIV-infected individuals "aware" of their infection are more likely to use condoms, compared to HIV-infected "unaware" persons. To quantify this likelihood, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: While risk of outdoor transmission of respiratory viral infections is hypothesized to be low, there are limited data on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in outdoor compared to indoor settings.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed papers indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science and preprints in Europe PMC through 12 August 2020 that described cases of human transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Reports of other respiratory virus transmission were included for reference.
Context: An estimated 21% of non-U.S.-born persons in the United States have a reactive tuberculin skin test (TST) and are at risk of progressing to TB disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is often a discordance between health research evidence and public health policies implemented by the United States federal government. In the process of developing health policy, discordance can arise through subjective and objective factors that are unrelated to the value of the evidence itself, and can inhibit the use of research evidence. We explore two common types of discordance through four illustrative examples and then propose a potential means of addressing discordance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Contact investigation is an important strategy for maintaining control of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States. However, testing and treatment outcomes specifically to foreign-born populations are poorly understood. We reviewed literature on testing and LTBI identified during contact investigations in foreign-born populations living in the US.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Homelessness increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent TB infection (LTBI), but persons experiencing homelessness often lack access to testing and treatment. We assessed the yield of TB testing and linkage to care for programs targeting homeless populations in the United States.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature, adapting Cochrane systematic review methods.
Background: Iran has experienced an emerging epidemic of methamphetamine use during recent years which has added to existing non-injecting and injecting opioid use in the country. This study explored factors influencing the initiation into or transition to methamphetamine use among young people who use drugs (PWUD).
Methods: We conducted 42 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with young PWUD (n = 35) and health care workers (HCWs) (n = 7) between July and October 2011 in Tehran, Iran.
School-based programs have been a mainstay of youth pregnancy prevention efforts in the USA. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess their effectiveness. Eligible studies evaluated the effect on pregnancy rates of programs delivered in elementary, middle, or high schools in the USA and Canada, published between January 1985 and September 2016.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To synthesize outputs and outcomes of community-based tuberculosis targeted testing and treatment (TTT) programs in foreign-born populations (FBP) in the United States (US).
Methods: We systematically searched five bibliographic databases and other key resources. Two reviewers independently applied eligibility criteria to screen citations and extracted data from included studies.
Background: Despite significant public health implications, the extent to which community-based condom distribution interventions (CDI) prevent HIV infection in the United States is not well understood.
Methods: We systematically reviewed research evidence applying Cochrane Collaboration methods. We used a comprehensive search strategy to search multiple bibliographic databases for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs published from 1986-2017.
Purpose: The use of medical imaging has expanded greatly in the past three decades, raising concern about potential unwanted carcinogenic harms associated with exposure to ionizing radiation among patients. This study summarizes evidence of efficacy of interventions that have prompted policies, and structural-level interventions aimed at reducing radiation dose and risk of cancer, especially among women.
Methods: Using standard terms, we conducted searches in MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, and de-duplicated retrieved citations.